Ack, it just arrived 2 days early! (@_@)  I'll have impressions soon.

Here's a good question...  Do I break into the ST immediately?  Or wait to experience the BGM for the first time while playing the game?  I always wonder about this in this kind of situation.  Usually, I hold off on the ST until I've played the game for a bit.

- Justin Pfeiffer

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Well, I had time to squeeze in a couple hours of gameplay tonight, and so far the game itself is great and the music is definitely awesome.  Whereas Zwei 1's soundtrack was mainly accoustic and celtic, Zwei 2 seems to have a decent amount of variety.  So far, I've encountered a couple solid rock tracks during the opening scene, a few accoustic themes reminiscent of Zwei 1, and the rest of music is very Sora no Kiseki-ish.  I haven't heard a boring theme yet. 

With all the various approaches in game music these days, I love how Falcom is still able to present solid, immediately-pleasing (if not somewhat old school) music for their games.  Maybe I'm just biased.   Anyway, order away everyone, if you haven't already.

- Justin Pfeiffer

P.S.  The soundtrack case itself comes in a larger box that fits nicely in the game box with the manual and disc case.  I haven't opened it yet but I may have to soon.

Comparatively speaking, I suppose it's more cutesy than say Ys, but I wouldn't categorize it as being an overly cutesy game.  The character design is a bit cutesy, but it is very well done.  The game itself is colorful and gorgeous.  Yeah, Zwei 2 sort of combines Zwei 1 with Gurumin's interface, except it's been heavily revamped and improved.  So far it's been a blast. 

- Justin Pfeiffer

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I broke down and cracked open the soundtrack, but I've limited myself to only those themes that I've encountered in the game (for the time being).  I decided to make a couple samples for those curious about the game's soundtrack. 

The first one I chose is Town of Artte, which is the theme of the first town in the game.  It's very hard to top the charm of Zwei 1's town theme, but I'm quite fond of this one too.  This should give you a feel for the game's sound.

The other one I chose is Hearts That Run Together, a curious theme that, so far, has only played during a scene where the two protagonists hit it off for the first time, and Alwen (the vampire girl) explains the "blood contract" she has set upon Ragna (the treasure hunter) to save his life.  There's a bit of joking around in the scene, but something about the warmth of this theme just got to me.  It's somehow nostalgic.

Anyway, give them a listen.

- Justin Pfeiffer

Oooh, that 2nd tune is nice.

This has me really excited for mine to come in . . .