PS2 JRPG energy hitting you right in the chest from the opening theme. Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana 2 leans harder into classic RPG territory than the usual Atelier formula, and the soundtrack follows. "Oh Sword, Shine" is the normal battle theme and it slaps with this driving rhythm that keeps random encounters from feeling like a chore.
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"Go! Go! Novice Alchemist" has that cozy workshop bounce you expect, but "Roadless Mountains" shifts into something grittier. "A Foolish Request at a Troubling Time" is comedy gold, pure comical event energy. The whole OST swings between earnest adventure and lighthearted chaos.
That classic mid-2000s Gust sound when they were still figuring out how dramatic they wanted to be. If you miss the era when JRPGs didn't take themselves too seriously, start here.