Shining Force -Cross Raid- Original Soundtrack
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Album Title: Shining Force -Cross Raid- Original Soundtrack |
| Record Label: Wavemaster |
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| Catalog No.: WWCE-31236/7 |
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| Release Date: January 26, 2011 |
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| Purchase: Buy at CDJapan |
Overview
An Arcade-based adaptation of one of Sega’s longest-running series, Shining Force: Cross Raid featured four-player action RPG gameplay. As the title was developed internally by Sega AM2, the company relied on internal talent such as Fumio Ito, Megumi Takano, and Yasuyuki Nagata to score the release. While the console adaptations of the series have traditionally been known for their rich organic sounds, Shining Force: Cross Raid actually features a hybridised score filled with electronic, jazz, and rock influences. With Arcade titles getting overlooked in favour of console titles — including Sega’s own Shining Hearts — this soundtrack didn’t generate much attention at the time of its release. But this retrospective reveals the soundtrack is, in fact, highly impressive.
Body
Lead composer Yasuyuki Nagata sets the tone for the title with a synth rock anthem, “Gallop”. Its bound to inspire memories of old-school AM2 scores like Virtua Fighter 2 with its bright melodies and punchy progressions. Yet the clean synthesis and exuberant development of this composition also gives it the cutting-edge feel required for today’s arcades — not quite up there with Street Fighter IV or The King of Fighters XIII, but coming close. The score’s sound is also explored with the seductive jazz synth licks in “Gorgeous Pain”, exuberant electric guitar leads of “Thirsty Surface”, and bubbly electronic overlays of “Scar”. While they markedly differ in style, all three pieces maintain that heroic flavour and melodic potency that old-school soundtrack listeners so much. These tracks don’t require much thought or time to listen to — it’s incredibly easy to sit back and simply enjoy them.
All that said, it’s just as clear that the team invested a lot in composing and implementing these tracks. “Memories Scattered in Clouds of Sand” is a brilliant example of the hidden complexity of the compositions. The track shines during its opening parts with extravagant synth leads, dense electronic parts, and hammering piano chords. But even less expected is the way the Fumio Ito maintains the rhythm with a completely different palette — of excellently written Arabian percussion and strings — from the 0:42 mark. What’s more, the composers — especially Nagata — demonstrate a talent for blending disparate forces together to create full cohesive compositions. Whether the synchronisation of piano grooves with techno beats to portray the ‘breath of the sky’, the integration world music forces with dense electronic rhythms to capture an ancient maze, or the intensification with distorted riffs and choral chants for the grail, everything comes together excellently.
With a boss at the end of every stage, Shining Force: Cross Raid is more than a fun run though. “Scorching Evil Sonata” isn’t much of a sonata, but its twisted percussion and dense progressions certainly convey wrath. Expect gothic organ and choral chants in “The Gods Sleep There”, rhythms echoing thunderous footsteps on “Goliath”, or ear-piercing electronic distortion on “Trinity”. It’s worth noting that a number of the battle tracks on this gigantic soundtrack are featured in two versions. For example, while the original “Blaze Dragon” is a motivating trance anthem, the arrangement is much darker with overdriven beats and killer guitar passages. Perhaps most awesome of all is “Room Guarder”, a five movement suite featuring dense electronic beats, guitar riffs, and gothic parts that grow faster and heavier with each track. From the soundtrack’s frivolous origins to its epic conclusion, there’s more than enough variety to keep listeners satisfied.
Summary
In these dwindling days of the Arcade, it seems only the soundtracks for high-profile shooting, fighting, and music games gain much attention. But Shining Force: Cross Raid — along with the equally surprising Deadstorm Pirates and Lord of Vermilion II — demonstrate that today’s Arcades can yield extremely vast and rich soundtracks. This soundtrack isn’t particularly recommended for the average Shining fan — the sentimental melodies and organic soundscapes of other games in the series simply aren’t here. But it will appeal to those that enjoy action-packed, hard-edged, and, above all, hyper-melodic soundtracks. Anyone that enjoys the soundtracks of, say, the Virtua Fighter or King of Fighters series will find they have a particularly strong affinity to this one.
Do you agree with the review and score? Let us know in the comments below!
4.5
Posted on August 1, 2012 by Chris Greening. Last modified on August 1, 2012.
About the Author
Chris Greening I've contributed to websites related to game audio since 2002. In this time, I've reviewed over a thousand albums and interviewed hundreds of musicians across the world. As the founder and webmaster of VGMO -Video Game Music Online-, I hope to create a cutting-edge, journalistic resource for all those soundtrack enthusiasts out there. In the process, I would love to further cultivate my passion for music, writing, and generally building things. Please enjoy the site and don't hesitate to say hello!
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