Parasite Eve II Original Soundtrack :: Review by Z-Freak

	Album Title:	Parasite Eve II Original Soundtrack
	Record Label:	Tokyopop Soundtrax
	Catalog Number:	TPCD-2002
	Release Date:	December 20, 1999
	Content:	2 CD Set - 66 Tracks
	Purchase:	Buy at Game Music Online

Overview

In 1999, Square decided to create a sequel to one of its more successful games, Parasite Eve. They would have asked Yôko Shimomura, the composer of Parasite Eve to score the sequel if it weren't for the fact that she was busy with Seiken Densetsu/Legend of Mana at the time. And out of nowhere, a young recruit by the name of Naoshi Mizuta enters Square after answering an offer for a job as composer for Parasite Eve II. It was decided that Parasite Eve II was going to be more of a survival-horror game than an RPG, so Mizuta had to write the score accordingly. Did Mizuta succeed? Let's find out!

Track-by-Track Reviews

Disc 1

1) Forbidden Power (Theme for Aya)

The opening movie starts off with a bang. After some howling sound effects, an electric guitar rips its way into the track. The guitarist is nobody other than Tsuyoshi Sekito, famous for his contributions to The Black Mages, and he does a wonderful job, as one familiar with his previous works would expect. Right off you'll notice that it's a reprise of the prequel's opening theme, which even Shimomura herself was proud of.

2) MIST

If you listen really closely, you should recognise that it's another reprise from the prequel. This time, however, it is a reprise of the "Out of Phase" theme, although it's slower and ambient at best. It fits the mood nicely as you're about to embark on a dangerous mission.

3) Aya Again

A rather oppressive theme for the FMV as you see a helicopter crash on the road. You immediately know something is definitely not right at Akropolis Tower when listening to it.

4) Don't Move!

This is a very short track which serves to build up suspense as you've entered the tower. It does its job very effectively.

5) Nightmare in the Battlefield

Now this track gives me the creeps. You can imagine seeing all those people who got maimed and killed by an enemy. It's very fitting for this purpose.

6) Deadly Calm

OK, so you're on your own now. For this track, you'll hear wind effects, some groans, and some echoing sound effects. Though not the most sophisticated noise music ever created, it does its job. Watch your back, Aya!

7) The First Encounter

This track caught me by surprise and I almost fell off my chair the first time I heard it! It represents an encounter with a mitochondrial creature and its dramatic chord progressions really drive you towards trying to defeat it. If you can't tell, it's a tense battle theme, and although you'll only hear it once, it will leave you in awe.

8) Tower Rendezvous

This is a jazz piece, which features some smooth piano that reminds of the early 1920 lounge music. It will be used when Aya meets a friend in the Tower. It's very pleasant if you like this sort of music and shows Mizuta has a certain flair with jazz.

9) Metamorphosis

Aya meets a woman in the Tower's barber shop, but it happens she reacts to something and becomes a hideous beast. So guess what? Yes, you've got to fight it. This music really fits the battle, and by the end of the track, it builds up to a dramatic peak. It reminds me of scary movie music and is very well executed.

10) Watch Out!

As you climb the Tower, this music will get you on your nerves. It's not intended to annoy, but to make you fear every corner you dare to explore. It's mostly a very repetitive beat with some echoing metallic sound effects.

11) Ambush!

Oh come on! You had to expect some normal battle themes, and this is one of them. You hear some odd SFX and as the track goes on, it speeds up more and more. At one point, you could swear that Mizuta fell off his chair, as you hear a very loud crash by the end. It's quite interesting.

12) What The Hell Happened?

Heh heh, nice title. Anyway, it's yet another of those themes which serves to keep you on your guard as you climb the tower some more.

13) Do Something!

I'm wondering if this was directed at Mizuta, because it's way too repetitive for the first minute as it sounds as though Mizuta continously bangs against a metal pipe to kill his boredom. Errr, just skip this one.

14) Weird Man

Indeed, this title is fitting as you're fighting some dude on the top of the Tower, Yep, he's a boss, and guess what else? He's weird. Heh, aren't my puns lame?

15) Return to the Base

This odd calm theme is used as you receive a report that there are more mitochondrial horrors out there. It seems a little strange after all the dark themes before, but fits its purpose, just like the Resident Evil save room tracks.

16) Ghost Town

Hello, Dryfield! You can easily imagine the Old West motif with the guitar use and you hear some cracking SFX throughout the track as well as a haunting voice. It's very eerie and fitting for this part of the game.

17) Hunt in Dryfield

Gah! We're fighting giant mutant horses and scorpions! The theme starts off like the first one, but a drum is added to the melody and it spells panic a bit more. When you have got four horses on your tail, you'd better be prepared!

18) Don't Shoot!

Another theme reminiscent of music used to representing shock moments in scary movies. It will catch you off guard the first time you hear it, but it doesn't have an amazing effect afterwards.

19) Douglas' Blues

A drum-based theme that is used when you speak with Douglas. At one point, you'll hear a portion of the "MIST" theme. Though I hate to say it, this is not one of my favorite tracks and is too repetitive for my tastes.

20) Water Tower

This is a nice theme that doesn't feature anything scary about it for a change. Obviously, it will be heard as you climb a tower used to store water, where there is less threat of an enemy encounter.

21) Hiding Place

Huh? Didn't we just hear this track immediately before "Water Tower." Indeed, it starts off similar to "Douglas' Blues," but this one is used as you explore Dryfield some more, and you'll hear the "MIST" theme at a point again. Just look where you step, as don't want to wake up those freaky horses if they are sleeping.

22) Dryfield

Not much music here, but a certain SFX here will make you think of a dry desert right off. After a while, you will hear some drums and other SFX. It's nothing all that special, but is functional.

23) The Bottom of The Well

Oh, here's a pretty creepy theme. It's used when you're inside a well. Who knows what might be waiting for you in the pitch darkness? This is a good one ambient theme.

24) Stealth Assault

Uh oh! There's a giant tarantula here! Shoot it quick! Damn, I missed. Look out!! It's lunging at you, Aya!! Need I say more?

25) Heaven-sent Killer

That crazy dude who attacked you at the top of the tower is back again, and this time the music is a lot more chaotic as you fight off the weird man once more! It's like "Weird Man," but more interesting.

26) The Depth of Aya's Memory

This is the "Theme of Aya" from the Parasite Eve Original Soundtrack arranged. The piano adds to the mystery motif of the theme, which I truly enjoy.

27) From Dusk Till Dawn

This is yet another ambient theme, used as you travel during the night. Watch your footing, for those creeps are still around.

28) Vagrants

Woah! This sounds like an old 50's rock piece being played on an early fuzzy radio. It's very well done and has a fine 'pastiche' feel to it.

29) Dark Field

Another ambient theme. Unfortunately, it quickly gets on my nerves, so I'll skip it.

30) Gigantic Burner

Yikes! Here's the battle theme for the most impressive boss in the entire game. Don't let it boil you, Aya! Toasted Aya, anyone? Uhh, no, just NO! This one is very well done.

31) Douglas' Grief

We end the first disc with a very sad theme. Poor Douglas; I can't spoil this, I'm afraid.

Disc 2

1) Voice of Mitochondria

We start Disc Two with some heavy percussion instruments accompanied by some alien-like sound effects, Unfortunately, I haven't played this part of the game, so I have no idea where it plays, but it must surely fit the mood.

2) Pick up the Gauntlet

Here's an action-oriented track. It easily gets frenetic as you're escaping from an enemy, and its heavy beats really get your adrenaline pumping.

3) Abandoned Mine

Ugh. Not only is the mine abandoned, but so is its music. There's barely any to talk about, so I'll shut up now.

4) Into The Shelter

This is another example of atmospheric noise music. Whether you find it interesting because of the manipulation of SFX or dull due to the lack of melody, it's impossible to deny its a well-done creation in terms of the way it creates atmosphere.

5) Wipe Out the Creatures

Ahh!! Another battle theme. This one is by far the best as it actually has a melody and is very enjoyable to listen for a change. It really gets me into the spirit of fighting.

6) Hold Your Breath

Though I have not heard this theme used in the game, it still sounds good. I can imagine Aya fighting in some really bad filthy place.

7) Crawling Waste Emperor

First, what a wonderful name! Second, this is used for a boss that reminded me of a merman. You can hear the noise of a motor that controls a pool plus some disgusting SFX and some percussion instruments. This makes the theme memorable for me at least.

8) Chase

This is a panic theme, and though I cannot recall where it is used, it is pretty good for ambient purposes.

9) A Sigh of Relief

This xylophone-based rendition of "MIST" sounds interesting, but only lasts 50 seconds. It could have been developed much better, though it's quaint how it is.

10) Passing Through the Sewer, You'll Find...

Again, another track I can't recall, and there's not much going on. It's probably effective in the game, but it isn't great for stand-alone purposes, like many of the ambient tracks.

11) Battle on The Waterside

Now this theme I do remember, as it was used for fights against Fishmen. At one point, you will hear scary screams that will surprise anyone who hears this for the first time. It's another winner in my book and shows Mizuta's versatility once more.

12) Inner Part of The Shelter

This is another ambient theme, complete with windy sound effects and barely any melodic music.

13) Innermost Part of The Shelter

This one is a bit more flooded with SFX. There's no music to talk about. Addendum: If you are one of the few people that don't consider noise music to be an oxymoronic term, then there is music and it might just satisfy.

14) Negative Heritage

A military theme that adds some contrast to the more ambient one. Here, drums are used prominently to show something big is going on and it succeeds in being a very oppresive track; you can tell there's no good coming out of there.

15) Man Made Nature

This features an organ and some singing birds, adding yet more diversity to the latter half of the score. It's very original, but is nothing compared to what's about to follow.

16) Ark

Yes!! This is THE track that I remember most from the game. When you travel in the Ark, you'll hear interesting vocals, and it sounds really sacred and ancient, which I relished. These are probably latin lyrics, as I don't know what they are saying. It's extremely well-done and creates an enormous amount of atmosphere, showing Mizuta has capabilities in the vocal arena, too.

17) Fool's Paradise

After the masterpiece before, we hear yet more ambient here. All you will hear are some scary vocals 'ahhhh' sounds and an infernal buzzing throughout the track. It's quite creepy and does the job.

18) Mitochondria Reactor

This is pretty much like the previous track, so no comment.

19) Mental Deranger

This is like the two above, except you hear a piercing beep here and there. It's pretty good for its purpose.

20) Stalker

OK, this one deserves the title of the scariest battle theme of the game. Throughout, you hear really weird SFX and it's just really frightening.

21) Cruelty of Eve's Fate

This one is another remix of "Theme of Aya" theme and is features a solo piano throughout. You feel sadness and mystery at the same time thanks to this gem.

22) Killing Field

This is quite like the shelter themes, but it is played in an FMV as a bunch of dangerous enemies come to life.

23) Golem Soldiers

This is another great battle theme. It has it all, from a memorable melody to fear-inducing passages to refined composition, so I give this theme two thumbs up.

24) Prestige of The Nation

This is another militaristic theme to show the U.S.A. knows something is going on, and even they cannot stop the upcoming terror from spreading. It's very fitting.

25) Intrusion

This is the theme to the last dungeon. It's quite epic and easily becomes one of the best 'dungeon' themes ever. You know it's going to end soon, as you can't give up when you're so close to ending your mission.

26) Brace Yourself

As the title says, get ready for the final showdown. Make sure you're ready to face the horror ahead!

27) Brahman

Oh yeah! This is the first phase of the final boss theme. It's really fitting and you can tell you're fighting something huge. It can make mincemeat out of you if you're not careful!

28) Distorted Evolution

This is the final phase of the final boss theme and has to be the very best ever such theme for a survival horror game. The epic tones depict that you're fighting for your life and failure certainly isn't an option. If you listen closely, you hear a constant heartbeat in the background, which adds to the realism of the life and death struggle. It's an impressive feat for newbie Naoshi Mizuta and among the best on the soundtrack.

29) Logic of the Superpower

It's finally over! The U.S.A. have been saved from the Mitochondrial menace. Congratulations!

30) Aya's Diary

This is a very beautiful theme that is used as Aya recalls her journey through her perilous mission.

31) Epilogue

This is the music for the ending FMV. As always, it's a happy ending.

32) Gentle Rays

Oh man, this is the credits music. It's a pure symphonic masterpiece, and the first time I heard it, I actually cried about how it was so emotionally moving. It's certainly another of Square's winning ending themes.

33) Weird Man - Delete Core Mix

As far as remixes go, this one is pretty average, but it's sure to appeal to some electronica fans out there. Give me Super Sweep any day above this amateur mix, however.

34) Hiding Place - Confortable Mix

This is a better remix, but it still features nothing that impressed me.

35) OMAKE

This is funny. This track goes 'Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap' and then suddenly a dog's 'WOOF!' is heard. Some good old onamatopoeia for the last four seconds of the ending!

Summary

And now for my conclusion: should you buy or not? Well, if you like ambient music in survival horror games or you've played and enjoyed the game, the answer is yes. Otherwise, I'd only recommend it to the adventurous people out there, as it isn't too good for listening outside the game. All in all, Naoshi Mizuta has passed the test as he was asked to compose Final Fantasy XI, and though the soundtrack is hardly as memorable as Shimomura's, it was appropriate for the game and possibly a step in the right direction.