ART GALLERY MOVE COMPLETE: YS V PS2 REVIEW COMING SOON

Hey, I just finished moving the art gallery to it's new home, I think you'll agree it is much better now! Check it out in the links section! My Ys V PS2 version is on it's way! I can't wait, as soon as I get to play it, I'll post some pictures and review the musical score to the game.

Art Gallery Update

Hey everyone, I've got a lot in store for the future with this thing, so keep watching. I'm going to create a separate haven for the art gallery, though you'll still find it linked in the links section, and I'll have lots of news about upcoming game soundtracks in the week ahead also. They are finally releasing a Breath of Fire Soundtrack complete Box, thanks to cocoebiz, so I'll have some nice pictures of the set when it comes too.

THE INCREDIBLE XANADU NEXT

Ok, after waiting a while to play it, I just finished Xanadu Next last night!
This is one incredible Falcom action RPG for PC(Japanese). The great thing is you don't have to know Japanese in order to enjoy it, or finish it! Just like Falcom's legendary Ys series, which is my all time favorite. Xanadu Next is not too long, which is good, but it is not an easy game either.

This game is quite a dungeon crawler too, you'll be fighting monsters non-stop and hunting down keys, special guardian cards, magial items, and saving gold (YES!) to buy weapons and armor. The bosses and graphics are all 3D, and in the Falcom tradition all crafted wonderfully well. This is classic sword slinging RPG action at it's very best! There are giant spiders, nasty zombies and hundreds of other creatures, but I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't played it yet. Don't get me started on the music.

As any Falcom or Ys fan knows, the composers, Falcom Sound Team JDK are game music legends and they outdid themselves here once again. My breath was taken away at the awesome dungeon themes, and the glorious symphonic choral pieces in this game. I highly recommend this game to anyone. Now, if you are unsure if you should try a Japanese game, and you don't know Japanese, let me say this, you won't be sorry, and you only live once!

Operating System: Windows 98/2000/ME/XP. CD-ROM or DVD-ROM versions available.


As always, Falcom will not leave their fans wanting, so with this game (the limited edition, still available) they included the classic PC Engine RPGs, Legend of Xanadu I & II, formatted to play on PC! Also included is a Xanadu Music Chronicle CD, spotlighting a couple BGMs from Xanadu Next and some of Falcom's best Xanadu arrangements ever, with some long gone JDK Band Tracks from Falcom Special Box '94.
I will surely link up some of Falcom's Xanadu Next Music Samples soon as well!
Here are some pictures of everything that came with the game (isn't Falcom awesome) and a link to Falcom's official site of the game. Enjoy!

Front cover of game case (comes in a slipcase box)


Back cover of game case


Xanadu Encyclopedia (monster & weapon/item information)


Xanadu Next Playing Manual


Xanadu Music Chronicle CD


The Legend of Xanadu I & II

Official Site For Xanadu Next (Japanese)

DO YOU LIKE ACTION?

Hey, if you're a big comic book fan like me, and have never checked out some of the awesome Chinese Martial Arts titles from Comics One, you should definitely try them out! They are filled with awesome manga styled action, with tons of cool paintings, stories, and wonderful characters. They have been around in the U.S. for a number of years now, even in English. So if you're in the mood to try adding a little more action and culture to your comic book library, check these out! At the end here you will find a link where you can purchase some of these titles. Also above here is a cover scan of Saint Legend, by Andy Seto. Awesome, huh?

Buy Kung Fu Titles Here!

NEW SOUNDTRACK FOR THIS WEEK

Just got this one today, it's the Magic Knight Rayearth Sega Saturn Soundtrack. It's very hard to find now. I think I got pretty lucky getting it.

JUST ARRIVED! SORA NO KISEKI SC (THE LEGEND OF HEROES VI, THE SECOND CHAPTER)

Ok, so I am a little excited today, I have been waiting for this game for a while now. It just arrived from Falcom Japan and I am dying to play it. More pictures coming soon, but first I have to play it!!!!!!!!! If you want to hear music samples from the game I have them in a previous post. Feel free to check them out!!

FINAL FANTASY XII SOUNDTRACK UPDATE/DELAY

I've just received information stating there may be a delay in the release of the Final Fantasy XII Soundtrack. I will report any new information when it comes.

COLLECTION UPDATE

Today I decided to add a special location for my game music collection, so if anyone wanted to view it they will not have to search through my articles for it. So from now on the following link at the end of this article will house my collection. There will be a permanent link to it also in the links section. From time to time I list new additions to my collection, and I will continue to publish those on my blog. The new space for my collection will be specific to that topic. It will be updated only to add any new items. I think this will work out a lot better too. Thanks to all who read this blog and and I will try to make it a unique source of game music information as long as I can. So here is the new link which will host my collection from now on:

View My Game Music Collection

FINAL FANTASY XII ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK LIMITED EDITION ANNOUNCED

The long wait for Final Fantasy XII is almost over. I am eagerly awaiting this game because it is such a big departure from the established style from the series. One can not help but wonder if this trend will continue. The original soundtrack for the game is set for a release date of April 19, 2006, and the limited version looks like quite a package.
Since Hitoshi Sakimoto (FF Tactics, Vagrant Story, Breath of Fire V) has taken over as composer here, it will be interesting to see what he has come up with. Based on what I've heard in the playable demo I love the music so far. The soundtrack will once again feature four discs of music. While that is not unfamiliar to FF fans, to see Sakimoto step up to the plate and continue the legacy certainly made me feel like this will be a very special game, despite some negative comments stemming from the new battle system. Of course, the limited edition of this upcoming masterpiece is available at cocoebiz. Also, there is a contest to get Mr. Sakimoto's autograph, for those who preorder this soundtrack by April 10th! For more information just click the link below.

Preorder the Final Fantasy XII Original Soundtrack Limited Edition from cocoebiz!

TODAY'S THE DAY!!!!

I thought I would start a little countdown until the Legend of Heroes VI: the Second Chapter is released on March 9th, I can't wait for it, it is going to be an awesome game.
Well, as soon as the game arrives, I'll have great pictures up!!!

BIG SCORE

Sorry no updates for a while. Managed to score some extremely rare soundtracks today! They will be added to the collection list soon:
The Scheme: By Yuzo Koshiro (Now I have the first & second editions)
Symphonic Suite Gagharv Trilogy : The Legend of Heroes III - V
Shining the Holy Ark Sega Saturn Soundtrack
All Sounds of Albert Odyssey I
Albert Odyssey II OST
Albert Odyssey Sega Saturn OST: Legend of Eldean
Also Pictured is Neutopia, agame I have wanted to play for a long time for the Turbo Grafx.
Once again I have to thank cocoebiz for the continued EXCELLENT service and for obtaining such rare albums.