So, there's another album of video game music being released, this time recorded by the London Philharmonic. Kotaku is streaming the entire album free for a few days, you can find it here.
On the one hand, this is a big deal. Certainly not everything gets to be played by big fancy professional orchestras. But on the other hand, this isn't particularly great. Most of the songs played are basic main themes ripped straight from the list of best-selling games, and while that's not inherently a bad thing, it'd be nice to see some more variety, both in choice of title and track. In addition to this, in my personal opinion, while some of the tracks attempt interesting modifications, like the percussion-free rendition of Nate's Theme from Uncharted, all the songs, even the straight up re-recordings, lack some of the punch of the official soundtrack versions.
That aside, I've compiled a list of video game soundtrack pieces that really should be listened to. It's a slightly broader range of tracks, main themes and mid-game selections, from games both modern and slightly older, and even though they may never get a live orchestration, they're great pieces in their own right. Enjoy!
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Banjo-Tooie (N64) - "Isle O' Hags"- This may not sound like much at first. But once you've had a taste of it, try clicking through to some of the other versions that play near their respective world entrances. (The Mayahem Temple variant is a personal favorite) Listen to the differences while still maintaining the same underlying theme. Now remember that the game could seamlessly switch between any of these themes, as well as several dozen other musical tracks, at any given time. On a console from 1996. Yeah.
Bastion (XBLA / Steam) - "A Proper Story"- First off, go buy this game. Just shut up and do it. The soundtrack classifies itself as "acoustic frontier triphop." This track isn't even used in the game. But it's that good.
Fable (Xbox) - "Oakvale" - Sure, the main theme is good, composed by Danny Elfman himself. But it's the theme to the hero's hometown that speaks the most, conveying the underlying tale of this sweeping fantasy game.
Fallout 3 (360 / PS3) - "Explore 07" - This game never got a commercially released soundtrack, and thus the tracks were ripped from the program files of the PC version. Simple and haunting, evocative of the nuclear wastes of what was once the Nation's capitol.
Flower (PSN) - "Life As A Flower" - Slow down. Breathe. It's beautiful. This game is all about emotions, and that's exactly what this track will stir.
Halo 2 (Xbox) - "Heretic, Hero" - Still the best track from any Halo soundtrack, at once capturing the alien feel of the rings, the humanity of the soldiers, and the urgency of their mission, and the beauty of the galaxy itself.
Heavy Rain (PS3) - "Ethan Mars' Main Theme" - More cinematic than gameplay, Heavy Rain is, at it's core, about humanity. This theme for a grieving father conveys that better than most Hollywood scores.
Mass Effect (360) - "The Citadel" - Want to sum up the entirety of this game with one track? Here you go.
Shadow of the Colossus (PS2) - "A Violent Encounter ~Battle with the Colossus~" - It's criminal no one thought to include a piece from Shadow on any orchestral collection. Listen, and you'll understand why this is such an oversight.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3) - "The City's Secret" - As much as I love "Nate's Theme 2.0", this piece sells the whole game, encompassing the exotic locales, grave danger, and sweeping adventure facing our heroes.
Metroid Prime (GCN) - "Phendrana Drifts" - This piece sounds nothing like a Metroid track, and at the same time feels exactly right. My favorite track from the first installment of Metroid Prime.
God of War (PS2) - "God of War End Title" - Driving and primal, the musical embodiment of Kratos' smoldering rage, subtly incorporating the best elements of the main theme, and building to a climactic finish.
Gears of War (360) - "Gears of War" - Every theme from the game, rolled into a perfect medley, sweeping, bombastic, pounding, and inspiring.
Jade Empire (Xbox) - "Jade Empire Main Theme" - Back before they were making Mass Effect, Bioware dropped an RPG set in a re-imagined feudal China. Another example of the wondrous places the medium can take you.
Red Dead Redemption (360 / PS3) - "(Theme From) Red Dead Redemption" - This game's soundtrack is a masterpiece. It deserves to be recognized.
Kirby's Air Ride (GCN) - "Legendary Machine" - This track is Kirby through and through. A nice diversion from the usual Green Greens or Gourmet Race.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (GCN) - "Dragon Roost Island" - Not all Zelda music has to sound the same. Wind Waker took a bold new direction, and is, in my opinion, the best Zelda so far.
Pikmin (GCN) - "Title Theme" - Pikmin remains unique, and so does its soundtrack, at once familiar and yet exotic.
Metal Gear (NES) - "Theme of Tara (Super Smash Bros. Brawl version)" - The original track remains a favorite, but Nintendo's remastering is a great piece all it's own. With a big sexy guitar riff, and some great driving percussion, this is classic Metal Gear.
Animal Crossing: Wild World (NDS) - "Wild World Theme" - Animal Crossing is rather overlooked, I feel. It's always been a very solid title, and it's always had top notch music.
World of Goo (PC) - "World Of Goo Theme" - This is a crazy, off-kilter, Elfman sounding piece, absolutely perfect for the game it opens.
Far Cry 2 (360 / PS3) - "Far Cry (Theme)" - This game enlists players as a mercenary dropped into an African country, where everything, even the land itself, is trying to kill you. This piece conveys the sense of isolation and the feel of the land.
On the one hand, this is a big deal. Certainly not everything gets to be played by big fancy professional orchestras. But on the other hand, this isn't particularly great. Most of the songs played are basic main themes ripped straight from the list of best-selling games, and while that's not inherently a bad thing, it'd be nice to see some more variety, both in choice of title and track. In addition to this, in my personal opinion, while some of the tracks attempt interesting modifications, like the percussion-free rendition of Nate's Theme from Uncharted, all the songs, even the straight up re-recordings, lack some of the punch of the official soundtrack versions.
That aside, I've compiled a list of video game soundtrack pieces that really should be listened to. It's a slightly broader range of tracks, main themes and mid-game selections, from games both modern and slightly older, and even though they may never get a live orchestration, they're great pieces in their own right. Enjoy!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Banjo-Tooie (N64) - "Isle O' Hags"- This may not sound like much at first. But once you've had a taste of it, try clicking through to some of the other versions that play near their respective world entrances. (The Mayahem Temple variant is a personal favorite) Listen to the differences while still maintaining the same underlying theme. Now remember that the game could seamlessly switch between any of these themes, as well as several dozen other musical tracks, at any given time. On a console from 1996. Yeah.
Bastion (XBLA / Steam) - "A Proper Story"- First off, go buy this game. Just shut up and do it. The soundtrack classifies itself as "acoustic frontier triphop." This track isn't even used in the game. But it's that good.
Fable (Xbox) - "Oakvale" - Sure, the main theme is good, composed by Danny Elfman himself. But it's the theme to the hero's hometown that speaks the most, conveying the underlying tale of this sweeping fantasy game.
Fallout 3 (360 / PS3) - "Explore 07" - This game never got a commercially released soundtrack, and thus the tracks were ripped from the program files of the PC version. Simple and haunting, evocative of the nuclear wastes of what was once the Nation's capitol.
Flower (PSN) - "Life As A Flower" - Slow down. Breathe. It's beautiful. This game is all about emotions, and that's exactly what this track will stir.
Halo 2 (Xbox) - "Heretic, Hero" - Still the best track from any Halo soundtrack, at once capturing the alien feel of the rings, the humanity of the soldiers, and the urgency of their mission, and the beauty of the galaxy itself.
Heavy Rain (PS3) - "Ethan Mars' Main Theme" - More cinematic than gameplay, Heavy Rain is, at it's core, about humanity. This theme for a grieving father conveys that better than most Hollywood scores.
Mass Effect (360) - "The Citadel" - Want to sum up the entirety of this game with one track? Here you go.
Shadow of the Colossus (PS2) - "A Violent Encounter ~Battle with the Colossus~" - It's criminal no one thought to include a piece from Shadow on any orchestral collection. Listen, and you'll understand why this is such an oversight.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3) - "The City's Secret" - As much as I love "Nate's Theme 2.0", this piece sells the whole game, encompassing the exotic locales, grave danger, and sweeping adventure facing our heroes.
Metroid Prime (GCN) - "Phendrana Drifts" - This piece sounds nothing like a Metroid track, and at the same time feels exactly right. My favorite track from the first installment of Metroid Prime.
God of War (PS2) - "God of War End Title" - Driving and primal, the musical embodiment of Kratos' smoldering rage, subtly incorporating the best elements of the main theme, and building to a climactic finish.
Gears of War (360) - "Gears of War" - Every theme from the game, rolled into a perfect medley, sweeping, bombastic, pounding, and inspiring.
Jade Empire (Xbox) - "Jade Empire Main Theme" - Back before they were making Mass Effect, Bioware dropped an RPG set in a re-imagined feudal China. Another example of the wondrous places the medium can take you.
Red Dead Redemption (360 / PS3) - "(Theme From) Red Dead Redemption" - This game's soundtrack is a masterpiece. It deserves to be recognized.
Kirby's Air Ride (GCN) - "Legendary Machine" - This track is Kirby through and through. A nice diversion from the usual Green Greens or Gourmet Race.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (GCN) - "Dragon Roost Island" - Not all Zelda music has to sound the same. Wind Waker took a bold new direction, and is, in my opinion, the best Zelda so far.
Pikmin (GCN) - "Title Theme" - Pikmin remains unique, and so does its soundtrack, at once familiar and yet exotic.
Metal Gear (NES) - "Theme of Tara (Super Smash Bros. Brawl version)" - The original track remains a favorite, but Nintendo's remastering is a great piece all it's own. With a big sexy guitar riff, and some great driving percussion, this is classic Metal Gear.
Animal Crossing: Wild World (NDS) - "Wild World Theme" - Animal Crossing is rather overlooked, I feel. It's always been a very solid title, and it's always had top notch music.
World of Goo (PC) - "World Of Goo Theme" - This is a crazy, off-kilter, Elfman sounding piece, absolutely perfect for the game it opens.
Far Cry 2 (360 / PS3) - "Far Cry (Theme)" - This game enlists players as a mercenary dropped into an African country, where everything, even the land itself, is trying to kill you. This piece conveys the sense of isolation and the feel of the land.
