Arranged album available with Zodiac Age soundtrack
On July 11, Square Enix will release a high-definition remaster of Final Fantasy XII: International for the PlayStation 4, entitled Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age.
For the original version of the soundtrack, composer Hitoshi Sakimoto was forced to simplify his music to accommodate the limitations of the PlayStation 2. For this version, he was able to re-record the soundtrack with high-quality instrument samples/performances and in 7.1 surround sound. He will finally realise his original vision while taking advantage of current sound production capabilities.
Square Enix will commercially release the Final Fantasy XII -The Zodiac Age- Original Soundtrack as a Blu-ray disc on July 19. The disc will feature all the rearranged tracks featured in the soundtrack alongside remastered in-game images. High-quality MP3 files will be included on the Blu-ray disc that can be imported to personal computers, smartphones, etc. The samples below give an insight into what to expect.
The soundtrack will be released in two versions, a regular edition (5000 JPY) and a limited edition (6000 JPY). The limited edition features an arranged album CD featuring brand new arrangements of fan favourites from the soundtrack. Produced by Sakimoto himself, the track listings, arrangers, and arrangement style have yet to be revealed.
Also note that Square Enix is selling a Collector’s Edition of the game through its online store. Among the many bonuses are a soundtrack disc featuring new recordings from the games, but the store’s wording indicates this will be a sampler rather than a full soundtrack. Hence, consumers should pick up the commercial soundtrack release if they want the full experience.
Posted on April 21, 2017 by Chris Greening. Last modified on April 21, 2017.
About the Author
Chris Greening I've contributed to websites related to game audio since 2002. In this time, I've reviewed over a thousand albums and interviewed hundreds of musicians across the world. As the founder and webmaster of VGMO -Video Game Music Online-, I hope to create a cutting-edge, journalistic resource for all those soundtrack enthusiasts out there. In the process, I would love to further cultivate my passion for music, writing, and generally building things. Please enjoy the site and don't hesitate to say hello!
Related Posts
Fleeting Symphony →
Final Symphony II – Listener’s Guide →
Final Symphony II – music from Final Fantasy V, VIII, IX and XIII →
