Phantasy Star IV Remix Roadmap

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Phantasy Star IV is a really great game. I didn’t love it as hard as I loved II and III but it was still very close.

I’d be forced to admit there are two factors that stopped this game from getting a perfect score in my book. 

First, there would be the slow but undeniable introduction of cutesy/comic relief that would be the trademark of future PS games. I like my PS dark and dystopic. 

And then, pretty much half the soundtrack.  PS IV’s music is either spectacular or really, really bad. I find that most of the tracks I disliked were mainly because of instrument/sample choices. 

I’ve been working directly with a YM2612 (The Sega Genesis sound chip) for a few months now and I understand how hard it is to build a good sample collection but this is not a global problem for PS IV. There are some REALLY good songs in this OST with REALLY good samples. 

I can only conclude that the choices I disagree with were conscious choices by the composers involved which proves again that: it’s all about taste. 

Still, I’ve spent lots of time remixing this OST in the last two years and I’ve learned to respect it more than I did at first. I’m not going to hide from what I thought in 2010, even if some of my comments were past humorous and flat out rude. 

The songs I hated back then, I still hate today. I’m just slightly more polite about it.

Track Title:

The End of the Millennium

Status: Remix done!

What I said in 2010:

This would be a pain to do but it IS one of the best songs in there. Maybe. Later.

What I think now:

This was actually super easy to do and turned out to be my best remix yet!

Part of: One Last Time

Track Title:

Motavia Town

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

I can imagine doing that. It’s one of the rare PS4 inspiring songs.

What I think now:

Still valid. Quite charming. 

Track Title:

Suspicion

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

ZzzzzZzzzzzz ZZZZzzz … uh? What? Is supper ready? ZzzzZzzzzzz….

What I think now:

Have to agree with past-Me there, this is one boring mess of a terrible song.

Track Title:

Inn

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

No. Boring.

What I think now:

Hard to believe this is one from Numata. It’s so… dull.

Track Title:

Field Motavia

Status: Remix done!

What I said in 2010:

Yes. This is remix worthy. Could do something very epic and inspiring with this.

What I think now:

And so it was. 

Remix name: Requiem in the Desert

Track Title:

Meet them Head-on!

Status: Remix in progress

What I said in 2010:

I could never bring myself to love this theme.

What I think now:

Well well WELL, looks like I did because it’s being remixed and it’s FANTASTIC.

Part of my battle medley  (Incomplete) 

Track Title:

Winners!

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

This is not a song!

What I think now:

Still not a song.

Track Title:

Motavia Village

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

This is basically “Inn”, faster, different instruments.

What I think now:

Faster does not mean better.  Still dull.

Track Title:

Now on Sale

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

Hahahha. No.

What I think now:

I initially hated this but after experimenting with Tonoe de Pon, I can see the potential. Maybe later.

Track Title:

Terrible Song

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

Terrible song.

What I think now:

Though I would not go that far anymore, I still don’t think this is a very good song. Not worth investing time to remix at least.

Track Title:

Thray

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

Yes, this is one I also really like. With good instruments, it would be awesome.

What I think now:

Still valid!

Track Title:

Tonoe de Pon

Status: Remix done!

What I said in 2010:

I swear to remix this one day, when I will be really bored and tired. And drunk.

What I think now:

Well, I was quite sober and awake, and the result is amazing.

Part of: Alisian Ballroom

Track Title:

In the Cave

 

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

Is where this song should stay.

What I think now:

This is so weak compared to PS III’s dungeon themes. It tries to be atmospheric but it’s so… I just can’t.

Track Title:

Defeat at a blow!

Status: Remix in progress

What I said in 2010:

Better than the simple battle theme, this could be remixable.

What I think now:

Actually it kicks ass and I’m remixing it right now!

Part of my battle medley  (Incomplete) 

 

Track Title:

A happy Settlement

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

I’m sorry. This song is straight out of a cheesy porn-anime.

What I think now:

What the hell is it with the timpani abuse?  And the melody?  Songs like this is what made PS IV  fall short of II and III.

Track Title:

Behind the Circuit

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

This will happen, someday.

What I think now:

Yes it will.

Track Title:

Fal

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

Straight out of cheesy anime-porn, part deux. It’s all in the instrument choice people.

What I think now:

I agree with you, my past-self. A LOT of PS IV’s songs would have sounded much better with better sound samples. 

Track Title:

Pain

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

This could be remixed as part of something else and bigger. Has great potential.

What I think now:

Still agree with this.

Track Title:

Her Last Breath

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

Mixed with “Pain”, would make a really decent remix. Choirs. Yup.

What I think now:

My past self speaking the truth.

Track Title:

Organic Beat

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

This could be mixed with “Behind the circuit” for some heavy badass.

What I think now:

Or with something else, really.  Bottom line is: this track rocks.

Track Title:

PS1 Dungeon Arrange 1

Status: Remix done!

What I said in 2010:

I’d rather remix the original.

What I think now:

Well, I kinda remixed both at once!

Part of : Access Denied

Track Title:

PS1 Dungeon Arrange 2

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

I’d rather remix the original.

What I think now:

Hopefully, I can do as well with this one as I did with the one above! I really like this track anyways!

Track Title:

Machine Center

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

Maybe part of some happy PS4 Medley.

What I think now:

Can’t you smell the passive-aggressive in that, 2010 me?  

I think this is a good remix candidate.

Track Title:

Land Master AXV-25

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

I sorta like it but I can’t imagine it remixed.

What I think now:

What the fridge are you talking about, 2010-me?  This track is amazing and so will  be my remix of it!

Track Title:

Cybernetic Carnival

Status: Remix in progress

What I said in 2010:

I sorta like it but I can’t imagine it remixed.

What I think now:

But it’s so awesome!  And I’m remixing it right now!

Part of my battle medley  (Incomplete) 

Track Title:

The Black Blood

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

Ehh…. No. this isn’t music, it’s crappy sound effects packed together.

What I think now:

Hard to disagree with past-me there.

Track Title:

Laughter

Status: Remix done!

What I said in 2010:

The single most PS4 remixable track. That is all.

What I think now:

And remixed it was! And it’s being remixed again!

Part of: Darkness Falls

Part of my battle medley  (Incomplete) 

 

Track Title:

Take Off! Landale

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

Maybe. Hard to say. Not now that’s for sure.

What I think now:

Still not convinced I want to remix this.

Track Title:

Red Alert

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

No. this isn’t music, it’s crappy sound effects packed together.

What I think now:

Hard to argue there.  Hard dislike on this track. Tries to be dramatic, to induce tension. 

Only thing it does it grate my ears.

Track Title:

Dezoris Field 1

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

What a terrible, boring song…

What I think now:

God this track is  boring. 

Track Title:

Dezolis Town 1

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

Too sleepy.

What I think now:

Again, a victim of terrible sound samples. This means that in the proper context, I could probably do great things with this because the melody is good.

Track Title:

Jijy No Rag

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

I’d play this on the flute to entertain myself but I’d never remix this.

What I think now:

Again, now that I’ve done Tonoe de Pon, I have better hope for remixing silly tracks like this one.

Track Title:

Dezolis Field 2

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

Could be part of some bigger mix, maybe.

What I think now:

Sure why not.  The samples are terrible but the melody is fun.

Track Title:

Dezolis Town 2

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

Ehh… too sweet, getting cavities.

What I think now:

Seriously changed my opinion on this one. It would be super fun to remix.  But damn… the grating samples…

Track Title:

Requiem for Lutz

Status: Remix done!

What I said in 2010:

I guess. This is a staple song for the game. I’d remix it but much later.

What I think now:

Well, I remixed it and Lutz called me to say he loved it.

Part of: Dreaming in Cryosleep

Track Title:

Dezolis de Don

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

haah hahaha hahah. Nice try.

What I think now:

There is a limit to stupid, and this track explodes it.

Track Title:

Temple Ngangbius

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

Too Japanese, not enough Phantasy Star. Terrible song.

What I think now:

Nope. Noooooope. Nope.

Track Title:

The King of Terrors

Status: Remix in progress

What I said in 2010:

This is a glorified loop.

What I think now:

I guess I was smoking really good stuff back then. Not only is this an epic song, it’s also a remixed song.

Part of my battle medley  (Incomplete) 

Track Title:

Rykros Field

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

Not a bad track but never hit the spot for me.

What I think now:

Still valid. Not high on the remix list.

Track Title:

Tower

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

Now THIS is a bad track. Seriously… I miss Bo and Ippo…

What I think now:

WELL GUESS WHAT MY 2010 SELF?

Ippo wrote this track.

I still hate it.

Track Title:

The Age of Fables

Status: Remix done!

What I said in 2010:

I can see this happening but it’s very far in the queue.

What I think now:

Well, it happened.

 Part of: One Last Time

Track Title:

Edge of Darkness

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

This song is why the other dimension needs to remained closed.

What I think now:

Again, hard agree.  For a “last stage” song, this was beyond weak.

Track Title:

Abyss

Status: Remix in progress

What I said in 2010:

WHAT AN EPIC TRACK! IT MAKES ME WANT TO zzzzZzzzzzZzzZzz…..

What I think now:

Man… I was so edgy back then. I dismissed this track until I tried to remix it.  And now I can’t get enough of  the remixed version.

Part of my battle medley  (Incomplete) 

 

Track Title:

Ooze

Status: Remix done!

What I said in 2010:

Slow start but eventually gets catchy. With enough effort, this could become a monster of a mix.

What I think now:

So it did, and it will do again!

Part of: Darkness Falls

Part of my battle medley  (Incomplete) 

 

Track Title:

The Promising Future 1

Status: Remix done!

What I said in 2010:

PS4 had a weak epilogue because it’s ending music was shallow and BORING.

What I think now:

Ohhh boy, 2010-me won’t be making many friends with that attitude.

I remixed  this and it was glorious. So glorious that Neko remixed my remix.

Remix:  A Promise Forever (Aeroprism)

Remix: A Promise Forever (Neko)

Track Title:

The Promising Future 2

Status: Remix done!

What I said in 2010:

Same as Above with MORE CAPITAL LETTERS. (Seriously, I could use this as an opportunity and mix the two together and make a REAL ending music)

What I think now:

Well, I did. And it was epic, as stated above. Again, great melody, terrible sound samples. This is why remixing is so powerful. 

Remix:  A Promise Forever (Aeroprism)

Remix: A Promise Forever (Neko)

Track Title:

Staff Roll

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

Intro, slower. Next.

What I think now:

Yup.

Track Title:

Pao-Pao!

Status: No remix started

What I said in 2010:

This is the sound my head will make while I hit it on concrete for even thinking of remixing this.

What I think now:

What a sad, sad way to end a roadmap.