SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs - Destination Vacation Edition

Sure, we might be back from our week-long hiatus, but SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs still has its mind on vacation! This installment of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs travels to all sorts of places, from The Himalayas to India, from a limestone cave to Zora's Domain. Such games represented this time around include The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, DuckTales Remastered, and Xenosaga III. As usual, just click on the name of the VGM volume to be transported to its YouTube link. It's the power of the Internet!

v656. DuckTales: Remastered (Multi) - The Himalayas

Jake Kaufman provided his own take on the various classic themes of the NES hit DuckTales. The end result was something very, very good for the ears! Even if you didn't find the new arrangements as endearing as the originals or wanted a more classic experience, you could unlock the 8-bit versions from the NES original.

v657. Sly 2: Band of Thieves (PS2) - India

Sly Cooper and the gang are one of two Sony platforming properties receiving motion pictures coming soon. The other is Ratchet & Clank. That's just random trivia-- onto Sly 2! Sly 2: Band of Thieves featured larger hubs and a more open-world-like execution to them. We liked the formula shown in the original Sly Cooper, but the one used in its various sequels isn't bad either!

v658. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii, GCN) - Zora's Domain

Originally from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Zora's Domain gets a huge upgrade in Twilight Princess. Not only is the area more amazing to marvel at, but the music is absolutely even more soothing than what was in Ocarina of Time. How that's possible is beyond us, as the Ocarina of Time version was already enough to soothe the savage beast, as they say!

v659. Tales of the Abyss (PS2, 3DS) - Meaning of Birth

Phil said in his review of the 3DS version of Tales of the Abyss that the music wasn't particularly memorable save for a few select tracks. One such track is "Meaning of Birth", a symphonic wonder that definitely brings the drama to the game. Although the cast of characters is one of the most obnoxious parties to ever grace a JRPG, at least the battle system was worthwhile, right?

v660. Xenosaga III (PS2) - In a Limestone Cave

We conclude this edition of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs with a relaxing piece. It's played in one of the dungeons of the game, and it's quite low-key. The deep strings heard throughout the piece invoke a feeling of calm, despite the place being full of ravenous monsters ready to take your battle skills up to task.

Review Round-Up - August 2013

Even Alph and Brittany enjoyed a day at
the beach for the last full month of summer.

It was hot and heavy month for SuperPhillip Central! We reviewed nine games total, and had two special review-specific segments. Let's run through the reviews, shall we? It's a monthly tradition, after all. We began with a mini-game compilation from Wario's wicked mind, Game & Wario (7.0). We then loaded up our Walther PPKs only to be disappointed by 007 Legends (4.25). Then we moved onto a pair of games that both got a score of 6.0, Project X Zone and Smash Bowling 3D. Just remember that even though they got the same score, they don't hold the same weight. You can't really fairly compare a crossover strategy game with a bowling title! Next up, Mega Man came charging in with the classic Mega Man 2 (9.5). The Year of Luigi continued with New Super Luigi U, which leaped its way into an 8.5. Mega Man wasn't done afterwards, as he returned for our review of Mega Man 3 (9.5). Our GotM, Pikmin 3, earned itself a tremendous 9.5. Earlier this evening we saw Luke fon Fabre and the gang's game, Tales of the Abyss, get a 7.0. Lastly, we had the return of both SPC Quickies and One-Sentence Reviews!

Next month is sure to continue our reviewing momentum, with reviews of games like BioShock Infinite, Rayman Legends, Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, and many more!

Game & Wario (Wii U) - 7.0
007 Legends (Wii U, PS3, 360, PC) - 4.25
Project X Zone (3DS) - 6.0
Smash Bowling 3D (3DSWare) - 6.0
Mega Man 2 (NES, Wii U VC, 3DS VC) - 9.5
New Super Luigi U (Wii U) - 8.5
Mega Man 3 (NES, Wii U VC, 3DS VC) - 9.5
Pikmin 3 (Wii U) - 9.5
Tales of the Abyss (3DS) - 7.0

SPC Quickies - Volume Twelve
One-Sentence Reviews - Volume Four

And since the weather was so hot,
Luigi and friends went for a swim.

BLTN Reviews: Tales of the Abyss (3DS) Review

BLTN? What does that stand for? Bulletin? No, it stands for Better Late Than Never, as in reviews of games too recent to be retro reviewed and too old to be all-new reviews. Today's subject is Tales of the Abyss for the Nintendo 3DS.

Not abyss-mal, but not great either.

The Tales franchise has mostly held up residence on PlayStation platforms. The latest in the series, Tales of Xillia, has found nice success overseas and a recent release on this side of the Pacific. Still, Nintendo platform owners haven't been completely starved of Tales content. The Wii saw a sequel to one of the most popular Tales entries, Tales of Symphonia, and even saw an exclusive entry in the series with Tales of Graces, though the Wii original never made it out of Japan, but saw a remake on the PlayStation 3 which did. Last year, Nintendo 3DS owners received a port of Tales of the Abyss, a 2005-2006 PlayStation 2 game. Does this port do the original justice? Is it worth a double dip?

Ever since he was kidnapped seven years ago and subsequently lost all of his memories, protagonist Luke fon Fabre, son of the king and queen of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear, is kept under close surveillance, confined to the castle. This isolation has made him a bit of a snotty brat-- okay, he idles on being a snotty brat. One day a mysterious woman breaks into the castle, starting a series of events that takes Luke into the center of a conflict between two kingdoms and ultimately the fate of the world. The story is a mess of gibberish terms that are repeated over and over again, the cast of characters are some of the most obnoxious I've ever had the displeasure of playing as, and starting out, Luke is insufferable with his selfishness.The writers attempt to use his naivete from being isolated and thrust into the world not knowing anything for humor, but these segments just fall flat and aren't funny. Everything else is your standard series of anime conventions wrapped up in a sheet of cliches, whether they be in the main story or through optional skits.

Mieu will test a lot of players' patience.

Speaking of conventions, Tales of the Abyss doesn't stray far from what is expected of a JRPG. You explore towns, dungeons, and the world map as you progress the story. Towns house multiple denizens that will speak their peace, shops are available to load up on gear and items, and inns allow Luke's party to get some much needed R&R. Dungeons possess puzzles to solve, either through normal means or interacting with the environment with the abilities of Mieu, a high-pitched mascot for the game. Enemy encounters in dungeons and the world map do not happen randomly. When a monster comes in contact with Luke, a battle commences. Depending on if Luke's party gets blindsided by having a monster run into Luke on the map from behind, the cast involved in the battle will be shaken up.

Luke at the old fishin' hole.

Every JRPG that is worthwhile possesses an entertaining battle system. After all, if the combat isn't up to par, what is normally the most exciting part of a JRPG, then what is the point of playing it? Thankfully, Tales of the Abyss satisfies with its combat system. Similar to what was seen in Tales of Symphonia, the combat in Tales of the Abyss takes place in real time, with the player taking control of one of the four active party members. One can attack, block, use skills (whether they be offensive or defensive), and utilize a number of commands via calling up a menu. Unlike Symphonia, however, Tales of the Abyss has a free run ability, letting a character run with absolute freedom around the battlefield. Also, Abyss has a much improved camera system that zooms out when party members are apart, showing all of them on screen at the same time.

Guy carves up some enemy fodder.

AD Skills are skills that be equipped and removed at the player's beck and call. These skills are learned as items called Capacity Cores are used. These give Luke and his party statistical upgrades when they gain experience levels. As specific statistics reach high levels, new AD Skills are learned.

In battle, these skills and magic have certain elemental effects that can be used to players' advantage. Using multiple skills and magic of the same element will build power in a circle on the battlefield, known as the Field of Fonons. When charged up, a party member can use a skill that is the exact element of the circle to unleash a powerful attack. Enemies can also use this tactic to their advantage. Powerful attacks don't end there either, as party members and enemies can use Over Limit, nerfing damage and increasing their attack capabilities to surprising and devastating levels. A Mystic Arte, a character's most damaging skill, to turn the tide of battle. Nonetheless, a lot of battles still end up to mindless button-mashing, a common problem for the Tales series that is unresolved with Tales of the Abyss.

Turn the tides of battle with
a well timed attack.

While this game offers many new concepts, a good deal of familiar elements of the Tales series live on in Tales of the Abyss. For instance, after each battle you are given a grade, points that are used during New Game+ to purchase helpful bonuses like double experience and having a party's stats carry over. Characters can also earn titles from engaging in specific events (usually optional) throughout the game. Lastly, players can come across unique recipes through doing some exploring, which allows them to cook food for the party, creating helpful healing items for in and out of battle.

Say "Cheese!"

Tales of the Abyss on the Nintendo 3DS looks about the same as the PlayStation 2 original, and that's not a bad thing at all. Sure, the graphics are a little long in the tooth in some parts, but overall the game looks and runs great. The frame-rate is solid, which couldn't be said of the PS2 game. However, the advertised 3D effect is poorly executed and will can make for some literal headaches. Objects that should be popped out fall to the back, and there's a hefty case of ghosting involved. The voice acting is the same as the PS2 version, which is unfortunate, as the skits (which there are numerous) are still completely lacking voicework. The fact that you can't hit a button to speed them along made me just not engage in them altogether. Meanwhile, the music is actually largely forgettable. Only the battle themes and some of the town themes remain in my memory. It's one of Motoi Sakuraba's weaker, more phoned-in soundtracks.

Some areas are still breathtaking.

As it stands, Tales of the Abyss on the Nintendo 3DS is a tough recommendation to make for those who have already played the PlayStation 2 original. The biggest inclusion and selling point, the stereoscopic 3D, actually makes the game look worse. Still, if you can tolerate the abhorrent cast, anime cliches, and mediocre story, there is a fun RPG with a terrific battle system to be had on a handheld that doesn't have a large number of them yet.

[SPC Says: 7.0/10]

September 2012 Nintendo 3DS Playtime Results

While some consider achievements to be a "must-have" feature of any platform, I am more in the camp that cannot do without some form of activity log. The Wii has this in an imperfect form via the Nintendo Channel, but the Nintendo 3DS elevated this idea with detailed time and play records of every 3DS game and application. It has been five months since out last look at what Nintendo 3DS games the SuperPhillip household has been playing. Let's see how much things have changed!

10) Theatrhythm Final Fantasy (16:54)

To start this look at what we've been playing, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy marches to a beat of its own drummer, probably Nobuo Uematsu, and gave me (my brother won't touch rhythm games) a dose of fun nostalgia. Though nostalgia alone doesn't make a good game. No, the entertaining gameplay - yes, even the grinding - makes for an experience that is quite endearing. Mastering a song is such an awesome feeling, and the track selection with five songs being added as DLC on an almost weekly basis is terrific too. When I last left Theatrhythm, I was grinding for a special color of crystal shard to unlock Sephiroth into my collection of Final Fantasy all-stars. Darn these new games and their forcing me to turn my attention to them rather than games I was enjoying immensely!

9) Tales of the Abyss (17:39)

I generally have trouble getting into RPGs because I just don't have the time to fully invest in them to get to the ending. With new games coming out, meaning new games to review, new articles that need to be posted, and now college in session, time is money. Well, money is money, but you know what I mean. Tales of the Abyss might have an abhorrent story (it's great if you have no taste - just kidding, but I don't care for the story and characters), but its battle system is terrific and its towns and dungeons are fun to explore. Let's face it -- most video game stories are poor, so why should a game driven by cliches and anime aesthetics be any different? The fact of the matter is that the gameplay is something that I like, so when I get the time this holiday season, I will definitely go back to this title! I promise!

8) Swapnote (19:12)

Some people have abandoned Swapnote. "It was fun, but it's too limiting." I can't argue with that, but Nintendo still gets me with the new stationery, and several of my friends still use the application (this is the only non-retail item on this list) on a daily basis. Yes, Nintendo needs to implement an honest to goodness real and traditional messaging system, but Swapnote is an entertaining distraction all the while. Fun fact: I have yet to receive a photo of someone's junk yet. I haven't even seen a drawing of a person's junk as of yet. I hope my 3DS friends aren't reading this article... Nonetheless, Swapnote will most likely continue to slowly grow in playtime minute by minute just like the Activity Log itself.

7) Mario Tennis Open (20:49)

The first of three Mario games on this list of ten titles, and one with an average playtime of 2:36, Mario Tennis Open was a disappointing entry to many. I personally find the online system to be absolutely indefensible. Any game where you lose points for winning is absolutely asinine. Regardless, I really dug earning new gear for my Mii, new costumes from satisfying certain conditions within the game, and grinding for coins in the four (only four?!) mini-games. Mario Tennis Open is as arcade-y a tennis game as you can find. Serious tennis enthusiasts need not apply. While I would prefer a more traditional take on tennis for all further entries, this installment of Mario Tennis gave me plenty of enjoyment on the court.

6) Golden Sun: Dark Dawn (25:01)

The only original Nintendo DS game on this list now is Golden Sun: Dark Dawn. I invested a lot of time into this relatively remarkable RPG. I liked revisiting the world of Weyard, seeing old faces, new challenges, the memorable battle system, clever puzzles, and lovely locales. To put things in perspective, Dark Dawn still holds first place for average play time at 3:34. That means for all 25 hours of playtime with the game, I only played the game seven times! Crazy! How did I even do that with the battery life problems of the original 3DS? Seriously.

5) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (25:33)

Since it's appearance on this list at number one in April of this year, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D has since fallen to fifth. That will definitely happen when one doesn't play it from then until now. And I was doing so well, too. I was on my second playthrough and was about to enter The Bottom of the Well dungeon, a creepy place infested with Keese, Redead, Gilbos, and that disturbing midboss. Nonetheless, I rank Ocarina of Time 3D as my favorite game of all time. I get questioned why I didn't give the game a perfect score then when I originally reviewed it. I must admit that my opinion that the small problems I had with the game and the fact that it was a port affected my review. If I went back and revised it, it would certainly be up there in score (though, 9.5 is nothing to sneeze at) -- ghosting problems notwithstanding.

4) Super Mario 3D Land (27:58)

I just recently got back into a desire to replay Super Mario 3D Land. No doubt New Super Mario Bros. 2 affected my decision and hunger to play this modern classic. I returned to the game and was playing like I had never taken a hiatus. I knew the locations of nearly every Star Medal, I was Tanooki Tailing foes like no other, and I was speed-running levels with relative ease. It was like riding a bike. I might have been rusty at first, but you never forget. Well, perhaps that is a bad analogy as I never learned how to ride a bike. Regardless, I realize that the first eight worlds are just the appetizer to playing the true meal, the special eight worlds where the difficulty jumps quite high.

3) New Super Mario Bros. 2 (36:48)

Speaking of appetizers, time and time again I have mentioned that New Super Mario Bros. 2 was the appetizer to the main course which is New Super Mario Bros. U. I've said it so much that I made a stamp with the exact words written on it. While the lazy argument is to call the game a rehash, an argument that takes as much effort as crapping one's pants during a bout of diarrhea, New Super Mario Bros. 2 shows off anything but lazy ideas with its brilliant level design. Clever Star Coin and hidden exit placement is abundant, requiring the player to explore every nook and cranny of the game's over eighty levels. Constantly are new mechanics being tossed into the level design to surprise and delight players. And before you ask, yes, my older brother and I reached the infamous one million coin threshold, and the reward for it that we both knew we were getting was still disappointing.

2) Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance (41:17)

People have asked me what difficulty I usually select when I try out a game. I can never give them an honest answer because it always depends on the game. For Kingdom Hearts, I knew I wasn't very good at the series's fast and frenetic combat as evident by Birth By Sleep. So I opted to try out Beginner. I had a thumping good time with the game, but my thirst for something more challenging calls on me to try the normal mode, which conveniently my older brother is currently trying to plow his way through. While I beat the game at around 23-25 hours, my brother is having a slower go of things, obviously because of the difficulty increase. I definitely need to try a new data as I never did obtain all of the treasures within the title.

1) Kid Icarus: Uprising (66:35)

And here we are with the number one most played 3DS game out of the 92 titles currently being tracked by our Activity Log. It is none other than Kid Icarus: Uprising. Who knew a game that in April would have the pithy gameplay total of 16:49 would grow up to claim top honors with no contest? Well, probably me because I knew if I could get my brother interested in playing, he'd become hooked. And for a while he was. We both have played a copious amount of hours with the game, running through chapters, completing Treasure Hunt challenges (think achievements but instead of an arbitrary number they give you worthwhile prizes), and duking it out online against humans and AI alike. This is indeed a classic I can return to, and it's one of the more impressive 3DS games on the market today.

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As I stated, it's been a long time since we last looked at what games have been most played on SuperPhillip's 3DS (my friends call me Phil). If you have forgotten (I know I did) the results from the last three occasions of this segment, look no further than these three links:

October 2011
January 2012
April 2012

Comparing and contrasting what games are still there and which ones have been overtaken is quite fun to me!

But what about you? Which 3DS games are your most played? You need not go into detail like I did, but I am interested to know which titles have been inside your 3DS game card slot the longest! Let me know below in the comments section.

Most Overlooked Nintendo 3DS Games - Part Two

With hundreds of games released yearly and with the advent of digital games, there are now more games than ever, and it is so incredibly easy to have your game slip through the cracks and fade into obscurity. The latest edition of the popular Most Overlooked series of articles on SuperPhillip Central delves into five more underrated and overlooked gems on the Nintendo 3DS that failed to generate a high amount of attention, buzz, and/or sales (for Part One, click here). Will this list inspire you to check out a title you might not have been interested in? Let's find out!

Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure

In Rhythm Thief, you play as a young man who by day is Raphael, but by night he is the smooth criminal known as Phantom R (well, technically he can also be Phantom R during the day, but yeah...). Unlike most rhythm games, Rhythm Thief has a full-fledged story mode with an intriguing plot following Raphael's search for his missing father. The quest sends him all over Paris, clamoring for clues, solving puzzles, conversing with NPCs, and yes, participating in some rhythmic affairs. Such games include using the bottom screen to touch one four multicolored sections to have Phantom R strike the correct pose behind a statue, using gyro controls to dodge thrown objects heading your way with the beat of the music, or playing two odes to classic Sega rhythm games, Samba de Amigo and Space Channel 5. Rhythm Thief had the unfortunate luck of releasing in North America to only a select few retail stores, being caught shortly after Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, a much more hyped rhythm game, and being sent out with next to no fanfare by its publisher Sega. In Japan it was the top new title on the week of release which was encouraging, selling over 30,000 units. In Europe, the game completely bombed.

Tales of the Abyss 

This game is anything by abyss-mal, Tales of the Abyss is a port of a late generation PlayStation 2 RPG. However, this version of the game adds 3DS functionality like stereoscopic 3D (though the effect leaves a lot to be desired) and helpful information on the bottom screen. The greatest change to the PS2 version that the 3DS version contains is the reduction of the lengthy loading times the PS2 original possessed. Sure, the story isn't anything exceptional, and the characters -- especially at the start of the game -- can be downright obnoxious, such as the bratty main character Luke, but if you give the gameplay a chance, you will find that the battle system is fast-paced, frenetic, and fun, the world is teeming with interesting places to explore, and the challenge of the game is quite balanced. On a platform that is starving for traditional RPG games, Tales of the Abyss might not be a game tailor made for the 3DS, but it is one that I would like to see even more players warm up to outside of the 70,000+ at launch in Japan, because outside hardcore JRPG fans, Abyss received little buzz. Namco Europe stated it was satisfied with sales, but when it regards JRPGs in the West, having immensely lowered expectations is generally what the M.O. of a lot of publishers really is, especially with how few copies were initially produced of the game.

Crush 3D

Having the ill-conceived idea of making this PSP remake a GameStop exclusive cemented Crush 3D to sales mediocrity. Regardless, this twenty dollar game is certainly worth playing. Crush 3D's main claim to fame is revolving a third-person camera around four views -- north, south, east, and west -- as well as a top-down perspective. While the viewpoint is in one of these five directions, players can perform the namesake maneuver of the game and crush the level. All 3D parts of the level turn into 2D, giving off a 2D platformer-type feeling. Crushing helps in allowing faraway platforms in 3D to be reachable in 2D. Each level requires the player to gather as many marbles as possible in order to open the goal. New variables get added to the gameplay on a consistent basis such as timers, enemies, and obstacles. Thankfully, there are a plethora of checkpoints on harder, longer levels. If you are in the mood for a puzzle-platformer that has a more inviting art style than its PSP counterpart, Crush 3D is a "crush" course on fun.

Cave Story 3D

The original Cave Story was a freeware platforming game similar to Metroid and Castlevania in structure. The game was such a huge success for the developer Nicalis that the company put the game on Nintendo's WiiWare service with a price tag but with more content. With the Nintendo 3DS, Nicalis partnered with Nippon Ichi Software to remake the game with 3D assets on the system. The updated game brought with it new, upgraded visuals, a camera that would zoom in at certain points of the action, and an entirely new level. The problem with Cave Story 3D, despite it being a remarkable rendition of the classic Cave Story game, is that the original could still be downloaded for free while the 3DS remake cost a full retail price of $40 USD. Throw in that a most retailers didn't sell the game in their stores (only online), and you have a game that languished in sales. Whether it deserved to with that price tag is an argument for another day.

Tetris: Axis

Tetris: Axis was one of the final Hudson Soft-developed games created by the company before they were swallowed up by Konami. The game was published by Namco Bandai in Japan, but Nintendo published the game in North America. However, even with Nintendo's backing, the game failed to light up the charts. Tetris: Axis had a relatively basic but slick presentation, but it's not good to judge a book by its cover. The game contained 20 unique modes including Marathon, Computer Battle, Survival, Fit, Stage Racer Plus, as well as two augmented reality modes; 8-player multiplayer both off and online; and the ability to use a Mii. (Seeing your Mii encourage you as you clear lines is always a good time. Perhaps consumers were Tetris'd out. Perhaps consumers were satisfied with the Virtual Console's Game Boy Tetris. All that can be surmised is that Tetris: Axis did not light sales chart ablaze, which is disappointing as there was a lot of entertainment to be had from the game.

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Any 3DS games that you have enjoyed that you recall didn't receive much buzz, attention, or sales? If you are interested in other platforms which had overlooked titles on them, click on the SPC Feature Catalog, scroll down a bit to Most Overlooked, and go hog wild!

SuperPhillip's Favorite VGMs - Summertime 2012 Edition

North America is smack dab in the middle of the months of summer. That means trips to the pool, barbeques, vacations, and hot temperatures. No worries as SuperPhillip Central is here to cool you down with an assortment of summer-related or summer-sounding songs from video games. On this installment, we have music from Super Mario Sunshine, Final Fantasy VII, and Tales of the Abyss, to name a few.

v146. Super Mario Sunshine (GCN) - Ricco Harbor

Using a variation of the main theme of Super Mario Sunshine, Ricco Harbor rests on the coast of Isle Delfino in view of both Pinna Park and the main hub of Sunshine, Delfino Plaza. Ricco Harbor is a multi-tiered area with boats, pipes, wire mesh fences, Bloopers to race on, and more. Out of all of the various variations of the main theme, Ricco Harbor is my favorite of them. The second time the song plays through, added percussion accompanies the music.

v147. Final Fantasy VII (PS1) - Electric de Chocobo

With each entry in the Final Fantasy series since the Chocobo species's debut in Final Fantasy II, each Chocobo theme has had a completely different feel to it, despite having the same enduring melody. From the bombardment of brass of Final Fantasy X's Chocobo theme to the marimba-filled mambo of Final Fantasy V's Chocobo theme, there's a lot of varieties of the deceptively simple song. Final Fantasy VII's version feels like summer with its heavy surf guitar use and Wipeout motif in the middle.

v148. Secret of Mana (SNES) - The Color of Summer

A theme that plays more often than not in the many towns and villages you and your party pass through in Secret of Mana for the Super Nintendo, The Color of Summer is a quaint and "colorful" song. I had tried to do a first run-through of Secret of Mana, only to get sidetracked by newer releases. Now I am on my second attempt, and I'm hoping nothing gets in my way so I can write a review as part of July being Retro Review Month here at SuperPhillip Central.

v149. Knuckles Chaotix (32X) - Door into Summer

Knuckles Chaotix was the only game I played for Sega's ill-advised 32X Genesis/Mega Drive attachment. I remember the game being extraordinarily crisp and full of vivid, vibrant colors. The two characters tethered to a ring was an interesting gameplay element, though it may have messed up the pacing of running through levels a tad. Door into Summer is an incredibly catchy theme, and it was apparently popular with Sonic Team staff, too, as it was rearranged by Jun Senoue with real instruments for Sonic Generations. See: here. It ended up being one of my favorite remixes from Generations.

v150. Tales of the Abyss (PS2, 3DS) - The Imperial City - Grand Chokmah

A gentle flowing theme for the Imperial City, Grand Chokmah, Tales of the Abyss's soundtrack was once again composed by the terrific Motoi Sakuraba. However, despite his credentials, I can't help but feel that his Abyss work was a bit phoned in, this piece aside. The reason I say this is because most of the music of the game is highly forgettable. A scant piece like this theme saves the score for me, and I guess I really can't complain. This track really is marvelous.

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This summertime edition of the VGMs may be over, but the season strolls along. Next week I will post music tracks from games like Punch-Out!! (Wii), Mega Man 4, and Final Fantasy IX. Speaking of music, this week will have my review of Theatrhythm Final Fantasy and a special Best of... Final Fantasy Music edition! And if you missed a previous entry of the VGMs, don't fret. Just check out the VGM Database right here.