SOUND CLASH

No Final Fantasy tribute is complete without a Nobuo Uematsu soundtrack, and since the ex-Square maestro had shifted to freelance work in 2004, he was on hand for the job. While rarely as striking as the music of FFVII,

Lost Odyssey’s playlist captures the game’s juxtaposition of old and new, while hinting at the Final Fantasy heritage in its similar-but-not-quite victory fanfare. The Uhra capital theme sees electronic beeps intrude over classical piano chords, for example, while the world map tune – Never Ending Journey – takes a turn from Latin American-style pan pipes and strings to electric guitar if you let it play long enough. And to finish, Howl Of The Departed, a finalboss synth-rock opera that smashes its elements together in spectacular fashion.