http://www.crystalbearers.jp/

Wow, that's a great song they've got playing in the Japanese site, it's both Final Fantasy and something fresh at the same time. But to even it out, the English site music is a really standard and unimpressive version of the Prelude.

Apparently, the Crystal Bearers soundtrack is composed by Hidenori Iwasaki, who did some tracks for Crystal Chronicles, and seems to be best known from the Front Mission series. Guess that explains the change in style, no Kumi Tanioka this time?

The spaghetti western theme in that one trailer is too goofy for my liking but that Japanese site music lifts up my hopes for the soundtrack, it's about time Kumi Tanioka was given a rest and Hidenori Iwasaki has some great stuff in Front Mission 5 especially.

Soundtrack seems like it may be promising, but what's the game about?! Another damn spin-off?!

Yes and no.  It isn't a main game in the series (sorry), but unlike the original GC version, this is a fully-fledged single-player adventure.  And it's one of the most highly anticipated Wii releases.

Well, that's fine. Looks pretty damn good for a spin-off.

But what's this about the original GC version? They're remaking a Gamecube title??

Also, glad to hear the Wii is getting more new games. We need more good Wiideo-Games.

The original GC was a multi-player only adventure that worked better if you owned a GBA at the same time; otherwise the single player quest doesn't work.  Unfortunately it did not have a story to connect it.

Crystal Bearers looks to correct that and bring some new concepts to the table (notably in the form of falling through the air and shooting at badguys, battling foes while riding on a wagon propelled by a Chocobo, etc.  They're really going all out on this game.

That fantastic Prelude version is now also at YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWPjdUj-JNE

But does anyone have an MP3 version? I'd like to pop that in my player...

There's also a new trailer from TGS which has singing added to that version (second part): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWPjdUj-JNE

For Bernhardt and others wondering what the game is about, Jeremy Parish has a preview at 1up: http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3176209

Agreed with you, Sami. I'm glad Kumi Tanioka has been given a rest for Crystal Chronicles and Hidenori Iwasaki has been given a rest from Front Mission, so he can finally show his creativity in a new big game project. Also, he's apparently being joined by Ryo Yamazaki, who has finally made the full-time transition from synthesizer operator to composer as with Iwasaki and Ishimoto before him.

Soundtrack coming in December: http://vgmdb.net/album/15474

Apparently Tanioka is still involved to some degree, unless there's just  arrangement of some of Tanioka's music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6lL8vg6 … re=channel

Love the dance piece in this video! Hope to get a clean version soon...

Square Enix has an interesting video about the composition process at YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHJIHKtrbAo

The track is "Vineyard" by Hidenori Iwasaki, different style to his previous work and not fully original but it's interesting to hear comparisons between the different instrument tracks.

There's also a second one, "Beyond The Horizon" by Ryo Yamazaki, which has a very Indiana Jones feel, fitting for the game I think.

These tracks are on the demo soundtrack that comes with the LE of the game, which should be available right about now in Japan. From the samples that were available earlier, I don't think the demo selection is too hot but I hope the full soundtrack will have a wider variety of good tracks.

Heh, I rather enjoyed the comedy skit between the Mariachi Moogle and the Hippie Bomb...didn't understand what they were saying, but the way they were saying it was hilarious...

...

Damn, I'm looking forward to this game. The hero seems to be really cheeky and gung-ho, sort of like Zidane, a shear contrast to all the emo protagonists that have been popular, lately. Looks like they're going for a really whimsical take this time around, hopefully not as corny and overdone as FFX-2, though.

REALLY looking forward to the game and soundtrack, but don't know if I'll pick them up as soon as they come out, though...

I just got my copy of this soundtrack the other day.  I wasn't really expecting much (from neither the game nor soundtrack).  I sure was surprised however.  I am absolutely positively loving it, disc 1 especially.

I quite agree this is one of the most fun soundtracks I've listened to in quite sometime.  I'll probably get a gift card to Future Shop or some such store, so I'll probably use that on the game.

I have to agree that this soundtrack is quite awesome; I can't remember the last time I was all over the moon about a Square-Enix score.  Hidenori Iwasaki and Ryo Yamazaki really show their skill as musicians, and I am hoping that these two will get to do another score.  If nothing else, their soundtrack is arguably one of the very best assets of the game (alongside the graphics and the story).  The game itself is enjoyable and well worth playing, but I do wish the camera angles were tighter and the length longer.  Still, though, I realy am having a blast playing "Crystal Bearers", and even though I may be sad that I'm at the end, it was a hell of a ride while it lasted.  This score is definitely a five-star marvel, one of the best of 2009 (it would get that title if Monster Hunter 3's music didn't blow me away like it did, but that's another story).

Added Jon Turner's mega-review along with samples and the like to the soundtrack's album page.  Those who have yet to pick up the album (it's a goodie!) be sure to check it out.

A very elegant and insightful review, Jon. I'm so glad you and Adam like it too!

Thank you so much!  I didn't realize that it would be posted that quickly.  The score is absolutely incredible; I can't remember the last time I was ever this engrossed with a Square-Enix soundtrack since Final Fantasy VI, Chrono Trigger, and Secret of Mana.  The Kingdom Hearts scores are pretty cool too, but I definitely have to say that Crystal Bearers is a worthy entry to S-E's established FF scores.

As for FFCC:CB, the game itself, I really like it a lot; I really do--the graphics are spectacular, the characters funny and interesting, the production values spectacular... but I do have two problems with it:  1) the awkward camera controls, and 2) the length.  I'm sorry, but a game as fun and creative as this should be about ten times longer.  But it's not at all bad.  As mentioned, I REALLY enjoyed this game a lot--but at best it's an 8/10 quality game than a 10/10.