The 2007 Xbox 360 RPG Blue Dragon is gaining new life with an unofficial PC port, a development that has brought its unusual battle themes to renewed attention. The game, composed by Final Fantasy's Nobuo Uematsu, features battle music described as a jarring, out-of-tune guitar solo with nonsensical lyrics, evoking a sense of relentless energy during gameplay.
This unconventional approach to RPG battle music has inspired a look at other games that embrace similarly unhinged, wacky, or experimental themes for their regular enemy encounters. These tracks often diverge from typical intense boss themes, opting instead for unique instrumentation, unexpected melodies, or even lyrical content.
One such track is "Pepper Steak" from the RPG OFF. The game, which centers on a protagonist "purifying" a world of "blood and meat and plastic" by defeating ghosts, features this infamous theme. "Pepper Steak" is characterized by its unsettling swing, frequent dissonance, and irregular rhythms. The composer for the upcoming remake, Alias Conrad Coldwood, will not be returning, with Toby Fox and Camelia contributing new themes.
Shadow Hearts: Covenant's "Deep in Coma" is another notable example. While the plot of the game is complex and not easily summarized, this battle theme, reportedly used when traveling to Japan, stands out for its sheer unexpectedness as a standard encounter track.
Nintendo's Ring Fit Adventure offers "Fit Battle," a track that, while fitting for a workout game, is praised for its intensity and driving rhythm, leading many to wish for its inclusion on music streaming platforms.
Earthbound, known for its licensing challenges, features "New Age Retro Hippie," which is essentially Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode." The inclusion of this recognizable rock classic in battles against hippies is cited as a wild and memorable choice.
From The World Ends With You, "Transformation," originally a boss theme for the character Minamimoto, enters the regular battle rotation in its third week. The game is recognized for its bold commitment to a rock and pop soundtrack on the Nintendo DS, and this track exemplifies that daring musical approach.
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars presents a different kind of unconventional battle theme with its main track. This song, more akin to music found in a Mario Party minigame or pleasant hold music, has an upbeat quality that makes players want to move, a sentiment echoed by its remix in the remake.
A bonus mention goes to "Kiss of Jealousy" from Live A Live, which shares a similar upbeat, minigame-like feel, also with a notable remix in its own remake.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's "Mime Battle" is included, with the argument that almost any track from the game could fit this list. The note here is the sheer number of mime enemies, each with identical attacks, making their associated music stand out.
Finally, "Chaotic Dance" from Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean is offered as a bonus treat, acknowledged as not strictly a regular battle theme but too "wacky and good" to omit. This track was an immediate association when the Blue Dragon theme was brought up.