I’m a agency believer that the music of Ultimate Fantasy XIV is amongst its greatest promoting factors and also you don’t even must play the sport to understand simply how good it’s. The, frankly genius, Sound Director and Composer Masayoshi Soken is somebody who I’ve countless respect and reward for, however we’ll get into the explanation why later. Till then, within the spirit of celebrating Soken and the FFXIV sound workforce’s work, I’m narrowing down a listing of favorites.

As we await a brand new period of bangers in Dawntrail, let’s have a look at my private prime 10 picks from the MMO’s OSTs to this point, however please keep in mind that this record isn’t exhaustive by any means, and I had a particularly onerous time whittling down my selections to such a small sampling. So, I urge you to set out and uncover your individual favorites — maybe even share a number of with us. Anyway, from orchestral preparations to heavy metallic bangers, right here’s my prime 10 Ultimate Fantasy XIV songs.

[Spoiler warning: This list includes music from just about every era of FFXIV, with a rationale for why it made the cut. Do not proceed if you have not completed Endwalker.]

One of the best FFXIV songs, from A Realm Reborn to Endwalker

10. Gogo’s Theme

Let’s begin this with a little bit throwback to Ultimate Fantasy VI, kicking issues off with Gogo’s Theme. If you happen to’ve by no means taken half within the Masked Carnivale, then firstly, I want I might say the identical but additionally, you’ll possible have by no means come throughout this track in Ultimate Fantasy XIV. 

There’s no different musical association inside FFXIV, or Ultimate Fantasy basically, that evokes a lot wistful nostalgia and rage on the identical time, all throughout the first few bars. Gogo’s Theme is proof that some issues simply stand the take a look at of time, and that is one among them. If it’s not damaged, don’t repair it.

9. Oblivion

Shiva is a degree 50 Primal, and one of many first 8-player trials that you just participate in when enjoying FFXIV. Her theme is technically one among two halves which coincide with the 2 phases of her struggle. Lately, you’re unlikely to come across this theme appropriately heard, because the struggle is normally over far too shortly, however I’ll always remember the primary time I bore witness to it.

8. Scream

Not solely is the musical association of this track an absolute gothic masterpiece on behalf of Soken, the lyrics are such a intestine punch. Listening to the phrases “scream all you want, your Gods can’t hear you” whereas preventing Hemitheos in Pandaemonium: The Sixth Circle actually reminds you that you’re actually by yourself. I imply, let’s face it, that is all in the identical growth we’ve entered first-name informalities with the Gods reference. This track hits onerous and goes even more durable.

7. Devoted to Moonlight

As somebody who typically doesn’t participate in Alliance Raids until I completely need to, I’ll all the time make an exception for Euphrosyne purely for the possibility to belt out the lyrics to Devoted to Moonlight whereas battling Menphina and Dalamud. 

Though that stated, I actually can’t write this with out mentioning that The Primals have launched a model of this that (in my humble opinion) solely serves to enhance it. The video is a masterpiece, as properly, so I’d suggest you go and watch it and determine which model you like.

6. Tomorrow and Tomorrow

Though there have been a variety of songs as a part of the Shadowbringers growth, and plenty of of them are fan favorites, nothing sums up the beloved Model 5.0 and past fairly like Tomorrow and Tomorrow. 

With operatic vocals hammering dwelling lyrics equivalent to “could all the darkish misplaced inside you discover gentle once more”, this observe actually brings collectively all the themes from the whole journey up till this level, punching you within the intestine as you take heed to it with added hindsight. Remembering those that have gone earlier than and transferring ahead of their legacy – it’s a lesson that carries into the true world.

5. A Lengthy Fall

There aren’t many dungeons that I’d willingly run time and time once more purely for his or her soundtrack, however The Twinning is unquestionably the one which springs to thoughts once I strive to think about one. 

This complete dungeon is a pleasure to run, regardless of what number of instances you’ve run it already, purely due to this superb musical association. It pumps me filled with power and makes me wish to struggle all of the more durable, though it additionally makes me wish to dance, which might show problematic. Clearly, I’m not the one one who feels that method, both, as The Twinning has spawned a complete style of FFXIV-related in-jokes.

4. Rise

No different track has introduced collectively gamers of FFXIV fairly like this one, one thing which is just confirmed by this majestic second throughout Tokyo Fan Pageant in January 2024. 

The track was organized to suit the mechanics of Alexander – The Soul of the Creator, a Raid from the Heavensward growth, completely. The mechanic, and the track which accompanies it, has change into a fan favourite through the years and I get goosebumps each time I see an enviornment full of individuals freeze to pay homage to the mechanic. 

I truthfully had a tough time choosing one track from the Alexander Raid sequence, so I’d suggest listening to all of them and discovering your individual favourite!

3. Wayward Daughter

With each Japanese and English lyrics, this track represents Tsukuyomi’s battle inside herself, and its chaotic music association solely serves to mirror that. Natsuko Ishikawa, who wrote the lyrics to this emotional tribute, was additionally the Primary State of affairs author for each Shadowbringers and Endwalker, which explains how the lyrics of Wayward Daughter sum up Tsukuyomi’s story so completely. Solely somebody writing two of probably the most heart-wrenching video games ever might ship a observe like that.  

2. Shut within the Distance

In the course of the improvement of the Endwalker growth, Soken was receiving chemotherapy, and he introduced as such on the 2021 Digital Fan Pageant, fortunately including that his most cancers had entered remission He additionally revealed that he’d hidden his analysis from many of the improvement workforce and had even executed a few of his work from the hospital. If that doesn’t deserve respect, I don’t know what does. 

All issues thought-about, the lyrics of this track, equivalent to “In the dead of night, you’ll not stray. Forge forward until the tip, we pray”, will burrow deep into your coronary heart and stay with you for a really very long time. It’s a message to maintain going, that higher instances will all the time come, and onerous instances are by no means everlasting. Shut within the Distance actually is particular. 

That is my best choice for one motive and one motive alone – it one way or the other manages to characteristic each particular person main track from the Endwalker growth, whereas nonetheless retaining type as one cohesive track. If that isn’t testomony to Soken’s ability in musical association, I don’t know what else to offer you. 

This was the observe that accompanied the complete theatrical trailer for Endwalker and it served as an introduction to the brand new areas, the brand new individuals and the brand new battles we’d be dealing with through the growth. It has by no means failed to offer me goosebumps and I’m undecided it ever will.