Track for this page : Final Fantasy VI | “Terra Tripmachine” 
Character Themes
On the subject of theme music, the Final Fantasy series is riddled with them. And I often wonder if they were created out of necessity or just as much thought was placed in them as the main pieces of music that you hear throughout any given Final Fantasy title.
Regardless what the answer is, these theme songs are memorable. A personal favorite of mine is “Tifa’s Theme”, but one that strikes a special chord for me, and is also very similar to Tifa’s Theme, is “Lenna’s Theme” from Final Fantasy V.
I have played through Final Fantasy V only once, and when I take the time to listen to the OST, Lenna’s theme has always stuck out to me. Her character, very much like Aerith’s, is someone who is kind and gentle, but also someone who is not afraid to stick out when it is needed. To sacrifice when it is necessary. This is expressed through her theme with moments of clear melody, almost like someone talking to you. With moments that have a single bell, playing gentle tones, in more subdued moments.
Character Theme’s are one of the musical elements that make Final Fantasy stick out from other games by using music to develop character, and tie parts of the story together. Often the music represents the character’s personality, allowing me to not only connect with the character on a visual and dialogue level, but also on musical level as well.
Theme songs play and integral part in making the gamers experience with any particular game personal and memorable. And battle themes are no exception.
Other Favorite Character Themes
“Tifa’s Theme” – FFVII
“Cid’s Theme” – FFVII
“Freya’s Theme” – FFIX
Battle Themes
As with many other games, Final Fantasy emphasizes great battle music. Many older gamers are instantly brought back to the 8-bit generation when they hear the first Final Fantasy’s random battle theme music. Or, more recent gamers, are immediately brought into the dreams of Final Fantasy VIII when the hear “The Man with the Machine Gun”. Many of which bring feelings of courage and even a sense of duty.
Final Fantasy VIII’s random battle theme song “Don’t Be Afraid” is my personal favorite. It strikes at any possible, annoying, repetition with the upward movement of the trumpets. I love how those rising tones create a feeling of “This is something I must do” to the fight. And with a constant ringing of a triangle in the background, the player is introduced with a small sense of urgency, like the ticking of a clock, which is always necessary for any narrative that wishes to move forward.
Character themes, battle themes, and main theme songs are a small, and important piece of the larger picture that makes these games.
Diversity
Before I started writing this article, I was listing song names that I could remember. Figuring that I would most likely want to write about the songs that left such an impression on me that I would remember their names. And as I looked at the list, and took the time to listen to them again, I never realized how diverse in genre Final Fantasy music is. And thinking about the diverse situations the characters find themselves in, diverse music becomes a necessity for these games to feel unique from the previous game.
From the waltz rhythm of “Waltz for the Moon” to the quiet and mysterious movements in “Find Your Way” in Final Fantasy VIII. Or the “Vamo’ Alla Flamenco” in Final Fantasy IX to Final Fantasy VII’s procession song, “Rufus’ Welcoming Ceremony”. The diversity creates a flavor for the specific game, and adds to the game-play by breaking up the same music of the over-world maps and random battles. Many of these songs are one timers, adding that unique element to the larger picture of each game.
Some Songs that stick out, because they’re Different
“Lunatic Pandora” – FFVIII
“The Dream Oath – Parts I,II,III, and IV” – FFVI
But with each game, there are a few consistent songs. Like a signature on a painting, or a logo of a company, these songs are iconic.