Words can't well describe the emotions I feel listening to this. I saved up allowances to buy this game (that was a lot of money for me!) when it first came out and I remember sitting in the family car reading the booklet all the way home. I had never been so excited to play a game before, and I haven't felt that strongly about any other game since. There was just something intensely enchanting about Secret of Mana that sparked my imagination. I didn't have anyone to play it with, both of my brothers were too young and I didn't have any close friends so it became my own special escape, like reading a wonderful book. I lost myself in the game for countless hours and would often leave the console on just to listen to certain tracks over and over. I've replayed the game every couple years or so since, I even got my son into playing it with me for a time when he was a teenager, so now it has an even greater significance to me! You truly captured the emotion of the game perfectly in this tribute and I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to do so, you truly are a gifted artist! I will keep this album near and dear to my heart for the rest of my life.
My first RPG I ever fell in love with. My first OST I bought at the age of 10! I asked my parents to mail in a check for me to Square America LOL! ABSOLUTELY LOVE this game and all the memories and feels it brings! You're not alone. Can't wait to play with my daughter when she gets older!
It's a bitter sweet joy listening to the music. Brings back certain memories of my teenage years. Especially the time of 1997 when I was 14. That was the time you could see the comet Hale-Bopp in the sky. I played this game with a friend I went to school with. We played a lot of games at that time. SoM caused a lasting impact. The game is adventurous und touching. At the beginning of 1998 my friend moved away and we never saw each other again. Now 23 years past and every now and then I wonder how he did in life, where's he at right now... So every now and then I look up stuff about SoM on RU-vid and bathe in memories.
I discovered this game when I was 11 and at 37, this soundtrack can still bring tears to my eyes. It's no exaggeration to put this on par with Debussy, Ravel, Chopin, Beethoven or any of the great Romantic and Impressionist composers.
"There are no words that can truly capture the memories this game stirs up. Along with Chrono Trigger and Zelda: Ocarina of Time, I close my eyes and feel like I can journey back to the best moments of my life. Everything was simpler, more...magical. I know you all understand what I mean. Sending a hug from Brazil."
I can't even describe the combination of emotions this gave me. I played Secret of Mana with my brothers when I was 13, not long before my older brother left home. We were growing apart back then and all really grew apart as adults; I rarely see my brothers any more. Playing Secret of Mana together was sort of the last activity I can really remember all three of us being into together. I really want to play it again with two of my roommates. There's no way my real brothers will ever have time for me like that again, but god damn it's awesome to have an adopted family of sorts in this crazy anarchist commune in Brooklyn!
Cherish the time you had with them...Also let them know you miss those days. Even if they're too busy and can't play anymore, you can still let them know those times were important to you. Growing up sucks for sure :(
This is a fantastic comment. You are a good storyteller. I used to play this game with my big sister. We, too, drifted apart. But when we were young, I loved and admired my sister so much. And I got into RPGs because of her, and I write because of RPGs. Now I have kids, and I want them to play Secret of Mana, Chrono Trigger, FF6, and other classics - so they can experience GREAT storytelling!
For so many who grew up playing Super Nintendo, this game was always overlooked. But that's why I loved this game, because it was a real gem! Great story, smooth gameplay mechanics, beautiful BGM score, and everything else Square had to offer during the golden age of RPGs. This game was way ahead of its time.
This is one of those games where you realize years later that something as insignificant as how the menu was laid out was actually quite brilliant, and possibly one of the best mechanics ever implemented into a game. No character had to be listed wasting menu space. It was around the character and you knew it was their menu.... with an emphasis on recognition through images of the items instead of just lines of text and a small cookie-cutter icon. Your eyes would naturally dart around the screen in circular patterns instead of left to right... up and down. Thinking about that... it probably helped reduce eye strain; the furthest concern in a young mind within the dark. Memory would improve as we learned which weapon/spell/item meant which part of the rotation we were on depending on which character last used what. Opening a menu was a bright Bu-WEEE!.... and closing was a ZEEEuuuoooh!
I'm a UI/UX designer and I find the menu really annoying, yes it's disruptive, but playing the remake and noticing they kept the menu style... what a paaaain it is to go trough the objects and stuff that way. I find it slow and unpredictable, you have to rely on memory to get it right, and it shouldn't be that way.
I feel sweet sadness while knowing that those times, where I could play games like this four hours, alone and with friends, are long gone and will never come back. Every thing has its time, they say.
It will never be the same, that's for sure. However, if you make sure to put your needs as a priority, you can create the time for you again.Do not let societal circumstance steer you in a direction that takes away what life should be for you as an individual.
The music on this album is as deep and enchanting as I imagined the original 16-bit game music to be when I was engrossed in playing it as a pre-teen. When an artist has a true love and understanding of their source material, and the talent and skill to really do it justice, it creates something special. Thanks for creating and sharing this. It means a lot to all of us who share a love for this game.
Tears want to drop while listening to your beautiful interpretation of this masterful soundtrack. We finished the game just yesterday and were devastated by it"s ending. But we had a very nice time together playing it and only that counts. I also think it is the actual message of the ending.
So perfection does exist, and great music is still being produced after the new millennium started. I'm blown away, thank you! This is basically my 90's experience in a nutshell, great memories
A beautiful nostalgic journey. The song selection was basically perfect! Although I would have wished for the theme when you're flying with Flammie, I think it's called "Prophecy". The song is arguably upbeat, heroic or something like that, but for me it's also very melancholic. Thank you very much for this!
I only played this game on emulator once many years ago and never finished it. Still, the music stuck with me in such a way it feels like I grew up with this game. A true testament to this game quality.
Just found this after RebeccaETripp's medley. Very different vibe, but one that is also very much in line with the story. Instant sub at "Fear of the Heavens".
Thank you for your beautiful piano renditions. I recently played Secret of Mana for the first time and fell in love with the atmospheric vibes and the beautiful music. I struggle with depression and have erratic sleep schedules because of it, but I've been listening to this album and the Chrono Trigger album a bunch to help me go to sleep at night and feel okay. Your music is a gift and I treasure it dearly.
YES!!! I've been really looking forward to finally hearing this. ^_^ A Bell is Tolling and Into the Thick of It are so far my favourites! Edit: Now Flightless Wings is my favourite on here!
You should know that when I begin typing "youtube" into my search bar, the first thing that drops down for suggestion is your Chrono Cross Medley; that's how many times I've pulled it up. Recognized your picture here and just wanted to let you know!
Your SoM medley brought me here. I love all of TPR's stuff so I don't know how I missed this one for the last couple of weeks but I enjoy both your stuff and TPR. Thanks!
When I was a kid I had no idea there were official names. The beginning of the story reminded me of the Sword in the Stone, so I usually named my trio Art, Gwen, and Lance.
Between "RebeccaETripp" and "TPR", I cannot stop tearing up.All their songs they have done are so beautiful and sad and the beautiful again.I bought Secret of mana when it was released and still have my original copy.Oh the memories!
I don't think there will ever again a soundtrack of a video game so incredibly beautiful. Besides the Chrono Trigger soundtrack the absolute best soundtrack to a game ever made. I also love the Amiga soundtracks of Turrican 1 & 2...the Skyrim & Neverwinter Nights ambient tracks...but nothing compares to the genius of Secret of Mana & Chrono Trigger.
I hardly comment on other people's comments that don't apply to me, but when I do, it's because the dude making the comment is my real-life brother. Thanks for showing me this music, sir! Yes, kudos to the musician!
Into the thick of it sounds like being a child, happy, exploring a beautiful, deep forest in summertime without any worries...such a outstanding piece. Square Soft was a once in the history team of absolute genius individuals...from Chronotrigger to FF6 to Secret of Mana...even the Mystic Quest Game Boy game were absolute incredible when I was a young kid.
I have no words to describe the memories this game brings me. Along with Chrono Trigger and Zelda: Ocarina of Time, I close my eyes and feel like I can travel the best time of my life. Everything was simpler, more… magical. I know you can understand what I mean. Hugs from Brazil.
One of the quickest purchases of my life, and I'm kicking myself for catching this three months late. Have always loved the SoM soundtrack and you did a beautiful job with it here. Cheers from NYC!
First time I played this game was with my dad and mom when I was 5 just after it came out, and It took me a few years to play it again, but this time with my best friend. The only memories I've got of my childhood with my dad is with this game, Inindo, and uncharted waters. Now I'm a father of a three year old, and I'm using this soundtrack to calm him down. To think this soundtrack might have a huge impact on my own son is great. I hope this games music stays in his heart as it has mine.
YES! I've been waiting for this! All this time listening to your FF albums (among others) I'm like I wish he had a SoM album and you totally came through.
Thank so much for making this. It brings warm feelings to my heart. My favorite game of all time. The memories it brings me of my childhood, a time of care free life.
When you release new content it is like surprise Christmas each time. Thank you very much. And while I don't expect you to do Xenogears, if you were to, I would find a way to return that beauty to the universe.
Love, love, love this. Most of your melancholy music mixes are gorgeous but this one is a special favorite with me. Keep up the excellent work, you, sir, have serious talent.
This video game and its music provided me an escape from the trauma and abuse of my childhood years. This just brought it to a whole new level. Marvelously done, absolutely beautiful! I'm in tears as I'm writing this. Memories of sitting on my grandmas living room rug playing this game, and the smell of her cooking brownies. Some of the only happy memories of my youth. Beautiful....
This brings back so many beautiful memories. I remember the time when I played SoM together with my sister and cousin, those where the best days of my childhood and I will always treasure these memories. We did countless reruns, this game just never gets old. Thanks for this video, I could hear this all day long even if it almost brings tears to my eyes.. these soundtracks are increadible beautiful.
The part I really liked was Leave Time For Love. You did it a lot of justice, I thought. It reminded me of the "official" rendition of the Mana Fortress' theme from Seiken Densetsu 1, which was ATROCIOUS on the GameBoy and I hated it as a kid, but then I heard their classical rendition on the soundtrack and I was like, "Oh my god, that's how it was supposed to sound? I love that track now!" Yeah, it reminded me of that, although to be fair, it actually sounded decent in the game since the SNES wasn't just atrocious beeps. lol The first time I reached the Mana Fortress in SoM, I was like, "Now this is how it should have sounded on the GameBoy." I've always loved how one of the most peaceful dungeon themes is reserved for the last area in many of the franchise's games. You should consider doing a mix of Terranigma's tracks. It has a few very melancholic, beautiful tracks in it. (Fittingly, the best ones bookend the entire game.)
Seems like everyone's got a story from their childhood about this game in the comments. Bittersweet memories and times that will never be again. But there always new moments of joy to come if we make them happen.
I love all your work but you have such a talent for remixing big hyped up battle themes into beautiful, calming music. Meridian Dance is one of my all-time favourites of yours, along with the Chrono Trigger battle theme and The Extreme from FF8.
TPR - i want to personally thank you so much for doin these -=- i actually cried a little hearing some of these, like "A Curious Tale" for example -=- i do wonder why ya didnt do "the Legend"; maybe in the future -=- please keep doing what you're doing...
Hé ! you are such a fool ! In this world of destruction and despair, you decided to take arms, not with a sword, but with this ! What is it, focus, sheer will and commitment? No, not only, it's true , TRUE LOVE ! I'm not easily amazed, lots of dellusions in life etc etc, but this ! Oh my oh my oh my Sorry for da bad english, all i can do , is Here my lord, my sword is yours, and my bow, my boomerang, my whip, AND.MY.AXE !!!!
I bought your FF8 album so many years ago on iTunes, I just hope you know how terrific your work is and its something I will always go back to and enjoy
