Catherine?s Soundtrack Renaissance
Spend an evening with your favorite game, listening not playing.
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Spend an evening with your favorite game, listening not playing.
Read Full Article
Catherine?s Soundtrack Renaissance
- Thread starter Game People
- Start date
One of the benefits of buying games from Good Old Games is that they often come with a soundtrack, some of which are quite fantastic.
The idea of a soundtrack adding hugely to a game is something that has been part of gaming for some time, you only have to look at the likes of Monkey Island or Quest for Glory to see the way that music can add to the atmosphere of a game. Not to mention the quality of the soundtracks for the Doom and Quake games.
I also appreciate those that make remixes of old game soundtracks, and none are bigger and better than the community over at OC Remix. Well worth a look.
Sierra games music [http://www.queststudios.com/]
Lucasarts games music [http://soundtracks.mixnmojo.com/]
OC Remix [http://ocremix.org/]
Fallout remastered sountrack (Mark Morgan) [http://auralnetwork.com/releases]
The idea of a soundtrack adding hugely to a game is something that has been part of gaming for some time, you only have to look at the likes of Monkey Island or Quest for Glory to see the way that music can add to the atmosphere of a game. Not to mention the quality of the soundtracks for the Doom and Quake games.
I also appreciate those that make remixes of old game soundtracks, and none are bigger and better than the community over at OC Remix. Well worth a look.
Sierra games music [http://www.queststudios.com/]
Lucasarts games music [http://soundtracks.mixnmojo.com/]
OC Remix [http://ocremix.org/]
Fallout remastered sountrack (Mark Morgan) [http://auralnetwork.com/releases]
I too enjoy Assassin's Creed 2 soundtrack from time to time. "Ezio's Family" is my favorite track. Some of the other games with original soundtracks that I enjoy are: Metal Gear Solid, GUN (so underrated), Oblivion, Morrowind, The Witcher, Hitman, Dragon Age, God of War etc.
I enjoyed the soundtrack from both of the Bioshock games, both Gary Schyman's score and the official soundtrack. They fit very well in the story line, as well as listening to them on their own.
I love game soundtracks, infact they are probably the only things I listen to (apart from film & anime soundtracks).
My favourites are FFIX, Folklore, Dragon Age, Silent Hill, Ass Creed, Kingdom Hearts, LBP & Star Ocean. There's probably more I just can't think atm
My favourites are FFIX, Folklore, Dragon Age, Silent Hill, Ass Creed, Kingdom Hearts, LBP & Star Ocean. There's probably more I just can't think atm
Favourite game soundtracks? Hoo boy... Chrono Trigger, Beyond Good and Evil, Jet Force Gemini, Metroid Prime, Time Splitters 2, Snowboard Kids, Jet Set Radio (and Future), P.N.03, The World Ends With You... I really could go on a lot longer.
As for sharing the music with non-gamers, well, I haven't had a lot of luck getting my girlfriend to listen to game music, but my Dad enjoyed listening to the Beyond Good and Evil soundtrack when I played it during a long car trip.
As for sharing the music with non-gamers, well, I haven't had a lot of luck getting my girlfriend to listen to game music, but my Dad enjoyed listening to the Beyond Good and Evil soundtrack when I played it during a long car trip.
As a composer, I'm a little confused... you reference using sourced music in WipeOut then talk about scoring in Assassin's Creed II. So are you referring to using sourced music (i.e. music created outside of the game context and then used in the game) or underscore (music created for no other purpose than to be used in game)?Game People said:
There is a large difference between a "score" and a "soundtrack."
I'm a massive fan of the Bioshock soundtracks, so I was very glad when they packed them both in with the Bioshock 2 Special Edition
Pokemon Gold/Silver and Wario Land 3. I recorded them myself off an emulator (not an easy process, let me tell you), and I haven't regretted it since. Amazing music.
I adore the music in Phantasy Star Online, but after around eight years of playing I don't desire to hear it outside the game anymore. Though I just got through listening to the Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 2 OST, done by Yuzo Koshiro. I remember him stating in an interview that it was his first real attempt at a trance soundtrack and he was worried about how it would come out. I almost wouldn't believe it's his first after listening to it, considering how good it is.
I actually don't even listen to trance music normally (though I don't mind touches of it like the ones Calvin Harris employs) and I liked it, which speaks to Koshiro's skill in electronic music. "Go Straight" from Streets of Rage 2 (the first level's theme) is still one of the best video game tracks I've ever heard.
I actually don't even listen to trance music normally (though I don't mind touches of it like the ones Calvin Harris employs) and I liked it, which speaks to Koshiro's skill in electronic music. "Go Straight" from Streets of Rage 2 (the first level's theme) is still one of the best video game tracks I've ever heard.
Some game sountracks are just really good, and not just by soundtrack standards. Some games (like Okami or Shadow of the Colossus) can hardly be differentiated from their soundtracks.
Personally I got into Armored Core because of the soundtracks. Later I introduced that music to some friends and they loved it. Also, my sister listens to Final Fantasy soundtracks and never ever plays games.
Hell, I listen to the World of Warcraft soundtrack but never touch the game.
Some of my favorite soundtracks, that I listen to quite regularly:
Metal Gear Solid (all of them)
GTA Vice City
Armored Core: for Answer
Oblivion
Knights of the Old Republic
Assassin's Creed
Homeworld
Shadow of the Colossus
Okami
Final Fantasy (X stood out for me)
C&C: Red Alert 2
Personally I got into Armored Core because of the soundtracks. Later I introduced that music to some friends and they loved it. Also, my sister listens to Final Fantasy soundtracks and never ever plays games.
Hell, I listen to the World of Warcraft soundtrack but never touch the game.
Some of my favorite soundtracks, that I listen to quite regularly:
Metal Gear Solid (all of them)
GTA Vice City
Armored Core: for Answer
Oblivion
Knights of the Old Republic
Assassin's Creed
Homeworld
Shadow of the Colossus
Okami
Final Fantasy (X stood out for me)
C&C: Red Alert 2
Strangely, the first thing that popped into my head reading this was the score from the cult-classic Outcast. It had the whole symphony-thing going for it, and it worked marvellously.
In addition to that, some favourites includes:
Xenogears
Final Fantasy VI through IX
Persona 3 & 4
The Witcher
bah, some others. Lists suck anyway; no one actually reads them
In addition to that, some favourites includes:
Xenogears
Final Fantasy VI through IX
Persona 3 & 4
The Witcher
bah, some others. Lists suck anyway; no one actually reads them
I always loved the Zelda soundtracks, Koji Kondo is great at creating pieces with wildly varying styles to fit the themes of each area you're in. Gerudo Valley was turned from an uninteresting dessert to an awesome jaunt because of that piece, and the overworld themes really get me in the mood for adventure. Other soundtracks that are awesome are any of the metal gear games from 2 onwards, Any of the halo games (the only interesting part of those games to me), Shadow of the colossus of course, and Mario Galaxy really nailed it with it's ecclectic mix of synths and full orchestra. How can you not listen to Gusty garden [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z2kxFCQ_mQ] and smile? I dare you...
I have a number of tracks from the Half-life series on my iPod - mostly the odd breakbeat things. A lot of it is a bit poor when listened to out of context but other parts are quite good. Plus they're all about a minute long so you don't get bored of them.
I detest lists, but here we go.
-Zelda: Everything Zelda has been on a CD that I either bought or made at one point or another.
-ACII: Has music so good I put the entire CD on perma-loop while writing a 10 page essay (I got a B+, I if remember correctly).
-Devil May Cry: The lyrics may be basically unintelligable 80% of the time, but it fits far to well, and is just plain awesome.
-God of War: This is what I used to prove to my musician father and step-mother that, yes, games have excellent music, it is real, get over yourselves.
-(Every) Megaman series (Megaman, Megaman X, Megaman Zero, etc): All beyond excellent.
-Actually just stick most Capcom games on here.
-Castlevania (series): Gonna have to import that massive multi-CD thing.
-Many many more.
The next one is perhaps most important.
-Touhou Project: Everything, and I do mean everything that ZUN composes is utter gold, and I'm still surprised that a company hasn't snapped him up to make music for them.
Eh, it must be because he loves Midi (and he really loves horns), and only composes using Midi-music.
Here, have several examples. Note that if you want to open them in new tabs, only "right-click->open in new tab" will make the links work properly. Other shortcut keys (like control-click) mess it up, for some reason.
I could keep going, but I have other stuff to do. Like play more Touhou.
-Zelda: Everything Zelda has been on a CD that I either bought or made at one point or another.
-ACII: Has music so good I put the entire CD on perma-loop while writing a 10 page essay (I got a B+, I if remember correctly).
-Devil May Cry: The lyrics may be basically unintelligable 80% of the time, but it fits far to well, and is just plain awesome.
-God of War: This is what I used to prove to my musician father and step-mother that, yes, games have excellent music, it is real, get over yourselves.
-(Every) Megaman series (Megaman, Megaman X, Megaman Zero, etc): All beyond excellent.
-Actually just stick most Capcom games on here.
-Castlevania (series): Gonna have to import that massive multi-CD thing.
-Many many more.
The next one is perhaps most important.
-Touhou Project: Everything, and I do mean everything that ZUN composes is utter gold, and I'm still surprised that a company hasn't snapped him up to make music for them.
Eh, it must be because he loves Midi (and he really loves horns), and only composes using Midi-music.
Here, have several examples. Note that if you want to open them in new tabs, only "right-click->open in new tab" will make the links work properly. Other shortcut keys (like control-click) mess it up, for some reason.
The Venerable Ancient Battlefield: Suwa Foughten Field [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHFYORrFp8U&fmt=18]
Kanako Yaska's theme from Mountain of Faith.
Fires of Hokkai [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdmDGphX9vE&fmt=18]
Stage 6 theme from Undefined Fantastic Object.
Bloom Nobly, Cherry Blossoms of Sumizome ~ Border of Life [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVBI4g6Js-A&fmt=18]
Yuyuko Saigyouji's theme from Perfect Cherry Blossom.
(Arranged) Border of Life (Saigyou Ayakashi) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69jezLrwbU4&fmt=18]
Yuyuko's Saigyouji's final theme from Perfect Cherry Blossom.
Onigashima in the Fairyland ~ Missing Power [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bzlrlsw9o2o]
Suika Ibuki's theme from Immaterial and Missing Power.
Native Faith [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7dLp2Eb7cg&fmt=18]
Suwako Moriya's theme from Mountain of Faith.
***Solar Sect of Mystic Wisdom ~ Nuclear Fusion [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy_-7OXophY&feature=related]***
Utsuho Reiuji's theme from Subterranean Animism.
*"Solar Sect of Mystic Wisdom ~ Nuclear Fusion" is also known as "Sun Worship of Gnosis ~ Nuclear Fusion."
Kanako Yaska's theme from Mountain of Faith.
Fires of Hokkai [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdmDGphX9vE&fmt=18]
Stage 6 theme from Undefined Fantastic Object.
Bloom Nobly, Cherry Blossoms of Sumizome ~ Border of Life [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVBI4g6Js-A&fmt=18]
Yuyuko Saigyouji's theme from Perfect Cherry Blossom.
(Arranged) Border of Life (Saigyou Ayakashi) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69jezLrwbU4&fmt=18]
Yuyuko's Saigyouji's final theme from Perfect Cherry Blossom.
Onigashima in the Fairyland ~ Missing Power [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bzlrlsw9o2o]
Suika Ibuki's theme from Immaterial and Missing Power.
Native Faith [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7dLp2Eb7cg&fmt=18]
Suwako Moriya's theme from Mountain of Faith.
***Solar Sect of Mystic Wisdom ~ Nuclear Fusion [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy_-7OXophY&feature=related]***
Utsuho Reiuji's theme from Subterranean Animism.
*"Solar Sect of Mystic Wisdom ~ Nuclear Fusion" is also known as "Sun Worship of Gnosis ~ Nuclear Fusion."
I could keep going, but I have other stuff to do. Like play more Touhou.
There's a few composers that stand out for me with regards to videogames, Kevin Manthei [http://www.kmmproductions.com/mu_sac.html] and his work on Sacrifice was just amazing.
Ben Houge's compositions for string quartet for Arcanum [http://www.terra-arcanum.com/sierra/media/media-soundtrack.html], sadly the soundtrack download on the official site no longer seems to work, but as far as I know you can still download the scores. Here's an alternative too: http://terra-arcanum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=15289
The music behind Painkiller was similarly memorable and appropriate to the setting to boot, with one the most metal soundtracks you're likely to hear in a game. And of course, the Valve Studio Orchestra [http://www.last.fm/music/Valve+Studio+Orchestra] never fails to delight the ears. :3
Ben Houge's compositions for string quartet for Arcanum [http://www.terra-arcanum.com/sierra/media/media-soundtrack.html], sadly the soundtrack download on the official site no longer seems to work, but as far as I know you can still download the scores. Here's an alternative too: http://terra-arcanum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=15289
The music behind Painkiller was similarly memorable and appropriate to the setting to boot, with one the most metal soundtracks you're likely to hear in a game. And of course, the Valve Studio Orchestra [http://www.last.fm/music/Valve+Studio+Orchestra] never fails to delight the ears. :3