Welcome to Morning Music, Kotaku’s new, every day hangout for folk who love video video games and the cool-ass sounds they make. At the moment’s observe is a Ys VIII tune that’s assured to get you within the temper for an epic journey on a mysterious island, which is a factor we used to have the ability to do in actual life.
Japanese developer Nihon Falcom helped pioneer the motion role-playing style with video games like 1984’s Dragon Slayer and the long-running Ys sequence, beginning with 1987’s Ys I: Historical Ys Vanished. The studio was additionally a trailblazer within the realm of online game music. Its early video games tapped chiptune musicians like Yuzo Koshiro and Mieko Ishikawa to squeeze a few of the most influential RPG music ever out of the 1980s’ modest video games machines. Ishikawa went on to discovered Falcom Sound Workforce JDK, one of many first devoted studio composing groups, answerable for all the developer’s future music.
I’ve performed most of Nihon Falcom’s Ys video games. It’s one in all my favourite action-RPG sequence, however not each Ys recreation is a extremely polished gem. They will get somewhat formulaic, all the time following round red-haired hero Adol Christin as he varieties events of individuals he’ll probably overlook all about by the point the following recreation rolls round. Hell, they’ve remade Ys IV twice because the unique, creating three completely different video games with roughly the identical story.
However whereas I’ve performed some sub-par Ys video games, I’ve by no means heard sub-par Ys music. Living proof, right here’s the overland music from 2016’s Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana (longplay / VGMdb). Within the recreation, Adol and the opposite passengers of a crashed ship band collectively to outlive on a mysterious abandoned island. Adol and pals gear up, take one step outdoors of the protection of their camp, and listen to this:
“Sunshine Shoreline” opens with somewhat weirdness. It’s a wild and untamed place. Adol and his get together do not know what to anticipate. The hopeful piano kicks in. That’s Adol’s never-say-die spirit. We take a deep breath, steeling our will, and GUITARS! SYNTH! DRUMS! ADVENTURE! There’s doubt and hazard because the tune progresses, however Adol’s spirited piano is all the time there to convey us again to the duty at hand.
That’s the way you begin an journey. I wish to seize composer Takahiro Unisuga by the hand and run by means of the forest with swords. I wouldn’t say “Sunshine Shoreline” made the sport for me, however it drew me a lot deeper into Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana than I might need gone in any other case.
Whereas we’re at it, right here’s the remainder of this nice latter-day Falcom OST:
Falcom / Falcom Music Channel (YouTube)
Possibly the very best factor about Nihon Falcom’s music is the studio is extremely pleased with its music staff’s work and goes out of its method to make it obtainable to followers. Seek for “Falcom Sound Workforce JDK” on Spotify and you may hearken to excellent music all day lengthy. Or hit up this wonderful fan-run YouTube channel, the place music is organized into playlists by recreation. Weeks of fine listening.
That’s it for in the present day’s Morning Music, the primary of many I hope to contribute frequently. I’m excited. How about you of us? Drop by the feedback to chat about Ys or no matter else may be in your thoughts. See you tomorrow!
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