Search - Hideyuki Fukasawa :: Street Fighter 4 / Game O.S.T. 2 Disc Set

A good soundtrack with SEVERAL glaring omissions

T.G. | Chandler, Arizona | 06/09/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"As a Street Fighter fan and Capcom aficionado, I am very happy that Capcom struck a deal with Sumthing Else to sell the Street Fighter IV OST -- and other more recent Capcom game soundtracks -- in digital and physical form.



SFIV's tracks are broad in general, with many mixing world themes with modern, electronic arrangements for its global stages. The Africa and Asian stages in particular are steeped in lush instruments and arrangements. Other songs (Cruise Ship Stern, Overpass Stage) that are club ready. Some, like the Secret Laboratory Stage and Distillery Stage, have a dramatic, orchestral feel that gives the battles more emotional weight.



The character themes are fresh re-imaginings of classic Street Fighter themes. You'll be able to easily recognize the tunes and even gain a greater appreciation for the remixes -- the ones that are present, anyway. This leads into the biggest misgiving with this release: several tracks are absent.



Somehow, the Sumthing Else version scrapped the new character themes and several other songs, and this leads to my score of 3 stars. The Japanese SFIV soundtrack release has the songs for all the new characters (C. Viper, Rufus, Abel and El Fuerte). Their themes are some of the most dynamic and unique in the game and represent the characters very well -- from the sheer power of Abel to the sadness and speed of C. Viper. As of now, the only ways to get their full tracks are to either import the Japanese soundtrack or to buy the Collector's Edition game version of Street Fighter IV, which contains a CD with the missing songs.



Other songs, including both versions of "The Next Door" and the stage select themes, are noticeably missing. I am not sure why Sumthing Else cut them for this release, but it is a shame that those making the purchase are missing out on what Japanese buyers purchased -- especially with Capcom's Sulputer logo on the front.



Overall, I recommend this soundtrack and am grateful to Capcom and Sumthing Else for giving fans the chance to purchase it without the need to import. However, I encourage true Street Fighter fans to import the Japanese soundtrack and have the full experience."

Missing tracks...

R. Arnold | 06/26/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The music is great and all, but it's missing the themes of of the four new characters (Abel, El Fuerte, C.Viper and Rufus) and "The Next Door"/"Indestructible". Also, I would think that an official video game soundtrack would have ALL of the game's music, including prologue and ending songs, even as short as they are. Maybe I'm too picky.. =/"