Also known as "Final Fantasy USA", FFMQ was one of two games to not fit in the main Final Fantasy series. And, because it is not in the main series, the composer is most definitely not Nobuo Uematsu. Sasai first become known for composing the music for SaGa 3 (or, in America, Final Fantasy Legend 3)...I don't believe Kawakami did anything for Square again until the Chocobo's Dungeon 2 OST (maybe some non-RPG stuff as well), but Sasai later did the Rudra no Hihou OST. It's a shame they didn't do more, because I LOVE their compositions.

If you've never played FFMQ, then you don't know how incredibly easy it was. Even if you were told, you'd probably never quite get the picture until you played it. However, contrary to popular opinion, I thought the game was exceptional. As reasoning, one of my main back-ups was always the music. I love the music to this game. I love it even more now because it is nostalgiac, but even back then it had some sort of flair I can't describe. Some of the neater tracks are Tristam's Theme (or, "Rock Theme" for the Japanese version); Reuben's Theme (Rock 'n' Roll), and well...every battle and dungeon theme...and most every town theme...now that I think about it, every track on here is great.

Hehe, like it couldn't get any better: we're given THREE arranged tracks! The first two tracks and the last track are all GREAT high-synth arrangements. Every good song is made better, and thus these medleys prove to be some of the best things Square has released. I was let down by one little thing they through in the last track-mix...A robot-like voice saying "Mystic Que...Que...Mystic Quest"; this is REALLY REALLY annoying, and it almost ruins the great arrangement of this track.

As for my choices in sampling...I had an EXTREMELY hard time making choices. Every battle theme is awesome, all the town music is good, and I love the dungeon tracks. It is a little unbalanced that I chose a bunch of tracks from near the end of the game...Just check out these samples, they're all very enjoyable. Also, just so you know, every town has the same melody, but changed a little. The first town would be the standard track (I believe the 2nd town in the game used this same music), then the town of Faeria has this jazzed up version, and then the Windy Town has some different synth usage and adds a wind effect over the song (this is the sample I chose of all the town music). Really, I cannot get enough of these tracks.

If you are tired of four-disc epic soundtracks that only have a couple great tracks and then a bunch of filler, this soundtrack may be worthwhile to you. However, all great things have a great (sized) price. This soundtrack used to be considered EXTREMELY rare and would sell for up to $120. Today, it is more reasonable to see it sell on eBay for $50 or less (sometimes MUCH less). Listen to the samples, let the feelings of nostalgia return, and HUNT THIS SWEET SOUNDTRACK DOWN!

Some packaging notes: This soundtrack is one of three full Square soundtracks of the SNES era not to be reprinted in the PSCN form. This, along with Hanjuku Hero OST, are very rare because there was only one print. Also, the CG-like SD-characters used as artwork in the packaging is extremely cute...you can distinguish the characters by clothing, and really it just takes you back...mmm...

Reviewed by: Patrick Gann