Two months... I have been away for too long. Unfortunately, hospital work has gotten in the way of my duties here at RPGamer. Being able to post depends entirely whether I have toxic duty or not. Nonetheless, I have finally found the time and energy to post today.
On to the tracks, then. Overworld is Daryl's take on the main theme. I don't know if this is intentional, but the fragment from 0:43-0:45 sounds a bit like a fragment of Prelude. What I love most about the mix is that it throws the listener off. It begins very simply with broken chords and warm strings carrying the melody. As it progresses, the instrumentation becomes more complex and frantic, only to become simpler, purer and more soulful at 1:44.
Back-to-back with Overworld is Underworld, a piece built upon a theme that was, in turn, based on the main theme, Overworld's source. As such it is a variation of a variation of sorts. Drastically different in instrumentation, Daryl manages to capture that eerier essence with layers upon layers of sound samples. My only concern is the introduction, as it comprises a quarter of the entire piece.
Dancing Calbrena is one of my favorite tracks in Final Fantasy IV, and corresponds to one of the more disturbing parts of the game. I have always been frightened of dolls since seeing a horror movie with a story revolving around possessed toys as a young child. Battling that doll brought back memories. Daryl manages to capture the essence of the piece—diabolically playful. I just wish the end wasn't so abrupt. A fade-out with subtle piano or high-pitched string pizzicati would've been more in-tune with the eerieness of the piece.
Lastly, we have Rydia's Return. Now, I have to be honest here, when remixing battle themes, I usually like them just as frenetic or even moreso than the original, or drastically lyric and slow. Anywhere in between, I'm not too much of a fan. However, this is just me. I'm sure other people would love this piece. After all, it is impeccably constructed.
I hope this update managed to quench the musical thirst of Sound Test readers. I'm sorry for not having updated for so long, but I suppose it can't be helped. Well, then, folks. Until next time!
Fermat's Last Theorem, M.D.
Sound Test Curator
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