So, how about that soundtrack?

[Fox]

It's good! Very good. I think Yoko Shimomura is probably the best choice for the franchise (unless the legend himself wanted to return...) - she has her own style but she also seems to have a lot of respect for Uematsu's themes, and she can write a good melody to boot.

Do I think it's as strong as the soundtracks for VII-X? No, but it is still extremely good, and I think in large part the discrepancy is down to the music not being utilised properly. To Zanarkand is a wonderful piece in its own right, but would it be quite so special if it wasn't played around that campfire? Probably not. If she continues to work on the series in future games, I hope they really take advantage of showcasing her work properly. Certainly I'm much, much happier with Shimomura's soundtrack than Hamauzu's or Sakimoto's.

Two things:

1) I wish she'd rely on the choir a bit less.
2) I adore the way some pieces will transition between an exciting version and a calm version during gameplay.