I love tracks from all games personally, but RSE sure did have a more unique sound than the others. Mostly cause it was the first time Pokemon had been on the GBA, I assume. But yeah, the trumpet was probably the most notable sound difference when compared to the generations before and after it. RSE is definitely the middle child in many ways, and music is one of them.
Hopefully they keep with it when these games are remade. :)
RSE tracks were just the best imo. u___u; Some of my favorite tracks throughout the game were;
THIS THIS AND THIS. But there are so many tracks within the game that I like, it'd be impossible to list them all. Even playing through the music now just gives me a strong nostaglic feeling from the games.
This and this. Replaying
Emerald (and
Sapphire/
Ruby) as many times as I have, RSE's music is practically ingrained in my mind. At first, I enjoyed it, but didn't pay attention to it
too much. Then, many months ago, when I somehow came up with the idea to incorporate the VS Magma/Aqua Grunt battle theme in a PowerPoint pertaining to overshadowed videogame characters, I was hit with a
torrent of nostalgia. Needless to say, that one theme kicked off my focus on Pokemon music, I grew more and more interested in
Pokemon game instrumentation, to the point where I hum certain tracks daily, and I pay attention whenever I hear game-originating tracks in the
Pokemon anime (particularly, in
Best Wishes as of late).
While
FireRed/
LeafGreen features some awesome music (particularly the Gym Leader/E4 and Champion battle themes, and
various route overworld themes), RSE's music is a
wonder in the world of videogaming, and I'd even go as far to say that RSE's tracks are top-notch in the music industry
as a whole. The trumpet has actually become
enjoyable for me. Typically, I dislike the trumpet used in orchestrations (actually, the trumpet(s) used in the anime variants of RSE's Wild Pokemon Battle Theme and Regi Battle Theme seem somewhat subpar compared to the trumpets used in the games), but RSE made the trumpet an amazing instrument to listen to, with the heavy incorporation in dynamic and powerful battle themes.
RSE's Weather Trio Battle Theme, while seemingly simple in nature, nicely conveys a sense of "accidental tampering of forces unknown". The techno repetition in the RSE Regi Trio Battle Theme eerily reinforces the sense of a long-lived entity and an encounter with an ancient yet modern force.
I
love the RSE Champion Theme sense of urgency, and at brief points in the track, it appears evocative of an intense struggle between up-and-coming Pokemon Trainer and top-tier Pokemon Champion.
I wandered around Hoenn some weeks ago, astounded by exactly how much musical content was included in the game and the pristine differentiation that was preserved among them. You have your beautifully calm locale themes, to your dynamic and epic battle themes, to your leisurely travel route overworld themes, all complementing each other.
Finally, I enjoy how certain parts of RSE's tracks sound like marine-themed tracks (which seems to be due to the prominent use of the trumpet). The title screen theme, the Magma/Aqua Grunt
and Boss Themes, the Meteor Falls theme, the Underwater theme, and the Abandoned Ship theme specifically convey the sense of a seafaring voyage or a deepsea journey, which enhances the experience of
Sapphire Version, whose mascot is water-themed. The Sky Pillar overworld theme seems to conjure up a feeling of industry and exploration of terrain. Similarly, the VS Wild Pokemon battle theme seems fitting for a child discovering the frequently-hiding animals in a forest.
Heck, the RSE Wild Pokemon and Trainer Battle Themes are essentially
the battle themes in
Pokemon for me. XD In conclusion, RSE's music was
amazing, and I really hope that their instrumentation can be
enhanced in RS remakes, rather than butchered. :<
*Also, here's a remix of a song that didn't actually need remixing, but ends up as awesome nonetheless. Behold, this
epic remix of the RSE Champion Battle Theme by thegimpsta:
RSE Champion Battle Theme Remix
