My grandma heard the ff12 version of this while I was playing after school one day and said it was one of the prettiest things she had ever heard. So I played it at her funeral and everyone cried, but they had no idea the interaction I had that caused me to play it. RIP Nana
I work at a funeral home and I teared up when I read that. Mind you... Every funeral I work is just another day of the week even though it's one of the hardest days for those attending. Also, I find it both warming that you did that and great because people typically use the SAME mainstream songs for every service.
@@SCRaetz oh there was plenty of that going on. Lots of country songs, sarah maclachlan songs, my mom played something herself on the piano and I snuck FF in there.
I want to use FFBE's Prelude at my wedding. So far it's my favorite version. Now convincing my fiancée is another case though, she doesn't think it will fit...
Marcellinus Ferdinand Suciadi U gotta compromise..the wedding is for both of you and its a wonderfull time!...sometimes you need to just put your foot down lol...i also walked into my reception to "damn it feels good to be a gangster"...dreams do come true!
dirtybanana3 I haven't discussed it again with her. We are both gamers, but nowadays she's leaning towards K-pop. Maybe now she'll change her mind, but if not then I guess I'll just take whatever she wants for the "opening theme" of our wedding.
That Arpeggio thing though... as someone who doesn't understand music as much as you do it really helped me to understand of how to play the Prelude not by memorizing what keys to press but understanding how it flows up and down throughout. And for that you you got a sub!
@@GameScoreFanfare thats why even me who more leaning into gamedevs than music devs(Making?) suddenly knows the importance of a piece music, and also more music theory that can make me more nerdy xD and yeah now im more appreciates FF Music and Minecraft's C418 made Soundtracks
opalhat I personally don't hear it but this isn't the first time I've been made aware that was the intent. Let's you know how flexible this little tune is lol.
Me neither. To be honest I have considered the prelude to being a relic of the past since FF X because it is never used as The prelude but I did not consider that it can and would be mixed into other tunes. I did know about FF X having it in stand by me but it still does not feel like the prelude. I want it to be stand-alone every FF game >_
I'm so glad to see someone giving some love to the FFXV soundtrack, it seems like no one ever gives it a chance sometimes. And I never knew Brave Exvius had such a good soundtrack?
I'm so glad I'm not the only one on the Brave Exvius bandwagon... Man that main menu theme hit me so hard the first time I heard it haha. Great work as always Mat!
Brave Exvius’ soundtrack is phenomenal. I never even noticed how often the prelude arpeggio was used so thank you for pointing that out. I immediately downloaded that Stand By Me cover the instant I heard it. I’m don’t know if this is accurate, but it sounds like Jenova’s Theme I’m FFVII is a backwards version of the Prelude, like a corruption of it. I’m not in front of a keyboard right now so I can’t test this theory, but I’ve had it for a while.
they have some inverse similarity, but i'm not sure it's intentional. The prelude starts with an upward arpeggio, Jenova with a downwards one. There's a 5-note scale-bound melodic phrase in both, the Prelude's going down the scale (E to A in A minor ending in F major, see 0:20), Jenova's going up (F to C in F minor ending in c minor). But after the beginning, Jenova takes a completely different turn than the prelude, with a frantic bass accompaniment.
well, it seems to follow the whole arpeggio thing hes talking about, but no, it repeats the same 8 note sequence over and over, and always in one motion, from high to low. but it probably helped Nobuo think of it.
having learned to play both, I would say they are different. The possession of a (albeit falling) arpeggio still helps tie Jenova's theme to the audio concept of Final Fantasy, even if it isn't a permutation of the Prelude itself. As Simon Piano points out, the key changes Jenova's arpeggio follows are ordered rather differently than the Prelude, making it seem unlikely to me that it was intentional re-use. The use of arpeggio in music has a tendency to evoke a videogamey feel because of those early-era console music limitations, and I would posit that the use of arpeggio in Jenova's theme evokes this more general mood/nostalgia in addition to its only-falling-never-rising quality adding tension.
I remember when my fiance and I booted up Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn for the first time, and it just punches you right in the gut with themes that hearken back to the NES/SNES era(not to mention Nobuo returned to do the soundtrack! Which was feels inducing itself) and then they hit you with the Prelude as the Warriors of Light ride off for a new adventure and I shit you not, we both cried. You're right about the kind of emotional power it has. Even down to its name, Prelude, because it preludes the beginning of a wonderful, if sometimes painful and hard, journey. Great, now I'm crying again. Great video!
Thank you for giving the history of this song as well. That's honestly my favorite part. It was a rushed song, yet it has become iconic and has remained relevant today. Thanks for another video, and hope you have a great rest of your day!
Sometimes I forget the world exists on different time zones. haha. It's only 7:25am here. But have a great tomorrow then! XD Also, I definitely have to check out the music of Brave Exvius after this video.
“Don’t @ me” 😂 Also I feel a bit silly not realizing the prelude’s presence in Anxious Heart, especially since I had listened to it intently awhile back. (Sneaky Uematsu!) And my goodness, I’m definitely going to be giving Brave Exvius’s soundtrack a listen, it sounds beautiful! Great video as always!
When I realised it in my research (Anxious Heart) I was kind of in disbelief! I looked up some sheet music online just to make sure it was that same pattern!
I have listened to Florence + The Machine's rendition of Stand By Me so many god damn times and I never once noticed Prelude's melody beneath it. Holy shit.
Finally someone appreciates Brave Exvius' OST. I used to hear Moment of Recall for hours on loop while studying, and it's still that kind of song that gets me hooked whenever I come back to it
Its not only a great tune but its great as being what bridges the titles together. One game to the other. Every game has it and every game tweaks it in its own way, crafting a brand new rendition of each song to give way to another beautiful story within the final fantasy universe.
I so freaking agree about FFBE's soundtrack! I sometimes start up the game and get so caught up in the theme music that I'll sit there forever just listening! Great video!
I haven't heard it before, but I'll have to check it out! The FFVII version is my favorite, and the first time I heard it. It's devastating in that game.
Bit late but 100% agree. I remember when the game was just released and playing it for the first time, I just sat there in awe listening to it. The XII version always gives me goosebumps it’s so beautiful.
It's always nice to find a new perspective on game design and this is the first breakdown from a musical perspective where I felt like I fully grasped the concept. Well done.
I have no idea either, haven't actually played the game yet... but I've been listening to the soundtrack since it came out. Shocked me how a mobile game could have such a top quality score.
I've been playing FFBE since day 1. I believe they've added new music for season 2 of the game like this (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-dFhvosXhCHE.html)
Game Score Fanfare Yes, there are more new unreleased soundtracks for Season 2 (even towards the end of Season 1). For some new tracks, Agematsu is doing the same treatment with the FF Main Theme this time. He’s amazingly phenomenal!
I have only really seen FFX played, so the greater context of the Prelude I simply did not know until now. But that's a really cool origin story for such a core track of the franchise!
You may find the origin of the series' name interesting as well. A franchise with dozens of entries must seem odd to have "final" as a part of the title.
Robin Thrush it was originally planned as the final fantasy they was going to make, so they put their hearts and souls into the creation of the greatest way to end... And it's evident from that, that the end can herald through a new beginning, and though they say they're not linked in anyway, but I've remarkably discovered that Nier automata has to be part of the 13 saga, even though it is not linked in anyway with final fantasy besides a few Easter eggs, oh yeah, they don't want people to think that stuff because they want people to be able to not only enjoy the games but also get engrossed in the stories portrayed in the games and create a reason why they're connected together
@@c.a.honeycutt5046 myth? Pfft, says the one calling truth a myth, I did my research, fighting fantasy sounds like a beat em up not RPG, and what proof of this do you even have? Likely stuff from a website full of false information designed to target the gullible, it's a well known fact I'm afraid in the circle of people I've seen document what I've said who do mostly final fantasy news and information
@@Omnishredder People believe what they want to believe, I suppose. But I'm letting you know it's a common myth. Sakaguchi really just wanted the game to be abbreviated FF they like how it sounds in Japanese. Sakaguchi has addressed the myth. He stated Fighting Fantasy was the original idea for a name. He admitted the company was in trouble, but also said it had no impact on the name. He said himself that just about any "F" would have worked. So if what Sakaguchi himself says is not true according to you, well...I'm bound to believe the creator of Final Fantasy before some random who gets upset over being corrected.
it just goes to show time and again how music moves the soul! thank you for the dedication and respect you have for these AWESOME games and the people who worked on them.
Dude, thank you for this extremely well made and well narrated video. I LOVE this piece of music. From the first time I heard it on the NES, it has been with me. It was what I played when pondering depressing thoughts or emotional baggage. I sincerely appreciate your making this. Subbed!
What is this feeling you gave me? I felt amazed and satisfied and very nostalgic and all in one undescribable feeling. You deserve a thumb up and another subscriber
Man, I LOVE the analysis your upload. There's always that one part in which i almost shed a tear due to the familiarity i have with the songs you're highlighting combined with the background you lay for us to look at it under a new perspective. SO GOOD! I simply can't listen to any of Bravely Default's themes without getting a HUGE smile on my face anymore and I'm pretty sure I'll be searching for the harp in every single FF game I play from now on lol Thank you so much for all of your content and please keep it coming
In total agreement with @Vick here. I recently watched some other video trashing Final Fantasy XV for "murdering" the series musical heritage by choosing to use a licensed piece of music for its intro. And I agreed! Now I watched this analysis and I totally get what FFXV was trying to do there, and how successful it actually was in merging the traditional with the unexpected! The grand with the mundane. That moment almost made me shed a tear, and trust me - I'm very very far from being a Final Fantasy fan. But I gotta respect some aspects of the series, and the music is certainly one of them.
I can't believe that I've only just found this video! It's really well made and your spot on that the Prelude is truly a fantastic piece of music! Nobuo Uematsu is insanely talented without a doubt, but I must agree that FF:BE has an incredible soundtrack!
i love the prelude, it hit me everytime instantly, because all the feelings coming up you already experienced in others games. And everytime i come up im nearly in tears. So touching Melody ...
The entire time watching this video I kept thinking about my favorite version of prelude. Then in the final minute of video, I hear those distinct jazzy tines and the syncopated shaker. YES! I am convinced it was that song on a PS1 compilation demo disc, with a preview of FF7, that got me hooked on RPGs for life.
I love FFXIII's soundtrack and didn't realize it was in Sunleth Waterscape! Great job! Also, FFXV did get a number of awesome mentions, but my favorite rendition from that game is World of Wonder (even though it was mostly a promo piece)
I was so close to using World of Wonder as my example for "divine choral performance" but figured I should go with something that actually appears in game.
Thank you for being able to pick out that Florence and the Machine's cover. So many people missed that and makes me happy to know I am not the only person who was excited to see how it worked the prelude in.
I just listened to the FF7 remake prelude and burst into tears. FF7 was never my fave FF but it was my first The power of this simplistic composition is just ridiculous.
Thank you for this! The Final Fantasy franchise was the one that gave me my love for games with epic story lines and equally epic music that continues to this day. I started with FF1 and the prelude was even memorable to my 8 year old self, before I even learned anything about music theory. It truly is an amazing and simple piece of music and it's been incredible to see how it has grown with the series over the years.
I'd known about the use of the prelude as one of those pieces of music that defines Final Fantasy, but I had no idea it was snuck into so many other series tracks. I might have to see if I can play this on the keyboard. It seems simple enough ^^ Great video!
I know I'm late with my comment, but I really had to express my love for your videos. I follow you ever since I watched your review of Bravely Second on your previous channel, back then it was amazing to find someone talking seriously about it and yours was one of the best reviews on that game. Anyway, there' another reason for me to write this comment: the need to talk about my love for the amazing rendition of the Prelude in FFXV, in the afterlife wedding cutscene, with that piano adding some extra notes to its end it really hit me hard, and I'm a bit surprised that there aren't a lot of comments about this version. So keep up with the good work Mitto! (And maybe spread the word of the greatness of the FFXV's Prelude, if you havent already :p)
Awwwesome!! Man, I loved this! It’s just beautiful how something that was made in less than half -an-hour can have such an everlasting presence within the series. It makes me think about how we overthink things in our lives; that whatever we’re working on must be “Perfect”, that there must be a certain amount of time that must be put in before it becomes “Acceptable”. This video shows that it’s not necessarily the case. Great video :) (hearing "Stand by me" makes me want to try plugging in "the Prelude" into other songs :P shame on me XD)
Good vid about a small but powerful topic. I have a new FF sound track to add to my list to. And you also explained why the one song from 13 I love was stuck in my head.
Came here because of Architect of Games Adam Millard, and since I have no definite background on game music, I chose this because itsvery familiar to me. Because of that, and the quality of this video, you got a new subscriber!
Also, I recently started playing FF14, and the soundtrack in that is great too! Always feels so welcoming when you hear the prelude play on your character select screen :D
Such a great and educational video!! I would love to hear your analysis on the final boss sequences in FF7. The themes are filled with emotions and epic moments.
I was surprised to hear the prelude in the opening of "Stand Your Ground" in the strings. Really gave that piece a sense of urgency. Great battle theme. Great use of the prelude.
Brilliant video on this very simple, yet iconic piece of music! The more simple something is, the more versatile it can be, so it doesn't surprise me that it was kept around for 30 years already! If only every creative process only took 30 minutes… x'D Btw, the FF prelude is my alarm clock sound haha, makes it nicer to wake up in the morning…
Haha, it is relaxing and dreamy, that's why I prefer it over the ear-piercing screech of regular alarm clocks :') It's loud enough the wake me up but relaxing enough to not shock me out of my sleep…
My biggest problem is that I end up hating any song I set as my alarm! I like sleeping WAY too much, so anything that stops me from sleeping is no good in my books. 😆
this is one of those themes that molded my childhood... my favorite version is the one from the Dissidia (2008) Dissidia 012 Duodecim (same tune anyway)
I will forever be chasing the high of absentmindedly playing a final fantasy game and noticing that the prelude has been slipped into the background. The main battle theme from 15 is such a catchy version of it.
FF Fan here (look at the pfp), I'm in the middle of Music Theory and this video alone is the best thing to ever to help get me to *understand* music. Thx for getting me into music theory, Nobuo Uematsu!
I love these Final Fantasy music breakdowns! Also, if you have the time and desire, consider Night in the Woods. I don't know why but I really loved the music in this game and felt it wasn't discussed as much as some of the other aspects of the game. Also maybe inside.
Great video! I just beat Final Fantasy XV Royal Edition a couple days ago, and I completely agree with you that the Prelude music is simply awesome! I also like the Prelude in Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call! 💚
Wow, you talking about Exvius really caught me offguard - I didn't even realised while playing the game that almost every track in the game is indeed based on the Prelude. But yeah, Exvius got a phenomenal OST. As always, very great analysis !
oh man, the sound of my life right there... played through my childhood, my teenage years, and will be on my funeral. I genuinely feels peace in my heart listening to this sound. It works the opposite of alarm for me cause it makes me fell into a peaceful slumber. Tried putting it as an alarm before, ended up making excuse for a sick leave that day from my office.
I like the darker arrangement of it for FFIX's Crystal World, giving a sense of finality to Sakaguchi's time with the franchise (before stepping back and getting executive producer credit without being involved much during his last few years) and the classic era. Makes the more poppy FFX variant feel like a very, clever and well timed reimagining of it.
Great video! I always found a parallel between this theme and Dearly Beloved from Kingdom Hearts in both composition history and evolution, though I can't see another video on Dearly Beloved since it hasn't transformed itself as frequently or as wildly as the prelude has.
My all time favorite version didn't even make your list. I feel sad, and old now. Final Fantasy Legend 2's version. You'll want headphones. Listen to what it's doing. Gameboy has limitations, but the stereo got used to massive effect here. To this day, it's still the one I center back to.
Pro tip: If you haven't heard the Distant Worlds II version of Prelude, you need to give it a listen! It's heavenly! That and the FFVII version are my favorite renditions, and possibly the most beautiful pieces of music ever in my opinion.
