Take Note Square Enix, This Is How You Make A Game Theme Song

A while ago, it was announced that popular Japanese singer GACKT would be singing two theme songs for the upcoming title Samurai Warriors 3. The gorgeous ending ballad Setsugekka -The End of Silence- was revealed a few days ago, and today the fast-paced rock song ZAN has surfaced on the 'net.

In a recent interview, GACKT revealed that both songs will remain in the Western versions of the game, thus it was important for him to make theme songs that would appeal to both Japanese and Western audiences, while also sounding distinctly Japanese.

Many people weren't happy with Square Enix's decision to use Leona Lewis' single 'My Hands' as the English theme song for Final Fantasy XIII. Maybe Square Enix should had taken a similar approach to the FFXIII theme song that Samurai Warriors 3 did!

Below is Setsugekka -The End of Silence-. Click on the source link to hear ZAN.

[Sonyslave3]

Damn i guess japanese man really do look like woman anyway this song is hot.

[Yes_2]

He looks like Noctis from FF Versus XIII! :O

Maybe they should have used this song for Versus XIII instead of a game hardly anyone cares about.

[Pozzle]

And the blonde girl in the music vid kinda looks like Stella.
....I think we might be onto something here. XD

[Vivi]

lol fail article since they did use Gackt in Dirge.....

"Somnus" from the Versus trailers >>>>>>>&g t;>> any vocal theme....

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[gintoki777]

actually noctis looks like the guy because he was their first plus he is actually real

[STONEY4]

When I saw the video thumbnail, the first thing that came into my mind was Noctis.

[L-Teezy]

they can hire me to compose some FF music. ...see for yourself http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[iamtehpwn]

they HAVE used Gackt before.

then again, it was for that...gah. more like dirge of abomination. >__<

[Pozzle]

It's kinda sad that his talent seems to go to waste when it comes to video games. He's got a great voice (and is very versatile), but he seems to attract the worst games. XD

Imagine the exposure if Gackt had sung for a game like FFvsXIII or FFXIII. A celebrity as big as Gackt and a game as big as FFvsXIII/FFXIII would create some HUUUGE publicity in Japan. (even bigger than what the games are currently recieving).
...although Gackt's voice probably isn't suited to FFXIII's atmosphere.
But then again, I don't think Leona Lewis's voice is suited to FFXIII either, and look what happened there. I think I'd rather listen to Gackt, tbh.

[reintype]

That distinction belongs to "TSUKI NO UTA" a song from the anime TEXHNOLYZE, which is amazing too btw.

TSUKI NO UTA: english translated

A shining, pure white T-shirt
A rainbow floating in a spray of water
Gazing thoughtfully at the sky
The wind plays with countless things
Nothingness was our own happiness

More deeply than anyone else, I even give my heart to you
Even now right here, I'm only gazing at you
If it's a dream that I cannot return to once more, I'll destroy it
You're unforgettable, I want to see you once more

The mirages pile up
Your shadows, I collect them

I keep waiting for you though the hands of my watch have
stopped

On sleepless nights, and on mornings when you have to sigh
There's your beloved song of the moon

Some time far away, when even our bodies are left behind
Right now right here, only I remain
I believed we'd always be together unchanging
Once more, like I did at that time, I want to love you

[Shnazzyone]

If Samurai Warrior 3 is worth playing? I always kindof liked the series but know nothing about this installment.

[devilhunterx]

It can't be a coincedence that they look like Noctis and Stella

[Yes_2]

Now that I think about it...this song could totally be a Final Fantasy theme. The start of the video (particularly the piano tune) reminds me so much of FFX.

[sashimi]

GACKT is EPIC! wish SE went with this approach regrading FFXIII instead of having Leona Lewis.

[LeShin]

...he's got a VERY good voice.

[Tony P]

I've got nothing against FFXIII's English theme. It's quite a different style from the Japanese song, but also quite good imo.

I do however have something against the scrubbing out of Eastern influences in games. But neither do I care for trashing Lewis' song just because it's *not* Japanese.

[Pozzle]

I don't think people are neccessarily trashing Leona's song because it's not Japanese. There are many gorgeous English songs in the FF series (Eyes on Me, Melodies of life, 1000 Words, etc) and fans generally loved them.
I think people are mostly upset with Leona's song because, as you said, it scrubs out all Eastern influences. It isn't an English translation of the Japanese version, it isn't written for the game, it's a pre-existing Hip/Hop single that (from what we have seen in screens and videos) doesn't seem to suit the atmosphere of FFXIII. It just seems to be there for the sake of attracting mainstream/casual audiences into buying the game.

It's a good enough song in its own right, but it's not really what FF fans...want. And that's the audience that Square Enix should be catering to. They don't have to alienate their fans to appeal to a wider audience. They should aim for both.

I like Samurai Warriors/Gackt's approach. Creating a song that is specifically aimed towards both Japanese and Western audiences, so that even if it is included in the English version wit the Japanese vocals intact, Western audiences can still appreciate it. That might just me my opinion though.

It's a shame Square Enix felt the need to completely replace the good work done by FFXIII's Japanese music team. The least they could have done is translate the Japanese theme song into English. Heck, they could have gotten Leona Lewis to sing the English version if they wanted.

[Tony P]

I don't particularly mind if it wasn't made especially for the game. A lot of games do that and we don't mind (and sometimes call it genius). But Leona Lewis isn't a huge mainstream name, I think. Well, probably not. I've not heard of her.

I've been with FF for a decade or two like many so I guess I'm a fan, and I don't mind at all. I mean, some people don't like the song itself. That's fine. I actually don't care for the Japanese one, Kimi ga iru kara(?).

But to say it doesn't fit FF is really premature imo. I'm pretty sure FFVII's/Compilation's hard rock and synth didn't fit your typical FF. You'd also think pop hits from Hikaru Utada wouldn't fit KH. And I'm pretty sure neither were written for the KH games. But those worked out more than fine. It's not that unusual.

As for not being written for the game, I agree that's a shame. But I doubt they just picked a random song and said "this sounds cool". Probably just tried to pick something that matched the game. It just amuses me that so many people think "My Hands" has nothing to do with anything and they haven't actually played the game yet.

[iamtehpwn]

100% agreed. In fact, No one would even be upset if Leona Lewis had sung an English version of Kimi ga iru kara.

[SpoonyRedMage]

There's a difference though, Samurai Warriors has a niche fanbase who will probably appreciate this song but with FF only a small majority would like the song in the west at all. They wanted something with wide appeal, of course they did alienate the core fanbase by picking something crappy.

Neither approach would work for both the core fans and SE... they could have picked someone better though.

[swordmasterphoen]

If Square Enix chose Leona Lewis' song for the english version of the game, it should've been for a reason. The song does match the general FF feel, and probably fits good into the game. Do not forget that if Square Enix would've wanted to use the japanese song for the game, they could have...I mean, they have done it before (FFX). They've done translations almost every other time. What's wrong with trying something different?.

Also, it's probable that they'll keep the original song at least for the credits.

[CARRIERHASARRIVED]

I don't care what anyone says, lyrics in this form, in any type of song intended for games just does not work. It's like in-game ads, and being told what to do.

The Sephiroth theme however sounded very theatrical and just.. I dunno, kinda "gospel-ish" (if that make sense). Killzone 2's theme song also sounds great, and Halo's "hahh hummm whatever" singing is nice on the ears too.

Popstars and actual singing make me wanna kick in windshields.

DO NOT WANT!

[chinesesoldier]

Cage the Elephant's "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" in Borderlands.

[CARRIERHASARRIVED]

Catchy song that's for sure, and I don't typically enjoy it. Sang it for days though after playing Borderlands..:|

[CaitSith]

Gackt looks hot as always! *-*

One of the best new songs I've heard from him. ^^