Sen No Kiseki ~ II - The Decisive Collision / Blue Destination | Reacting To Video Game Music!

[@Naterkix]

"Falcom is... yeah." is a good way to describe them. A seriously underrated company and _super_ underrated music.

[@phamtranhuybao7789]

The only game you need to read the tutorial right before the Final Battle.

[@erukizan]

wait what 😭

[@Phelpssan]

​@@erukizan They're not joking. Without going into spoiler territory, the final stretch of battles from the Cold Steeel 1 introduces a new variation of the combat system, which is then used more regularly in Cold Steel 2-4.

[@ironwoodkid9577]

Maan i'm getting teary eyed just listening to this again. Last time i played the Cold Steel arc was in 2021 and man this series deserves more recognition

[@TheRealMaruki]

Decisive Collision is played for the final boss of CS1 (who you had an emotional connection to), Blue Destination is when you fight them again in CS2 (but with a different context, still kinda the final boss though), and Decisive Collision SAV is played for other bosses in CS3/4. Blue Destination also plays for the actual final boss (you team up with the other guy), and also when you fight the protagonist, when you play as an "enemy" (for an epilogue/intermission).

[@Razor921]

I don't want to spoil too much because the games really are worth playing, but the leitmotif belongs to your "rival" character in Cold Steel 1 and 2, as well as a vocal version of it being the credits theme for CS2. The Decisive Collision plays the first time you fight him properly at the very end of the first game. Blue Destination in contrast plays the last time you fight him in the second game, hence why it has a more tranquil, almost friendly and comforting vibe to it.

[@pletter64]

My reaction upon hearing the theme in CS1 was along the lines of: That's not malicious intent, that's a cry for help.

[@Noki_Kelevra]

Man... that lunch scene on the airship. I'm still sad. Like, I've never seen a series that took such measures to make their antagonists believable and relatable.

[@FuIIDiveVR]

Renny

[@RPGMel710]

so happy to see you finally hear this. as for your impressions: what you mentioned in the first track "i hope this boss is huge." yes. then you said "maybe you're the same size." also yes. this is a very emotional track indeed. i won't say anything more than that. the leitmotif centers more on a specific character. personally my favorite of these 3 is blue destination. it just draws me back in more than the others for whatever reason.

[@WaterparkRanger]

They sometimes play the super arranges in the games. Like here, the Decisive Collison super arrange plays in Cold Steel 3 (or Sen no Kiseki 3, the JP title). That was actually the first Trails game I ever played. When I heard that song, it blew me away. It plays for a very long 'boss rush' there.

[@jorntumrongwit9056]

I think even in CS1 -> 2 they even put in some Super Arrange ones in there (the trial shrine themes). That one blew me away when they first played it.

[@s6laju00]

Decisive Collision is not only the final boss theme of Trails 1, but at this point the game introduces a new massive game mechanic with full tutorial. Just Falcom things.

[@BlueGrovyle]

Cold Steel 1*

[@Cyrus_Bright]

Its basically guaranteed that if you see Unisuga or Jindo anywhere on the composer/arrangement list you're in for a real good time xD Whenever I listen to the original Decisive Collision I always insert the vocals of the ending credits version from CS2. Its just how my brain works lol This was sick, I've never heard the super arrange versions of the Cold Steel tracks before. I gotta say as much as I love the original, the super arrange just strides in and says "hold my aux cord" and adds so many extra layers and completely surpasses the og in terms of energy. Damn man. Yeah this final boss sequence is a very emotional moment for the main character. Two rivals going head to head, and yeah giant robots are involved so it's epic af. Blue Destination being the final showdown between the rivals in Cold Steel 2. Super Arranges are officially remixed versions yes, and most don't play in game BUT they have sprinkled a few here and there. One is used as a boss theme in Cold Steel 4 (it's on your list >;3) and a few are actually used for a radio station in Kuro no Kiseki which was really cool to notice.

[@jorntumrongwit9056]

CS2 I'll remember you never fails to give you the feels with the context

[@Cyrus_Bright]

@@jorntumrongwit9056 the feels man, why are Trails ending songs so good? I still tear up when I hear "Looking up at the Sky" from Sky 3rd. Heck I went so far as to make an edit with the credits and the farewell scenes xD

[@jorntumrongwit9056]

​@@Cyrus_Brightany Trails ending songs are amazing, no doubt cause all the narratives complement them so damn well Man I love Falcom

[@Cyrus_Bright]

@@jorntumrongwit9056 so do I man... I really need to play their other series too. Just recently bought all the Ys games I was missing and Tokyo Xanadu. I've played Ys 8 and Celceta but that's it. Just gotta find the time to dive in xD

[@araragisenpai4088]

@@Cyrus_Bright Oh you'll have an absolute BLAST with Ys. ToXan is a cool game with some cool tunes, but Ys is just another level both on OST & gameplay fronts.

[@Rysskylt]

What I LOVE about these songs is that the entire series of Sen (Cold Steel) is heavily focused on railways and trains, and these two songs give this solid train vibe of constantly moving forward

[@AstralBraixen]

There's actually a lot of tracks in this series with tons of mixes, some of them get 5+!!! Falcom's Sound Team are crazy. Also the music in this series is SO GOOD with context, like each theme fits the area it plays so well. Falcom has some of the most consistently good soundtracks, it's not just the battle themes getting sent in!!! There's emotional moments that have great music, like the songs "The Will to Protect Until The End", "Under the Moonlight", "Ashen Chronicles" and " Forward, Relentlessly"

[@Biolizard_]

The amount of emotional weight added to the music during the really big moments and story beats in trails games are second to none. The games make you feel all sorts of ways.

[@ualnomis99]

This series of games started with Trails in the Sky (or Sora no Kiseki) and the sky and airships featured heavily in that. Ever since then, there had been many important airships and sky scenes.

[@feiwong3634]

Been a Falcom fan since the Master System days with the very first Ys game, and whenever someone who doesn't videogames ask me something about music from games i just put something from Falcom, mouths open guaranteed.

[@lux9252]

This, Belief (Which I thiiink is on your list¿), Aria Holy Saint, and Atrocious Raid are /the/ highlights of the Super Arrange album, and all 4 are used in Sen No Kiseki IV (Trails of Cold Steel 4 for those of us in the West)

[@LowSkillPlays]

Trails is probably my favorite JRPG series at this point, one of my favorite franchises in gaming. Its a commitment to get into and the community online can be a bit... much. But the games themselves are great, one of the most unique franchises in gaming because its like 11 games with a handful each acting as an "arc" in an ongoing narrative that all take place in the same world. Cold Steel/Sen no Kiseki itself is 4 games. Each "arc" focuses on a specific region and certain characters but theres also things that tie each together. Cold Steel is great iMO my personal favorite of the English-released series. Blue Destination frequently ranks pretty highly for tracks from the series.

[@Etherwinter]

What wins it for me is the setting. It's a setting where just maybe several decades ago they were just beginning to start combustion technology, then all of a sudden orbal energy was discovered which started a technological revolution which pulled the setting abruptly to the 80s-90s within a couple years. Suddenly you have cars and other vehicles, air conditioning, the early workings of the internet and cell phones. And technology is advancing in such a rapid pace that just a few years later, you actually DO have internet, cloud computing, smartphones. Some people are still beholden to old ways, so you still see them using medieval weapons like greatswords and rapiers, alongside other character using shotguns and sniper-rifles. That washing machine you bought two weeks ago is outdated, there's a brand new one with upgraded features on the market. So you have all the people in the world struggling to keep up, the constant arms races between nations, etc. Vehicles coming out with no proper roads or laws, and within a few years they're just readily abundant. It's kind of crazy, and I love it a lot. The second thing I adore about it is how all the games take place in the same continent (though not necessarily the same country), with characters from previous arcs making appearances in later arcs, so you get to see the characters you know and love grow up. This isn't even touching on the stuff like the secret societies, ancient civilizations and technologies, or some of the implications about the world/divinity itself and how insane some of the revelations are.

[@AnimeSimp234]

​@@Etherwinter You just perfectly summed up so many reasons to love this series. And yet, I can think of so much more you didn't even cover at all. Really shows how fantastic this series is.

[@digiopsnyc]

Once I heard the lyrics, I can't help but sing along to that intro in my head. Also you really are hitting the nail on the head with your comments even though you've never played it haha

[@xlRaptoe]

You should know that out of all Falcom Soundteam members Takahiro Unisuga is by far the most skilled and beloved

[@fen6300]

I think Takeshita is more beloved but he worked on a lot less games.

[@araragisenpai4088]

More Falcom greatness, love to see it here Jesse! ♥ What you said is exactly it, just letting yourself be carried away by the tracks is one of it's big points, I often listen to Falcom tracks just doing anything out here

[@jorntumrongwit9056]

I just finished Cold Steel 2 yesterday and man, these songs always hit so hard when it plays. Such a good arc for the Trails series. Not the best, but still amazing

[@Noki_Kelevra]

Trails in general is so underrated it's almost criminal. I've never seen a JRPG series with lore that deep and characters that believable.

[@rizuki7438]

Thats the thing, the amount of lore and charachter are making people feel its a very daunting task to get into the series. But anyway i definitely dont regret my time playing this series during quarrantine

[@raginggodmandalorian]

Decisive Collision and blue destination are literally peak falcom when it comes to trails osts also unisuga is one of the if not THE best composer falcom has ever had and jindo is best wingman also why wasn't I'll remember you in this group of songs

[@jorntumrongwit9056]

Someone should add that to the queue later, that'll be a nice moment for Jesse to look back to this one

[@yukanguis]

yeah I was hoping for I'll remember you as well

[@globmonkey200716102]

The super arrange of decisive collision has been my go-to cardio jam since I played the game.

[@FuIIDiveVR]

After hundreds of hours from Sky all the way here and finally hearing these tracks.. Nothing can come close imo.

[@add8chicken]

Yoo i’m playing trails of cold steel 2 rn so it’s pretty cool seeing you react to this lol

[@postapocalypse0763]

9:30 Given the part of Cold Steel 3 the SAV plays I'd say that's a very apt description

[@Rhovanion85]

It's emotional allright... It's not just a final boss. You know the final boss. You know them well, you loved them in the first game and now you cannot escape to fight them, even if it breaks your heart. The music needed to fit this feeling.

[@JetTheBaron]

Decisive Collision: Fight against your best friend (1st game) Blue Destination: Fight alongside your best friend (2nd game) Decisive Collision SAV: Lead-up bosses in the final dungeon (3rd game)

[@siverwrites]

"Please tell me this boss is massive. Who knows it could be the same size as you" I mean..well lol. If you know you know. Without getting too much into spoiler territory, this isn't your typical traditional final boss and yes definitely emotional.

[@Sioken0725]

So glad my recommendation made it through! I knew when this was going to be done it was probably going to be long but felt all 3 should be heard together. Trails of cold steel 1 is what got me hooked to falcom music and this song when played was a huge turning point in the series. Still blew my mind we had a tutorial here too lol.

[@flik221]

Valimar! The ashen Knight! Good memories. Acknowledged.

[@ztune3945]

Jindo is the one who's really got the moves with his arrangement of 99.9% of Modern Falcom's SAV. One thing that stands out is the inclusion of live instruments like the electric guitar played by Masaru Teramae. Jindo and Teramae are definitely a force to reckon with. Even though Jindo is a freelancer, he really influenced the music of Modern Falcom to this day.

[@liquideeriemusic4691]

i play bass drum guitar and played final fantasy persona ys and legend of heroes too. for me falcom tops on how they put their music on certain scenes. specialy synchronicity what a music for a finale of cold steel very end game feels to it

[@agriviaa]

Decisive Collision, its arranged version, and Blue Destination? Imma edit this comment after watching, let's go! Uncle: 04:55 Me: Holy Sh--- Uncle: 20:00 Me: *Smiles and nod* AFAIK, Cold Steel's SAV is mostly used in later installments, and they slaps. Thank you uncle for reacting and sharing your point of view to these bangers! And also thank you to the requester!

[@jorntumrongwit9056]

Funny how he said this is "mainly happy" then I remember the real final boss of Cold Steel 2 Happycry wheeee

[@agriviaa]

@@jorntumrongwit9056 I keep thinking the happycry part. Falcom made us happy by telling there will be 3rd Cold Steel, but also made us cry because it took damn years to localize.

[@jorntumrongwit9056]

@@agriviaa -kuro- I mean Daybreak 2024 Sure took em a while lul

[@agriviaa]

@@jorntumrongwit9056 Jokes aside, I'll always wait patiently for a new Trails haha

[@spironan]

Soo many questions, all I can say is : play trails to find out

[@Noki_Kelevra]

Take the Windward is my favourite theme out of Sen/Cold Steel 2. Such a mood

[@Etherwinter]

Yeah yeah yeah, more Falcom! So underrated.

[@Memroh]

More Falcom is always a treat!

[@rafaelribeiro3375]

Trailer of sky 2 - Merceless saviour

[@Mrinsecure]

I will only say this: if you decide to play the Trails series, find yourself a spoiler free guide for any given game you play. The Trails games are *notorious* for having missable side quests and items, with numerous points of no return that can permanently lock you out of some of the best gear and some truly fascinating lore.

[@dra6o0n]

It's backwards. Blue Destination plays a few times and the finale being decisive collision at the end. It's multiple clashes in a civil war. "Forward, relentlessly" is the motto.

[@StephenUK]

You definitely need to play the Trails of Cold Steel (Sen no Kiseki) games, all 4 of them. The feelings you were getting were spot on, and the story as a whole across the four games will have you feeling emotional throughout. A fantastic series that deserves a lot more recognition, and probably usurped the Final Fantasy series as my favourite RPG series. Well worth losing 400+ hour in, and the soundtracks are all incredible.

[@ionutalexandru3645]

I am really exited to play cold steel. I am still in sky trilogy atm, just finished SC

[@enji1633]

One of the best series to get into if you're into worldbuilding and continuity of characters between games. I jokingly compare it as the MCU of jrpgs.

[@buttertoast1146]

You gotta play these games

[@Flopdoodle]

Decisive Collisions Arrange version is just absolutely mad. Blows everything Trails did prior out of the water and probably will never be topped, it's insane. The super arrange plays in Cold Steel IV, but is never a part of the original OST if you try to get it from anywhere.

[@Ikaruga815]

falcom music.. so sick!

[@SamuelSamuel-zx9mu]

Please react to "aria of the holy spirit"/trails of cold steel 2 !! You won't regret it, it is absolute stunning.

[@sharadaarun6222]

Crow😭

[@wood1066]

Unfortunately after Cold Steel 2 the music for this series really fell off.

[@agunkorea2995]

Too many binga 💀

[@Tyrbris]

No, it didn't.

[@wood1066]

@@Tyrbris Yes, it did. Even the fanbase agrees with this. Falcom lost some of it's sound team after CS2 and it shows.

[@albundy1485]

@@wood1066 It was a 2 steps fall. The lost of Saki Momiyama after CS2 and after that -even worse - the departure of Takahiru Unisuga after CS4.

[@vaidenkelsier7757]

Hard disagree. :)

[@lexidoe8340]

A surprising amount of instruments are actually live in most in-game Falcom tracks, violins and guitars especially I think.