Music Monday: Put A Judgment Ring On It

Last Music Monday, I introduced you all to the music of Koudelka, the prequel to one of my all-time favorite RPG series, Shadow Hearts. After I wrote my “I’ll bet you’ve never played this!” Weekly Nuke article, I’ve indeed been catching up with some old friends. This time around are selections from the first Shadow Hearts game, following Yuri Hyuga and Fuckin’ Useless Alice Elliot on their trek across Europe and China.

Unsurprisingly, much of the music has a distinct Chinese feel to it, though it’s interesting to note that there’s also clear techno influences in there, too. The songs can vary, but somehow they all meld together into a unique, cohesive soundtrack, quite fitting for the dark, atmospheric tones of Shadow Hearts. It’s worth pointing out that the game’s composers have a well-respected RPG pedigree – Yasunori Mitsuda (Chrono Trigger, Xenogears) and Yoshitaka Hirota (overseeing sound design for Square between 1994 and 1999).

Because I forgot to put this up last week of last Monday’s PAX domination, combined with the fact that the soundtrack is so eclectic and it’s one of my top ten favorite games ever, this week’s Music Monday has been super-sized!

Midboss I – China Ogre

Temple Ruins ~ Death-Zombie Party

Europe Battle ~ NDE – Near Death Experience

Prague ~ C.I.T.Y

Kuihai Tower ~ Disaster -Psycho Temple-

Battle in China ~ Brain Hopper

Rejoicing II ~ Asian Parfait (thought I’d leave you all with an uplifting one)