#SQkawaii Sounds – Final Fantasy – Soundtrack Is Energizing

For those of us who’ve followed Final Fantasy for years, Square Enix releasing remixes or new adaptations of songs from games’ soundtracks is nothing new. Piano covers. Chiptunes. Instrumentals. Rock arrangements. So, so many takes on the “Chocobo Theme.” #SQkawaii Sounds - Final Fantasy - is the latest endeavor, and this time it’s adapting music from every game in a way I can only describe as enthusiastic. Yes, there are sometimes slower pieces here. But in general, it’s a poppy, refreshing, energetic, and bright take on familiar themes. First, what I appreciated going in to #SQkawaii Sounds - Final Fantasy - is that there’s a sense of balance. There isn’t an overwhelming number of tracks from any one game. Four are general staple songs that appear in every entry in some shape or form. In the case of the other 16, there’s a track from all mainline installments. It feels like proper representation, especially since FFXI gets a nod and the company even included FFXVI. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXSaSe1WECg Honestly, another point in #SQkawaii Sounds - Final Fantasy -’s favor is that it doesn’t just pull the most popular or recognizable track from each game for this soundtrack. Instead, you can tell Square Enix put a lot of thought into selecting music that would fit the theme well or sound good with arcade-like or chiptune-esque takes. “The Chase” from FFVII is a fantastic example, as it ended up sounding like something I’d want to listen to while playing Super Hang-On or Daytona USA. “Vamo'alla flamenco” is another that comes to mind. The rhythms still have the “flamenco” and “Spanish” themes at part, but it’s far more synthesized and electronic in this take. It suits it in a way I didn’t expect and became a standout track on the album for me. When it comes to those songs that are defining pieces of memorable Final Fantasy series entries, I found #SQkawaii Sounds - Final Fantasy - makes them song fresh. I mean that both literally and figuratively. Everything about the execution adjusts it. The pacing, the direction, the instrumentation, and even the atmosphere can feel a bit different. “Zanarkand” is more bubbly and energetic, something you wouldn’t expect from the FFX track. Blinded by Light comes across as even more futuristic in this adaptation, and I even got some cyberpunk vibes from the FFXIII song. I always thought “Find the Flame” was one of the best pieces from FFXVI, and this version feels like stepping into a fairy ring as a pastel dawn is turning into the day and you’re all energized, ready to go. Image via Square Enix For reference, here is the full track listing of songs from the #SQkawaii Sounds - Final Fantasy - soundtrack. "Prelude" (Final Fantasy) "Opening Theme" (Final Fantasy) "Castle Cornelia" (Final Fantasy I) "The Rebel Army" (Final Fantasy II) "Chocobo Theme" (Final Fantasy) "Eternal Wind" (Final Fantasy III) "Battle 2" (Final Fantasy IV) "Battle at the Big Bridge" (Final Fantasy V) "Moogles' Theme" (Final Fantasy) "Terra's Theme" (Final Fantasy VI) "The Chase" (Final Fantasy VII) "The Man with the Machine Gun" (Final Fantasy VIII) "Vamo'alla flamenco" (Final Fantasy IX) "Zanarkand" (Final Fantasy X) "Battle Theme" (Final Fantasy XI) "Streets of Rabanastre" (Final Fantasy XII) "Blinded By Light" (Final Fantasy XIII) "Endwalker" (Final Fantasy XIV) "Somnus (Instrumental Version)" (Final Fantasy XV) "Find the Flame" (Final Fantasy XVI) Listening to #SQkawaii Sounds - Final Fantasy - is like hearing incredibly familiar songs from the games’ soundtracks on a sunny, bright day where everything is potentially going right. Given the execution, the actual “feel” of them can vary. Some would feel in place in an arcade, while others might occasionally have an ethereal, outdoor fantasy feel. The energy and approach is great, and it’s a fun listen as a whole or with some of the pieces added to other playlists. The #SQkawaii Sounds - Final Fantasy - soundtrack is available now both digitally and physically. The post #SQkawaii Sounds – Final Fantasy – Soundtrack Is Energizing appeared first on Siliconera.

Apr 4, 2025 - 14:02

#SQkawaii Sounds – Final Fantasy – Soundtrack Is Energizing

For those of us who’ve followed Final Fantasy for years, Square Enix releasing remixes or new adaptations of songs from games’ soundtracks is nothing new. Piano covers. Chiptunes. Instrumentals. Rock arrangements. So, so many takes on the “Chocobo Theme.” #SQkawaii Sounds - Final Fantasy - is the latest endeavor, and this time it’s adapting music from every game in a way I can only describe as enthusiastic. Yes, there are sometimes slower pieces here. But in general, it’s a poppy, refreshing, energetic, and bright take on familiar themes.

First, what I appreciated going in to #SQkawaii Sounds - Final Fantasy - is that there’s a sense of balance. There isn’t an overwhelming number of tracks from any one game. Four are general staple songs that appear in every entry in some shape or form. In the case of the other 16, there’s a track from all mainline installments. It feels like proper representation, especially since FFXI gets a nod and the company even included FFXVI.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXSaSe1WECg

Honestly, another point in #SQkawaii Sounds - Final Fantasy -’s favor is that it doesn’t just pull the most popular or recognizable track from each game for this soundtrack. Instead, you can tell Square Enix put a lot of thought into selecting music that would fit the theme well or sound good with arcade-like or chiptune-esque takes. “The Chase” from FFVII is a fantastic example, as it ended up sounding like something I’d want to listen to while playing Super Hang-On or Daytona USA. “Vamo'alla flamenco” is another that comes to mind. The rhythms still have the “flamenco” and “Spanish” themes at part, but it’s far more synthesized and electronic in this take. It suits it in a way I didn’t expect and became a standout track on the album for me.

When it comes to those songs that are defining pieces of memorable Final Fantasy series entries, I found #SQkawaii Sounds - Final Fantasy - makes them song fresh. I mean that both literally and figuratively. Everything about the execution adjusts it. The pacing, the direction, the instrumentation, and even the atmosphere can feel a bit different. “Zanarkand” is more bubbly and energetic, something you wouldn’t expect from the FFX track. Blinded by Light comes across as even more futuristic in this adaptation, and I even got some cyberpunk vibes from the FFXIII song. I always thought “Find the Flame” was one of the best pieces from FFXVI, and this version feels like stepping into a fairy ring as a pastel dawn is turning into the day and you’re all energized, ready to go.

#SQkawaii Sounds - Final Fantasy - Soundtrack Is Energizing game songs music — Image via Square Enix

For reference, here is the full track listing of songs from the #SQkawaii Sounds - Final Fantasy - soundtrack.

"Prelude" (Final Fantasy)
"Opening Theme" (Final Fantasy)
"Castle Cornelia" (Final Fantasy I)
"The Rebel Army" (Final Fantasy II)
"Chocobo Theme" (Final Fantasy)
"Eternal Wind" (Final Fantasy III)
"Battle 2" (Final Fantasy IV)
"Battle at the Big Bridge" (Final Fantasy V)
"Moogles' Theme" (Final Fantasy)
"Terra's Theme" (Final Fantasy VI)
"The Chase" (Final Fantasy VII)
"The Man with the Machine Gun" (Final Fantasy VIII)
"Vamo'alla flamenco" (Final Fantasy IX)
"Zanarkand" (Final Fantasy X)
"Battle Theme" (Final Fantasy XI)
"Streets of Rabanastre" (Final Fantasy XII)
"Blinded By Light" (Final Fantasy XIII)
"Endwalker" (Final Fantasy XIV)
"Somnus (Instrumental Version)" (Final Fantasy XV)
"Find the Flame" (Final Fantasy XVI)

Listening to #SQkawaii Sounds - Final Fantasy - is like hearing incredibly familiar songs from the games’ soundtracks on a sunny, bright day where everything is potentially going right. Given the execution, the actual “feel” of them can vary. Some would feel in place in an arcade, while others might occasionally have an ethereal, outdoor fantasy feel. The energy and approach is great, and it’s a fun listen as a whole or with some of the pieces added to other playlists.

The #SQkawaii Sounds - Final Fantasy - soundtrack is available now both digitally and physically.

The post #SQkawaii Sounds – Final Fantasy – Soundtrack Is Energizing appeared first on Siliconera.