We're getting started with the very first game in the series, which I first played around five years old. I could barely read in English at the time, which this game really helped remedy. My recollection of that playthrough was being lost and confused and dying to Garland (who actually did knock me all down). Never completed until many years later, this one has a very special place in my heart as my first FF game.
Final Fantasy (1987)
The four heroes of Light cross the bridge, looking back at Cornelia castle one final time before seeting off on their adventure.
For this game, I listened to this version of the OST: FINAL FANTASY (Original Soundtrack)
Prelude
The iconic introduction for the Final Fantasy series, which I believe makes its appearance in every game. Its first usage here is a simple but effective series of arpeggiated chords in two-part harmony. It sounds mysterious, and sets the tone well. Not the most exciting arrangement.
Ranking: 1/1
Opening Theme
... And we go right into another iconic song, we will be coming back to this one time and time again. An unusually up-tempo version here, but it's a bit more propulsive for it. This track perfectly captures that feeling of leaving home, of setting out on a grand adventure. Also, we see right away how much Uematsu loves layering melodies, as the counter melody is quite complex and has some beautiful slides in it to complement the lead melody.
(A brief aside, go listen to some other NES tracks from this era and see how many of them are doing counter-melodies like this (Okay, not Zelda, pick something else like Faxanadu, okay?) Yeah, that's noticeable, isn't it?)
Anyway, wonderful track, the best Final Fantasy song yet!
Ranking: 1/2
Castle Cornelia
The loop is a bit too short, and it actually feels a bit more like a Dragon Quest song than a Final Fantasy song. It doesn’t quite fit the vibe of the rest of the OST. It does maintain a regal air, but kind of bland.
Ranking: 3/3
Main Theme
We’re off on an adventure! A simple melody that almost feels like you can sing along even though there are obviously no words to it. It’s fine. It doesn’t get too stale over so many hours of gameplay, but not the most memorable.
Ranking: 3/4
Chaos Shrine
Here we go, our first sign that Nobuo was really cooking. It’s honestly incredible how much of an effect such a short song can have; it just feels like something momentous is about to happen. The counter melody changing from smooth notes to a kind of plucking effect as the loop nears its end really ups the intensity. Perfect song to set the tone that our first meeting with Garland will not be our last.
Ranking: 1/5
Matoya's Cave
This is such an odd song with an interesting arrangement, and its context in the game, being used for one area with a fetch quest NPC always made it stand out to me. It sounds much more important than it actually is? I don't know, I’m not as high on this as the fandom is, it’s pretty good! But not a classic.
Ranking: 4/6
Town
Our first town theme, a peaceful one that has a very pleasant harp-like sound backed by the most boop-y NES sound chip bassline imaginable that really hurts the overall arrangement. You can feel the technical limitations hurting this song.
Ranking: 6/7
Shop
Our first ever waltz — much earlier than I expected, too! Given how much time you end up shopping in this game, this theme needs to be solid. Luckily, I think this song is excellent! It’s upbeat, a bit silly, the nice little series of staccato notes as the loop resets is very pleasing to my ears.
Ranking: 5/8
Sailing Ship
The quick tempo helps make the ship feel even faster, despite the fact that you’ll spend most of your time listening to this song while completely lost. It’s perfectly pleasant and better than the main theme. Get ready to fight a Big Eye.
Ranking: 6/9
Sunken Shrine
An oddly-named track, as it shares its name with a dungeon it's not played in. Also, it's very early in the OST list given that it's mainly played in the final dungeon. A rearrangement of Chaos Shrine — and thus our first use of a recurring motif(!) — we have a darker, more urgent version of the song as we travel back in time and prepare to defeat Chaos. More straightforward than its source, and not quite as interesting as a result, still a very strong final dungeon track.
Ranking: 3/10
Final Ranking
That's it for the first ranking! Without further ado, here are the ten best songs from Final Fantasy (based on the first 10 songs from Final Fantasy (1987)):- Cornelia Castle
- Town
- Main Theme
- Sailing Ship
- Shop
- Matoya's Cave
- Prelude
- Sunken Shrine
- Opening Theme
- Chaos Shrine
Join me next time as we finish the FF1 OST!