Overview

Personally, I don't know much about this Saturn RPG, but its arranged soundtrack immediately attracted me after I heard one of the opening themes on the radio. The whole album turned out to be very interesting; that's why I think it deserves a review. Note that the name is misleading, as it is actually an arranged album, though the game's original score was never officially released.

Body

"Shining Force Medley" is the first track on the album. Sakuraba's favourite instruments are mixed to create a grand piece of music that sums up the overall atmosphere of the game. Synth guitar and brass lead the epic parts and flute and digital choirs lead the quieter ones. If you want to have a quick overview of the Original Soundtrack, this track is what you need. In my opinion, each theme is too short to be fully enjoyable. Music needs time to create an atmosphere, and this medley juggles with different styles without letting one of them dominate the others. The next track, "Force: To Arms!" is all about the 'bad side' of Sakuraba's work: chaotic action music. The problem here is that there is no thread, as although the whole track sounds like a rock concert solo, it does not fit the scene that it is accompanying. Try to avoid this one...

"A Light to Tread the Way" is wisely named, as indeed, it is the track that enlightens the album! This variation upon the theme in "Shining Force Medley" starts immediately with an intense brass opening. Added to this are a synthetic choir and strings that play a theme of hope. Every time I hear this part of the track, it gives me goose bumps. Intensity and beauty increase as militaristic drums come back. As the climax of the track gets nearer, brass and strings suddenly burst out as if someone yelled "Chaaaarge!!!", and after a few seconds, an electronic guitar finally complete this awesome show of power. Finally, after a cute interlude, the track comes to a glorious end. "Strive Against the Dark" may sound quite weird when listening to it for the first time. Distorted noises, a sweeping synth pad and erratic drums combine to create a powerful and disturbing atmosphere. Imagine that you are looking at a gigantic vortex sucking a whole city up.

"Bulzome Rising" features the same kind of chaotic guitar solos already heard in "Force: To Arms!." This track sounds like a dirty mix of battle music and Deep Purple-like rock 'n' roll action. My advice is that you skip it, no matter what! The next track, "Traveler's Respite" is a kind of march that does not sound natural. Some 'classical' elements which remind me of the Warcraft II Original Soundtrack are melted with Sakuraba's electronic guitar, which is quite awful at times. What's more, drums disappear when they are most wanted and reappear far too loud when you don't expect them. This is too bad, but "Traveler's Respite" belongs to this kind of failed tracks which are potentially good but badly arranged. The following track is called "Tides of History." An emotional melody is led by an oboe, with strings, piano and bass in the background. Synth choir and misplaced drums complete the arrangement when the intensity is at its peak. The overall atmosphere is a kind of mourning with some epic parts that adds to the whole track's magnificence. Percussion is something that Sakuraba needs to tame here.

In "Force on the Move," all the instruments play the Shining Force III main theme harmoniously with enthusiasm. All the classic instruments that create a sense of militaristic pride (timpani, a huge brass section, strings, and some winds for the bridge) are mixed with some synth pads to render an atmosphere of might and courage. Excellent track! The next track is very different in nature. "Sanctity" is a melody of sadness and despair. It is cleverly composed and ships a great emotion through its epic arrangement. Even so, Sakuraba leaves us wanting more of this track, so it disappoints with its lack of development. The last chaotic track is less messy than one would think. "The Lever to Move the World" has a thread through its guitar solos and its jazzy illness: it features another variation of the Shining Force III main theme! But believe me, this is not what saves the track! The rest is difficult to listen to, and it may give you a headache... The last tracks on the album, namely "Scenario 1 Opening," "Scenario 2 Opening," and "Scenario 3 Opening," are great opening themes. They are quite short but very satisfying. "Scenario 2 Opening" and "Scenario 3 Opening," are the best, due to the image of a battle that they create.

Summary

If I had to choose one word to describe this album, it would be 'epic'! In spite of four awful tracks, Shining Force III Original Soundtrack is a great arranged album. Some tracks just have to be ignored, or considered as experimental action music, but the majority of the album is successful and certainly pleasing.