Crunchy jazz-rock guitar licks slamming into orchestral combat themes. End of Eternity (Resonance of Fate outside Japan) dropped on PS3 and 360 in 2010 with a soundtrack that refused to sound like anything else in the JRPG space.
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"Fighting with the devil" hits you with this aggressive swagger, and then "Ebel City" pulls you into smoky lounge territory. The day/night cycle means tons of tracks get alternate versions. Chandelier at night versus during the day, Cranktown shifting mood.
It gives the whole score a lived-in feeling, like the world actually breathes. "Home sweet home" is this cozy warm anchor that grounds all the combat chaos. The whole OST bounces between stylish action and quiet downtime so naturally.
For anyone who wants a JRPG score that sounds more like a Seatbelts session than a fantasy epic.