When looking at how to release a video game soundtrack to the public it seems more often the not that some of the tracks are just put on to a CD and thrown in with the special edition of the game, leaving you with an incomplete and remorseful feeling of having spent an extra few bucks for a few choice cuts from the soundtrack. While it may seem like a complaint that would apply to only a small minority of the “metal case enthusiast” special edition buyers, when publishers and developers put additional time and effort into releasing content for these editions of the game or as stand alone products, it is easily noticed.

While the video game soundtrack market in the United States is barely in it’s infancy, in Japan it has been thriving since the early days. Spanning the lifespan of games themselves, with soundtracks even existing at one point on vinyl, Japanese gamers have been listening to music from video games almost as long as they have been playing them. So it should come as no surprise that some of the most interesting compilations of soundtracks have come predominantly from Japanese games. Much like the American market, soundtracks, although more complete, usually take the music straight from the game and leave it at that, however a few notable exceptions show the true potential of what a few creative minds and a little bit of additional time can yield.

Excerpt from ‘Chrono Trigger’ (The Brink of Time)

Excerpt from ‘Warlock Battle’ (The Brink of Time)

This extra effort is immediately apparent in both of the arranged soundtracks from the classic Squaresoft releases Chrono Trigger, and Secret of Mana. Both of these soundtracks, The Brink of Time and Secret of Mana+ respectively, bring something new and interesting to the scene of video game soundtracks. I think what held these two efforts in the remixing of classic arrangements was the source they were taking from; Both the Chrono Trigger and Secret of Mana soundtracks’s are often regarded as some of the best composed during the 16 bit era, and when you have the quintessential source material to work with the possibilities seem endless.

Excerpt from ‘Guardia Millenial Fair’ (The Brink of Time)

Each of the soundtracks go off into unexplored territory that feels fresh, while still managing to pay homage to the original compositions. The Brink of Time takes familiar melodies and arrangements from Chrono Trigger and integrates them seamlessly with Jazz. Although the argument of “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it” may come to mind upon initially listening as the sweeping melodies and tightly orchestrated themes or all but pushed to the background in favor of the raw sounds created by the Jazz instrumentation, the finished product speaks for itself. While the style may be a bit out of left field, any one that has been a long time fan of Chrono Trigger, a recent convert with the DS title, or even just a fan of music should not let this amazing concept album be forgotten.

Excerpt 1 from Secret of Mana+

Now certainly the jazz and funk styling of The Brink of Time may be considered the farthest one could go with a soundtrack, but Secret of Mana+ begs to differ. Presented as a singular track nearly 50 minutes in length, Secret of Mana+ is what can be described as both a melodic and perception breaking experience. With everything from typewriters, and telephone rings accompanying alternate and morphed arrangements, nothing is out of the realm of possibility on what has been called an “Image Album” based predominantly on the soundtrack from Secret of Mana. While the incoherent nature of the sounds may push others away, much like the jazz inspired takes on classics from Brink of Time did, this experiment is one that I wish happened more often because the results are nothing short of genius.

Excerpt 2 from Secret of Mana+

Excerpt 3 from Secret of Mana+

Contemporarily there are very few comparable albums to Secret of Mana+ and The Brink of Time, however the recently released EP that came with the Bioshock special edition manages to evoke many of the same feelings. While it may have seemed like a rather empty 3 song EP released alongside a game with such a fantastic score and licensed music, the Bioshock EP takes what is already there and converts it into something amazing. Although immediately apparent as simply Moby’s attempt at remixing some of the older tunes found throughout the whole of Bioshock to accompany the art-deco surroundings, the EP soon morphs into something different, something that pays homage to both the original songs as well as the style of the game.

Excerpt from ‘Beyond the Sea’ (Bioshock EP)

Excerpt from ‘Wild Little Sisters’ (Bioshock EP)

Certainly my views of these oddly and stylisticly different takes on what a video game soundtrack should be might differ from the norm, however I ultimately believe that it creates a much better tribute to the game and the time that went into crafting amazing pieces of music. I have no desire to see the elimination of soundtracks which take music directly lifted from the game, but experiments such as the Bioshock EP are necessary to allow for the creation of music that can be heard and enjoyed by everyone, not just those who play video games.

-Eric Wall

Tags: Bioshock, Chrono Trigger, Music Monday, Secret of Mana

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