Marluxia Themes Evolution & Compilation

[@FreyRosfield]

Shout-out to Marluxia for having one of the best final bosses themes in gaming history

[@FreyRosfield]

Scythe of Petals on the GBA: wow, my ears hurt Scythe of Petals remake: this is the most beautiful thing I've ever heard

[@chackbro1]

This dude lives rent free in my head partially because of his music

[@wilmer7826]

Lord of the Castle is so incredible.

[@vincentadamsvga]

Despite having played these games on PS2 and DS long before the HD collections and therefore having heard the In Game PS2 originals, I had absolutely no idea that there were updated versions for an OST release. I knew about Lord of the Castle getting updated as part of the HD OST, but not until I was made aware of Revenge Of Chaos sounding different In Game from how it did in the OST through one of your music collection videos did I rediscover these seemingly forgotten PS2 original versions due to the HD collections also replacing them with their 2000s OST release versions as well. It almost makes me wonder if ReCOM's OST wasn't actually finished by the time of release and that some of what we heard In Game were unfinished versions of the tracks with the OST release providing an opportunity to finish the tracks that didn't get enough time. It does seem to be at least partially true seeing as some of the tracks changed in the OST is only adjustments in the volume of some instruments and nothing more. Then again there's also tracks like Forgotten Challenge which seem very in line the digital sounding sequenced music of KHI and II In Game, with its OST revision sounding oddly like a premonition for the HD rearrangements to come years later. I've got nothing to complain about though, as that's more unique variations of KH music to listen to. I quite enjoy listening to OSTs in as much depth as I can get. That especially includes alternative variations such as release dependent, prototype, and other similar kinds of alternatives that can be found for any individual piece of music. Despite having no recollection for these PS2 originals even with my countless hours spent playing those versions of the games, I have this feeling of familiarity, fondness, and nostalgia towards them, almost like how Marluxia's memories finally begin to return after his defeat in KHIII. I guess that means I was a nobody and will be returning to being a somebody soon depending on how similar this comparison is. I think I prefer the PS2 original Graceful Assassin. The organ sounds more sinister in tone than its OST replacement. I'll still give points to the OST version though, as the Another Side half sounds better in it. I usually end up overlooking Scythe of Petals due to favoring the other two more, but every time I do give it a listen I'm reminded that it's just as good as the other two and at least in ReCoM's case certainly feels fitting of its original purpose for being the final phase before Lord of the Castle came in and stole its place, subjecting to being not much more than a middle phase in the process. A good amount of suspense yet still fitting of that graceful title Marluxia has. Lord of the Castle needs no explanation, it's place as one of the series' best tracks has more than proven itself in sound alone. The In Game version sounds a bit poorly mixed, but that lack of focus and overall loud and slightly clashing volume really gives it that final battle kick. Marluxia has always been one of my favorites because of ReCoM, even above fan favorites like Axel. I've grown to really appreciate most of the Organization members equally nowadays though, so it's hard to choose a favorite because of how much there is to like about each of them. Even the weaker ones in terms of screen time like Lexaeus have a good amount of appreciation out of me with what little some of them have. Even with that though, Marluxia is usually still up their towards the top in terms of those I enjoy most, especially once I acquainted myself with his time as Lauriam in the χ saga. I hope that all of the Organization members, excluding any and all forms of Xehanort since his story is over, don't get thrown to the side and become permanently locked into the position of background characters like what happened with Dilan and Aeleus in KHIII. As far as I'm aware that had to do with one or both of their Japanese voice actors passing away, and if that's the cause of a momentary reprieve, then that's perfectly justified. Obviously some will remain more important than others, like Roxas, Axel, and Xion, and Xigbar/Braig reviving his identity as Luxu. But even then I hope each remaining member at least serves some worthwhile role in the Lost Master Arc following all of them finally being out Xehanort's grasp and able to return to or finally start having normal lives again. It's kind of amusing that Marluxia is the only Organization member to match Xemnas in number of final boss battle themes. Graceful Assassin, Scythe of Petals, and Lord of the Castle for Marluxia. Disappeared, A Fight to the Death, and Darkness of the Unknown for Xemnas. Yeah there's Xemnas' DDD track and depending on how technical you get all the other Xehanort's' stuff, but L'Oscurità dell'Ignoto is both a remix/rearrangent of and translates to Darkness of the Unknown, so it's more a revised previous track than a unique new one. I guess that just goes to show that Marluxia might have actually been competent enough at trying to overthrow the Organization if Sora didn't get in his way that he might have actually put a pretty even fight with Xemnas. I mean surely if he can summon multiple of one of the most powerful lesser Nobodies in the likeness of a lingering presence of his dead sister that he doesn't even remember at the time of manifesting them and being able to use the same determination to resist death after what should be multiple fatal rounds of battle under normal circumstances uselessly reserved only for some form of Xehanort, then he would very likely put up a very good fight when not forcibly challenged against an undefeatable plot armored main character protagonist boy multiple times back to back. That could make for a pretty good alternate timeline concept. Surely if Roxas can get one in the form of Nobody May Cry offering him the chance to continue what he planned to do regardless of the canon of KH, then one where Marluxia does successfully overthrow the Organization and becomes its leader and his traitorous plots actually have an end goal beyond that would be worthwhile to explore one day as well. There's so many interesting alternate timeline ideas that can arise solely from asking the question of "What if this character did this differently?" and going from there. Such as, what if all of the Organization was still in tact and had to be taken down by Sora in KHII? It would come with the question of how the members defeated in CoM are still around by then, or what worlds would they be focused on taking into account some of the members having a prioritized world? And those are fun questions to think about and craft alternate timelines from. This is getting of track and I'm starting to ramble, so I'll leave it there. Marluxia is great and it's cool that he has so many music iterations despite only having 3 battle themes.

[@AverageAlbertX]

These Compilations are great. I wonder which would be next? Between Vanitas or Young Xehanort Also, I feel like at this rate, for the Graceful Assassin, I feel like it's a rare opinion where I think the In Game version is kinda better than the Official OST. Maybe that's my taste, but otherwise, this is just great

[@Isiel42]

I like Lord of the Castle but Scythe of Petals will always be my favorite

[@itsemblem]

goosebumps throughout. i wonder nova, which one if your favorite?

[@NovayonKH]

Lord of the castle ost