Wild Arms 2nd Ignition Original Soundtrack Pt.1

When it comes to the world of video games and video game music it goes without saying that with any kind of discovery comes disappointment. Not every apple is fresh or will be to your liking, but when you find the right one it makes all that searching worth while. Yet this is only one take on the disappointment that comes along with discovery, as one can be disappointed at the lack of success and acclaim something receives. This is a road that Wild Arms 2nd Ignition has come to know all too well, having had to complete with a much less forgiving market than its predecessor, its flaws and shortcomings documented for all to see. In regards to the soundtrack, there are many things that turn what is a light sprinkle into an unrelenting downpour, like SPE Visual Works' typical, half hearted presentation of the music (e.g. minimal looping) and the composer's ambitions and creations being at odds with one another, but is there sunshine beyond the horizon? Read on to find out.

1-01) Main Title
For a game that's one of my favorites, I honestly wish there was something more to say about the title theme — an important piece of music for any game. While the methodical nature of the acoustic guitar and the patented Wild Arms whistle undoubtedly convey the fact that Filgaia has never fully recovered from the crimson flames that scarred its surface long ago, it fails to embody the engaging adventure that is to follow. This isn't to say a title theme has to be an orthodox, by-the-numbers affair that always highlights the lighter aspects of a game, but it should feel a lot more viable and memorable than this, not like a missed opportunity. (6/10)

1-02) You'll Never Be Alone
"You'll Never Be Alone" emits a sense of magic that is similar to "The End of the Wilderness" but doesn't build upon itself in the same way. Granted, the feeling that the game's characters are longing for something that is just beyond the horizon is there but as the instruments and composition go through the motions, it feels more fluid and homogeneous from an emotional standpoint. If you've played the North American version of the game and heard the alternate instrumental version (which opens with a horn rather than strings) there is a lot more to consider. As strong as Kaori Asou's vocals and Naruke lyrics are they don't support or further enhance what the music has to offer; they almost feel like a needless obstacle. Despite the fact I would rate this alternate, instrumental version higher if it was present on the soundtrack, both versions succeed in portraying their intended message to the listener quite well. (8/10)

1-03) Going Out
To anyone familiar with video game music, its common knowledge that most scores (RPGs especially) have their own little collections of pieces that only see action once or twice within the span of a playthrough. With one hundred plus tracks spread out over two discs its safe to say that many of these tracks call Wild Arms 2nd Ignition home. "Going Out" is such a piece and while it's neither terrible nor musically unsound it ends up on the negative side of the spectrum regardless of its befitting, in-game context. First played during Ashley's introductory adventure as the musketeer brigade of Meria Boule makes their way to the Withered Ruins (and then, as expected, the only reprise taking place 25-30 hours later) the subdued, almost leisurely militaristic feel is undermined by the slightest sense of silliness that foreshadows how quickly things unravel once they reach their destination. All in all, "Going Out" is a classic example of a decent track that is incapable of making a class change. (6/10)

1-04) Dungeon: Ruins Type 1
If one were to say dungeon themes weren't an important element in the tapestry of an RPG it would be a lot like a person stating they're above breathing oxygen; it's a notion so ludicrous it's bound to induce laughter to all within an earshot of the speaker. All joking aside, to underestimate Naruke's work in this area would be borderline criminal even though there are some that fail to impress. The most notable entries — like those in the three part "Ruins Type" series — are among the list of reasons why this soundtrack should be considered by everyone. That's a lot of hype, but does "Ruins Type 1" live up to it? Yes and no. It isn't hard to forge a valid argument that this is the weakest of the three arrangements by far; still, the playful sense of discovery created from the interplay of the instruments is extremely welcome in the game's dungeons and is a nice change of pace from the first game where these pieces mostly adhered to a moody and cryptic palette. In the end, just try and take in this fun track as Naruke intended: resist the urge to over analyze it and accept it at face value. (7/10)

1-05) Serious Struggling
"Serious Struggling" is an interesting track for all the wrong reasons. None of these reasons have much to do with the quality of the composition (which more or less shares its fate with "Going Out") but whether or not the title coincides with it and its in-game context. Case in point: if I was going to describe this track to someone the first thing I'd ask them to do would be to forget any and all preconceived notions about seriousness and strife being presented in a musical fashion. With that out of the way, I would then present them with the previous iteration of the title "Confusion in the Front" and, unlike above, allow them to read into it — particularly the word confusion. Hopefully associated ideas such as aimlessness, awkwardness, silliness and goofiness would be the result and give them a better grasp on what this track offers. As far as a title goes, is "Serious Struggling" so far off that there is no justification for its use? It's a real stretch, but one could contend that this seemingly wayward title is an extension of the humorous, slapstick nature of the piece and is meant to be ironic since it is anything but. In the end none of this, even its clever, covert musical connection with "Going Out" can serve to bolster this track's meek identity. (6/10)

1-06) Chase
It's ironic that after chronicling why the title for the previous number doesn't fit (and how it barely might) along comes a track where I can seriously imagine someone struggling. Here we have the main danger theme of Wild Arms 2nd Ignition — it's repetitive, somewhat annoying (the end of the game's first disc proving that quite nicely) and does little to change one's view on such tracks. As damming as this is, "Chase" really does deserve more credit than it may initially receive due to the architecture employed: a multi-layered composition that gains a small amount of intensity in each section. This approach may seem standard — hell, Junya Nakano practically built his score for Dew Prism around this very concept — but it feels like a step up from the first game where Naruke repeated the same bars over and over in "Collapse." Regardless, it's nothing to get excited about; the track working when the situation calls for it and being digestible enough outside the game. (7/10)

1-07) The Crisis at Hand
When there are a large amount of pieces on a soundtrack, the chances that there will be tracks that try to invoke comparable thoughts and emotions within the listener in a similar way increases. While it's entirely possible for someone with an open mind to enjoy or appreciate everything that comes to bat, there are cases where the stronger creations devour the others beyond conscious thought. This is the crisis that "The Crisis at Hand" faces: the dissonant feel that seems to radiate with the malice and cunning of scheming adversaries is right on, yet the same could really be said of "From Anxiety to Impatience" that comes along a little later. An inferiority complex like this may have to do with the fact the latter appears to be a bit more tangible than the former, but this is of little consolation for a track that is truly a victim of circumstance. (6/10)

1-08) A Dramatic Escape
As a forbearer of bad news, it's unfortunate that "A Dramatic Escape" reveals the utter predictability some of Naruke's work falls prey to so early. The title really says it all here: you get a triumphant — dare I say dramatic — horn opening up the track before it settles back into its default posture of relief. Even though this piece falls hard out of context (where it actually seems more at home) it does stand as a great point of contrast for when Naruke does succeed in making the predictable attractive though the airs of familiarity. (6/10)

1-09) Scene of Reminiscence
Alongside books and movies, RPG's usually incorporate flashbacks to flesh out their characters and the world around them. Not one to be left out of the crowd when it comes to storyline essentials and clichés, Wild Arms 2nd Ignition spends ample time detailing Brad's involvement with the Slayheim Liberation Army years before the opening of the game. "Scene of Reminiscence" caters to these scenes with a semi-ambient hum-like backdrop that acts like a canvas for the chilling notes of the accompanying acoustic guitar as they cry out with a resounding echo. Chances are that some will be completely at odds with the sparse instrumentation and minimal development, but the piece has another application up its sleeve. Replacing "Hidden Village" in the second half of the game when a terrible omen befalls Filgaia, "Scene of Reminiscence" doubles as a town theme. The contrast created from the fact that it's the only morose theme employed as such is invaluable and gives this sleeper track the slight edge it needs to be (eventually) noticed. (7/10)

1-10) Dungeon: Natural Type 2
Truth be told, "Dungeon: Natural Type 2" doesn't offer any kind of revolutionary twist on the quintessential forest dungeon theme that crops up in almost every RPG. In a forward yet indirect manner, Naruke molds the triumphant Wild Arms sound to a piece dripping with a deep, hollow earthen vibe. This is hardly a bad thing; in fact it's one of the most enjoyable dungeon themes outside the "Ruins Type" series. It's hard to explain why it's so easy to take in but I can't help think it has something to do with similar themes in Legend of Legaia. Confused? When it comes to pieces crafted especially for a natural/forest environment they usually play out deep and earthen or light and mystical. In Legaia, where nature was an integral part of the storyline, these tracks were cheapened by their hollow feel due to the countless number of composers that had treaded the same path beforehand. Of course, the same could be said of the other path that's explored here, but all things considered Naruke made the right choice on this one. (8/10)

1-11) A Momentary Respite
Unlike many of Naruke's earlier event pieces, "A Momentary Respite" isn't left in neutral when it is taken out of context: a goal any composer should strive for. Unfortunately, such a feat is only compounded when these pieces receive minimal in-game play. This piece is no exception, really walking the line when it comes to how the listener is pulled in — the played-out side of familiarity almost eclipsing that which is tasteful. The acoustic flavor found here is rather similar to "Scene of Reminiscence" although the more continuous instrumentation and the emotional aspect is about as opposite as you can get. However, like the aforementioned track, "A Momentary Respite" draws some additional strength from an unlikely source: the next track "From Anxiety to Impatience." The synergy created by the contrast of these tracks is really shown in Brad's introductory quest when they are played in quick succession of one another. This quick turning of the tide (which the order of the tracks thankfully preserves) is enough to keep its head above the water of its almost negative familiarity. (7/10)

1-12) From Anxiety to Impatience
The story of "From Anxiety to Impatience" is that of a title which has been seen on almost every Wild Arms release since the first OGS in 1996. Connected by mood rather than composition (it's a completely different entity each time around) the story represents one of the more clever musical conventions in the series' universe. Then again, some may find the worry these numbers are predetermined to represent not so clever although the 2nd Ignition incarnation feels like one of the better ones — if not the best. Gone is the painful, mournful cry that opened the original, leaving the deep guitar work and march-like background to paint a picture of an ill-fated confrontation — a scenario that "The Trouble Brewing Along" tackles in a more indirect manner. While the original is enjoyable in its own right, neither Naruke nor any of her successors have written anything more appealing under this title that what you'll find here. Couple this with the symbiotic relationship it shares with "A Momentary Respite" and the above becomes obvious. (7/10)