Ranking Every Final Fantasy By Their Soundtrack

Final Fantasy X-2 OST: Tracks - 61, Composer(s) - Noriko Matsueda & Takahito Eguchi, International And Last Mission OST: Tracks - 10, Composer(s) - Noriko Matsueda & Takahito Eguchi

Final Fantasy X-2 was the first time that Square opted to develop a traditional sequel, returning to the world and characters of Final Fantasy X. It was also the first time that Nobuo Uematsu was not employed in any way to create the soundtrack for a 'main series' title or derivative thereof, leaving composition duties to Matsueda and Eguchi, who'd previously worked together on non-Final Fantasy Square titles.

His absence was certainly felt, as the soundtrack fell flat in many places. Many of the 61 pieces (considerably less than the number in the soundtracks preceding it) were short and looped repeatedly to give them length, whilst 'Real Emotion', the vocal theme used in the game's introduction, was a crime against music both then and now.

The game's other vocal piece, '1000 Words', is much better, aided by the fact that it scores a highly emotional sequence. Other truly excellent standouts include 'Memories Of Waves And Light', which is perhaps the greatest menu theme in the entire series, and 'Zanarkand Ruins', which manages to be both deep and uplifting at the same time.

Elsewhere, 'Yuna's Ballad' is a highly poignant piece in a game that is far more light-hearted than its predecessors, whilst 'Let Me Blow You A Kiss' is a short but fun accompaniment to encounters with Leblanc and her goons.