Akihiko Mori’s score for the Super Famicom RPG Mystic Ark (a spiritual sequel to Elnard, a.k.a. “The 7th Saga”) matches the strange grandeur of the game and its concept art. Can something be simultaneously quirky and epic? The Mystic Ark soundtrack proves that, yes, it can be done.
Many import RPG Fans have praised Mystic Ark for being one of the strangest, most artistic games for the console. And Mori’s score matches this artistic world step for step. Even the track titles, lengthy though they may be, reflect the peculiar nature of this game’s setting. Whether listening to the first few tracks of disc one (which are arranged), or their OST counterparts, or even the little six-second jingles, the soundscape, synth usage, and composition are all perfectly suited for the game.
Good music on this album? “Water is the Source of All Life” is a mid-tempo enigmatic piece. There are some great battle themes, such as “Your Eyes Are Beautiful While You Fight.” And then there are fun, upbeat songs such as “Story From the Land of Fairy Tales.” This OST has nearly everything.
The arranged section is a little lacking, however. More real instrumentation, and perhaps some vocal arrangements, would have suited this game well. I suppose Mori-san wanted to keep the emphasis of the album on the OST, which I suppose is legitimate. After all, the Super Famicom chiptunes are some of the best in the history of VGM. Why not make the most of it?
If you want to experience some VGM that’s just, in nearly every way, different from the norm, this is the album to get. And what would stop you? Well, the album’s availability, for starters. “Kitty Records” prints aren’t exactly easy finds these days. But to the serious collectors, I wish you luck. This is a fine album; I know some aficionados who claim this as the best soundtrack of the 16-bit era. And while I don’t agree with them, I can see what would lead someone to such a conclusion.
