For Transience, Sean Schafianski has taken a snippet of the original NieR‘s soundtrack and added a shot of ’80s flair, all with his own twist. It’s still unmistakably Schafianski though, instantly recognisable from the saxophone solo during “The Prestigious Mask” and the electric guitar in “Emil (Sacrifice)” that play over the steady drumbeat. The jazz flavour to the ’80s synth, bass and drum machine used throughout is what pushes this from being a fun experiment to being a great little tribute that feels wholly unique.
Read moreGameGrooves Reviews: Jazz Arrange Version: Final Fantasy VII →
Sean Schafianski’s new album is a cool breeze on a hot summer day, an alluring slice of smooth jazz that pays tribute to one of the great video game soundtracks of all time—Final Fantasy VII.
Read moreGameGrooves Reviews: Celtic Collection: The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt →
Ashlee’s voice is the guiding light of the album, drawing the listener in and bewitching them. While “Kaer Morhen” and “Game of Gwent” serve as delightful instrumental interludes, the real magic happens in moments like the beautiful duet during “Wolven Storm” or the haunting final moments of “Lullaby of Woe”. Of course, I can’t mention Ashlee’s voice without mentioning the excellent production by Sean. The mix is perfect with each instrument in its rightful place, and the mastering allows Ashlee to shine.
Read moreRPGFan Reviews: Chamber Works: NieR Automata →
And in making this album, Sean also offers great variation in instrumentation: not just in actual instruments, but also variation compared to expectations. […] I recommend it to all NieR: Automata fans without hesitation, and I most certainly look forward to whatever Sean Schafianski does next in his "Chamber Works" series.
Read moreRPGFan Reviews: Remastered Soundtrack: Final Fantasy Mystic Quest →
Schafianski has done a stellar job arranging the Final Fantasy Mystic Quest Remastered Soundtrack. It gives this simple yet fun soundtrack the spotlight it deserves while maintaining its wholesome roots. Everything has more punch, more weight, more breath that only elevates without overindulging.
Read moreRPGFan Reviews: Jazz Arrange Version: Chrono Trigger
While my bias towards Chrono Trigger music is strong, I think that's the target demographic here anyway, and I think they'll be pleased with the offering. While I enjoy all the tracks, the ones that I really love will keep this album in my rotation for a very long time.
Read moreRPGFan Reviews: Video Game Music Remastered: Underrated Edition →
Seriously, though, this soundtrack was an audible ball of fun and I listened to it multiple times in multiple ways. It nailed the car test, piqued my curiosity about games I didn't know about, and gave me the gut reaction of "Man, that was such a good game; I can't believe people bashed it!" This album delivered on its promise, did what it set out to do, and I hope to hear more remasterings of underrated and overlooked video game tunes.
Read moreRPGFan Reviews: Jazz Arrange Version: NieR Gestalt & Replicant Vol. 2 →
A bit of friendly advice: if you bought the first Jazz Arrange Version but knew there was a second volume, now's your chance to catch up. If you didn't know about either of these EPs, take a listen to the samples, and if you find them appealing, maybe you'll find yourself wanting to pick up both!
Read moreRPGFan Reviews: Jazz Arrange Version: NieR Gestalt & Replicant Vol. 1 →
I greatly enjoyed the direction this album takes. The tracks give a fresh spin on some great pieces of video game music and keep the spirit of Nier alive and well. I'm exceedingly glad that Schafianski decided to tackle this project and continue on with a volume 2, because it is all very well arranged and leaves the listener desiring more.
Read moreRPGFan Reviews: Remastered Tracks: Final Fantasy VII Vol. 2 →
Once again, Sean Schafianski has delivered a winner. In his remasterings of Final Fantasy VII's music, he displays a good sense of when to issue subtle enhancements and when to add more dramatic overtures.
Read moreRPGFan Reviews: Remastered Soundtrack: Final Fantasy VI, Disc 1 →
Orchestral rearrangements are by far my favorite reinterpretation of video game music. They render a depth in melodic variation that enhances the tunes by leaps and bounds. Naturally, I had high hopes for Sean Schafianski's remastering of Final Fantasy VI. One more soundtrack to the ever growing list of Final Fantasy music remakes, but do the songs surpass the originals?
Read moreRPGFan Reviews: Remastered Tracks: Final Fantasy VII, Vol. 1 →
Regardless of my stylistic nitpicking in a couple of the songs, this soundtrack is a winner. Can you really go wrong with expertly remastered versions of Final Fantasy VII's music? Even better is that this soundtrack, while having a few familiar pieces, chooses to highlight the more underrated/overlooked pieces of the game that are quite good once given a little attention.
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