Yesterday I gave Final Fantasy Theatrhythm: Curtain Call a very positive review, and since then I’ve been thinking about which tracks in the game, and by definition all across Final Fantasy history, really stand out as my favourites. Choosing a list of favourite Final Fantasy songs is like choosing from among your dozens of children; there’s so many and they’re so hard to rank – and you always forget about one or two. If you feel like your favourite tracks are missing (from my list or the game), or disagree with my ranking, feel free to start a discussion in the comments! Without further ado, the top ten Final Fantasy Songs From Curtain Call:
10. Matoya’s Cave (Final Fantasy I): I needed to make sure there was at least one track from the 8-bit era on this list, and this is the most relaxing out of all of them. It makes me nostalgic for the golden era of gaming. Click here to hear a rendition by Nobuo Uematsu‘s Final Fantasy cover band The Black Mages. Also, brooms.
9. Battle on the Big Bridge (Final Fantasy V): A true Final Fantasy classic, this track has been redone for several other games in the series. The first time you heard it was in FF5 when you were after that rapscallion Gilgamesh on a ‘big bridge.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0JnXdfoYpY
8. Otherworld (Final Fantasy X): The first time I heard this I was like… “uwhuh? Final Fantasy death metal?” Then a few seconds later and I was like, “word.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbLQhzsJG0A
7. The Castle (Final Fantasy VIII): Towards the end of a Final Fantasy game you often end up in some weird esoteric spaces, and this castle in ‘time compression’ was no different. The music is fantastically spooky and quirky, it really set the mood for this paradoxical space.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqtGBR80NWw
6. Celes’ Theme (Final Fantasy VI): Definitely a favourite of mine, I whistle this sometimes when I feel melancholy. Celes is one of the more tragic figures in the FF canon, and Uematsu captured her essence perfectly in a song. Also, it made for a kickass opera.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQxZJXs0dYQ
5. A Flower Blooming In The Slums (Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core): Of all the characters in Final Fantasy lore, Aeris’ spirit shone the brightest. A naive flower girl turned martyr – she died for Jenova’s sins. This version of her theme from Crisis Core is beautiful to say the least.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq2SzNB0oEE
4. Maybe I’m a Lion (Final Fantasy VIII): Ever wonder why Squall was all about lion imagery? His last name was even Leonhart. When you saw the boss towards the end of the game and this track played, you had to wonder what the connection was.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYDT_Y6Jj5c
3. Fight On (Final Fantasy VII): Yeah! Time to slay some bosses! This stands to date as the most epic Final Fantasy boss fight music EVER! Really jazzed you up to lay down some serious summon materia on some fools.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1APjqhgIXE
2. Melodies of Life (Final Fantasy IX): I really loved how Final Fantasy IX tried to reconnect to Final Fantasy’s roots. This track sung by Emiko Shiratori on both the English and Japanese versions manages to tug on my heartstrings in just the right way, I can’t even say how or why. A special song for a special game.
1. One-Winged Angel (Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children): Yes, we all know this had to be on here, but let’s face it, it’s an amazing track. As unique as the character and story it heralds, the song is unlike any other, similar to Kefka’s Dancing Mad theme but with more menace. The chorus chanting “Sephiroth!” sets your spine on edge. The song feels cosmic in its significance. Sephiroth is truly one of the most memorable villains, and certainly his theme is the most well-known and memorable tracks from the Final Fantasy library.
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