ARR music compared to FFXI's?Follow

Yeah, Naoshi Mizuta is supposed to have a few tracks in the game. I want to say he composed this track. Not 100% certain, though.

Music is tough to offer a opinion on since it's so subjective.

But listening to some tracks in FFXIV versus FFXI, I can't help but notice some differences.

First, the sound of FFXIV is a lot more complex. There's a greater variety of instruments and even some vocals slipped in here and there. But I think the "forgettable" nature of the background music is actually by design. FFXI music almost takes over if you let it. The San D'Orian music proudly blares its bagpipes in defiance of the encroaching Orcs; the Xarcarbard music is a lot more subtle, and yet leaves you with a sense of the wintry horrors lurking about.

The music in FFXIV, on the other hand, whispers the ambiance of your environment without trying to distract you. You can't listen to the tracks of the Black Shroud and not get the sense of that you're traveling through a magical place. But it's also meant to act only as a means to set that mood, not serve as an anthem you'd play at a soccer match. It's a better quality in the sense that you might not mind leaving FFXIV music running in the background whereas after a few dozen loops in Sandy, that volume bar suddenly looks like it needs to be dragged down a few notches.

On the other hand, I think that FFXI's style has an edge in combat music. It may be because they didn't want FFXIV's combat music to be so jarringly different than it's background music, but it almost ends up taking away from the experience by being far too milquetoast. In FFXI, even a battle with a bunny is an epic experience, and I think that stays true to how combat is usually handled in the franchise.

Even so, I think there is a lot of potential in FFXIV's style. I'm glad to hear they are giving new tracks a try; maybe this will give them a chance to set the tone just right.

My taste in music is based solely on what appeals to me and has nothing at all to do with providing comfort or security. No idea where you're coming from with that statement

I never said or implied that the XIV soundtrack was bad, just that none of it is as good. Again, it's my personal opinion. FWIW, there are many game soundtracks I'd put ahead of FFXI. Just because I enjoy them more than the next doesn't mean the rest of them are bad. I don't see how you'd come to that conclusion.

Yes.

You responded to me. Perhaps I should blush.

And perhaps you should reread what you wrote. You didn't say Kobe Bryant is a better player than Dwayne Wade. You said Kobe Bryant's worst day is better than Dwayne Wade's best day. Get it?

The music is great. These posts though... not so much kid....

There were some memorable tracks in XI for sure.

this one comes to mind as one of my favorites.

I'm looking forward to FFXIV's music leaving me with similar recollections years from now.

I think XI had music that was enjoyable due to context, whereas XIV has music that is more enjoyable as a standalone piece.

Example:

These are two of my all-time favorite FFXI songs apart from Distant Worlds (which is very good even apart from the game):
Starlight Celebration
Sunbreeze Shuffle

Neither of these are bad pieces of music by any standard, but I have to acknowledge that a significant portion of my affection for them comes because it brings back very fond and vivid memories. Call it a nostalgia bias, but that doesn't diminish my enjoyment of these songs or the fact that they were masterfully appropriate in the context of the game.

On the other hand, even after playing the FFXIV beta for a very short period of time, I realized that this my first time playing an MMO where I have repeatedly commented on how great the music is (once I moved out of Gridania). I've even gone AFK in Limsa just to have it on in the background while browsing the internet.

Ultimately the winner is the one that evokes the strongest reaction in me -- right now that's FFXI by far, but who knows what kind of memories I will attach to FFXIV in the months/years to come.

My god the next thing we will fnd to argue is if the grass is better or worse than XI... Oh wait we already did that didnt we. Not to mention we have the usual suspects doing what they know best...

As for the music. Havent really heard the XI music but I liked ARR one and I really dont care if its better or worse than that of XI.

FFXIV needs more Bagpipes IMO XD.

But yeah, I also feel that FFXI had much more powerful score. While I did find myself humming along to Thanalan's new tune I still feel that even 1.0's soundtrack was much better. It could just be the mettalhead in me though, since I thought 1.0's battle themes were pretty bad ***. Even still, compared to FFXI's soundtracks they don't hold a candle. The first time I stepped out into Ronfaure was a magical experience, and the music lent a lot to that. I've yet to hear a track other than Answers that had any sort of emotional "power" to it like Gustaburg or Lufaise Meadows have... Well I guess the original Thanalan tune was pretty good, but it was so short and IMO inappropriate for the area I could see how it could wear on you after a while.

I don't personally think that it is just nostalgia talking for those of us that think that FFXI's soundtrack is better. I personally enjoyed most of 1.0's tracks and I've listened to the OST a dozen times over the last couple years. While solid and certainly better than WoW's music, what I've heard of ARR's music is pretty meh by comparison. Maybe I need to play the game more, but I haven't had any of the music "grab" me right off the bat like FFXI's tracks. Even ARR's rendition of Prelude doesn't strike the emotion that previous versions have (6 and 7 most notably, but even FFXI). Overall, It's pretty forgettable.

Let it be noted that while Uematsu did compose a couple tracks in FFXI, the bulk of the work was done by two other composers. The most notable tune that he did was in fact the Ronfaure theme.

Except the crystals theme.

I know, I know. We're probably talking about new music made specifically for XIV. But nothing will ever make me truly feel like I am playing a Final Fantasy game like hearing the crystals theme.

Reminds me of http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v361/Russellius/grass_zps0dbeb0ac.png

A rabbit isn't just a rabbit when it's even level or higher. My first battle against a rabbit was a Forest Hare outside San d'Oria. I didn't survive and spent most of the time trying to run around it dodging it's attacks, but it was probably one of the most epic solos I ever attempted in FFXI. White Coney was another...

That said, my favorite battle themed music from XI is pretty close tie between this and this. Almost certain that the former is my favorite, but probably gets dragged down a bit because of the enormous amount of time I spent in the area listening to it