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Terra's Theme was a #1 seed and a finalist in 2010, losing narrowly to Dancing Mad. This time, it slipped to a #5 slot, which I think will find it to be one of the more underrated tracks in the competition. It's easy to see why - it's a well-known and beloved theme from one of the series' most beloved games, if not the straight-up most beloved. It's pretty and melancholy, yet driven and hopeful, things that we learn quickly describe Terra herself to a T.

Coming in to what will likely be an uphill battle is Dust to Dust, from the first game in the Final Fantasy XIII series. Like some other tracks from the series that made it in, this is a largely ambient piece with vocals used primarily as an instrument. It plays in Oerba, and reflects the danger and secrecy inherent.

Listen Here!
Terra's Theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6t_uyg_pF8
Dust to Dust: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5HK60dTLgw

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This is difficult for me.

I used to just sit on the Overworld map and listen to Terra's theme, and each rendition of it in the game is amazing. That sense of adventure is second to none, and it's near perfect...

However, Dust to Dust is *also* incredible, and the place you finally hear it is a very impactful part of the game. It's carries a ton of emotional weight and underscores the importance of your journey and the risks involved if you fail, not to mention what it means to Fang and Vanille.

If I remember correctly, this is one of the few areas where the music does not get interrupted by battle music when you enter one, as well, which makes it even sadder. Plus, the monster encounters here are nothing but sad, when you realize who/what you are fighting....

Take my vote, Dust to Dust.

Quote (TheEvilEye @ 9th November 2017 06:56)

However, Dust to Dust is *also* incredible, and the place you finally hear it is a very impactful part of the game. It's carries a ton of emotional weight and underscores the importance of your journey and the risks involved if you fail, not to mention what it means to Fang and Vanille.

If I remember correctly, this is one of the few areas where the music does not get interrupted by battle music when you enter one, as well, which makes it even sadder. Plus, the monster encounters here are nothing but sad, when you realize who/what you are fighting....

Take my vote, Dust to Dust.

It wasn't that difficult for me for the reasons I'm quoting from you here. The entirety of the visit to Oerba was emotionally difficult, and Dust to Dust is a big part of the reason why. I'd forgotten about the fact that it serves as the battle music in that area until you said this, which was a great choice by the production team.

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"To create something great, you need the means to make a lot of really bad crap." - Kevin Kelly

Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN?

Quote (TheEvilEye @ 9th November 2017 12:56)

However, Dust to Dust is *also* incredible, and the place you finally hear it is a very impactful part of the game.  It's carries a ton of emotional weight and underscores the importance of your journey and the risks involved if you fail, not to mention what it means to Fang and Vanille. 

Once again, agreed. Some of the vocal tracks of the FFXIII series are a bit hit or miss for me, but this is a huge, huge, hit.

I tend to think one of the biggest missed opportunities in FFXIII is that there's no heavy emotional reaction from Fang and Vanille once the party reaches Oerba (well at least from Fang, who tends to wear her heart on her sleeve). I understand why they avoided this: the game would leave the impression that these two women are the main characters (as they are central to the ending of the game) which would take away from Lightning's role as the "true heroine". Vanille and Fang are two of my favorite characters in the FFXIII series (Vanille is my favorite FF character overall), so I always feel disappointed by this decision.

"Dust to Dust" helps a bit to remedy that frustration that I have. The fact that it plays uninterrupted through battles really emphasizes the special significance of this place to the player. Oerba is a place of sorrow, a place where the party needs to decide on their goal. And that doesn't just apply to Fang and Vanille, all six party members need to come to terms with what they need to do. This song does a wonderful job of reminding the player of that without any emotionally intense cutscenes from the two Oerbans..

"Terra's Theme" is nice, but to be honest I much prefer the emotion of doubt and confusion in "Awakening". Obviously "Dust to Dust" takes my vote.

This post has been edited by Harlequin on 11th November 2017 16:52

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I say what I wanna say, I play how I wanna play.

I actually consider "Awakening" to be Terra's actual theme, rather than the overworld theme being her theme, despite the naming. And I prefer that rendition of the tune.

Also, while the overworld theme is great, it's not very effectively used in game since it does get interrupted by battles. I remember i90east modified the game to not interrupt it except in battles with five or more enemies...and Harlequin above mentions that its competition here, "plays uninterrupted through battles".

The best part of the overworld theme is the bridge back to the main melody. It sounds a teeny bit like the song "It's a Small World", incidentally.

"Dust to Dust" is something I haven't heard in game, unlike "Terra", but I am really liking that rich pastiche of harmonic colors that go into the chords. Did the same person who wrote this also write "The Gapra Whitewood"? But I like this track's harmonic progressions more than that one's. And unlike that one, this track also has a distinct melody.

Also I admit to liking B minor more than Ab minor. ("Terra" is in Ab minor (or G# minor, same thing).)

I feel the emotional impact of both tracks, but "Dust to Dust" just seems to have a bigger impact on me. As such, my vote goes to it.

This post has been edited by Glenn Magus Harvey on 11th November 2017 21:10

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Quote (Glenn Magus Harvey @ 11th November 2017 21:08)

"Dust to Dust" is something I haven't heard in game, unlike "Terra", but I am really liking that rich pastiche of harmonic colors that go into the chords. Did the same person who wrote this also write "The Gapra Whitewood"?

Masashi Hamauzu composed both themes in the tournament for FFXIII. He composed much of (if not all of) the music for the FFXIII series, and had worked with Uematsu on FFX's soundtrack.

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I say what I wanna say, I play how I wanna play.

I actually like both tracks, but, to even my own surprise, I'll go with Dust to Dust, if only cuz Terra's a bit tired in comparison.

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Console RPG Cliches

Dust To Dust is the track from the entire 13 series that sticks with me the most, I think. Opening the youtube link here gave me goosebumps within seconds. Can't argue with my literal own body sending me in a certain direction.

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Hey, put the cellphone down for a while
In the night there is something wild
Can you hear it breathing?
And hey, put the laptop down for a while
In the night there is something wild
I feel it, it's leaving me

This one was certainly a surprise. A pleasant one, for me, at least.

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"To create something great, you need the means to make a lot of really bad crap." - Kevin Kelly

Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN?