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Sorcerian Mega Drive Version Original Soundtrack :: Review by Chris
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Album Title: | Sorcerian Mega Drive Version Original Soundtrack |
| Record Label: | Wavemaster | |
| Catalog No.: | WM-0611/2 | |
| Release Date: | October 29, 2008 | |
| Purchase: | Buy at CDJapan |
Overview
One of the most memorable ports of the action RPG Sorcerian was made internally by Sega for the Mega Drive (aka Genesis). This port featured some conserved elements and music with the original Sorcerian. However, the scenarios were all original and accompanied by new music. Sadly, Sega did not hire newly-freelanced composer of the original Sorcerian, Yuzo Koshiro, for the port, in favour of working with internal composers Hiroshi Kubota and Tokuhiko Uwabo. Their results certainly sufficed for its time back in 1990. However, did the port's music still appeal when it was finally adapted into a soundtack release in 2008?
Body
While the majority of the soundtrack comprises original compositions, there are some reprises of Sorcerian originals. Listeners are offered the mellow opening theme, the jazzy town themes, the sentimental ending themes, and a handful of subsidiary compositions. Oh, and of course the old fan favourite "Let's Meet Here" makes it here too. Though a few old-timers will have already overdosed on these themes, they're largely very welcome and highly some of the best music of Yuzo Koshiro. Their synthesis here for the Mega Drive is on par with that for the PC-8801, though a few adjustments have been made to the channel usage and bass lines. They sound especially good on this release thanks to Megumi Aoki's remastering. Unlike Music from Sorcerian, these compositions actually receive the chance to loop too.
The original compositions tend to be good, but are usually different to those of Falcom and generally inferior. Take, for instance, "Dungeon" from the first scenario. It doesn't sound like Sorcerian music at all with its droning bass, jagged melodies, and abrupt loops. Nevertheless, it's still potentially enjoyable in its own right with its catchy melody and blend of rock and jazz influences. Delving deeper into the soundtrack, listeners are offered everything from motivating light rock in "Village" to youthful pop in "The Magic School" to oriental flourishes in "China Town" all the way to fantasy adventure music in "Marionette's World". It's all good classic game music, but note that it sounds much more like Phantasy Star music than Sorcerian music, in part due to the styles of the composers, in part due to the limited bass lines.
Of course, there are plenty of action compositions on the Mega Drive soundtrack too. Tracks such as "Daemon Soldier", "Fire Dragon", and "Ice Dragon" have a wild quality about them with their fast, distorted synth. Much like the original Sorcerian's great battle themes, they attempt to emulate the feel of a rip-roaring guitar-laced track despite their humble technology and, to an extent, they succeed. There are also some much darker themes such as "Behind the Marionette" and "High Minotaur" that bring a more experimental and dissonant element to the soundtrack. Yet others such as "Mosma", "Master Monster", and "Earthwind are superficially acceptable, yet somewhat formulaic. In particular, they seem to lack the fluidity of Falcom's own greats and have a tendency to abuse chord progressions. The final battle theme is surprisingly repetitive and uninspired too, but not really representative of the rest of the score.
Summary
The score for the original Sorcerian made the very most out of the PC-8801 and was easily one of the best chiptune scores ever written. The score for the Mega Drive version of Sorcerian is still great, but not superlative in any way and inferior to its predecessor in a number of ways. Nevertheless, Wavemaster offered a remarkable treat for fans when they released the original score all these years later. Those who can't get enough of Sega's Mega Drive sound should certainly head here for more. However, those looking for the definitive version of Sorcerian music should still stick to Falcom's originals.
