First Topic. Is Nobuo underrated?

[PB8J]

i don't know, now that he's become a legend, he's starting to be labeled as overrated, and not as good as other composers.

he's been getting bashed big time, lately.

i just think he's starting to be bashed a little too much.

[Eriol]

I think he is spreading himself too thin.

He should probably take some time off.

[Zephyrin]

He is overrated. Half his **** hasn't been good since 6. Some decents in 8, but 7 was stagnant crap, if you ask me.

I think the only think that keeps him afloat still is the blind nerdish devotion to these overdone games. It's just a good thing that the series is sinking faster than his music.

[ktriton]

I don't know, I never really caught onto the Uematsu fever like everyone else ::ducks:: . I do have a collection of FF CDs (most of them out of respect), but I still consider Mitsuda a notch higher than Uematsu (FFX and XI are really good, but they don't count 'cuz it's not just him anymore).

His current music seems to be directly drawn on from his earlier works. And Phantasmagoria just flat-out sucked in my opinion. I think he had his peak compositional and creative skills way back in FF V and VI.

[Emperorsblackbones]

I like all the Final Fantasy soundtracks composed by him. I don't like every track on every soundtrack, but I do like every soundtrack. I haven't heard all his work outside the FF series but what I've heard is not bad. I'm looking forward to the new Hanjuku Hero OST and the little bonus disc with music from the FC HH.

Even if the new HH sucks, it won't matter. He made enough good music in the FF series to last several lifetimes.

[ktriton]

He made enough good music in the FF series to last several lifetimes.

Very true. Don't mistake me, he's a great composer in my eyes. He's 3rd on my list. But lately his ideas seem to be...dwindling...Although I am looking forward to recieving my copy of The Black Mages lol. Battle themes + metal = Pure insanity

[Einherjar]

I agree with what has already been said about Mr. Uematsu. Certainly, his earlier works can compete with the best that Mr. Iwadare or Mr. Mitsuda have done. His orchestrations in FF: Symphonic Suite are nothing short of brilliant, and I believe that he hit his high point in video game music with Final Fantasy VI, which, to me, is probably my favorite album for a video game.

However, his stuff as of late his really been somewhat lackluster compared to what he has done before. Final Fantasy VII was really hit and miss, with some spectacular pieces (Aerith's Theme, One-Winged Angel, and FFVII Main Theme), and some forgettable (everything else, almost). Final Fantasy VIII was a definite improvement, not only in composition but also sound quality. Some of my favorite pieces of music that he has done are on this soundtrack (Man With the Machine Gun, Liberi Fatali) but to me, it still isn't quite as good as FFIV, V, or VI. I'm probably the only one here who thinks this, but I loved his works for Final Fantasy IX. The battle themes were great, as were all the themes for the characters and whatnot, particularly for Kuja and Freya. Final Fantasy X, to me, was another hit and miss. While I appreciate Mr. Uematsu trying new things, this shows me that he really should stick to what he does best, and not branch out to, say, the gothic tunes of Overworld.

All in my opinion, of course.

[Dash]

He is really big in the whole gaming industry but I think he was a little underrated when he collaborated with another musician in Ah! My Goddess the Movie.

However I like Mr. Uematsu's works very much, and I truly appreciate them. You can't go wrong with Uematsu. Sure, some pieces may sound like, or simliar to previous ones, but to sensitive people, they are different enough to be considered as new. Mainly because they are new, and you know his skill... He knows music. Whatever his music is like, they are very enjoyable and he knows how to express his own world. Also when I listened to his latter pieces I was shocked, and realized he could still kick ass. Anyway, I'm not tired of his amazing style. I could listen to his music on and on. He is still very good and at least he's not underrated by me. He is one of the remaining masters from the old school period.

[MajinBlueDragon]

when he teamed up with Kenji Ito and did the soundtrack to SaGa 2 (Final Fantasy Legend 2, in the US), I personaly found it to be one of his best works (aside from FF6..But I mean, you can't really compare GB sound to that.) There's even an ost (of Game Boy music o_O), wouldn't it be cool if we see him doing the sounds to...oh I don't know, a much anticipated (but likely to never happen) GBA remake of this game? :P

[Anonymous]

He made enough good music in the FF series to last several lifetimes.

Very true. Don't mistake me, he's a great composer in my eyes. He's 3rd on my list. But lately his ideas seem to be...dwindling...Although I am looking forward to recieving my copy of The Black Mages lol. Battle themes + metal = Pure insanity

1. Many classical composers certainly made enough music to last that long, if not moreso.

2. It's more like Battle Themes + Synth Solos + Metal. Want some much better VGM metal? Try the Konami albums... like Dracula Battle. (SlightlyDark.com *hint, hint*)