Given the popularity of RPG music outside the realm of the games themselves, we decided to acknowledge the best of the best with a Top 10 list celebrating the works of the core composers of the genre.
That said, we want to make it abundantly clear that the problem wasn't finding 10 composers for this list. The problem was keeping it down to 10!
Before we get to the cream of the crop, however, we thought we'd toss out some Honorable Mentions. Sure, it's a bit of a cheat to toss up the HM category at the beginning of the article, but we felt it necessary to give at least a small shout-out to Michiko Naruke (Wild Arms series), Chikayo Fukuda (.hack//G.U. games), Noriyuki Iwadara (Grandia, Lunar: The Silver Star), Ken Nakagawa & Daisuke Achiwa (Atilier Iris series), Miki Higashino (Suikoden 2) and Yoshino Aoki (BoF III/IV). These are just some of the people who deserve credit for their work, but didn't quite make the list. Now that we've done so, it's on to business.
10. TAKEHARU ISHIMOTO
Representative Music: Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII; The World Ends With You; Final Fantasy: Dissidia
Takeharu Ishimoto starts off our list of great composers. His talent for creating original and eclectic pieces is impressive to say the least. His score for The World Ends With You exposes his genius for variety, with songs like "Long Dream," "Calling," and "Fighting For Freedom," funky, urban pieces that mix rock, rap, and dance beats. In contrast to this his work for Crisis Core is darker and more pensive, showcasing pieces like the acoustic "Under an Apple Tree," and the jammin' "Wandering in a Sunny Afternoon." And let's not forget his theme for Final Fantasy: Dissidia, an orchestrated bonanza or winds, percussions and brass. To be that diverse is impressive indeed.
9. YOKO SHIMOMURA
Representative Music: Kingdom Hearts series; Parasite Eve; Legend of Mana
Yoko Shimomura is the lone woman on this list, beating out the likes of talented lady composers like Michiko Naruke (Wild Arms)and Chikayo Fukuda (.hack//G.U.) for a top spot. It's a testament to her talent that she can hang with the guys. Her style can range from melancholy to intense, from soft piano to rocking guitar. Songs like "Dearly Beloved" and "Night of Fate" from Kingdom Hearts have become fan favorites in the JRPG world, and many still remember the riveting "Arise Within You" and "Under the Progress" from Parasite Eve. Her music is definitely worth checking out.
8. MASAHI HAMAUZU
Representative Music: Final Fantasy X; Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII; Unlimited Saga; Saga Frontier II; Musashi: Samurai Legend; Sigma Harmonics
The composer for Unlimited Saga, Dirge of Cerberus, Saga Frontier II, Final Fantasy X, Musashi and Sigma Harmonics is best known for his beautiful, enchanting, and occasionally haunting style. Some of his most beautiful pieces include "Besaid Island" from Final Fantasy X, "A Proposal" from Dirge of Cerberus, "Feldschlacht IV" from Saga Frontier II, and the opening theme for Sigma Harmonics. His ethereal soundtracks are mesmerizing to say the least.
7. MOTOI SAKURABA
Representative Music: Tales Of series; Golden Sun series; Valkyrie Profile; Star Ocean; Eternal Sonata; Infinite Undiscovery
If you're an RPG fan, chances are you've played a game featuring Motoi Sakuraba's music. This celebrated composer has done tracks for the Tales of series, Golden Sun, Eternal Sonata and Valkyrie Profile. His work is often deep and complex, and it takes a real talent like Sakuraba to bring different facets of musical style together the way he does. Whether it's a great battle piece like "Future" from Tales of Destiny 2, the intense "An Illusion of The Brainstem" from Valkyrie Profile or the epic "Venus Lighthouse" from Golden Sun, Motoi Sakuraba has captivated RPG fans for years and without a doubt deserves to be on this list.
6. SHOJI MEGURO
Representative Music: Shin Megami Tensei series
The composer of the Persona series has some seriously hot tracks. This is a direct result of his amazing ability to mix classical, house, rap, and rock seamlessly together to create great music. It's true that much of his work revolves around dark, heavy-hitting guitar rifts or mellow R&B beats, but he also creates some jazzy and uplifting songs as well. Absolute must have tracks of his include "Alive" (Digital Devil Saga 2) "The Battle for Everyone's Souls" (Persona 3), "Battle in Town" (Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne) and "Signs of Love" (Persona 4). If you enjoy multiplicity and powerful game music, you'll love Shoji Meguro.
5. HIROKI KIKUTA
Representative Music: Seiken Densetsu series
The composer for the Seiken Densetsu series is often cited as one of the most popular and unique JRPG composers of all time. His quirky, upbeat sounds are like nothing else in the gaming world. Kikuta's "Fear of the Heavens" for Secret of Mana became an instant classic for RPG fans in 1993, and his fast-paced and intense soundtrack to Seiken Densetsu 3 is a must for VGM collections. Don't believe us? Try listening to the game's "High Tension Wire" and "Nuclear Fusion." And for those who want a trip down memory lane, we suggest infusing your ears with the awesome tracks of "The Color of Summer," "Into The Unknown" and "Always Together" from Secret of Mana. Believe us when we say if you've never heard the music of Hiroki Kikuta, you're seriously missing out.
4. HITOSHI SAKIMOTO
Representative Music: Final Fantasy Tactics; Final Fantasy XII; Vagrant Story; Odin Sphere
A prodigy among VGM composers, Hitoshi Sakimoto is known for his beautiful, complex pieces and artful compositions. His work in Final Fantasy Tactics, Odin Sphere and Vagrant Story are renowned, and are epic enough to be movie scores. If you're a fan of larger-than-life soundtracks, chances are you'll be thrilled by "Apoplexy" and "Hero's Theme" from Final Fantasy Tactics, riveted by Final Fantasy XII's "Boss Battle," intrigued by "Dawn of Leá Monde" from Vagrant Story and moved to tears by Odin Sphere's "A Fate Accepted." What can we say? His talent is unbelievable.
3. KOICHI SUGIYAMA
Representative Music: Dragon Quest series
This classically trained composer was famous even before he entered the video game world, and has been cited as Nobuo Uematsu's inspiration. He's even been called the "Big Boss of game music." It's easy to see why, too. Sugiyama's breathtaking compositions for the popular Dragon Quest series is something you have to hear to believe. The opening theme for Dragon Quest is one of the most heroic-sounding themes in JRPGs, and orchestrated arrangements like "Heavenly Flight" and "Sky, Ocean and Earth" from Dragon Quest VIII are simply breathtaking. He is considered one of the best JRPG composers of all time, and we agree.
2. YASUNORI MITSUDA
Representative Music: Chrono series, Xenogears, Xenosaga series, Shadow Hearts series.
How can the princely composer of such epic soundtracks as Chrono Trigger, Xenogears, and Chrono Cross not be on the list? After all, whose heart doesn't flutter when they hear the thrilling "Chrono Trigger", or feel enraptured by Chrono Cross' "Time's Scar?" We'd guess the answer is no one. And to this day we still L get shivers down our spine when we listen to the hauntingly beautiful "June Mermaid" (Xenogears), the heroic "Frog's Theme," (Chrono Trigger) and the breezy "Home Aruni Village" (Chrono Cross). Truly an outstanding composer.
1. NOBUO UEMATSU
Representative Music: Final Fantasy series; Lost Odyssey; Blue Dragon
What can we say about Nobuo Uematsu that hasn't already been said? Harder still, how do we even being to list all his masterpieces? There are so many: "Liberi Fatali." "One-Winged Angel." "Dancing Mad." "Aria di Mezzo Carattere." "Aerith's Theme." "Eternal Wind." "Eyes on Me." "To Zanarkand." And that's just to name a few! If Koichi Sugiyama is the big boss of JRPG music, and Yasunori its prince (as we think he is), then Uematsu is definitely the undisputed king. Almost every soundtrack he touches turns to gold. Even the world outside of gaming has acknowledged his brilliance; his epic "Liberi Fatali" was famously used in the 2004 Summer Olympics during the women's synchronized swimming event. In short, his name is synonymous with great gaming music. Period.
