RPG Library Themes – Personal Favorites

Music is an integral part of any game. While pieces that truly complement their environment are often capable of stirring emotions and conveying a story without words, dull, uninspiring themes can go completely under the radar. Today, we’re going to take a look once again at some of my favorite library themes in RPGs. As I’ve done in previous lists, I’ll be limiting myself to one entry per franchise, as the Final Fantasy series (among others) could easily dominate one by itself.

Note: We do not claim to own any rights to this music. All rights go to their respective artists.

Lost Painting – Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Michiru Yamane’s work in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (and really, the Castlevania franchise at large) is nothing short of legendary, and Lost Painting is just a tiny sampling of what the entire soundtrack has to offer. Serving as the audio backdrop for the inverted library (among other places), this track perfectly encapsulates the magic, mystery, and knowledge associated with such a place. While these days it’s likely recognized more for its Smash Bros iteration, I very much prefer the cadence and flow of the original.

Under the Stars – Final Fantasy Tactics

It’s a tall order for anything to follow up Symphony of the Night, But there’s arguably none better for the task than Final Fantasy Tactics. Another banger of a soundtrack from the PS1 era, while Final Fantasy Tactics is best known for its many grandiose themes that help drive home the constant tension of a full-on war, it also features some more subdued pieces with great success. Although this track ends up playing in multiple areas before the journey’s end, its most iconic fit is when facing off against the sword-wielding dragoon, Isilud, amidst countless dusty tome-filled shelves beneath the Orbonne Monastery.

Just a Coffin and an Automaton – Atelier Ayesha

Atelier Ayesha marks the beginning of the Dusk trilogy and, for many, is one of the best games in the entire series. This track sets the mood for a massive, forgotten library that spans multiple levels, and does so to an impressive degree. This is the beginning of a trilogy of games after all – many mysteries await the team and this area just marks the start of many forays into the unknown.

Invitation to Mystery – Dragon Quest XI

I’ve found that while the iconic Dragon Quest style of music is adored by many (including myself), others find them a bit too bland, void of excitement, and perhaps a bit too “old school” for their tastes. Either way, I feel like this track compliments the snowy Royal Library of Sniflheim (among other places) quite well.

That’s it for this list! What did you think about my picks, and what would you have chosen for your own list?