Track samples (http://tower.jp/item/3747614/%E3%83%95%E3%82%A1%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BF%E3%82%B7%E3%8 3%BC%E3%82%B9%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC-%E3%83%8E%E3%83%B4%E3%82%A1-%E3%82%AA%E3%83%AA%E3%82%B8%E3%83%8A%E3%83%AB%E3%8 2%B5%E3%82%A6%E3%83%B3%E3%83%89%E3%83%88%E3%83%A9% E3%83%83%E3%82%AF)
You can listen to the samples and decide for yourself. It was for tri-Ace though, and his work with them always comes out amazing.
Eh, he never said that. He did repeatedly say that he always does what he is asked to do, within the time he’s asked to do it. And that he is not always happy about the circumstances to work in he is given.
Why don’t you try to write a full game score within a short timeframe and repeat the process for many many years.
Exactly. It’s not really that easy to make so many original scores, especially in short amounts of time. There’s a lot of problems which come with that.
I recall reading somewhere in an interview for a more recent Tales game, that he wanted to do something different for that game, but they just told him: "NO. Do your usual please". So then there’s that.
yeah this is true. Motoi, if given 100% freedom on the sound direction of a game, is able to create legendary stuff. So blame the Tales of directors/producers for limiting him to largely forgettable stuff. Not to mention the fact he puts out multiple projects a year.
Motoi Sakuraba: With Xillia, I was requested to not make the sound too thick, so I kept that in mind as I composed. There is a specific color to the Tales sound, and I am careful to not lose sight of it. Personally I would have preferred to do something that differs more from previous games, but it’s quite difficult.
Motoi Sakuraba: At the begin I thought to compose Phantasy Star-style music, but, the production department proposed me to do something different to Phantasy Star, they gave me complete creative freedom to compose what I want. I love Space Fantasy so I enjoyed a lot doing this soundtrack.
Find the 7 differences.
Sources:
Tales of Xillia: Game Music Online Motoi Sakuraba Interview: Diverse New Projects – Game Music Online (http://www.vgmonline.net/motoisakurabainterview/)
Phantasy Star Nova: 
:large
Alisha After Story: Music and New Tales Composer. – Tales of Zestiria Message Board for PlayStation 3 – GameFAQs (http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/740217-tales-of-zestiria/71223652/812019138)
CD 1: https://mega.co.nz/#!SMIjwAYD!E7Z_Dq6jYASKOSj7AA530yAxfX-2HYFnvSah4xMdf_M
CD 2: https://mega.co.nz/#!yAZU0K7a!tpSa6iEaWLzo2f60WMxfLEraKVURxdMhJpEHxo1 LdYc
CD 3: https://mega.co.nz/#!uEongBoa!WF4CJ25NcqYV6HiX0FZIju61rEDNZJ1t5ID3c0A IVNQ
Plenty of other composers do a far better job at it than him. Look at how much the likes of Yuzo Koshiro, Nobuo Uematsu, Hitoshi Sakimoto, Jesper Kyd and Yasunori Mitsuda have varied their work over the years. And their work schedules are just as busy. If it was up to you guys, we wouldn’t ever criticise anybody who works in music. I’m sorry I don’t have the same opinion as you, but deal with it however you deem fit. Hans Zimmer gets shit for doing the same thing all of the time too.
Which means there aren’t any "excuses", he can only do much within an unfairly short time while intentionally doing the same thing upon request. If anything he’s doing pretty damn well for himself.
I know, poor Sakuraba, picking up that paycheck by phoning it in. Poor guy.