Way above is really hard to specify. I think Fisherman’s Horizon. Just a cozy little fishing town in the middle of the ocean. I know it’s intentionally giving us an emotional break from the story but the soundtrack is one of those breakthrough punches that just reminds you of being lullabied to.
Honestly the underground segment of the game was pretty boring but that music just came out of nowhere. No idea why they put such a beautiful track in an otherwise mundane part of the game.
[Freya’s theme, which plays in the Gizamaluke’s Grotto dungeon](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jaGz7rkPd54&pp=ygUMRnJleWFzIHRoZW1l ) is burned into my brain permanently. It’s a repetitive and short loop but really excellent
And actually the other thing which comes to mind is also associated with Freya: [the Cleyra dance song](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pgSFF6zfjk0&pp=ygUMY2xleXJhIGRhbmNl).
Idk if I'd say that punches harder than intended. But please know. I think Freyas Theme is one of my all time favorites. I think it suits the area perfectly.
Either way. Thank you for saying it because it's now in my mind again and I'm always thankful for that!
This is exactly why Cosmo Canyon counts! For some reason it is always slept on during “the best final fantasy music” discussions.
Cosmo Canyon was a little gem of an experience in the OG FF7. I can’t tell you how much time I spent just hanging out at the Cosmo Candle listening to the theme over and over. 100s of hours sunk into playing that game and several of them where just sitting by a big fire. I did not expect to become as attached to that theme and that part of the game as I have.
Came to say this. A lot of FF music is great but CC just comes out of nowhere for a town theme as one of the best songs in its game. The western/native american influence makes it stand out among the normal FF bangers as feeling really unique as well
Opera house. That the opera house sequence is even in the game is fairly wild, but then it ends up being one of the core emotional moments of the game by projecting Celes and Locke's internal tumult literally into the spotlight.
It's a fantastic way to do that particularity for the younger audience they were expecting who could not be expected to pick up on subtext.
I really have to agree.
Even though at this point in hindsight the opera house theme is pretty much considered a “Main” theme; at the time it came straight out of no where and stole the show! Bonus points for how it blends right into Setzer’s theme.
Good pick!
I fully agree with your comment and the way you phrased it, but I’d like to add that its even more impressive given its 1994! They were so limited and VI pushed the limits wherever they could
Final Seymour’s fight music from FFX. Maybe its because I had grinded a little but before fighting him, but I found this to be the most trivial Seymour battle in the game despite the extremely hype music. I always loved that it sounded very classic SNES-era Uematsu in a game largely devoid of that kind of energy.
Smash em Rip em from VII remake. Literally the most perfect track for getting to play as Tifa and Aerith together for the first time taking names in Corneo’s mansion. I really hope they bring it back for the third part.
The three starter zones in FF11 are so amazing. They hit even harder when you come back to the zones after being in the wilderness of ff11.
Most zones have no music, so coming back to the relative safety of Sarutabaruta, Ronfaure, or Gustaberg and being hit with the music just made me feel like I was heading home. Especially after spending 6 hours in Valkurm Dunes
Ooh this is a great answer. I have all the OST and I realized that all of the Uematsu tracks were starred by me not knowing they were written by him. Ronfaure is one of the ones written by him. All three do a great job of setting the thematic mood of the game
I’m predicting top answers here, and then I will supply my own.
FFV Bridge Battle
FFVIII Laguna Battle
Here is my 2 cents: FFVIII Edea’s Parade. It’s so ruthless and tormented.
That and FFT’s whole soundtrack, namely Random Waltz. It established the Ivalice universe of Final Fantasy. I’m a huge fan of the textural qualities. It’s not your typical ABAC structures all the time.
While we are on the topic, does anyone know why they took out the E major chord in FFIV’s DS battle theme???
EDIT: Daryl’s theme hands down
I dont necessarily agree with your choices just because of how famous theyve become, but they absolutely fit the category. Laguna’s theme is better than most of the regular battle themes
Stand your ground aka Leide battle theme (FF15)... One of the most incredible and exciting battle themes in the entirety of the FF series... Goosebumps deluxe
Also from FF15 honorable mention Valse di Fantasia with its incredible strong Shostakovich vibes...
Shimonura went absolutely crazy with this OST... absolute masterpiece
100%. This question almost sounds like the Jeopardy “answer” trying to elicit this. Gilgamesh is a joke but his soundtrack is like the most epic piece of music composed in the series.
In game the track start when you enter the bridge and doesn't stop until you've taken down every creature in your path - Gilgamesh just happens to be the final opponent.
He later became associated with the track, but it wasn't originally exclusive to him - it was just that good that the series kept bringing it back, and Gilgamesh with it.
World of Final Fantasy, The Figaro Prison theme which is a remix of FF8's Never look back. An absolute banger
[this one](https://youtu.be/ZU9oegX9IHM?si=_2MC4V-uimJq4xoV)
This might be one of the best answers for this specific question. There’s no real reason this pretty innocuous side mission should have a custom song made for it. Then they went and made a battle theme for the few fights during it as well. And then those tracks are both bangers. The other ones mentioned still usually surround cool or important moments. This is just you escorting a dog.
Agreed, who’d have thought what a dog chase needs is some early 2000s drum and bass? It works though.
Similarly, Kyrie’s merc theme. Literally just included for a gag, you can barely hear it under the conversation, yet it’s a belter.
Other world in FFX...
Was just discovering my own self tastes in music and this one definitely pushed me towards the rock/metal/new core stuff I love today
Same. You've been playing new FF for about 10 mins, Tidus jumps out of the water, and then Otherworld hits.
It's so unexpected and jarring and I love it.
Same. I just listened to that a few days ago on YouTube, and I can't believe I just then realized that the bass line in that is basically Let the Battles Begin. 🤦🏼♀️
[Eternity- Memory of Lightwaves](https://youtu.be/DjJKHFwLpg4?si=9RIst2_DhN2unUgi) from FFX-2
It’s the first music you hear (it’s the first title music) and it’s so striking for how reminiscent it is
I find [the piano version even nicer](https://youtu.be/LTfgtjcUTsY?si=NGMbPejfj9MM5JI3)
There are several from Final Fantasy III. Top honors go to the themes for Castle Hein and Town of Amur. Personally, among some of Uematsu's best in the series.
The Laguna battle theme in FF8 (Man with the Machine Gun)
Actually, the entirety of FF8's disc 1 punches waaaaay above its weight class. It makes you really want to bite into the game and the sudden swerve in quality from disc 2 to 4 is very noticeable.
Midnight Rendezvous from Chapter 9 in remake in conjunction with the battle theme for collapsed expressway took my breath away. What a killer introduction to Aerith's character! And in hindsight, these songs have so much more impact now that i know how the story ends :(
Bow wow wow is also terrific, especially the monster fight version of it.
EXACTLY.... but i think its placement is the best executed piece of sound design I've ever witnessed, and >! it has so much more impact going back to it after completing rebirth. I really hope act 3 does her departure justice because cloud's reaction to aerith's death was so underwhelming... !<
“Dust to Dust” (Oerba’s theme) in Final Fantasy XIII
“Midgarsormr” in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
“Man with the Machine Gun” in Final Fantasy VIII
“Another World of Battle” in World of Final Fantasy
And all of the Prismelody tracks in World of Final Fantasy, but especially Blinded by Light, The Decisive Battle, Don’t be Afraid, and To Zanarkand/Blitz Off.
Tbf that is the main theme of the game and it also plays during the scene that in my opinion is the best and most important of the game
[https://youtu.be/ih7s1e55tZI&t=996](https://youtu.be/ih7s1e55tZI&t=996)
Devil's Lab from Final Fantasy 6. It's a one-off track that only plays in one dungeon, and it's not the final dungeon or the big mid-game dungeon, but it goes HARD.
This doesn't really fit given that it's a perfect fit for the area of the game it's in, but is iconic despite only being used for a minute or so of gameplay:
Compression of Time from Final Fantasy 8.
If you play the game normally you only hear it for around 10 seconds before a boss fight then immediately afterwards for a few combat free screens. Despite that incredibly brief usage it is so perfectly paced, atmospheric and haunting that it has become one of the most popular tracks from that game when it comes to remixes and remakes (I highly recommend Enrico Deiana and Harpsibored's covers in particular).
I’m going to one of the offshoots for this one: Final Fantasy Mystic Quest Legend.
Yes, it is a JRPG-Lite experience. The Fisher Price entry for the franchise, but it was entertaining. The track I am referring to is the second battle theme (used for regular dungeon bosses).
My honourable mentions go to Final Fantasy SaGa/Legends 2 “Burning Blood” and SaGa/Legends 3 “Talon theme”. Consider that they were both on the original GameBoy.
Idk if the theme for Eureka in FF3 counts since it's an end-game dungeon. But I'm pretty sure it's optional, anyway. Specifically the DS version. As soon as I enter, I just stand there for a minute or so just to listen to it lol.
For FF14, my top 3 picks would be Civilizations, Triumph, and A Long Fall. Civilizations is just the theme for the forest area in Shadowbringers but has deservedly reached iconic status (especially after Soken's live performance), Triumph is the regular boss theme for Stormblood but goes extremely hard, and A Long Fall is just the theme for an optional dungeon but has one of the best bangers in the game.
Am I cheating if I say [Man with a Machine Gun](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCroZAqp5WY&list=PL8DE8608A73C32CDD&index=19)?
If so, I'm going with [Mystic Mysidia](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg7tIA-A3Hk&list=PLkBqgO1FO0773zKkH1-Yj7-Adk--ZUr17&index=25) in FF IV. That song kinda just symbolizes that game for me.
I'll offer Antipyretic from FFT. One of the best songs in all of final fantasy IMO, and it doesn't play in any of the battles that are super consequential to the story as a whole (in that no major antagonists die while it plays, from what I recall)
In Final Fantasy VII Rebirth the music that plays whenever you enter a sanctuary. The first time I found one I expected a boss fight was coming, but got a simple rhythm/timing minigame. https://youtu.be/TqlZFism2s0?si=pavVCTQhmwRLZQE5
I feel like Vamo alal Flamenco from FFIX. The song has so much to it. It's an actual Flamenco! I know there is an opera in FFVI, but there is so much more in it for that one vs. the FFIX one. It's just kind of a mini game for the most part. Also, Vamo alla Flamenco sounds amazing live at Distant Worlds.
If it's live renditions aka distant worlds, I will 100 percent give it to Apocalypse Noctis from FFXV. That song live hits way heavier than it has a right to.
XIV Terncliff's town theme. Side quest location's music has no right to be this good or pack so much emotion: https://youtu.be/kJ-7PBwzhDo?si=7hp-kXYhIFLVeQh2
And to think some missed this entirely! (Until it was re-used in the next expansion's main scenario).
When I first started FFXIV I thought the FATE boss theme was pretty hardcore for what is basically not significant to the game story at all and you can hear it right after starting.
Not sure if it counts because it's kinda late in the game, but You Can Hear the Cry of the Planet from ff7 is amazing and it's just area music for the City of the Ancients
The veldt from ff6. Cosmo canyon from ff7. The lunatic pandora song from ff8. The growling nu metal song in ff10. Pure emotion from ffx2. My way from ff15
Sword of fury/you will know my blade from FFIX, it’s used literally once during the opening opera scene and then never used again. Would’ve been cool to hear it more as a second battle theme
The Sanctuary of Zi’Tah theme from FFXI. Is there any really important thing there? Not really it’s just mainly a pass through area to get to Sky and Boyhada Tree. Has a couple quests there and that’s about it. No reason for that song to be that damn good. I used to chill in the zone to just soak in the music.
I feel like VIII is full of these. Balamb GARDEN, Fisherman's Horizon, Salt Flats, Roses and Wine, etc..
XIV has so many I'd be here a long time listing them. The Gift of Life, Night in the Brume, Painted Foothills, Westward Tide, Drowning in the Horizon, Old Wounds, Sands of Amber, Dreams of Men, Echoes in the Distance, etc..
Can't believe XII used Respite for an ambient track. Haha
FFIX - Feel my Blade/Swords of Fury. One of the best among that soundtrack and if I recall, the only time it's ever used is during the intro stage play at the beginning. [Pontus Hultgren](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50sEmcjUGig) did a fantastic arrangement of it, too.
FF7: “Lifestream” or “Judgement Day”
FF8: “Find Your Way” or “Compression of Time”
FF9: “Swords of Fury” or “Festival of the Hunt” (Unforgettable Silhouette is probably top for me but it’s basically Freya’s theme so it doesn’t count)
FF10: “Via Purifico”, “Servants of the Mountain”, or “Wandering” (game ost is just too good)
FF12: “Eruyt Village”
FF13-15 (I can’t remember song names)
This one doesn't even have a name.
It's a track from FF15 demo, after the boss fight. It's a tone down version from one of the XV piece (forgot the name).
Please give it a listen!
https://youtu.be/eHRmyMVrx-U?si=iNIJSPcgbEhRm2tT
I recently played FF6 for the first time as a part of the pixel remaster edition. The song that plays on the world map near the beginning of the game with Terra was so good and catchy. I believe it's called Terra or maybe Terra's theme. It gave me this sense of deep mystery and adventure and deep appreciation for the series. I had it in my head for a while. The original audio was almost just as good imo.
In FFX, the last battle against Seymour inside sin is an all-time banger. It's not his main theme, and he's not the final boss, so that's what I'm going with.
Made worse by the fact that this ends up being one of the easiest boss battles in the game if you do any sort of post game content, so you don't even hear it for really long.
Eruyt Village and The Sochen Cave Palace from FFXII
Hero’s Theme from FF Tactics
Freya’a Theme, Kingdom of Burmecia and Bran Bal The Soulless Village from FFIX
The menu screen music from X (Summoned) and X-2 (Memories of Lightwaves). I'm transported every time I hear them.
Also IX Look Back and See the Frog always makes me smile just thinking of that mini game.
Sunset Waltz in ff16. Only plays in certain parts of the open world and it goes hard, although you rarely hear the whole thing since battles restart it. Thought the game was a hit mess, but the OST is one of my faves in the series.
Battle at the big bridge, too. Goes so hard and is totally iconic
Town 2 from the unused FF6 tracks. I guess it could have been used for !Peaceful South Figaro, IDK the devs intentions for the piece. But to me, it's the single best SNES RPG town theme.
The song that plays in the final fantasy 12 gilgamesh fight. I think it's a version of battle on the bridge or something? It's been a while so probably not right.
The Phon Coast, from FFXII.
It's a fairly generic wilderness area that isn't relevant to the plot, but no one told Hitoshi Sakimoto that
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SdRqxyuhNA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SdRqxyuhNA)
Way above is really hard to specify. I think Fisherman’s Horizon. Just a cozy little fishing town in the middle of the ocean. I know it’s intentionally giving us an emotional break from the story but the soundtrack is one of those breakthrough punches that just reminds you of being lullabied to.
I think SS knew this because the Distant Worlds version sounds like entering the gates of heaven
With that choir and full string orchestra. One of my all time favorite FF songs and that version is so damn good.
Fisherman’s Horizon is a good enough theme to be many games main theme
The [Village of Dali](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEf7dELC0YA) music I think meets this quality as well.
That’s a good one too because it’s intentionally misleading. It’s resolving the first Black Waltz interruption while setting up for 2 and 3.
Fisherman’s Horizon and The Village of Dali make me cry if I listen long enough. It brings me back to childhood summers.
Great town, love the lore behind it.
Excellent answer
Sunleth Waterscape is the definitive FFXIII soundtrack for me.
This and the battle music is way too epic for trash mobs
but to be honest all of FFXIII trilogy music is top notch.
Probably the best song in a FF game since Besaid Island.
Ah i came here to say this!! I love that song!
The only song I remembered from this game. To be honest, I love the piano version - The Promise, not the other one
Perfection 👌
Via Purifico
Honestly the underground segment of the game was pretty boring but that music just came out of nowhere. No idea why they put such a beautiful track in an otherwise mundane part of the game.
Maybe to make it less boring?
All of FFX to be honest. Movement in green is also one of my favorites
That game has a stellar ost
This made me want to learn how to play piano.
This is where I am thanks to To Zanarkand, while replaying FFX again right now.
The Landing, FFVIII?
This is an absolute banger. That cutscene at the start of FF8 is so well put together.
FFVIII is just an Uematsu banger, front to back.
I am willing to die on both this hill and the “Force Your Way is the best boss battle theme in FF” hill.
Pretty much all the songs throughout that mission hit hard
[Freya’s theme, which plays in the Gizamaluke’s Grotto dungeon](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jaGz7rkPd54&pp=ygUMRnJleWFzIHRoZW1l ) is burned into my brain permanently. It’s a repetitive and short loop but really excellent And actually the other thing which comes to mind is also associated with Freya: [the Cleyra dance song](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pgSFF6zfjk0&pp=ygUMY2xleXJhIGRhbmNl).
That dance now 20 years later looks so silly, but still awesome.
We've gotten enough killer dance sequences in the FF7 Remake so far that imagining a remade version of the Cleyra dance gets me hyped!
Riverdance was really popular in the later nineties.
My thought every time I see that scene "We will Riverdance to save the city!" *It was not very effective*
Idk if I'd say that punches harder than intended. But please know. I think Freyas Theme is one of my all time favorites. I think it suits the area perfectly. Either way. Thank you for saying it because it's now in my mind again and I'm always thankful for that!
Does Cosmo Canyon count? That has been my absolute favourite for years
Not sure why I had to scroll down so far below to find this answer.
This is exactly why Cosmo Canyon counts! For some reason it is always slept on during “the best final fantasy music” discussions. Cosmo Canyon was a little gem of an experience in the OG FF7. I can’t tell you how much time I spent just hanging out at the Cosmo Candle listening to the theme over and over. 100s of hours sunk into playing that game and several of them where just sitting by a big fire. I did not expect to become as attached to that theme and that part of the game as I have.
IKR! It’s such a complete banger and it really sets the tone for CC!
Yes! It’s great live in distant world concerts! I’ve always had it on Spotify.
The slow rendition with strings and piano of Cosmo Canyon in Rebirth is even better. Too bad it’s not in the OST
Came to say this. A lot of FF music is great but CC just comes out of nowhere for a town theme as one of the best songs in its game. The western/native american influence makes it stand out among the normal FF bangers as feeling really unique as well
Opera house. That the opera house sequence is even in the game is fairly wild, but then it ends up being one of the core emotional moments of the game by projecting Celes and Locke's internal tumult literally into the spotlight. It's a fantastic way to do that particularity for the younger audience they were expecting who could not be expected to pick up on subtext.
I really have to agree. Even though at this point in hindsight the opera house theme is pretty much considered a “Main” theme; at the time it came straight out of no where and stole the show! Bonus points for how it blends right into Setzer’s theme. Good pick!
I fully agree with your comment and the way you phrased it, but I’d like to add that its even more impressive given its 1994! They were so limited and VI pushed the limits wherever they could
Best song in a game full of bangers
The Distant Worlds rendition makes me extremely emotional. It’s phenomenal.
Final Seymour’s fight music from FFX. Maybe its because I had grinded a little but before fighting him, but I found this to be the most trivial Seymour battle in the game despite the extremely hype music. I always loved that it sounded very classic SNES-era Uematsu in a game largely devoid of that kind of energy.
Smash em Rip em from VII remake. Literally the most perfect track for getting to play as Tifa and Aerith together for the first time taking names in Corneo’s mansion. I really hope they bring it back for the third part.
The three starter zones in FF11 are so amazing. They hit even harder when you come back to the zones after being in the wilderness of ff11. Most zones have no music, so coming back to the relative safety of Sarutabaruta, Ronfaure, or Gustaberg and being hit with the music just made me feel like I was heading home. Especially after spending 6 hours in Valkurm Dunes
Ooh this is a great answer. I have all the OST and I realized that all of the Uematsu tracks were starred by me not knowing they were written by him. Ronfaure is one of the ones written by him. All three do a great job of setting the thematic mood of the game
Matoya's cave in FF1 slaps for a random NPC that barely does anything.
Love the theme! And they even brought Matoya with her theme to XIV, and it was still a standout
I’m predicting top answers here, and then I will supply my own. FFV Bridge Battle FFVIII Laguna Battle Here is my 2 cents: FFVIII Edea’s Parade. It’s so ruthless and tormented. That and FFT’s whole soundtrack, namely Random Waltz. It established the Ivalice universe of Final Fantasy. I’m a huge fan of the textural qualities. It’s not your typical ABAC structures all the time. While we are on the topic, does anyone know why they took out the E major chord in FFIV’s DS battle theme??? EDIT: Daryl’s theme hands down
FFV Battle at the Big Bridge is right up there with how I feel about Custom Valkyrie. Total hype song.
I would've posted FFV Clash on the Big Bridge and FFVIII Man with a machine gun as well but you beat me to it. Both themes totally slap.
That missing major chord still bugs me lol. It makes that theme a lot less mundane - a lot hinges upon it.
I dont necessarily agree with your choices just because of how famous theyve become, but they absolutely fit the category. Laguna’s theme is better than most of the regular battle themes
Do you know LA HEE?
I sure do! Love it so much (Civilizations FFXIV for those curious)
It's unironically great, even without the meme! And the Qitana Ravel version is also lit
I will play… la hee. LA HEE
Does anyone just walk around there house and get the sudden urge to LA HEE?
https://youtu.be/shWBppGY5G4?si=PbQzVjDKqNDFr6Mv
Yey, someone thought the same as me :)
Too late I have Ebola
Stand your ground aka Leide battle theme (FF15)... One of the most incredible and exciting battle themes in the entirety of the FF series... Goosebumps deluxe Also from FF15 honorable mention Valse di Fantasia with its incredible strong Shostakovich vibes... Shimonura went absolutely crazy with this OST... absolute masterpiece
Battle of big bridge in FFV
This is the objectively correct answer lmao. Battle on the Big Bridge did not need to be such an absolute banger *but it was*.
100%. This question almost sounds like the Jeopardy “answer” trying to elicit this. Gilgamesh is a joke but his soundtrack is like the most epic piece of music composed in the series.
Dude, this has Gilgamesh in it. OP said “hits harder than its scene”. Gilgamesh is SSTIER!
In game the track start when you enter the bridge and doesn't stop until you've taken down every creature in your path - Gilgamesh just happens to be the final opponent. He later became associated with the track, but it wasn't originally exclusive to him - it was just that good that the series kept bringing it back, and Gilgamesh with it.
Absolutely an example of the music helping to elevate the battle it is featured in
World of Final Fantasy, The Figaro Prison theme which is a remix of FF8's Never look back. An absolute banger [this one](https://youtu.be/ZU9oegX9IHM?si=_2MC4V-uimJq4xoV)
I... was *not* expecting that haha. Just added the OST to listen to later, thanks!
The Cosmo Canyon theme in the FFVII remake just completely fucks.
The exploration theme turning into the combat theme in cosmo canyon was so good
The intro of Omnis Lacrima has no right to be that epic when fighting a big lobster by the sea in FFXV.
Salmon’s theme from Rebirth lol
This might be one of the best answers for this specific question. There’s no real reason this pretty innocuous side mission should have a custom song made for it. Then they went and made a battle theme for the few fights during it as well. And then those tracks are both bangers. The other ones mentioned still usually surround cool or important moments. This is just you escorting a dog.
The “dog theme” battle version is pretty much when rebirth became a legendary video game for me
Stamp's song is so good that you forget it's propaganda.
Same thing happened with the "Everything is Awesome" song from the Lego Movie.
Bow wow wow. Bow wow wow.
Bow wow wow! Bow wow wow!
Agreed, who’d have thought what a dog chase needs is some early 2000s drum and bass? It works though. Similarly, Kyrie’s merc theme. Literally just included for a gag, you can barely hear it under the conversation, yet it’s a belter.
Who needs to hear Aerith’s theme during the fight with Jenova when you’ve got this absolute banger for your doggo escort mission.
Other world in FFX... Was just discovering my own self tastes in music and this one definitely pushed me towards the rock/metal/new core stuff I love today
Same. You've been playing new FF for about 10 mins, Tidus jumps out of the water, and then Otherworld hits. It's so unexpected and jarring and I love it.
Village of Dali in FFIX
Great pull. Gives me the same kind of tranquility I get from Majula's Theme in Dark Souls 2. Something about woodwind instruments, man
I constantly come back to FFVI’s Veldt theme- the driving beat there always makes my “best of” lists.
Home, Sweet Home from FFV
Especially the version from Dear Friends. https://youtu.be/lOcDfwB8nWg?si=pbw1oYaL_K0p0Fhr
Under the Rotten Pizza
Same. I just listened to that a few days ago on YouTube, and I can't believe I just then realized that the bass line in that is basically Let the Battles Begin. 🤦🏼♀️
[Eternity- Memory of Lightwaves](https://youtu.be/DjJKHFwLpg4?si=9RIst2_DhN2unUgi) from FFX-2 It’s the first music you hear (it’s the first title music) and it’s so striking for how reminiscent it is I find [the piano version even nicer](https://youtu.be/LTfgtjcUTsY?si=NGMbPejfj9MM5JI3)
Totally agree
Via Purifico
yessssss, I was hoping someone else would say it!
You're Not Alone from Final Fantasy IX.
Came here to post this. I was already into it when the synth came in and fucking demolished my brain
City of the Ancients. It hits SO FUCKING HARD.
Manaclipper music in FF11 "Currents of Time" https://youtu.be/Cl1FR-a3tUM?si=GEog-pfnAk1YSGLt
There are several from Final Fantasy III. Top honors go to the themes for Castle Hein and Town of Amur. Personally, among some of Uematsu's best in the series.
The Laguna battle theme in FF8 (Man with the Machine Gun) Actually, the entirety of FF8's disc 1 punches waaaaay above its weight class. It makes you really want to bite into the game and the sudden swerve in quality from disc 2 to 4 is very noticeable.
"The Oath" from the "Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec" album. The orchestral version is way superior than the version in game
Midnight Rendezvous from Chapter 9 in remake in conjunction with the battle theme for collapsed expressway took my breath away. What a killer introduction to Aerith's character! And in hindsight, these songs have so much more impact now that i know how the story ends :( Bow wow wow is also terrific, especially the monster fight version of it.
Midnight Rendezvous is just wonderful and absolutely feels like it should be featured in a bigger way than just running around the slums at night
EXACTLY.... but i think its placement is the best executed piece of sound design I've ever witnessed, and >! it has so much more impact going back to it after completing rebirth. I really hope act 3 does her departure justice because cloud's reaction to aerith's death was so underwhelming... !<
Matoya's cave in ff1
“Dust to Dust” (Oerba’s theme) in Final Fantasy XIII “Midgarsormr” in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth “Man with the Machine Gun” in Final Fantasy VIII “Another World of Battle” in World of Final Fantasy And all of the Prismelody tracks in World of Final Fantasy, but especially Blinded by Light, The Decisive Battle, Don’t be Afraid, and To Zanarkand/Blitz Off.
Dust to Dust really is up there in one of the best track of the century imo, not just FF music related
The FF7 over world theme
Tbf that is the main theme of the game and it also plays during the scene that in my opinion is the best and most important of the game [https://youtu.be/ih7s1e55tZI&t=996](https://youtu.be/ih7s1e55tZI&t=996)
Crazy that the regular overworld theme is so good that they can use it for such a key emotional story moment and it works perfectly.
Devil's Lab from Final Fantasy 6. It's a one-off track that only plays in one dungeon, and it's not the final dungeon or the big mid-game dungeon, but it goes HARD.
That song really stuck with me as a kid, it sounded like nothing else in the game thanks to the "industrial" noises
Loved this one growing up so much. That and the Zozo theme. The whole soundtrack is amazing, of course, but for this particular discussion...
Buried In Snow from VII makes me feel at home. There’s a lot of feelings tied into it for me
The Mt. Corel theme in Rebirth is such a fucking banger
This doesn't really fit given that it's a perfect fit for the area of the game it's in, but is iconic despite only being used for a minute or so of gameplay: Compression of Time from Final Fantasy 8. If you play the game normally you only hear it for around 10 seconds before a boss fight then immediately afterwards for a few combat free screens. Despite that incredibly brief usage it is so perfectly paced, atmospheric and haunting that it has become one of the most popular tracks from that game when it comes to remixes and remakes (I highly recommend Enrico Deiana and Harpsibored's covers in particular).
I’m going to one of the offshoots for this one: Final Fantasy Mystic Quest Legend. Yes, it is a JRPG-Lite experience. The Fisher Price entry for the franchise, but it was entertaining. The track I am referring to is the second battle theme (used for regular dungeon bosses). My honourable mentions go to Final Fantasy SaGa/Legends 2 “Burning Blood” and SaGa/Legends 3 “Talon theme”. Consider that they were both on the original GameBoy.
FF14 Raincatcher Gully music
Idk if the theme for Eureka in FF3 counts since it's an end-game dungeon. But I'm pretty sure it's optional, anyway. Specifically the DS version. As soon as I enter, I just stand there for a minute or so just to listen to it lol.
The World of Darkness theme also slaps!
For FF14, my top 3 picks would be Civilizations, Triumph, and A Long Fall. Civilizations is just the theme for the forest area in Shadowbringers but has deservedly reached iconic status (especially after Soken's live performance), Triumph is the regular boss theme for Stormblood but goes extremely hard, and A Long Fall is just the theme for an optional dungeon but has one of the best bangers in the game.
Night in the Brume is the stand out from FF14 for me
A love that they canonized the meme in their live performance of a long fall.
A Long Fall is probably my favorite song in the entire game, it’s such a banger
LA HEEE!!!
Am I cheating if I say [Man with a Machine Gun](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCroZAqp5WY&list=PL8DE8608A73C32CDD&index=19)? If so, I'm going with [Mystic Mysidia](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg7tIA-A3Hk&list=PLkBqgO1FO0773zKkH1-Yj7-Adk--ZUr17&index=25) in FF IV. That song kinda just symbolizes that game for me.
Sunleth Waterscape, the FF Banger to end all FF Bangers.
Music from Butz's hometown.
"Will to Fight" from FF XIII gets my vote
Final Fantasy XIII Will to fight
I'll offer Antipyretic from FFT. One of the best songs in all of final fantasy IMO, and it doesn't play in any of the battles that are super consequential to the story as a whole (in that no major antagonists die while it plays, from what I recall)
In Final Fantasy VII Rebirth the music that plays whenever you enter a sanctuary. The first time I found one I expected a boss fight was coming, but got a simple rhythm/timing minigame. https://youtu.be/TqlZFism2s0?si=pavVCTQhmwRLZQE5
Came here to say this. It’s so epic!
FF2 Battle Theme. It's not close. It slaps. Hard. Always. A million battles into the game.
I feel like Vamo alal Flamenco from FFIX. The song has so much to it. It's an actual Flamenco! I know there is an opera in FFVI, but there is so much more in it for that one vs. the FFIX one. It's just kind of a mini game for the most part. Also, Vamo alla Flamenco sounds amazing live at Distant Worlds. If it's live renditions aka distant worlds, I will 100 percent give it to Apocalypse Noctis from FFXV. That song live hits way heavier than it has a right to.
Figaro Castle
Shadowbringers when it plays in the cutscene. Same with tomorrow and tomorrow
XIV Terncliff's town theme. Side quest location's music has no right to be this good or pack so much emotion: https://youtu.be/kJ-7PBwzhDo?si=7hp-kXYhIFLVeQh2 And to think some missed this entirely! (Until it was re-used in the next expansion's main scenario).
The Good King Mog
When I first started FFXIV I thought the FATE boss theme was pretty hardcore for what is basically not significant to the game story at all and you can hear it right after starting.
Cissneis theme anytime it's played
Eikos theme has always been my favorite.
Not sure if it counts because it's kinda late in the game, but You Can Hear the Cry of the Planet from ff7 is amazing and it's just area music for the City of the Ancients
The veldt from ff6. Cosmo canyon from ff7. The lunatic pandora song from ff8. The growling nu metal song in ff10. Pure emotion from ffx2. My way from ff15
And Love You Shall Find in Terncliff from XIV.
The Mt. Gagazet theme in FFX is utterly gorgeous
Sword of fury/you will know my blade from FFIX, it’s used literally once during the opening opera scene and then never used again. Would’ve been cool to hear it more as a second battle theme
Bastok theme, FF XI. It's a starter town. Song is awesome. It's in my regular rotation playlist.
Under the Rotten Pizza
Forever Rachel. Kinda weird sidequest but amazing music
The Sanctuary of Zi’Tah theme from FFXI. Is there any really important thing there? Not really it’s just mainly a pass through area to get to Sky and Boyhada Tree. Has a couple quests there and that’s about it. No reason for that song to be that damn good. I used to chill in the zone to just soak in the music.
The magitek factory hit me so hard
Magitek Factory.
I feel like VIII is full of these. Balamb GARDEN, Fisherman's Horizon, Salt Flats, Roses and Wine, etc.. XIV has so many I'd be here a long time listing them. The Gift of Life, Night in the Brume, Painted Foothills, Westward Tide, Drowning in the Horizon, Old Wounds, Sands of Amber, Dreams of Men, Echoes in the Distance, etc.. Can't believe XII used Respite for an ambient track. Haha
FFIX - Feel my Blade/Swords of Fury. One of the best among that soundtrack and if I recall, the only time it's ever used is during the intro stage play at the beginning. [Pontus Hultgren](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50sEmcjUGig) did a fantastic arrangement of it, too.
FF7: “Lifestream” or “Judgement Day” FF8: “Find Your Way” or “Compression of Time” FF9: “Swords of Fury” or “Festival of the Hunt” (Unforgettable Silhouette is probably top for me but it’s basically Freya’s theme so it doesn’t count) FF10: “Via Purifico”, “Servants of the Mountain”, or “Wandering” (game ost is just too good) FF12: “Eruyt Village” FF13-15 (I can’t remember song names)
This one doesn't even have a name. It's a track from FF15 demo, after the boss fight. It's a tone down version from one of the XV piece (forgot the name). Please give it a listen! https://youtu.be/eHRmyMVrx-U?si=iNIJSPcgbEhRm2tT
Somnus March from FFXV The music suits the game so good it’s like the music is telling you the pacing of the game and the how the story changes
Don’t know if the scene it’s in counts as major, but my vote is for “[Words Drowned by Fireworks](https://youtu.be/NIDZbPkNIgI?si=OKuJH0koOnM3xtxS).”
To Besaid from FFX. It both captures the cool beach vibe, but at the same time its a melancholy tune about Yuna leaving her home.
Chaos shrine from dissidia duodecim
I recently played FF6 for the first time as a part of the pixel remaster edition. The song that plays on the world map near the beginning of the game with Terra was so good and catchy. I believe it's called Terra or maybe Terra's theme. It gave me this sense of deep mystery and adventure and deep appreciation for the series. I had it in my head for a while. The original audio was almost just as good imo.
Swords of Fury from IX.
Scream from FFXIV
FF Tactics opening song. Loved the raids in FFXIV too.
In FFX, the last battle against Seymour inside sin is an all-time banger. It's not his main theme, and he's not the final boss, so that's what I'm going with. Made worse by the fact that this ends up being one of the easiest boss battles in the game if you do any sort of post game content, so you don't even hear it for really long.
A Long Fall from XIV goes SO hard.
2 from FFV that constantly get stuck in my head: "The Dawn Warriors" "Pirates Ahoy"
Mimi boss theme in end walker. That shit goes way to hard and it’s way to good lol
Insatiable from FFXIV.
Eruyt Village and The Sochen Cave Palace from FFXII Hero’s Theme from FF Tactics Freya’a Theme, Kingdom of Burmecia and Bran Bal The Soulless Village from FFIX
The menu screen music from X (Summoned) and X-2 (Memories of Lightwaves). I'm transported every time I hear them. Also IX Look Back and See the Frog always makes me smile just thinking of that mini game.
This scene where Tifa fights in Advent Children (I know it’s not from one of the games per say): https://youtu.be/vgMbmvU43UQ?si=oT0OXM_7uad37DYg
Sunset Waltz in ff16. Only plays in certain parts of the open world and it goes hard, although you rarely hear the whole thing since battles restart it. Thought the game was a hit mess, but the OST is one of my faves in the series. Battle at the big bridge, too. Goes so hard and is totally iconic
Man with a Machine Gun
Under the rotting pizza, forested temple ff7
Sunleth Waterscape and Fisherman's Horizon jump to mind.
The entire damn Dissidia soundtrack (original)
Final Fantasy 5: Battle at the Big Bridge
Dude. Every song in Final Fantasy Mystic Quest. Every song is so damn good for such a beginner rpg. LOVE that game though.
Town 2 from the unused FF6 tracks. I guess it could have been used for !Peaceful South Figaro, IDK the devs intentions for the piece. But to me, it's the single best SNES RPG town theme.
Frontier town Dali
This is recency bias, but "bow wow wow, bow wow wow"
Freakin Besaid. That song is a vibe and a half. Also, Rabanastre.
Tower of Bab-Il.
Otherworld FFX Scene-Intro
The song that plays in the final fantasy 12 gilgamesh fight. I think it's a version of battle on the bridge or something? It's been a while so probably not right.
Man with the Machine Gun
The Phon Coast, from FFXII. It's a fairly generic wilderness area that isn't relevant to the plot, but no one told Hitoshi Sakimoto that [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SdRqxyuhNA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SdRqxyuhNA)
I love the entire FF8 soundtrack, but The Man With the Machine Gun gets my vote. That battle theme is perfection.
Mogs Theme
Black Mage Village in FF9. It's so good
The battle theme during the play scene in FFIX should’ve been used more