Awesome Videogame music tracks

[Yora]

We had threads like this before, but most are well over three years old, so why not have another one?

Pretty graphics and art design are all nice and pretty, but I think real kickass awesomeness comes primarily from music. Bad music can break an otherwise good game, and really good music can make a relatively poor game much more enjoyable than it should.

I just stumbled upon the soundtrack from Fury3, one of the very first games I had. Very different from X-Wing (the actual first game I had), but the music is so much more kick ass.

Particularly this one (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giKs4n2nl6Q&list=PL55B880763DC3FDC2&index=19), which I think was from the final level. Easily up there with Mortal Kombat and Doom.
This one is also pretty cool. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dbq7S064Ufk&list=PL55B880763DC3FDC2&index=10)

[SlyGuyMcFly]

I feel obliged to mention pretty much everything in Bastion. I particularly enjoy this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQWAcgefsQQ) and this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mDWzu5yxLg).

[Eldan]

I just stumbled upon the soundtrack from Fury3, one of the very first games I had. Very different from X-Wing (the actual first game I had), but the music is so much more kick ass.

Particularly this one (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giKs4n2nl6Q&list=PL55B880763DC3FDC2&index=19), which I think was from the final level. Easily up there with Mortal Kombat and Doom.
This one is also pretty cool. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dbq7S064Ufk&list=PL55B880763DC3FDC2&index=10)

Oh. Wow. Fury3. I had that. It came for free with my Joystick. Totally forgot about that game. But I still remember the "city" soundtrack.

[Hiro Protagonest]

One Winged Angel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s20588opz4), obviously. :smalltongue:

Oh, and Storm (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W54gF6QxeqM) Eagle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQmCmr1QbyQ).

! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI1VpElKWF8)

Cave Story has a great soundtrack, but in particular, there's Running (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykr8hnOyOBo) Hell (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKYgnz2QDXA).

Katawa Shoujo also has an amazing soundtrack. I've got fifteen songs from it on my YouTube favorites, but my favorite is probably Breathlessly (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfoB4o3mJfk). Painful History (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSiCfyEd7ZQ) would take that title if it weren't for the weird beeping sounds that show up occasionally (that's not a problem of that upload, it's actually in the song).

Oh, and I guess there's this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFSen7DRQWU).

[Thiyr]

The problem with One Winged Angel is that it isn't Dancing Mad (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YNfX1oU2XA). I also have a soft spot for Terra's Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7RPY-oiDAQ)

Chrono Trigger also had some good stuff, starting with its main theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzFD9yFi7PY&list=UUJvBEEqTaLaKclbCPgIjBSQ) and going from there.

Megaman 3's intro is good stuff. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJsn_C9rvIQ) And that's really all I can say about it.

Basically any of the Terran themes from Brood War are up there as well. Or any variation on Hell March out of the Red Alert series.

I'm also gonna cheat a bit. The Tony Hawk games traditionally had solid soundtracks, and the GTA games have always had solid choices as well. But, well, cheating.

[Vitruviansquid]

Endless Legend has one of my favorite soundtracks in gaming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhG6Qaij7VE&list=PLwNcU6UOEFaxMVCHUYQqWRTXJaBFUs2Qp

It really gives a feeling that you are having an epic experience.

[Zevox]

Having been playing Bayonetta 2 recently, I can't not make my first nominations Tomorrow is Mine (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_hCSCgX8A8) and Moon River (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXhhdNL05sY). And what the hell, might as well throw in its predecessor's Fly Me to the Moon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV6E13xODyA). And yes, two of those are old, slow love songs somehow remade to be suitable as fight themes in a fast-paced action game. Beautiful.

Also, from the same developer, the entire soundtrack of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. A few personal favorites being Rules of Nature (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTQIogLBFBs), A Stranger I Remain (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLvgvsI5jAg), and It Has to be this Way (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IjnoM5-mnw).

In the category of fighting game music, I've gotta throw in some from my favorite company for the genre, Arc System Works: the upcoming Guilty Gear Xrd's Heavy Day (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BkjBRisVAI), my favorite track from the BlazBlue franchise, Active Angel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlLryvwPDkA), and the recent Persona 4 Arena Ultimax's Break Out of... (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PM5L9Zyk3UQ) and Heartful Cry (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL9_dojFJCY).

And speaking of Persona, can't forget Reach Out to the Truth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bG6PPQyxyI), the wonderful fight theme from Persona 4.

Oh, and the glory that is the Moon Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHEifuLCSIY) from DuckTales Remastered.

Really, I could go on and on at this point, but better stop myself, given I've already spent so much time listening to each of the songs I've been picking up links for that it's getting silly. :smallwink:

[Kaptin Keen]

I feel obliged to mention pretty much everything in Bastion. I particularly enjoy this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQWAcgefsQQ) and this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQWAcgefsQQ).

Truer words were never spoken.

Edit: Of course, trollishly, you linked the same track twice :p

[Hogwarts9876]

Everything in the Kid Icarus: Uprising soundtrack, particularly this (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ts91h-WzVG4), this (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QG77HTdreh0), this (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u2S2h24xuZI), this (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_BBsl7dtm28), really just anything from the soundtrack. WARNING: high level of spoilers in comments section!

[SlyGuyMcFly]

Truer words were never spoken.

Edit: Of course, trollishly, you linked the same track twice :p

Woops! I meant to link to Slinger's Song. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mDWzu5yxLg)

[Yora]

Oh. Wow. Fury3. I had that. It came for free with my Joystick. Totally forgot about that game. But I still remember the "city" soundtrack.
I had that same bundle too. :smallbiggrin:
Really played the game only years later, since I already had my X-Wing, Tie-Fighter, and FreeSpace.

[Eldan]

I forgot: Aquaria. Love that game in general.

Very (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjDfISZSUfM) atmospheric (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvBdgCbDQGU) throughout (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhN4sRXhHeY).

[Cespenar]

The problem with One Winged Angel is that it isn't Dancing Mad (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YNfX1oU2XA).

And the problem with Dancing Mad is that it isn't Prancing Dad (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFplIleCuVg). :smalltongue:

[Toastkart]

Mega man has always had good music, but my favourite by far is from Mega Man X epilogue (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDTdZOOc0-4)

Anything by Jeremy Soule is well worth listening to, including his very first effort: the soundtrack for Secret of Evermore (http://youtu.be/iF0i55epJuY)

Soule's work sounds incredible even when played on a kazoo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96RyuJG_Dq4), so he must be doing something right.



Endless Legend has one of my favorite soundtracks in gaming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhG6Qaij7VE&list=PLwNcU6UOEFaxMVCHUYQqWRTXJaBFUs2Qp

It really gives a feeling that you are having an epic experience.

oh wow. That is... that's something else. I kinda wish I enjoyed 4x games now.

[Avilan the Grey]

What I have as Spotify playlists:

The complete Mass Effect (all three games plus all expansions) soundtrack.
The complete Crusader Kings II soundtrack.
The complete Fallout / New Vegas soundtrack.

Things I DON'T have because it's not on Spotify:

The complete Skyrim soundtrack.

[Vitruviansquid]

oh wow. That is... that's something else. I kinda wish I enjoyed 4x games now.

Endless Legend is... an interesting game. I'm not sure if it's a fun game yet, and sometimes I think I spend an afternoon "playing it" just to listen to the music.

Speaking of Megaman, the Shovel Knight soundtrack is insane and amazing: http://virt.bandcamp.com/album/shovel-knight-original-soundtrack

My favorites are "A Thousand Leagues Below" (by Manami Matsumae) and "In the Halls of the Usurper."

[Sajiri]

I never played it, and I cant look for it since this PC has no sound, but there was a song from Suikoden..3? a friend showed me years ago and I fell in love. I think it might have been a main theme

[Dumbledore lives]

I feel obliged to mention pretty much everything in Bastion. I particularly enjoy this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQWAcgefsQQ) and this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mDWzu5yxLg).

No mention of Transistor? I'm fairy certain I listened to the Tranistor soundtrack for all my waking hours in the 48 or so hours following release of that game. Here's the full thing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zA1jRmAYfU). Hotline Miami also has the best soundtrack for getting pumped to. Then there is Brutal Legend which is like a Best Of of metal music from the last thirty years.

[Shekinah]

This (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTcd8upeNxM) and this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wZNrE7HNCo) from Tales of Legendia by far.

Pretty much all of the Tales games have great music, but Legendia's is just masterful.

This piece (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fwFD7UxaX4) from Tales of Graces breaks my heart every time I hear it, and these (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zn7qsLrgHGg) two (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHXhkxEV2UM) are absolutely breathtaking.

[Rising Phoenix]

Everything in the Kid Icarus: Uprising soundtrack, particularly this (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ts91h-WzVG4), this (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QG77HTdreh0), this (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u2S2h24xuZI), this (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_BBsl7dtm28), really just anything from the soundtrack. WARNING: high level of spoilers in comments section!

Yup kid icarus has some amazing music.

Journey has some pretty swell music if you are into orchestral pieces (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypNgvc6c6Cc)

And of course.

Bramble Blast. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73n7HTcmb5g)

[factotum]

Call me an old fogey, but there's still not much that comes close to "Tristram" from Diablo 2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2evIg-aYw8

[Avilan the Grey]

Call me an old fogey, but there's still not much that comes close to "Tristram" from Diablo 2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2evIg-aYw8

Ah yes. The Diablo II soundtrack is wonderful. Especially Tristram.

Another one of my favorites: The version of Baba Yetu that is the intro song for Civ IV.

[DemonicAngel]

Call me an old fogey, but there's still not much that comes close to "Tristram" from Diablo 2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2evIg-aYw8

You just took me back to playing Diablo as a 5 year old. the music, the atmosphere....

I'm seconding Bastion, I also like the heroes of might and magic 3 soundtrack:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDsHw4AjuYw&list=PLF8CEE6ADEB07D27C&index=5

and: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aoc471zt-co&list=PLF8CEE6ADEB07D27C&index=28

[Merellis]

Most soundtracks of Etrian Odyssey!

You start off exploring the labyrinth and getting used to the place (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQcKlQ6iAew) followed by delving deeper and deeper into the unexplored stratum (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7y2FZN1qR0). A major part of the game is trying to survive against the regular monsters, and the wandering ones that love to show up and kick your party around. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k0rVqaA_2c). But if you manage to survive and thrive in the labyrinth, you eventually manage to start charging into the fray and demolishing all by the skin of your teeth! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1_7UQHIDcA)

[Sylthia]

Posting for tracking.

Although, I'd say bad music has a neutral effect at worst for me, since I often listen to other music or videos while playing games, especially if it's "grinding".

[Tengu_temp]

I feel obliged to mention pretty much everything in Bastion. I particularly enjoy this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQWAcgefsQQ) and this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mDWzu5yxLg).

No mention of Terminal March (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-aexLJKwME)? Best theme in that game, if you ask me!

[Istarial]

So many to choose from...
In the interest of not being up till far too late, I'd better stick to just one...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi1M747Iw48

[Kaptin Keen]

No mention of Terminal March (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-aexLJKwME)? Best theme in that game, if you ask me!

Or this one! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz8c17upEwM) =)

But generally I'm just a sucker for Bastion ... I consider it one of the very best games I ever played.

[Toastkart]

Endless Legend is... an interesting game. I'm not sure if it's a fun game yet, and sometimes I think I spend an afternoon "playing it" just to listen to the music.


I'm not big on turn based games, unless they're turn based tactical, and I've never been a big fan of how 4x games handle empire building.


Or this one! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz8c17upEwM) =)

But generally I'm just a sucker for Bastion ... I consider it one of the very best games I ever played.

This was probably my favourite track from the game. It's been a long time since I've played, though. I don't remember lyrics beyond the humming in the in-game version. Am I misremembering or was that just on the soundtrack itself?


I was actually looking for something from the mass effect series to add to my previous post, but nothing seemed appropriate to add until I came across this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN25hbDMWUA) and unfortunately I didn't even realize at first that it wasn't from the games, merely inspired by. But I enjoyed it so much I'm sharing it anyway.

Another one I didn't think to include the first time was Planescape: Torment, which had a lot of very atmospheric music. All of the character themes are really good, but I think Dak'kon's (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkQbNgSPX3w) in particular is excellent.

[enderlord99]

This (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPHTeItenJY) is pretty good.

[Derjuin]

The problem with One Winged Angel is that it isn't Dancing Mad (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YNfX1oU2XA). I also have a soft spot for Terra's Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7RPY-oiDAQ)

:smallwink::smallbiggrin:

Absolutely love Terra's theme.



Pretty much every battle music piece (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P_YdPQ2BHw) from SMT IV, as well as some (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b08GGuTAwg) dungeon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFuWf_copM8) themes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubj7lzLOWSI).

England's War Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwike5VXojk) from Civ 5 is good too.

I also really like this boss music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHJT2UAygtw) from the 4e Neverwinter game.

[Avilan the Grey]

This is a matter of taste, obviously!

...But, in general I find all tracks to Japanese games being the total opposite of Awesome or Epic. I noticed that the last time we had a similar thread too.

Again, this is a matter of taste, and I know this.

Edit:
Here are the ones I like the most. I am sure you have heard them all.
Baba Yetu (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJiHDmyhE1A)
Skyrim's main theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7oUk9WizNc)
Mass Effect 2 Suicide Mission (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTsD2FjmLsw)
Mass Effect 2 The Normandy Reborn (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXCM0lZxh4U)

[Grif]

No SimCity love? :smallwink:

Sim Broadway - SimCity 3000 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ctc_gXbkBO4)
Epicentre - SimCity 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8HW5agFwUY)
Morning Commute - SimCity 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BBEZ_T_3OY)

Gotta love Jerry Martin. Shame he moved on to greener pastures.

[Pronounceable]

I find all tracks to Japanese games being the total opposite of Awesome or Epic.
Umineko (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raxEmANPTVc) disagrees (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAKkw71ff3U) strongly (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JBKyLZd6GA). Fate (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax4Ye-2cV60) too (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t51TB9lXxDs).
...
Also of all the Heroes ofs, 3 has the best city themes, especially Fortress and Tower (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSoPiffmSYU).
...
Baldur's Gate doesn't (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEK84_OSb38) have many good tracks though (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V6ayeiKkT4). A shame.
...
Also Funcom might (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw9Gk7A4z7g) suck at all things but music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UaFFXfKtBo) ain't one of them (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOy9srLzb-s).

[Avilan the Grey]

Umineko (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raxEmANPTVc) disagrees (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAKkw71ff3U) strongly (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JBKyLZd6GA). Fate (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax4Ye-2cV60) too (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t51TB9lXxDs).
...
Also of all the Heroes ofs, 3 has the best city themes, especially Fortress and Tower (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSoPiffmSYU).
...
Baldur's Gate doesn't (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEK84_OSb38) have many good tracks though (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V6ayeiKkT4). A shame.
...
Also Funcom might (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw9Gk7A4z7g) suck at all things but music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UaFFXfKtBo) ain't one of them (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOy9srLzb-s).

Those are not awful, but they don't trigger my "Awesome" sense. It sounds like slightly beefed up standard 80s gaming music. Well made, but nothing special.

As for your other links... The BG soundtrack has not really impressed me. Bioware definitely learned quickly, though.

[Cespenar]

As for your other links... The BG soundtrack has not really impressed me. Bioware definitely learned quickly, though.

Soundtracks have that little thing where they usually have to be taken in context for full effect.

In my opinion, Bioware only got worse in the music department after BG2.

[Avilan the Grey]

Soundtracks have that little thing where they usually have to be taken in context for full effect.

In my opinion, Bioware only got worse in the music department after BG2.

To each their own :smallsmile:
The ME2 soundtrack is the best they have ever done.

[factotum]

Here are the ones I like the most. I am sure you have heard them all.
Skyrim's main theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7oUk9WizNc)


I prefer the Morrowind main theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWuNf4gxwuM), myself. Oh, and I forgot to mention a couple of other of my faves:

Might and Magic VII: Castle Gryphonheart (also played on the main menu screen) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHqDX1EOf5I&list=PLD173D6A02CD44A50&index=13)
Shadowcaster first level theme (can't find a Youtube video of this--the ones I could find are all gameplay videos, and since Shadowcaster had the annoying habit of restarting the tune after you killed any enemy, they don't really show the tune off to best effect).

[Feytalist]

Tristram's theme has been mentioned; good :smallbiggrin: Pretty much all of Matt Uelmen's music is amazing, though. Torchlight and especially Torchlight 2 has some incredible atmospheric music.

Hell March is of course ur-awesome. Frank Klepacki did some amazing work for the Westwoods games back in the day. I especially like the electro/industrial stuff for Tiberian Sun (http://www.frankklepacki.com/portfolio/game-TS.html). And the sand punk stuff for Emperor: Battle for Dune (http://www.frankklepacki.com/portfolio/game-emperor.html).

Unreal Tournament (the original one) had this one track called Razorback (www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLgSo90JhAQ) that has stuck with me all these years. It's the perfect deathmatch song.

(Also who can forget the Doom Song. MIDI has never sounded so good.)

Arcanum had a soundtrack composed entirely by string quartet. It's quite unique. Very atmospheric. Nothing quite as awesome as starting a battle and - instead of generic pseudo-techno - having frantic strings in the background.

Baldur's Gate 2's Waukeen's Promenade (www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcHnqodZoJM), for the first music you hear after you exit the very oppressive first dungeon, is quite inspiring.

[Ebon_Drake]

Baldur's Gate 2's Waukeen's Promenade (www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcHnqodZoJM), for the first music you hear after you exit the very oppressive first dungeon, is quite inspiring.

On a similar tone, I've always liked Amkethran's theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrW6W02613w). Attacked By Assassins (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mgfwq5SBQ3Q) is good too, although I'll admit it sounds better on a loop and with mages shouting Latin at each other.

Love me some Mirror's Edge soundtrack, whether it's chilled ambience (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_XmY09uRJ4) or frantic trance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eToAe_MV7Vk). For all its flaws, the game had tons of style. Along the same lines, I loved this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO3j4oS4f1Q) from Deus Ex: Human Revolution. I dragged out the final boss fight just to listen to it.

[Mx.Silver]

While One-Winged Angel and Dancing Mad may be more popular, for my money Howl of the Departed (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ywzw9cHTrDk) is Uematsu's best final boss theme.

On the subject of JRPG boss themes, it would be remiss not to mention Battle with the Fallen Angel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsDUEPvuVyI) from Shadow Hearts 2, one of the more unconventional boss fight themes in the genre. I could go on listing music from SH2 all day, but for now I'll leave it with The Fate (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr5mloai1B0).


On the western side of things, now my be as good a time as any to bring up Mark Morgan. He's probably best known for his work on the Fallout series, primarily composing the entire first game's soundtrack most of the tracks from which have all been used in the subsequent games. Of said tracks, my own favourite is the piece first used for The Glow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIuT6NHflpY). While it's decidedly more low-key and eerie than most of the other pieces of music that are likely to be mentioned in the thread, in terms of evoking an atmosphere it's very hard to beat.
Morgan also scored pretty much all of Planescape: Torment. So if you were ever curious about who to thank for tracks like Fall-from-Grace's Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MiPD-05lg4) and Deionarra's Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHWjWPyOIIA), now you know.


Switching genres a bit, while it may have looked the ugliest of the series - and was probably a bit too much of a departure on the mechanics front for its own good - Heroes of Might and Magic IV undeniably shines in the music department. It's Overworld (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KByla_uGhro) Themes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gNtmef_c-Y) are hands-down the best of the franchise, and it's operatic town themes stand-up pretty well too - the Asylum Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jSCbUKBqsI) being perhaps the most notable.


Finally, on the indie front, I would like to draw people's attention towards the 2009 point-and-click puzzle game Machinarium. The soundtrack is electronic gold from start to finish, a couple of examples being By The Wall (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jex5rtwx94k) and The Bottom (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHPjpflNssY).



Next time (assuming no one beats to them): more Shadow Hearts, an obscure 90s puzzle-game and more. Plus a 'trivia journey' relating to Heroes of Might and Magic IV.

[AmberVael]

Lots of people mentioning Bastion and Transistor, I see. Yet everyone is linking to youtube for those songs.

Might I point out the Bandcamp site (http://supergiantgames.bandcamp.com/) for Supergiant games, which I find to be a much better source for their music? I mean, you're only streaming audio so its more efficient, plus its a free official site where you can listen to all their music and thus pretty awesome for that reason too.

[JabberwockySupafly]

I haven't seen any mention of the Ys series yet.


Ys Origin's soundtrack is pretty stellar. Beyond The Beginning (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnQ7TamDQsI) is good. So is The Last Moment of the Dark (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEA3doXBm70) and Scarlet Tempest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf0rKnslVGo).

Ys: The Oath in Felghana is probably my favourite video game soundtrack, and has what is perhaps my all-time favourite boss battle theme in The Strongest Foe (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ7ruKexLWI). It also has Beat of Destruction (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw10IAQsg5k), Sealed Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Knd4oW-RpbU), and Shock of the Death God (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A01p4ikt-AY).


I could probably write several pages worth of what I consider the 'best video game music' but I'll just leave it at this... for now.

[Feytalist]

On the western side of things, now my be as good a time as any to bring up Mark Morgan.

<3 Mark Morgan. Fallout's music is some of the best atmospheric stuff I've ever heard. Such an integral part of the game.


Lots of people mentioning Bastion and Transistor, I see. Yet everyone is linking to youtube for those songs.

Might I point out the Bandcamp site (http://supergiantgames.bandcamp.com/) for Supergiant games, which I find to be a much better source for their music? I mean, you're only streaming audio so its more efficient, plus its a free official site where you can listen to all their music and thus pretty awesome for that reason too.

Also available for sale from there, of course. If one is so inclined. I like Bandcamp.

I also linked to Frank Klepacki's official site for similar reasons. Steaming and/or sale. It's just better.

[Drascin]

Oh boy. I could be here all day, and some of my favorites have already been posted (Terra's Theme, for example. So instead I will just post here some of the ones I've listened to most recently.

First, pretty much the entire soundtrack of Child of Light. It has a certain beautiful, melancholic quality that gets me to my guts. Here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJnzWceKHxk) are (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDf5w4Stk6A) some (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNt_90Kt4xA) random examples (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4CjB-7IT4o).

Of course, if instead what you want is some cheese and badass to go with your burger, you can't go wrong with some heroic marching to the tune of The Won-Stoppable 100 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1Y_bGyck1E)!

The Megaman series is well known for reliably having awesome, catchy music. Some frequent listens of mine include Green Grass Gradation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvmXbAob28Q), Megaman 3's intro theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJsn_C9rvIQ), Esperanto (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRAjiv23A3M), or Enemy Hall (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYygEsgTrzw).

On that note of not forgetting the classics, I can always trust any of the dozen various renditions of Monster Hunter's main theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhDK0Krdabo) to pump me up. Useful as a work song! (On that note, for a prettier, less pump-y but quite beautiful version, Erutan's The Hunter's Mark (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOaCvz_kLFU) is really great).

In a change of things, let's go for Etrian Odyssey! As far as music that tells you quite clearly that the reality quotient of **** just increased greatly, Their Own Brand of Justice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL40UhE3rRU) is hard to beat.

This (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5EgbPr50hY) definitely fulfills the "awesome" part of the title. I didn't even play this game, but I really like both parts of the song. If I had to choose, though, the second part I like more than the first - whoever's singing has a voice I really like.

Id (Purpose) from Fire Emblem Awakening (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bio99hoZVYI) is also quite great final level music.

...well, I haven't even gotten into things like Zelda and Metroid Prime and I already have quite a long post, so I should probably stop about here for now. Oh, and if anyone feels like some rather unique electronic beat, Hellsinker's (a really obscure, really strange, really good shmup) soundtrack can deliver.

[Sylthia]

On a similar tone, I've always liked Amkethran's theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrW6W02613w). Attacked By Assassins (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mgfwq5SBQ3Q) is good too, although I'll admit it sounds better on a loop and with mages shouting Latin at each other.


I often imagine the various bleeps and bloops from old soundtracks when I listen to them a la carte.

[Vaz]

For anyone who remembers this old game, Kingdom Under Fire; War of Heroes (note; not Heroes, but the original PC game - also known as Gold) has an amazing Soundtrack. This is one of my favourite pieces - the Credits (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkpM0e4tNnA) and the Boss Mix (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzSIjwuF-TY) is up there as well. There aren't many uploads of the game soundtrack sadly, but there a couple knocking about.

For something slightly different - Dynasty Warriors; Bai Di Castle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucQGxm2HtXM) from DW5 - I remember trying to play it on the bass in the school, didn't end well, but it was good fun, while my all time favourite possibly has to be Nanman Campaign (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCGIZJiZo-U) from DW3.

[Yora]

Love me some Mirror's Edge soundtrack, whether it's chilled ambience (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_XmY09uRJ4) or frantic trance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eToAe_MV7Vk). For all its flaws, the game had tons of style. Along the same lines, I loved this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO3j4oS4f1Q) from Deus Ex: Human Revolution. I dragged out the final boss fight just to listen to it.
It's only half the package without the visuals and the narrative context. Or perhaps two third the package, the music is just that good (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtpKhh4KcC0).

[Feytalist]

We've talked about Final Fantasy 8, right? Liberi Fatali (www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5f_VBd_17M)?

By the way. Here (https://ffnewworld.bandcamp.com/releases) is a bunch of Final Fantasy songs, from all the games, as performed by a chamber orchestra. It's quite epic. My personal favourites are Those Who Fight and Force Your Way, battle music from VII and VIII respectively.

Actually, those two songs in general is pretty awesome game music.

[Thiyr]

Along the same lines, I loved this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO3j4oS4f1Q) from Deus Ex: Human Revolution. I dragged out the final boss fight just to listen to it.

Yknow, DE:HR's soundtrack in general. Icarus just has that wonderful build up. Also, on the same note, the original DE's theme.

And yknow, because I can't believe I forgot about it, I have to bring up the slam-jammingest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VopY7M0Gyuc) music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRpw-8vxZag) of the post-cyberpocalypse (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWKQiZVBtu4)

[Hiro Protagonest]

So, something that hasn't been mentioned yet is Megaman Battle Network 6 (I don't remember any of the songs from 5 and haven't played the others... >_>). Maybe because it's all chiptunes, but I still think it's awesome.

It starts with a kickass theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bojt_YZxhU&list=PLC397F566A8939997&index=1).

The battle music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTD98gSbbCk&list=PLC397F566A8939997&index=11) and boss music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xET8DT0Cy7w&index=17&list=PLC397F566A8939997) are cool too.

Hero (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSLZHohi7Ik&index=24&list=PLC397F566A8939997) and Two of Braves (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouFKEpaqQSs&list=PLC397F566A8939997&index=33) seem to be remixes of the main theme. Two of Braves is much longer though (although that's relative).

Here we go! Final Battle! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouFKEpaqQSs&list=PLC397F566A8939997&index=33)

Then there's Promise (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTJ57iIb2XA&list=PLC397F566A8939997&index=20)...

[Yora]

Maiden Astraea boss fight (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-rNVnrFQDg) from Demon's Souls.

Also very interesting, because very weird for a boss fight, Fool's Idol (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKXMEYLv30g) from the same game.


Also, this unforgettable track (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iof5pRAIZmw&spfreload=10). It's not Mortal Kombat, but close. :smallbiggrin:

[Hiro Protagonest]

Also, this unforgettable track (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iof5pRAIZmw&spfreload=10). It's not Mortal Kombat, but close. :smallbiggrin:

Street Fighter 4 has some good tracks too.

I'll have to find them on YouTube again and save them...

[banthesun]

Objection! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I34nshlOPk)

If this thread was really about awesome videogame music... Then why hasn't anyone mentioned Masakazu Sugimori's works!

I'm particularly partial to the Ghost Trick soundtrack, some great ones are here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxzU3wRZxcM), here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ3khsva6E8), and here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeVXa4cU21g).

Dustforce also has a wonderful soundtrack, which has had a large part in me so happily racking up ~120 hours so far. Here's (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO2ZThUdRdk) a selection (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnsCuUA1pg0) of great tracks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxJXn1dOwGA).

[Zevox]

Objection! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I34nshlOPk)
Ooo, that reminds me to post some Ace Attorney music. I'm especially fond of Klavier Gavin's Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUwJfVn9Nq4) and Pressing Pursuit ~ Cornered (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0JO-3YHzpk) from Dual Destinies. Though really, every variation of Cornered (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq1jknZp0ic) is great.

[Vaz]

Urgh, just saw in my youtube feed after searching for soundtracks earlier the pop up of ones I've already searched for in the past - Darksiders 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYEZTeH4AHU) - in particular the Corruption Melody (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t__j5BKKAdA).

[Sylthia]

Baten Kaitos has some great music. I like this track among others. Vitriolic A Stroke (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDoBcqdPx-Y&list=PL1F96B2116C2110F5&index=6)

[Corlindale]

Even though Might & Magic VII is my favourite Might & Magic game (and a close contender for my favourite game of all time), I must admit that VI had by far the best music.

One of my favourite tracks is the Castle Ironfist theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFeuWcor1YI). So epic and majestic. (It's a fun quirk that the ambient sounds and the music for the game are the same track, so there are bird chirps on most outdoor-themes and cave noises along with the dungeon music.)

In more recent games, I also really like the music in Rayman: Legends (and I guess Origins too, since those levels are also included in Legends). Not just the tracks themselves, but the fact that the game design incorporates music so well. The musical levels (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Szj-cVy1Vg4) at the end of each world are prime examples, but in general an impressive amount of effort has clearly been made to make the music fit the levels. There's even an entire music-themed world!

[mig el pig]

Age of Empires 1 intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bQ-WsquMwE

Starts slow and calm and turns into something militaristic and threathening.

Pharoah Theme : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d13DV0gMDXE

Very evocative

Battle Realms Lotus Unholy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rnhrwW8jY8

Sinister and calculated evil

[KillianHawkeye]

I have to say that I found the music from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras to be much more memorable than anything in current games. Maybe I'm just old.

[Feytalist]

Age of Empires 1 intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bQ-WsquMwE

Starts slow and calm and turns into something militaristic and threathening.

Pharoah Theme : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d13DV0gMDXE

Very evocative

Oh hey, I actually meant to mention both of these. Age of Empires II (www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehZMQ9Q1Jko) also has pretty cool medieval style in-game music. One 30-minute track cycling through different styles.

[mig el pig]

Oh hey, I actually meant to mention both of these. Age of Empires II (www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehZMQ9Q1Jko) also has pretty cool medieval style in-game music. One 30-minute track cycling through different styles.

Also liked AoE2 a lot.(and the ost).

Don't know if you have this one before.

Age of Wonders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o-7rPnZhXo

Game had many great and diverse songs, main theme, dans macabre, races at war, ...

Someone else has already mentioned it but planescape torment has probably one of the OST.

[Sylthia]

Another series' music I'm quite fond of is Golden Sun (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqSwQTbYuXE&list=PL0D84662587D357CC&index=94).

[Hiro Protagonest]

I have to say that I found the music from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras to be much more memorable than anything in current games. Maybe I'm just old.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKgHrz_Wv6o

tldw; There was A) a guaranteed memorable melody (in any game worth having) due to limitations on sound, and B) less songs in one game.

[Sylthia]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKgHrz_Wv6o

tldw; There was A) a guaranteed memorable melody (in any game worth having) due to limitations on sound, and B) less songs in one game.

I've always been a sucker for 8-Bit Musical Theater myself. Many old Nintendo games are instantly recognizable after a few seconds of their tunes.

[Hiro Protagonest]

I've always been a sucker for 8-Bit Musical Theater myself. Many old Nintendo games are instantly recognizable after a few seconds of their tunes.

While I do prefer most of that newer stuff in the direct comparisons in that vid, when Dave basically said "would you really want to listen to that old Metal Gear piece of music instead of this newer one?" I was like "YES!".

For the record, the old song was this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCDRWKQClwc).

Also, I was going through the other Megaman Battle Network soundtracks and while I largely prefer 6's songs, I've gotta say Virus Busting (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01C1kpfLtGY&index=28&list=PLDE6ECE8DEF1652A6) is the best battle theme.

[Sylthia]

While I do prefer most of that newer stuff in the direct comparisons in that vid, when Dave basically said "would you really want to listen to that old Metal Gear piece of music instead of this newer one?" I was like "YES!".

For the record, the old song was this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCDRWKQClwc).

Also, I was going through the other Megaman Battle Network soundtracks and while I largely prefer 6's songs, I've gotta say Virus Busting (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01C1kpfLtGY&index=28&list=PLDE6ECE8DEF1652A6) is the best battle theme.

When you said Virus Busting, my mind first went to the Dr Mario theme.

[Zevox]

Another series' music I'm quite fond of is Golden Sun (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqSwQTbYuXE&list=PL0D84662587D357CC&index=94).
You gave just one link to Golden Sun music and it wasn't Venus Lighthouse (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5d1rrbNo3o)? For shame. :smallwink:

[Sylthia]

You gave just one link to Golden Sun music and it wasn't Venus Lighthouse (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5d1rrbNo3o)? For shame. :smallwink:

Mia culpa, although I think Jenna's theme is my favorite from the series. I can't say why.

[Mx.Silver]

Mia culpa, although I think Jenna's theme is my favorite from the series. I can't say why.

I'm most partial to The Elemental Stars (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpYo0lAwQ2g) myself. When it comes to the second game I tend to flip back and forth between Full Moon Over Garoh (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp_W_LUN9b8) and The Lost City (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfr61smQMfQ).


The obscure 90s puzzle game I referred to in my last post was The Incredible Machine. Specifically the third one, which featured a particularly high quality CD soundtrack (also included in the 2000 Contraptions re-release), touching on a variety of styles/genres. Tracks of note are Dreams (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQKocii2wNs), Uplugged (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WToAEdHbH7A) and New Age (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWQZ8PEVn7o).


As I also mentioned in my last post, some trivia about Heroes of Might and Magic IV, which as I said previous has the best Overworld Music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5vEXnWQOH0) of the franchise. Despite the celtic/folk style of the soundtrack, a lot of it is actually built around samples. Which explains why the game's Sea Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3obSzNLHCpg) made a sort of reappearance in an Anime series (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzQY7vZ9rRw) released a few months later, and then again in another videogame (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAPwVUKT51s) a year after that.

[Sylthia]

As mentioned, I'm fond of Tales Music, from Symphonia, my favorite is Beat the Angel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N2tbS9ctbQ).

I know everyone seems to think of Fatalize (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQApJo4TBeY) with this game, too.

[Avilan the Grey]

I have to say that I found the music from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras to be much more memorable than anything in current games. Maybe I'm just old.

Heh, I'm the opposite... Most of that music was pure drek. I don't know your age but I remember things like this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qipWqOwkceg) which we worshipped at the time, and now point and laugh at.

Edit:
I also must say that there is an obvious difference between Japanese and Western games when it comes to musical style, and also, it seems between fans of the respective genres. :smallsmile:

[Feytalist]

Heh, I'm the opposite... Most of that music was pure drek. I don't know your age but I remember things like this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qipWqOwkceg) which we worshipped at the time, and now point and laugh at.

Word. I'm of the opinion that it's pure nostalgia speaking.

Make no mistake; I played those games myself, and I have nothing but fond memories of, say, Sonic 1's music. (Green Hills, yo.) But it simply isn't on the same level as the original Mass Effect's intro. Or Transistor's music, or whatever.

Okay, so I get that quality is not the same as memorability. Simple, unlayered melodies like the old 16-bit / MIDI era stuff is inherently easier to remember than today's multilayered, orchestral ambient music (there's also the case that modern-day "cinematic" background music isn't meant to be noticeable, but I digress). But no-one would say that Skyrim's main theme isn't memorable. It's also damn good.

[Drasius]

Anything by Jeremy Soule is well worth listening to...

And just how has Total Annihilation (http://youtu.be/BxAdOQtAFEs) not been mentioned yet?

Or KoTOR (http://youtu.be/JQ5LpKGGLDk?t=1h6m53s), nothing short of Epic.

And though it's unpopular to like it, I'm going on record to say that the Halo Series (http://youtu.be/BomvkEm37EE) has some of the best music in a game, perfectly matched in the game, to the point where I don't think Halo would have been anywhere near as successful if it only have average, run-of-the-mill music quality.

Showing my age now, but Mechwarrior 2:Mercenaries (http://youtu.be/Tp87Jc6k1w4) is one I still listen to in my general playlist of regular music and was/is my backround music to write essay/reports to.

One that has already been mentioned but deserves to be mentioned again is Baldurs Gate 2 (http://youtu.be/p4LFKhSxcrU?list=PLECA54D3BAFB7C8E9)

God, so difficult to chose just one track from each to link to!

And one that I can't link just one is Final Fantasy Dissidia Duodecim's Cantata Mortis and God In Fire (http://youtu.be/I1QHrM3qH_g) Holy hell, Cantata Mortis would probably rank as my favourite piece of nonsense latin chanting and while God In Fire is about as polar opposite as you can imagine, it actually fits really, really well when fighting the final battle. My second honourable mention there is the remastered Chaos Shrine (http://youtu.be/Zck06BERNYo) for how it captures the flow of a battle so perfectly.

[danzibr]

We've talked about Final Fantasy 8, right?
Eyes On Me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qcW0oiLKHg) is probably my favorite song of all time.

[Sylthia]

One that has already been mentioned but deserves to be mentioned again is Baldurs Gate 2 (http://youtu.be/p4LFKhSxcrU?list=PLECA54D3BAFB7C8E9)
.

Ah, another playlist the add to my YouTube account. I supposed the Opening Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hsa8DfV_i8&index=38&list=PLECA54D3BAFB7C8E9) and Viconia's romance theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtzK7_O1FZc&index=21&list=PLECA54D3BAFB7C8E9).

[Avilan the Grey]

The only 8bit song I consider awesome, if only because of indoctrination is the Russian song used in TETRIS (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fv5cuYZFC0).

(That's not saying I didn't felt a heap of nostalgia and happiness hearing these (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrQuR1LHAVI) songs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDoGYlAzT7w).

[Sylthia]

I forget where I read it, but the composer of The Legend of Zelda soundtrack aledgedly listened to his tunes for several hours repeated, and if he wasn't tired of them, he kept them. That might be why they're so memorable.

[Avilan the Grey]

I forget where I read it, but the composer of The Legend of Zelda soundtrack aledgedly listened to his tunes for several hours repeated, and if he wasn't tired of them, he kept them. That might be why they're so memorable.

That, and with only 8 bit available you HAD to focus on the melody, since you often could ONLY play the melody track to fit in sound effects.

[Hida Reju]

My gold standard for Soundtracks is from the game Second Sight (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Vr6Hhhgy1w&list=PL1A7A430967A09A6C&index=1) by Codemasters the soundtrack was done by the same guy that did Timesplitters 2

I also was a fan of the Borderlands 1 soundtrack.

Another interesting song was the "With My Mind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZQk3ig-i_s)" by Cold for Psi-Ops The Mindgate Conspiracy

[Lurkmoar]

Hmm, haven't seen anyone mention Xenogears, so I'll toss in Flight (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GvpjwTM8p0) and The Wind is Calling (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BQ6PeyzxDk).

Also got a soft spot for Valkyrie Profile, particularly Blameless Thoughts. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRb899uYgrQ)

[Feytalist]

And just how has Total Annihilation (http://youtu.be/BxAdOQtAFEs) not been mentioned yet?

I love Total Annihilation's music, yeah. I love that build track that starts off each mission. So spacey and atmospheric. I actually ripped the music way back when from the original disks (back when you could still do that, heh).



Eyes On Me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qcW0oiLKHg) is probably my favorite song of all time.

Word.

[Sylthia]

As mentioned, I'm particular to 8 and 16 bit music soundtracks. The Donkey Kong Country Trilogy, has great music, with DKC2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbreFmRDN3E) being my favorite overall game, although Gangplank Galleon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XziA0L2zmBg) is probably my favorite individual track.

[Maryring]

I'm a bit surprised that there hasn't been any mention of Touhou thus far. The music is what (in addition to beautiful bullet patterns) makes the Touhou games great to play, so permit me to share some of my favoured tracks.

Maiden's Capriccio (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXtHZymykeQ)
The Tiger-Patterned Vaisravana (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5wrVuPMVR0)
Immortal Smoke (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOefbCXJ0Sc)
True Administrator (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykyz5tcJ-NE)

[Psyren]

Rockman. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31D7kg2VHRg) Just, every game.

Come on, it's right in the name. ROCKMAN!

[BladeofObliviom]

I'll throw in that I really like the older Armored Core OSTs (and the newer ones for that matter, though in a different way). It gets the feel of (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36broSmBnGY) "Cyberpunk Giant Mecha Mercenary" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1L_xkXwZOY) across pretty well (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bib1ALjlfNE). And then of course there's Nineball's theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoGMJHbV4Wk).

[CarpeGuitarrem]

The music for The Banner Saga (http://austinwintory.bandcamp.com/album/the-banner-saga) is just perfect for the atmosphere. Gives me shivers after just a few seconds.

[Derjuin]

Porky Means Business (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4z82byt5mA), from Earthbound. Give it about 55 seconds before passing it off - I still do not know how they made it on a Super-freaking-Nintendo. Dat bassline.

[Sylthia]

There's YouTuber named Taylor Davis who does several game tunes on violin. Here's a Elder Scrolls Piano/Violin Medley. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAnQQcIncq0)

[Rodin]

Some great relaxing music I've found is King's Bounty.


Mountain of the Dwarf King (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UC7X0wXmoE)
Ride Unicorn (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCJj5PYuP-0)
Dreamland (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKUyLwmKWPY)

Great music to sit back and read a book to.

[Magatsu Izanagi]

Not a single mention of the Ace Combat franchise? For shame. Whole lot of great tracks, but the final mission themes for the PS2-era games are certainly something else.

Rex Tremendae / Megalith -Agnus Dei- (Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZBoiW460nU)
The Unsung War (Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1Qkzj5bStU)
Zero (Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80XAJKqRU9k)

As far as other franchises go, Danganronpa has some of the funkiest mystery music you'll ever hear (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOpHT6gZ0Rs).

[t209]

The soundtrack of Wildstar (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYI9EPUJIJn-hHtogLyY4ecvW80Xx-_7M), especially Red Moon Marauders and Fronties.
Too bad the game was overhyped to some degree and gave lots of disappointment. At least my time during its beta was fun but I felt that they should at least have better quest systems that are connected to its Path system.

[danzibr]

Some great relaxing music I've found is King's Bounty.


Mountain of the Dwarf King (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UC7X0wXmoE)
Ride Unicorn (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCJj5PYuP-0)
Dreamland (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKUyLwmKWPY)

Great music to sit back and read a book to.
I need to beat this game. Played the hell out of the Genesis version, buddy got me this one and I could never beat it due to places where you buy units not refilling.

[Valameer]

Videogame music can be so amazing, and is generally very under-appreciated. Often, music is what makes or breaks a game for me. A good track can send me back with waves of nostalgia for even an average game.

I don't want to link anything, but there's a couple I'd like to mention.

World of Warcraft (especially the original tracks) has a beautifully immersive soundtrack that I believe contributed greatly to its overwhelming success in the MMO genre.

All games made by Troika have had awesome soundtracks (and have been mentioned elsewhere in the thread). Troika was awesome because you know they put extra special attention into producing superior music for their games.

All Elder Scrolls games have had wonderful soundtracks, including Arena and Daggerfall. Jeremy Soule is a master, but Eric Heberling also wrote great music. It's too bad he's not in the gaming industry anymore.

I'm glad someone already mentioned Armored Core, Kota Hoshino has done an exceptional job with providing the sound of that series.

Final Fantasy, under Nobou Uemastu has already been mentioned in most of the posts in this thread already. Deservedly.

It is my honest opinion that Marty O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori are the main genius behind the success of the Halo franchise. Without them, Halo can only hope to be as good as any other shooter.

A lot of people mentioned Bastion. I would also point them to the OSTs of Journey, the Borderlands franchise, or Red Dead Redemption. All of which had great soundtracks of their own, and were in a similar vein.

I'm very happy Mark Morgan was mentioned already, too. Fallout 1 and 2 are in my top ten favorite games.

And I listen to Diablo 1 and 2's OST often while playing D&D or while playing other videogames. Matt Uelman makes wonderful dark-but-alive music.

One last one I'll mention is the minimalistic music of the talented C418 - music that helped make Minecraft the magical smash hit it has been.

Truly, videogame music has always had wonderful stand-out composers, who deserve to be household names alongside John Williams, Danny Elfman or Hans Zimmer. Well, they are in my house, at least. :smallbiggrin:

[Sylthia]

Some great relaxing music I've found is King's Bounty.


Mountain of the Dwarf King (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UC7X0wXmoE)

Great music to sit back and read a book to.

I thought this was going to be this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLp_Hh6DKWc) at first.

[Hiro Protagonest]

This is one I forgot about until recently. Hammerwatch OST. Like, all of it (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQmw4Y-mez-4_6vq4vv93rfMWQIDqT0Mw).

[Sylthia]

I've nerded out a bit and got some Fire Emblem and Pokemon ringtone/text tones on my iphone.

[Cyber Punk]

I find it very awesome that there's a thread for this!

I have a collection of game OSTs that I listen to all the time. What got me started was the entirety of Fallout: New Vegas' percussion-heavy battle music. My favorite as of now is A Ranger's Journey (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wixaHSIcH84) from Wasteland 2, particularly when the kicks kick in (no pun intended). There's also the battle musics of Metro: Last Light.

[Thiyr]

Welcome back, thread that I was remembering the other day when these (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaXV_koQCSw) songs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GC1ra3c7FM) got caught in my head!

(Also, just about anything from that soundtrack.)

[Cyber Punk]

Watching those videos reminded me of this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmBwqRhGznI).

[Yora]

Does anyone know about some Chinese-Fantasy games (not Chinese Fantasy-Games) with great soundtracks? Heavenly Sword is quite neat, but that's the only one I know.

[Alex Knight]

If this doesn't work for you, you have no feels.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXNQNeLDg5s

[Feytalist]

Does anyone know about some Chinese-Fantasy games (not Chinese Fantasy-Games) with great soundtracks? Heavenly Sword is quite neat, but that's the only one I know.

...Jade Empire?

I can't remember anything about the music, but it's Bioware, so it can't be terrible.

[GolemsVoice]

Welcome back, comrade General. It seems you have forgotten to link to Hell March (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb-gI_pFog0). This error has already been rectified for you.

Also, Arcanum, man. Like the game, it was very much different. Check it out! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftvpi-6Z6qw)

Oh, and Ground Control! While it wasn't THAT memorable with its soundtrack, it had some good pieces. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raOGX0i49EA) Although I cannot stop me from hearing "duff duff, meow" around, for example, 1:20. That kinda ruins it :smallfrown:

[lesser_minion]

I've been playing way too much Guild Wars 2 recently, so I'll just leave this (https://soundcloud.com/arenanet/guild-wars-2-shadow-of-the-dragon), this (https://soundcloud.com/destructoid/fear-not-this-night-by-jeremy) (or the piano version (https://soundcloud.com/arenanet/guild-wars-2-fear-not-this)), and this (https://soundcloud.com/arenanet/guild-wars-2-battle-on-the) here.

And since someone had to bring it up, there's also this track (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1oiPa9iUzI&index=49&list=PL7217756075F5F79F) which apparently still doesn't have a name from Sins of a Solar Empire. As I understand it, the usual trigger is if you're zoomed in on a planetary system where you're in battle but have an advantage, so it does sometimes have an annoying habit of playing when you have one capital ship slugging it out with one light frigate and one siege frigate for control over a dwarf planet.

For stuff I'm too lazy to find links for, there's always the theme for Twintania in Final Fantasy 14, and the theme for trash fights in the very first turn of the Binding Coil of Bahamut. I also quite like the title theme for the first Sword of the Stars, and whatever else you might want to say about Command & Conquer 4 (Eye-shreddingly bad cutscenes? Facedeskshatteringly silly missions? They changed it now it sucks gameplay?), you can't complain about the music.

As for other people's posts, The Secret World's title theme is awesome, and Ys: Origin also has a rather excellent soundtrack.