Genso Sangokushi II Original Soundtrack
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Album Title: Genso Sangokushi II Original Soundtrack |
| Record Label: Nihon Falcom |
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| Catalog No.: GS2-OST |
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| Release Date: September 29, 2006 |
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| Purchase: Buy Used Copy |
Overview
The Genso Sangokushi II Original Soundtrack accompanies the soundtrack to the Chinese developed Genso Sangokushi II. Like its predecessor, this was composed by UserJoy Technology as opposed to Falcom Sound Team J.D.K. In the vein of the original, does it feature more Chinese focused compositions and does UserJoy Technology manage to create a more memorable experience this time around?
Body
As with its predecessor, the soundtrack offers a couple of vocal themes that open and close the album. “Theme Song: Frontier” is a pretty awesome rock theme that fuses rock and oriental flavors with Chinese lyrics. It’s a nice melodic theme that features an awesome guitar solo and the chime effects are dramatic but welcome. The ending theme, “Interlude: Feelings,” is a ballad. Featuring a piano, acoustic guitar, and strings melody, it offers a soft and subtle atmosphere signifying the end. I prefer the opening theme more but the piano and acoustic guitar instrumental bridge is a very nice addition.
While this album suffers from the problems its predecessor had in terms of short track times, this album also features improved compositions. While most is still nothing to write home about, there were a few themes that I really enjoyed. “Earth Map: Far Away from the Target” is a nice bombastic piece that fuses a militaristic soundscape with more subtle Chinese woodwind instruments. In the end, it develops wonderfully and really engages. “Village of the Summoners: Dawning Wind,” despite its brevity, is a nice playful woodwind piece that has a great melody and a beautiful atmosphere.
“The Moon Forest: A Deep Forest in Clear Moon” is a woodwind and piano piece that provides a great atmosphere. It’s not the most complex piece, but its simplicity is its strength. “Luo Yang: Autumnal Frost” is a beautiful Chinese inspired piece that masterfully mixes strings and piano together to create an elegant, yet mysterious, theme. It’s easily one of my favorite instrumentals on the album. Lastly, “Sho’hai: Spring Scenery” manages to captivate with its exquisite use of woodwind and traditional Chinese instruments. It features a lovely melody that definitely manages to engage with its playfulness.
Summary
In the end, the Genso Sangokushi II Original Soundtrack is better than the first one, but I still wouldn’t consider purchasing it. There are too few themes I enjoy, but the use of Chinese instrumentation really helps capture the essence of the game. As before, others who enjoy Asian inspired soundtracks may want to give this a listen, as it does utilize a good variety of traditional instruments.
Do you agree with the review and score? Let us know in the comments below!
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Posted on August 1, 2012 by Don Kotowski. Last modified on August 1, 2012.
About the Author
Don Kotowski Currently residing in Philadelphia. I spend my days working in vaccine characterization and dedicate some of my spare time in the evening to the vast world of video game music, both reviewing soundtracks as well as maintaining relationships with composers overseas in Europe and in Japan.
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