Guilty Gear X Soundtrack FAQ For Guilty Gear X on Arcade, Dreamcast, and Playstation 2. Written by Kenny "Kenshi" Tam Contact: Kennytam@foxhound.zzn.com =============== Version History =============== Version 1.0 January 8, 2002 Everything. Version 1.1 January 12, 2002 Minor fixes Version 1.2 January 25, 2002 Fixed confusion between AST and OST ================= Table of Contents ================= I. Introduction II. Track Differences III. Track Listing/Info IV. Notes and Credits =============== I. Introduction =============== Guilty Gear X, one of the sleeper hits, boasts one of the best multimedia experiences. The lush graphics to the booming sound effects. Yet what I enjoyed the most was the incredible soundtrack. It was on par or beyond what I have heard before, taking a place as the only MD in my player everyday for six months straight (yeah I know its sad,) and listening to the awesome bass of "No Mercy" or frantic beat of "Bloodstained Lineage" as I rode the school bus to and from school, 5 days a week, for 6 months. Keep in mind I know nothing about music nor its terminology. ===================== II. Track Differences ===================== There are two versions of the Guilty Gear X soundtrack. One version for the Arcade, and anther version, the Heavy Rock Tracks, for the Home Consoles. The Heavy Rock tracks use real instruments, where as the arcade version uses synthesized ones. The changes can be quite large, in which some versions are better than others, but it is really up to the listener. Basically the AST version is more guitar orientated, in which it sounds more like a guitar jamming session. The OST version is completely synthesized, so the sounds aren't as accurate or close to the real deal. Both versions do have their pros and cons, and as such, different tracks may sound great for one version, but ear grating for the other. The OST is for the Arcade Version. The AST is for the Home Console version. =================================== III. Track Listings and Information =================================== Original Compostion: Daisuke Ishiwatari Performed by: ?? (I think Lapis Lazuli did the Heavy Rock Tracks) The OST version refers to the Arcade track, whereas the AST refers to the home version, the Heavy Rock tracks. 1. Soul Dealer: Introduction Track 2. No Mercy: Ky Kiske vs Sol Badguy OST (Length: 4:01) Rating: 7/10 AST (Length: ) Rating: 6/10 A Rocking guitar track, it really sets the atmosphere for the game's two characters, a la Kyo vs Iori or Ken and Ryu. It is mainly an electric Guitar track, with the trademark heavy bass in the background. 3. Keep Yourself Alive: Sol Badguy Stage OST (Length: 3:05 ) Rating: 8/10 AST (Length: 2:46) Rating: 7/10 The electric guitar intro sets the "badass" atmosphere as for when the battle starts, complimenting Sol's mien. The deep snare drums set the rhythm during the interludes, and the simplicity of the track sets the battle to be one of strength and power as opposed to anything else. The entire OST Track uses three instruments; an electric guitar, bass guitar, and drums. The AST version sounds rather different, even in tune. The real guitars give a significantly wider range of pitches, thus, a very different sounding track. 4. Holy Orders 2- Be Just or Be Dead: Ky Kiske Stage OST (Length: 4:17) Rating: 10/10 AST (Length: 3:06) Rating: 10/10 One of the best tracks on the entire CD. The combination of the organs and the electric guitar makes for an incredible track. It is fast and upbeat, setting the incredible atmosphere for the fast and furious battle that ensues. The deep bass that accompanies the organ is a perfect juxtaposition, fitting the incredibly catchy and moving tune of both the guitar and organ portions. Although it is a common complaint that the synthesized version is not as good, the organ notes are much shorter and clearer, thus making the track sound faster and fitting the pace significantly better. However, the guitar does sound better in this version, thus, giving the AST a different feel. 5. Blue Water, Blue Sky: May Stage OST (Length: 3:53) Rating: 7/10 AST (Length: 2:43) Rating: 8.5/10 This is a very upbeat and cheerful track, almost matching the beeps and squeaks of May as she summons a montage of cheerful looking sea creatures. While some people like it a lot, it really does not suit me for listening. However, in actual gameplay, it does seem better as it matches the pace of battle much better. The AST version is signigfcntly better, since the organ/harpsichord is much clearer, making the track sound better. 6. Make Oneself: Axl Low Stage OST (Length: 3:17) Rating: 8/10 AST (Length: 3:16) Rating: 8.5/10 The track starts of slow, but soon goes into rock. It is very drum orientated, and sounds almost jazz like. The guitar is much slower in this track, making it somewhat relaxing to listen to. The piano gives a good pause to the track, as an interlude from the guitars. The AST version is much clearer, making it a better rock tune. 7. Feel a Fear: Zato-One Stage OST (Length: 4:39) Rating :8/10 AST (Length: 2:37) Rating: 8/10 This fits Zato-One perfectly. It starts off with a dark, psycho-type solo then goes into a creepy sounding track. The whining pitch of the guitar as well as the brooding tune of the bass make this track fit in with the background and the shadows in which Zato is accustomed to. The AST version does not sound significantly different however, other than the obvious switch to real instruments. It does sound more like a guitar track as opposed to a creepy sounding theme. 8. Suck a Sage: Chipp Zanuff Stage OST (Length: 3:57) Rating 9.5/10 AST (Length: 2:53) Rating: 9.5/10 This track fits the game the best. Its rocking guitar intro seems as if it was designed for the game's round start, immediately landing the player into the upcoming fast and furious battle against Chipp. It is a fast track, with a simple drum accompance. The Bass and Electric guitars take care of the catchy tune and melody. The AST however does have a slight yet noticeable change. The main lick in the beginning does end in a low note, where as the OST ends in a higher note. It does sound better with the real instruments, but once again, gives a different 'feel.' 9. Burly Heart: Potemkin Stage OST (Length: 3:26) Rating: 7/10 AST (Length: 3:28) Rating: 7/10 This is another deep, brooding track. It is somewhat slow and powerful, like Potemkin himself. The AST doesn't sound much different at all, follow the same melody and tune. 10. The Original: Faust Stage OST (Length: 3:39) Rating: 8/10 AST (Length: 2:42) Rating: 8.5/10 This track doesn't seem to match the character in which it represents. The guitars backed up by saxophones makes a good combination, but its Jazz riffs combined with rock does not seem to accompany a giant freak very well. It does sound similar to Makes Oneself with the piano tunes. The AST track does make the saxophones sound much better, thus improving the track quite a lot. 11. Writhe in Pain: Millia Rage Stage OST (Length: 2:57) Rating: 10/10 AST (Length: 2:36) Rating: 10/10 The other trademark theme of the game. It starts off with a violin solo, soon joined with the bass, drums and electric guitar. It is a brilliant pace, with perfect scores for each instrument. The long violin sections accompanied by bass and drums give it a Vanessa Mae feel. It is an extremely fast and upbeat track, yet with a touch of class and elegance which Millia possesses. The constant beat from the snare drum that accompanies the violin scores is simply beautiful. The AST is the closest to the original from Guilty Gear. Oddly enough the AST version got rid of the violin for the most and used the harpsichord instead. The snare drum is more announced in this version, but it sounds the most different, replacing most of the instruments. 12. Monetarily Life 2: Baiken Stage OST (Length: 3:46) Rating 9.5/10 AST (Length: 2:38) Rating: 10/10 Another great track. It combines the shamisen with the electric guitars. The melody and tune is great, combining the two instruments to give a feel or "old in new.' The tune matches the character and stage well, with a samurai-like character battling in the future. The fast tempo of the track allows it to match the pace of battle and give a sense of excitement. The AST makes the shamisen clearer, and the guitar seems to last a bit longer, taking a longer score and replacing the shamisen at certain points. 13. Liquor Bar and Drunkard: Johnny Stage OST (Length: 3:57) Rating 7/10 AST (Length: 2:48) Rating: 7/10 A very guitar based track, it is somewhat slow, matching the calm and cool personality of Johnny well. I personally don't like this track much, but other people like this track a lot. The AST does use real instruments, so it is bound to be better for a guitar track. Oddly enough, it doesn't sound much different than the OST. 14. Fuuga: Anji-Mito Stage OST (Length: 2:38) Rating: 8/10 AST (Length: 2:54) Rating: 8/10 It supposedly starts off like a Motley Crew song, but I haven't check it. It's a very heavy rock theme, with various harpsichord (?) interludes included. I have no idea what "Fuuga" means either, but it does match the pace of battle quite well. The AST sounds almost identical to OST. 15. A Solitude that Asks Nothing in Return: Venom Stage OST (Length: 4:25) Rating: 10/10 AST (Length: 3:19 ) Rating: 8/10 Another classic on the track. It starts off sounding like a rave with the bass guitar solo, but enters with electric guitars. The bass is present through out the whole track. It sound monotonous with the same guitar riff until 3/4 into the track, where the interlude is simply amazing. The entire bass and guitar stops to allow for an amazing and nifty sounding tune with the chimes, as if allowing for a monetary break and pause for reflection on the battle. The AST version sounds significantly different, as the bass guitar maybe to low or quite to be heard at times. The AST is significantly shorter than the OST version, and sounds different at points. Since the AST was performed with real instruments, some sections came across as sounding rather strange or different to the OST. Still, the introduction and interlude of this track easily make it one of the best tracks on the CD. 16. Babel nose: Jam Kuradoberi (Cranberry Jam) Stage OST (Length: 3:56) Rating: 8/10 AST (Length: 2:47) Rating: 8/10 It starts of sounding very oriental, with high pitched riffs as in introduction. It becomes very heavy metal afterwards, but contains the oriental aspect throughout the track. It does sound like Fuuga in a sense when considering the bass and guitars. The AST actually sounds more oriental, since it includes chimes and uses real instruments (I mentioned this like 500 times already.) There is little difference between the AST and OST though. 17. Bloodstained Lineage: Testament Stage OST (Length: 4:56) Rating: 9/10 AST (Length: 5:04) Rating: 9/10 It starts off slow, but gives a sense of doom and fear as the high notes from the guitar gives an almost "psycho" feel to the tune. It is the fastest track by far, and the drums move frantically to keep up. Apparently, they had trouble finding a drummer who could keep up with the pace for so long. Anyhow, it is a very fast and intense tune, with almost too much going on. Although it sounds pretty messy it matches the fast pace of the battle as you try to overpower the mighty Testament. The AST actually sounds cooler, similar to a heavy duty guitar session. Aside from that it can be pretty difficult to tell the difference at certain sections between OST and AST. 18. Awe of She OST (Length: 4:43) Rating: 10/10 AST (Length: ) Rating: 10/10 Guilty Gear X ends with a fight against Dizzy; the all powerful Gear that has a fitting choir to start off the round, as a sign of her power. It soon jumps to full harpsichord/bass/electric guitar track similar to Holy Orders 2, giving a sense of drama as well as the furious battle. The AST version does not sound too different than the OST version, unlike some of the other tracks. It does sound slightly better with the real instruments, but gives the track a different atmosphere, one of a divine battle against an omnipotent opponent. The AST is a real pleasure to listen to. The choir sounds much better than the synthesized ones, and the harpsichord is really clear and precise. 19. Fatal Duel: Same Character Battle OST (Length: 4:00) Rating: 8/10 AST (Length) Rating: It sounds very similar to "No Mercy," but with a few differences. In fact I have to look at the track name to identify which I am listening to. It is still a fast paced and exciting track, setting the pace of battle. 20. Still in the Dark: Millia Rage vs Zato-One OST (Length:?) Rating: 10/10 AST (Length) Rating: 10/10 The second of the character duel specific tracks, this highlights the rivalry between Zato-One and Millia Rage. It is (another) upbeat and energizing track, with an intro almost adding and starting the drama between the two rival fighters. The AST version is almost identical, but being an electric guitar song, sounds slightly better. 21. Primal Light: Ending Theme 22. Calm Passion: Ending Theme 23. Walk in the Dusk: Ending Theme ===================== IV. Notes and Credits ===================== - Guilty Gear X, its Characters, and all likeliness are Trademark and Copyright of Sammy and Arc System Works. - W.W for his button-mashing Sol Badguy and eating thousands of supers from Johnny. -N.H: no Melody, tune or riff can match the harmony of your presence. -Mr. Jeff Veasey at Http://www.Gamefaqs.com for hosting this FAQ. -Mr. Akin Eihnpatrick for pointing out the AST/OST omission. This document Copyright 2002 by Kenny "kenshi" Tam, and may not be duplicated or reproduced (in part or in full) for profit without the explicit permission of the author. Chances are it will be rare if anyone would want to use this crappy FAQ. This document is supposed to appear on http://www.gamefaqs.com. http://www.psxcodez.com http://www.DLH.net http://www.gamespot.com