https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScOB4I1s3qw

Shining Force CD was one of the few games released for the Sega CD. Set 20 years after Shining Force I, it was visually the best Shining Force of the 16-bit era, spanning across three books (4 if you find a key object). What about musically?

Being the only Sega CD game I’ve ever played I have no point of comparison with other games from the console. But compared to ordinary Sega Genesis music (even Shining Force II), it’s night and day. I’ve never heard such realistic arrangements even on the Super Nintendo.

One thing that struck me, other than the realism of the arrangements, is their proximity to SF II; they sound like an orchestrated version. The Ally Battle Theme (Track 19) is a good example. The intro is very similar although it’s played with trumpets and the rest of the (shorter) loop is played with violins. It sounds more heroic this way. Enemy Attack (Track 16) sounds more dramatic here with the violin track in the background and bursts of trumpets here and there. The core of the loop also has low-tone brass that also heightens the drama. There are also two boss battle themes (track 17 and 18) that seem based on SF II. The former sounds more dramatic with the upbeat violins in the background and the high-pitch sounds in the main track. The second one is slightly slower and doesn’t use as much brass but was still able to keep its dramatic tone. And the joining themes (there are like 4 or 5) are also orchestrated; one is even played on the electric guitar. It sounds a little silly for an RPG but it’s still enjoyable.

Another thing that struck me is the variety of battlefield tracks. It’s not just the overworld, the cave, the public place and the final battle. First there is a “dramatic” theme (tracks 13), which reminded me of a SF I battlefield (the very first one). The slow tempo heightens the drama supported by the violins on the main track; about midway through the loop you hear a string solo that adds some suspense to the track. It then becomes louder with brass.

There are also “outside” themes (tracks 14, 15 and 24) that usually happen on plains or close to the water. 15 doesn’t quite sound as epic as the SF II overworld theme, but the violin arrangements still keep it epic enough. And the muted brass arrangements add the perfect touch. 14 sounds like a slower version of 15, but the violins in the intro sound epic enough; you can also hear high-pitch ones in the background. About midway through the loop it gets pretty intense with drums and brass that make for an epic theme. 24 sounds like a dramatic version of 15 with good violins in the first part followed by muted brass, high-pitch brass and even more dramatic violins. The loop closes on VERY dramatic violin arrangements almost good enough for a final battle.

There are more “mysterious” tracks that sound like you are infiltrating an enemy stronghold (tracks 22 and 23). 22 is very slow and heavy, showing that the infiltration won’t be easy, and the violins remind you that you are indeed in a battle. 23 is the best track of the album. The first part has a mix of violins and harp that create a slow, intriguing atmosphere. It then cuts sharply about midway through the loop to become a little more dramatic and upbeat. It sounds very appropriate for the book 4 battle.

Finally there are the jazzy and Oriental tracks of the third book. Track 26 is a perfect fit for the fight in the bar with drunken dwarves everywhere. I loved the slow drum in the background and the bassoon on the main track. Track 27 was also a perfect fit for that fight in the Oriental garden surrounded by pagodas. The background strings and the main flute truly sound like what you might hear in Japan. They even had their unique battle themes (tracks 20 and 21). The former is more upbeat with drums in the background and good flute, while the latter is more faithful to the music in Track 27 with the flute and drum.

In short, Shining Force CD is the perfect fit for your video game music. Although it doesn’t loop twice (it was too obvious in-game) the soundtrack has the most realistic arrangements of the 16-bit era. You will enjoy it, especially when you recognize familiar tracks from Shining Force II.