Joe Hisaishi conducting the Tokyo Philharmonic for a video game and it sounds exactly like you'd hope. Ni no Kuni II's score carries the same warmth as his Ghibli work but pushes into darker, more rhythmic territory. The Great Outdoors has this soaring brass melody that immediately makes you want to explore every corner of the world map.
Read more
Then The Final Showdown drops all the whimsy and goes full dramatic with layered strings and percussion that actually gave me chills. Here Come the Higgledies is pure joy, bouncy and playful in a way only Hisaishi pulls off.
Some unexpected electronic touches in the factory sections too. If you love orchestral scores that actually make you feel something, Evan's kingdom is calling.