When I was taking Appreciation for Music a few years ago, and was asked to send in a modern day example of an orchestration, Skies of Arcadia’s opening theme was the first thing to come to mind. There’s a reason for that. It’s a sweeping, epic track that moves quickly and perfectly exemplifies everything Skies of Arcadia is in a single track. Epic one moment, adventurous the next and a little romantic after that, this song covers a lot of ground in less than two minutes. The use of horns, flutes, and percussion make for a very flavorful song that not only perfectly shows off a beautiful RPG, but also stands on its own as one of SEGA’s best pieces of orchestration ever. I only wish it were a little longer so I could enjoy it a little more, but for the time it does take up, it is an absolute joy to listen to, and the perfect way to introduce one of best JRPGs ever made.
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Easily one of the best games ever made and an amazing sound track to boot.
Can’t get enough of Skies of Arcadia.
This is my personal highlight of the soundtrack:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F-hJjD3XAs
Damn Sharky that was indeed an epic track. As was the one you posted, Nuckles. Good stuff.
Ah sharky, you’re making me feel so nostalgic right now…
Knuckles pick is brilliant too.
The reason I like the Kingdom of Ixa’taka track is because it’s so worldly and earthy it symbolizes everything that Skies of Arcadia is for me… It’s an upbeat track that makes you think of other civilizations and exploring worlds unknown, which is one of my favourite aspects of Skies of Arcadia… It was the first game I ever played when everything felt truly alive, I could be deep deep in the depths of the empirical city and think ‘I wonder what’s happening far across the world, what mysteries do I have to discover, I can’t wait to get back on my ship and explore!’
What a game!
I think you really described it well. I think the way they portrayed all these parts of the world was done really well and no other game has done it the way skies of arcadia. The egyptian part comes into mind. The music, the sort of bright orange sky with the windy sand flowing around. Yeah truly a masterpiece. I remember that first red gigas apearing there, and I was like whoa
One of the best RPG, what I have ever played. Its atmosphere was amazing.
Very sadly SEGA does not do a sequel.
Not every game needs a sequel, but I’d love to see Sega do another traditional console JRPG like this one was.
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