Do you prefer the original or the arranged 1.5 / 2.5 remasters of Kingdom Hearts I & II 's music?

[Tsukishima Tsukishima]

To some, this may be an utterly baffling question. The 1.5 & 2.5 versions are just remasters with more up to date instruments and no midis right?

I personally believe that especially with some examples, there are stark differences in the delivery of the song in many of the soundtrack that I end up preferring the original version straight from the PS2. Sometimes the MIDI's actually help the emotion come out nicer, some instruments are sharper, giving some added depth to an already great song. Sometimes I feel the arrangements themselves lose a bit of colour for the song such as the brass instrument losing its luster and becoming less melodical.

Let's take the theme for Twilight Thorn for example: Tension Rising. an instantly recognizable song.

Like I mentioned above. For the original composition I feel the instruments give more melody to the song, it makes it more hummable, more overall enjoyable for me as a listener.

The remix changes a LOT up. The brass is more heavier and intimidating. I think the remaster is effective in the moment, but the original is more catchy and memorable.

One more example I want to bring up, whereas I hate hearing the remastered version everytime is Hazardous Highway, the Gummi Ship level music when you're trying to approach Halloween Town, Agrabah or Pride Lands in KHII.

The original is focused on guitars that really add to the elements this particular song carries as opposed to the earlier levels and Gummi Ship themes. Guitars really add to the atmosphere of this level and the aesthetics of these Heartless ships pursuing you at breakneck speeds.

The remastered version however chooses to favour synths and the use of guitars are arguably a lot more subtle in this one. I think the percussion really loses its mojo, as if being submerged compared to the original. I really don't like this version.


What do you think? Are there specific cases where you prefer the original, or the remixes over particular songs in the soundtracks?

 

[Janunba88]

I definitely prefer the original versions of the songs. I'm not against remixes, but I admit they somewhat spoil the "original theme/intention" of the original song would have had. The original version of "The Deep End" is scarier and more menacing; the remix isn't bad, but it's much more... "fantasy", as if the original version were a song from a horror movie and the remix was from a suspense film.

 

[TruthandConsequence]

I gotta be honest I had no idea they remade the music. But yeah I definitely see where you're coming from. I'll have to look more into this. That Halloweentown battle music is generational I wonder if it was also different in the original.

Post automatically merged: Today at 8:37 PM

I gotta be honest I had no idea they remade the music. But yeah I definitely see where you're coming from. I'll have to look more into this. That Halloweentown battle music is generational I wonder if it was also different in the original.

Holy shit it really is different. Check this one out, top is original, bottom is 1.5.

 

[Dakarus]

I will always prefer the originals

 

[Pokenami's icon Pokenami Pokenami]

I prefer the original track. I do wish they should've added an option to listen to the original or remastered track when you playing the remastered games.