Overview

This soundtrack is an arranged album for the Vain Dream, released on the PC-8801, PC-9801, and FM-Towns. Composers who contribute are Nobuhito Koise and Ikki Nakamura, while it also features Tenpei Sato in a small role. Each composed and arranged their contributions, including Sato. How does this soundtrack capture that RPG sound?

Body

Unfortunately, while this soundtrack is enjoyable, it's rather generic. Many of the themes are short and don't really stick out. Many "Plains," "Cave," "Battle," and "Town" themes are present on this album; however, they don't really offer anything exciting. Rather generic throughout, I think each composer does have a stand out track though.

Nobuhito Koise shines with the "Opening Theme." It's really optimistic and entertaining piece that opens up the soundtrack quite well. The nice electronic bass line, combined with the more traditional woodwind melody line, makes for a very nice contrast between the two. His ending theme, arranged by Tenpei Sato," is also rather nice. It is really peaceful and the harp work definitely helps to set a mesmerizing atmosphere. It also has a really nice melody.

Ikki Nakamura's standout track is "Battle 4." It's a really interesting take on a battle theme. It features a lot of what makes a battle theme pretty decent, including a ominous atmosphere and really catchy melody. Sadly, though, he's the weakest link on the album. The other battle themes are rather nice, but they sound a bit generic.

Tenpei Sato's standout track is easily "Wilderness 1." It's a fun take on what I assume is a world map theme. In fact, it sounds like a Gust Team work. With a really bubbly piano and brass melody with a catchy bell-like accompaniment, it definitely doesn't sound like the Tenpei Sato today, but it's really great and easily my favorite piece on the entire album. His other tracks are decent, but nothing too great. His "Forest 1" theme definitely has an Asian vibe going on with it and is definitely mystifying, but it doesn't capture my interest too much.

Summary

Overall, this soundtrack definitely lacks a lot. There are few standout tracks by any composer, which is a shame. The generic feel of the soundtrack really holds it back. I think each composer has a few good tracks, but that's really not enough to warrant a purchase. It's enjoyable, but it's definitely missing a lot. I suggest just trying to find someone who has the album and ask for a rip from them, since it will be hard to find and its not really worth the money it would cost nowadays.