@hosemisnuba:
Well, this is a long time coming, I guess.
So, basically, I think Trails in the Sky and Trails of Cold Steel both have ridiculously fantastic soundtracks. Based on my memory of the little I've listened to of each (aside from Trails in the Sky 1, which I've actually played), I'd probably give every single entry in the series a 9 out of 10 or above (on my arbitrary scale that is).
If I were to rank them based on my first listening of each, I would probably say the following:
1. Trails in the Sky 3
2. Trails in the Sky 2
2. Trails of Cold Steel 2
2. Trails of Cold Steel
5. Trails in the Sky 1
I haven't listened to Cold Steel 3 yet, but I intend to when I get back to it alphabetically on my list.
Because I haven't listened to any of the Trails Soundtrack soundtracks since about January this year, my memory of their is a little fuzzy. Thus, I find it a little hard to properly discuss each in detail (aside from maybe 1). When I reexamine these soundtracks when I finish the Ls, a while from now, I'll give you a proper opinion on each, but for now, all I can say is that my basic opinion on these soundtracks is extremely positive.
As I mentioned, I've played one. My favorite tracks from it are probably the final dungeon theme, one of the forest themes, and Grancel's town theme.
Anyways, what are you favorites from the series; I'm curious.
If I go by what tracks I listen to most and have more that stand out, Sky 2 and 3 are pretty close, I feel with 3 having a bit on an edge, and Sky 1 after that. Cold Steel 1 and 2 are good, but only a few really stood out to me.
As for favorite tracks from the series, oh boy. I'm not sure if I've adequately gotten across how much I love the Sky games, but it is my favorite series of games, and I even put it above the Persona games. So trying to pin down absolute favorites is really hard, but I'll mention some that I really like from each game in the trilogy.
Sky 1
My favorite town theme would be the
. It gives of a relaxing tone, but also gives a hint of excitement as well. When I think of places that I've been that have harbors or canals, this tune sticks in my head.
is one that I love, especially knowing everything that happens later. It gives off the vibe of an adventure, and later throws in some more bombastic tones as a way to show how things will get bigger later on. Also, having played the entire trilogy now, it gives off a sense of nostalgia and humble beginnings.
(both Sky 1 and the rearranged version in 2). It only plays in specific scenes and fights, and when it happens, it's a pretty emotional/epic scene. It also really gives the feeling that something big is at stake. I remember one particular fight in 2 that took me a while because I was way underleveled, but this theme kept me going till I won despite being so weak. There's also a optional fight in 3 that fits so perfectly with this, which I won't dare spoil because of how great and unexpected it is.
really gave a feel of this is it, the end of the game feel, and there's a particular scene in 2 that it's used in to really elevate the situation that is going on. It's one that goes into my head whenever I find myself at a place that feel larger than life. Then there's the e
. Since you played the first game, once those credits played I was speechless and this theme was a great way to wrap up the game and give pause for everything that happened throughout the game.
Sky 2
. Sets the tone for the game, and especially after waiting 2.5 years for the sequel to come out, it really pumped me up. Gives off an adventure tone, but has that foreboding feeling to it as well.
. When it starts, it gives an ominous vibe until it shifts tone, giving the feeling that what is happening is pretty big. It's well used in the game as well, allowing you to brace for what's going to happen and then see the scene unfold.
. Love the epic tone at the start, to change to ominous, to epic again. Gives off the sense of a story, and when the final fight is happening, it really gives off the sense that the two games were building up to this encounter.
. A lot of these tracks come because of how they are used, and this one made me an emotional wreck. Won't go beyond that because of spoilers, but even knowing what's about to happen, when this theme plays I start to tear up.
Sky 3
. This one sticks in my mind because how disturbing a scene happens with this playing. 3rd goes into some dark territory, but this was something I did not expect to see coming, even though I knew one specific context that it was going to be in. God it still gets to me.
. The final dungeon of the entire trilogy. Really gives a sense of finality and forebodingness, yet makes me want to push on. With how the final dungeon is done and my experience going through it, this theme just sticks so well with me, it's hard to go into detail without spoilers. Let's just say, it really got me prepared for the final fight, and made me reflect a lot on everything leading up to this time.
(end credits). Ok, this is one where it sticks so much all because of the memories. To the very first scene to the last, it has been an emotional rollercoaster for me. All these characters I have been with throughout the series have grown and went through their own ordeals. While they still have much to, they have come so far and I am happy to have been a part of that journey, and that makes me happy. However, it's sad, because when and if I'll ever see some of these characters again lingers in my mind. Some do make appearances in other games later on, but others may never show up again, and I would love to see a lot of these cast members to reunite, even if just briefly. This is probably my favorite track of the trilogy, because it encompasses all that and more.
There are a lot more tracks I would love to go into, and go even more into the ones I mentioned. However, I have to go deep into detail about the game's story and why each part gets to me, and that would require major spoilers, and for people who haven't played the game or love it as much as I do, would not care that much. A few others that stand out to me are
,
,
, and
.
I'll leave it there for now. I do look forward to your thoughts on them later, and hope that you get through the other games eventually. Falcom's tracks are great, but I feel are elevated when played in their games.