Best Soundtrack Was A Symphony In The Night

JMO_INDY
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 9:39:22 PM
Reply

I respectfully disagree. MGS or Halo have the best soundtrack. I absolutely loved the soundtracks of both MGS 2 and HALO: ODST. However for a theme song of a series.. I would give the award to MGS for certain... I get chills every time I hear it. It's incredible.

You do bring up a very interesting point Ben. I have always valued the music of a game, sometimes more than any visuals or game play mechanics. It's a category of the games we enjoy, but as you have pointed out... it's largely over looked... and it's sad.

Last edited by JMO_INDY on 8/12/2011 9:41:26 PM

6 up, 5 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 10:10:07 PM

Halo? ...you've gotta be kidding me. Maybe the most repetitive set of music I've ever heard.

10 up, 5 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 10:28:54 PM

Halo is effective at least.

2 up, 1 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 10:35:07 PM

Yeah, it's effective at times. And I liked the epic nature of it.

But it just wasn't varied enough and I've been hearing one main track for three full installments now.

8 up, 1 down

Excelsior1
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 12:13:15 AM

i gotta agree jmo

mgs1, and mgs2 soundtrack give me chills as well. halo's soundtrack is very good, too. i thought ff13's music was great as well. ff10 deserves some mention, too.

Last edited by Excelsior1 on 8/13/2011 12:15:42 AM

3 up, 3 down

JMO_INDY
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 12:27:59 AM

I LOVED ODST's soundtrack. The Rain and Never Forget tracks were beautiful. Very Noire-esque.

Last edited by JMO_INDY on 8/13/2011 12:33:01 AM

2 up, 1 down

Underdog15
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 12:36:48 AM

You have -GOT- to be kidding about Halo...

FFXIII is no better Excelsior. Both games have the EXACT same song with different tempos to fit the mood!

I remember when reaching Gran Pulse, and getting to a particular section and thinking, "HOLY CRAP! A different song!"

My favorite soundtrack is Dragon Quest 8. Music is a huge feature for me in games. I'm the only person I know who actively seeks out orchestral and symphonic versions of song I like from video games.

But my favorite is Dragon Quest 8 (in full symphony). It's diverse, and it's full of emotion.

You have to give a shout out to Nobuo Uematsu for his work on the FF games, though. He is very diverse in his writing. Probably the first battle theme in any game I've ever heard that didn't stick to a strict 4/4 time signature. (From what I can tell, FFVIII's battle theme is probably written in 10/8) Additionally, his writing spans across various styles and keynotes various instruments and different times.

But yeah... DQ8 ftw. There's so much going on in that music. Often you hear counter melodies and counter harmonies. Instruments not used in either harmonies or melodies do wonderfully to accent the right parts and and fill in the music with more breadth. "Heavenly Flight" isn't the best written song in the game, in my opinion, but it is definitely filled with the most emotion.

I'm sorry, but Halo's song follows a -very- strict path and does very little from beginning to end, and is broken up so badly, it might as well have been written with various movements.

I've only played and beaten ODST once. The music didn't jump out at me at any point, and I have no memory of what it was like. So it's hard to comment, yet at the same time, that in and of itself is a bit of a commentary.

Last edited by Underdog15 on 8/13/2011 12:46:42 AM

5 up, 6 down

JMO_INDY
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 12:41:37 AM

OOPS!!! Sorry for having an opinion. You have -GOT- to be kidding about choosing Coke over Pepsi.

5 up, 4 down

JMO_INDY
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 12:51:40 AM

See that's just the problem... you weren't LISTENING to it. Go on Spotify or Youtube for that matter and listen to them as music (an individual track) and not as a corresponding tune to a level in HALO.

2 up, 3 down

Underdog15
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 12:57:36 AM

I just believe that because you -enjoy- a particular song, does not make it fantastic music. I fully believe music can be enjoyed in a subjective matter, but it's incredibly mathematical. (Just ask Beethoven who couldn't even hear the works he wrote later on in his life) For that reason, it's 100% acceptable to analyze it objectively. And when I do that, Halo is just extremely average.

It's like any book. Big book people might be very particular about their books. Some will only read and enjoy true classical literature. Yet, my little sister might think Twilight or The DaVinci Code is the greatest literary work ever made, for the sole reason, that she just -really- liked it. Some people really like Romance novels. That doesn't mean it's good.

In the same way, all forms of music are enjoyed by people. Most of all by the ones who write them. But from an objective standpoint, there is a stark contrast between a well written work of art, and one that merely effectively establishes mood. Halo is mood music. It is not some well written piece of art that people will pay big money to go sit down and listen to. In the setting of the game Halo, it effectively establishes it's mood. Nothing more. It is good, maybe, but only for what it is. It is not a well written piece of music that is full of diversity.

I love Darude's Sandstorm, but come on... that's anything but musical genius.

As for not listening... I had the volume on. It did nothing to force me to be entranced by all the different things going on in it. It merely fit the mood. Nothing more.

Last edited by Underdog15 on 8/13/2011 1:04:49 AM

5 up, 2 down

JMO_INDY
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 1:06:33 AM

You said the same thing in all three paragraphs. It's great music, it's done well. Go back and take a listen like I suggested while not playing the game, in context to a drab and boring game like HALO the music might have sounded a bit boring and dull as well. But as a standalone piece of art... it is a great soundtrack with Never Forget and Rain being shining examples.

2 up, 3 down

Underdog15
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 1:09:03 AM

I said the same thing with different examples, because in my experience, when talking about art like this, people here are completely driven strictly by emotion and subjectivity. It would be great to hear objective remarks about the music itself.

I'm going to go listen to those songs you listed. brb

3 up, 2 down

JMO_INDY
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 1:15:24 AM

Thank you, that is all that I asked.

1 up, 3 down

Underdog15
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 1:17:09 AM

I'm writing as I listen:

Never Forget:
It starts off with the exact same Halo theme, but with slow strings. (Something done merely for effect. Moody)

Transitions to adding instruments and I'm willing to bet soon there will be some brass.

YUP! lol there it is. Textbook.

Now I'm listening to some piano. It isn't doing much. (Did I just hear some Titanic in there?)

Ok... seriously... slow strings again to the tune of HALO. And the piano is only doing 3-note arpeggios as a harmony.

Ok it's over. It's very pretty, to be sure. But there's very little to it. There is 1 melody (the usual Halo theme). Most of the substance is what's called a "Bridged Harmony". Most of the time, it's used in modern symphonic pieces to assist in a transition from one movement to the other. In this instance, it's the majority of the song.

I don't discredit how nice the chords are, but it follows a very distinct pattern you might learn to use in the first year or two of studying music. And that recipe for slow music is: 3 groups of 3. In other words, for sad music, you might have a grouping of 3 major chords, then 3 chords with at least one minor, and the last three would be your resolution. It's pretty, but it's what is used very commonly in stage plays and movies. It's wonderful... mood music. I can 100% see someone getting caught up in the moment to this music, absolutely. But it isn't an exceptional work of art. From a subjective standpoint, no one would look at you funny for loving it. For what it is, it's good.

I'll post again in a second. I'm off to listen to the second song.

brb

Last edited by Underdog15 on 8/13/2011 1:20:17 AM

3 up, 2 down

JMO_INDY
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 1:24:16 AM

I love the Ambiance of the two. They aren't overbearing which is great. Rain for sure beats out Never Forget. The feeling is very Noire-esque it gives a bit of a spooky something is wrong here feeling. It's just very mysterious. I see nothing wrong with them as works of art, the saxophone is a great touch as well. I have them both in my "Sleep/Ambient" Playlist on Spotify for a reason, along with the likes of Boards Of Canada, Port Blue, Windsor Airlift, and etc.

1 up, 3 down

Excelsior1
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 1:30:29 AM

@undersog

they are not the exact same songs in ff13. some might feel the same to you but the only repeat music in ff13 is the chocobo variation theme. even it was different enough that it did not credit the original chocobo theme composer in ff13's official soundtrack. it probably should have though.

i liked both sound tracks. there were a couple of songs if ff13 that makes me rate it a little higher. that's just me though.

2 up, 3 down

Underdog15
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 1:39:04 AM

Ok next song... Gonna write as I listen again:

Rain:
I like the mystical approach so far.

Ah, now this part is starting to get somewhere. You hear how the strings have the undertone? It isn't harmony or counter melody. It's that "extra" addition I was talking about that "fills" up a song.

OH NO! No no no no! Don't stop! It was beginning to build beautifully! Now it's fallen off! UGH!

Over.
It had a lovely melody. I actually very much enjoyed it. But I won't lie... I wanted more from it. Don't you feel like you want more out of it? It's got such a great foundation with 1 or 2 well done elements. But then it dies off. I dunno... I just wish it went somewhere.

In and of itself from an objective standpoint, it's rather basic and lives within a very safe range. It's too bad this song doesn't attempt to branch out. It actually gives me the impression of a composer who is very talented, but is just starting out. It at least feels like it was done by someone who might have been in a few decent productions in their life.

As I was saying, the melody didn't go anywhere, unfortunately. It was very nice, but it was so safe. As a whole package, it doesn't add much. There wasn't much in the way of harmony. The strings as supporting fill were a wonderful touch, absolutely, but they were unfortunately the only touch.

In the end, it's another great song for mood. I feel a little cheated, though, as this song had tons of potential to really go somewhere. It definitely had a couple great elements, but overall it's lacking. It would more than serve as mood music, but it isn't quite complete. (I hope the composer returns to it someday)

Well, we have two songs here that are very pretty and very dark. Setting the stage for the story very well. They would more than likely bolster the experience as opposed hurt it. But I just can't bring myself to admit they are well written (Objectively, again.) As I said in the last post, subjectively... do you love it or hate it? I certainly wouldn't think you're crazy for loving it.

But compared to something like Dragon Quest 8, it isn't as complete.

To see what I mean, listen to the following songs. And really listen for what instruments are doing as fill, like the strings in Rain do. See how many different ones you hear, and how many different things are going on.

Alot of the greatest songs written have the same melody regularly. (Rhapsody Blues or most anything by Bach, for example) But it's those extra things that make it wonderful. Because those composers realize that melody isn't the single most important part!

Here are my suggestions:

Heavenly Flight (At 0:28, you will hear the strings with a distinct melody, and the brass with a second melody (counter melody, note how different it is from harmony). Listen to transitions at 0:58 and 1:14 and 1:28.)

Memories of an Ancient Ocean (just a really diverse song with many musical elements throughout)

Strange World (Nothing fancy. But a simple world map theme that has still managed to be extremely full with many elements. Well worth a listen)

(Make sure you listen to the "Symphonic" versions. The non-symphonic was the JAP version. We NA folks got the true blue symphony on the disc!)

Last edited by Underdog15 on 8/13/2011 1:43:10 AM

2 up, 3 down

Underdog15
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 1:40:49 AM

@Excelsior
I didn't mean FFXIII had anything the same as other FF's. I meant FFXIII used the same song with various tempos and renditions throughout the game in and of itself. I wasn't comparing it to other FF's.

2 up, 3 down

Underdog15
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 1:48:44 AM

gtg to bed. sry >.<

I'll check back here tomorrow.

2 up, 2 down

Excelsior1
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 2:44:31 AM

@underdog

sorry i misunderstood on ff. wow, what an in depth critique of halo's music. good job. music tastes are so subjective. people sometimes just like certain things. while you might of wanted more from the rain track apparently jmo loves it. it's really hard to say anybody is right or wrong here. sounds like you put a lot of thought into it so i appluad you for that.

2 up, 1 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 9:49:28 AM

Let's not let this drag on too long.

Halo has a fine soundtrack. I just don't think it's all that great, from an artistic or gameplay standpoint.

4 up, 2 down

Mounce
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 11:45:16 AM

Jeez, JMO, just take a hint that just because you find a song awesome doesn't mean at the global scales of all gamers as a whole that they too must agree with your opinion. It is overrated due to the series itself being overrated, I'd say I hate the Halo music the same way Ben Dutka pointed out that you just hear the main theme in every singe title, beyond that I hate how they deliberately seemed to ENFORCE the music as a way to make the game 'seem' 'Epic', when the fact is, it's just another average shooter. Putting in choir music has the advantages of making most things sound epic, if you can realize the music is what's doing the work for a game genre that usually never has a choir involved. It just means nothing.

Stop telling people to listen to it as if, if they did infact listen to it as 'Passionately' as you, that they'd totally apologize and say they were wrong and it's just SO AWESOME.....When you can't just freaking 'convert' others like some crazed religion.

1 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 10:09:34 PM
Reply

I think the KZ3 soundtrack which was included in the Helghast Edition, is also another good one too.

1 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 10:19:19 PM
Reply

If I remember right, you can place the PSX SotN disc into your cd player and listen to the entire soundtrack. I did it all the time.

EDIT: I think you have to quickly skip past the first track or two after loading the game disc.

Last edited by Temjin001 on 8/12/2011 10:21:50 PM

0 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 10:33:58 PM

Oh, don't worry. I've done that. ;)

0 up, 0 down

Clamedeus
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 11:00:20 PM

Indeed, not many people knew that you could listen to the soundtrack on a PS1 disc if you put it into a CD Player. I don't think a lot had it though? I don't remember.

0 up, 0 down

Drake_RB3
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 10:39:00 AM

Yea, and I think Alucard talks to you for a bit too if you do that.

1 up, 0 down

Gordo
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 10:23:18 PM
Reply

Good points Ben...

I think that a soundtrack is a crucial part of a games overall package. In my opinion NIER has a sublime soundtrack and in fact it doesn't just compliment the game but it is the central part that influences everything else.

To be honest, I wouldn't have ever brought the game if it wasn't for the music.

Demons Souls as well had a very atmospheric and appropriate soundtrack. MGS4 was hauntingly brilliant and totally integrated into the game experience.

An excellent soundtrack help elevates games to a higher level.

Never played SotN so will check Youtube for some samples.

3 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 10:30:19 PM

Nier's soundtrack was absolutely incredible.

4 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 10:34:20 PM

Nier was great in a lot of ways. Didn't get anywhere near enough attention.

3 up, 0 down

Dante399
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 10:34:29 PM
Reply

Well....I love Castlevania SOTN's music for sure and I have a list of other excellent games soundtracks that rock:
The King of Fighters 96
Thunder Strike II
Tekken 3
Tekken 5
Chrono Cross
Final Fantasy 7
Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy Crisis Core
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
Warhawk
Casltevania Curse of Darkness
Casltevania Lament of Innocence
Assassin Creed 2
Devil May Cry 3
Eternal Sonata
Silent Hill 2
Prince of Persia Warrior Within
Shadow of the Colossus
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Captain Tsubasa 2
Wipeout (all)
Grand Turismo (all)

2 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 10:36:11 PM

The AC games all have beautiful scores, and DMC has kick-ass tracks, too.

Wipeout definitely qualifies as do most FFs. I'd put Chrono Cross in my top 5, if I'm remembering it correctly.

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 10:35:44 PM
Reply

Symphony really is incredible, Rondo of Blood is actually almost as good too. I have an unreleased soundtrack from Castlevania Resurrection, the canceled Dreamcast title, that is really good too.

That was the one thing that sucked about Lords of Shadow, it didn't follow the music style of old Castlevanias.

FFXIII is good too, but I really love the licensed stuff for Bioshock and Fallout. I think music is essential to the experience of a game and am saddened by the fact that more games don't let you use your MP3s in their in-game radios and such.

1 up, 0 down

telly
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 4:31:15 PM

Was definitely disappointed Lords of Shadow didn't have any old school-style Castlevania tracks. I enjoyed that game but I wish they had included more touches to make it feel like the old Castlevania games. I'm sure the developers figured crazy Japanese orchestral-horror-techno would alienate some western gamers, along with pizzas and drum sticks hidden in candlesticks. They were right, of course, but I don't have to like it :)

0 up, 0 down

sirbob6
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 10:53:02 PM
Reply

Demon's Souls has to be my favorite.

The songs were varied enough but still fit into the game's setting and atmosphere perfectly. Without it the game wouldn't be anywhere near as awesome.

2 up, 0 down

Clamedeus
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 1:32:23 AM

When you fight Garl Vinland, omg... Epic music plays. :o

1 up, 0 down

sirbob6
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 2:31:49 AM

I know!
That one and the Fool's Idol have to be my favorites.

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 11:19:57 PM
Reply

I put in Indigo Prophecy last night, Quantic Dream is brilliant with mood music and you can easily hear the basis for the excellent Heavy Rain theme in there.

1 up, 0 down

SolidFantasy
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 11:22:04 PM
Reply

Sadly I've never played SotN. So I'll have to take your word for it. There are so many potential winners for me. Can't decide as it's a very competitive category.

0 up, 0 down

Warrior Poet
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 11:25:34 PM
Reply

I totally agree, Ben! Things like literature and music are often really overlooked in games and that's a shame.

I don't know if I could call it the best ever, but I just started playing Eternal Sonata last week and Chopin's stuff is really incredible. He's my new favorite pianist! I also really enjoyed the sounds in Valkyrie Profile 2 last month...Mirror's Edge is incredible too. I could probably just list every game I ever thought had cool music, so I better stop here :P

But the best ever? That's extremely tough. I'll have to think about that...

0 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 11:26:28 PM

Yeah, Eternal Sonata gets on the list for Chopin alone. Classical music is timeless for a reason.

0 up, 0 down

Cuetes
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 11:29:02 PM
Reply

I always thought GTA Vice City and San Andreas had nice soundtracks, sure they were recycled tracks but it made good games into instant classics.

2 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 12:25:29 AM

LOVE Vice City. One of my all-time favorites. ...but just because I love my '80s. ;)

2 up, 0 down

PAKINIPS
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 2:32:14 AM

Vice city's sound track is my getting drunk music xD

3 up, 0 down

Beamboom
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 6:29:24 AM

@Pakinips: lol, the entire VC game is a worthy companion while getting drunk. :D
Oh man I would *so* have bought a HD collection of the GTA3 family games (3/vc/sr) had it been released.

1 up, 0 down

telly
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 4:34:38 PM

GTAs are the Tarantino soundtracks of video games -- take popular music and re-contextualize it as an intricate part of your art. Listening to "Land Down Under" as you tear across South Beach while firing a machine gun at cops in hot pursuit was an absolute riot of a good time back in the day. I can still remember crying I was laughing so hard.

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 11:56:52 PM
Reply

For those who never played SoTN, here's some of the music.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPvbJAzJspc

More here....

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=sotn+music&aq=f

Last edited by BikerSaint on 8/12/2011 11:58:12 PM

0 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 12:25:06 AM

Dance of Pales is my favorite.

0 up, 0 down

aaronisbla
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 2:09:32 AM

dance of pales kicks all forms of ass

0 up, 0 down

aaronisbla
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 2:12:33 AM

my fav track from sotn has to be Final Toccata, the only fault some can find with it is that its probably the most played track during the second half of the game

0 up, 0 down

Oxvial
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 12:03:23 AM
Reply

And those Spaniards that made the last game call this music ''gay'' not gonna buy a Castlevania of them ever.

0 up, 0 down

Excelsior1
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 6:05:11 AM

@oxvial

castelevania: los is an epic game in my opinion. it's has some decent music itself and even pays tribute to classic castevania music in the music box level. the music is by no means terrible in the new game...it's just different. more traditional orchestral based music is a good way to describe it. what i'm getting at is the music does not ruin it. it's still a great game. it's certainly the best 3d castlevania game. it had the best ending i've yet to see this gen. a real holy sh!t did they just really do that ending, but in a good way. i think those crazy spainards deserve some credit. they revived a dead franchise, and made a good game.

2 up, 0 down

Killa Tequilla
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 12:06:54 AM
Reply

I believe, in my honest opinion... that, the best soundtrack has to go to... Metal Gear Solid 4.

Its a soundtrack(s) that grew with you for 11 years and 11 years are crammed into 1 moment. Beautiful

2 up, 2 down

Fox hounder
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 12:19:56 AM

@Killa Tequilla. I definitely agree. my favorite from MGS4 was in the final cut scene, it's called Father And Son (it's on youtube for anybody who wants to hear it), it really added alot of emotion to the ending. Of course the whole soundtrack in general is fantastic.

Last edited by Fox hounder on 8/13/2011 12:21:44 AM

2 up, 0 down

Ultimadream
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 3:53:03 AM

Seriously? I found MGS4's soundtrack to be so forgettable. With the other Metal Gear games I would remember many themes, but with MGS4 nothing stood out to me at all. I even got the soundtrack with my European Limited Edition.

1 up, 1 down

Fox hounder
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 4:08:46 AM

Wow, really? For me MGS4 had the best soundtrack of the series, and is one of many reasons why it is my favorite MGS, with tracks like Old Snake, Love Theme, Desperate Chase, Atonement, Sorrow, Everthing begins, and Here's to you. MGS1 & 2 basically had nothing but suspense music, which is fine, but they lack emotion.

Last edited by Fox hounder on 8/13/2011 4:14:18 AM

0 up, 0 down

Ultimadream
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 4:20:56 AM

You're telling me MGS1's 'The Best Is Yet To Come' is not emotional...

0 up, 0 down

Fox hounder
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 4:32:25 AM

Oh its emotional, but its alot more emotional hearing it in MGS4 when snake returns to shadow moses.

0 up, 0 down

Ultimadream
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 4:42:29 AM

Yes it's affective on MGS4, but it's not unique to MGS4. Come to thing of it, during the gameplay (not counting bosses) was there ever any music? I can't remember there being any, which might be why I found the soundtrack to be so transparent.

0 up, 0 down

Fox hounder
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 5:03:55 AM

Yes there is music in the boss fights ( assuming you have the background music turned on in the options menu). And if you like the MGS1 soundtrack, then download all available MGS1 ipod tracks from the extras menu in MGS4, you can then play them anytime in the game. Getting back to the best is yet to come, did it really fit the ending of MGS1? i mean its a great emotional song, but there is hardly any emotional moment at the end, just two character models with no eyes driving away into the sunset.

Last edited by Fox hounder on 8/13/2011 5:07:35 AM

0 up, 0 down

Fox hounder
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 5:50:09 AM

@Ultimadream: To clarify, i'm not knocking MGS1, it is my all time favorite ps1 game, but it just doesn't hold the same water it did back in '97. And if anyone disagrees, go ahead right now and play it from start to finish and watch all the cut scenes, see for yourselves. Getting back to the original topic, i think we are talking about two entirely different things, your talking about the background music in the gameplay, i'm talking about the music in the cut scenes. The fact is MGS4 wasn't originally suppose to have background music in the gameplay, kojima wanted it to be realistic (since as you know, in real life combat, there is no background music), this is explained in one of the MGS4 intergal podcast (downloadable from the extras menu).

Last edited by Fox hounder on 8/13/2011 5:51:44 AM

0 up, 0 down

aaronisbla
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 12:14:53 AM
Reply

Crono Cross and Xenogears had some amazing music, figures it would be scored by the same composer

0 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 12:52:02 AM

Xenogears was excellent. The midi's didn't do it any justice, though. At least with games like FF7 and FF8, the midi still sounds pretty great.

But I have a 2 disc set of a band called "Creid" (not to be confused with "Creed", lol) as they perform all the music from Xenogears. It was astonishingly great! One song I really loved, not because it was particularly well done, but because it had a lot of Maritime themes. ^.^ (I grew up in Nova Scotia near the Atlantic)

1 up, 0 down

Geobaldi
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 12:15:56 AM
Reply

I love the SotN game and soundtrack and own both including the original black label version of the game. I'd also have to add these as some of my favorites:

Chrono Trigger
Final Fantasy VI
World of Warcraft series
Lord of the Rings Online
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War series
Goldeneye (N64 and PC)
pretty much any Star Wars game
EVE Online
Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines
any of the other Castlevania games
any of the original Mega Man games
the original PaRappa the Rapper just for laughs
Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past
Lunar: Silver Star Story
NiGHTs Into Dreams
Shadow of the Colossus
Jade Empire
Guitar Hero series
the original Earthworm Jim
Super Mario World
Metal Gear series
Diablo series

Just to name a few of my favorites.

1 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 12:54:30 AM
Reply

I've been to the Distant Worlds concert (all FF music by orchestra's conducted by Grammy award winning conductor Arnie Roth) when it was in Toronto. (Nobuo Uematsu was in attendance)

It was a lot of fun! (Their singers were balls awful, though....) Great music and a fun experience! If the concert ever comes to a major city in your area, I definitely recommend it. My wife hates video games, and she absolutely loved it as well. (by far -not- the best symphony I've ever seen, but it was still fun none-the-less!)

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Aranha
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 1:21:33 AM
Reply

I saw someone nabbed quite a few in one shot, including WipeOut, which I enjoyed listening to in my CD player back then, to the three that were out at the time. Also, I have to say, since this one easily stands out for me: Streets of Rage 2. Holy crap was that a soundtrack and a half! I still remember the song to the first level, and it still gets my blood pumping. Amazing sound at the time for being on a Sega Genesis, a 16-bit system. Blew my mind, is all I have to say. Heck, I even bought the soundtrack a few years ago!

Last edited by Aranha on 8/13/2011 1:22:21 AM

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Jawknee
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 1:29:22 AM
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I like Final Fantasy VII and inFAMOUS 1&2's the most. Though I haven't heard much of SoftN's so I can't say it's not the best. I bought it but haven't had much time to get into it.

0 up, 3 down

aaronisbla
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 2:13:53 AM

wow really jawk? you havent played it much? its worth the time, trust me

Last edited by aaronisbla on 8/13/2011 2:14:46 AM

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Jawknee
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 5:04:02 AM

Yurp, from what I played I have played I liked. Especially since I really like side scrolling games but I haven't been the biggest fan of older Castlevania games. I want to play it, l just haven't had time. A wife, baby, business and a band take's 90% of my time. =O.

1 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 1:57:16 AM
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I really like L.A Noire's sound track too but it's not all original like SoftN's or most games in general.

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aaronisbla
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 2:16:13 AM
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Best track: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgjcuuJfpAI

it starts out slow, and gets progressively better, such a kickass song, i normally play it with my halloween display as well as some other songs, but this one plays a lot on repeat

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Fox hounder
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 2:37:59 AM
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Uncharted drakes fortune has a great soundtrack, i'm a sucker for jungle combat music. Uncharted 2's soundtrack was good too, but it was a little bit too random for my tastes. Anyone who likes good 8 bit music should listen to Metal Gear 2 Solid Snake's soundtrack on youtube, one track i really love is called Zanzibar Breeze.

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 2:42:52 AM
Reply

Much Props to Visceral's sound team for getting the orchestra together that they did at Abbey Road for DI. When you get to Hell and are crossing Styx I imagine they'll be playing this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxGdZJXL2lM

Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 8/13/2011 2:58:12 AM

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Beamboom
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 3:04:27 AM
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This is an *excellent* topic. The music is so incredibly important!
I am all over Demonoid right now to check out the titles you guys mention here.
But without having heard any of them yet, I expect much of it to be of a very classical shape. I find that in itself to be very interesting. It seems classical music is what can unite us all. We can all enjoy that, regardless of what we usually listen to.

As for my favourites, I have to put the soundtrack to Anarchy Online on top. It's a pc mmorpg. Problem is, I am not sure if it is the music or the associations that makes me cherish that soundtrack so much.

As for ps3 games the first title that comes to mind is Flower, actually. That soundtrack(?) always amazed me, how the music was so tightly incorporated into the game.
Not much to listen to outside the game, but while playing it's a perfect match to the fragile flowers and colourful (or colourless) sightings.

Last edited by Beamboom on 8/13/2011 3:05:59 AM

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 5:06:39 AM

Have you seen No Country for Old Men? There's no music. What did you think of it if you have seen it?

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Beamboom
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 6:36:28 AM

I've not seen it... No music whatsoever? Not even a pick on a string here and there?
I don't think I've ever seen a movie without any kind of music! How was it? It must have felt empty? Or did they fill the gaps with... Speech? Sound effects? Visual stuff?

Last edited by Beamboom on 8/13/2011 6:38:47 AM

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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 9:52:05 AM

No Country for Old Men is one of the most overrated, pointless films ever.

I remember watching the end credits roll and just sitting there incredulously. I think my only reaction was: ".....AND?"

Pointless. Utterly pointless.

1 up, 1 down

Cole
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 10:28:30 AM

Aren't you being a bit harsh Ben? I felt the same as you when it ended.. I just didn't get it. But if nothing else, it had good acting , was well directed and had a genuinely tense,foreboding atmosphere throughout.

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 12:44:25 PM

@Beam, I honestly didn't even notice there was no music until my friend mentioned it to me after the movie was over. I thought they did a good job with the characters in keeping your attention focused on them and what was happening to them.

@Ben, I dig it. I didn't so much the first time I watched it. I came away with the same "okay...?" feeling to but the more I watch it the more I seem to like it. Something about it. Not sure what it is. I don't much like other Cohen brother films either.

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Beamboom
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 4:22:38 PM

Interesting. I am so narrow minded when I pick my movies, and that really annoys me. Everything has to have at least an element of sci-fi to catch my attention. It is so stupid. And I never learn either. Every time I see something else that's good (usually thanks to my girlfriend - she's got excellent movie instinct) I promise myself to broaden my mind. But then, when I order a new DVD or Blu-ray (and that's practically weekly) it's back to some futuristic/alternative/weird stuff.

I'll get this movie! I may not like it, but it sounds like I should see it. :)

Last edited by Beamboom on 8/14/2011 4:27:59 PM

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LegendaryWolfeh
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 3:39:51 AM
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Eh, I love my .Hack soundtracks :)

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Dancemachine55
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 3:41:46 AM
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Final Fantasy VII was the greatest for me personally. I do apologize, as I haven't played Symphony of the Night and therefore can't pass judgement.

Before seeing the comments, FF VII was my first pick for best musical score followed by the original and great Metal Gear Solid.

Halo is very good, very effective, but only that one male choir chant at the title screen is what is memorable about Halo. The rest was good, but not memorable.

Two words: (SPOILER)

Aerith's Death. The quiet piano tune that played when her materia dropped to the ocean floor. The sweeping orhestra when Cloud grieves over her dead body, shouting at Sephiroth that life no longer mattered with Aerith gone... brings back incredible emotional memories of when I first played through that scene...

Last edited by Dancemachine55 on 8/13/2011 3:42:28 AM

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___________
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 3:47:35 AM
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cant believe no one has mentioned zelda yet!
WTF?
come on, NO game has such a iconic track as zelda!
id have to say GOW2s soundtrack is my favourite, followed closely by dantes inferno.
the music playing over the main screen just feels so well suited to the style and era of the game.
DMCs always been really good too.

Last edited by ___________ on 8/13/2011 3:48:27 AM

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Geobaldi
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 3:52:36 AM

Ahem...

Scroll up to my post and you will see that Zelda was mentioned. :)

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Jawknee
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 5:08:39 AM

I was going to but beyond Zelda's theme and the main theme there isn't many I can remember other than these two so I didn't bother before.

Last edited by Jawknee on 8/13/2011 5:10:14 AM

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___________
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 10:12:39 AM

have to mention sonic too, nothing brings a tear to the eye like hearing the old tracks of the original sonic games!
especially just the sound you use to hear if you picked up some rings, or when you got hit.
hard to believe this years his 25th bday!
crash bandicoot had a awesome soundtrack too.
one thing ive noticed the newer the games the less i enjoy the soundtrack.
so many retro games i can pop their soundtracks on and really enjoy them.
todays though theres only a few i enjoy even half as much!
oh how i wish we could go back to the 8 bit days!

Last edited by ___________ on 8/13/2011 10:15:12 AM

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Ultimadream
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 3:50:28 AM
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Well I have still yet to play any castlevania game, there are just to many and I don't really know where to begin or what I'm going to miss out on nintendos portable consoles.

As for soundtracks, When I think of a sound track I instantly think of Final Fantasy IX. The FF series is renown for is scores. But FFIX was the most solid all around. It took the FF prelude theme and twisted it to many varations. The theme in the Terra home land sets the mystery perefectly. The only theme I don't like as much as other FF's is the battle theme. But I feel over all FFIX's soundtrack is the most varied and really good to listen to.

Another worthy mention is Nier. A very underrated game IMO. But even if people did not like the game, they'd always approve of the soundtrack, which is probly the most unique soundtrack I have heard since Crash Twinsanity... In a good way though.

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Ars ragnarok
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 8:08:40 AM
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I loved red dead redemptions soundtrack,metal gear solid also has a beautiful score(that intro),but my all time favorite has to come from the kingdom hearts series.

1 up, 0 down

Cole
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 10:23:07 AM
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Not sure if it's been mentioned yet, but I just loved the soundtrack in Okami. The Super Mario Galaxy games have pretty good orchestrated music as well.

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Teddie9
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 11:05:23 AM
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SOTC does have an incredible soundtrack but my favourite game soundtrack composer has to be persona team's shoji meguro.

Last edited by Teddie9 on 8/13/2011 11:16:07 AM

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Ludicrous_Liam
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 3:18:16 PM
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Uncharted 2 without a shadown of a doubt. I don't know how the music could fit the game better..Greg Edmonson is a genius. Other contenders have to be MGS4, Heavy Rain (Painful memories is just too heart-breaking), and LittleBigPlanet Interactive music by Mat Clark & Keneath Young.

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Dante399
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 4:00:00 PM
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Medal of Honor: Frontline music was superb indeed!

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Warrior Poet
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 5:02:46 PM
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For the most part Crisis Core's soundtrack is just average, but The Price Of Freedom is my favorite game track of all time. The moment it was used, and how it embodies everything Crisis Core is about, is incredible. That game will move you to tears! The song is on youtube but if you haven't played Crisis Core yet, don't spoil it for yourself!

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Douchebaguette
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 7:53:55 PM
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Many arguing about the "best" OST have to remind themselves that it's really their own senses that are being tested and evaluated. Comparing is useless; just because Dream Theater [whom I like very much] use unorthodox time signiatures and demandingly co-ordinated fills within long song durations combined with technicality doesn't make their music more effective than say...a simple cliché facepalm worthy chord pattern could. The point is to provide the idea, and it is up to each individual to understand it.

Contrasting however, can always be beneficial.

------------

So for me to mention who I choose for compositional kudos, I will merely base it from the actual effort installed in to the creation of the product... ...and so by this theory I will mention Yasunori Mitsuda, and his efforts to complete a certain Squaresoft title.

Originally a sound engineer, he gave an ultimatum to the Gooch: to either become a main composer of a title or part ways. Sakaguchi granted him a prosition, stating his salary may rise after the completion of the assigned title. The title was Chrono Trigger.

He took his shit seriously, and gave himself absolute no break. He worked until he passed out, to the point that he would doze or dream up new ideas, in which he would wake up, log everything down and repeat the process over and over again, until he had to be hospitalized for severe stomach ulcers, leaving Uematsu himself to finish the project with a dozen extra tracks [you can also hear within these tracks a pre-FFVII tint in Uematsu's compositional tastes].

Upon recovery and completion of the game, Yasunori shed tears witnessing the final scene with fellow staff.

Epic stuff.

2 up, 1 down

Clamedeus
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 9:51:49 PM

Dream Theater +1

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WolfCrimson
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 5:12:09 AM
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Ghost Trick's OST is amazing and atmospheric, I recommend anyone who has a DS and hasn't played Ghost Trick to check it out.

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Cole
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 11:35:29 AM

Ghost Trick is awesome.

The Ace Attorney games had some pretty good music as well. And I loved the soundtrack from The world ends with you. Still can't believe they managed to squeeze so much on to a DS cartridge.

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Shiva369
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 7:38:43 AM
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Funny, I was listening to the Red Dead Redemption OST just today, great atmosphere and really captures that spaghetti western feel perfectly. Been loving the LA Noire one too.

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Banky A
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 2:29:54 PM
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well my favourite is Chocobo Theme. lol

1 up, 1 down

maxpontiac
Monday, August 15, 2011 @ 9:19:09 AM
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I going with Ace Combat Assault Horizon.

Yes, the game isn't even out yet, but the two songs I have heard are right up my alley.

It's something about rock and choirs.

EDIT: Oh, Halo? LOL

Last edited by maxpontiac on 8/15/2011 9:19:34 AM

0 up, 1 down

0_o
Monday, August 15, 2011 @ 2:14:54 PM
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Heavy Rain soundtrack is epic.

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