LEGEND OF MANA ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK UPDATE
LEGEND OF MANA ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK FULL

This new version uses orchestral VSTs so clean and shiny it sounds like it could have been recorded with an orchestra. To add to that, the original sounded great in spite of its dated orchestral VSTs in 1999.

LEGEND OF MANA ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK FULL

It perfectly retains the strong melodic theme of the original while allowing the harmony and counter melodies more room to come to the fore, meaning it sounds even more stirring and full of energy than it did in 1999. One of the main 'Adventure' themes in the original game - This is a stunning arrangement. That 6/8 breakdown slaps harder than ever. Where the original sounded charming with its midi synths replicating rock instruments, here we've got what sounds like actual studio musicians letting rip, while perfectly keeping to the form of the original piece. The string accompaniment is perfect: Violin, cello and pizzicato strings perfectly arranged to help carry the main melody, without allowing the strings to dominate the theme.Īn absolute banger. That melancholy piano line now sounds so full and beautiful I genuinely tear up listening to it.

LEGEND OF MANA ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK UPDATE

Yes, some of the virtual instruments in 1999 sound a bit rinky dinky in 2021, but I was scared and ultimately resigned to the fact in remastering the tracks using modern VST's and live instruments, the balancing and voicings I loved in those pieces would be lost.īut they did it! They actually did it! They didn't just update the sound quality of the tracks, they kept the original spirit of them while improving the dynamics, and making them sound better than ever!

So when it was announced that as part of the LoM Remaster, the original tracks would be updated and remastered themselves, I initially felt. Along with Final Fantasy IX, it's probably my most listened to game soundtrack. While most of the tracks were arranged using 90s-era MIDI rather than live instruments, the composition and voicings by Yoko Shimomura were so strong that every track felt bursting with emotion and heart. So, some backstory here: I first played Legend of Mana years ago, and instantly fell in love with it's charming soundtrack.

Legend of mana original soundtrack