Overview

Between 1989 and 1991, Square released a trilogy of moderately popular RPGs for the Game Boy, known as the SaGa trilogy in Japan and rebranded as Final Fantasy Legend in the West. Each score was composed by a different team. Nobuo Uematsu for SaGa, Nobuo Uematsu and Kenji Ito for SaGa 2, and Ryuji Sasai and Chihiro Fujioka for SaGa 3. This gave each score a different timbre and character, although there are conserved themes and features throughout. The scores largely built on the musical foundations established by the Final Fantasy series on the Nintendo Entertainment System, but were composed within even tighter technological limitations. All Sounds of SaGa compiles the three scores for the Game Boy trilogy into a two disc release, complete with a bonus arrangement. It was a definitive release back in 1991, but has it been made redundant by the series' box set and various digital releases in recent years?

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The soundtrack opens with Nobuo Uematsu's SaGa Original Soundtrack. Nobuo Uematsu was able to carry over most of the charm of the original Final Fantasy titles when creating this score with a range of staples, ranging from the motivating battle anthems, to the adventurous world map theme, to the moody dungeon soundscapes, to the quasi-cinematic ending cues. In each case, he focuses a lot of attention into offering captivating melodies while accommodating technological restrictions. It's particularly impressive how he was able to make series' staples such as the "Prologue" and "Wipe Your Tears Away" so expressive despite the Game Boy's humble sound chip. It may take some time to accustom to the piercing, occasionally crackling, synth used here, though such pieces expressive plenty of humanity, thanks to Uematsu's strength as a melodist.

Kenji Ito's debut score, the SaGa 2 Original Soundtrack featured on the second half of the first disc, is also impressive. It maintains the magical and personal feeling of the series while exploring the range and depth of the Game Boy further. Ito instantly makes an impact with the highly lyrical normal battle theme "Lethal Strike", while "Never Give Up" is a motivating march-like track used during the last areas. Nobuo Uematsu's main theme "Searching for the Secret Treasure" is also impressive here, offering boundless adventurous feel desired for the world map. However, a couple of Uematsu's tracks are surprisingly uninspired due to their somewhat generic stylings and bland melodies. In addition, the prologue, victory, and recollection themes are given somewhat more elaborate arrangements here, though they are perhaps more welcome in the game than on the album release given their partially recycled nature.

Developed by Square's Osaka team, the SaGa 3 Original Soundtrack on the second disc is not as impressive as its predecessors. The soundtrack is let down by its 25 minute length, more choppy synthesis, and often uninspired tracks. For example, "Village in a Strange Land" lacks the charm of Nobuo Uematsu's town themes, while "Dungeon" is a mind-numbing attempt at ambience and Chihiro Fujioka's four compositions are entirely unremarkable. Despite its weaknesses, Ryuji Sasai pioneers a welcome shift towards more rock-based tracks, with themes such as the jubilant "Journey to the Future" or driving "Fight!" for the map and battle screens. In addition, "Steslos" and "Theme of Another Dimension" are also motivating anthems filled with character and melodic potency, while there are serviceable renditions of a couple of fan favourites to round off the score.

The compilation concludes with a synth arranged medley entitled "Journey's End" by Nobuo Uematsu. It is written in the style of a credits medley, with faithful renditions of several popular themes from the original SaGa and various dramatic shifts. The arrangement opens modestly with a slow and somewhat repetitive rendition of the "Prologue", but soon takes a more epic direction with an orchestra and organ version of the victory theme. After a reflective oboe-based interpretation of the town theme, Uematsu captures the classic Square vibe with an exuberant rock-orchestral version of the main theme, before concluding the medley with interwoven renditions of "Wipe Your Tears Away" and "Epilogue". Though aspects of the medley could have been better in arrangement and production, it's still a great bonus that captures the title's magic.

Summary

Overall, this soundtrack is a complete and well-presented compilation of the soundtracks from the SaGa series' original trilogy. It is impressive how the various composers of this album managed to offer so many memorable compositions and emotional soundscapes in spite of the limitations of the Game Boy. However, all the material on this release is also available on the series' box set, so those looking for a wider compilation of the series' music should look at this release instead.

Overview

Ahhh the Game Boy. A wonderful little bundle of joy to many, a worthless piece of junk for others. Since its introduction in 1989, the Game Boy quickly caught the attention of Square with the SaGa and Mana series. While the Game Boy certainly didn't offer much in terms of sound quality, it didn't stop experienced composers Nobuo Uematsu, Kenji Ito, and newcomer Ryuji Sasai from bringing us some of the finest music on the old handheld. All Sounds of SaGa compiles the music from the first three games of the SaGa series composed for this console.

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The original Makai Toushi SaGa, known as Final Fantasy Legendoverseas, was an example of poor sound quality, but still retained high points thanks to the composition of the tracks. We start off with "Prologue," which sets the mood for the rest of the series — it's an excellent musical score with a lot of instrumental diversity. "Main Theme" is the map theme for the game. The melody here helps a lot in keeping the player interested, as the map wasn't very detailed back then. "Town Theme" shares similar traits — the towns weren't interesting in any way, but the music helped in giving off a feel of calmness.

"Fight," as simple as it may be, is interesting, however, and doesn't get old after countless battles (not to me, anyway!). "Eat the Meat" is the victory theme, which will be re-used in the two next sequels. It's not as epic as Uematsu's Final Fantasy works, but it does the job. "Demon Cave" is an excellent dungeon theme. It has a hint of evil to it, always leaving the player wondering what awaits them in the next floor/room. "Hurry Up!" is the panic theme. Whenever something urgent happens, this kind of theme kicks in, very fitting. "Fierce Battle" is the boss theme. Like the normal battle, it is simple in composition, but is quite enjoyable, keeping the player going for long battles.

"Requiem" is the game over theme. It's not much, but it does the job. "Forbidden Tower" sounds a bit like elevator music (nice pun!). It starts out in a way that is uninteresting, but it gets better and better as it goes on. "Wipe Your Tears Away" is a track used in sad events. This track will be used in the four future sequels, always differently arranged than it's previous incarnation.

"Knights of the Demon World Tower" must be the final dungeon theme. It gives us hope and sounds pretty epic. "The Highest Floor" is simply used right before you face The Creator. It's just OK. "Furious Battle" is everything we could hope for the Game Boy RPG — a fast-paced and exciting theme to end the battle of all battles. It's just excellent for the occasion. "Epilogue" is obviously the ending theme. It's a nice arrangement of the main theme and is the perfect way to finish your adventure.

A year or so later, SaGa 2: Hihou Densetsu, or Final Fantasy Legend II, was released. The music is greatly improved and this was certainly because Ito took a more important role this time around. It starts out with "The Legend Begins," which is a better version of "Prologue." "Searching for the Secret Treasure" is the map theme; it sounds so much more epic and this time the maps were more detailed, further enriching the experience.

"Lethal Strike" is the SaGa 2's battle theme. Again, like the previous track, it's a better battle theme than its prequels. "Eat The Meat" is slightly different and, of course, better once more. "Peaceful World" is the town theme and it compliments the lovely town design this time round. "Adventurer's Theme" is one track I have not heard in the game (I haven't played much of the game), but it sounds good. "Pillar of Heaven" is a strange track and I can't really describe it, but it sounds a lot like something out of The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. Am I alone on this?

"Through the Cramped Darkness" is the dungeon theme. It sounds a lot more spooky than the first dungeon theme. "Ah!!" is another panic theme and is slightly more fast-paced this time. "Decisive Battle" is the boss theme and it's one of the very best tracks from the entire soundtrack, it's that good. "Never Give Up" must be the final dungeon theme. It sounds very epic and is a lot more complex in composition that most other tracks in the set. "Wipe Your Tears Away" makes a comeback, sounding a lot better, and helps in conveying the sadness.

"Burning Blood" is a more epic theme, stating "We're finally here, let's go beat the last boss and go home!" "Save the World" is Arsenal's battle theme. It's just fitting for the mechanical monster and this theme will keep your blood pumping as the battle may be a long one. The ending themes of the game are far more memorable. It even brings a tear to my eye, just by listening to it.

A few years later, SaGa 3: Jikuuno Hasha, or Final Fantasy Legend III, makes it's way on to the small portable. This time around, Uematsu and Ito take a seat, and newcomers Ryuji Sasai (who will be known later for Final Fantasy Mystic Quest, Bushido Blade 2, and Rudra no Hihou) and Chihiro Fujioka (also the game's director) are put to the test. How does their music stand up to the other two? Fitting, but not quite as good as the prequel's score.

It starts out with "Opening," an arrangement of the "Prologue" used in Final Fantasy Legend, but it is much more upbeat. "Journey to the Future" is a wonderful map theme and is a truly enjoyable and epic-sounding track. "Oasis" is the town theme. It once more has an inherent upbeat feel, which is very fitting indeed. "Fight!" is very short, but it is the best of all three Game Boy SaGa battle themes. "Holy Ruins" is the temple theme in which the heroes go to find a time machine of some sorts, it has a mysterious feeling in it. "Gods of Another Dimension" is the boss theme. Though it's not too exciting, it fits the mood just fine. "Eat the Meat" appears for the last time, sounding better than the previous version. "Warrior's Rest" is the game over theme and, like the Final Fantasy Legend theme, it serves its purpose and nothing more.

"Theme of Another Dimension" is Talon the time machine's theme. It's a great epic theme. "Village in a Strange Land" is the second town theme, sounding quite peaceful and fitting the scene nicely. "Dungeon" is the dungeon theme (No! You don't say!!!). It's not much in terms of composition and is truly boring. "Stelos" has to be the second boss theme. It's so much better than the first one and it just gives off an epic feel. "Insanity" is the panic theme of Final Fantasy Legend 3. Though not much, it sets the mood fine. "Heartful Tears" sounds different this time around from the "Wipe Your Tears Away" theme from the last two games, which it is based upon. A refreshing change if I may say so myself.

"Laguna's Palace" is SaGa 3's final dungeon theme. It sounds great and once more gives off a feel of hope. "Spiritual Battle" is. odd to say the least. It doesn't sound epic and doesn't even sound like a final battle theme at all. But it's still an enjoyable listen. "Supreme Ruler of Time and Space" is the ending theme and it's an excellent closing theme to the game. Now we come to the very last track, an arrangement medley comprised of "Prologue," "Town," "Main," "Heartful Tears," and "Epilogue," arranged by Nobuo Uematsu. It's not that impressive really and they could had used battle themes in the mix.

Summary

If you're looking for the original scores for the original SaGa trilogy, this release is well-presented and definitive. Those that want the scores for the entire series may prefer the series' complete box set instead.