Entry 728 - Illusion of Gaia

Style: VGM

Primary Emotions/Themes: Saving the world with the help of a shadow and a big burly dude with a sword

Thoughts: I guess I've been on a little bit of an old school Enix kick here of late. The last few records I've been spinning have been from the depths of my archives, some of the first VGM records I ever got. I have so many fond memories of the early Enix games, but none more so than Illusion of Gaia. 

Illusion of Gaia is an action RPG where you play as a young child who has the ability to change forms into a powerful fighter or a shadowy figure (much later in the game). Different rooms in dungeons require different characters and their abilities. It's one part puzzle game, and one part action, and one part RPG. 

I can't go any further without mentioning the stunning soundtrack to this game. This thing is quite possibly one of my favorite soundtracks on the SNES. There is so much to talk about I fear I don't know where to start. 

I guess I'll have to speak in generalities here, or else this entry would go on forever. This game has so many different emotions and moods, some happy, some sad. Sometimes the party is celebrating, other times they are mourning. Sometimes there is a deep mystery afoot, other times there is a great foe right in front of them. Whatever the situation  Will finds himself in, the music matches it beat for beat, step for step.

Listen to the over-world music and how wonderful the combination of SNES guitar is with SNES whistling. Or the light hearted theme of the village and how it shows the journeys innocent beginnings. Contrast that with the boss theme and its incredible urgency, or the deep sense of the unknown from the mirror world where time stands still. 

The dungeons are their own thing as well. They are dramatic (maybe overly so), and drive the narrative forward in meaningful ways. While most of the dungeons share the same music, there are variations from time to time, just enough to keep me from crying fowl. 

Even just listening to this now and typing up this summary is making me want to go back and start another playthrough of this game. I had so much fun every time I play it, even in my adult years. It's not the best plot in the world, it's certainly not the most complex story either... but that doesn't matter. What matters is that the game is fun to play, and an integral part of that is the music. This game delivers on both fronts nearly flawlessly.

Written March 3rd 2024