Ranking Every Dragon Quest Battle Theme From Worst To Best

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Ranking Every Dragon Quest Battle Theme From Worst To Best

Since the beginning, Dragon Quest has used the expert direction of composer Koichi Sugiyama to fill its landscapes with emphatic, well-crafted tunes. Few JRPGs boast the impressive and triumphant use of orchestral music in their scores. Since the beginning, has used the expert direction of composer Koichi Sugiyama to fill its landscapes with emphatic, well-crafted tunes. The battles have some especially buoyant swashes of splendor and luminous familiarity. You can appreciate it whether being engaged in combat or detached from it. Without further ado, here are the Dragon Quest battle themes ranked from worst to best. We will be using all versions to evaluate a final judgment. That means everything– sans or con orchestration. THEGAMER VIDEO OF THE DAY

Dragon Quest I Random Battle Theme

Just because it does it first, doesn't mean it does it best. Considering most players don't know the , you'll be hearing this one a lot. It loops and drones on in excess. It feels very narrow and doesn't open up, build up, or use tempo shifts to increase interest and intrigue. It doesn't have the same amount of pomp that later entries have. The version feels more disorderly and wobbly. The orchestrated version feels the most complete, as it sounds like something from . As it stands, however, it is the weakest.

Dragon Quest V Violent Enemies

Dragon Quest V's battle theme does little to differentiate itself from Dragon Quest IV's. The beginning part feels puny, and lasts throughout the composition. It's a bit too eager beaver, and that's not to say all Dragon Quest battle themes should have a hint of aggression. Usually, however, the underlying message is "goofy yet lethal." This doesn't have the sort of lethality that some later entries use flexibly– meaning there's no real payoff to look forward to. It never delves into both realms and is flat because of it. Again, the orchestrated version takes the cake. It gives the song some nice weight, with a vibrant string section and upbeat horns.

Dragon Quest X Melody Of The Blade

This is a battle theme that most western fans aren't going to be familiar with. Dragon Quest X is an exclusive MMORPG which was initially on the . It has now branched out to the , , and PC. It contains songs handpicked from earlier titles as well as brand new compositions. "Melody of the Blade" is sort of a mix between DQIX and DQII's battle theme. You have a similar breakdown along with an offbeat section nearing the end. It's a very motivational song, but it's been done before. It doesn't dwell enough on the good stuff and moves a bit too fast.

Dragon Quest VII Fighting Spirit

Dragon Quest VII is where the series' battle music seemed to rocket launch in the right direction. It doesn't take itself too seriously and bounces to & fro from the absurd to the delightful. It kicks off in all the right places and gives the player a reason to believe they are controlling characters equally as gaudy & silly. The orchestrated version clearly demonstrates this.

Dragon Quest VI Courageous Fight

Is it possible for such a theme to sound so threatening? And for no good apparent reason either. "Courageous Fight," as noted by some, sounds more like a boss theme than a theme you'd battle Slimes or Kissers to. , along with inflections of flute in the DS version, gives it a fresh spin on other themes we've heard before. Both the version and SNES version have differences that make them fun to listen to, but ultimately the SNES version sounds the most uniform and retains that threatening aspect.

Dragon Quest IX Build-Up To Victory

"Build-Up to Victory" is a nice diddy and memorable for a more modern Dragon Quest entry. Its fast-paced instruments surround and forbid you to get comfortable. It has this uneasy edge, prominently featured by the strings, switching from chipper to angry throughout. The horns come in to further that feeling. The song sounds best in the orchestrated form. As we've described above, it immerses you and keeps you listening.

Dragon Quest XI Unflinchable Courage

battle theme goes the longest without looping. It hits you in sections beginning with a slightly comedic tone, transforming into some bold solos at a very hostile tempo. It's not overkill, however, and is consistent with what we've seen with some of the earlier entries. The orchestrated version found in the Nintendo Switch version gave it a fresh coat of paint that the PS4 and even PC versions . This is a separate issue altogether, and one that will hopefully be resolved come .

Dragon Quest II Random Battle Theme

DQ 2’s Battle Theme starts hard, gets groovy, then takes on a lighter sounding note. It’s quick, hectic, prancing around you like a nimble hyena ready for the attack. The disarray works in its favor as it feels like there’s a threatening punishment immediately in front of you. Its unchoreographed ugliness is fantastically shocking and a bit funny at times. Most of all it gets you to bop your head— an extra sneaky tactic to keep you engaged. The orchestra version is nice, but somehow the version has the most character. It has the high and lows, mixed together in an eccentric chiptune package, without being as jarring as the SNES version or as modest as the version.

Dragon Quest IV Battle For Glory

The goofy tumbling down of sound, the reusing of crescendos for tension and emphasis, the breakdown after the buildup, and the booming drums make Battle for Glory one of Dragon Quest's greatest pieces. Every small and big sound fits so comfortably with each other. It is quite a treat to listen to and satisfying to the ears, It is truly hard to decide which version is the best sounding. Orchestrated followed by the DS version would make a good ranking overall.

Dragon Quest III Random Battle Theme

Dragon Quest III is easily one of the most famous entries in the Dragon Quest series. It is the first to include the clever and systems. Its battle theme builds upon the escalation format of the last two themes with a little more high alertness. The rapid strike flute and horn section present in the orchestrated version really gives it a sense of urgency. The GBC and NES versions are neck and neck in terms of quality. It's hard to decide which one is better since they both have their own merits.

Dragon Quest VIII War Cry

This is "goofy yet lethal" in its finest form. While not the most groundbreaking, War Cry specializes in waggish taunting as if to say, "You can't catch me!" The fluttering strings, the boorish horns, and the quaking drums seem to confirm this. It relays some of that peril in subtle ways and gallivants forward as a true adventuring accompaniment would do. It feels like it wears the questing label quite well. The non-orchestral version is shameful yet not a complete failure. It's pretty low quality, as most MIDIs are, but it does well enough to replicate some of the instruments for the 3DS version.