Stripped-back piano versions and rejected battle themes from Etrian Odyssey III that honestly could have made the final cut. Yuzo Koshiro's outtake collection is only six tracks but every one shows a different direction the DS game's music could have gone.
Read more
The piano versions of the dungeon themes are bare and contemplative, just melody and chords, no FM synth layers. "Blood-stained Sword" as a battle outtake hits with a rawer energy than what ended up in the game, almost like a rougher sketch that still cuts deep.
"Phantom Decisive Battle" goes full intensity with dense layering despite being a reject. Just fascinating to hear the roads not taken. If you love EO3's final soundtrack, hearing what Koshiro left on the cutting room floor adds so much context.