Der Langrisser on the SNES took the Langrisser II formula and expanded it with branching paths and moral choices, and this soundtrack release captures every battle theme the SPC700 chip could muster. The ally battle tracks are standouts -- "Neo-Holy War" sets the stage with heroic urgency, while "The Legend of Sword" and "Last Battle" push the SNES sound hardware into surprisingly epic territory.
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What makes this collection especially interesting is how each major enemy commander gets their own dedicated theme. Leon's theme carries a sense of noble rivalry, Bernhardt's has genuine menace, and the "Dark Princess" theme brings an eerie elegance that fits the Langrisser universe's blend of high fantasy and tactical warfare.
The "Requiem" track is a gut-punch after tough battles, and "Riana" brings a tenderness that contrasts sharply with the surrounding warfare. The non-combat tracks round things out nicely -- "Shop" has that classic SRPG merchant energy, and the multiple endings reflect the game's branching route system.
For fans of 16-bit strategy RPG music in the vein of Fire Emblem but with its own distinct character, this is essential listening.