Folklore is, in my humble opinion, not that great a game. While it appears to be expansive on first inspection, the progression is actually very linear, and I found the combat elements grew samey very quickly–like MMO grinding without the leveling up. This review can explain it better than I can.
Even so, the game itself is stunningly beautiful, both visually and in terms of the music.
Here’s a playlist; I’ll break down my favourites below.
The Fairy Waltz. This is one of the first combat tracks in the game. Clearly inspired by carnival/circus music.
Visited Tragedy. The long, drawn-out notes on the violins really hit a mournful, and maybe slightly sour, note.
Land of the Gods. Another track that accompanies the combat in-game. A relatively fast-paced track, compared the majority of the soundtrack, and has a sort of tribal beat to it.
The End of the Memories. This one just feels dark. A mixture of the cellos and the higher draws on whatever the hell that other instrument is just gives off the kind of sensation that sends shivers.
Where the Soul Goes. The final track on the album, and the longest at almost nine minutes long. This one best encompasses the general feel of the entire album, since it varies from the relatively quiet beginning to going out with a bang. If you listen to no others on the soundtrack, you should listen to this one.
Music to Write Suspenseful Scenes By…
Most of the tracks have a dark, mournful undertone, making them a good companion to scenes of reflection or those following (or leading up to) some kind of tragedy.
On a more general view, if you’re writing any kind of classic fantasy, I think these tracks will suit your needs well. The slower ones sound like the kind of music you’d hear coming from a tavern in an impoverished little village.
Also, if you’re writing anything based around a carnival–as I will be in the future–this fits perfectly.
More Information / Further Reading
You can buy the soundtrack from CDJapan, but again, most if not all of the tracks are available on YouTube, so give it a listen before you make the decision whether to fork out the $34 they’re asking for. The CD is notoriously difficult to come by, though, so if you’re a collector of rare albums, this could be a nice addition.
Check out the full list of my ‘Music to Write Novels By’ series here, including a spiffy FAQ section, which will likely cover any questions you have.