Just finished watching some videos of the demo in action, and was pleased with Hamauzu's music. The gameplay looked quite dramatic and fun as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMzMZUL8okg

The boss theme caught my attention; it has some cool piano sprinkling going on that sets it apart from the crowd. All the music seems to work together and segue nicely. The rest of the sound, despite suffering from the video quality, is very theatrical. I wish I had an awesome surround system to enjoy this game on.

The music sounds excellent. I'm still waiting for someone to rip it. Apparently, the music continues to play while the game is paused so it shouldn't be too difficult.

Music is VERY Hamauzu, for better or for worse.  It definitely leans toward what of his I liked on the FFX ost as opposed to what I didn't, so I'm hoping it's consistently good throughout.

Also, is it just me or if female Cloud and token minority stereotype(tm) go and blow up some kind of reactor from that point, is Square giving us the FFVII remake (or in this case re-envisioning) that people have been clamoring for?

Here's a little rip i created yo.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/6i3vzx

You're awesome.

I brought this up at SEMO in a simular thread and got yelled at for using the term "African American" because in the world of FFXIII there would be no such race because there is no Africa.

What's wrong with "black"?

It seems using any kind of black person in any kind of way whatsoever in a video game will guarantee to create a fuss.

It also seems using any kind of criticism in any kind of way whatsoever toward a video game that people (orrrrr fanboys) are excited for will guarantee to create a fuss.

But, that rip. Man. Great stuff. DYING for this OST release!

Well, I guess it also depends on the way the criticism is presented. I'd mind it if it's from the kind of the persons who just enjoy being different than fanboys and naysaying toward everything for the sake of elitism that otherwise they can't support, and even think they look smart and insightful because of the criticism. I really don't think anyone here fits into this description though (just a generalization).

The game looks promising, and the music sounds like an improvement from DoC at least, but I'm still not sure if it's worth buying a PS3.

How about a 360, then?

Shit, how many 360 DVD discs is this badboy going to ship on?

I'm hoping it's going to be around 5-6.  It'd be nice if Microsoft actually ante'd up and did some nice packaging rather than what happened to poor disc 4 of Lost odyssey.

Damnit, if there's going to be some collector's edition for both platforms, I'm going to have to buy both. lol

I honestly haven't played a multi-disc RPG since Shadow Hearts: Covenant, and before that, Xenogears on PSX. What did they do to "poor disc 4" of Lost Odyssey?

I'm sure most of this was uncompressed, seeing as it was on a Blu-Ray, but apparently the demo clocked in at 5.09 GB, and that was very short.

Google my friend!! http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2008/0 … kaging.htm.  In short, disc four was in a separate paper holder.  Totally an irritant for the OCD like myself.

I have to admit, that would bring down my opinion of the packaging quite a bit.

Additionally, I never thought I'd see the day of multi-disc DVD games. Well, it's here!

It's exclusive to PS3 in my region I'm sure an international version will eventually be released for 360, but in 2011 or 2012.

Seeing the "battle music" used in the opening intro makes me think that these are not the final track selections, and the actual game will likely have something else. Just as well, because the current tracks are too cinematic and not really fitting for actual gameplay battles. Could also be sound dynamics, it's hard to tell with the difference between the website version, the rips and the downgraded YouTube version. And at the very least it should have nice field themes, since those are Hamauzu's forte. Of those, the Restricted Area sample sounds promising.

In a recent interview, the developers stated that the music in the demo was pretty much final although they didn't include a victory fanfare as the new arrangement wasn't completed yet, r or something like that. But yes, those are the final versions that are, supposedly, used as the normal battle theme, the boss battle theme,and the area themes for that section of the game, at least according to a recent interview. I'll have to search for it somewhere.

The website theme that was used as the intro sequence music I always knew wasn't going to be a battle theme.

Oh man, that is terrrrrrrible! A somewhat easy solution would be to buy the JP/European release and then put the US inserts and discs into the case... but that's probably a bit of work.

Multi-disc DVD games have been around since the very first year of the PS2 you know?

Well, the music in the demo is implemented in the same way as the final, as you stated, but as far as "Victory Fanfare" goes, Toriyama said the new version was completed but isn't there because it doesn't fit the overall atmosphere of the demo.

I know, but seeing four disc monsters again like in the PS1 days makes you take notice.

Xenosaga II was a two disc game, but considering there is only seven hours of gameplay on the first disc I don't think it used DL discs, instead using normal DVDs to make the game look longer from an inital standpoint. Just seems odd that they could fit all they did for the first game on one disc and then need two disc for a flash-in-the-pan sequel.

Xenosaga II is the same size as I. I remember reading that they made II with 2 SL discs because some people had trouble playing a DL disc on their PS2. Which is also why III is 2 SL discs.

Oh. Well, I hope they have multiple battle themes later in the game. Not just the "offbeat one special battle" and "more important boss battle", but actual alternate battle music, like Shadow Hearts with its midpoint change in all battle tracks, at least. However, I'm getting the feeling that I will be left missing Junya Nakano's contribution from FFX.

S-E removed the youtube video...copyright infringement obsessed fuckers...don't they WANT press for the game, or not?! They should just be happy we're still buying this shit 13 games in, especially after all the unoriginal crap and remakes of remakes that they've been hucking at us lately...

That said, I've been looking forward to this since it was first announced in 2006.

Have you noticed that their new trailers are almost always shown behind closed doors and only released, if ever, years down the road?

What makes you think S-E cares about good press when they know the game will sell copies and PS3s like there's no tomorrow?  I've felt for a while that S-E takes its fans for granted, especially Western fans who can... maaaybe get their game... maybe (if they're nice).

Well said.

Edit:

Actually, speaking of youtube, I'm sick and tired of stuff getting pulled because it is for mature audiences. What ever happened to the deal they made with the Attorney General where they were going to age restricting measures in place. Since I'm 26 I honestly don't care if someone deemed "too young" can't watch something.

Kind of interesting news... looks like amazon has a release date for FFXIII & versus.  Take them as you will, they'll most likely change.  XIII is dated on 12/1/09 and versus at 12/13/09.  Getting my hopes up for a 2009 release! ;P

I can tell you with great certainty that those dates are bunk.  Squenix has already said that FFXIII won't be in the U.S. until 2010 since they have to make the 360 version before they release it here.  And Versus XIII doesn't even have a Japanese release YEAR yet, so I wouldn't count on seeing that one here anytime soon.

My friend Andrew Evenstar has a released a new rip with 4 new tracks and longer lengths for the existing tracks:
http://www.vesperydia.com/2009/04/28/fi … ip-update/

I still hope the normal battle theme isn't the definitive version. Its introduction is a bit too long to fit the short battles as is shown in the demo, but to fit the longer battles, I feel everything else but the violin part lacks substance (the section before the looping sounds as if Hamauzu tried to go somewhere in a different key, but threw up).

This rip convinces me this will be the best Hamauzu score since FFX.