Raises the possible simile: “That’s as Japanese as Final Fantasy music on a shamisen.”

Amazing to think it’s been two decades since the release of Final Fantasy VII, the game which finally set the series’ staggered Japanese and western numbering system straight once and for all. And yet, it’s still considered by many to be the best in the long-running series for its epic storyline, interesting side-quests, deep battle system, and memorable characters, to name but a few reasons.

It’s music is also notable but usually for it’s final boss battle theme “One Winged Angel.” Often overlooked is, ironically, also the music that anyone who’s played the game has definitely heard the most, the regular battle background music.

It’s definitely nostalgic, but hardly a party anthem. Don’t get me wrong, it served its purpose excellently to help keep the enthusiasm up while grinding limit breaks, but it’s not something I would listen to on the train or play at my next box social.

But perhaps I was too quick to judge, because a recent video tweeted by Shamio (@shamio6) seems to have breathed new life into this background music from back in the day.

This version was played on the shamisen, a traditional Japanese instrument comparable to a banjo with a long, thin neck and three strings. The reason Shamio appears to be getting a lot of sound out of a mere three strings is that he overdubbed himself playing three different parts.

Nevertheless, he’s blazing on that thing and the result is a strangely groovy take on the original that really brings out the subtle melodies one might not notice while shouting obscenities at a Cactuar they cannot hit.

More impressive is that Shamio made the entire arrangement for shamisen by himself, further justifying the internet’s unanimous praise:

“That was so cool I got goosebumps!”
“I can’t think of another word to describe that except, “Cool!”
“I don’t remember that song being so cool.”
“A game screen flashed before my eyes. Amazing!”
“Sounds better than the original.”
“I didn’t know you could use a shamisen like that.”

Well deserved praise for a well-played song. Many people also admitted an itch to dig up their old copies of Final Fantasy VII and reconnect with the world left behind years ago, back when only a few people carried crude mobile phones and “google” was just a number.

Source: Twitter/@shamio6, My Game News Flash Jin
Featured image: Twitter/@shamio6