Nothing gets me ready for buttoning through endless expository dialog like the music from the opening of Tales of Zestiria.
There are Japanese role-playing games with openings I watch once and then skip, and then there are JRPGs that I turn on just to watch the opening sequence over and over again. Grandia III is a prime example of the latter. And now so is Tales of Zestiria.
That’s one powerful set of ten notes right there. The sort of grouping I’d like to accompany me whenever I enter a room. I’m pretty early on in the game and haven’t met half of the characters appearing in the opening movie, but I am excited to do so. As each face becomes familiar, the opening animated sequence will gain more meaning, my connection to it growing stronger.
I am kind of silly about my video game music.
Though Tales of Zestiria has a pretty massive soundtrack crafted by two of series fans’ most beloved composers—Motoi Sakuraba and Go Shiina—this particular tune is the work of Japanese rock act Superfly. Titled “White Light”, the track debuted back in 2014 with the Japanese release of the game, and was also included on the band’s fifth studio album, White.
Here’s the band’s video for the full version of the song.
I’ve already purchased the track and placed it on my music listening device, so if you see me driving down the road at irresponsible speeds with one white-gloved hand raised outside of my car window, you’ll know why.
Because I have problems.
Contact the author—do you really want to contact this guy?—at fahey@kotaku.com or follow him on Twitter at @bunnyspatial