Track this topic | Email this topic | Print this topic

Aerith's Theme somehow survived the previous champion, Dancing Mad, in the last round, after beating FF3's Boss Battle in the first round. On the other side, Liberi Fatali drubbed Techno de Chocobo in round one and then also helped me to type J-E-N-O-V-A fewer times in the future in round two.

Last time around, Aerith's Theme came in as a #6 seed, meaning it's dropped just a little this time. Still, though, a popular and powerful track for those who are still torn up about Aerith's role in the compilation of Final Fantasy VII, leading with what might be the most recognizable piano phrase in Final Fantasy.

While some websites saw jokes about Final Fantasy VIII go too far over the years, there's one thing that nobody can question about that game: Liberi Fatali is the best-known music that game has. It's got that chorus of voices chanting faux Latin (and then real Latin!), and the angry drums of war beneath soaring fanfare. This is a track made for Distant Worlds, where it's been in rotation for many years. Liberi Fatali won a round last time before falling into the pit of Terra's Theme in round two.

Visit here to view this matchup on the Regalia website or listen to these tracks.

--------------------

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

Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN?

Aerith's Theme has a lot more impact on me than the 'cool' factor of Liberi Fatali and it's chanting and blood-pumping rhythm.
Still, a good bout.

--------------------

Games on the Go
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy: Four Warriors of Light
Baldur's Gate

Too much to play, so little time!

Greg

Liberi Fatali is just really great. Aerith's Theme is a rip offfffffffffff.

Like, I'm not sure how Liberi Fatali has come this far. I was tired of it when I played the game twenty years ago, and I've never really warmed to it since, even as a Distant Worlds track. But yet here I am voting for it. And looking at the bracket, it might even be that I vote for it in the Elite Eight too. How has this happened?!

--------------------

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

Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN?

I'm a bit surprised Aerith's Theme won out over Dancing Mad, but then again Dancing Mad was a bit of an odd champion.

I've always been a huge fan of Liberi Fatali. I've great memories of watching the FFVIII opening cinematic every time I turned the game on to play, and it was one of the first FF pieces I learned on piano. Nostalgia aside, learning to play it on piano actually gave me a greater appreciation of the piece. The way the theme keeps getting revised through modulation, tempo, and syncopation is quite impressive, as is the way it alludes to other pieces in the soundtrack. This allows Liberi Fatali to cover several different emotional valences and merge them, from martial to mysterious, excitement to even - albeit fleeting - moments of tenderness (like at 0:47 and perhaps the first version of its main theme that shows up shortly thereafter).

All in all, a great track. Glad to see it this far in the competition!

--------------------

Currently Playing : Final Fantasy V
Most Recently Beat : Elder Scrolls: Skyrim
Favorite Game : Final Fantasy X

The newest CoNcast is up! Have a listen!

Would likely have voted for Liberi if it was up against Dancing Mad, since the latter is an even more overblown mess than the former, but Aerith's Theme somehow managed to put that one in its place. For that, Aerith gets my props and my vote.

--------------------

Console RPG Cliches

Liberi Fatali is streamed, right? It sounds way better than the usual PS1 synth.

These two tracks are really hard to compare, but I guess I'll just vote Aeris's theme because it feels more like it has a more recognizable musical narrative within the track.

--------------------

Check the "What games are you playing at the moment?" thread for updates on what I've been playing.

You can find me on the Fediverse! I use Mastodon, where I am @[email protected] ( https://sakurajima.moe/@glennmagusharvey )

I love Liberi Fatali, but Aeris' Theme can make me cry on command. Easy vote for me.

--------------------

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