Music

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Originally Posted by Rjain

FFXI has better music than FFXIV? What?

This is pure example of people who are too stricken with nostalgia to hear straight.

No, it isn't better. Yes FFXI is a great game yes it has good music but a lot of the music contains recycled beats and lacks spirit. Compared to most FF games, only a small handful of songs really stick out.

FFXIV contains a lot of variation and a lot of style, and it conveys mood quite well. Some songs not as good as others but its soundtrack is better than XI by far.

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Exactly... FF11 music was great and all but everyone is stuck on it , yet it had only a few true FF style tracks. 14 Has easily gone back to the Final Fantasy feel in the music department, just needs to be cleaned up a bit^^

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Originally Posted by Rjain

FFXI has better music than FFXIV? What?

This is pure example of people who are too stricken with nostalgia to hear straight.

No, it isn't better. Yes FFXI is a great game yes it has good music but a lot of the music contains recycled beats and lacks spirit. Compared to most FF games, only a small handful of songs really stick out.

FFXIV contains a lot of variation and a lot of style, and it conveys mood quite well. Some songs not as good as others but its soundtrack is better than XI by far.

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I disagree maybe some was recycled etc.. the point is the music fit the mood quite well especially in battles in field or dungeons, bosses, bcnms and so on. I'm not saying all the music is bad in XIV but the good stuff is barely even heard, it's like in a few cut scenes etc. The music likes and dislikes is purely personal and to me most battle music blows expect in the 2 northern zones. To be honest I guess battle music only makes a appearance in NM fights because all other battles last for like 5secs.

I'm also going to have to disagree with the OP. I think that overall the FF14 soundtrack is fantastic. There are a few tracks that I don't particularly care for, and a few that do seem a little out of place. But I really like most of the tracks, and some of them (like "Answers") are outstanding.

I enjoyed the FF11 soundtrack as well. To be honest, I own most of the CDs. But I don't think there were as many standout tracks. I suppose there were if you add in all of the FF11 expansions, but I think that FF14 has a higher ratio of quality tracks.

Overall, I think that Uematsu is one of the best in the business. I love his stuff, and I really hope that he remains the composer for future FF14 expansions.

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Originally Posted by Rane

I'm also going to have to disagree with the OP. I think that overall the FF14 soundtrack is fantastic. There are a few tracks that I don't particularly care for, and a few that do seem a little out of place. But I really like most of the tracks, and some of them (like "Answers") are outstanding.

I enjoyed the FF11 soundtrack as well. To be honest, I own most of the CDs. But I don't think there were as many standout tracks. I suppose there were if you add in all of the FF11 expansions, but I think that FF14 has a higher ratio of quality tracks.

Overall, I think that Uematsu is one of the best in the business. I love his stuff, and I really hope that he remains the composer for future FF14 expansions.

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Well said *^.^* (Answers is my fav track for 14 Hehe, 14 also has the best choco remix I've heard in a FF title before)

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Originally Posted by Misha

Well said *^.^* (Answers is my fav track for 14 Hehe, 14 also has the best choco remix I've heard in a FF title before)

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(yes yes, I love Susan's voice, it's so....strong..... I'm so-so for the remix of chocobo, but the orchestrated version is DEFINITELY awesome.)

One word to describe the majority FFXIV's soundtracks: bombastic. I quite like it....

...And whoever mentioned that the region of La Noscea has the best tracks overall, I agree wholeheartedly.On Windy Meadows (La Noscea's theme) just makes me....tingly over all, and I sometimes find myself singing and harmonising with it. It's one of the reasons why I got into the game after listening to it repeatedly on the FFXIV website. Navigator's Glory is my favourite out of all the city themes, it's just so...grand....and actually fits in with the feel of Limsa Lominsa. Nail of the Heavens just makes fighting anything epic, even jellyfish.

Coerthas just makes me tear up. So simple, yet so moving....and it's battle theme is awesome. And so is Mor Dhona's....while Coerthas' theme doesn't really fit it's expansive area, I'm sure there'll be some kind of lore explaining the theme....perhaps something sad happened to the landscape?

The only theme I don't really like is Emerald Labyrinth. It's too.....repetitive....and sharp. Otherwise, FFXIV is one of my favourite soundtrack collection.

I actually do like the sound track, but I do admit when you hear the same song for 2 hours straight it tends to get boring. Sometimes you just need to mute the game music and listen to something else.

Strangely enough from most reviews I've read the music and graphics are the only the reviewers liked. I actually enjoy the music although previous FF titles are typically better.

the music is good but it doesnt fit the game and it feels like all the songs were composed without knowing how the game looks like.

i haaaaate the music in Thanalan ...the song itself isnt bad but i dont want to hear this kind of music while walking around in this kind of area, not in an mmo!

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Originally Posted by Rjain

FFXI has better music than FFXIV? What?

This is pure example of people who are too stricken with nostalgia to hear straight.

No, it isn't better. Yes FFXI is a great game yes it has good music but a lot of the music contains recycled beats and lacks spirit. Compared to most FF games, only a small handful of songs really stick out.

FFXIV contains a lot of variation and a lot of style, and it conveys mood quite well. Some songs not as good as others but its soundtrack is better than XI by far.

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Oh you, FFXIV forum posters.

"The older game has better music? That's just nostalgia I much prefer this random rock garbage battle theme and extra dull zone music". The problem with XIV's music is that it does not suit the game's setting at all. XI had no problem in that department. Every zone had a theme that expresses the area, the cutscenes had music that match the mood, and the battle themes didn't violate my ears even after I heard them a thousand times over. Can you really compare Gustaberg, Ronfaure, and Saruta to Thanalan/La Noscea/BLACK SHROUD. I don't think so. Hell the only decent tracks in XIV are the boss theme that plays when you fight a very anticlimactic end mob in faction levequests and Coerthas battle theme.

Saying the soundtrack is "better than XI by far" is like saying the market wards are better than having an AH. Even Aion had a better OST than XIV. I like Uematsu's work but he seriously dropped the ball with this one.

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Originally Posted by gifthorse

People who say FFXIV has bad music are absolutely deaf. The only thing you can really fault Uematsu on is the fact that some tracks aren't really consistent with the theme of the game.

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Yeah, one of the songs sounds like it should be in Parasite Eve.

I do agree that the music is very well composed and alot of the tracks are very very good in XIV.. but some just seem out of place and dont really correspond with the region to me... One of the biggest being around gridania region... just was expecting something a lil more whimsical and alive. Also Uemetsu's choice on using an electric guitar for some of the battle tracks were a hit or miss for me.

i dont like every track but most of them i do like a lot. The problem is they get way to repetitive. Especially in cities, where you spend a lot of your time.
An option on "how often" a music plays, or the same tune with some minor changes playing instead of the current them would be nice and spice things up. I think atm it would be easier to give us some more options (i know SE hates options) but since theres not many places to go the music is repetitive like hell After 20 major patches and 20+ cities and areas well, i think the repitition wont be a problem anymore but til then i would like to have some more music options.

The music i HATE is the crafting tune, i would love to be able to just fade that one out. not the entire music but this one.
The music to me is like the middlefinger when im crafting around in hope it will be useful in the end....

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Originally Posted by Demacia

Oh you, FFXIV forum posters.

"The older game has better music? That's just nostalgia I much prefer this random rock garbage battle theme and extra dull zone music". The problem with XIV's music is that it does not suit the game's setting at all. XI had no problem in that department. Every zone had a theme that expresses the area, the cutscenes had music that match the mood, and the battle themes didn't violate my ears even after I heard them a thousand times over. Can you really compare Gustaberg, Ronfaure, and Saruta to Thanalan/La Noscea/BLACK SHROUD. I don't think so. Hell the only decent tracks in XIV are the boss theme that plays when you fight a very anticlimactic end mob in faction levequests and Coerthas battle theme.

Saying the soundtrack is "better than XI by far" is like saying the market wards are better than having an AH. Even Aion had a better OST than XIV. I like Uematsu's work but he seriously dropped the ball with this one.

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OH you FFXI nostalgia guys. Can't you even accept the fact that IN SOMEONE ELSE'S OPNION, XIV feature X is actually better than XI feature X? Why keep flaming and arguing about that?

Some people WILL like XIV's OST or the Market Wards or anything else over the 'same' feature in XI, disagree all that you want, but don't close your eyes to the fact that not everyone will agree that everything in XI was the epitome of perfection and instantly better than their XIV's counterpart.

I like the music just fine, if anything I wish they would add more in places like in caves, although no music there does add to the sense that they are desolate places.... I guess.. No actually I'd rather they added some cool moody music to these places.

Track Manager, yes please!!

Hitoshi Sakimoto. That is all.

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Originally Posted by AdvancedWind

OH you FFXI nostalgia guys. Can't you even accept the fact that IN SOMEONE ELSE'S OPNION, XIV feature X is actually better than XI feature X? Why keep flaming and arguing about that?

Some people WILL like XIV's OST or the Market Wards or anything else over the 'same' feature in XI, disagree all that you want, but don't close your eyes to the fact that not everyone will agree that everything in XI was the epitome of perfection and instantly better than their XIV's counterpart.

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Of course I can accept that it's simply someone's opinion, but he obviously couldn't since apparently he boils another person's opinion down to being pure nostalgia. See where I'm going with this? Equality and Justice, yo.

I think people like the music in less common areas more because...well it is less common for them to hear. We play the game so much and hear the same music so often that the music slowly lost some of it's magic on us. I remember when I first started the game and going outside and hearing different music in each area was like breathing in fresh, cool, crisp air. Now it's a little stale, but you know, I still play the music. I think it gives the areas feeling. Though, it is hard for me to remember back when I used to LIKE the music in the Black Shroud...now I just have to turn it off when I'm there lol.

The problem with this games music is it isn't "Bad music", it's that it doesn't fit any zone AT ALL. None of the music fits or makes any sense, it was completely rushed. This games music is good, but it doesn't work for where they put it. Coerthas music makes no sense AT ALL, seriously, go listen to it and look at the zone. Thanalan's music also doesn't make sense, why am I hearing this type of music in a desert? Uldah's doesn't really fit either, limsa's is fine, Mor dhona's is AWESOME once the creepy music starts. A lot of zones don't even have music, like nanawa, muy-tuy, cassie, etc.

The music is fine, the places they use the music is horrible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpmsFVCaKP4 <- Coerthas theme, please, tell me, how does this music make ANY sense being in Coerthas? It doesn't.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OzLR...eature=related Is this in the game? It's good, but shouldn't this be boss battle music and not "coerthas battle music" lol?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhHoc...eature=related <- Thanalan theme, why is this desert music?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiHA7...eature=related <- "Track 37" - Where the hell is this song?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dJ3D...eature=related <- Fieldcraft guildleve music. this reminds me of music for bastok for some reason, why is this music for a fieldcraft leve?

Another problem is we hear the SAME music all the time. Just bought the game and killing mobs? Have fun listening to thanalan's theme. Killing mobs at 10? Same. 20? Same. 30? Same, 40? Same! 50? Yep, you bet. Very lame, different parts of the zone needs different music, different atmospheres, different everything. It mainly goes back to everywhere being copy/paste tbh.

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Originally Posted by Shiyo

The problem with this games music is it isn't "Bad music", it's that it doesn't fit any zone AT ALL. None of the music fits or makes any sense, it was completely rushed. This games music is good, but it doesn't work for where they put it. Coerthas music makes no sense AT ALL, seriously, go listen to it and look at the zone. Thanalan's music also doesn't make sense, why am I hearing this type of music in a desert? Uldah's doesn't really fit either, limsa's is fine, Mor dhona's is AWESOME once the creepy music starts. A lot of zones don't even have music, like nanawa, muy-tuy, cassie, etc.

The music is fine, the places they use the music is horrible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpmsFVCaKP4 <- Coerthas theme, please, tell me, how does this music make ANY sense being in Coerthas? It doesn't.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OzLR...eature=related Is this in the game? It's good, but shouldn't this be boss battle music and not "coerthas battle music" lol?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhHoc...eature=related <- Thanalan theme, why is this desert music?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiHA7...eature=related <- "Track 37" - Where the hell is this song?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dJ3D...eature=related <- Fieldcraft guildleve music. this reminds me of music for bastok for some reason, why is this music for a fieldcraft leve?

Another problem is we hear the SAME music all the time. Just bought the game and killing mobs? Have fun listening to thanalan's theme. Killing mobs at 10? Same. 20? Same. 30? Same, 40? Same! 50? Yep, you bet. Very lame, different parts of the zone needs different music, different atmospheres, different everything. It mainly goes back to everywhere being copy/paste tbh.

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Meh just because you don't think it fits, doesn't mean it doesn't fit. The subtle music with a light piano music while adventuring is actually very peaceful and I like it. The coerthas battle music, maybe they have something else planned and there will be more mobs from the garlean empire there or something. And if you have ever traveled there, the mobs are a little more epic than an antling digger. I very much enjoy the music in this game and hope they don't change it

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Originally Posted by DeadRiser

Meh just because you don't think it fits, doesn't mean it doesn't fit. The subtle music with a light piano music while adventuring is actually very peaceful and I like it. The coerthas battle music, maybe they have something else planned and there will be more mobs from the garlean empire there or something. And if you have ever traveled there, the mobs are a little more epic than an antling digger. I very much enjoy the music in this game and hope they don't change it

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He's completely right. None of the game's music really suits the setting. I could play death metal to deer prancing about a meadow but that doesn't make it fit no matter how much I'd like it to.

I really like the battle tracks in the game.

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Originally Posted by DeadRiser

Meh just because you don't think it fits, doesn't mean it doesn't fit. The subtle music with a light piano music while adventuring is actually very peaceful and I like it. The coerthas battle music, maybe they have something else planned and there will be more mobs from the garlean empire there or something. And if you have ever traveled there, the mobs are a little more epic than an antling digger. I very much enjoy the music in this game and hope they don't change it

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It's not an opinion of whether or not it fits, it's a fact. There's really no way you can argue if the music fits or not @_@, it makes no sense AT ALL.

I just went to mistbeard cove, and LOL, the music is that of a town. The music does not fit the zone at all....it's really confusing and weird. It's like nobou thought this was a city and not a cave underground with mobs x_x

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Originally Posted by Nuru

Hitoshi Sakimoto. That is all.

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Agreed! I've been saying this since these forums opened.

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Originally Posted by Shiyo

The problem with this games music is it isn't "Bad music", it's that it doesn't fit any zone AT ALL. None of the music fits or makes any sense, it was completely rushed. This games music is good, but it doesn't work for where they put it. Coerthas music makes no sense AT ALL, seriously, go listen to it and look at the zone. Thanalan's music also doesn't make sense, why am I hearing this type of music in a desert? Uldah's doesn't really fit either, limsa's is fine, Mor dhona's is AWESOME once the creepy music starts. A lot of zones don't even have music, like nanawa, muy-tuy, cassie, etc.

The music is fine, the places they use the music is horrible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpmsFVCaKP4 <- Coerthas theme, please, tell me, how does this music make ANY sense being in Coerthas? It doesn't.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OzLR...eature=related Is this in the game? It's good, but shouldn't this be boss battle music and not "coerthas battle music" lol?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhHoc...eature=related <- Thanalan theme, why is this desert music?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiHA7...eature=related <- "Track 37" - Where the hell is this song?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dJ3D...eature=related <- Fieldcraft guildleve music. this reminds me of music for bastok for some reason, why is this music for a fieldcraft leve?

Another problem is we hear the SAME music all the time. Just bought the game and killing mobs? Have fun listening to thanalan's theme. Killing mobs at 10? Same. 20? Same. 30? Same, 40? Same! 50? Yep, you bet. Very lame, different parts of the zone needs different music, different atmospheres, different everything. It mainly goes back to everywhere being copy/paste tbh.

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Not to burst your bubble, but FFXI was the same battle track all around the world. Only time it changed was when you were in Party/cave/both/expansion/boss. Otherwise, FFXIV has a wider variety of tracks, and let alone it is your choice to rank up in different areas or not.

I'm not really for or against any changes, i just wish Hitoshi would have worked on it. Maybe its just me, but i think Akihiko Yoshida's Artwork and Hotoshi' Sakimoto's compositions really compliment each other. Not once have i seen a Final Fantasy title with Yoshida's artwork go without Hitoshi Sakimoto.

If Hitoshi could work closely with Nobuo Uematsu, I think that would make for some orgasmic music for this game. I have lots of love for Uematsu, but I think this game requires more than one person working on the music. :P

I was not talking about battle music, that doesn't need to change, I was talking about the zone-wide music.

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Originally Posted by Kirith

as he was forced to compose them without even seeing the game once.

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That's...disheartening.

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Originally Posted by Gramul

That's...disheartening.

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It makes perfect sense, it's why none of the music fits any of the zones.

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Originally Posted by Nuru

Not to burst your bubble, but FFXI was the same battle track all around the world. Only time it changed was when you were in Party/cave/both/expansion/boss. Otherwise, FFXIV has a wider variety of tracks, and let alone it is your choice to rank up in different areas or not.

I'm not really for or against any changes, i just wish Hitoshi would have worked on it. Maybe its just me, but i think Akihiko Yoshida's Artwork and Hotoshi' Sakimoto's compositions really compliment each other. Not once have i seen a Final Fantasy title with Yoshida's artwork go without Hitoshi Sakimoto.

If Hitoshi could work closely with Nobuo Uematsu, I think that would make for some orgasmic music for this game. I have lots of love for Uematsu, but I think this game requires more than one person working on the music. :P

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FFXI has 12 battle themes not counting boss/assault/pankration/ballista music. XI has a much wider variety of tracks but it also has a ton of years and expansions behind that. My argument is that the XI tracks actually suit the game. I say if XIV is going to jack every member of XI's dev team they might as well bring in the composer too. That man can make a soundtrack. Special mention to Kumi Tanioka as well.

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Originally Posted by Demacia

FFXI has 12 battle themes not counting boss/assault/pankration/ballista music. XI has a much wider variety of tracks but it also has a ton of years and expansions behind that. My argument is that the XI tracks actually suit the game. I say if XIV is going to jack every member of XI's dev team they might as well bring in the composer too. That man can make a soundtrack. Special mention to Kumi Tanioka as well.

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At this point, i really wouldnt mind a change in composition, but if Uematsu were given some time to actually visualize the prefect scenery + sound visualizations, I'm sure it would make for a great game. FFXI composer Naoshi Mizuta was perfect for FFXI and the setting + scenery.

What I would like to see is more than one composer making music for this game, and be able to use the same instruments and soundfonts so that the music isnt out of whack. Hitoshi Sakimoto happens to be one of my favorites, and since Akihiko Yoshida has done the artwork for the game, I just can't help but to feel weird about the artwork-composer combination.

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Originally Posted by Shiyo

It's not an opinion of whether or not it fits, it's a fact. There's really no way you can argue if the music fits or not @_@, it makes no sense AT ALL.

I just went to mistbeard cove, and LOL, the music is that of a town. The music does not fit the zone at all....it's really confusing and weird. It's like nobou thought this was a city and not a cave underground with mobs x_x

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We know nothing about mistbeard cove or any lore about it. Hell, we don't even have leves there yet, so you can't really judge on it yet. I like it, redoing the music in this game takes time and people un-appreciating what he did is kind of sad

There's a little something after the locked rooms in mistbeard cove, probably the reason for the theme song.

I am surprise so few people complain about the bgm / music.

There is no soul on all the tracks. Boring. I highly believe many one agree and, just like me, turn off all music while playing the game. What a shame SE.

Please, for god sake, overhaul all music currently in ff14. Not necessary FF11 style(I do prefer though) but they all do need change. This is not the moment to save face, or think about saving budget. The music is seriously need change for FF14 to have chance to success..

Please..

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Originally Posted by dream

I am surprise so few people complain about the bgm / music.

There is no soul on all the tracks. Boring. I highly believe many one agree and, just like me, turn off all music while playing the game. What a shame SE.

Please, for god sake, overhaul all music currently in ff14. Not necessary FF11 style(I do prefer though) but they all do need change. This is not the moment to save face, or think about saving budget. The music is seriously need change for FF14 to have chance to success..

Please..

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So few complain because for many it is one of the best parts of the game. It is not typical MMO BGM, but it sounds much more like a traditional final fantasy honestly.

It has the typical FF flare to it, made by the man who is world famous for video game music composition and known as the man behind the sound of Final Fantasy.

As for the SE being cheap with music... they probably spent more money on Nobou writing the whole 74ish song OST then most game spend on music for the release and multiple expansions.

The environmental music is good, the battle music is horrible by comparison (imo).

I almost wish they would not have battle music for every minor event... it breaks the flow in a way that it normally wouldn't in a single-player game.

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Originally Posted by Xatsh

It has the typical FF flare to it, made by the man who is world famous for video game music composition and known as the man behind the sound of Final Fantasy.

As for the SE being cheap with music... they probably spent more money on Nobou writing the whole 74ish song OST then most game spend on music for the release and multiple expansions.

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I love Nobuo Uematsu old time work in the low bit era, I did have high expectation. well.

Not saying SE being cheap on making the music we currently have. I just want them putting resources to rework on it.. maybe I am just minority. sigh

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Originally Posted by Verecund

The environmental music is good, the battle music is horrible by comparison (imo).

I almost wish they would not have battle music for every minor event... it breaks the flow in a way that it normally wouldn't in a single-player game.

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The abrupt change with battle music is a FF staple through the whole series FF1 through FF14, how is it not normal in the single player area.

I agreed with you, OP.
FFXIV music is kind of ....boring.
But yeah, most of people still love it and praise Uematsu for his work.
But for me, I think his work are too dull, for now. Seem like he out of idea.

Right now when I play I have to turn off the game music and listen to my youtube playlist.

Well, I think we can do much about the music that already put in-game.
But hopefully, SE will hire someone other than Uematsu to compose new area music.

Edited: I think the best way to play the music in MMO is a play for 1 or 2 loop then turn it of for a while.
Because we have to play this game for more than ....um.. 3-4 years. And listen to same old music will make gaming very boring.

(P.S. I just remembered that I turn off the FFXI music for sometime too, but I never turn it off when I start playing for 4-5 months. )

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Originally Posted by Xatsh

The abrupt change with battle music is a FF staple through the whole series FF1 through FF14, how is it not normal in the single player area.

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Reread my post..

:/

There really is no such thing as "bad" music

Either you enjoy it or you don't

Hey you could always turn the in-game music off and make your own soundtrack?

It's hard to say that the music wasn't rushed - otherwise why would the same music be heard for all ten grades of all three areas of each region? That's ridiculous. Four tracks for 90% of the overworld?

I like the arrangements themselves, in spite of the fact that after hours and hours they tend to boringly droll onwards due to their expansive territory, but I feel the final quality is poor - there's no soul in the instruments; it's like they were all just thrown together in a synth program and rendered into the game by Uematsu alone.

The rock music is catchy, but right now it's so very out of place - you see a cyberpunk setting, you resonate to techno ambiance, you see an industrial setting, you resonate to rock music, you see medieval, you resonate with classical / raw instruments. The world looks medieval, and thus we expect analog instrumentality - strings, percussion, woodwinds, etc.

However, the game isn't supposed to look medieval; the technology of Isghard and Garlemald far surpasses those standards. Hopefully, in time, we'll see enough modern tech in the patches/expansions to make the rock music a little more fitting.