…And now for something almost completely different. When I write a review for a soundtrack, it is usually quite new and my main aim is to inform you, dear readers and fellow nerdiophiles, why I think this ‘new’ thing is worth your hard-earned cash. I often haven’t played the game associated with it, and so my reviews are notoriously ‘out of context.’ Typically I only review things I expect to like, too – simply because I’m more likely to give them the attention they deserve from a reviewer. Conversely, things I don’t like I leave to others to praise or criticize – and often in the process come to see I was if not wrong then at least too quick to judge or not listening with the right ears, if you will.
The Soundtrack of the Month feature isn’t burdened by that onus to ‘judge.’ It is my chance to say, hey, this is my favorite game soundtrack and this is why. If we used a numerical rating system, the SOTM would be an automatic 10/10. I’m going to assume some if not most of you have heard the work of Yasunori Mitsuda, whether it’s well-known stuff like Chrono Trigger or Xenogears or slightly more obscure things like KiRite or Tsugunai: Atonement.
While I really dislike it when people pick easy targets, I’m about to shoot fish in a barrel, sing to the choir and go on a duck hunt with a bazooka. This is my paean to the soundtrack of one of my favorite games, Xenosaga Episode 1: Der Wille zur Macht. Spoilers ahead! – yep, I’m going tell you about more than just the music this time. Now I bet you just want to know… (more…)
