The Nobuo Uematsu Appreciation Thread

[SupaCancerion]

You do know Uematsu composed the soundtrack for FFXIV don't you?

I'm thinking it may come from him being used to making music for single-player RPG games. In those you only need to make a tune for a particular scene and it may not be used again, so you can give it the necessary feel for what's happening. In an MMO the world will always be evoling with more stuff being added to it and extra music to go with it may not be a possibility at the time, so it's best to make music that can fit a variety of situations rather than having 1 track focusing on 1 thing. Because of that the music sounds more 'generalised' so it can be re-usable.

Yes, I'm completely aware that Uematsu composed the soundtrack. That is why I'm so upset about it.

I agree with what you're saying though. Which is why I wonder why he chose to make the tracks so loopy and repetitive. Take the company themes for example; there are different stages of the pieces where the pace of the music changes and becomes a different tune for a while, then back again. That is perfect for something that's going to repeat. But for most of the themes the music just loops the same two things over. . . and over. . . and over again. What we need are longer pieces that contain more music that changes from time to time, instead of short loops. Maybe it was laziness or lack of interest in the project; maybe it was SE rushing the hell out of him (I'm guessing the latter), but either way, I believe that the musical pieces for this game are seriously lackluster for the most part. I will say, however, that it's gotten better since they've changed around some of the themes, and I know there are a lot of tracks he composed that aren't even in the game at all for whatever stupid reason; why don't they throw them in the mix?

[Teknoman]

Heres a few more:

Rebel Army: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnhX5KTpOuA ( I think Uematsu could really reach back into the past for future XIV track inspiration)

Ancient Castle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UTFx62k_Qc

Eternal Wind NES ver.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9xyV-Rz5Jk

Crystal Tower: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdmqWICKtAc

Yes, I'm completely aware that Uematsu composed the soundtrack. That is why I'm so upset about it.

I agree with what you're saying though. Which is why I wonder why he chose to make the tracks so loopy and repetitive. Take the company themes for example; there are different stages of the pieces where the pace of the music changes and becomes a different tune for a while, then back again. That is perfect for something that's going to repeat. But for most of the themes the music just loops the same two things over. . . and over. . . and over again. What we need are longer pieces that contain more music that changes from time to time, instead of short loops. Maybe it was laziness or lack of interest in the project; maybe it was SE rushing the hell out of him (I'm guessing the latter), but either way, I believe that the musical pieces for this game are seriously lackluster for the most part. I will say, however, that it's gotten better since they've changed around some of the themes, and I know there are a lot of tracks he composed that aren't even in the game at all for whatever stupid reason; why don't they throw them in the mix?

Alot of the recent themes are showing the Uematsu everyone knows, but also keep in mind the whole situation with XIV in the first place. Besides, town music is going to be repetitive no matter what. Same with overworld music. I wouldnt really worry about it since if the Grand Company themes, two Chocobo themes ( wild west style for rentals, who knows for grand company issued), stronghold themes, dungeon music and dungeon boss theme are any indication, we'll really see some great scene setting tracks soon.

[Konachibi]

Yes, I'm completely aware that Uematsu composed the soundtrack. That is why I'm so upset about it.

I agree with what you're saying though. Which is why I wonder why he chose to make the tracks so loopy and repetitive. Take the company themes for example; there are different stages of the pieces where the pace of the music changes and becomes a different tune for a while, then back again. That is perfect for something that's going to repeat. But for most of the themes the music just loops the same two things over. . . and over. . . and over again. What we need are longer pieces that contain more music that changes from time to time, instead of short loops. Maybe it was laziness or lack of interest in the project; maybe it was SE rushing the hell out of him (I'm guessing the latter), but either way, I believe that the musical pieces for this game are seriously lackluster for the most part. I will say, however, that it's gotten better since they've changed around some of the themes, and I know there are a lot of tracks he composed that aren't even in the game at all for whatever stupid reason; why don't they throw them in the mix?

Because they can save them then throw them in later for an expansion pack or something.

I think what's causing the music to bug people so much though isn't the repetitiveness of how it's composed but the case that you hear it ALL the time when you're playing. There aren't many zones out there so chances are you'll keep hearing the same tune 5 to 10 times a day, which begins to grind after a while.

Once the maps are revamped and new zones are added though I'm sure it'll get better.

[Teknoman]

Yeah just like when they changed the main 3 city state areas to have 2 overworld themes. Does Coerthas or Mor Dhona have 2 different themes as well?

Too many favorite tracks:

The place i'll return to someday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSYrRrz2oJg

Salamander's theme: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMRi_htLawo

Messenger of Destruction: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghSi6_hbpo8


And just because it deserves reposting and a hall in great RPG boss battle themes:

Final Fantasy XIV boss battle theme: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBf9H9pnF4Y

I have no idea what Yoshi and crew will use this theme for, but its awesome: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx_z1wI0RuM

[Zottan]

Nobuo Thank you for Final Fantasy VI , XI and Lost Odyssey OST

And on XI
Thank you for Ronfaure and Memoro de la Ŝtono


Also Thank You to Naoshi Mizuta for the great FFXI Ost

[Ixador]

I won't ever understand the people who say that FFXIV's sountrack is horrible.
EVER.

[Renshi]

Whichever song Noubo Uematsu does, makes my body chill all around, something that VERY FEW ARTISTS do.
I really admire Noubo and his musician skills, I hope he'll keep on going with some other games.

When someone makes music... FIGHT, NOUBO-SAN, FIGHT!

Also, do you remember this one?

[Taruna-Aeon]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bV4hgN97g8 this <3

[Rane]

Because they can save them then throw them in later for an expansion pack or something.

I think what's causing the music to bug people so much though isn't the repetitiveness of how it's composed but the case that you hear it ALL the time when you're playing. There aren't many zones out there so chances are you'll keep hearing the same tune 5 to 10 times a day, which begins to grind after a while.

Once the maps are revamped and new zones are added though I'm sure it'll get better.

This is a really good point. The lack of actual areas means you're listening to the same tracks most of the time. I also expect the situation to be much better after the area revamp.

I also love Uematsu's work, and I really hope he continues as the composer for XIV. Thank you, Nobuo Uematsu, for your general awesomeness!

[Charismatic]

I have a feeling that Uematsu did the original tracks for XIV but some of the newer stuff (like the Grand Company themes) isn't him.
Whoever did this wins my love and appreciation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1K9Uj6Qbgk