Final Fantasy Legends: Hikari to Yami no Senshi (Warriors of Light and Darkness) is a relatively unknown entry in the long-running RPG franchise. The game was released episodically for the Japanese i-mode and EZweb distribution platforms in 2010, with iOS and Android ports planned for release in 2012. This tale of conflict between good and evil may have taken place on the (really) small screen, but Square Enix saw fit to create a full soundtrack for it. A few tracks were composed by Nobuo Uematsu, but most of the work was handled by Naoshi Mizuta of Final Fantasy XI fame. The result is a surprisingly robust selection of music for a game made with limited hardware, but the compositions aren't without their shortcomings.

Mizuta seems to have found inspiration in Uematsu's earlier works. "The Cave Where Demons Lurk" and "Remote Village" are evocative of Final Fantasy IX with their ponderous melodies that use the flute in various ways. "Against the Threat" bears a remarkable similarity to Final Fantasy VIII's "Don't be Afraid" in its opening moments. I almost expected to hear Quistis snapping her whip as the drums and horns set the mood for battle. The pride and oafishness of dwarves are clearly felt in the deep tuba driving "Valley of the Dwarves," which hearkens back to Final Fantasy IV's underground world. "The Four Heavenly Rulers of the Empire" has sinister undertones and shares the same role as FFIV's "Battle With the Four Fiends," though it admittedly lacks the same dramatic punch.

The remaining songs run the gamut from good to bad, with most squarely in the middle. "The Sword that Emits Light" is a very standard battle theme that has decent energy, but never really picks up; "The Sword that Tears Darkness" is better, but both tracks suffer from repetitive melodies. The latest rendition of the Chocobo theme, "Funk de Chocobo," is one of the most uninspired tracks on the album. It sounds more like a fan-made MIDI than a professional composition. More memorable songs include "You Are Distant," a gentle piano-synth piece that evokes images of raindrop-spotted windows, and "Aboard the Ship to the Sky," the signature airship song with an adventurous feeling.

This soundtrack isn't essential listening by any means, but it is pleasant enough. Fans of Mizuta's previous works will notice his style here and appreciate the opportunity to hear more of his compositions. I can recommend this album only to fans of old-school JRPGs and Final Fantasy aficionados. Everyone else will probably move on after a single listen.

Reviewed by: Derek Heemsbergen