Nobuo Uematsu: FF7 Soundtrack Is 'Boring' On Purpose

Did you know that Nobuo Uematsu thinks most of Final Fantasy 7's soundtrack is 'boring'? Yep, the legendary composer said it himself. But before you riot, hear him out—it was totally intentional.

In the book Nobuo Uematsu: On The Record by James Mielke (shared on Twitter by FF7 Music), Uematsu explains that apart from fan favorites like 'One-Winged Angel,' most of FF7's songs are boring compared to prior games. Why? Because the improved visuals meant catchy melodies would distract from the gameplay. So he wrote music that doesn't impose on the story's focus.

For Uematsu, his earlier work on NES and SNES was more commanding. 'For the Famicom and Super Famicom games, the music played a role in advancing the story,' he says. 'But by Final Fantasy 7, the visuals are convincing enough to tell the story, so it was better for the music to step back.'

That shift started with FF7 and carried into FF8, he recalls. His work evolved across 7, 8, and 9 as the sound team learned more about the PlayStation's capabilities. The soundtracks for 8 and 9 are more orchestral and dynamic than 7's, but the synth-heavy flavor of the 1997 classic still has its own charm.

Honestly, I'd call that a strength, not a weakness. Tracks like 'Mako Reactor' are foreboding and broody, heightening the feeling of Shinra sucking the life out of the planet. The cyclical melody is ambient enough to not demand attention, but there's plenty going on if you want to listen closely.

So while Uematsu might say it's boring, many of us would disagree. Agree to disagree, Uematsu—agree to disagree. What do you think? Is FF7's soundtrack underrated or overrated? Let us know in the comments!