Final Fantasy's Prelude is Simply Genius

How Nobuo Uematsu embraced simplicity, and in 30 minutes created one of the most iconic pieces of video game music - Final Fantasy’s Prelude.
Game Score Fanfare is a show that celebrates music in video games, an aspect so overlooked as that's often the point: to work without you even realising it's there. I look at games through the lens of its score, discovering the unique perspective and roles that music can bring.
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LINKS:
Follow me on Twitter: / mittopotahis
Support the channel on Patreon: / gamescorefanfare
The Prelude sheet music used in this video was by deviantArt user xxxplizit.
xxxplizit.deviantart.com/art/...
Footage from FF IX, X, XIII and XIII-2 is from the KZbin channel Shirakko. You gotta check out their gameplay stuff, the quality is exceptional (often 4K!), no watermarks or silly commentary. Just the pure experience. The channel was a life-saver for this video (getting HD PS3 footage is actually really hard!!)
/ shirrako
Thanks to 8-Bit Music Theory for reading over the script and making sure I somewhat sound like I know what I'm talking about.
/ 8bitmusictheory
Interview with Nobuo Uematsu:
"Diggin' in the Carts - The Role of Role Play - Ep 5 - Red Bull Music Academy Presents" from Red Bull Music & Culture
• The Role of Role Play ...
"Interview: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius composer, Noriyasu Agematsu" from GameAxis
gameaxis.com/interviews/interv...
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Music featured in this video. All tracks composed by Nobuo Uematsu, unless otherwise specified:
0:00 - Prelude - Final Fantasy I
0:04 - The Prelude - Final Fantasy V
0:07 - The Prelude - Final Fantasy IX
0:10 - Loop Demo - Final Fantasy XII (Hitoshi Sakimoto & Nobuo Uematsu)
1:29 - The Prelude - Final Fantasy VII
2:30 - The Prelude - Final Fantasy II
2:41 - The Prelude - Final Fantasy IV
3:24 - Prelude ~ Discoveries - Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn (Masayoshi Soken & Nobuo Uematsu)
3:32 - Loop Demo - Final Fantasy XII (Hitoshi Sakimoto & Nobuo Uematsu)
3:44 - Prelude - Final Fantasy X
4:23 - Disquiet - Final Fantasy XV (Yoko Shimomura)
4:32 - The Sunleth Waterscape - Final Fantasy XIII (Masashi Hamauzu)
4:42 - Crystalline Chill - Final Fantasy XV (Yoko Shimomura)
5:15 - Stand By Me - Final Fantasy XV (performed by Florence & The Machine, original song by Ben E. King)
5:37 - Eclipse - Final Fantasy XIII-2 (Mitsuto Suzuki)
5:59 - Anxious Heart - Final Fantasy VII
6:53 - Prelude - Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius (Noriyasu Agematsu & Nobuo Uematsu)
7:11 - Great Voyage - Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius (Noriyasu Agematsu)
7:35 - Secrets in her Eyes - Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius (Noriyasu Agematsu)
7:57 - The Ghostship (Phantom Forest) - Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius (Noriyasu Agematsu)
8:09 - DUEL!! - Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius (Noriyasu Agematsu)
8:20 - Moment of Recall - Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius (Noriyasu Agematsu)
8:56 - Prelude (Remix) - Final Fantasy VII Demo
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Games featured in this video:
0:00 - Final Fantasy: Dawn of Souls (GBA)
0:04 - Final Fantasy IV: The After Years
0:08 - Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles (Gamecube)
0:10 - Final Fantasy XII (PS2)
1:29 - Final Fantasy I (NES)
1:36 - Final Fantasy IV (SNES)
1:38 - Final Fantasy VI (SNES)
1:40 - Final Fantasy VII (PS1)
1:43 - Final Fantasy IX (PS1)
1:46 - Final Fantasy X (PS4 remaster)
2:24 - Final Fantasy II (NES)
3:24 - Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn (PC)
3:33 - Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age (PS4)
3:42 - Final Fantasy X (PS4 remaster)
3:52 - The Legend of Zelda (NES)
3:58 - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo Switch)
4:23 - Final Fantasy XV (PS4)
4:31 - Final Fantasy XIII (PS3)
5:37 - Final Fantasy XIII-2 (PS3)
5:59 - Final Fantasy VII (PS1)
7:04 - Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius (iOS + Android)

[@dolphinboi-playmonsterranc9668]

"Fuck I've only got 10 minutes to write the main theme." *writes a masterpiece*

[@ItsSauIGoodman]

30*

[@ItsSauIGoodman]

My grandma heard the ff12 version of this while I was playing after school one day and said it was one of the prettiest things she had ever heard. So I played it at her funeral and everyone cried, but they had no idea the interaction I had that caused me to play it. RIP Nana

[@CrystalPrelude]

If there is any justice in this world. At my funeral they'll play it for me as well.

[@cerrudmanuel]

I'm not crying you are crying

[@SCRaetz]

I work at a funeral home and I teared up when I read that. Mind you... Every funeral I work is just another day of the week even though it's one of the hardest days for those attending. Also, I find it both warming that you did that and great because people typically use the SAME mainstream songs for every service.

[@CryptoDUush]

Well done sir, take a bow

[@ItsSauIGoodman]

@@SCRaetz oh there was plenty of that going on. Lots of country songs, sarah maclachlan songs, my mom played something herself on the piano and I snuck FF in there.

[@dirtybanana3]

I walked down the aisle at my wedding to ff7 prelude

[@GameScoreFanfare]

ahhh that would've been so beautiful! 😍

[@GameScoreFanfare]

I definitely played Eyes on Me at my wedding.

[@hoshiro.exsharaen]

I want to use FFBE's Prelude at my wedding. So far it's my favorite version. Now convincing my fiancée is another case though, she doesn't think it will fit...

[@dirtybanana3]

Marcellinus Ferdinand Suciadi U gotta compromise..the wedding is for both of you and its a wonderfull time!...sometimes you need to just put your foot down lol...i also walked into my reception to "damn it feels good to be a gangster"...dreams do come true!

[@hoshiro.exsharaen]

dirtybanana3 I haven't discussed it again with her. We are both gamers, but nowadays she's leaning towards K-pop. Maybe now she'll change her mind, but if not then I guess I'll just take whatever she wants for the "opening theme" of our wedding.

[@SotNist]

google search: "song that goes do do do do do do do do" google results: did you mean Final Fantasy Prelude?

[@salimaa9209]

no i meant baby shark.

[@diveventus]

Me when its right:did you just understand me

[@0palheart]

Didn't realize the Prelude was in Sunleth Waterscape til now

[@LegionAdell]

opalhat I personally don't hear it but this isn't the first time I've been made aware that was the intent. Let's you know how flexible this little tune is lol.

[@vincentgraymore]

Me neither. To be honest I have considered the prelude to being a relic of the past since FF X because it is never used as The prelude but I did not consider that it can and would be mixed into other tunes. I did know about FF X having it in stand by me but it still does not feel like the prelude. I want it to be stand-alone every FF game >_

[@floreskyle1]

That Arpeggio thing though... as someone who doesn't understand music as much as you do it really helped me to understand of how to play the Prelude not by memorizing what keys to press but understanding how it flows up and down throughout. And for that you you got a sub!

[@GameScoreFanfare]

Spoiler: I don't really know music stuff either, so I just research as much as I can and then explain it in a way that I would make sense to me. 😄

[@shiro3146]

@@GameScoreFanfare thats why even me who more leaning into gamedevs than music devs(Making?) suddenly knows the importance of a piece music, and also more music theory that can make me more nerdy xD and yeah now im more appreciates FF Music and Minecraft's C418 made Soundtracks

[@seeyouspacesam]

I'm so glad to see someone giving some love to the FFXV soundtrack, it seems like no one ever gives it a chance sometimes. And I never knew Brave Exvius had such a good soundtrack?

[@FuraFaolox]

every FF game, including the mobile games, spin-offs, and non-Uematsu have amazing soundtracks

[@xaby996]

Amazing yea. But they stray

[@ElTomTom87]

What a well produced, enlightening video. Nobuo Uematsu would be proud if he saw this.

[@GameScoreFanfare]

You're so kind!

[@paxcaster]

I was in a creative slump with my own music writing but this just inspired me so much! Simplicity really is key

[@GameScoreFanfare]

Ahhhh I'm so glad pax! Pruning is an important part of the growth process. Hope you get back into the swing of things soon. 🙂

[@ash1rose]

Brave Exvius’ soundtrack is phenomenal. I never even noticed how often the prelude arpeggio was used so thank you for pointing that out. I immediately downloaded that Stand By Me cover the instant I heard it. I’m don’t know if this is accurate, but it sounds like Jenova’s Theme I’m FFVII is a backwards version of the Prelude, like a corruption of it. I’m not in front of a keyboard right now so I can’t test this theory, but I’ve had it for a while.

[@GameScoreFanfare]

Ohhhh, that's super interesting! I get what you're saying, I wonder if it's true? I'm not sure... A cool way of thinking about it, regardless.

[@SimonPiano42]

they have some inverse similarity, but i'm not sure it's intentional. The prelude starts with an upward arpeggio, Jenova with a downwards one. There's a 5-note scale-bound melodic phrase in both, the Prelude's going down the scale (E to A in A minor ending in F major, see 0:20), Jenova's going up (F to C in F minor ending in c minor). But after the beginning, Jenova takes a completely different turn than the prelude, with a frantic bass accompaniment.

[@shadowdragon992001]

well, it seems to follow the whole arpeggio thing hes talking about, but no, it repeats the same 8 note sequence over and over, and always in one motion, from high to low. but it probably helped Nobuo think of it.

[@EdmundHawkins]

having learned to play both, I would say they are different. The possession of a (albeit falling) arpeggio still helps tie Jenova's theme to the audio concept of Final Fantasy, even if it isn't a permutation of the Prelude itself. As Simon Piano points out, the key changes Jenova's arpeggio follows are ordered rather differently than the Prelude, making it seem unlikely to me that it was intentional re-use. The use of arpeggio in music has a tendency to evoke a videogamey feel because of those early-era console music limitations, and I would posit that the use of arpeggio in Jenova's theme evokes this more general mood/nostalgia in addition to its only-falling-never-rising quality adding tension.

[@makexxwar]

That song probably gives me stronger feelings of nostalgia than just about anything else I can think of.

[@thegirlwiththecontroller1164]

Thank you for giving the history of this song as well. That's honestly my favorite part. It was a rushed song, yet it has become iconic and has remained relevant today. Thanks for another video, and hope you have a great rest of your day!

[@GameScoreFanfare]

aww thank you! I am currently in bed ready to go to sleep, but am having too much fun chatting with everyone in the comments!

[@thegirlwiththecontroller1164]

Sometimes I forget the world exists on different time zones. haha. It's only 7:25am here. But have a great tomorrow then! XD Also, I definitely have to check out the music of Brave Exvius after this video.

[@GameScoreFanfare]

You definitely should! I would say about 60% of my intention in making this video was to introduce people to BE, haha.

[@pixelapocrypha]

I remember when my fiance and I booted up Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn for the first time, and it just punches you right in the gut with themes that hearken back to the NES/SNES era(not to mention Nobuo returned to do the soundtrack! Which was feels inducing itself) and then they hit you with the Prelude as the Warriors of Light ride off for a new adventure and I shit you not, we both cried. You're right about the kind of emotional power it has. Even down to its name, Prelude, because it preludes the beginning of a wonderful, if sometimes painful and hard, journey. Great, now I'm crying again. Great video!

[@DarylTalksGames]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one on the Brave Exvius bandwagon... Man that main menu theme hit me so hard the first time I heard it haha. Great work as always Mat!

[@GameScoreFanfare]

IT'S SO DANG GOOD! Moment of Recall gives me heart palpitations.

[@friendbotlu3920]

“Don’t @ me” 😂 Also I feel a bit silly not realizing the prelude’s presence in Anxious Heart, especially since I had listened to it intently awhile back. (Sneaky Uematsu!) And my goodness, I’m definitely going to be giving Brave Exvius’s soundtrack a listen, it sounds beautiful! Great video as always!

[@GameScoreFanfare]

When I realised it in my research (Anxious Heart) I was kind of in disbelief! I looked up some sheet music online just to make sure it was that same pattern!

[@nezkeys79]

I just listened to the FF7 remake prelude and burst into tears. FF7 was never my fave FF but it was my first The power of this simplistic composition is just ridiculous.

[@Middle8]

Another fantastic video, I always end up appreciating video game music so much more by the end. Simply genius.

[@itsnot3]

Wait ur here?

[@KTF0]

I remember my friend playing the arpeggio on guitar in my teens thinking he was playing the FF prelude, then learning it years later in my guitar.

[@serialiv7110]

I have listened to Florence + The Machine's rendition of Stand By Me so many god damn times and I never once noticed Prelude's melody beneath it. Holy shit.

[@c.a.honeycutt5046]

Holy shit, I can't believe I never noticed how often they incorporate it into various themes. That's awesome.

[@stoneroses8818]

FF12 version of the prelude is my fav.. That choir in the background sounds so good

[@LegionAdell]

stoneroses8818 It's downright heavenly. Such an underrated rendition.

[@LilianTheNinkasi]

And the main theme entrance at the end of the menu cinematic... So good!

[@chambeet]

I haven't heard it before, but I'll have to check it out! The FFVII version is my favorite, and the first time I heard it. It's devastating in that game.

[@francescagreetham1804]

Bit late but 100% agree. I remember when the game was just released and playing it for the first time, I just sat there in awe listening to it. The XII version always gives me goosebumps it’s so beautiful.

[@pedrosobral4335]

Finally someone appreciates Brave Exvius' OST. I used to hear Moment of Recall for hours on loop while studying, and it's still that kind of song that gets me hooked whenever I come back to it

[@stagger9660]

Its not only a great tune but its great as being what bridges the titles together. One game to the other. Every game has it and every game tweaks it in its own way, crafting a brand new rendition of each song to give way to another beautiful story within the final fantasy universe.

[@subprogram32]

I have only really seen FFX played, so the greater context of the Prelude I simply did not know until now. But that's a really cool origin story for such a core track of the franchise!

[@robinthrush9672]

You may find the origin of the series' name interesting as well. A franchise with dozens of entries must seem odd to have "final" as a part of the title.

[@Omnishredder]

Robin Thrush it was originally planned as the final fantasy they was going to make, so they put their hearts and souls into the creation of the greatest way to end... And it's evident from that, that the end can herald through a new beginning, and though they say they're not linked in anyway, but I've remarkably discovered that Nier automata has to be part of the 13 saga, even though it is not linked in anyway with final fantasy besides a few Easter eggs, oh yeah, they don't want people to think that stuff because they want people to be able to not only enjoy the games but also get engrossed in the stories portrayed in the games and create a reason why they're connected together

[@c.a.honeycutt5046]

@@Omnishredder That's a myth, guys. They were going to title it "Fighting Fantasy," but settled on "Final" due to trademark issues.

[@Omnishredder]

@@c.a.honeycutt5046 myth? Pfft, says the one calling truth a myth, I did my research, fighting fantasy sounds like a beat em up not RPG, and what proof of this do you even have? Likely stuff from a website full of false information designed to target the gullible, it's a well known fact I'm afraid in the circle of people I've seen document what I've said who do mostly final fantasy news and information

[@c.a.honeycutt5046]

@@Omnishredder People believe what they want to believe, I suppose. But I'm letting you know it's a common myth. Sakaguchi really just wanted the game to be abbreviated FF they like how it sounds in Japanese. Sakaguchi has addressed the myth. He stated Fighting Fantasy was the original idea for a name. He admitted the company was in trouble, but also said it had no impact on the name. He said himself that just about any "F" would have worked. So if what Sakaguchi himself says is not true according to you, well...I'm bound to believe the creator of Final Fantasy before some random who gets upset over being corrected.

[@LieLikesMusic]

Ouh, this gave me goosebumps 👀

[@nincompoopscoop6296]

I so freaking agree about FFBE's soundtrack! I sometimes start up the game and get so caught up in the theme music that I'll sit there forever just listening! Great video!

[@MrWendal]

Well, now I want to play a Final Fantasy again, even though I haven't in years.

[@GameScoreFanfare]

I remember you making a vid asking if you should make a vid on FF7's soundtrack and I still think you should.

[@MrWendal]

When I did some research, the concept behind that video fell apart under testing. It was a flawed hypothesis.

[@Alan_Chapman]

And now I want to play Flashback.

[@david-gouveia]

Totally agree about Brave Exvius, goosebumps, man. Incredible from start to end :)

[@GameScoreFanfare]

I know the game is constantly being updated and I wonder if it's being updated with new music? I have no idea...

[@david-gouveia]

I have no idea either, haven't actually played the game yet... but I've been listening to the soundtrack since it came out. Shocked me how a mobile game could have such a top quality score.

[@GameScoreFanfare]

Yeah, they must've put so much money into it! Guess they would've easily made that back by now though. 😂

[@Jxster-628]

I've been playing FFBE since day 1. I believe they've added new music for season 2 of the game like this (kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnfLp6Kpjc12fqc)

[@thewarrioroflife3450]

Game Score Fanfare Yes, there are more new unreleased soundtracks for Season 2 (even towards the end of Season 1). For some new tracks, Agematsu is doing the same treatment with the FF Main Theme this time. He’s amazingly phenomenal!

[@thorstmixx]

I will forever be chasing the high of absentmindedly playing a final fantasy game and noticing that the prelude has been slipped into the background. The main battle theme from 15 is such a catchy version of it.

[@CoopDVille-rx3hp]

I love this piece of music. It's beautiful and peaceful. It feels like the escalation of contentment within the human brain or something.

[@Elvec1o]

Even if you spell "arpeggiare" in a terrible Italian, I loved this video so much. Thanks!

[@GameScoreFanfare]

I know! 😭 My biggest shame!

[@innocentshoujo]

I really loved the music composed in Brave Exvius, so much that I mostly play it just to listen to the tracks!

[@nickwallette6201]

The entire time watching this video I kept thinking about my favorite version of prelude. Then in the final minute of video, I hear those distinct jazzy tines and the syncopated shaker. YES! I am convinced it was that song on a PS1 compilation demo disc, with a preview of FF7, that got me hooked on RPGs for life.

[@GameScoreFanfare]

I got ya back. 😉

[@jsblack02]

I can’t describe the nostalgic feeling I get when I listen to this song. It’s haunting and warm and yearning all at the same time.

[@Sawngawkuh]

I like the darker arrangement of it for FFIX's Crystal World, giving a sense of finality to Sakaguchi's time with the franchise (before stepping back and getting executive producer credit without being involved much during his last few years) and the classic era. Makes the more poppy FFX variant feel like a very, clever and well timed reimagining of it.

[@narmale]

what really gets me is when in FF7... it both morphs into Prelude... and OoT ... really a one-two in the feels

[@ExplosiveVitality]

I love FFXIII's soundtrack and didn't realize it was in Sunleth Waterscape! Great job! Also, FFXV did get a number of awesome mentions, but my favorite rendition from that game is World of Wonder (even though it was mostly a promo piece)

[@GameScoreFanfare]

I was so close to using World of Wonder as my example for "divine choral performance" but figured I should go with something that actually appears in game.

[@theycallmejodamo]

I loved that Flo cover. Like legit I got goosebumps the first time I heard it and had to stop what I was doing to appreciate it fully

[@Gray963]

This nostalgia trip was downright mystical...

[@ICountFrom0]

My all time favorite version didn't even make your list. I feel sad, and old now. Final Fantasy Legend 2's version. You'll want headphones. Listen to what it's doing. Gameboy has limitations, but the stereo got used to massive effect here. To this day, it's still the one I center back to.

[@viralshark]

You can't rush art, but damn did it work for the prelude!

[@kveemusic]

Pro tip: If you haven't heard the Distant Worlds II version of Prelude, you need to give it a listen! It's heavenly! That and the FFVII version are my favorite renditions, and possibly the most beautiful pieces of music ever in my opinion.

[@GameScoreFanfare]

I definitely have! I've heard it live too, in the Sydney Opera House! It was a transcendental experience.

[@komaytoprime]

Ngl, I thought you were ending the video with the Legend of Dragoon pause theme and I just about cracked up 😂

[@brycevo]

Honestly, this is so iconic

[@redozmasoma]

this is one of those themes that molded my childhood... my favorite version is the one from the Dissidia (2008) Dissidia 012 Duodecim (same tune anyway)

[@lipstickGeneration]

Shouting out Brave Exvius's OST? Very cool. 😎 -Greg

[@enigmaxaero]

I'm happy you touched on XV's pause theme. 😁

[@etinarcadiaego7424]

Now I see every prelude as "Stand by Me" with or without lyrics.

[@RikkuTakanashi]

One thing I like about prelude is it rises and falls like the journey the game takes you on. High happy moments, low sad/angry points, and then the accompaniment serves to further the magical, ethereal, aspects of the series. And when you hear it inserted into pieces, especially battle pieces, it just adds another layer, it adds weight. Prelude epitomizes your journey and hearing that in another piece of music gives that moment a little added significance and reminds you your one journey.

[@dunnono00]

It's such a beautiful piece of music. I'll remember it vividly to my dying day.

[@Miingno]

Just wanted to mention, Soken, the now main composer of FINAL FANTASY XIV also used and is still using the Prelude in many of his compositions. And if he wouldn't still be used in FFXIV, I'd love to hear what he might be whipping out for a new FINAL FANTASY main title. But I agree, the Brave Exvius Soundtrack is really amazing. And the Prelude one of the most memorable melodies of all the FINAL FANTASY games.

[@naenoart]

Brilliant video on this very simple, yet iconic piece of music! The more simple something is, the more versatile it can be, so it doesn't surprise me that it was kept around for 30 years already! If only every creative process only took 30 minutes… x'D Btw, the FF prelude is my alarm clock sound haha, makes it nicer to wake up in the morning…

[@GameScoreFanfare]

Oh man, that would just send me straight back to sleep! It's so relaxing and dreamy to me.

[@naenoart]

Haha, it is relaxing and dreamy, that's why I prefer it over the ear-piercing screech of regular alarm clocks :') It's loud enough the wake me up but relaxing enough to not shock me out of my sleep…

[@GameScoreFanfare]

My biggest problem is that I end up hating any song I set as my alarm! I like sleeping WAY too much, so anything that stops me from sleeping is no good in my books. 😆

[@naenoart]

Ah, I understand, nothing could be done about that, I guess… Haha, I see! Then I'll stop holding you back from sleeping. :'D

[@Poldovico]

It's my alarm too! The only song I used as an alarm that I just can't hate. (Ruined welcome to the jungle for myself...)

[@SilverScarletSpider]

Thank you for writing a video for this song

[@zachariahsmith8257]

In the new Final Fantasy XVI Awakening trailer, you hear 3 versions of the Prelude theme: 1) You hear the 'countermelody' when the game reveals the combat. 2) In the background, you can hear the harp playing the Prelude theme, while the chorus sings "Come follow me. Come follow me. Follow your destiny." 3) And my personal favorite, when the title is revealed, we get a dark and epic version of the Prelude playing.

[@shibbyxoxo]

😍 I'm just loving these videos. Final fantasy is my absolute favorite series. Thank you!

[@onnisconni4365]

This is an amazing video. The prelude melody has stuck in my brain since FF7 and has always resonated so well with me! Great video!

[@ne0space]

Ok, seriously tho. FFBE is a genuinely good game, dispite time being mobile. Just.... Just listen to the Phase 2 Chamber of Arms boss theme. It's amazing. The story is on part with most final fantasy games, but takes it's presentation in a more episodic manner. The developers are awesome people. It's just a good, long-running game. The best part is that it's entirely FTP, and I'm speaking from experience.

[@TheNekoGentleman]

I don't really agree with the developer part (let's say that when they fuck up, they REALLY fuck up, especially on Gumi's side), but I agree with everything else. Pure F2P player here and I do have a full, ready to rumble team. ... Would be perfect if Ayaka came to finally give me a rainbow healer, but I still got Luka :3

[@creatorreda2379]

It's always nice to find a new perspective on game design and this is the first breakdown from a musical perspective where I felt like I fully grasped the concept. Well done.

[@adnanrafiqui8730]

Really loved it, looking forward to more videos from you

[@morgancosseron683]

Crystal World (FFIX) and Seymour's Ambitions from FFX both are incredible too

[@KarasawaL30]

I love that this channel exists. So much game music out there that deserves analyses like this.

[@xxHUNGRY4THETRUTHxx]

Prelude melody originated from ELO's "Can't Gei it Out of My Head." Just check it out. Hell that same rock band had a hit called "Fire on High" wich definitely sounds it could've been written as a final boss battle BGM. Also check that one out.

[@Jeggedcom]

I just found your videos. Love the Final Fantasy-related content. Keep up the great work!

[@guppyhearts]

The prelude its literally the intro of "let love open the door song" mr uematsu took many pieces of songs for inspiration for the final fantasy soundtracks

[@domino_2396]

Came here because of Architect of Games Adam Millard, and since I have no definite background on game music, I chose this because itsvery familiar to me. Because of that, and the quality of this video, you got a new subscriber!

[@nevercold808]

Dude, thank you for this extremely well made and well narrated video. I LOVE this piece of music. From the first time I heard it on the NES, it has been with me. It was what I played when pondering depressing thoughts or emotional baggage. I sincerely appreciate your making this. Subbed!

[@Pumachew]

Late to the party! I was hooked on FF. From the first one that was available in the US. I have had the prelude from FFVI. As my ring tone for years. and I will never change it. Thank you for the memories.

[@poolmillions]

KZbin suggested me this video and I love it, you just earned a sub. Please do more videos.

[@GameScoreFanfare]

Thank you! I certainly plan to. 🙂

[@rosaria715]

i love the prelude, it hit me everytime instantly, because all the feelings coming up you already experienced in others games. And everytime i come up im nearly in tears. So touching Melody ...

[@Gharon]

Listening to that melody is always a prelude for teary eyes for me... i have so many fond memories when it comes to Final Fantasy and that intro.

[@bayuwegamadyasta8294]

What is this feeling you gave me? I felt amazed and satisfied and very nostalgic and all in one undescribable feeling. You deserve a thumb up and another subscriber

[@JayHankEdLyon]

I still think the best version of the prelude is the eerie version used in the final dungeon of FFIX. In the most nostalgic Final Fantasy game, they hold onto that crucial bit of musical nostalgia and make you wait and wait and wait until the very end to hear it, and when you finally do, it's a distorted backtracked version that mirrors the distortion of the Crystal, followed by a new variant that teases a sense of actual progression to the standard melody. So flippin good.

[@jkim760]

This was so enjoyable, thank you.

[@hammyuiop]

Wooo! Another video. Thanks!

[@jdhoushour3041]

it just goes to show time and again how music moves the soul! thank you for the dedication and respect you have for these AWESOME games and the people who worked on them.

[@GameScoreFanfare]

I appreciate it!

[@theouterarrowhead]

Thank you for your work!

[@getsomezs]

good video. thank you for making this. without it, i never would have truly understood the impact that the prelude has had on the entire series.

[@theashenchevalier]

I can't believe that I've only just found this video! It's really well made and your spot on that the Prelude is truly a fantastic piece of music! Nobuo Uematsu is insanely talented without a doubt, but I must agree that FF:BE has an incredible soundtrack!

[@Vickqyttor]

Man, I LOVE the analysis your upload. There's always that one part in which i almost shed a tear due to the familiarity i have with the songs you're highlighting combined with the background you lay for us to look at it under a new perspective. SO GOOD! I simply can't listen to any of Bravely Default's themes without getting a HUGE smile on my face anymore and I'm pretty sure I'll be searching for the harp in every single FF game I play from now on lol Thank you so much for all of your content and please keep it coming

[@GameScoreFanfare]

Pretty sure the Bravely thing is just a result of those themes being the most infectiously happy themes ever!

[@FabioBrachtPlus]

In total agreement with @Vick here. I recently watched some other video trashing Final Fantasy XV for "murdering" the series musical heritage by choosing to use a licensed piece of music for its intro. And I agreed! Now I watched this analysis and I totally get what FFXV was trying to do there, and how successful it actually was in merging the traditional with the unexpected! The grand with the mundane. That moment almost made me shed a tear, and trust me - I'm very very far from being a Final Fantasy fan. But I gotta respect some aspects of the series, and the music is certainly one of them.

[@GameScoreFanfare]

Fabio Bracht I'm glad I could provide that perspective for you. 🙂 Which video is that? I'd be interested in watching it.

[@dtmuffinman]

Outstanding video, as always.

[@BushSniffers]

Excellent video. Thanks!

[@WeskersPlayhouse]

Ive always thought one of the best things about this series is how it has not one but two fantastic themes it can use game after game and neither one gets old

[@clFer777]

I'd say three.. fanfare 😅

[@mr7oclock346]

I've been trying to learn this on my guitar, and this is helpful because it helped me understand the song a bit more.

[@JoseCarranza]

08:56 OH man... You just unlocked a missing part of my childhood memories with that FF8 demo disc prelude remix. So sweet 👌 Love your video man!

[@By_the_gods]

This video makes me so happy. Its a tradition to always listen to the FF prelude in its entirety at the begining of the game

[@kueapel911]

oh man, the sound of my life right there... played through my childhood, my teenage years, and will be on my funeral. I genuinely feels peace in my heart listening to this sound. It works the opposite of alarm for me cause it makes me fell into a peaceful slumber. Tried putting it as an alarm before, ended up making excuse for a sick leave that day from my office.

[@platinumaura039]

Subscribed, I love your analysis. Keep it up!

[@DavetheTurnip]

I'd known about the use of the prelude as one of those pieces of music that defines Final Fantasy, but I had no idea it was snuck into so many other series tracks. I might have to see if I can play this on the keyboard. It seems simple enough ^^ Great video!

[@kylekummer355]

This song brings joy to my heart..I can play it on guitar learning it on piano now, it's been my ringtone for years also... oh the memories

[@TheBeird]

Class content as usual 👌🏻

[@InMaTeofDeath]

the song tickled my spine and made me shiver.....in a good way

[@giorr6477]

I know I'm late with my comment, but I really had to express my love for your videos. I follow you ever since I watched your review of Bravely Second on your previous channel, back then it was amazing to find someone talking seriously about it and yours was one of the best reviews on that game. Anyway, there' another reason for me to write this comment: the need to talk about my love for the amazing rendition of the Prelude in FFXV, in the afterlife wedding cutscene, with that piano adding some extra notes to its end it really hit me hard, and I'm a bit surprised that there aren't a lot of comments about this version. So keep up with the good work Mitto! (And maybe spread the word of the greatness of the FFXV's Prelude, if you havent already :p)

[@jasonsgroovemachine]

Another game that utilizes the same musical motif throughout is Death's Door. That theme shows up all over the soundtrack, and I happen to think it's damned good. Nice to see Brave Exvius getting some love, I haven't played that in a minute, I should do that again.

[@chrislee1901]

Awwwesome!! Man, I loved this! It’s just beautiful how something that was made in less than half -an-hour can have such an everlasting presence within the series. It makes me think about how we overthink things in our lives; that whatever we’re working on must be “Perfect”, that there must be a certain amount of time that must be put in before it becomes “Acceptable”. This video shows that it’s not necessarily the case. Great video :) (hearing "Stand by me" makes me want to try plugging in "the Prelude" into other songs :P shame on me XD)

[@captainkronos]

Thank you for this! The Final Fantasy franchise was the one that gave me my love for games with epic story lines and equally epic music that continues to this day. I started with FF1 and the prelude was even memorable to my 8 year old self, before I even learned anything about music theory. It truly is an amazing and simple piece of music and it's been incredible to see how it has grown with the series over the years.

[@mbn9672]

I love how the first piece you hear from the very first game is utilized in almost all the sequels since ❤️ great video

[@ProfessM]

Good vid about a small but powerful topic. I have a new FF sound track to add to my list to. And you also explained why the one song from 13 I love was stuck in my head.

[@megamage911]

Also, I recently started playing FF14, and the soundtrack in that is great too! Always feels so welcoming when you hear the prelude play on your character select screen :D

[@DaVeganZombie]

Thank you for being able to pick out that Florence and the Machine's cover. So many people missed that and makes me happy to know I am not the only person who was excited to see how it worked the prelude in.

[@ItsSauIGoodman]

That pause screen version in 15 is fucking epic