Hello fellow gaming enthusiasts! I’m Nobuo Uematsu, the composer for Fantasian Neo Dimension.
When my good friend Producer Hironobu Sakaguchi reached out to me about working on Fantasian, I had already made up my mind that this would be my swan song—the last full video game soundtrack I’d compose entirely on my own.
Knowing this was my final full soundtrack project, I wanted to pour my heart and soul into it. My workspace, previously a cluttered haven filled with fun distractions, was transformed into what I affectionately called “Fantasian mode.” With the space reset, I devoted myself to months of composing, and I have no regrets. Enjoy Fantasian Neo Dimension, the crowning achievement of my over three-decade-long career in game music composition!
Today, I’d like to walk you through five of my favorite tracks from Fantasian Neo Dimension’s soundtrack.
### 1. Main Theme of Fantasian
Crafting a game’s main theme is always a daunting task. I often approach it with the determination to create the best track I’ve ever made, but this mindset can slow me down. Surprisingly, it’s when I remind myself, “This is what I do best,” that creativity begins to flow. That was definitely the case with Fantasian’s Main Theme.
### 2. Prickle and Clicker’s Theme
Imagine an old and slightly clumsy robot—maybe not the newest model—who speaks in stilted sentences but is charming precisely because of these quirks. That’s the essence I wanted to capture while designing this track. It has an endearing, slightly off-kilter rhythm, don’t you think?
### 3. Shangri-La
This track holds a special place in my heart. It features scat vocalization with that catchy “lan lan~♪” vibe. One day, it would be wonderful to perform a version with full lyrics live.
### 4. God Realm
So, is music only deemed “proper” when it’s melodiously pleasant with harmonized chords played in a serene tone? Does it become “improper” if it boasts a jarring melody over dissonant chords played in a chaotic manner? Having been in the industry for so long, I often ponder over what truly defines “proper music.”
### 5. Kina (Destiny) [featuring Yuria Miyazono]
Sakaguchi writes lyrics astonishingly quickly. Often, after I sent him a melody, I’d get a draft back within a day or two. For this piece, however, his words came first, and I created the melody to fit his lyrics. The process flowed seamlessly, and let me tell you, Yuria Miyazono’s vocals on this track are simply mesmerizing.
Dive into these tracks yourself in-game when Fantasian Neo Dimension hits the PlayStation Store on December 5, 2024.
