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

There are few online game composers which can be well-known by identify — and even fewer with as eclectic a catalog as Yuzo Koshiro. He’s greatest recognized for the long-lasting soundtracks of the Streets of Rage collection however has labored on all the things from Revenge of Shinobi to Ys to ActRaiser. He even wrote the jingles for Smash creator Masahiro Sakurai’s excellent YouTube videos.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You’ve gotten labored on plenty of totally different video games and franchises over time. What’s it about Etrian Odyssey that stands out as distinctive or fascinating out of your perspective?

Probably the most enticing side of the Etrian Odyssey collection, to me, is its sport system, which incorporates distinctive battle mechanics resembling FOEs. The charming graphics, just like the intricate dungeons, numerous characters and lessons, and formidable monsters, additionally enormously contribute to its attraction. And, after all, the FM sound music, which I consider is definitely value listening to, performs an integral function within the general attract of the collection.

How would you say your method has modified or advanced in the course of the time you’ve spent engaged on Etrian Odyssey?

As I discussed earlier, the FM sound music is among the most engaging points of the Etrian Odyssey collection. Nonetheless, after the fourth installment, I started that includes dwell bands and orchestras as an alternative. In contrast to FM sound, creating music with dwell bands and orchestras requires fully totally different abilities for composing and recording. So, I needed to learn to successfully function them by these productions. Fortuitously, I had the chance to satisfy and work with unbelievable musicians and recording engineers. With their assist, we have been in a position to create some really great songs.

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

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

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

“Metropolis of Radiant Destroy” was the primary piece that made me notice the attract of dwell band recordings. The great thing about the grooves and tones produced by the band within the studio surpassed my authentic rating and expectations. It made me need to proceed utilizing dwell recordings for future tasks.

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

How would you describe the collection’ sound?

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

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

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

A lot of my longtime followers are concerned with each the musical and technical points of my work, so I usually share my concepts on these matters through Twitter. I notably take pleasure in discussing items made with FM sound chips. By doing this, I hope to not solely deepen my followers’ technical understanding but in addition to spark curiosity on this fashion of primitive sport music among the many youthful technology.

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

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

What sorts of tasks are you for the long run? Are there belongings you haven’t executed but however need to discover?

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