Opera Singer Listens to Kaine Salvation (Final Fantasy Main Theme Version)| FFXIV

Kaine Salvation is the video that started the channel for me on 2/11/2022. Hard to believe it has been a year. I am so grateful to be here comparing these two amazing themes. And check out the first video ever: • Opera Singer reacts: K...

[@MarcoMeatball]

hilariously my camera hated my face this entire video. Damn blurriness.

[@treyatkinson7564]

Didn't seem blurry to me. Either way, we love listening to your Talking Head, lol. Keep up the amazing work, you deserve the growth this channel has had!

[@topazfrinfey7150]

The camera was crying to how beautiful the songs were.

[@Vinechicken]

the lenses struggle to capture your beauty

[@Laerei]

It's fine but if you are using auto-focus turn that thing off! It can sometimes focus on the darnest of things. The best way is to find the perfect focus manually (or indeed let auto-focus find it and then turn it off) and mark it down on the focus ring on the lenses, if you are using such a camera which has them. So even if you use the camera for something else, you can always get that perfect focus back without much effort.

[@Setsuna012]

I'm honestly surprised you haven't listened to Violet Evergarden yet. The music along with the animation is simply beyond perfection and something you'd enjoy.

[@Krescentwolf]

I love that FF14 Nier's final fight actually happens in an image of the original Drakengard's ending of Tokyo... really brings the entire series full circle. The music of Nier, the enemy from Automata, the stage from Drakengard, along with several other small nods to Drakengard... XD

[@MarcoMeatball]

:)

[@t.k.5088]

I think the hugest nod to Drakengard is the boss' name. She's called "her inflorescence"!

[@larsbohmer6319]

The Raid Series was actually confirmed to be Canon to the Nier Lore by the People behind Nier themself. Which gives it an extra layer of awe to have this connection

[@NibelungJ]

One of my friends called this final boss "a katamari of disasters" and I can't ever unheard it.

[@ninjafoxgamesgeekery]

That first boss fight with the rings, and the the "intonation" of 4 bell notes had me twitching with Drakengard Ending E battle flashbacks. 😆

[@thew00dsman79]

The bells are also used in Drakengard 1’s final boss theme, that song is *even worse* to listen to, because it’s just so anxiety-inducing

[@rezafebriansyah8620]

Yeah, the bells are like ticking time bomb of imminent destruction/collision. Really tension inducing.

[@flygonkerel781]

Doo doo do doo….doo doo do soo.doo do doo doo doo doo doo doo dooooooo

[@flygonkerel781]

PTSD.those bells were haunting and beautiful

[@Dartokenove]

@@rezafebriansyah8620 The worst part is that not only the player can hear the bells, but also the people in the Tokyo

[@ZiriO]

GOSH THE BELLS SENT ME INTO A TERROR WHEN I FIRST HEARD THEM because they appear in Drakengard 1's Ending E, where the protagonist and his dragon companion end up in the skies over Tokyo. The bells are SO haunting, and especially when we'd seen evidence of a red dragon glitch appearing in the game if people hadn't finished a very specific quest, this song came out the gate ready to grab us by the throat and terrorize us. I spent so much of the fight either in tears or in a panic, and the way they wove the theme of the crystal into the melody has been with me ever since. Not to say that the music itself leaves me with that sense of dread, because it doesn't. Kainé's Salvation has been one of my favorite pieces of music since I first heard it in Nier, but hearing it here in FF14 really left a deeper impact, Kainé had been one of my favorite characters, but to hear her theme blended so seamlessly with the Final Fantasy theme had me listening to this piece on loop for months.

[@futanahriadventures]

And here we go again, NierGard wrecking us all. To me, this music is a ride. Original Kaine’s theme was a surprise one, to be sure. Such a gentle and calm personality deeply hiding behind a shadow (heh) mask of rudeness and agressive demeanors. Someone pure yet distorted by prejudice and fear, finding her place once again by Nier and Emil’s side. Kaine’s, in automata, is almost bittersweet. The passing of time, the remembrance of loved ones, and regrets of hardships long forgotten (there is a theory that A2 has fragments of Kaine). Lastly, FFXIV’s raid gives me a sense of a pointless battle. It’s beautiful, yet in vain, almost in a never ending cycle (probably the colorless filter makes my Drakengard 3 bias kick in). But, as everything seems lost, the FF fanfare slowly but surely kicks in, giving us a little bit of hope, in a world dreaded by gloom and pain during our cycle.

[@Nehfarius]

Because this time, we can win. This time, the Watchers picked a fight with a world that can fight back.

[@Soulless261]

Nier is my favorite series of all time and Kaine Salvation puts me to tears every time. Experiencing the Nier raid in FFXIV first-hand was my entire sole reason to start playing the game. Hearing that version of the song without getting spoiled on it made it all worth it, combining the fanfare of FinalFantasy with the gentle singing of Nier was a stroke of genius.

[@WutTheMatt]

Very similar to me! Seeing that there was a Nier raids in FFXIV convinced me to give the game a try.

[@DatedSandwich]

Same here! I had no interest in FFXIV before the NieR crossover was announced. Now FFXIV is one of my favourite games!

[@EyeOfKings]

I've always thought of the song Kaine salvation as one sung to Kaine by her grandmother from the after life. It feels like she's telling her "Even though I'm gone and things are hard right now if you persevere and look forward good times will come, and salvation will come."

[@ericramirez2608]

Kaine has always sounded like someone giving comfort before the end. The bells being an ominous sound and the gentle voice to soothe, but in the end it’s hopeless. The ff version puts a slightly different tone to it by adding weaving the theme into the song. As if to say this time it’s different. This time, there’s hope.

[@Riggs0320]

Emi Evans is a national treasure, I'll never get tired of listening to her voice. Great video as always Marco, can never go wrong with FFXIV or Nier, so the two-for-one is especially great!

[@t.k.5088]

Triggered is definitely the word for this! I don't play ff14, but a friend of mine does and he knows I like the drakenier series, so he sent me this when the nier raid came out. I remember freaking out at the bells and stopping to tell him all about that horrible, horrible boss fight and the meaning behind it. Yoko Taro is definitely a magician when it comes to linking his stories together

[@RipOffProductionsLLC]

While I can "repect" the idea of "we made this or that part of the game horrible on purpose, so that the player will feel the same emotion as the character(s) you play as", I also feel still feel like it's a bad idea... But it is the only way to get THAT reaction out of someone with a mere musical que, so I'll give him credit for that job well done...

[@mikigirl18]

For one, hearing the final fantasy main theme sends shivers up my spine. But it's the fact it's done on the violin that makes it more emotional. For some reason I think of beautiful tragedy when I hear the violin piece. Also the context of the scenery might not be random either. It's obviously "our" present, but everything's so white and empty. The white could be the ash that destroyed civilization. The start of NieR's tragedy.

[@Nick-zz6te]

Never played the original Nier but hearing Kaine’s theme in Replicant remaster/remake, it’s probably one of my favourite Nier songs. Such a beautiful song.

[@tonytu2850]

The original version feels like crying, desperate to ask for help. And for the FFXIV version, it feels like the song is aiming deep within your soul. Thank you Marco for this video.

[@TheIndigoEclipse]

The FF14 version makes me feel sadness. A song of mourning of something lost, nostalgia for times before we can never reclaim. That sinking feeling when you realized things you loved long ago, can never be again.

[@draconian_valley7810]

I still remember when they previewed the bit of Kainé during one of the live letters, stopping it just before the vocals... Happy as I was to know it was there, I wasn't aware of the context. So when the boss transition goes on and the bells go, I get hyped. Then harp picks up, I pick up the melody instantly, and well, it hits. And then the vocals hit. I basically die to the first mechanic, squeeing so much to hear this version, swaying along to the chorus. AND THEN the FF main theme just sweeps in, sweeping me off my feet and I sorta just start blubbing, dying to the next mechanic, naturally. Just a wonderfully personal, emotional experience for me. Thanks for showing that I'm definitely not alone with the emotion and the passion for this piece, this pinnacle of crossovers between two of my most beloved franchises and their magnificent melodies. (At the end, I won the Orchestrion Roll at the end and I don't think I've ever been more happy with a loot drop in my long time playing XIV. Good stuff.)

[@Lrbearclaw]

I remember doing this raid the day it dropped (I did it before doing the new MSQ because I was HYPED as a NieR fan) and loved the entire raid and "predicted" tricks in the fights because I knew them from Automata and Replicant... then got to Her Inflorescence and teared up at the music while being horrified at the concept of the Red Girl turning into an amalgamation of Kainé and Zero (as my mind went to the implications of THAT). I think I was among a precious few who understood EXACTLY what was going on the entire time. And just how close The First came to being undone long before Endwalker.

[@TarossBlackburn]

That crystal theme on violin in a minor key is melancholic enough to just bring a tear to your eye without even knowing why... It feels like it's envoking a feeling of missing something you never knew you lost and never will know what it was.

[@chyguy3776]

God I love this channel. I always loved classical music, but I found myself listening to far more video game music for reasons I couldn’t really find the words to. It was so cathartic to stumble across someone who was bold enough to say that video game music is another form of classical, and illustrate how real the relationship between the two are :) To another year!

[@keiichimorisato98]

To be fair, classical is largely a dead art outside of video games games.

[@ManxoChu]

Hearing this in Replicant, XIV, or Automata will always pulls at my heartstrings in both a subtle and powerful way.

[@RikkuTakanashi]

The original feels… private; personal. Like one person singing to another person. Like one person telling their backstory to another person. The FF14 version feels like the story is being told to a group of people; Of a time past rather the. A personal retelling of the backstory. It sounds sad but also hopeful.

[@F66x]

Sent here from Emi's tweet. Nice work. I always saw the song as Kaine's hidden soft side that showing affection for her friends brings out, and the happy moments she spent with her grandmother. I'd love to see you cover Drakengard 1's soundtrack because there are layers.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Thank you so much!!

[@OrganBlues]

A year ago I found this channel during a react Andy phase but stayed because you're such a engaging personality to watch. I enjoyed your videos last years and I'm certain I will continue to do so especially with all the new games coming out with potentially banger Ost!! Keep being you.

[@alanm5700]

Love your reactions to this music! Thank you for making these. I love seeing you have the same reactions that I do to these tracks!

[@luc1ferous]

Melancholy has a spectrum to it and both of these have me riding both edges of that spectrum. The NieR original version is like a warm embrace after something sad, there is a hope in it that says 'everything is going to be okay'. The FFXIV is more akin to solitary grief tempered by the good memories of someone who has passed. Dropping the FF fanfare into a minor key (at least that's what I think they did) makes it so mournful, so much so that every time I hear it my chest clenches.

[@Adam_Q]

Congrats on the one year mark and here's to many more! I only recently discovered you recently but I already love your content and commentary and it's a pleasure to hear the genuine passion you put into each of your videos

[@LordMembrane]

I have been here since that first video, and I am thankful you created this channel The Final Fantasy Theme is usually a Fanfarre, I first heart id when I finished FFVI (I am old) and here it becomes so different, the violin, alone, yet still a bit cheerful, as if there were some redemption to be found after a profound sadness.

[@TheAfroCam]

Actually, the opening bell chimes are from Drakengard 1's final boss, which Drakengard 3 references and adds to the lore of. I'd absolutely recommend giving the music from Drakengard 1 a look. It's a very surreal, haunting soundtrack.

[@raskalthesoft]

I joined your channel roughly a year ago, and almost every time that I watch one of your videos (this one included) I tear up. Your PASSION and emotions that you show and talk about, your love of music and explaining feeling and not just "energy" of tune. I love seeing your reactions and look forward to every video. Music makes up so much of video games and genuinely can influence how we feel. You said it yourself, this speaks to our souls and we just feel what we feel. Thank you for doing what you do and I will continue to cry with love and passion in my heart about music along with you.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Thank you so much 💓

[@IvoryMadness.]

Recently I watched the endings of NieR for the first time. I was crying, not many games could do that! Both NieR and Final Fantasy are truly special!

[@ValbrandrLeonhardt]

Nier Automata endings, or also Replicant / Gestalt?

[@IvoryMadness.]

@@ValbrandrLeonhardt Nier Replicant v1.22. I already knew the endings of automata before.

[@crimsonfoxonusae4472]

I subscribed to you for the Kaine Salvation reaction you did, and I followed you ever since. I have shared the video a few times to my friends to share why i love the music so much. What a trip I hope I'll be able to see more of you in the coming year!

[@MarcoMeatball]

appreciate you.

[@gregorymanucharyan6283]

I also met your channel through Nier and your well crafted videos made me stay. As someone who doesn’t know a lot about music theory I really appreciate your work and effort.

[@garylai363]

Amazing growth for a year, congratulations! So cool how they wove in the original Final Fantasy theme in there. I'm not a musician but it sounds like it's in a slightly different minor key to give it a more melancholic feel? It sounds a bit dissonant instead of that grand feeling when you start your adventure.

[@asteriastrale]

To another year! Thank you for everything Marco ♥

[@UmeSadakichi]

I’m glad your channel showed up on my feed. Operas and video games, especially JRPG types are my favorite things! And of course game music.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Welcome aboard!

[@Guguse4]

Glad to be here since that Nier video that you did a while back. Always loved Drakenier, and your passion for music gave me a fresh feeling about the song that I loved, thank you and happy for you ! Wish you the best Marco

[@MarcoMeatball]

thank you for being here.

[@treyatkinson7564]

Both are beautiful. The original definitely feels more gentle and introspective, almost more melancholic. I haven't played ff14 (partly because the size of it now is so daunting), but the ff14 version of Kainé seems to tap into a harsher, triumphant, and accepting. The harp and bells are very beautiful instruments, i wish they could get incorporated into game music more often

[@Krescentwolf]

Just a side note. Don't be intimidated by the scope of FF14. It's quite possibly the only MMO i've ever seen that doesn't pressure the player at all, unless you absolutely want it to. You can totally go at your own pace, and even solo most most of the main story. And you get the whole base game (A Realm Reborn) and the first expansion (Heavensward) as a free to play player. Cue the 'Have you heard...' memes.

[@treyatkinson7564]

@Krescentwolf thanks, i plan on getting a new laptop or pc this year, so ill have to check it out then. The ps4 already chugs...

[@mikigirl18]

I absolutely love the bells, and I agree with wanting them in more music.

[@ninjafoxgamesgeekery]

Second what Krescentwolf said. Never feel intimidated by FFXIV's size. It's just a series of cozy books waiting for you to pick them up and read them. There's no need to rush, there's no need to finish quickly. "Read" Final Fantasy XIV at your own pace, when you've got the time. You'll be rewarded with a most amazing journey. You never even need to spend time with the "MMO" element if you don't want to. Just ride the story and, only when you feel like it, explore other things. The XIV community is always there to support your first time experiencing this journey. It's our duty and our responsibility, "for those who walk before may lead those who walk after."

[@gamerkingdom1442]

Haha! Seeing all of your reactions to the musics in that intro was phenomenal! And also, thank you for making these videos! My respect for music has grown so much since I saw your reactions to them! Can’t wait to see what you’ll listen for the next year!

[@gamerkingdom1442]

HOLY SHINY THIS SONG IS UNBELIEVABLE…… 😳

[@jorgeverq89]

Man, I've always looked for someone that had a channel where videogame music is analyzed and appreciated. Glad i FINALLY found it! Suscribed!

[@sephamore]

New viewer here! Just wanted to say that the emotions on your face in this video show just how much joy and love you really have for music, it was a joy to watch you compare these two versions of the theme

[@MarcoMeatball]

Thank you for this beautiful comment

[@ZeddPlay]

I am so glad i found your channel. Since i do not have that many friends that appreciate video game music like i do this is giving me plenty of joy. I know it might sound weird but it feels like i get to share my enjoyment with you even though we are not really interacting. It is very nice

[@MarcoMeatball]

Glad I could help!

[@lipezh8948]

it's so good to watch another nier music, i've been here since 130 subs and watching another nier music video is sucha throwback to the firsts videos

[@MarcoMeatball]

Aw 👀😩

[@lukespetschanel]

I only can say you deserve all the love we throw at you and the sad and funny momment that you share to us so have a good day for the rest of your life marco and you deserve it and nier is my first video that i follow you because of it so you got me there

I found your video by pure chance via a tweet by Emi Evans.. the pure joy in your face when you listen to the music made me sub immediately.

[@MarcoMeatball]

:) thank you Sam

[@Lyander25]

NieR is a game that genuinely made me fall in love with more classical music styles back when I played the original western release on the PS3 a long while back. To this day, I love the soundtrack and listen to it often (might have found your channel through that specific video, cannot recall); though I've since found other compositions that I do prefer to the NieR OST, the level of reverence I have for it because of how it's since changed the trajectory of my musical journey cannot be overstated. May the past year only portend greater things to come.

[@zeroanonymity9736]

I. Hear. A. Sound. That's all I can think of when I see and hear this boss fight. Those ominous words from Drakengard 1's final level's description.

[@requiem8940]

it all comes full circle, keep it up Marco! :)

[@ColdierDark345]

I met you through your videos about NieR music, actually! I decided to stay because I liked the way you analyzed stuff, and here we are! Wish you luck in the times ahead, Marco! Much love

[@Nonnominon]

Just one word really, yes. To every rendition from Nier

[@leonarduskrisna4588]

I didn't know how Prelude could makes it more emotional than before..

[@arthurpicket3505]

Glad to see a return to your roots! This song is very reminiscent of Kaine - Escape, a battle variant of the song that plays in ending E. Both feel triumphant as opposed to the original, though in very different ways in my opinion.

[@lali8719]

A while back I was looking for Genshin Impact soundtracks and stumbled across reaction videos. Eventually I came across your “Rex Incognito” reaction. I became a subscriber right after. I wanted to say thank you for your great videos and I look forward to your future content. 😁 PS. Kaine Salvation any version is simply amazing. ❤

[@lilangelki]

I LOVE this version and fight. How they were able to throw this all together for the end of the nier raids made me go back and play all the games for the first time. I appreciate the whole series so much.

[@Sea-Salt]

The parts using the FF theme give me strong vibes of a waltz, as a sort of last dance which seems fitting considering this is the grand finale of the crossover event. Also loving the stuff you do here, and congrats on hitting this first anniversary!

[@MarcoMeatball]

Thank you!

[@rainichan]

i have a soft spot for games that has music that goes absolutely hard every for every other track but then then last boss music just makes you cry because it's so soft and emotional. one of my fave games does this, and i thought it was the credit roll/final cutscene song before i played, BUT NO! it was the final boss and it was absolutely heartwrenching when i saw it in motion. one giant chef's kiss.

[@Yilue]

Nier and ff are such special series'. Even though I've only played a few ff games they are amazing. And I keep saying this but man its really been an awesome time here Marco. And its already been a fricking year!!!!!

[@BillyBatson89]

I've never played the Nier games but this song was my absolute favorite from this raid series. When it transitioned into the FF theme but in a melancholic way...ooh good chills

[@raviole]

I remember when your channel had around like a 1000-ish subs when you just started reacting to NieR, you've come so far in the past year Marco !! it's been a pleasure being a part of that journey, here's to another year!

[@MarcoMeatball]

You're the best!

[@foxgreygaming4646]

I'm so happy that the algorithm showed me your channel and this video. I adore people who wholeheartedly love videogame music and don't discount it because "it's a videogame" Easiest sub I've ever made in my life. Quick edit: If you are a fan of this song or any of the songs of FFXIV, M. Soken is the man behind all of it and has done amazing things for the music of FFXIV to a point that I don't think the game would have the same impact that it does otherwise.

[@MarcoMeatball]

You have a lot to enjoy on the channel then ;) also thanks a ton.

[@AegisKHAOS]

Whether it be the original, v1.22, or FFIV version, Kaine - Salvation is a beautiful song. The FFIV version is appropriate for the boss fight, and I loved the addition of the FF fanfare theme. Also loved the design of the boss itself.

[@yxranauran6332]

it's so good to see a music channel that focus on video game music. I would love to see you commenting on Kingdom Hearts and Zelda music (my favorite series)

[@d0rmaus494]

New viewer here, seeing someone else react to music the way I do made me so happy. This song makes me tear up, every time, even during the raid which is problematic. It has SO MUCH EMOTION in it. It's almost exhausting, but I love it.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Welcome 🙏

[@Daecoth]

I remember crying my eyes out reminiscent of the previous games... only to get emotional whiplash being sent flying over the edge by the Square Enix building and laughing for 2 minutes straight 🤣

[@sodathejunker]

Chills, every time.

[@Silvist]

Never knew of the term "chaos language" until I watched this video! Love learning new things! For me that also applies to foreign languages I don't understand, but can still enjoy the beauty of the vocals.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Fumbolover]

I cries then a year ago. Well time to cry one more time for Kaine. Ps i wish we could hear your cover on this song :)

[@mr.e3123]

The Nier raids will always be the most terrifying raids of FFXIV for me. because understanding the World of Nier and Knowing what kind of horrors happen to it on a daily basis on an existential level. you dont want Nier anywhere near your existence.

[@austinmartin612]

The composers for Nier and also Yuki Kajiura are masters of chaos language composition. The lyrics aren't there necessarily to be understood but to add that emotion that language brings to something. You may not know what you're hearing, but you know you're feeling something about it; it's one of the reasons that Yuki Kajiura is one of my favorite composers.

[@ForneusThirty]

Man, your reactions never cease to actually make me feel happy. I've mostly watched your vids about Ace Combat music but I like that you always find deep meanings in songs. You look like a nice dude by the way. I'll say too, this ain't no videogame music but you should listen to the tracks "UNICORN" and "MOBILE SUIT" from the anime Gundam Unicorn.

[@MarcoMeatball]

I appreciate that so nuch

[@Apparantly]

I don't know why but I am 100% here for soul crushing renditions of the Final Fantasy theme.

[@HansAlRachid]

Kainé Salcation is one of those songs that consistently make me tear up whenever I hear it, no matter the version, it appears. Hurts every time, what a masterpiece. Same for Song of the Ancients. Didn't even know FFXIV adapted this theme.

[@PianoMatn]

First of all thanks for all the content! I am glad one of your Clips was recommended to me. Now I cant wait to listen to more of your analyses :) Second, for me the harp gives me a more 'angelic/religious/holy/divine' feeling which is something that is mentioned in the NieR-Series a lot. The Endboss of the NieR-Raid (forgot her name) even looks like an angelic, holy, divine being for me. Third, thank you for making me cry during the FF Main Theme. Its such a great song and remembers me of my childhood (I am 32 btw lol xD) and fourth, every Crossover in FFXIV is NOT canon but whatever happend in the NieR-Story IS canon. So we, the WoL, never met any of the crossover characters but 2B, 9S, etc actually did. Greetings from Germany and thanks again for all the great content! (still waiting for "From The Heavens" :P) Fanatiq

[@MarcoMeatball]

Ooo next week

[@jirushi3028]

Lol reading a few comments in here, and it's making me recall that, I think it's because of you that I started to facially and physically express my emotions when I listen to music even in public, instead of keeping it all inside.

[@GimmeTOKYO]

So I had never experienced any of DrakeNieR until I started FFXIV, and it made me want to go back and play NieR Replicant, especially just from the music itself. One of the big differences between the OG and the XIV version are the vocals themselves. Like someone else mentioned, the OG song she sounds like she’s just kind of given up and disheveled. In the FF version, the vocals are almost hopeful, welcoming, even if an end is upon us. Won’t lie though, every time the strings come in with the FF theme I just, burst out sobbing. The juxtaposition of the hopeful theme, played in such a melancholy form against a song that feels at times helpless, sometimes makes me wish music didn’t affect me as much as it does 😅

[@temporalwolf7054]

I realize I'm a bit late to this conversation, but one of the things that really sticks out to me is how boss themes in 14 are so often used to tell the boss' story. To The Edge being Elidibus' story, Wayward Daughter for Yotsuyu, etc. But with this boss there really isn't a character in there, just the twisted visages of others, and so it's that memory that the song draws on. Almost like Kaine is there in spirit somehow cheering you on from the sidelines. Other than that, I find the bells to be *extremely* fascinating in how they're used here. I don't think there's a more emotionally charged narrative device/instrument in any other form of media, so yeah when you first hear the bells, if you know, you KNOW. But that's... also the first time they're *allowed* to fully chime. Like Kaine and/or Zero hears them once and then every time after pulls the violin out to drown them out.

[@josepadron335]

Just wanted to say heard you in the lantern rite festival you did an excellent job man 👍

[@MarcoMeatball]

Hey, thanks!

[@jellan6789]

This is too crazy! I stop playing nier replicant after completing all but the last secret ending about 5 months ago. And 2 days ago something compiled to start playing again and last night I finally completed it. And today you are talking about Kaines theme. That's just crazy, thank you God for this lovely surprise

[@jamfilledjars]

Never once have I played Final Fantasy XIV (though I _have_ wanted to try it for some time now). I digress: the FFXIV boss that accompanies this song (and it's first phase alongside "Possessed By A Disease") absolutely floored me when I first watched it. Not only are the designs of the bosses elegant, yet simplistic and flawed (much like Nier and Nier: Automata), but the attacks are so unorthodox. I mean, hell; I wouldn't have thought about the train tracks as an attack for such an angelic-looking deity of a boss, nor the crumbling buildings. Yet it works so well to contrast the encounter with this being. They aren't what they appear to be, and even the song that accompanies them is of a character whose theme is that of duality (being part replicant, part gestalt/shade). Once again, Nier and all content related to it strikes a resonant chord (pun intended in multiple ways) with me, as well as my love for writing and music.

[@tarkothgaming8383]

Having played Nier Replicant and Nier Automata shortly before these raids came out, this song hit me so hard that I catch myself shedding some tears whenever I do the fight again or even just listen to the song itself. The string section really pulls at my heart... strings *blink*. This is now my default song in Island Sanctuary.

[@iaxacs3801]

I listened to the ff14 version in anticipation for the raids as I played through, now I get train and SE headquarters ptsd along with those other emotions

[@whizxcoffee]

love it

[@zacharymorris4504]

the language and the way it's spoken reminds me alot of Lament from Light of Aidan, both the original and the version of the song used in the Halo:ODST trailer. its meant to sound old and it really does feel like some kind of language that probably was once very commonly used like celtic, gaelic, or old english.

[@MrKanooe]

Ahhhh...it's here...Kainé (Final fantasy) in XIV...I cried, yes, i got shivers when i heard the bells. I litteraly cried when i heard the final fantasy theme played that way. I sighted of relief after seeing the end of that raid series, and the resolution of the entire drakengard/Nier Saga.

[@mateszabo6822]

Its happy to see the effects of music on people it can bring some many "random" people together :)

[@Rixstarian]

I very much loved this video. It was incredibly thought provoking listening to you dwell on the meaning behind this incredibly significant piece of music. Personally, having delved into both relevant franchises... When this raid was released for the very first time, I was in constant awe of it. The symbolic significance of the Tower & the Network being the setting to tell the final leg of the story. & then being utterly blindsided by the fact that, even though advertised as an Automata crossover, the first two bosses & combat themes were for Replicant. Afterwards, the return of the Red Girl, who always carries a threat to Androids & Humans alike, culminating into something completely unique, yet a blend of the philosophies previously present in all the prior DrakeNier titles. Her Inflorescence. We get another link to Drakengard, & it's from 3. But we don't use the faster Kainé (Escape) as the bones of the final song. It's Salvation, blended w/ the Fanfare. When I first heard that transition, a song rooted in blind wonder & hope was almost stifled. I got the image of a flower growing in barren soil. It yearns to live, to thrive, but struggles to, & that's how I feel Yoko Taro wants us to see his views of his warped fairy tales. Unlikely successes where optimism shone through despite crushing reality.

[@MarcoMeatball]

I’m glad you enjoyed it

[@kzorander8577]

This is the song I use to explain what putting a song in minor key does to the mood of it. Damn.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Great point !

[@drinkingproblem8934]

I absolutely love your videos and for a while now I wanted to recommend you an OST that can only be described as: "if music was written in cursive" It's the OST for the game "Deadbolt", made by Chris Christodoulou and Hopoo games

[@MarcoMeatball]

Actually hold that thought

[@RediantWind]

For me, the best composer has always been Howard Shore. His music for the lord of the rings was simply beautiful. But when I heard the music from Nier Automat and then from Replicant, I felt that now for me there are 2 best composers of music from which I heard. I was so imbued with the melodies of Keiichi Okabe that they do not let me go to this day. I am very grateful to these people for what they do. And thank you for your videos!

[@alouetta12]

Honestly, I only played Nier automata, but i discovered Drakengard 3 and i got so curious about the lore as a whole that i practically read almost everything. Since you asked about how this makes me feel, this version of Kaine Salvation makes me feel more hopeful than melancholic, because this time the enemy can be defeated, and the end can be prevented.

[@ninjafoxgamesgeekery]

I love how the Final Fantasy theme used in this can sound so .... sad.

[@OmegaGuess]

I love watching Marco just...not just listen to Music, but EXPERIENCE it. Feel it.

[@RowanWhite1980]

*bells ring* Drakengard players: *thousand yard stare*

[@TheCaliMack]

THE BELLS WILL FOREVER HAUNT ME

[@yarakka]

Nier raid serie in XIV was spark for me to try Automata two years ago.. and boy.. it has been such a roller coaster from that moment.. :D This is not suggestion for video, just great music to listen for: 'Symphonic Suite Final Fantasy - Scene V' (1989, can be found here in yt). Thanks for making this particular video!

[@MarcoMeatball]

Thanks for sharing!

[@cindaflame]

How hard is it to come up with this "Chaos language". Yoko Kanno does it a lot in her music. I don't play video games. The only game I do play is FFXIV, so the Alliance Raid was the first time I had ever heard this song. I think it's beautiful and amazing. Wonderful analysis of this piece.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Emi was given free reign but I’m not sure the timeline

[@sylvastreak]

Fun fact that the building that we get thrown at us is apparently the Creative Unit 3 building!

[@nunocoelho7065]

It's a very good combination of both songs. The final fantasy anthem that to me usually evokes drive and determination to see something through, being slowed down works really well. Just a small remark. The bells aren't from Drakengard 3 but from Drakengard 1 final boss which is also an infamous rythimn boss. If i may be so bold, i would recommend looking into that boss's theme Chaotic Song; it's a song that didn't catch my attention at first but the more i listened to it the more it grew on me, especially when i realized just how it was acheived.

[@angel__king]

The best part of nier music is it portrays emotions perfectly. It’s like listening to a song in Japanese or Spanish or any language you don’t speak. You don’t understand what they’re saying but the sheer emotion behind it let’s you empathize. It perfectly encapsulates music in general. The lyrics mean nothing but they feel like they do

[@iwanttosleep]

When I flew to london to see the NieR orchestral concert hearing Kaine played live utterly destroyed me.

[@HirakiSHIKI]

Don't forget to do the different versions of Song of the Ancients! I remember you mentioning it in a video a while ago.

[@MidnightStriked]

2:05 As a Drakengard 1 fan those bells will always strike fear into me.

[@KenjiShinomori]

I always pictured my own WoL in the middle of a failing fight. Things are looking grim, regardless of how hard they try. All hope seems lost.. Then the FF Section plays. Then a whole massive group of other WoL’s are coming in to offer aid, to help save the day in its bleakest moment, together. Love this song.