16 May 2012

Episode 81: Secret of Mana

Secret of Mana is the focus of Episode 81.  Brent and Rob have focused on genres, composers, and franchises, but never before have they focused on a single game.  Composed by Hiroki Kikuta, this is one of the best video game soundtracks of all time, at least, that's what Brent thinks.  Rob likes it a lot too, but not as much as Lightening Force.  Anyway, though we've heard a lot of the best tracks from Secret of Mana on previous episodes, the music in this episode is really, really good as well.  And if you haven't played this game before, get it and play it, because it's also one of the best video games of all time.  Full track listing below.



Game - Composer - Song - Company - Console - Year (North American release unless otherwise indicated)

Secret of Mana - Hiroki Kikuta - Prophesy - Square - SNES - 1993

Secret of Mana - Hiroki Kikuta - Into the Thick of It - Square - SNES - 1993

Secret of Mana - Hiroki Kikuta - Give Love Its Rightful Time - Square - SNES - 1993

Secret of Mana - Hiroki Kikuta - Pure Night - Square - SNES - 1993

Secret of Mana - Hiroki Kikuta - Rose and Ghost - Square - SNES - 1993

Secret of Mana - Hiroki Kikuta - Flight Into the Unknown - Square - SNES - 1993

Secret of Mana - Hiroki Kikuta - The Wind Never Ceases - Square - SNES - 1993

Secret of Mana - Hiroki Kikuta - One of Them is Hope - Square - SNES - 1993

Secret of Mana - Hiroki Kikuta - Star of Darkness - Square - SNES - 1993

Secret of Mana - Hiroki Kikuta - Secret of the Arid Sands - Square - SNES - 1993

Secret of Mana - Hiroki Kikuta - Far Thunder - Square - SNES - 1993

Secret of Mana - Hiroki Kikuta - A Wish... - Square - SNES - 1993

Secret of Mana - Hiroki Kikuta - Monarch on the Shore - Square - SNES - 1993

Secret of Mana - Hiroki Kikuta - The Legend - Square - SNES - 1993

Secret of Mana - Hiroki Kikuta - The Orphan of Storm - Square - SNES - 1993

7 comments:

  1. This has to be one of my all time favorite games with some of the most memorable and wonderful music. I played it so much when I was younger, I actually set out to write my own strategy guide for it. I think I got half way through before giving up on that.

    Thank you for this episode! So many fond memories from playing this game.

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  2. easily one of the best game soundtracks ever... ! square released this on audio cd in north america in the mid 90s and i listened to it endlessly as a kid.

    the point brent was making about the "feel" of striking enemies...I know exactly what he means and have noticed that as well: all the mana sequels lack that satisfying combat feel!

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    1. Totally. And it's pretty uncommon for official soundtracks to be released in North America. Basically, the SOM soundtrack is so good, Square believed it would even do well outside of Japan. That's how good it is. I wonder what other soundtracks besides Donkey Kong Country and Secret of Mana were released in North America...

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  3. Square released Final Fantasy III (six in Japan) and the Secret of Mana soundtracks in the U.S. through mail order only (I went with Secret of Mana, by the way). I also remember them offering the Secret of Evermore soundtrack as well, but I'm not 100% sure.

    I agree with everyone here that Secret of Mana is a great game. It's definitely one of my top 5 best video gaming experiences. Rob, you must play through this game at least once in your life!

    One thing that I have always wonder about was how Secret of Mana's music would've turned out if the game were released in it original SNES CD ROM form? Would the awesome soundtrack still be chip music or streamed off the CD? I guess only Square knows...

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  4. I'm telling you, I would have KILLED at the live show. I so wish I could have been there. Do the preselects on, I will qualify.

    Where exactly was Prophecy? I'm having trouble placing it.

    Yes, nothing feels better while listening to In The Thick than powering up your sword & slashing a Rabbite.

    You guys should have just finished the soundtrack. How many tracks are left from the game now, 5? 6?

    Another awesome episode and maybe my favorite game of all time too. Great job!

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    1. Prophesy (spelled with an S on the official track listing), I think, is when you're on the flammie and it's all dark and stormy outside and you're about to go to the last level.

      Anyway, there are still 13 tracks we haven't played yet.

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  5. Have you heard this Secret of Mana + arrangement? http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/som+/index.html

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