Recommended video game music: compelling masterpieces and popular tracks you’ll want to listen to.

The hero sets forthsugiyama kouichi

[15-Minute Endurance] The Hero Sets Forth - Dragon Quest XI (BGM)

This is the field BGM from Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age.

After a gentle introduction, a hopeful brass fanfare brightly proclaims the beginning of the adventure.

The soaring string melody that follows evokes both anticipation for the grand journey ahead and a sense of resolve toward the mission at hand.

You can almost picture the hero pressing forward, step by step across the land.

Included on the album Symphonic Suite “Dragon Quest XI” Echoes of an Elusive Age, released in January 2018.

Glimmers of Lovesugiyama kouichi

[15-Minute Endurance] Dappled Light of Love - Dragon Quest XI (BGM)

If you’ve played Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age, this is a track that will set your heart ablaze.

It’s a masterpiece brimming with the warmth of sun-dappled light, beginning with delicate harp tones before the melody is passed to alto flute, oboe, and then strings—like listening to the story of life itself.

Heard during the moving scenes depicting the World Tree of Life and the bond between the sisters Veronica and Serena, it left a deep impression on many players.

It’s perfect for immersing yourself while reminiscing about the game’s most emotional moments, and just as lovely as music to soothe your daily fatigue.

On the journey: “Final Fantasy VII Piano Collections”Uematsu Nobuo

On the journey

A piece from the game Final Fantasy VII that conjures up the image of a tranquil town encountered along a grand adventure.

Supervised by composer Nobuo Uematsu, it’s included on the classic album Piano Collections FINAL FANTASY VII, released in May 2004.

The serene atmosphere of the original is accentuated in its solo piano arrangement, whose delicate, faintly nostalgic tones sink deep into the heart.

It’s perfect as background music when you want to focus on work or study—the gentle, lyrical melody will calm your mind without disrupting your thoughts.

Why not spend some fulfilling time wrapped in the fleeting peace the story’s characters must have felt?

Age Shinjo & Leon’s ThemeNakanō Yasuhiro, Tanabe Fumio, Umegaki Runa, Motoyama Myungseop

The stage theme for Eiji and Leon in the third Battle Arena Toshinden.

It’s a bold rearrangement of the track from the first game—so much so that I didn’t recognize it at first—delivering a piercing sense of speed, with familiar phrases slipping in between.

The result is astonishingly polished.

There are also phrases that seem to have been composed by Luna Umegaki, who helped create the now highly sought-after soundtrack and the Choro Q series.

An absolute must-listen!

The Dream Never Ends ~Droplets of Time Spilling Away~yōmi

Tales of Phantasia: The Dream Never Ends ~Droplets Spilling from Time~

It’s the main theme of Tales of Phantasia, and in the game it plays with the actual vocalist’s voice during an event in the city of Venezia late in the story.

Back when the Super Famicom was the latest hardware, hearing a human voice singing in a game was a shocking, groundbreaking experience.

The Final MatchSatō Naoyuki

Manager Shinjo lying down #shorts

From the popular baseball game Power Pros series, Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu 8.

This is the track that plays during the so-called final boss battle in the series’ hallmark Success Mode, and together with the quality of this title’s story, it plays a highly memorable role.

Battle 2Ando Masahiro

"Battle 2" Arc the Lad / Clarinet Multi-track Recording

A piece by Masahiro Ando, who also composed for Arc the Lad II.

It’s serious and tragic, building tension while pulling you deeper into the story.

Even within such a grand work, this is a track that especially leaves a strong impression on players.