The videogame music thread

[Baron Phil]

I know Shadow of the Colussus has already been represented on the show, but one of the reasons i love the soundtrack so much is how tonally different some of the tracks are.

The track chosen by Josh was very soft and slow, as is most of the music that plays while you explore the world. Once you encounter a Colussus however the sound changes dramatically and you get very loud, drum heavy tracks that really fit with the monsterous size of the beasts.

It was a difficult choice but the track i've gone for is track 08 which i believe is called The Opened Way and plays when you face the second Colussus.

[Cwenchdesign]

Cheers for playing some of my requests folks! Much appreciated, I've been storing up a brain dump for you to pick through and have finally got the time to pop it all down for you:


I'm not sure if it's the 90's synthetic brass or the weird jazz break downs that get me in the mood for death and ice cream but the first few bars of this bad boy really fired me up.


The king of the earworm.


I thought the music in Deus Ex: HR was brilliant. Just brutally thick and atmospheric. This track encapsulates the gravitas they were going for. The ending does not...


This game felt epic. A proper little adventure and the way it drops you in at the start with this music was great.


Cracking hype music.


Like all good soundtracks the tone has to be spot on with the artwork and feel of the game. The Zombies AMN soundtrack captures the fun, campness and silliness perfectly. Was actually tricky picking a standout track as they are all brilliant!


If you're going to make music to accompany a mole somersaulting from his house to the English Channel in order to escape the authorities after meddling in the miners strike, I'd say this is as good as it gets. Genius and mind blowing!!


Another tune dripping with atmosphere. Suits the confusion and mystery of the first area of Rogue Legacy perfectly.


A classic. Always looked forward to fighting at the docks!


A game very close to my heart and a soundtrack to match the scale of what they were trying to achieve. Grand and epic and many happy memories of rain, fire and poking cliff racers with pointed sticks.

Think that's my lot for now guys! Keep up the brilliant work and enthusiasm!

[mikeleddy83]

Just a few sport based tunes that popped into my head today:

[mikeleddy83]

[Flabyo]

I was half expecting it to cut across to Sakuraba or Uematsu on the Hammond there...

[Todinho]

So I dont really play Killer Instinct to be honest I didnt even knew the series existed before Microsoft annouced it as an XB1 exclusive but regardless of that the game has some great tracks that I listened from time to time just by hearing about how great they were however the theme of the new character Hisako has completely got it's claws on me,this track is just too good and I cant stop listening to it

[Flabyo]

One of my favourite YouTube remix / cover artists of the last few years is a chap who goes by the handle of FamilyJules7X. He's spent years doing excellent electric guitar arrangements of game music, usually 2 or 3 videos a month. About 6 months back he posted a video saying he couldn't do that anymore, and while us fans were sad we all know the pressures of real life.

Turns out, it was because his skills had landed him a gig scoring video games proper and he needed to focus on that.

Here's a bunch of vids that show why...




And his epic 20 minute 'history of games' piece...

[Tleprie]

First is the track The Courtesy Call, from the Portal 2 soundtrack. I think it is played at or near the begging of the game, but don't quite remember. Regardless of where it appears, I think it reflects the overall tone of the game perfectly, shifting from tense to a bit slower and then picking up again.


NightSky is a very relaxing puzzle platformer that has some great relaxing music. Not much to say about the track, but I really enjoyed the game, and have it's soundtrack on my relaxation playlist on my iPod.


Civilization IV is one of my all time favorite strategy games, mostly because of all the hours spent with my friends conquering the world. The theme is, on its own, a great piece of music, and the fact that I can associate it with one of my favorite games makes it even more special. The version I chose is the live performance from Video Games Live.


Hotline Miami has an amazing soundtrack, and picking a single favorite track is difficult. The track I chose is Silver Lights by Coconuts. This track plays whenever Jacket meets with the masked people, possibly in his dreams. For me this track feels evil, and I love how well it fits everything else in the game.


I haven't put too many hours into Crypt of the Necrodancer, but the soundtrack is incredible. Even more incredible is the singing of the shopkeeper. Unlike some other roguelike shopkeepers who try to kill you (Spelunky), or just sit there dead (Binding of Isaac), Necrodancer's shopkeeper welcomes the player in with sweet singing.


Having one of the most energetic soundtracks I have heard, Electronic Super Joy lessens the sting of hundreds of death and keeps the player going with awesome techno music, my personal favorite track, OCP, sounds like boss fight music, I honestly don't remember if it was or not. I have yet to beat this game, but go back frequently just to listen to the music.


Viva Pinata is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful games ever made. I never got too far, but in my several gardens there were a few constants, an apple tree in the center, and a taffly wearing a hat. This track represents the game at its finest peaceful but with a hint of danger lurking in the night. This soundtrack is probably my favorite of Grant Kirkhope's work, probably because I have spent many more hours tending to gardens than playing Banjo-Kazooie or Donkey Kong Country.


I have barely played either Jet Set Radio games, but it is one of my best friend's favorite games. He introduced me to the soundtrack and I fell in love with it, without even playing the game. While the whole soundtrack is amazing, this track is probably my favorite.


A running trend in games who's music I love is that I never beat them, Superbrother's Sword & Sworcery is no exception. Jim Guthrie's entire soundtrack is incredible, this track, The Maelstrom, is my favorite. It makes me think of sitting outside watching and listening to a thunderstorm.


World of Goo was one of the first 'Artistic' games that I played. I love Kyle Gabler's art direction and his music. The track Red Carpet Extend-o-Matic is great to listen to on its own, conjuring up feelings of grandeur. The story of world of goo is rather silly, but with the music and art, it feels dark and serious. One of my all time favorite games.


Everyone knows the Kirby franchise as a colorful and cheerful one. It is one of my favorite Nintendo series, and has some of my favorite music in any nintendo game, with the exception perhaps of Legend of Zelda. This remix of Green Greens by Brandon Strader paints a different tone for Kirby. It sounds like something from a gritty war movie, and I absolutely love how it turns the Kirby world on its head. I love imagining kirby in the trenches or driving a tank when I listen to this.

[xbenblasterx]

I 've been listening to Sound of Play since episode one, and well I've been introduced to some fantastic tracks that I may never have heard. I've been thinking about what contribution I'd like to make to the show ever since episode one. There are many popular tracks we all immediately think of in regards to classic video game tracks, however the track I'd like to submit is one that has stuck with me for many years and although i haven't played the game in nearly 10 years I can still hum this tune near pitch perfect.

The 'Fable Theme' composed by Danny Elfman and Russel Shaw is a track that manages to encapsulate everything a fantasy RPG should be, it's haunting, grandiose and enchanting. The Fable series as a whole has been inconsistent in it's quality, however the soundtrack never failed to pull me into the fantasy land of Albion.

[seansthomas]

Love the podcast. Discovered it late and am working my way through it now (backwards), so apologies if any of these suggestions have already been covered. Also, heartily second the Deus Ex Human Revolution recommendation. That opening title sequence music captivated me more than the game ever did in truth.

G-Police

Was a huge fan of this game at the time. Can only imagine how terribly it looks and plays now given the draw distance even then was harsh to say the least, but it had a brilliant atmosphere to it which reminded me of Syndicate, Blade Runner and those late-90s dystopian Doctor Who stories. There was a sinister under current running through the game, from the sense that you were undertaking missions as the police yet chasing the wrong people, which all came to make sense in that brilliant final mission where a voice you trust beyond all others betrays you. The fleeting score did a sterling job of adding to that sense of oppression and brutality.




Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver OST - Ozar Midrashim by Information Society

I thought this game was years ahead of its' time and incredibly ambitious, a sense backed up with an end game that just... stops. Having been playing Tomb Raider games for years, the sense of true, free movement and atmosphere in this first Soul Reaver game felt like a monumental leap in gaming. Shifting between the spectral plains whilst struggling to regain human form long enough to get to the next section, gave a real sense of a ticking clock to the gameplay mechanics. I think this epic intro music contributed strongly to that feeling, managing to be rousing, terrifying, bombastic and alien all at the same time.




Mario Kart 8 - Mute City

I know this is really recent, but I don't think many things have ever given me as much pleasure as hearing this electric jazz rendition of the original F-Zero theme blasting out of my TV whilst hurtling round a track barely able to control my upside down kart. What a game, from a developer who values music almost as highly as they value their gameplay.

[mikeleddy83]

Lets face it, I'm never going to post a suggestion on Sound of Play as it takes me long enough to think up good stuff here so without ado I present:


Probably posted before but can't figure out which Blazblue tracks I haven't posted


Tough choice between this and militia 3 which is incredible


Very pumped up soundtrack besides this opener which I wimped out on due to the track "Juda's Castle" being too overbearing (even for me)

[Flabyo]

Still bouncing around in my head after yesterday...



With the neon colours, big trainers, super soakers and surf rock, this game couldn't be more 90's if it tried...

I love it.

[Poperamone]

New one from me; Drawcia Soul from Kirby Canvas Curse.

The final boss is a fantastic sequence musically. It builds from sparseness as you approach Drawcia in the final world across both her forms as you battle . I chose the second music as a submission as it was the most frantic and yet the most stand out. Kirby is not a game series I have invested much time over the years, but based on this one I plan to put many more hours into the little pink puff.

[achamius]

While it's not a game I've played to any extent, I have listened to the ost for "Risk of Rain" dozens of times, and I really dig it. Wonderfully atmospheric music that's at times relaxing, sometimes unsettling, and other times bombastic, with an excellent use of themes that lets tracks feel cohesive without becoming repetitive. While I'd be thrilled hearing any of the ost on SoP, my submission is "Monsoon" - great driving beat, atmospheric as all get out, with a great guitar hook to just unsettle an otherwise mesmeric track.

[Flabyo]

Fable MEGAPOST...

The Fable 2 intro theme, probably my favourite of the three main games. (I used to know all the lyrics on this one, part of it is still the 'motto' on my Xbox Live profile: "For Ceteri Sequor Via")



Fable 3 has a darker tone to it, time period wise we're into industrial revolution.



And because it's fun, here's the version of the same piece run through the musicians at Rare for spinoff game Fable Heroes.



Fable: The Journey still has my favourite soundtrack, although it's never been released to buy. Shame, there's some great stuff on there. Can't find a YouTube video of my favourite piece, this piece is actually the end credits despite what the video claims...

[FollowMyRuin]

Bully main theme.



It's not often that game music has much influence on what I find fun about a game. This track has a mischievous quality that seems to inspire my inner hedonist.

Truanting from Bullsworth Academy and sneaking around town in school hours harassing people with wedgies and itching powder is always a pleasure.

[mikeleddy83]

My latest favourite BlazBlue track:

[Todinho]

So I just noticed something we're up to Sound of Play issue 15 and so far there's been no Persona music so here's a few suggestions to change that!

1-Blues in the Velvet Room,This track from the Persona 3 soundtrack doesnt actually play anywhere in the game but what it does is pick the series iconic theme "Aria of the soul" and give it a bit of a blues twist,the end result is one of the best versions of the theme and one would really like to hear while Im fusing personas.


2-Specialist-Reincarnation version,In persona 4 the song "specialist" plays during the school sections of the game and if you know anything about persona 4 you know that you spend a whole lot of time listening to this song to the point of it getting stuck in your head for days,but that can be said about a bunch of other tracks in the game what separates this track from the others for me it's the reincarnation album version of it,it manages to take an already catchy song and give a whole new life and energy and it just makes you want to dance!


3-Overworld theme,To a persona fan jumping into the mainline SMT series can be a bit weird that was the case for me while playing SMT IV I wasnt really feeling the game and was even considering to quit however all of that disapeared the moment I reached the overworld and this track started playing.From that moment on I was hooked, this song perfectly captures the heart of the game for me,it makes you feel reflective, curious and sad all at the same time.[the actual title of the song isnt overworld theme but I think the actual title is a bit of a spoiler]

Spoiler: show

[Duncan2501]

As Goichi Suda's Killer 7 is getting the full Cane and Rinse treatment soon, I thought I'd suggest this first. 'Rave On' is the theme that plays whenever passing through the Vinculum Gate to take on a new breed of Heaven's Smile. I can't recall much of the game's soundtrack, but this track sticks with me. Impressive for what is basically a corridor theme tune!



You could pick pretty much any track from Xenoblade Chronicle's astounding soundtrack and I'd instantly be able to picture the setting from where it came. But an overlooked favourite for me is Valak Mountain/Night, a track that's instantly evocative of an uphill struggle through thick snow, a journey with great purpose, but an uncertain destination.



A little reminiscent of the safe room music from earlier Resident Evils, Revelations Main Menu theme does a good job of giving you that feeling of relative safety but at the same time a sense unease at the horrors that await you!



I quite like this from Resident Evil Revelations 2, something a bit more lively for the high pressure Raid Mode, it still feels distinctly 'Resi' to me.

[seansthomas]

When I first got my Amiga, I was so blown away by the sound capabilities having previously only owned a Master System and Atari 2600 that I spent many, many hours listening to intro music for the few games I had. This was one such game.



ISS Pro Evolution on PS1 is probably the game I've played more than any other. I bought it in my first year of uni and I was still playing it with the 3 guys I lived with in London 7 years later. We bought the subsequent sequels but all knew the workings of this game so well, that we never moved on from it. Getting them to like it was a struggle though; reviews were positive and I adored it but they were all mad keen FIFA & This is football fans and refused to try it. So one Bank Holiday weekend, I left it round theirs and hid those games. When I came back on Tuesday, they were so addicted to it that it took me 8 months to get it back from them. Many lengthy sessions began with us all watching the intro, such was the sense of anticipation it built, and it still sounds pretty decent now...