Firstly, this was inspired by the Extra Credits episode Videogame Music (taking late-to-the-party to new heights), and that should probably be watched as well. Secondly, please don't have this devolve into sea of YouTube links; if you simply must include links to pieces then please use the spoiler tags - [ spoiler ] and [ / spoiler ] without the spaces - so the discussion isn't overwhelmed by the examples.
Now, I don't intend the purpose of this thread to be the same as the thousands of similar ones, where it's nothing but Escapists posting examples of what they think are the best pieces of music, but hopefully where people attempt to explain their opinion instead of merely stating it. I would really like this to become a discussion on precisely the reasons you think a game or games deserves to receive praise for its music, and deriving from that a discussion on what, exactly, we look for in videogame music and what, in general terms, we consider to be "good music". Why do you enjoy a certain game's music more than that of any else? What is it that draws you to it, or implants it firmly in your mind? Is it the music itself, or the game, or a combination of the music and the context of the game? To what extent, if any, do your videogame music preferences relate to you preferences for music in general? Please think about these and similar things before you post.
I'll go first: By far, my favourite videogame music comes from the Touhou games. While first and foremost they possess supremely addictive melodies and beats, quite a few also manage to be deep and involving, to fit the atmosphere almost perfectly despite the vast disparity, and to be just as enjoyable either in the game or listening to them by themselves. While of course not all of them are brilliant, even the most mediocre of ZUN's pieces have that strange charm that permeates Touhou in general, nostalgic and even mythic, with incredible originality and undeniable power. From Stage 1 to the Extra stage, from the first game to the most recent, from the gorgeous to the energetic, from the haunting to the just plain weird. And all from one man with a synthesiser.
So that's my favourite. What is yours?
Now, I don't intend the purpose of this thread to be the same as the thousands of similar ones, where it's nothing but Escapists posting examples of what they think are the best pieces of music, but hopefully where people attempt to explain their opinion instead of merely stating it. I would really like this to become a discussion on precisely the reasons you think a game or games deserves to receive praise for its music, and deriving from that a discussion on what, exactly, we look for in videogame music and what, in general terms, we consider to be "good music". Why do you enjoy a certain game's music more than that of any else? What is it that draws you to it, or implants it firmly in your mind? Is it the music itself, or the game, or a combination of the music and the context of the game? To what extent, if any, do your videogame music preferences relate to you preferences for music in general? Please think about these and similar things before you post.
I'll go first: By far, my favourite videogame music comes from the Touhou games. While first and foremost they possess supremely addictive melodies and beats, quite a few also manage to be deep and involving, to fit the atmosphere almost perfectly despite the vast disparity, and to be just as enjoyable either in the game or listening to them by themselves. While of course not all of them are brilliant, even the most mediocre of ZUN's pieces have that strange charm that permeates Touhou in general, nostalgic and even mythic, with incredible originality and undeniable power. From Stage 1 to the Extra stage, from the first game to the most recent, from the gorgeous to the energetic, from the haunting to the just plain weird. And all from one man with a synthesiser.
Eternal Shrine Maiden, the very first stage theme for the very first game, Touhou Reiiden ~ Highly Responsive to Prayers
Bloom Nobly, Cherry Blossoms of Sumizome ~ Border of Life, the final boss theme for Touhou Youyoumu ~ Perfect Cherry Blossom
Illusionary Night ~ Ghostly Eyes, the Stage 1 theme for Touhou Eiyashou ~ Imperishable Night
Cinderella Cage ~ Kagome-Kagome, the Stage 5 theme for Touhou Eiyashou ~ Imperishable Night
The Gensoukyou the Gods Loved, the Stage 3 theme for Touhou Fuujinroku ~ Mountain of Faith
Emotional Skyscraper ~ Cosmic Mind, the final boss theme for Touhou Seirensen ~ Undefined Fantastic Object
Bloom Nobly, Cherry Blossoms of Sumizome ~ Border of Life, the final boss theme for Touhou Youyoumu ~ Perfect Cherry Blossom
Illusionary Night ~ Ghostly Eyes, the Stage 1 theme for Touhou Eiyashou ~ Imperishable Night
Cinderella Cage ~ Kagome-Kagome, the Stage 5 theme for Touhou Eiyashou ~ Imperishable Night
The Gensoukyou the Gods Loved, the Stage 3 theme for Touhou Fuujinroku ~ Mountain of Faith
Emotional Skyscraper ~ Cosmic Mind, the final boss theme for Touhou Seirensen ~ Undefined Fantastic Object
So that's my favourite. What is yours?
