Japanese Composers Say Western Game Music is "Dry"
- Thread starter Andy Chalk
- Start date
The thing is, Japanese games by default have more thought and work put into their music. I can think of many many, very many games that have catchy music. So many they create a rule. A rule that is not followed closely in the "West" (when will people realise that Japan is considered a Western culture?)
There are quite a few british and american composers that I like. Grant Kirkhope, Dave Wise, Jerry Martin and others I cannot mention by name.
Of course, the respective list of japanese composers is much longer.
There are quite a few british and american composers that I like. Grant Kirkhope, Dave Wise, Jerry Martin and others I cannot mention by name.
Of course, the respective list of japanese composers is much longer.
I can honestly say I see (er hear I guess) myself humming a ff battle theme or practically anything made by nobuo a lot more than most american music (though the halo theme is catchy)
I have to agree. Most music from Japanese games are AMAZING.
However what about Michael Giaachino and David Bergeaud? THEY are awesome! (For those who don't know, Michael did the music for Black and Call of Duty 1, and David does music for the Ratchet and Clank games)
However what about Michael Giaachino and David Bergeaud? THEY are awesome! (For those who don't know, Michael did the music for Black and Call of Duty 1, and David does music for the Ratchet and Clank games)
I love it how people are using The Elder Scrolls as a staple of WRPG music. Those peasants at Bethesda dont seem to give a shit about their music in games. They had Jeremy Soule, the guy who did ICEWIND DALE and TOTAL ANNIHILATION and the sum of Morrowind and Oblivions music combined is two fairly nice theme tunes and a bunch throwaway music for exploration and combat that repeats so often you often forget its even bloody there.
If youre going to say "JRPGs have better music and WRPGs" use the Baldurs Gate series, Planescape: Torment, Fallout and Icewind Dale 1&2 as examples of WRPG music done well to compare against JRPGs. Bethesdas attitude towards music in their games means the soundtracks never even come close to those classics.
Oh and as for the topic. I disagree. I think Western developers have the budget and the technology AND what it takes to make great music, and thats why I prefer Western music over Japanese.
Edit: I would have liked to have mentioned Mass Effects music because I think its brilliant, but thankfully Ive seen plenty of people who have already shown appreciation it in this thread, so I didnt see the need.
If youre going to say "JRPGs have better music and WRPGs" use the Baldurs Gate series, Planescape: Torment, Fallout and Icewind Dale 1&2 as examples of WRPG music done well to compare against JRPGs. Bethesdas attitude towards music in their games means the soundtracks never even come close to those classics.
Oh and as for the topic. I disagree. I think Western developers have the budget and the technology AND what it takes to make great music, and thats why I prefer Western music over Japanese.
Edit: I would have liked to have mentioned Mass Effects music because I think its brilliant, but thankfully Ive seen plenty of people who have already shown appreciation it in this thread, so I didnt see the need.
I don't know, they're kinda hard to compare. I mean, you've got two completely different cultural backgrounds your talking about. Two totally different sounds. They might stick to the same Keys, scales, and notes, but at the very least, we've got different rhythm structures. We're just culturally different, not necessarily dry...
Nobuo Uematsu or it never happened.
I half agree with them. On one hand, you have these Japanese composers who put their hearts and souls into the music (See: Final Fantasy). And you can realize that as soon as you hear it. Hell, up until today, FFX's ending theme still gives me the chills.
On the other hand, there are some pretty interesting composers on this side of the pond. Skyrim music, anyone? Or even better, Metal Gear?
But overall, I do prefer Japanese composers. They do try harder and stuff. I'm just gonna leave it at that.
I half agree with them. On one hand, you have these Japanese composers who put their hearts and souls into the music (See: Final Fantasy). And you can realize that as soon as you hear it. Hell, up until today, FFX's ending theme still gives me the chills.
On the other hand, there are some pretty interesting composers on this side of the pond. Skyrim music, anyone? Or even better, Metal Gear?
But overall, I do prefer Japanese composers. They do try harder and stuff. I'm just gonna leave it at that.