This had to be my favourite song in all of Final Fantasy 9. That's impressive, because it's such a long game and not one song besides this one really comes to my mind as defining FF IX, unlike other entries where there have been numerous songs that have stuck out. Not that any of the other songs in FF IX were bad, it's just that this one was the one I connected most within an emotional context.

If I remember the story right, Zidane is down and out after a previous encounter with a crazy powerful baddie (practically god). He's depicted as feeling disconnected and lost emotionally. However, he's roused by the voices of his friends and summons the strength to fight on and topple his creator.

As a voyeur, I felt rather confused myself. Not in a bad way, but in that I didn't understand what Zidane could not as well, so I felt myself sympathize with the main character. Subsequently when his friends start telling/reminding him who he is, he starts to reform what little sanity he has left, I liked that. Combined with this music and the successive battles afterward, I felt propelled to finish the game, almost enthusiastic even.

It was one of those rare moments when a game has carried me down with the character's emotional state, then lifted me back up into high spirits because I really did like all of the characters in my party. I enjoyed each of the other party member's presence so much so that I wanted to join them in the final battle.

It is rather startling how many memories a simple song can bing back when connected to a specific story arc within a video game. Final Fantasy IX was awesome. Everything about it, even the graphics have a certain timeless style that I don't think could be improved upon even with shinier surfaces. I liked the grittiness. Ugh, so good. This song exemplifies everything I love about Final Fantasy IX.