Games Soundtrack Appreciation / Discussion Thread

Original post

Posted: April 14, 2012 7:23 AM

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I usually don't fixate on Soundtracks, perhaps because I tend to focus on Multiplayer games (L4D being the only one I can think of where soundtracks play an important role). In fact, music will usually be the first thing I turn off after an hour or two when I've felt I've heard it all.

But certain tracks from ME3 quite stood out to me which got me thinking about the impact of Soundtracks in games (and I know I am not the first to), and why so many people throw such a huge fuss over them (like those JRPG or Civilization soundtracks and etc). When I hit up the forums, I was surprised that there wasn't a thread dedicated to discussion of soundtracks and their impact in games around here.

So here we go.

Feel free to share any game soundtracks that stood out to you and discuss them!

As certain discussions will most surely cross into spoiler territory, please be considerate of the 'lazy/busy' portion of us that may have not finished certain games and use the SPOILER tags where appropriate.

IMAGE(http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/5884/891011.jpg)

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE CONTINUING FOR IMPROVING YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THIS THREAD!

I initially intended this to be just a humble little discussion thread about soundtracks and their use/impact in games, but it's now evolved into this massive compendium of people's favorite video-game soundtracks (which is just as awesome!). So here are a couple tips for viewing/using this thread.

How to Embed a YouTube video

To embed a YouTube video you use the YouTube tags, but instead of just copy and pasting the youtube link, you have to make sure you only insert the YouTube ID. What is a YouTube ID you ask? What's bolded below is your YouTube ID, basically you need to remove everything in the hyperlink that comes before the ?v= line, as well as the ?v= modifier itself.

So if I were to link that particular YouTube video, I would use the YouTube tags accordingly (remove the spaces in the Tags)

Plugins for Easing the YouTube-embed overload in this thread

Also, browsing some of the pages in this thread may become cumbersome for you OR more importantly the computer you browse it with. Here are a couple tips/plugins that people in the thread have recommended to make your experience a little easier.

The "Bulk Player Mate for YouTube" Plugin for Chrome browsers.

Mantid

Posted: September 12, 2012 8:16 PM

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Gesh, you guys are picky today! :p

Tempest

Posted: September 12, 2012 8:29 PM

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Awesome!!

mrtomaytohead

Posted: September 12, 2012 11:16 PM

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And the Mighty Switch Force OST is on there for the same pay what you want. The few tracks I've listened to sound pretty sweet so far, too. Also by Jake Kaufman.

Eldon_of_Azure

Posted: September 13, 2012 3:51 AM

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Somehow I forgot the existence of this thread. Anyway, there is a new Game Music Bundle live, containing music from the Apple games: Horn, Squids: Wild West, Puzzlejuice, Globulous, and Organ Trail. Pay more than $10 and get 9 albums more.

Mantid

Posted: September 14, 2012 12:27 AM

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The London Philharmonic are getting read to do their follow up album to "The Greatest Video Game Music".

I'm actually like the track list on this one better than the first:

1. Assassin's Creed-Revelations: Main Theme
2 .Elder Scrolls – Skyrim: Far Horizons
3. Legend of Zelda – The Windwaker: Dragon Roost Island
4. Castlevania: A Symphonic Poem
5. Final Fantasy VII: One-Winged Angel
6. Mass Effect 3: A Future for the Krogan/An End Once And For All
7. Halo: Never Forget/Peril
8. Sonic the Hedgehog: A Symphonic Suite
9. Chrono Trigger: Main Theme
10. Luigi's Mansion: Main Theme
11. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
12. Street Fighter II: A Symphonic Suite
13. Kingdom Hearts: Fate of the Unknown
14. Super Metroid: A Symphonic Poem
15. Diablo III: Overture
16. Batman Arkham City: Main theme
17. Deus Ex-Human Revolution: Icarus Main Theme
18. Fez: Adventure
19. Portal: Still Alive
20. Little Big Planet: Orb Of Dreamers (The Cosmic Imagisphere)

Source

Pikey26

Posted: September 14, 2012 5:26 AM

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That is so f*ckin cool.

Speedhuntr

Posted: September 14, 2012 7:49 AM

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That's a pretty great list. Could use some Bastion though.

demonbox

Posted: September 14, 2012 12:23 PM

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I'm listening to the FTL soundtrack right now: http://benprunty.bandcamp.com/

cheesycrouton

Posted: September 18, 2012 3:18 PM

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Two thumbs up for that Double Dragon Neon Soundtrack. Perfect blend of nostalgia and new elements in the mix.

D-Man777

Posted: September 18, 2012 3:43 PM

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May I recommend the Borderlands 2 soundtrack. I was a big fan of the first, and this one doesn't disappoint. What a wonderful commute I had this morning (well, relatively wonderful).

Mantid

Posted: October 16, 2012 2:20 PM

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New orchestrated Pokemon game music album out for all you die hard trainers.

Tempest

Posted: October 16, 2012 2:46 PM

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Can't get the synth out of my head. I love this guys music in Xcom and Deus Ex:

tuffalobuffalo

Posted: November 28, 2012 7:31 PM

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So, I was watching the most recent Double Fine Adventure documentary episode and finally decided to investigate the music that they play during the credits and at the end. It's by Terence Lee who has done some soundtracks to games I have not played. I started listening to Fastfall, the Dustforce soundtrack and was so happy to have found it. I love this guy's work. It just puts me in a great, chill space.

Eldon_of_Azure

Posted: November 29, 2012 11:45 PM

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tuffalobuffalo wrote:

So, I was watching the most recent Double Fine Adventure documentary episode and finally decided to investigate the music that they play during the credits and at the end. It's by Terence Lee who has done some soundtracks to games I have not played. I started listening to Fastfall, the Dustforce soundtrack and was so happy to have found it. I love this guy's work. It just puts me in a great, chill space.

I had acquired the Dustforce soundtrack through a Humble Music Bundle and liked it so much I bought the game (which is a great N+ type game). Perhaps the best way to enjoy a soundtrack is by playing the game for which it was designed.

Along somewhat of the same lines is the soundtrack to Nightsky. Super relaxing:

Grubber788

Posted: November 30, 2012 2:36 AM

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I thought the radio stations in Sleeping Dogs were pretty fantastic. When I'm less lazy, I'll buy the really good ones for a master "cruising HK" playlist. In the meantime, Yellow Fever:

So damned catchy.

And this one would inevitably start playing when I get into a sports car.

Pikey26

Posted: November 30, 2012 8:32 AM

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Well, to start off... was thinking about L4D for the first post, but think I am gonna kick off with ME3, since it's still fresh in my mind.

Jack Wall/Sam Hulick - Vigil (Mass Effect 1/Mass Effect 3)

While this track wasn't part of the new soundtracks for the third game, it certainly makes its mark by featuring in couple of the key narrative moments. After which, I've come around to the realization that this track best captured what I really loved about the Mass Effect series, all the worlds and races living within this vast galaxy, with all the wonders and mysteries you've still yet to discover.

Sam Hulick - The Catalyst (Mass Effect 3)

This is the track in ME3 that REALLY stood out to me. Even though I personally wasn't a huge fan of the last moments where this particular track is featured, I realized how strongly that track stood out for me on my second play-through, even more so than the ME3's signature piano theme that closes out the game which I imagine was the one they really meant to tug at your heart strings and be 'memorable'. This track went beyond just 'fitting' the moment for me. It's rare when I hear a videogame soundtrack that ENHANCES the moment rather than just complement it, which I personally find to be somewhat of a 'lazier' approach.

Spoiler:

The discussion of whether Bioware was right to introduce technological singularity at that moment in the game aside, this is where the game basically drops a huge lore 'bomb' on the player that basically explains away the technological origins of the game's universe as you knew it (quite literally), as well as its 'inevitable fate'. Sam Hulick took what by all rights should have been a completely trite/generic reveal for me, and actually made it feel eloquent and even 'compelling'.

Along with Vigil, I think these two are the ones I am going to be recalling fondly when I think back to the music in the Mass Effect series.

Mantid

Posted: January 1, 2013 4:59 AM

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D-Man777

Posted: January 1, 2013 5:32 AM

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I just bought the digital deluxe version of Book of Unwritten Tales for my kid as today's her birthday. First impressions are that the game is very good, with FANTASTIC production quality. The music also is strong, if a little synthy at points. The opening theme is quite heroic.

MeatMan

Posted: January 1, 2013 5:36 AM

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Apparently I'm just now seeing this thread. Anyhoo...

My favorite soundtrack of 2012 is FTL.

My favorite soundtrack of 2011 is Nitronic Rush.

NSMike

Posted: January 1, 2013 5:45 AM

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I just played Journey for the first time. Emotions... Successfully evoked.

BlackSabre

Posted: January 1, 2013 11:04 AM

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MeatMan wrote:

My favorite soundtrack of 2012 is FTL.

Yeah, I'm really enjoying it so far.

demonbox

Posted: January 1, 2013 4:41 PM

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Rebel FM has their year in game soundtracks episode out right now. Even if you're not normally a fan of that podcast, these annual eps are great for peeps who dig the music.

Pikey26

Posted: January 5, 2013 9:45 PM

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I hate arthur. I dont want to listen to that jerk talking smack or not talking about the LBP karting soundtrack. I looove ma LBP sjit. D:<

lol, thanks for the heads up. i might have to bring Rebel FM page on my itunes back to life.

Kier

Posted: January 8, 2013 4:39 AM

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Is the occasional remix allowed? I am a fan of OCremix and they have some amazing stuff on there.

Pikey26

Posted: January 8, 2013 4:50 AM

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The best thing about this thread... I don't think we really have any rules.

I guess we can't show bare titties... and probably no violence. Maybe? I don't know. Call me maybe.

Nicholaas

Posted: January 8, 2013 5:33 AM

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Pikey26 wrote:

The best thing about this thread... I don't think we really have any rules.

I guess we can't show bare titties... and probably no violence. Maybe? I don't know. Call me maybe.

You're out. Get out.

kexx

Posted: January 8, 2013 5:42 AM

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Despite the actual game (which I really did end up enjoying, despite it's flaws), Darksiders II has an AMAZING OST. Truly great stuff.

Here's one example that I constantly listen to:

Pikey26

Posted: January 8, 2013 8:14 PM

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Nicholaas wrote:

Pikey26 wrote:

The best thing about this thread... I don't think we really have any rules.

I guess we can't show bare titties... and probably no violence. Maybe? I don't know. Call me maybe.

You're out. Get out.

:***(

Hater, you can't fire the OP!!

Anyways, I got some more.. been streaming a lot of HOTS lately, and LBP has been the bulk of my playlist for it.

Warning (massive link batch overload... lol then again it's probably too late by the time you read this)