Bright, punchy FM synth and CD audio that screams mid-90s PC-98. Akiko Gold is a 1995 PC-9821 title and the soundtrack runs 16 tracks deep with no named songs, just pure numbered vibes. Track after track of that signature NEC sound, somewhere between jazzy lounge and upbeat synth-pop.
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The PC-98 had this specific audio flavor that nothing else replicated. Warm FM tones layered over redbook audio, giving everything a weirdly polished feel for the era. Sixteen tracks is generous for this kind of game. You can tell someone actually cared about the compositions even without proper song titles to go by.
If you collect PC-98 soundtracks, this one fills a slot in the library nicely.