For the final installment of the series, we are going to be looking at two “field themes” from Brave Frontier and Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius. I initially surmised that field themes were exclusive to FF:BE because BF does not include any exploration maps. However, I have come to the conclusion that in BF, although the pre-boss battle stages do contain enemies that you must defeat, the atmosphere–created by the music–is more similar to a field theme (music that fits the climate/terrain/environmental features), without the usual characteristics of a battle theme (up-tempo, fast-moving chords, strong bass line).
Double-Track Analysis
DTA.07 – BF & FF:BE / Tranquil Town Themes
In a previous article, we discussed one major gameplay mechanic in Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius which is not present in Brave Frontier, which is the exploration ability. In that article, we looked at the Imperial Capital’s music within each game. In today’s article, we will be looking at the peaceful themes found in the villages/towns. In Brave Frontier, “The Village” (which should really be called “The Town“, since in the game it’s called a Town, not Village X’D) is the music for the place where you go to craft different kinds of items, and collect materials. In FF:BE, there are various villages/towns which you can travel to and explore in, but for the sake of similarity, we will be looking at the “Peaceful Village” theme, rather than any of the other town themes.
DTA.06 – BF & FF:BE / Monumental Boss Battles
In most JRPG-style games, there comes a time when you are faced with a different kind of boss. These bosses aren’t final bosses, but they’re not insignificant, either. In Brave Frontier, you have the Fallen Gods (among others), and in Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius, you have the Veritas (also among others). In these mobile games, there may or may not even be a final boss, so these monumental boss battles are the fights that carry the most meaning to the story. And of course, these battles have their own special music!
DTA.05 – BF & FF:BE / Imperial Capitals – Randall & Grandshelt
A pretty huge difference in terms of game mechanics between Brave Frontier and Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius is that in FF:BE, you are able to move your character around in exploration maps as well as through towns, cities, and villages. One such traversable area in FF:BE is the Royal Capital Grandshelt, which shares a musical theme with the Arena. “The Imperial Capital” is a dark, looming track, with dramatic chimes, suspenseful strings, and a touch of hope near the end. Brave Frontier also happens to have an Imperial Capital, called Randall, whose musical theme is much more melodious, emotional, and tranquil. The main differences between these tracks lie in tonality, harmonic complexity, and register focus.
DTA.04 – BF & FF:BE / Vortex Menu
When I first started playing Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius, I was shocked by the striking similarities it had with Brave Frontier. Turns out that BF and FF:BE are both run by the same two companies, Gumi and Alim. Certain mechanics in gameplay are stylistically similar, and especially the menus had almost identical feels. One particular category of quests, in the Vortex Gate, has the same name in both games, even with the exact same symbol. The music, however, is drastically different.
DTA.03 – BF & FF:BE / Boss Battle Themes
In today’s article, we will be talking about a popular favorite category of game music: boss battle themes!! So far, in the first two articles comparing the music of Brave Frontier and Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius, each pair of tracks have been fairly similar, almost interchangeably so. The boss battle themes, however, while both still very epic and intense, are quite different.
DTA.02 – BF & FF:BE / Overworld/Map Selection
Today’s article will focus on the Overworld music, where you select in which world you’d like to embark on your next adventure. These map selection themes in both games, Brave Frontier and Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius, are quite similar. Let’s go through three different categories in which they can be easily compared and contrasted: tonality + meter, structure, and instrumentation.
DTA.01 – BF & FF:BE / Main Menus
“Summoner” vs. “Moment of Recall” (Main Menu Themes)
The main menu music to a game could be considered a flagship piece of sorts, and in games like Brave Frontier (BF) and Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius (FF:BE) even more so, with so many playable options within these menus. Whether you’re checking your daily tasks, fusing or evolving units, or using precious in-game currency in hopes of summoning that newly released unit, this main menu music accompanies all of those endeavors, and in turn sets the tone for the entire game.
New Series ~ DOUBLE-Track Analysis – Brave Frontier & Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius Collaboration
Games currently playing: Brave Frontier, Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius, Kingdom Hearts Union Cross, Pokémon Alpha Sapphire
Two of my favorite mobile games, Brave Frontier and Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius, both announced last week that they’re doing another special collaboration! They had this cross-over last year, and I’m happy that they’re bringing it back, with new additions in both games (new units, and new evolutions, woo hoo!).
Whimsically Theoretical 