‘Final Fantasy’ composer Nobuo Uematsu says game scores are becoming too similar – and Hollywood’s to blame

Nobuo Uematsu, the composer best known for his iconic contributions to the Final Fantasy franchise, has opined that video game scores are becoming increasingly homogenised.

Speaking at a roundtable interview for the upcoming JRPG Eternal Anima, Game Observer reports, Uematsu attributed to this trend to developers hiring composers who are capable of making “film-like” scores with a Hollywood-esque intensity.

“You couldn’t survive if you can’t make robust and substantial music,” Uematsu said. “Moreover, the whole gaming industry was aiming for the scale of Hollywood movies.”

Uematsu also said this trend has reducing composers’ ability and willingness to incorporate their own individual flair into game scores.

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“For me, I realised since quite back then that it’s no longer an era where you can just make game music you like however you please,” Uematsu said. “You have to properly incorporate current trends and comprehend orchestration; unless someone can do that, they cannot move forward [in their career].”

The legendary composer added: “When you’re thinking of orchestral music with intensity, it’s easy to end up with something that sounds like a Hollywood-style score. In that sense, it has become increasingly difficult to differentiate a work just through its overall feel alone.”

Last week, Square Enix announced details of a new 40th anniversary Final Fantasy vinyl, featuring songs from every mainline game in the long-running series. ‘Final Fantasy 40th Anniversary: The Crystal Vinyl Edition’ is available to pre-order now from Square Enix Japan, and is expected to ship at the beginning of 2027.

Meanwhile, Square Enix have also announced a ‘Distant Worlds’ orchestral concert tour to celebrate 40 years of the Final Fantasy franchise and its music.

The tour, which kicks off in March, will celebrate the enduring music of the series’ iconic composers, including Uematsu, Masashi Hamauzu, Naoshi Mizuta, Hitoshi Sakimoto, Yoko Shimomura, and Masayoshi Soken.