How is “Game Over” from “Final Fantasy I” able to evoke a sense of losing and game being over using a generic descending-fifths sequence?

The very original NES prelude way back in 1987 from Final Fantasy I behaves differently from the ones to follow, as we’ll se Nobuo himself demonstrating. I hear a swirling kaleidoscope in the inverted arpeggios, so I cover them with the guitar. Let’s peek into the colored glass and some untapped game music potential.

Let’s Play Final Fantasy I - with Guitar! “Prelude” (NES Version specifically) and “Game Over” for starters. Konsta Airisto’s mage art captures nicely the hidden music theory wizardries in the game’s soundtrack. I now explain the journey that awaits us (EP and Album to come).