DreamTheaterForums.org Dream Theater Fan Site
General => General Music Discussion => Topic started by: ASacrificedSon on February 03, 2016, 09:04:21 AM
-
Do you ever pay attention to music in video games? If you do, they can say alot and mean a lot.
If there is enough support and are willing to follow, we can have a top 25, similar to Sacul or just post a video game music and people give thoughts.
If anyone wants in, either PM me or post it here.
Sign Ups (now in particular order)
1. CableX (ongoing)
2. ASacrificedSon
3. Sacul
In the future:
1. BlobVanDam
2. Lynxo
3. Tiojorge
-
Excellent idea!!! VG is a big part of my life. I'd be down with doing a top 25 list too. A lot of my top 25 would not be in my top 25 games.
I'm partial to 8bit music, so chiptunes. But I also grew up playing NES. So many great stuff. While new VG music is great, due to having no limitations, there at times is charm in limitations.
The current soundtrack I'm burning thru is the game people are polarized on- Undertale. It really has nothing to do with being mostly chiptunes, but rather just being awesome and so fitting of the game. It feels at times the songs came before the characters, and guided their personalities.
-
Excellent idea!!! VG is a big part of my life. I'd be down with doing a top 25 list too. A lot of my top 25 would not be in my top 25 games.
I'm partial to 8bit music, so chiptunes. But I also grew up playing NES. So many great stuff. While new VG music is great, due to having no limitations, there at times is charm in limitations.
The current soundtrack I'm burning thru is the game people are polarized on- Undertale. It really has nothing to do with being mostly chiptunes, but rather just being awesome and so fitting of the game. It feels at times the songs came before the characters, and guided their personalities.
:tup
Welcome!
-
I could've sworn there was a thread for this already but maybe not and I'm too lazy to search so...
LOVE THIS SHIT!
All-time favorites include, with a general but ever-changing ranking (except for numero uno which is pretty much always up there):
Shoji Meguro (Shin Megami Tensei series)
Ryota Koduka (Only heard his stuff on MegaTenIV but it's that good)
Koji Kondo (Zelda)
Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy)
Koichi Sugiyama (Dragon Quest)
Akira Yamaoka (Silent Hill)
Kenji Yamamoto (Metroid)
Michiru Yamane (all of the best Castlevania titles...except IV, so shout outs to Taro Kudou and Masanori Adachi :P )
I think that's all I can remember for now... I listen to a shitload of vidja gaym music all of the time. Almost as much, and sometimes more so than my favorite bands, depending on my mood. Awesome stuff from everyone I mentioned from techno-punk to brooding melancholy to whimsical bliss and back down to some eerie sci/fi grooving. Love it all. Shoji Meguro is without a doubt my favorite composer of all the timelines.
-
Koji Kondo is a major YES.
Also Mario has a really nice music.
-
Imma take Tio's already-perfect list and add
Yuzo Koshiro (Ys, Etrian Odyssey)
Yasunori Mitsuda (Chrono Trigger)
Yoko Shimomura (Kingdom Hearts, Mario & Luigi)
Motoi Sakuraba (Tales Of... Games, Star Ocean, Dark Souls, various Mario sports titles)
:metal
-
Videogames have some of the best music out there - hell, even 5 OSTs made my top 50, with the Mario Galaxy one at #5. It's just superb. But it was a tough battle with the SM64 soundtrack, mainly because of Dire, Dire Docks. Koji Kondo is the man :hefdaddy
-
I've thought of doing a "25 favourite VG soundtracks" list a few times, but never bothered because of the effort involved to create such a list, and the probable lack of variety in my list.
But if there's interest in doing this I would definitely follow.
-
Great! I'm willing and I think other people will.
And for galaxy, is it gusty garden, Sacul?
And DDD is so peaceful!
-
I don't think it's a coincidence that most of my favourite games also happen to have excellent soundtracks, and if I ranked soundtracks, it would probably be somewhat close to my list of favourite games. :lol
-
Uematsu, definitely, and while I haven't played many Final Fantasy games, his music is just amazing.
I *have* at least played a couple of Kingdom Hearts and Mario & Luigi games and I have to say, Shimomura's music is pretty damn good, and I look forward to hearing her work in FF XV and KHIII in the coming years...ish...
Kondo just for historical significance, but also because his new mixes of songs on Super Mario Maker, during the Maker session, is pretty damn good. The music changes as you work on making a level, fading different elements of the music in and out of the main track, while creating an aural experience that is always fresh, keeping level-making and editing a fun time!
And Meguro, because of the music I've heard from Persona 3 and 4, as well as their spin-offs and anime, and what I've heard of the Persona 5 OST from trailers and such, his music continues to astound me as the years go on. One of the freshest game composers I've heard in years!
Of course, JRPGs continue to feature some of the best video game music, and I doubt that'll ever change, especially with such a wide array of talented composers working on those JRPGs!
-Marc.
-
Kondo just for historical significance, but also because his new mixes of songs on Super Mario Maker, during the Maker session, is pretty damn good. The music changes as you work on making a level, fading different elements of the music in and out of the main track, while creating an aural experience that is always fresh, keeping level-making and editing a fun time!
That jazzy remix of the SMB1 underground theme is just orgasmic.
-
I'm about as casual of a video game player as you can get. Last time was in July last year, when i played KOTOR 1 for about an hour. :biggrin:
But i do love some VG soundtracks very much!
The Metroid Prime trilogy (Prime, Echoes, Corruption) has some amazing music! I can't remember who is behind the soundtrack in those games. As mentioned above, the KOTOR games have some great soundtracks as well. As well as Mass Effect and Dragon Age games from the same developer. If i remember correctly, it was Inon Zur for Dragon Age games and Sam Hulick and Jack Wall for Mass Effect.
-
Kenji Yamamoto, and he is indeed a god of ambient sci/fi loving.
+10 to Kingdom Hearts and Chrono Trigger.
Oh and one extremely important one that in the back of my mind I knew I'd forgotten:
Mo'fuggin' Keiichi Suzuki, the great composer for the Mother series, AKA Earthbound. That one would have easily taken the cake as my favorite soundtrack when I was a youngin'. So. Good. So. Weird. Yes!
-
Off course, Nobou Uematso is a beast. But he's also really funny - I got the opporturnity to see him at a piano concert. It was a chill experience where he had an amazing piano player performing his music and between songs, he answered questions. He encouraged the audience to clap and shout, and he threw out some pins and said that the people who got them are responsible for shouting the most. :lol
Other than that, I find that the 8-bit and 16-bit eras of video game contains BY FAR the best songs, simply because they're all so incredibly melody based. Especially true for the NES era where you didn't really had much more than lead melody, base line and perhaps some sort of percussion. It's amazing what some composers were able to create under those limitations.
-
back in the day (the early 90's), I had an Amiga computer and found the game "Shadow of the Beast".
I thought it was the coolest game ever and the soundtrack was awesome, well, for that time period anyway...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JZA_IAaN-Q
-
:D
Im seeing enthusiasm!
You guys down for the top 25 or whatever video game music? After you post, everyone can give thoughts on the music.
Are you guys willing to participate?
-
Interstate 76 Soundtrack (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjW0KYVZFFk)
[/thread]
-
Koji Kondo was my shit. The Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask soundtracks get me every time.
A major yes to Chrono Trigger as well. :hefdaddy
That's just to name a very short few. As for a more nostalgic pick, I remember having this racing game on the SNES called Top Gear and recall the soundtrack being pretty killer.
-
And for galaxy, is it gusty garden, Sacul?
Absolutely :hefdaddy
-
That earns a big fat YES.
Have that for a ring tone :D
-
Also, if any Utematsu/Final Fantasy fans haven't heard them yet, you guys should check out Marc Papeghin's medleys on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4BC2E1D41F55F389
Some AMAZING arrangements and performances by him (on drums, keys, guitars, and brass instruments), as well as many guests. He's a prog-inspired musician, and it really shows in his arrangements and playing, and he's also a Dream Theater fan! I wonder if he posts on this board??
-Marc.
-
I'm down for the top 25, will there be a list of people?
-
Yep! I got a few.
-
I usually don't pay that much attention to soundtracks in video games, but the Witcher series has some absolutely fantastic music. As well es being fantastic games of course.
-
I guess we can begin! I messaged CableX. If he doesn't want to go today, I'll start off this list.
-
Alright all, tonight I'll post an honorable mention, and then my 25th game soundtrack after. I hope to bang out at least two per day until the top 5. But I am still filling out my list and ranking the remaining 24.
-
my favorite game soundtracks are probably Okami and Knott Underground but the latter is probably just because of how much I love the game tbh
-
Alright, so here is my Mostly Japanese, Mostly Crappy Chiptune list!
Honorable Mention: Robert "Bobby' Prince - Doom (1993)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/57/Doom_cover_art.jpg/250px-Doom_cover_art.jpg)
This soundtrack is quite killer. I also have so many fond memories of the game, and when I first saw it. My brother's friend had a brand new Pentium PC, which was a big deal back then. The sound of the shotgun sounded so cool back then- now it sounds like crap. :lol
Anyway, the soundtrack. It would be higher if Bobby Prince didn't cop at least 10 rock and metal songs for his HIGHLY inspired by songs. Doom2 was not much different, but less of re-writing riffs to my knowledge. Songs such as ACDC Big Gun, Slayer Behind the Crooked Cross, Pantera Mouth For War among many others make their appearance. That said, Prince did write some more original songs I think. And those were pretty solid too. Even despite the heavily inspired by songs, they still sound awesome. Going to back then again, sounds still were not where they are now. So it was so cool to hear a solid MIDI soundtrack.
On a tangent, those that programmed some more popular Deathmatch WADs (Dwango!) continued the trend with their maps, only just outright placing MIDIs of songs in the games. Nine Inch Nails was common if I recall.
-
So into the top 25. At the end of each entry, I will tease the next one on the list.
To start, back to back creepy horror games.
25. Junko Tamiya - Sweet Home (1989)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/ed/Sweet_Home_Japanese_Famicom_box_art.jpg/250px-Sweet_Home_Japanese_Famicom_box_art.jpg)(https://nintendoagemedia.com/users/8060/photobucket/826B5900-F8BA-CECF-4EED2F60E7D1B861.png)
This game can go screw itself. And thanks for not releasing this Nintendo of America in the States. This game is truly unsettling, which says a lot considering its medium of the Nintendo Entertainment System was so limited. The music is absolutely PHENOMENAL at setting up a nearly never-ending atmosphere of sheer terror IMO. The game itself is no slouch, being so unique for a game back then- characters who died stayed dead! How is that for additionally making the game creepy, and survival horror-esque (Capcom says this inspired Resident Evil). The battle music is creepy in of itself, so there really is no break in my view.
Check this game out. I didn’t find out about it until this excellent Kotaku article: https://kotaku.com/the-nes-game-that-inspired-resident-evil-1687040111. It is at least worth reading about.
So the other creepy game? More chip tune fabulous placed into a Macventure port. Go get that evil wizard!
-
I did something similar focussing on battle themes a few years ago. Might be interesting to revisit that as I've come across some new ones that I loved.
-
So into the top 25. At the end of each entry, I will tease the next one on the list.
25. Junko Tamiya - Sweet Home (1989)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/ed/Sweet_Home_Japanese_Famicom_box_art.jpg/250px-Sweet_Home_Japanese_Famicom_box_art.jpg)(https://nintendoagemedia.com/users/8060/photobucket/826B5900-F8BA-CECF-4EED2F60E7D1B861.png)
This game can go screw itself. And thanks for not releasing this Nintendo of America in the States. This game is truly unsettling, which says a lot considering its medium of the Nintendo Entertainment System was so limited. The music is absolutely PHENOMENAL at setting up a nearly never-ending atmosphere of sheer terror IMO. The game itself is no slouch, being so unique for a game back then- characters who died stayed dead! How is that for additionally making the game creepy, and survival horror-esque (Capcom says this inspired Resident Evil). The battle music is creepy in of itself, so there really is no break in my view.
Check this game out. I didn’t find out about it until this excellent Kotaku article: https://kotaku.com/the-nes-game-that-inspired-resident-evil-1687040111. It is at least worth reading about.
So the other creepy game? More chip tune fabulous placed into a Macventure port. Go get that evil wizard!
That music is pretty sweet! I should go play that game :tup
I did something similar focussing on battle themes a few years ago. Might be interesting to revisit that as I've come across some new ones that I loved.
Should be pretty interesting!
-
24. Hiroyuki Masuno - Shadowgate (1989)
(https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/431/2372402-shadowgate_cover_001.jpg)
This game can screw itself as well. This was my first horror game I think, and boy did I hate it back then mainly because of the fear factor. So many deaths, accompanied by so much creepy music and scenes. However, the music that was created for the NES release is fantastic, and perfectly fits the moods of the game. And it starts off on a great theme when you push start. It makes you feel like your character; a knight or whatever sent to conquer a wizard and his behemoth.
Rock it out with this cover; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UX_cayV8dk
I will now leave primarily horror games alone for a while, only to have a great comeback near the top of the list.
…One word; Snake…
-
I remember this game, but not its soundtrack.
-
23. Kazuki Muraoka, Hiroyuki Togo, Takanari Ishiyama, Lee Jeon Myung, Maki Kirioka - Metal Gear Solid (1998)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/33/Metal_Gear_Solid_cover_art.png/256px-Metal_Gear_Solid_cover_art.png)
Alright, this isn’t that good as I remember. The soundtrack isn’t fancy at all, and if I had a do over it probably would be off the list. But, the music meshes well to this game, and accents everything. It fits the moments and style of the play. It also has the famous theme, so it's not terrible. Plus, I guess the game isn’t all that bad. :P
I also think that with PSOne is when soundtracks were able to be nearly full blown without many limitations. So composers I reckon were able to blend in more with the game, and accentuate things vs. droning chiptunes and what not.
I actually almost the NES port of MG, and/or it’s bastard sequel Snake’s Revenge. But decided to go with the well known MGS. Those two games deserve mentions though for their tunes, or at least I liked them.
Up next, Stage 3 with some apparent TMNT knockoff toads…
-
22.David Wise - Battletoads (1991)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e8/Battletoads_Coverart.png/250px-Battletoads_Coverart.png)
Ok, who didn’t get past the Turbo Tunnel (stage 3)? A picture to remind you of your trauma…
(https://www.invisiblegamer.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/BattletoadsTurboTunnel.png)(https://drawception.com/pub/panels/2012/7-1/9pxjRPxkOm-2.png)
This game is awesome though, and so is its tune-age. I do not think there really is a bad cut. Maybe stage 10 Rat Race, but it PERFECTLY fits the insane, frantic nature of that stage. I really cannot say much more about the music, just that it is top to bottom awesome. Of course, once one gets past stage 3. But the music overall is also really fast, and thus makes covering a lot of it on rock instruments basically impossible.
...And so begins the individual who populates my list the most. And I reckon they will appear on other’s lists. A true master, honing their craft in a beloved RPG franchise…
-
Great memories to those whimsical Battletoads songs.
Oh yeah and SacrificedSon, it might be best to put me on the 'in the future' list. I'm not gonna be able to sit down and organize a list for a while, my life is becoming intensely populated with shit. Some day though. I might have to necro the thread but that's okay. I always wanted to be a Necrothreadanser.
-
21. Nobuo Uematsu - Final Fantasy 6 (1994)
(https://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/4/49/Ff6-logo.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20120805195050) (https://fantasyanime.com/finalfantasy/ff6/ff3boxfront.jpg)
I know this game’s music is probably higher on most lists. Or at least would outrank where I place some of his other stuff. But I honestly cannot remember a whole lot of it. The stuff that I do is incredible- Battle Theme, airship music, the Opera for Uematsu doing what he can with what he has, Kefka’s Tower music and ALL of his battle music Dancing Mad. Actually, Kefka’s Tower and his battle music might be some of my most cherished VG music ever. I am also guessing at FF6 is when Uematsu started getting on people’s radars, and if not with this, then certainly with FF7.
…Blue bomber anyone?
-
FFVI = :metal
-
It's a must have on any list consisting of SNES-era games!
-
I loved that soundtrack soo much!
-
That pause beat in Battletoads though.
FFVI has fantastic music. :tup
-
20. Yasuaki Fujita & Harumi Fujita - Mega Man 3 (1990)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/49/Megaman3_box.jpg/250px-Megaman3_box.jpg)
One of two for the mighty blue bomber on my list. This is my favourite MM game, as it does so many things well. The music, while not my tops, is absolutely no slouch. Another game that doesn’t really have a bad cut. Standouts such as TopMan, Shadowman, Snake Man, both of Wily’s main theme stages, and oh man that INTRO!!!
…For Adun!!!
-
19. Derek Duke, Jason Hayes, Glenn Stafford, & Tracy W. Bush - Starcraft (1998)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/93/StarCraft_box_art.jpg/250px-StarCraft_box_art.jpg)
For the Terrans’ music ALONE basically! Whoever composed them out of the four is awesome. The Terran’s songs pumped me up so much. Check out this guy and his bud’s amazing cover of Terran2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnCfJEQuaSw
To me, the let down here is the Protoss and Zerg’s music. Both have music that absolutely support their style and overall theme. But the Terran’s music is so incredible, that I was a bit let down. Or maybe it’s because the Terran’s stuff is so rocking.
…And so that one guy returns for round 2…
-
I can't really pick out which classic Mega Man game has my favorite music. They're all really solid, but 3 has gotta be up there.
-
I can't really pick out which classic Mega Man game has my favorite music.
Yeah no kidding. The X series is pretty good for the mostpart too. I'm not really familiar with anything after those though.
-
I can't really pick out which classic Mega Man game has my favorite music. They're all really solid, but 3 has gotta be up there.
The first three Mega Man games are some of the best NES soundtracks I've ever heard (next to Kondo's stuff with Mario and Zelda), and even all these years after the games, I still find myself randomly humming Robot Master Stage Themes from any of those first three games, especially 3.
-Marc.
-
Props for Shadowgate, FF6 and Megaman 3 (that's my favorite classic Megaman OST btw) :tup
-
There really isn't a bad MM soundtrack IMO for the classic series. I only played MMX1 from the X series, and that ends my MM experiences outside of playing a bit of MM9. I feel the classic MM1-MM6 games are like the soundtracks too, in that there isn't a bad one. But nothing really stands out either. I never really thought about it until now, in that the X series was needed to branch out. MM classics had a recipe after MM3, and while the recipe still made solid games, it was at the cost of MM4-MM6 not standing out on their own.
-
18. Nobuo Uematsu - Final Fantasy (1987)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d8/FF1_USA_boxart.jpg/250px-FF1_USA_boxart.jpg)
If this was at the time Square’s actual final game as predicted, would Uematsu still be considered a genius? Thankfully we don’t have to wonder.
I love this game, and I played it on the real mccoy way back in the day. This game also set out some of the classic themes, mainly the arpeggiated/harp like motif of The Prelude. Also The Opening Theme, when you cross the bridge and start your adventure.
Outside of that, this game has so many wonderful tracks. The castle, the town, the airship, Gurgu Volcano, Matoya’s Cave, Temple of Chaos, Undersea Shrine, Floating Castle - so great. Shoot, after naming all of these, maybe Uematsu would be well known if Square sunk with this game!
It is interesting to write out my thoughts on these soundtracks. I tend to downplay Uematsu's legend. But when I went through the tracks and re-listened, track after track after track was stellar. More so when comparing them to other soundtracks that I thought I liked more.
…up next, a WTF block of three games which some have probably never heard of. First up, we have four family members and their pet going out to find some crowns…
-
:metal :millahhhh
Great stuff.
I totally forgot how great Starcraft's music is, even the more ambient, minimalistic tracks are really gorgeous. Nostalgia out the wazoo on that one.
-
Uematsu is a genius, and it blew my mind to learn that he composed the music for Rad Racer...which makes sense to me in retrospect. Spin the 8-minute sound track and you'll know what I mean!
-Marc.
-
17. Yuzo Koshiro & Mieko Ishikawa - Legacy Of The Wizard (1989)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/ec/Legacyofthewizard.jpg/250px-Legacyofthewizard.jpg)
Two years nearly to reach the US from its Japan release, but well worth it. Not many tracks on this one, but EVERY SINGLE ONE is a standout, and awesome. The one flaw is they are repetitive, but factoring in that A) chiptune, and B) early into the NES, it’s not so bad.
Pretty much all to say here. Probably a lot of nostalgia here, but there is just something to the songs that I enjoy. Meyna's stage sounds pretty sweet rocked out > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfwrTAveGHc
…Next up, help the elves, fight AND save those dwarves…
-
16. Jun Chikuma - Faxanadu (1989)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/57/Faxanadu_NES_US_box.jpg/200px-Faxanadu_NES_US_box.jpg)
Huh? What is this game? This one also took two years to reach the US.
It is a little odd, but basically in the vein of Legend of Zelda 2: Adventure of Link. It has more RPG elements, and is a fun game to me. The soundtrack is top notch from top to bottom. StopSkeletonsFromFighting compared it Castlevania 2: Simon’s Quest also. So really, Zelda2 or Castlevania2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-q_NZHkBopo
About the soundtrack- he also makes the splendid point that I never thought of in the past; the Land Of Mist/Fog has virtually no low-end bass, generally playing in a high register. It does really add to the unsettling, long and murky journey through the Mist/Fog. The other tracks are just solid to me. Not much more to say, I just enjoy all the tracks, and at times fit the moods of what they accompany well.
…and wrapping up the WTF block next. Mesia and you are awoken to save the world, even though she hangs out in a floating tower…
-
I remember playing the shit out of Faxanadu, but I don't remember the soundtrack for some reason.
-
Faxanadu was hard as shiiiiiiiiiiiit.
-J
-
Awesome Bolsters & J- I didn't think anyone would have heard of either! Faxanadu is apparently a side story of Dragon Slayer, which LotW is one of those. The music may not be as memorable as I make it out to be, and probably just stuck with me through multiple play throughs when I was older.
-
So last for this chunk, and then should be only one more ??? game.
15. Author not known - Crystalis (1990)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9b/Crystalisboxart.jpg/256px-Crystalisboxart.jpg)
Time for some controversy- this game is better than the original Zelda and its soundtrack. That said, this game is clearly a clone of the former, and would not exist without the former. ;)
Anyway, I love this soundtrack. So many great tracks, and they all can be quite fitting of their environments. The pinnacle is the final stage track of the Tower In The Sky. Some music does drone on and on, during stages that go on and on. I’m thinking of the Earth Cave theme, and the Underground Rivers theme.
I think the town is called Sharon or something like that, and it has a somber theme. When you visit it for a second time, the town was wiped out. The theme then really fits. So there are at least a handful of themes like that, in which they fit really well the conveyed mood. The main map theme is solid too.
These last three soundtracks in hindsight probably should be near the back or bottom of my list. I see similarities, especially with Faxanadu & LotW in that they are not varied. Nostalgia played a heavy role here. At the same time, the melodies of the tracks were very powerful. Despite the lack of diversity or fit to the moods, there must be something to less varied approach at times.
…Dracula spelled backwards…
-
14. Michiru Yamane - Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night (1997)
(https://img.gamefaqs.net/box/2/9/2/2292_front.jpg)
Bought this game before the 1million selling hype. Also got tipped off to MGS inside the book of the game, and being that I played MG on the NES I was excited.
Anyway, this soundtrack SLAYS. Fits the game to a tee. I cannot many really specific tracks other than Dracula’s Castle, which is worth the price of admission alone. Some others I remembered when playing back the soundtrack. I don’t recall any weak tracks. And the soundtrack made a greatly enjoyable game even more enjoyable.
…Next, a true cult classic. Enter into Quasi-Space!
-
Helllllllllz YUH! So nostalgic. So Gothic. So yes. Marble Gallery (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkfFgEx72Gw) is always going to be my absolute favorite and it's just...gawwwd it evokes so many awesome memories. It's just downright groovy too while still somehow being medieval and Gothic.
-
13. Aaron Grier, Erol Otus, Eric E. Berge, Riku Nuottajärvi & Dan Nicholson - Star Control II (1992)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c3/Star_Control_II_cover.jpg/250px-Star_Control_II_cover.jpg)
To start, this game is playable for free. https://sc2.sourceforge.net/downloads.php So hop to it if you are interested. I am talking about the PC soundtrack here for those that go and play it or have played it, not the 3DO port soundtrack.
Another limited soundtrack via the time it was created. But this game was in a transition phase for PC, in that it used Mod format or whatever. So the soundtrack sounded a bit more real vs. MIDI and Chiptune like songs.
So this soundtrack has an interesting history, in that the developers Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford were not given a lot of money to develop the game by Accolade. So they basically found young people, I think via an online post to do music for free. Which is saying something, as computers and music if not the internet were less useful back then.
That said, the results are fantastic. Also, every race/species in this game is so unique, they all have unique themes. And pretty much their themes all match the characteristics IMO of the race. That says a lot about how the pieces were chosen and implemented, considering five authors of music are listed.
…and now a game everyone has heard of. Another lovable blue character, who just needs to slow down...
-
Cool thread! Following.
-
Loving the list so far! Mega Man 3, Faxanadu, Chrystalis, SotN, FF1&6... this is pretty much a list of favorite games. Killer soundtracks as well! Waiting/hoping for Castlevania 3.
-
Wow, Crystalis! I had a blast playing that game at a friend's house, still remember the day we beat it. Fightin' words that it's better than Zelda, but...a case can be made for it I think.
Now i have to pull up the soundtrack on youtube.
-J
-
Thanks for the feedback! :tup Glad some are enjoying reminiscing.
-
12. Masato Nakamura - Sonic The Hedgehog (1991)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/ba/Sonic_the_Hedgehog_1_Genesis_box_art.jpg)
I will just spoil it right here; Sonic wins over Mario here for me with music. Maybe because I have heard Mario songs over, and over, and over, and over, and over again. The original theme also is commonly covered, and I don’t even think it’s THAT good. I much rather take The Legend Of Zelda’s theme song over Mario when talking Koji Kondo songs.
ANYWAY, Sonic! The themes are so charming to me. They kind of fit the game, and the stages at times. From Green Hill, to Marble Zone, to the dreamy Star Light zone. All are top notch, and so much fun to me. The Special Stage song fits there too.
…Ready for some Belmonts instead of Alucard?
-
Those classic Sonic tunes. :heart
Each zone's music is just so stunningly appropriate with the level itself, it's hard to even talk about a level without the music for it playing in your head at the same time. :lol Green Hill is so iconic. Scrap Brain has that Blade Runner shit going on, and Marble Zone was definitely underrated, and is just gorgeous on piano.
-
the classic sonic games all have great music. sonic 1 is probably my least favorite out of the bunch and it's still great.
-
11. Masanori Adachi & Taro Kudo - Super Castlevania IV (1991)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c2/Super_Castlevania_IV_North_American_SNES_box_art.png/250px-Super_Castlevania_IV_North_American_SNES_box_art.png)
Simon’s Theme *drops the mic and walks away.*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxXwmvS3DLI
My word, if one doesn’t like pipe organs, listen to this track. The reprise when fighting Dracula is absolutely chill inducing. Another game where every single song IMO is unbeatable. Also, when you get to the heart of Drac’s castle, we have some wonderful re-hashing of some favorites like Bloody Tears & Vampire Killer.
How can one go wrong here!? The game is great to boot, with my only gripe being the difficultly is way down vs. its three predecessors.
…Where is my frog? How did he grow so big and dig a hole? And why is there a tank at the bottom of it?
-
10. Naoki Kodaka - Blaster Master (1988)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Blaster_Master_boxart.jpg/250px-Blaster_Master_boxart.jpg)
Eight tracks, all great. Well, maybe stage 4 kind of is meh. That fricking croak sound, even if it was fitting due to one frog being the boss. I would actually race through from stage 5 to 1 because I could get through 4 without hearing it. But every other one is great. Even stage 8, because it fits the tough nature of the stage. Not much more to say, but I’m a bit biased because I played the fock out of this game growing up. I still fire this one up a fair amount too.
Stage 7 apparently is playable on guitar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L30lY0-zOzI. Also, first of two hypes for Vomitron and what he did with this soundtrack (album cover NSFW) https://vomitron665.bandcamp.com/album/no-nes-for-the-wicked.
…up next, what many may feel is that one guy’s crowning achievement.
-
YES!
oh, how I loved this game. One of the few games I've ever played where the music stood out to me as being something special.
-
9. Nobuo Uematsu - Final Fantasy VII (1997)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c2/Final_Fantasy_VII_Box_Art.jpg/250px-Final_Fantasy_VII_Box_Art.jpg)
(https://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/1/10/FFVIIOST.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/1000?cb=20110121211007)
Yeah, most of us have all played this. If one hasn’t, probably try out that remake that is coming. Otherwise the original is available on most formats probably. I’m guessing it will fix some of the flaws in the game IMO (narrative cohesiveness).
About the music. Oh that music. One Winged Angel anyone? Incredible cover anyone? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s20588opz4
My best live concert experience was the Dear Friends series, seeing an orchestra pull off many of Nobuo’s greatest. I cannot articulate the power and awesomeness of an orchestra playing music that is emotionally resonant to me. Seeing an orchestra is always great, but hearing VG music > Beethoven’s 5th for me, sorry. One Winged Angel certainly was the highlight of seeing the concert, and of all of my VG concert experiences, it has been the closer. The crowd always eats it up, as do I. My gosh, that TIMPANI AND CHOIR!
This is only one track. Obviously Aerith’s Theme is a hit. At times, FFVII to me is like MGS and SOTN, in that some of the tracks blend in well to the game. And many others stand out. Ones I enjoyed and remember off the top of my head were the Bombing Mission, City of Ancients- something about that repetitiveness being hypnotic and sad, knowing what happens there. Main World theme was awesome too. I enjoy the heck out of the Golden Saucer theme for what it does. I suspect HIGHLY that Uematsu was heavily inspired by Baroque Hoedown, which has been used famously in Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade. Which being a Disney nut, just makes Uematsu *that* much better.
Overall, no doubt the expanded medium was beneficial for Uematsu, as evidenced by One Winged Angel.
So yeah, FF7 soundtrack is obviously all sorts of win.
…bringing back that Belmont family, with someone else who already made an appearance in his own game…
-
8. Hidenori Maezawa, Jun Funahashi, Yukie Morimoto, &Yoshinori Sasaki - Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse (1990)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/95/Castlevania_III_Dracula%27s_Curse.jpg/250px-Castlevania_III_Dracula%27s_Curse.jpg)
You asked for it OpenYourEyes311, and you got it! I already had this on the list though, and at my highest Castlevania position. But you read me very well.
Doing the write-ups for these and grabbing information, I was surprised to see this game had four composers. I felt that was kind of rare for back then, as many games had lone or two composers generally on the NES. Castlevania 1-3 had at least two composers for each game. Certainly not the same for SOTN, so maybe that says something to Michiru Yamane’s talent!
So about the tunes, much like Super Castlevania 4, all awesome. I do not know of a weak track here. There is again reprises of I think at least Vampire Killer, so this was the first game in the series to reprise themes. The stage before Drac’s castle, the music “The Riddle” reminds me A LOT of JR’s instrumental part of ITPOE. It’s the part that MP says in the documentary sounds like Pacman or video games I think. Stream for Block 6-A is awesome, as is Mad Forest for Block 3 and Aquarius for Block 7A.
…who wants a game that is basically the video game equivalent of the film Alien?
-
7. Hirokazu "Hip" Tanaka - Metroid (1987)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5d/Metroid_boxart.jpg)
What is shocking about this is I played this very late into my NES days, near or after the end of its lifespan. No way back then did I appreciate the music. I probably thought it sucked.
It wasn’t until this https://www.metroidmetal.com , where I started to appreciate the music. It of course gave a rocking take. But once I replayed Metroid, and read about it too, I really appreciated just what the music does. Much like Sweet Home, but MUCH more effective, as Hip Tanaka produces that solitary feeling in one playing the game. It really does feel you as Samus are alone, fighting some weird stuff. Just an incredible soundtrack, and a unique gem to the NES library.
Time for an offensive comment and tangent: Metroid >>> Zelda1 >>>>> SMB1. To me, Metroid is a combination of both of those games. Up until Nintendo gave up control of Metroid, although the Prime games were good, I would contend that Metroid was the best of three franchises, while being the most overlooked.
…to that end, why not another Metroid game! It’s the vastly superior sibling…
-
6. Kenji Yamamoto, Minako Hamano - Super Metroid (1994)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e4/Smetroidbox.jpg/250px-Smetroidbox.jpg)
This game nails it so hard. And so does its soundtrack. Initially, when getting into Metroid Metal, I didn’t like this soundtrack as much. But the more I played SM WAAAAAAY after I should have, the more I appreciated it. It has a bit more melody than Metroid. At the same time, those melodies are not super strong all the time. Something like the Ruins/Lower Norfair has a great melody, but that click track in the background still doesn’t make it truly comforting. An impeccable soundtrack for a remarkable game.
…we now enter the top 5. Time to bring back the horror. We will now enter Centralia and the coal mine- err, that was the film. Bring on Pyramid Head!
-
5. Akira Yamaoka - Silent Hill 2 (2001)
(https://www.silenthillmemories.net/music/sh2_osts/pics/sh2_ost_jp_01_front.jpg)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/95/Silent_Hill_2.jpg/250px-Silent_Hill_2.jpg)
Sheer brilliance for a perfect game IMO for the time. This game’s soundtrack is nearly worth it for the Theme Of Laura alone. An orchestra performance really turned me onto this song, as it was awesome to hear it. Check out Yamaoka playing the song live- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ze9snW8-YQ
Its funny because the song is kind of not titled properly. But maybe it is, because Laura presents the only optimism and brightness in the story, while overall being a truly disturbing game. This song reflects those emotions perfectly. The reprise of it on piano is quite good.
I should note that this soundtrack is almost as much about sound design and effects, as it is about writing appeasing songs. The textures Yamaoka uses are so brilliant. Every song and sound fits and compliments the game perfectly IMO. I feel that Yamaoka pushed himself far for this soundtrack, and really used the full medium of the PS2 by jamming all the sounds he got into it. It also feels that he shaped the tracks around the game.
Another thing about this soundtrack is the straightforward rock songs, including Theme of Laura, are technically not even in the game. They all occur either as a intro (Theme of Laura) and during all of the ending. All of the ending songs are great too.
…so now for that newer overrated indie PC/Mac game with chiptunes…
-
Myyyyy ninja. Last few posts are so yes. Akira Yamaoka has the creepy yet still oh so groovy vibe down to a T.
-
Haven't had time to post but still been following and enjoying these, Cable. Looking forward to the last few. :tup
-J
-
4. Toby Fox - Undertale (2015)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f1/Undertale_cover.jpg)
(https://f1.bcbits.com/img/a2854475053_16.jpg)
Yeah, this game is that good and lives up to the hype. And its soundtrack is equally as good, which says TONS. Fox apparently made his name remaking EarthBound tracks/game itself. While I haven’t played that game despite its after the fact hype, it shows that he is fully aware of VG soundtracks as a result. [nerdout][ [be wary of possible spoilers, i tried to not spoil]
Fox reprises themes with two characters, the main menu and another theme, two other similar stages and so on. Nel says a bit more in the VG thread here https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=42202.1925. So on one hand, the reoccurring themes and motifs are absolutely awesome. But he also masks it too, and will slow down tempos on some so it's hard to tell. Someone on that Tube site did a comparison.
But it goes beyond that. Fox blends in real instruments in and out between chip tunes, often piano as that is his instrument. I know he had a guitarist play both acoustic and electric on a few tracks At times to me, it blends so well that at times I lose the concept of chiptune vs. real. Which actually probably fits right into what Fox was trying to do with the game's story IMO. Fox actually used Mario Paint to fully compose one song. The thing is, it didn't turn out too bad. It fits with the character! ("Dogsong")
He created a tapestry of music that fits this game exactly. Never have I heard a soundtrack do what this one does. Even when you are going through in a certain style of play, he distorts the music. Then he makes it go away, and places something else if you were successful. Incredible.
He also makes you feel uncomfortable/fearful when he needs you to do (True Lab - "Here We Are", "You Idiot," Unnecessary Tension," or no sound), relaxed when he needs you to be ("Fallen Down," "Ruins,") jovial/goofy/odd when he needs you to be ("sans," Nyeh Heh Heh!," "Temmie Village"), inspired ("ASGORE," "Don't Give Up," "Hopes and Dreams") and melancholy ("His Theme" among many others) when he needs you to be. If this game wasn’t so new, me being new to it, and it being “over-hyped,” I very well may have put this at the top. This will probably be my longest write up. I just cannot leave this game alone, and it has made me think so much on many levels, and made me feel so much. The soundtrack just colors it all.
A good chunk of the songs are being remade already- "Spider Dance" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqghKVU23Wc&index=7&list=PLE9NBypnb2JnDYh7Z5OQAo9MjDj2Eef9m
As a result, I have been playing the heck out of this soundtrack. Every track brings up memories of those scenes where things happened, with those characters and scenes. Fox knocked the ball out of two parks with this soundtrack. [/nerdout][/spoilers]
I know I hyped the fock out of this, and will do the same in my top 25 VG list. But please do not ignore this game because of the hype- it is that great of a game and soundtrack. This is my first independent game ever, so I'm not a fanboi of smaller developers or something. If you cannot ignore the hype, come back to the game after it has died down.
…Stage 6-2, have fun Hayabusa…
-
I haven't played this yet so I won't read any of that.
-
I haven't played this yet so I won't read any of that.
-
The Red Dead Redemption soundtrack is bomb.
-
3. Keiji Yamagishi & Ryuichi Nitta - Ninja Gaiden (1989)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9b/Ninja_Gaiden_%28NES%29.jpg/250px-Ninja_Gaiden_%28NES%29.jpg)
The only thing that sucks about this soundtrack is it was the soundtrack to much frustration. Another brilliant score, that fit many of the scenes to a tee. It created tension when it needed to, and created tranquility at times in between those eagles.
NSFW due to the album cover, but this fella did a splendid job of ripping through the soundtrack. No dodging the hard music passages, because he is a solid keyboardist on top of being good at guitar. https://vomitron665.bandcamp.com/album/no-nes-for-the-wicked.
…the blue bomber makes his return. I think most should know which one this will be, factoring in the chip tunes and the greatness of the soundtrack…
-
2.Takashi Tateishi - Mega Man 2 (1989)
(https://drh1.img.digitalriver.com/DRHM/Storefront/Company/capcomus/images/product/detail/MegaMan2OST_productimage.jpg)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/be/Megaman2_box.jpg/250px-Megaman2_box.jpg)
https://beardomusic.bandcamp.com/album/mega-beardo-a-mega-man-2-guitar-tribute
-Pretty awesome job by this guy.
Does anyone NOT like this soundtrack? My favourite theme is Quickman- oh that bassline after the guitar run. https://youtu.be/EQE7AHxLwyM?t=39s Then we have ones like Flashman, Woodman, Airman, Bubbleman, Heatman, and Crashman is pretty good. I feel there is not a weak track at all here, limited amount or not. This game also is probably my most hummed soundtrack as well. When I worked retail during undergrad, a person I worked with in the stockroom would hum along tunes with me. Flashman was a favorite of those hum times.
Then we have the more known tracks of Metalman and Dr. Wily 1.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW_Ct49H1ng (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW_Ct49H1ng) I read someone making fun of Wily 1, as that being the go to cover song or something. Guilty here too, I play it on guitar. Dr Wily2 is good also for what it does. Wily's actual stage just has the acid drop sounds if I recall, and that is pretty effective.
The only flaw to this soundtrack is perhaps it doesn’t really fit anything. They are just awesome tracks placed in a great game, but do not really tie into much with it.
Want to have some fun? How about a guy live speed-running the game to a live band playing the songs for him? Done - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUHlVdqRlPA . They do throw in some MM3 for those that watch it.
…here comes the anti-climatic finale! Who else should finish this out, but that one guy? Redeem that Dark Knight please, he needs to go the second moon.
-
Easily the best Megaman soundtrack.
-
Megaman 2 is one of my favorites from the classic era too but i prefer 3 over it. There is some tracks here like Crashman and Heatman that i don't dig while 3 i love pretty much all of it.
-
1. Nobuo Uematsu - Final Fantasy IV (1991)
(https://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ff4ost/cover_l.jpg)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/90/Final_Fantasy_IV.jpg)
(https://img.gamefaqs.net/box/6/2/1/3621_front.jpg)
Oh well for those that were let down- tough. This game is amazing, and has a soundtrack that is amazing to boot. Uematsu didn’t write a bad song for this game, and a lot of it fits the areas splendidly. Think here of the Red Wings, Into The Darkness for caves, Kingdom of Baron has a royalty type feel. The Damcyan/Eblan theme fits the tragedy of those environments, and on and on. The emotion of the songs fits well to the nature of the scenes and events. The story has a huge redemption theme going on that occurs more than once. So to me it makes the songs sound more grand/majestic at times. So let me make the laundry list here;
-Prelude
-Red Wings
-Kingdom of Baron
-Theme of Love
-Prologue
-Main theme (world map)
-Fight 1
-Into the Darkness (love that bass fill)
-Fight 2
-Mt Hobbs/Ordeals
-Golbez
-The airship (has Uematsu ever written a BAD airship theme?)
-Tower of Zot
-Dancing Calcobrena
-The Lunar Whale
-Within The Giant
Get the picture? I could just go on and on, listing nearly the entire soundtrack. I am very biased here, as nostalgia is huge here. But the melodies are just top notch across the board, and lift the game. Oh, and the Final Battle/Zeromus theme is amazing, and the best track in the entire game IMO.
Watch Uematsu rip it up with the Black Mages when they were performing- the lead guitarist shares JP’s taste in guitar builders to boot! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clurnF42DtQ
Hope everyone enjoyed the chiptune nostalgia!
-
Off of Mega Man 2, I think Bubble Man is my favorite track. Lots of good ones though.
FFIV is worthy of a top spot, but you really think its soundtrack is better than VI's?! This is where our nostalgia paths diverge my friend. :lol
Great list, I enjoyed following it. I grew up in the SNES era but only had an old NES for a fair portion of that time, so this was right up my alley. :tup
-J
-
I probably wouldn't rate IV this high either, though it is a really good soundtrack.
Excellent list. :tup
-
I agree too! :tup
Nostalgia for sure!
I'll have mine up soon, but it'll be quite different. I will post soundtracks of video games.
Loved following it and nice job!
-
I probably wouldn't rate IV this high either, though it is a really good soundtrack.
-
Thanks for the feedback all!
I knew FF4 wouldn't be popular. The same nostalgia I feel for it could be argued for FF6, as I rated FF7 higher and it is much more actualized than FF6. That said, what Uematsu did with FF6 on the SNES medium was amazing, when comparing it to FF4's limitations. FF6 is one of the darlings of the franchise for good reason IMO.
-
Bump.
Anyone want to do a list?