SQ Chips

I'd never cared about other SQ series, but this production was finally done in the right direction. The tracks from newer installments (especially XI and XIII) are really delightful and really surprised to find myself enjoying "Eyes on Me", its original version I just plain didn't like. 

My major gripe is some questionable track selections. Musashiden? Nanashi no Game? (I'd belileve it if it were labeled as DQ II field theme) Bleh. Also, I'd rather want to see later games transformed into 8 bit forms. FFIII are way over-arranged and already chip-tune (that's why they have to make something like yet another Dragon Quest Dance Remix here).

I look forward to a second album.

If you had to take a wild guess on that what would it be?

Let's just say I didn't cover every single aspect of the medley.

Full review posted.  More detail, same message, still love it!

I love this whole album.  Best one yet for the SQ series.

Adam's review wrote:

Though the sound of the album is very much true to its chiptune theme, this is not your father's (or your twenty years younger self's) NES 8-bit.

This part depressed the hell out of me, because 1) God, it really was 20 years ago when I could be considered a "younger self," and 2) It's more like 25 years.  At least, that's the time frame that feels closer to when I was most appreciative of the chiptune era.

I'm still digesting the album, but the big standout for me so far is the Chrono Trigger Character Medley.  I'm in awe by how thoroughly intelligent this arrangement is.  From start to finish, it just SOUNDS smart and efficient.  The bookending of Outskirts of Time punctuated at the right moments.  The fluid, thematic progression of the medley itself.  (I'm glad they didn't opt to loop Lucca, yet chose to keep both the OSV opening and core melodies of Frog.  Starting Magus at the tail end of his melody made for a great introduction, and omitting Chrono's theme all together was a wise choice to avoid redundancy from the first track on the album.)  And then there's the genuinely delightful surprises peppered throughout; I wasn't expecting Schala, and I was wearing a broad smile when I heard the sound effects for Frog's croak and the ringing of Leene's Bell.

Cedille wrote:

My major gripe is some questionable track selections. Musashiden? Nanashi no Game? (I'd belileve it if it were labeled as DQ II field theme) Bleh. Also, I'd rather want to see later games transformed into 8 bit forms. FFIII are way over-arranged and already chip-tune (that's why they have to make something like yet another Dragon Quest Dance Remix here).

I look forward to a second album.

Just got my copy and listening to it now.  Enjoying it quite a bit so far.  I'm at the Musashi track.  I personally really like it.  BFM needs more lovin'.  There were a lot of filler tracks in that OST, but the tracks I like, I really, really like!  I am excited about the Chrono medley.  You guys have built my expectations pretty high on that one!

Yes, I know this is my 3rd comment in about a 20-30 minute time span, but I can't get over this album.  I am...oh, I don't know, about a million times more overjoyed than I ever expected.  I'm usually not that big on chiptune stuff, but in this case I'm completely sold.   Overall good arrangements + nostalgia + urge to dance like a complete moron(behind closed doors) = a good thing.
The Xenogears track is looping for the 3rd time in a row right now.  As much as I enjoyed the whole album the first time through, I can't bring myself to stop looping this track this time.  I think it's my favorite.  I know, I know, I can see the warning signs.  "Stop now!  Don't overplay the track!  You will end up hating it!"  But can't stop...

I also picked up the Nier Tribute album and Lord of Vermillion Re-2 Fan Kit.  I was planning to listen to all 3 this evening.  I don't think those other two are going to make it into the CD player tonight.

Zealboy wrote:

Lord of Vermillion Re-2 Fan Kit.

Listening to this one now.  Lost of good classic Square arrangements on here, especially the excellent Secret of Mana medley.

It'd be nice if we could keep this thread focused on SQ Chips.  Feel no shame in starting a thread for Lord of Vermillion Re-2 Fan Kit.

James O wrote:

Anyone in Japan manage to snag a copy of the Village/Vanguard store SQ Chips customer bonus?  I think there are some unique tracks exclusive to that cd...

I think they're all exclusive, actually.

I don't own it, but those who do have said it's quite good. The FFIX track especially.

They just need to make straight-up sequels. SQ Chips 2. SQ Chips 3. And follow the same track selection criteria. A bunch of FF, and then the other half is just random titles. I'm thinking like:

Chrono Cross
Dewprism
Front Mission (any)
Soukaigi
Another Mind
Romancing SaGa
Bahamut Lagoon
Livealive

They could go nuts with this thing.

Wait, how do you get the Village Vanguard edition?  Do you just buy the CD at that store and it's included?  I may have to beg someone I still know in Japan...

I keep trying to get my friend to get down to Morioka to his closest Village/Vanguard store but he keeps dragging his feet and saying he keeps forgetting... arggggggg.