Stand-out game music!

[malakian]

Well I thought I'd make a topic for rarities that people might not have had the chance to appreciate if they hadn't played certain non-blockbuster games. We all have probably enjoyed FFVIII's music or Morrowind's theme tune, but this is for songs you'd like to share that people might not have heard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWkq2l8AMlU

This tune is from Pirates of the Caribbean, the shoddily re-branded and ultimately rushed Sea Dogs 2. However, I'm a big fan of folk tunes and songs, and it's certainly one of my favourite simple folk melodies. A little producer research tells me that the composer got a pack of centuries-old Celtic style folk melodies in a sample pack and extrapolated a song out of it. I'd love to know a bit more about said song.

Plenty more I like but one per post is more likely to ensure people bothering I always think.

What're some of yours?

 

[MattAY]

Good topic!

I'm massively into video game music - my ipod has an odd array of different songs let me tell you

I bought Magna Carta 2 a few months back. And the moment you start your adventure ie. the first time you roam on a large map - this song came on....and I levelled for hours! I love it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptgN3Nto ... re=related

 

[Kijan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73n7HTcm ... re=related --> instant classic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOVIkFti ... re=related --> chillout.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUUOVls2 ... re=related --> I get nervous every time I hear this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGcyKEZt ... re=related --> definition of 'smooth'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymF76RJk6xs --> make you think.

That's all ... for now.

 

[Longo_2_guns]

Ace Combat has some of the best soundtracks ever.
5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0bFqQtmyrs
0: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKDzOnRydWk
Just a tiny snippet.

 

[Lien]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWkq2l8AMlU

This tune is from Pirates of the Caribbean, the shoddily re-branded and ultimately rushed Sea Dogs 2. However, I'm a big fan of folk tunes and songs, and it's certainly one of my favourite simple folk melodies. A little producer research tells me that the composer got a pack of centuries-old Celtic style folk melodies in a sample pack and extrapolated a song out of it. I'd love to know a bit more about said song.

hey that's a nice Celtic music... Almost cheering and very smoothing at sea... like it was made by the composer dude behind a certain game involving heroes of might, and sometimes magic... times four... released a year before pirates of the Caribbean the video game...

WAIT A MINUTE!

HAX HAX HAX HAX HAX HAX HAX HAX HAX HAX HAX HAX HAX HAX HAX HAX HAX :evil:

Hu hum.. back on topic... A little hendrix, anyone?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuYL-keoGvU

 

[malakian]

Good responses guys, not gone through all the multiple links yet but I'm enjoying them. Exam revision today so it's nice! EDIT: I have now. I'm a huge fan of all the Ace Attorney series music, Kijan. Most original game music for years I think. This jazz interp of the court music really gets me.

Lien, hey, no need to be sarcastic! That wasn't composed by him. As I've said, I did my research on this. This is what it turned up:

this topic on the tune as it appeared in Heroes IV pointed out the same tune was being used in multiple game themes, and one of the posters there contacted the man you linked to about it. He had this to say:

I think what all three of us composers have in common is that we probably used an ancient instrument sample (companies sell pre-recorded bits of ancient instruments playing very old melodic fragments which then I can add orchestral accompaniment and vary the speed of the melody to suit the mood. These fragments come in instrumental catalogs and many soundtrack composers will use bits and pieces of melodies to incorporate into their scores. I’m not sure what catalog the little tune came from but I’m sure it’s from the same one that the other composers used as well. I try not to use such pre-recorded fragments due to the fact that lots of other composers will be using the same tool, but when you have deadlines like we have in this industry (i.e., producers needing a 3 minute piece of music within 24 hours, composed, recorded, mixed, mastered, then embedded into the graphics), we use every tool possible in order to have a good-sounding piece of music created in a timely fashion.

So, yep. Smaller game music composers aren't above using melody sample packs, it seems! As a production obsessive, I frown on this...but it is such a good tune, it's acceptable just this once. Or 3 times.

 

[Longo_2_guns]

For the record, the Turnabout Jazz Soul is absolutely amazing in its entirety.

Also, the Witcher deserves a nod. Believe is wonderful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrE_3viOY0 as is the Dice Poker music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dFmeQvBR1I

 

[De-Ting]

I've decided that this is probably the best piece of video game music I've ever heard. So many thoughts and ideas stir around in my head every time I hear it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgDL3fAE4FU - The credits theme of DW6 Empires

And of course, here's a few others from the game that I enjoyed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_pT314QhxY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izdm-r0rWH0

Then there's Atlantis: The Lost Tales. This game came well before it's time:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1tQms7VwvA - Main theme

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JBEQq_2fUM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqpmvhBL0sI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6VVFNVntjQ - finally to calm you down

Now, this is one of the funniest songs I've heard. You here it in the game when you find a tribe of topless people that decide whether you die or live by racing turtles:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgbfuwyYxDw

 

[GRColin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hl5UCCBCXI

 

[Longo_2_guns]

Alright, Sins of a Solar Empire.

Listen to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs89QkgzSCY
Then this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlQBrkVP7XI
And then this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LOvT9CoSy8

And finally, listen to the main theme: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPvtC8xi-C8

 

[malakian]

Also, the Witcher deserves a nod. Believe is wonderful

Really like a lot of it yeah, but that is too electric guitary an interpretation for me - much preferred Peaceful Moments. Amazing.

 

[Affen]

The music from the first level of Doom is burned into the back of my head. Also this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GPWwAQBw1E

 

[JCD]

Back Hall Music - Amnesia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrPI0FAdCWk

Main Theme - Shadowman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kf__D_hDUVU

Just about everything - Knytt
http://niffpage.greywool.com/files/Music/GameOST/knytt/

Main Theme - Smash TV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2JOaWuWSnk

Probably a bit more well known, but forgotten:
Song 1 - Die Hard Trilogy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG3QcmpC_-U

More Bruce Willis you say? Kay.
Prison Theme - Apocalypse
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhuwTCbHXUQ

Humming the Bassline - JSRF
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDf6uRabKPE

If you still believe - Legend of Dragoon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvDfIcMI3M4

Hong Kong Streets - Deus Ex
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzvw8uSWucM

Bounty Hunter - Advent Rising
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ_hgmGEhsw

Parting Forever - Lost Odyssey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFGrxKDrluI

Summer - Shogun Total War
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0W5pPrY0Hw

Life Is Beautiful - Deadly Premonition (WARNING: Catchy)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzvXBFwcyek

End Theme - Fighting Force
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhlhKF37NjE

Main Theme - Body Harvest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2q5jz-uLzE

That'll do for now.

 

[clockworks]

Video games need more metal.

 

[malakian]

Video games need more metal.

DISAGREE STRONGLY

Some of us are in our twenties now.

 

[Kijan]

http://www.gamerevolution.com/forum/vie ... hp?t=15835 - he may have become old, become fragile ... but in his heart he'll stay strong, forever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY-Z_TMdk4I - the music and the man that caused the metamorphosis within me.

http://www.gamerevolution.com/forum/vie ... hp?t=15835 - the scene that comes with this song made me shed manly tears.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MQRL7xws7w - catchy, catchy, catchy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APxVGopgkhc - perfect song for a spa.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSFo1I12 ... re=related - eerie yet soothing melody.

That's all! ... for now.

 

[Rinnon]

Video games need more metal.

DISAGREE STRONGLY

Some of us are in our twenties now.

Hahaha. So true.

So, I'm surprised no one has mentioned Overclocked ReMixes in this topic yet:

Overclocked ReMix

Almost all my game music on my MP3 Player comes from there. There's something for everyone.

Here's a link to one of my favourites: Time Chill

 

[Bretimus_v2]

Video games need more metal.

Things that ruined the Prince of Persia series.

 

[Kijan]

Video games need more metal.

Things that ruined the Prince of Persia series.

a PoP game had metal?

It's like having a game with an emo Dante... oh wait. Darn it!

 

[Kiristo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aweZbaSHWmQ -Divine Divinty's theme music, always liked pausing that game because of this. Hell March from Command and Conquer Red Alert was always good too http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb-gI_pFog0.