Final Fantasy X - To Zanarkand / The Skies Above | Reacting To Video Game Music! 

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If you play this game, this song will hit a lot harder in context than without.

"Having trouble deciding on an emotion" Game is very melancholy and bittersweet. I think the song nails that.

"It's somewhere between sorrow and content; completion." Man, the nail has never been hit on the head so hard.

"Listen to my story. This... may be our last chance." This line is something I cant really separate from this song, and its impression on me when I first started the game is the reason why FFX is one of my all-time favorite Final Fantasy games.

I feel like I've been conditioned to just start tearing up whenever To Zanarkand starts playing

"It's like sorrow mixed with content, completion" how does he do it

It's been 10 years since I played and when that ending theme came up, I automatically just teared up wtf 😭 😢

This song only brings tears and memory,s for me, 1 of my friends loved ff games and wen he died this was 1 of the songs that we played at his funeral, we miss you Harro van Dalen even after 13 years we still miss you

god from the moment the piano opens, this song hits me in the feels. This game is such a heartbreak...

Yeeees! Final Fantasy X is my favorite game/story of all time. I personally think it's one of the best, if not the best story, out of all the FF games. So happy you reacted to this one!

This is probably one of the greatest final fantasy songs ever made

FFX was my favourite video game of all time before Nier Automata came out, which was then superseded by my love for FFXIV (I really can't escape SE's clutches). I love everything about FFX, even it's flaws. It was the first game I ever played on my PS2 and was easily the biggest influence for me getting into the idea that video game stories can be truly beautiful as a kid. The OST has a very special place in my heart too, which is why I requested it.

Final Fantasy X is honestly one of my favorite games of all time, with To Zanarkand being one of the reasons I took up playing violin. I had never heard The Skies Above before, didn't know it existed, and... I feel like I've transcended my mortal being. This is a heck of a Christmas present to me personally.

A lot of people myself included would say 10 is the best “modern” FF story and has great gameplay as well, I’d highly recommend playing it at some point 22:29

This song, quite recently, won Best Song in an official Square Enix vote in Japan, followed by XIV's The Twinning. The fanbase really loves this song, me not so much included xD

To Zanarkand, and the version that plays at the end of the game, has a special place in my heart. I originally beat FF10 on New Years Eve way back in 2002. And every year, I load up my old save on my PS2 and beat the final bosses again and watch the ending cutscenes. It's become a yearly ritual, and every time the ending version of the song plays, especially at the end of the song when the cutscene gets to "that' point, I always feel sad, and happy.

As a major FFX fan, seeing an upload like this on Christmas day is a pretty awesome present and I cannot thank you enough

FFX is Hironobu Sakaguchi's ultimate legacy in my mind. The characters and themes are incredibly strong and I would personally vote it as the best singleplayer FF to date. Highly recommend playing this one ASAP.

To Zanarkand is the first track to play. As soon as the game starts you see a scene with the main characters sitting around a campfire with this playing over the top (hence the opening line in The Skies Above ‘Sparks from the fire reach up to the sky’). As it ends the main character implores you/them to “Listen to my story”. You then play the game to reach the point he is telling it from. Zanarkand is where the game and his story begin.

It's actually the translator for the FF X game that sings the vocals for the Skies Above version. The Black Mages was Uematsu's private band.

3:25 The word you were probably looking for here was "closure." Also, with this song in particular, it's actually somewhat difficult to spoil. It's definitely a lot more impactful with context, but part of that context is that the game has been telling you it's coming since the title screen, which is one of places the song is played. Knowing about the moment ahead of time is an intended part of the experience. The game basically goes out of it's way to tell you the second the tutorial is over. Up to you if you want any more information or not.

Hearing that ending theme gave me physical pain in my chest. I'm playing that cutscene along with the music in my head and its making me cry like a baby ;_;

Coming in a year and half late to say i have also always have had a christmas song play in my head during this song, glad to see i am not the only one. For me it is silent night, specifically the section of it that say "holy infant so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace"

The feeling or emotion I get is "I don't want to let go." With the second version, it's the grand finale.

Melancholy. That's the one word I'd use for this one.

Definitely a must play Jesse!! It definitely came from a time where i feel storytelling was at its finest. Hearing this song brings a tear to my eye everytime and you wont know until you play the game.

My uncle past away in March of last year and final fantasy was his favourite game series and this song was on in his funeral and ever since I listened to it it reminded me of him so I think I’m gonna play all of them too like he did

Man, just the first new notes still make me tear up again everytime.

The main themes of FFX are hope and loss, which the single piano conveys VERY well.

i remember seeing a live a live version of the Black Mages. Nubuo plays the whole key part he is like in a cell with keyboards

I'm crying only because I think of the context of the song and how emotional ffX is

This theme captures the game's whole vibe. Reverential and melancholic with just a hint of the peace of a task finished near the end.

Yeah you’re pretty right. The song is about sorrow, but finding resolve in spite of it. The characters in the story are essentially on a journey that ultimately is meant to end in sacrifice for the greater good. It’s a long and exhaustive journey, and the characters experience so much along the way-family trauma, betrayal, fears, hope, love, etc. it’s a fantastic story, and the music makes is truly a wonderful experience

No spoilers on the chance you play this game (which I highly encourage, its soundtrack isn't quite as good as VII or VIII but I think it's the best in the series as a video game), but when you said it feels like a mix between sorrow and completion, that is 100 percent on target for what it's trying to invoke.

Somewhere between sorrow and content is a very precise description of how you feel at this point in the game when it plays. I always tear up and smile when I hear Zanarakand. Merry Christmas Auditorium fam!

Hearing To Zanarkand played live (whether on a solo piano or orchestrated) always tears me up. I think you nailed the mixed emotion it evokes: sadness, melancholia, and contentment.

I came across a story involving "To Zanarkand" based off a Destructoid interview. So by the early 2000s, Uematsu was pretty well-established and known as a composer. He'd made more connections with performers, and he began working on a piece for a flautist friend to use as a solo piece. However, the piece was way too melancholy or sad for the venue, so the composition was shelved. A few years later, SE came to Uematsu with FFX, highlighting that the tone of the game was going to be much more melancholy than FFIX, FFVII, etc. Uematsu thought for a bit, then pulled out the flute composition-in-progress and said, "Something like this?" Flute composition was reworked into a solo piano piece, a couple more modifications were made, and it was given a name "To Zanarkand" I honestly can hear, given the melody, how it's something that would have been set up for a flute.

FF10 came out around Christmas and was the first game I played on my PS2 when I got mine that year. So yeah. I still see it as a Christmas track too. I think Silent Night is public domain…. But I could be wrong. And no spoilers, but, if you play 10, you this is the first thing you hear after you hit New Game. It’s the opening narration of the game. I won’t spoil what Zanarkand is, but 10 is a fantastic game. It’s a road trip story that’s all about the journey and less the destination.

Hard to believe this came out about 20 years ago, even now the emotions it hits hard

This song gives me the 2nd strongest emotional reaction right behind Nier Automata's Weight of the World.

i know u are a newcomer to FF, but i can confidently say FFX is the first game i recommend to everybody. one of the best in the series! 100% u should play it, the music, gameplay, story, characters, its one of the best final fantasy games

One of THE best games I've ever played. It will stick with you forever.

This theme, oh this theme. When I was younger and played this game and I heard this song early on into the game I thought it was a nice melancholic song. Then when I heard it again close to the end it just made me cry, and it still gets me to tear up every time I hear it. Its a big mix of the melancholic feel of the song, the context of where it plays in the game, everything you've seen up until there. Its one of those songs that just hits *perfect* for the moment its used for.

FFX was my first FF game and boy does it hold a special place in my heart almost 4 years later, even though FF7 is now my favorite FF game. If you ever play it, you are in for an unforgettable experience

I've been listening to this specific song for over 20 years and in the last years I'm using it every damned night to help me sleep, playing it with Alexa to use the music to cover the tinnitus in my ear. I really suggest you to listen to the orchestral version from Distant World concerts. A bit of context for you: The piano version of To Zanarkand plays at the beginning of the game, in a "let me tell you my story" kinda scene, and again when the gameplay actually reaches that same point after a giant flashback. As you said, the orchestral version plays in the ending of the game. The scene in the piano version is a somber one: The city of Zanarkand was the protagonist's home and it's now in ruins, destroyed by a world-destroying monster: Sin. The characters have set out on a journey to defeat Sin, and when this scene occurs they've reached the conclusion that they're likely the only ones with a chance, but at the same time the method they planned to use to defeat Sin is flawed, and regardless of the outcome they're probably going to die. They ponder this, camped just outside the ruins of Zanarkand before setting out for their last travel.

FFX really is a great game, especially if you enjoy a story. If you play & finish the game, you can't really help but have a permanent emotional connection with this song. The first part is literally in the opening, and obviously have the ending version to which this game has an ending everyone who plays will always remember. I mean, they wouldn't make different Remastered versions for both the PS3 & PS4 if it wasn't a game people didn't want to play to this day.

Hi! This might have been said before: Did you do music theory? You're not just awesome at this, you're real, as well! Have you had the pleasure of playing the FF series? At least the mainline content, even just breezing through the story rhythm? If you haven't, you should. It's an awesome experience, immersing yourself in worlds and plots developed with Nobuo that self-taught sonofagun genius. Literal black mage. And a younger genius, Soken. Something about the music of FF. Awesome content!

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on "To Zanarkand" which is my favorite theme so far (from my favorite FF). Listening to that beautiful song again really brings back some memories... It definitely hits very hard while going through it in-game. "Please listen to Tidus story... it may be their last chance."

"somewhere between sorrow and content, completion" yes

The solo piano is in c so this song is actually really friendly for beginners :D. Very popular piece that sounds wonderful ❤️

This is the game responsible for getting me into video games. My favorite game of all time...To Zanarkand never gets old. A classic! Literally the first game to make me cry (in a good way).

I'll go with bullet points this time: ● FFX (it's "ten", just roll with it) is my favorite, hands down. ● Yes, Zanarkand is a place, that's not a spoiler. The BM version is called that because of what the lyrics say, don't get confused by that. ● If you're unsure as to what you should feel, then the song's fulfilled its purpose. Let's just say FFX has a lot of bittersweet in it and leave it at that. ● Speaking of unsure feelings, the ending version you listened to is kinda weird, because it's not the whole ending theme, it's just the To Zanarkand bit cut out and looped a bit, and I'm simultaneously sad and glad for it. Sad, because the ending theme is gorgeous in its intended form and I've decided long ago that I want it played at my funeral, and glad because you still get to experience it proper in the future, if you decide to play this game. ● Play the game, obviously =P ● I guess the footage may look strange in a way, especially if there are NPCs in it, since they tend to have very basic, looping animations, something that clashes with the vastly upgraded (compared to 7 and 8) PS2 graphics. They have weird clothes, too. ● As for piano stuff, there are official piano OSTs for at least FF4-10. These are proffesionally arranged for mid-high skill level and are absolutely beautiful. If you've seen Advent Children, then you've heard the incredible piano version of FFVII's battle theme during Tifa's fight with Loz in the Church. That comes from the piano OST. Happy holidays, love your content! =)

This song always made me think of Silent Night and because I loved the game - it also filled me with dread/melancholy bc I know the story lol

I've played this game so many times. Such a good story, and great world building.

This song is a train, and it will run you through when you play the game.

You absolutely nailed the feeling of the solo piano. The ending version to me is bittersweet, triumphant, acceptace, loss, sadness, heartbreak, all at the same time.

Merry Christmas to you and thank you for reviewing another masterpiece. FFX was my favorite final fantasy until FF14 came along, literally the reason why I started the series and I could never forget all the feels this song evokes. It's definitely worth a play, its a nice intro to the world of FF.

The loop at 07:03 isn't supposed to be there. Sounds unnatural and out of place after knowing this song for so long.

I've always thought "To Zanarkand" sounds like "Silent Night", at least in one musical passage. Regardless, I'm so glad you got to react and enjoy this composition. It's one of the most beautiful songs in the FF music catalogue. I get goosebumps whenever I hear the original version. I always get the image that I'm soaring through the clouds.

Black Mages do have two more songs with lyrics. Otherworld, which is the final boss theme from FFX - ironically, the original actually sounds more metal than the Black Mages version. The other one is Darkness and Starlight, which is the entire opera sequence from FFVI. If you watch the live version, they actually have people on stage acting out the opera.

Has a similar melody to "Silent Night". Noticed this when I played the game

If I recall right, Otherworld from FFX is also sang by the black mages and it has vocals as well.

The black mages the sky's above is a hidden song in the game you can unlock and they are also the official Square supported band and the composer Nobuo Uematsu is the keybordest and creater of the music for the band as well

That guy is a really famous Opera singer in Japan. 🤘

Dang I couldn't have imagined a vocal song from this!

To Zanarkard sounds like "Silent night" specifically the line "Round yon Virgin Mother and Child" I hear it every time

Just stumbled across your channel because of my love for Final Fantasy. Have a like.

the theme is all about understanding reality, and accepting it, while trying not to let it bring you down. kinda like facing depression or a terminal ilness. it is about sorrow, but also about trying to make the best with the time you have left. that's why it is sad and a sorrowful, but also has bits of tranquility and lightness.

The Ending Theme makes me tear up everytime I listen to it. And I heard it the first time before finishing the game, I had no context, it's just so beautiful!!!

I love these songs. Happy New Year to you Jesse

There's a Live Video of The Black Mages playing this and it's unsurprisingly phenomenal.^^

Fucking Amazing!! Thank you so much Jesse all those whose suggested it.

To Zanarkand punches me in the chest every time.. Then Otherworld fills me with energy and makes me wanna go around punching chests.

I like the way the potential spoiler you're avoiding should have instead been what game plays immediately when it boots up anyway, with this song, and it's deliberately there to foreshadow xD To Zanarkand sounds like a Christmas song because it sounds like Silent Night :P

I'm glad you checked out the original, definitely very nostalgic and beautiful, I love the melody and the solo piano for this piece. This is a very beloved piece; I went to a Distant Worlds concert a couple of months ago and this was the first song they played in the encore, and there was a hushed gasp from the audience. Amazing time. Just while we're on solo piano piece, I can't help but mention A Funeral of Flowers (Thunder) from Fire Emblem Three Houses. An absolutely exquisite piece, very intricate and beautiful, would really love to see anyone react to that. Cheers Jesse

You definitely need to play this game. One of the greatest games ever made imo.

Watching this again its fair to say you could almost hear the strings weeping in the black mages version.

my favoriite game of all time it has one of the best OST

That orchestra cresendoing in The Skies Above has been hitting me hard for 21 years now

This is one of my favourites from the whole series. What a game. You probably get a lot of recommendations to stream this but it really is a good one.

I've played many FF games.. all the way to 15. FFX remains my favorite because of the storyline and music. It's definitely worth playing for the story and getting the full emotional feel of the soundtrack especially To Zanarkand.

Ohh the tears... All the tears. The alternate version with that thumbnail just killed me 😭

I never played far enough in FFX to get the emotional connection with From Zanarkand, but I do have one to The Skies Above. It was the title song for the second Black Mages album and it totally blew me away when it played during my first listen. Going from the melancholic piano to guitar riff and immediately into operatic vocals completely amazed me and awakened a new appreciation of music.

To Zanarkand is such an incredible piece of music that somehow is even better in the live version with other instruments added. Listening to the original version in this video made me cry and the remix from the ending made me cry. 6:00 when that hits, the wave of emotions just hits me as 6:36. I’ve actually never heard The Skies Above.

If you liked FF7 plenty enough, I cannot recommend FFX enough. It is, in my opinion, the most stellar entry as far as turn based combat goes. It is ALSO, for the most part, the most straightforward experience!!! I would absolutely say it is more of a direct ride from start to finish until you reach the ending section, where it opens up far more for any side content. Gameplay feels plenty good, I really think you would enjoy it, and especially it's tone and music. It is the most distinct entry in the series visually, where we have plenty of medieval ages, steampunk and modern sci-fi all, FFX has a truly unique blend and cultural taste that I believe is more than worth experiencing.

There is always special type of good pain whenever I hear this piano piece. Its been decades and yup its still there.

I can't help but immediately get a bit teary eyed when I hear The Skies Above. I've been conditioned!

Christmas Hat Jesse!? *I'm THERE!*

The feelings i get from this rendition is like completing something,yet you're not happy with the result you got,by completing what you did...

I signed my wedding register to “To Zanarkand”! So lovely to see you react to this one ^_^

FFX is definitely my favorite entry in the series, other than XIV. I've heard To Zanarkand so many times since I was a teenager, but the second version made me incredibly emotional thinking about the journey, which the end reminds you of. Could feel the tears welling up. FFX (X is a Roman numeral like all the games have) is such a well-done story, I remember the first time in many years I had originally played it, I would notice several little moments in the game people wouldn't understand the first time through. It's also just a really good turn-based game with a pretty in-depth combat system. The Skies Above I've loved since I first discovered The Black Mages, back when MySpace was still a thing. I don't remember the lyrics but I could make out some of them in the operatic vocals to get the feelings of the main character.

I thought I was the only one noticing a Christmas vibe to To Zanarkand

this song rips my heart out and makes me smile at the same time. got a harsh green sleeves vibe too.. also the 3rd one was a fan metal cover i believe, but my love of dream theater makes me respect all keyboard solos.

What a nice Christmas surprise. 🙂

I'm watching this a year from post. I just gotta say, I hope you played it, man. Everyone deserves to feel that heartache.

I was surprised to see you react to this one just because it is so different. So glad you liked it for the same reason, didn't I know you're a solo piano fan! I was obviously bawling my eyes out here just listening to it because of the context. :D Anyway, shall go to bed each night now, hoping and praying you will end up playing the game. That would make my life, in a non-creepy way, I think.

Song burned into my memory. I actually didn't like it when I was younger cause I heard it so much from playing through FFX all the time. As I grew older I really grew to appreciate it. FFX was the first game that hit me with how enjoyable an rpg with voice acting and higher fidelity faces could be. Honestly I feel like of all the Final Fantasy games its the most simple and digestible in its quality and story. I used to play piano actually and I was told to pick a song by my teacher. I learned this song first but kinda stopped playing it eventually in favor of Tifa and Aerith's themes. ......I am safe from your Christmas corruption of the song. You wont make me hear it!

"I don't know how I feel" is the perfect description for how the song feels, even moreso with the context of the story (which I won't spoil, of course).

FFX is still my all time favorite FF game and To Zanarkand kills my soul everytime. Also makes me wanna play through it yet again too. You know what, I might just go do that here soon lol.