In this weekly feature, I recommend game soundtracks. I share a few of my favorite tracks, talk about why everyone should listen to the soundtrack, and a little bit about the composer. This week's choice is Ys IX: Monstrum Nox by Nihon Falcom.
THE STATS
Name: Ys IX: Monstrum Nox
Developer: Nihon Falcom
Publisher: NIS America, Inc
Release Date: July 6, 2021
Genres: Action, RPG
Composer(s): Hayato Sonoda, Takahiro Unisuga, Yukihiro Jindo, Mitsuo Singa
MY FAVORITE TRACKS
(The full list of tracks are linked by playlist below... and I highly recommend some good headphones to best enjoy all of the subtle elements of the music!)(Length: 1:48) Gratuitous music box opening, lilting accordion for quaintness and romanticism. Downshift into more obvious midi tones. And yet somehow it works for a French-named song, "Once upon a time."Cloaca Maxima (Jindo)(Length: 3:41) This track makes me think of every JRPG I've ever played, but the violin specifically reminds me of Eternal Poison (PS2). This track is for one of the game's dungeons, if you couldn't tell.Prison of Balduq -Yearning- (Sonoda)(Length: 2:07) Piano sad song for the feels. Do I need another reason to share it? It's pretty.Aprilis (Unisuga)(Length: 3:24) The opening theme is rather like opening some of the chests in the game, but the full theme is much more rewarding to listen to. It's easily on par with a lot of Final Fantasy tracks, incorporating some classical techniques with the moving line and the chord progressions. (In other words, there's some technical work making it sound complex and pleasing to the ear.)Forgotten Days (Sonoda)(Length: 2:14) I think this track is best summed up by the YouTube user @scottmichaelhedge5055: "2020: the song." Saying more than that would spoil the game's story for anyone who hasn't played it but wants to.Invitation to the Crimson Night (Sonoda)(Length: 2:31) Carnival vibe anyone? This falls into the creepy-pretty category very well. There is a theme that starts at 1:22 that is so incredibly like the theme in Final Fantasy VI's The Phantom Forest, and I'm absolutely here for it.Dandelion's Journey (Unisuga)(Length: 5:12) Here's your bittersweet ending theme. All the characters keep on living their lives beyond the screen, but we have to part with them. One thing all Falcom game fans know is that the stories and characters stick with you and make you feel things long after you've stopped playing the game. You can hear it in the strains of this song that you succeeded but that it's time to say goodbye.
You can listen to the full soundtrack here:
WHY DO I RECOMMEND IT?
I fell in love with the Ys series after playing the eighth game, Lacrimosa of Dana, on the Switch. This game has a similarly impressive and lengthy OST, ranging from tinkly feels-filled JRPG standards to shredding metallic rock for the big fights. Music aside, this 2-year-old game is so good that there's an upcoming PS5 port coming later this year.
I am reminded that I really need to play more of this series, and you should listen to its music!
THE COMPOSER(S)
Even on Falcom's YouTube playlist it isn't 100% clear which composers were responsible for which tracks, and it's understood that they worked as a team so there might have been a great deal of collaboration. Credited names include Hayato Sonoda, Takahiro Unisuga, Yukihiro Jindo, and Mitsuo Singa. Sonoda is the lead and has been working on Falcom's music since 1997.
If you like what you heard here, you can stream or purchase the soundtrack on Amazon:
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