Well-done character themes are memorable and use unique instrumentation for each character. Exceptionally well-done ones like these have meaningful choices in instruments and rhythms. Partitio's Western-inspired theme has an electric guitar for his modernization angle, Ochette and Agnea's themes evoke cheerfulness and joy, Temenos's is offbeat and quirky, and so on.
It definitely reminds me of the RDJ Sherlock Holmes films. It’s like harpsichord or hammered dulcimer or something and the minor key, etc are pretty similar with an inherent inquisitive quality to it. So cool.
Time stamps for me and others :) Ochette: 0:00 Casti: 1:48 Throné: 3:34 Osvald: 5:02 Partition: 6:56 Agnea: 8:34 Temenos: 10:15 Hikari: 11:39 Can’t find the soundtrack anywhere currently so thought I’d put these here on the very useful utube vid
I remember when I first went and listened to Castti’s theme and thinking how simple it was compared to the rest of the travelers themes. I couldn’t quite place it but, it felt like something was… missing? Like something that should be there just isn’t? Correct me if I’m wrong, but it’s the only one that has pauses in the melody without anything going on in the background. Kinda like how there are gaps in Castti’s memory, no? I don’t know if that is intentional or not, but if it is, wow that’s genius.
The initial flute melody repeats an unresolved three note motive. It really wants to find somewhere to land on (resolve to) but can’t, just like Castti’s struggle with her memories. When it does resolve, it’s quietly in minor, evoking a sense of defeat or sorrow. This transitions into the next part of the theme, which has other things going on
I'm about to get married and after play Partitio's part and hear his theme I start to imagine my fiance and me entering in front of everyone with this theme, right before the bals. So I end up downloading the theme and cut some pieces and actually I think it will work just fine! I like how it feels like success, happiness, joy and its pretty sexy too, I just love sax. I will try to sell this idea to my fiance. Love this game.
Partitio theme and the saxophone 👍🏻 but I also love Osvald’s and Hikari’s. Castti’s is down right depressing after you play her story. They are all too good ❤
Throne's theme is especially devastating after finishing both parts of Chapter 3... it asks of you, "Freedom... but at what price? Will it truly be worth all the blood you're spilling?"
It has a nice eastern vibe for it. I picked Hikari as my starter, and Partitio is my favorite, but Hikaris theme SLAPS. Reminds me of a home I've never had, but am nostalgic for. Kind of like him.
I love these themes like you wouldn't believe. They all tell stories so perfectly. Yasunori Nishiki is a master of character themes. Ochette's innocence and playfulness cuts through the tragic sounds in the start and swells into something determined and heroic. Probably my favorite. Castti's sounds painfully sad but gentle, like she's putting someone to rest. Throne's is fierce but graceful and sounds like she finds emptiness after the rising escalation of killing. Osvald's is interesting. It starts in way that makes it sound like all-consuming anger and swells into a softer and more complex version of the same theme. Like his plan for revenge is no longer a dream of a man in a jail cell. Paritio's charismatic saxophone cuts through the downtrodden early section and lifts the guitar and bass up with him. Agnea's starts simple and opens up with more instrumentation like she's finding a wider world. Like a duet that ends up attracting and helping more people which add more richness to the song. Temenos' has his personality show from the start. He's already inquisitive and something far larger ends up finding him. Hikari's determination and hope comes through from the start and he finds some tranquility as he remembers home which gives him the strength to go on.
this is my analysis of these songs, despite knowing very little musical terminology. Ochette's theme is fun and adventurous. It definitely sounds like the beginning of a journey. Castti's theme is relaxing with sad undertones. But hopeful. Throné's theme sounds like determination against all odds. Unfailing conviction for a goal. Osvald's theme is the one that elicits the most emotion in me. It starts with with dread, ever looming. A very deep gloominess surrounds it. Then it transitions into ambition with the strings. Then at the end it sounds like dedication, with the higher strings giving a twinge of sadness. Partitio's theme is simply a bop. Everyone knows this. It's strong-willed and optimistic. Agnea's theme sounds like excitement. It definitely gives the vibe of humble origins as well. The melody is very catchy. Temenos's theme is grand and royal, the melody invoking that feeling of suspicion. Hikari's theme sounds like hope. The woodwinds sound very Japanese in my head.
I used the themes when choosing which character path to start with. It was between Agnea, Castti, and Throne and I ultimately selected Agnea. Then I saw her run animation, hated it, restarted and picked Castti :p
Lol. I actually (embarrassing, I know), used to run like that. I watched WAY too much anime and thought it was cute. It's a bit cringey now, but Agnea reminds me so much of how I used to be as a kid. She's so adorable. I chose Castti because of her abilities, and I really liked how they wrote her character. Loving her story so far.
As soon as I heard Partitio’s theme in the trailers, I knew he would be my starting traveler, my second favorite is definitely Hikari’s with third going to Throné
This soundtrack is sooo good. I love all of these so much. If I had to rank these I would probably: 1. Agnea 2. Partitio 3. Throné 4. Hikari 5. Temenos 6. Ochette 7. Osvald 8. Castti But they're all amazing in their own way
both games has that one character who just doesent really fit in. Octopath 1 being therion. He has NO reason to team up with the others, or they him. I for the life of me cant see why Tressa or Olberic would willingly team up with him. Therion is even described as a 'lone wolf'. at least they did the whole thief story better with throne even though it for the most part was the same plot. (get items to get off collar/cuff). Octopath 2. Agnea. Shes literally just a performer, unlike primrose who is on the run and is essentially a slave escapee. Agnea has no business fighting a freaking god or any of the other villains across the game. Dont get me wrong Agneas story is great, it just didn't fit with the others. Even partitio ended up having ties to the whole darkness plot. but damn it if their themes dont kick ass just the same.
As good as they all are, Agnea's will always be my fave: it's like running towards the horizon with a bindle on your shoulder and a song in your heart!
While I can't say the same for all the stories so far (I haven't finished the game yet, so that might change), I will say that every single one of the character themes is an absolute winner, Partitio's in particular being my personal favorite.
Nishiki himself said that when composing Agnea's theme he was going for a Celtic jig. Not sure if that's what you're thinking of, but it's what he intended
All of these are excellent, but the standouts for me are Hikari, Osvald, Agnea, and Temenos....my favorite of all of them is Partitio. Nothing beats that sax.
Agnea.. interesting character. She's probably the worst of the 8, weakest story, and the music is hit or miss. It wasn't bad early, but the final boss made me skip everything, I couldn't deal with it anymore. It's the same reason I mute the game audio when doing certain raids on FF14. I hate cheery and happy music/tones/themes in boss fights.
