The Final Fantasy series has a reputation for showing off some of the most beautiful soundtracks in the medium, but the quality of music has declined since Final Fantasy 10. Final Fantasy 12 was a disappointment, with bland, boring synthesizer tracks and a main theme that was merely a revamped version of the Final Fantasy 7's opening song. Thankfully, Final Fantasy 13 was a triumphant return to form, with powerful recordings from the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra.

This isn't the first time that a Final Fantasy game tried to pull off a soundtrack with the recordings of an entire orchestra. However, this is the first entry that tested the aural limits of what is possible in a Japanese role-playing game. Unlike the previous installments, FF13 actually plunges players into the on-screen action with loud string staccatos and dissonant polyphonic arrangements.

Although Final Fantasy 7 pulled off a similar feel that was in the style of an action film, it hardly seemed natural. The PlayStation's old MIDI synthesizers weren't up to the task. (I assume Squaresoft didn't use Red Book audio due to space limitations.) The in-engine cut-scenes don't match up well either, with a loose combination of prerendered backgrounds and bland polygon mannequins.

I realize that this is the least impressive of the three PlayStation Final Fantasy titles, and that comparing it to FF13 is a bit unfair, but this opening sequence really shows how the presentation style of Final Fantasy has improved in the past 13 years. Both scenes take place on a train, but Final Fantasy 13 actually captures the fast-paced adrenaline rush of an action movie.

Of course, the game ended up sacrificing some of the series' more interesting features. For instance, characters no longer have as much freedom to shop around town or interact with NPCs. It doesn't include any goofy minigames, like Final Fantasy 8's Triple Triad. Fortunately, this mostly works to the game's advantage by raising the intensity of the atmosphere.

The soundtrack includes more than just loud orchestral pieces. The new composer, Masashi Hamauzu, took the time to compose songs using a wide variety of live instruments in the recording sessions. For instance, Daddy's Got the Blues associates Sazh with a wistful harmonica melody and some subtle acoustic guitar chords.

Obviously Masashi must have learned a thing or two from watching the Japanese anime Cowboy Bebop. The tune captures Sazh's lonely life as a wandering gunman with very little hope left. It also plays in a crucial part in the Sunleth Waterscape section that reveals the unfortunate connection between Sazh and his traveling buddy, Vanille.

In contrast to this sad, mournful tune, Sazh's theme eventually changes as he regains hope and his outlook brightens. One of my favorite songs, Can't Catch a Break, takes center stage as Sazh and Vanille escape from an enemy battleship. The acoustic guitar plays a jazzy solo over a smooth motley of bongos, trumpets, and pianos.

Sadly, I can't spoil anything by explaining all the awesome events that led to this. It is one of the more memorable portions, though. Sazh even manages to grab a killer bazooka in this section.

To be fair, this isn't the perfect Final Fantasy soundtrack. Masashi throws in a few disappointing pieces, such as the nauseating bossa nova tune that plays during a certain section of Gran Pulse. To make matters worse, the song is on an endless loop until the player leaves this particular area.

For the most part though, this is one of the best soundtracks to ever grace an RPG. It transforms the excellent atmosphere into something much larger than life. Despite its flaws, Final Fantasy 13 is one of my favorite role-playing games. The intense battle system, the blockbuster story, the wonderful 3D environments, and the music combine to make this into one of the most memorable Final Fantasy games of all time.

Regardless of whether they finish the game, everyone will remember Final Fantasy 13 for its ability to immerse people in an amazing world.

How does Final Fantasy 13's soundtrack stack up in comparison to other Final Fantasy games? More generally, how do you think people will remember Final Fantasy 13 in terms of the long annals of Final Fantasy history? Feel free to write your thoughts in the comments below.