Dolphin escapes to Hocotate, during which the motif returns triumphantly before faltering off into an augmented cliffhanger. A brief major turnaround in the strings recaps the events of Pikmin, and the S.S. This orchestral suite begins with the 'Hocotatian motif' elaborated, until its regality is abruptly silenced by booming percussion as the S.S. Heard during the introduction cutscene, which plays upon starting a new game, or occasionally during attraction mode. These are small gestures that reappear throughout the game suggesting ideas or setting moods. Additionally, the lists of songs in the various 'trackMap' files, located in both the /user/Wakai and /user/Totaka folders respectively, also seem to attribute some songs to one of the two different composers. Hajime Wakai and Kazumi Totaka's differing equipment can be used to determine which of the two composers was responsible for each particular song, as their songs will use samples recorded from their respective synthesizers. Hajime Wakai recorded most of these samples off the Kurzweil K2500R and Roland SC-88 synthesizers, while Kazumi Totaka primarily used samples from the Yamaha S90. All the compositions of this game consist wholly of synthesized sounds or samples attempting to mimic real instruments. Although the credits of Pikmin 2 seem to suggest that Hajime Wakai was the sole composer of the music, a number of songs are actually by Kazumi Totaka instead. The soundtrack to Pikmin 2 does not have an official album, unlike Pikmin did with Pikmin World. In general, compared with the music of the previous game, the soundtrack of Pikmin 2 is less melodically driven, and more atmospheric, although this iteration of the game contains quite a few leitmotifs, or musical gestures that become associated with characters or ideas. Between gameplay, pre-rendered cutscenes are scored with a large orchestra, and in-game cutscenes are scored with small ensembles. Some tracks even adapt specifically to the actions of bosses. During gameplay, each piece of music sets the mood for the particular environment, and adapts dynamically to what tasks Pikmin are carrying out, the identity and condition of the controlled leader, and the time of day.

Generally, the textural style of the music reflects either the game's new mission from Hocotate, the organic overworld of PNF-404, or the specific visual theme of a cave by vastly varying its unique instrumentations, register, and rhythms. The music of Pikmin 2 accompanies every mode of the game, from themes during gameplay to scores of cutscenes and menus, in order to provide a more engaging and focally directed experience.

Company of heroes soundtrack composer