Ranking Every Final Fantasy Composer
5. Naoshi Mizuta
Works: XI, XIII-2, Lightning Returns: XIII, XIV, XV, 4 Heroes Of Light, Dimensions, Dimensions II
Final Fantasy XI began its life as a three-composer affair, with Naoshi Mizuta given the lead role after making his bones on Parasite Eve II. He eventually became solely responsible for the game’s music on an expansion-by-expansion basis, steering the game through its thirteen-year active lifespan. It can still be played today, five years after its last expansion, but what Mizuta considers his ‘life’s work’ is now complete.
Of his 100+ plus tracks, the majority are calm background themes, necessitated by the exploration and grind-focused nature of an MMO. His most memorable pieces include the numerous variations of the ‘Vana’diel March’ and the catchy ‘Luck Of The Mog’ from the Moogle Kupo D’Etat add-on.
Since the demands
of XI have wound down, Mizuta has been utilised repeatedly by Square-Enix,
remaining on the company payroll in contrast to the majority of his
counterparts that have gone freelance. Though the 4 Heroes Of Light and
Dimensions I and II have proven to be completely forgettable, he made sizable
contributions to XIII-2 and Lighting Returns, including battle theme ‘The Last
Hunter’ and ‘Noel’s Theme’. He’s more than ready for another leading role to
come his way.