Yuzo Koshiro on remastering Etrian Odyssey’s music and having enjoyable with outdated {hardware}

There are few online game composers which might be well-known by title — and even fewer with as eclectic a catalog as Yuzo Koshiro. He’s greatest identified for the enduring soundtracks of the Streets of Rage collection however has labored on every part from Revenge of Shinobi to Ys to ActRaiser. He even wrote the jingles for Smash creator Masahiro Sakurai’s wonderful YouTube movies.

In 2007, Koshiro composed the soundtrack for the dungeon-crawling RPG Etrian Odyssey and has gone on to attain each title within the collection since then. Extra just lately, he’s had an opportunity to revisit that music for the brand new Etrian Odyssey remastered assortment, an expertise he says introduced “a way of nostalgia.”

With the brand new assortment out, I had the possibility to ask Koshiro a number of questions on updating the music, why he posts a lot about outdated {hardware}, and what he nonetheless needs to perform sooner or later. “My intention is to make the most of these expertise to create a brand new fashion of music that individuals have by no means skilled earlier than,” he explains.

What has it been like for you revisiting these tracks so a few years later? Did something stand out to you when relistening to those songs?

At any time when I hearken to the music of the Etrian Odyssey collection now, I really feel a mixture of feelings. There’s a way of nostalgia, remembering the time once I was in a tough psychological state and the problem I confronted to compose the sport music within the late ’90s to the early 2000s. There’s additionally a way of gratitude towards [Etrian Odyssey director Kazuya] Niinou-san, whose ardour and enthusiasm for the undertaking impressed me to beat my issues and provides it my greatest. Listening to those tracks, I can understand the transformation I underwent, from uncertainty to confidence, and it’s a robust reminder of how far I’ve come and the obstacles I’ve overcome.

What did you wish to change or replace for these remasters？

On this remaster, my major position was dealing with the mastering of all of the songs within the trilogy and creating a brand new tune for the sixth stratum’s battle theme in Etrian Odyssey III. As an alternative of utilizing the unique DS music knowledge, we selected to make use of PC-88 sampling sources, which required a variety of cautious work. Mastering is a vital step in music manufacturing — it’s the method of finalizing the music tracks and guaranteeing they sound cohesive and of top quality throughout all platforms and sound programs. Regardless of this being fairly an intricate course of, the end result was price all the trouble, and the sound high quality considerably surpassed that of the unique DS model.

As for the brand new tune, I strived to keep up the unique musical temper that Etrian Odyssey had. The necessity to create a brand new tune arose as a result of the unique DS model didn’t have a devoted battle tune for the sixth stratum and used the identical battle tune because the second half of all of the stratums. Each Atlus and I believed that introducing a brand new tune can be an amazing deal with for the followers.

You could have labored on a variety of totally different video games and franchises over time. What’s it about Etrian Odyssey that stands out as distinctive or attention-grabbing out of your perspective?

Essentially the most engaging facet of the Etrian Odyssey collection, to me, is its sport system, which incorporates distinctive battle mechanics similar to FOEs. The fascinating graphics, just like the intricate dungeons, various characters and lessons, and formidable monsters, additionally vastly contribute to its attraction. And, after all, the FM sound music, which I consider is actually price listening to, performs an integral position within the general attract of the collection.

How would you say your strategy has modified or developed through the time you’ve spent engaged on Etrian Odyssey?

As I discussed earlier, the FM sound music is among the most tasty facets of the Etrian Odyssey collection. Nevertheless, after the fourth installment, I started that includes stay bands and orchestras as a substitute. In contrast to FM sound, creating music with stay bands and orchestras requires totally totally different expertise for composing and recording. So, I needed to learn to successfully function them by way of these productions. Luckily, I had the chance to fulfill and work with unbelievable musicians and recording engineers. With their assist, we have been in a position to create some actually great songs.

Do you’ve gotten a private favourite tune or soundtrack from the collection?

My favourite items are “Molten Caves” from Etrian Odyssey Ⅲ, “Metropolis of Radiant Damage” from Etrian Odyssey IV, and “Battlefield – Activation” from Etrian Odyssey V. 

I’m actually into “Molten Cave”’ due to its complexity and the musical expression, which is harking back to the volcano. I used to be aiming for it to rise above the remainder in its style, so I injected some progressive rock components and trendy beats into it. I’m very pleased with the way it turned out — it’s a standout piece.

“Metropolis of Radiant Damage” was the primary piece that made me notice the attract of stay band recordings. The fantastic thing about the grooves and tones produced by the band within the studio surpassed my unique rating and expectations. It made me wish to proceed utilizing stay recordings for future tasks.

The items from Etrian Odyssey V maintain a particular place in my coronary heart as a result of they have been the primary ones recorded in my very own studio, established in 2013. “Battlefield – Activation,” particularly, was an amazing success when it comes to rating association and the performances by expert musicians. Each instrument within the piece performs so passionately it brings the battles to life.

How would you describe the collection’ sound?

The music of Etrian Odyssey is designed to attract gamers into the world of the sport, creating an immersive expertise that enhances the gameplay and visuals. Every bit conveys a robust sense of place, enhancing the sense of exploration and journey. It covers a variety of musical kinds, from tranquil melodies that seize the serene fantastic thing about the labyrinthine forests to intense battle themes that convey the joys and hazard of fight. The compositions are extremely melodic, making them immediately recognizable and memorable. It stays with the participant lengthy after they’ve completed taking part in.

The primary three installments function FM synthesis music that invokes nostalgia in retro avid gamers, whereas the fourth installment and subsequent collection elevate the expertise with dynamic and emotionally resonant performances by stay bands and orchestras. It elicits a variety of feelings, reflecting the highs and lows of the participant’s journey. From the hopeful strains of the opening themes to the melancholic melodies that underscore poignant moments, the music faucets into the emotional coronary heart of the gaming expertise. The compositions showcase a excessive stage of musical sophistication, with advanced preparations and complicated harmonies that reward repeated listening. Regardless of this complexity, the music stays accessible and fascinating, serving the wants of the sport whereas standing by itself as a compelling physique of labor.

You could have been actually open about your instruments, processes, and philosophy on Twitter. What made you wish to share a lot? What have you ever gotten out of the expertise?

Lots of my longtime followers are concerned about each the musical and technical facets of my work, so I usually share my concepts on these matters by way of Twitter. I significantly get pleasure from discussing items made with FM sound chips. By doing this, I hope to not solely deepen my followers’ technical understanding but in addition to spark curiosity on this fashion of primitive sport music among the many youthful era.

You usually put up about older {hardware} and instruments. What makes these so interesting nonetheless, at the same time as you’ve gotten entry to trendy choices?

The necessity for programming data and expertise in creating retro-style sport music is one thing that vastly appeals to me. I’ve been fascinated by programming since I purchased my first residence pc, the NEC PC-8801. It’s no exaggeration to say that this expertise led me to create my unique sound driver, Mucom88, and compose sport music. Programming an excellent sound driver can allow you to management sound chips in a extra detailed and correct manner, and you’ll create distinctive music you’ve by no means heard in different musical genres. I consider these technical expertise additionally profit trendy music manufacturing processes that use DAWs.

What sorts of tasks are you taking a look at for the long run? Are there belongings you haven’t achieved but however wish to discover?

I’ve created quite a lot of music in lots of genres, together with retro-style songs. My intention is to make the most of these expertise to create a brand new fashion of music that individuals have by no means skilled earlier than. As for the medium that options my compositions, I’m not significantly selective as a result of my hope is for as many individuals as attainable to get pleasure from my work.