Square Enix Explains Decision for FFXIII Theme Song
When Square Enix revealed the official US theme song for Final Fantasy XIII, fans of the series let out a collective “Huh?”. Producer Yoshinori Kitase explains why they choose Leona Lewis’ song and the answer is surprising.
In an interview with the Dutch Official Playstation Magazine, Kitase explains that Square Enix originally wanted to translate the Japanese theme, ‘Kimi Ga IruKara’, but things just didn’t work out.
We have tried to translate the original theme song, but the singer had difficulties with that. This is a new type of tactic, an experiment if you will. Why not use a different artist for every region?
So exactly why did they go with Leona Lewis’ ‘My Hands’ for the US theme?
If both the content and atmosphere of the song would match with the game, then we would expect it will score better within that particular region. Square Enix as a company is thinking more and more internationally and localization plays an important part within that strategy.
I hate to be the burden of bad news for you, Square Enix..but going with Ms. Lewis song isn’t going to help FFXIII ’score better’ in whatever regions it is being used in. Why? 90% of Game reviewers are males and those same 90% most likely aren’t fans of her music. Why not just use the original Japanese theme anyway? One of the most requested features by JRPG fans is for the original Japanese voice-overs for the title, not that the theme be changed. While the theme won’t hurt the games overall review score, it’s certainly not going to help.
Hey, there’s still some good news..the voice-overs for America/ Europe seem to be pretty good (Tidus from FFX!? GAG!) plus Square Enix went back and redid the lip syncing, a first in the series.
Final Fantasy XIII will finally be released on March 9th. Are you ready to enter the world of Pulse to help Lightning and crew take down Cocoon?
10 Responses to “Square Enix Explains Decision for FFXIII Theme Song”
Well, I guess I’m in the 10% that are fans of Leona’s music. =)
doesn’t make a difference to me.
That Leona Lewis song is pretty noxious, but then so is “kimi ga iru kara.” J-pop isn’t my cup of tea. I just want the original language track. I want to enjoy the game in the original language without having to pay import prices.
just YouTubed the track (listening to it now) and i gotta say. i’ve heard better songs in Disney movies… and that’s not saying much. i don’t see this song fitting with a JRPG, but i haven’t played the game so who am i to say. being that it’s the theme song, i really hope it’s not constatly played. ‘Kimi Ga IruKara’ just sounds more fitting, but only slightly. i do like the piano bit in the beginning though.
[...] and instead by replaced by the song ‘My Hands’ by X-Factor popsicle, Leona Lewis. PlaystationLifeStyle have been delving in the OPSM Dutch article on the game, Producer Yoshinori Kitase explains why [...]
I didn’t mind that Leona Lewis song, I thought it set a nice mood. That said, I’d still prefer the Japanese song, with Japanese lyrics and the option of having subtitles. I’m really not a fan of this “localization” crap as it assumes that everyone in a region is the same. If I was a “typical” American, I guess I’d be playing Modern Warfare 2 on my Xbox and swearing like a sailor over my headset. What next? Sony’s Santa Monica studio coming out with a Japanese version of God of War where Kratos is a cell-shaded Anime character?
Look, we like Final Fantasy because it’s not the typical American stuff – some of us have different tastes. Please don’t pander to us like we’re a bunch of generic consumers.
@JackC8
Too Late! There’s no stopping them now from doing this for their other projects
Lady Gaga on Final Fantasy Versus XIII anyone? LOL
@Xael
LOL! That would be funny! Then my Wife would want to give the game a try.
Score –
a. a written or printed piece of music with all the vocal and instrumental parts arranged on staves, one under the other.
b. the music itself.
c. the music played as background to or part of a movie, play, or television presentation.
(www.dictionary.com)
Example of use:
“3. The Music
Masashi Hamauzu put his best into the score of Final Fantasy XIII. Simply put, I have never heard a Final Fantasy score better than this. To me, this score tops Final Fantasy VI, VII and VIII in both quality of composition and range of style. The work ranges from dark and mystical to crazy and upbeat, with each piece really cementing the feel of the varied worlds of the game. Some songs feature nice touches like interspersed vocal accents, while others were live performances that you’d normally only expect on a big-budget arranged album. This is a fantastic score, and a new high mark for the series and videogames in general.”
(http://www.destructoid.com/ten-things-i-loved-about-final-fantasy-xiii-162457.phtml)