If the original music was available anywhere I probably would, since London 2012's was absolutely spectacular. Alas, we can't poke around Wii U files yet, and no one seems to be interested in ripping it manually. I could just talk about the arrangements (especially since it constitutes a better Mario soundtrack than 3D World does), but I'd hate to not give the rest its due.
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NeoGAF's Official Game Soundtracks of the Year 2013: Voting Ends January 12th
- Thread starter Nert
- Start date
If the original music was available anywhere I probably would, since London 2012's was absolutely spectacular. Alas, we can't poke around Wii U files yet, and no one seems to be interested in ripping it manually. I could just talk about the arrangements (especially since it constitutes a better Mario soundtrack than 3D World does), but I'd hate to not give the rest its due.
There are still a couple of notable games like Wonderful 101 and A Link Between Worlds I'm planning on getting to before I do a goty list, and I usually don't like doing things like this early despite listening to them, as sometimes seeing it combined with the ingame action elevates them. So I may change this around at some point, but I feel pretty strongly about the top so it'll be tough nut to crack.
1. Killer Instinct
Notable Tracks - Thunder's Theme, Main Theme, Glacius Theme
2. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Notable Tracks - It Has To Be This Way, I'm My Own Master Now, A Stranger I Remain
3. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies
Notable Tracks - Ace Attorney 5 ~ End, Courtroom Lobby ~ Prelude to the Future, Announce the Truth 2013, Synaptic Resonance, how about everything
Honorable Mentions:
Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games
Notable Tracks - Speed Highway, Windy Hill Zone, Ending Theme (Super Mario World), Slide, Bob-omb Battlefield
I have not played this game. Unless something crazy happens, I will NEVER play this game. But somehow this game has an amazing soundtrack. A ton of classic and modern music from Sonic and Mario, taken and remixed incredibly well. I still am in disbelief.
Grand Theft Auto V
Notable Tracks - Main Menu/Pause, North Yankton Memories, The Agency Heist
Very synth heavy and oddly relaxing in many respects, they did a fantastic job with the original score here. For the first time in a GTA, music outside of the radio that plays during chases, on foot missions, etc. It didn't fully hit me until this game how odd it was to not have any music in the background for so many missions and moments.
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
Notable Tracks - Blood Dragon Theme, Warzone, Moment of Calm
Speaking of synths...Blood Dragon was very obviously going for the 80s appeal. Many of the songs just ooze it, as well as the influences from Predator, Terminator and what have you.
Dead Rising 3
Notable Tracks - Ambient 6, Ambient 2, Envy, Wrath, Sloth, Fighting For Your Love
I FUCKIN LOVE SYNTHS. But slightly out of left field, Dead Rising 3 also has a lot of 80s-esque stuff going on I didn't expect. Boss fights in this series have always been pretty good, too, with more Celldweller cropping up.
The Last of Us
Notable Tracks - The Hour, The Last of Us, All Gone
I also love acoustics.
The Wolf Among Us
Notable Tracks - Bigby's Apartment, The Cig, Fables, Main Theme
But I still love synths more.
_______________________________
There was an astounding amount of great soundtracks this year, I know I'm still missing a ton. And I'm already over halfway to the character limit just with this, so goty is going to destroy me.
1. Killer Instinct
Notable Tracks - Thunder's Theme, Main Theme, Glacius Theme
When it comes to soundtracks, especially with games, there's a lot to take in mind. A lot of times, simply being catchy works--listening to the song out of context of the game, maybe adding it to a playlist for listening while doing chores, driving, etc. In that regard, Killer Instinct wouldn't be my favorite OST. Obviously I enjoy the songs in general, but it wouldn't be topping the other strong entries this year on that alone. No, the crucial word here is dynamic. Remember playing Banjo-Kazooie, walking near different worlds and having that same general theme be remixed on the fly? That philosophy is integrated here, and it can't be understated how much it adds to the experience. A fast paced fighter has much more rapid switches happening, so for example the videos used as tracks to listen to, it's fairly difficult to really relay that to the listener how it works. Something like this moment has a fade out sound as it's during a time in the game where something like a combo breaker is performed so it's fading back to a more neutral part of the song, or if it's a counter breaker the song will instantly ramp up as you get into your combo. There is a core song at heart, but it's never heard in that fashion, and in a sense is many songs intersecting. This acoustic segment for instance, I have heard only once or twice. It plays when both characters haven't hit eachother for awhile which is very rare, and even then it's so dynamic you are probably never going to hear it in it's entirity like that. The acoustics may start, then players become aggressive and the music changes. Or it could fade in at the "oh yeah" for a brief moment. It intersects brilliantly, and a ton of effort was clearly put into not just the sound but having it properly integrated in matches.
Going even further, that acoustic part as one example is actually an easter egg of sorts. Original Killer Instinct themes are redone in a fashion like that for every character. Max has a good video showing that off. These are all fantastic arrangments that are hidden WITHIN the song from most people. That's insanity.
I mostly focused on a single theme(it's my favorite if you can't tell
) to basically show the lengths the game goes, but it of course applies to everything. For instance, Orchid and Jago have lyrics in their song, and the same dynamicism(which is now a word according to me) still applies within these. Those lyrics may not play at all during round one, or maybe they will partially kick in during a combo and stay in for a bit as you both stay in eachother's face. It does an incredible job of always feeling fresh and feels truly invigorating doing giant combos within the game as it's like soundtrack itself acknowledging and rewarding you.
There are a few more videos showing some aspects of how it works, and what a general match sounds like for an example. By Max again, as he has a ton of great videos on this subject, this is an older video so there are some sound differences to what it's like now but it still has the general stuff better than my explanations may get across.
And to anyone who played the game, there is still one more very nice touch that actually is a nice musical blend with a game mechanic. Ultra combos, which are essentially finishers, is each character doing a preset barrage of attacks that end in a climatic hit. This game applies damn melodies to them, and syncs music with each hit...so Jago has a certain rhythm to his ultra, Sabrewulf has a completely different rhythm, etc. This matches the stage specific BG so each ultra sounds different on each stage, even with the same character. Here's a clip I recorded myself of the end of an online match, here. So while that ultra has the same general beat, in here it's paired to Jago's stage theme, and it would be different on Sabrewulf's own stage, especially the final hit.
One last thing! The game just marries sound design with general soundtrack so well this small thing stuck out to me even if it's not really related to the actual OST. The game has a musical menu of the KI theme, so I made another short video to show that here. It helps drill in to me that all over this game, it shows they really went above and beyond to pay proper attention to a kickass soundtrack. I'm looking forward to seeing the future output of characters partially just to hear even more future themes and ultra melodies.
Going even further, that acoustic part as one example is actually an easter egg of sorts. Original Killer Instinct themes are redone in a fashion like that for every character. Max has a good video showing that off. These are all fantastic arrangments that are hidden WITHIN the song from most people. That's insanity.
I mostly focused on a single theme(it's my favorite if you can't tell
) to basically show the lengths the game goes, but it of course applies to everything. For instance, Orchid and Jago have lyrics in their song, and the same dynamicism(which is now a word according to me) still applies within these. Those lyrics may not play at all during round one, or maybe they will partially kick in during a combo and stay in for a bit as you both stay in eachother's face. It does an incredible job of always feeling fresh and feels truly invigorating doing giant combos within the game as it's like soundtrack itself acknowledging and rewarding you.There are a few more videos showing some aspects of how it works, and what a general match sounds like for an example. By Max again, as he has a ton of great videos on this subject, this is an older video so there are some sound differences to what it's like now but it still has the general stuff better than my explanations may get across.
And to anyone who played the game, there is still one more very nice touch that actually is a nice musical blend with a game mechanic. Ultra combos, which are essentially finishers, is each character doing a preset barrage of attacks that end in a climatic hit. This game applies damn melodies to them, and syncs music with each hit...so Jago has a certain rhythm to his ultra, Sabrewulf has a completely different rhythm, etc. This matches the stage specific BG so each ultra sounds different on each stage, even with the same character. Here's a clip I recorded myself of the end of an online match, here. So while that ultra has the same general beat, in here it's paired to Jago's stage theme, and it would be different on Sabrewulf's own stage, especially the final hit.
One last thing! The game just marries sound design with general soundtrack so well this small thing stuck out to me even if it's not really related to the actual OST. The game has a musical menu of the KI theme, so I made another short video to show that here. It helps drill in to me that all over this game, it shows they really went above and beyond to pay proper attention to a kickass soundtrack. I'm looking forward to seeing the future output of characters partially just to hear even more future themes and ultra melodies.
2. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Notable Tracks - It Has To Be This Way, I'm My Own Master Now, A Stranger I Remain
There is no doubt in my mind this is going to have a strong showing in this thread, if not outright taking it, and it's well deserved. Somewhat similar to why I adore the KI soundtrack is due to how well it matches up to the ingame action. It's not simply a song that exists like any other medium, it's elevated by the interaction exclusive only to videogames to help stand out in ways it otherwise wouldn't. Specifically with Rising, the bosses are the true standouts and they did an absurdly great job with the genre of both the music and the game to be truly white knuckled action with blood pumping music that gets you absorbed in the insanity occurring onscreen.
Crazier, still, is how these songs have lyrics that are actually fuckin' thematically relevant. It's hilarious to me how that was done, and in a weird way sets the stage even more for these brawls, almost like in an alternate world the song could be sung by the opponent in your way. Special mention goes to the usage of lyrics, again, especially for stuff like Mistral where it only kicks in during the final leg of the fight. I'm pretty sure when that kicked in as I first played I just got 10x more aggressive and pumped up to finish it up.
The main way I can describe what this game accomplishes is that they somehow found the recipe for pure testosterone through audio.
Crazier, still, is how these songs have lyrics that are actually fuckin' thematically relevant. It's hilarious to me how that was done, and in a weird way sets the stage even more for these brawls, almost like in an alternate world the song could be sung by the opponent in your way. Special mention goes to the usage of lyrics, again, especially for stuff like Mistral where it only kicks in during the final leg of the fight. I'm pretty sure when that kicked in as I first played I just got 10x more aggressive and pumped up to finish it up.
The main way I can describe what this game accomplishes is that they somehow found the recipe for pure testosterone through audio.
3. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies
Notable Tracks - Ace Attorney 5 ~ End, Courtroom Lobby ~ Prelude to the Future, Announce the Truth 2013, Synaptic Resonance, how about everything
Phoenix Wright is a series I hold in high regard, and if nothing else the soundtracks constantly deliver. Anything ranging from catchy hummable themes scaling to nail biting pinned to the wall scenarios, there is always a wide variety of pure emotion that has to be conveyed here. Moreso than other games I would argue, as PW at the core is essentially a visual novel, it requires the music to really deliver to help get you into what's occuring. The years of Objection themes, Cornered, and so on are some of my favorite songs in the series and perhaps all of gaming, which is certainly high praise.
Doubling back a bit, the aspect of characterization is an important one, as these songs become outright attached and recognizable to ingame characters just by hearing them, but what if you didn't play the game? Have random people that never played any of these games listen to a track like this and describe what it would fit, I'm sure the majority would describe it as something bombastic, upbeat, happy. It's perfect for the justice screaming Bobby Fulbright, and important to be able to somewhat determine aspects of a character just based off of that. Something like Lively People just screams WEIRD. So when I see Robin or Phineas and how well it matches their personas, I can't help but smile.
They just nail it, each time. Being on a winning streak in court, having all the odds pile up against you, trying to crack important testimony, the new mood matrix and final "put it together" segments...they just flow exactly as they should thanks to smart and catchy compositions.
Doubling back a bit, the aspect of characterization is an important one, as these songs become outright attached and recognizable to ingame characters just by hearing them, but what if you didn't play the game? Have random people that never played any of these games listen to a track like this and describe what it would fit, I'm sure the majority would describe it as something bombastic, upbeat, happy. It's perfect for the justice screaming Bobby Fulbright, and important to be able to somewhat determine aspects of a character just based off of that. Something like Lively People just screams WEIRD. So when I see Robin or Phineas and how well it matches their personas, I can't help but smile.
They just nail it, each time. Being on a winning streak in court, having all the odds pile up against you, trying to crack important testimony, the new mood matrix and final "put it together" segments...they just flow exactly as they should thanks to smart and catchy compositions.
Honorable Mentions:
Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games
Notable Tracks - Speed Highway, Windy Hill Zone, Ending Theme (Super Mario World), Slide, Bob-omb Battlefield
I have not played this game. Unless something crazy happens, I will NEVER play this game. But somehow this game has an amazing soundtrack. A ton of classic and modern music from Sonic and Mario, taken and remixed incredibly well. I still am in disbelief.
Grand Theft Auto V
Notable Tracks - Main Menu/Pause, North Yankton Memories, The Agency Heist
Very synth heavy and oddly relaxing in many respects, they did a fantastic job with the original score here. For the first time in a GTA, music outside of the radio that plays during chases, on foot missions, etc. It didn't fully hit me until this game how odd it was to not have any music in the background for so many missions and moments.
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
Notable Tracks - Blood Dragon Theme, Warzone, Moment of Calm
Speaking of synths...Blood Dragon was very obviously going for the 80s appeal. Many of the songs just ooze it, as well as the influences from Predator, Terminator and what have you.
Dead Rising 3
Notable Tracks - Ambient 6, Ambient 2, Envy, Wrath, Sloth, Fighting For Your Love
I FUCKIN LOVE SYNTHS. But slightly out of left field, Dead Rising 3 also has a lot of 80s-esque stuff going on I didn't expect. Boss fights in this series have always been pretty good, too, with more Celldweller cropping up.
The Last of Us
Notable Tracks - The Hour, The Last of Us, All Gone
I also love acoustics.
The Wolf Among Us
Notable Tracks - Bigby's Apartment, The Cig, Fables, Main Theme
But I still love synths more.
_______________________________
There was an astounding amount of great soundtracks this year, I know I'm still missing a ton. And I'm already over halfway to the character limit just with this, so goty is going to destroy me.
The small ballot size is mostly in place to make more people feel comfortable with participating. A lot of posters, including myself, are going to talk about quite a few more soundtracks than just three. Don't stress the ballot too much, and feel free to talk about whatever you want.
There have already been some excellent posts in this thread, and it hasn't even been open for six hours yet. Well done, people! I'm going to be pretty busy tomorrow, but I plan on participating in the discussion more actively this weekend, and all of the soundtracks being mentioned will be incorporated into the archive over time.
Net_Wrecker
Member
Argh, I forgot about Payday 2 so I had to shuffle my list around. Sorry SM3DW, but you get knocked out.
FantasticMrFoxdie
Mumber
1. The Last of Us
2. GTAV
3. Bioshock Infinite
4. Ni No Kuni
5. Metal Gear Rising
2. GTAV
3. Bioshock Infinite
4. Ni No Kuni
5. Metal Gear Rising
Psycho_Mantis
Banned
1.Drakengard 3
By the people who made the Nier OST. Does anything else have to be said?
2.Metal Gear Rising: I have never been so hyped by a game's OST like this.
3.TLoU: Really liked the main theme.
By the people who made the Nier OST. Does anything else have to be said?
2.Metal Gear Rising: I have never been so hyped by a game's OST like this.
3.TLoU: Really liked the main theme.
1. Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan
2. Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies
3. Shin Megami Tensei IV
Honorable mentions: Fire Emblem: Awakening, Gunpoint, Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds. I would also add Bravely Default but it's not out here.
Man the 3DS really had a good year.
2. Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies
3. Shin Megami Tensei IV
Honorable mentions: Fire Emblem: Awakening, Gunpoint, Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds. I would also add Bravely Default but it's not out here.
Man the 3DS really had a good year.
Dusk Golem
A 21st Century Rockefeller
This is a toughie, there were so many good soundtracks this year. Anyways, after considering quite a bit, here's my take:
3.) Remember Me
2.) Metal Gear Rising
1.) Etrian Odyssey IV
So wish there were more slots to fit things like Killer is Dead and Deadly Premonition: Director's Cut, but alas.
3.) Remember Me
2.) Metal Gear Rising
1.) Etrian Odyssey IV
So wish there were more slots to fit things like Killer is Dead and Deadly Premonition: Director's Cut, but alas.
1. Thomas Was Alone.
A Time for Change
2. Killer Instinct.
Glacius' theme
3. Rayman Legends.
Lost in the clouds.
A Time for Change
2. Killer Instinct.
Glacius' theme
3. Rayman Legends.
Lost in the clouds.
Supaidaman
Member
1. Sonic Lost World
Sea Bottom Segue
I haven't even played this game yet but I'm in love with its OST.
2. Shin Megami Tensei IV
Boss Battle
Probably my favorite game of this year. This game deserves an OST release, I can't understand why ATLUS hasn't released one.
3. Metal Gear Rising
It Has To Be This Way
Nanomachines son.
Can't think about any honorable mentions right now but if I may edit this post later.
Sea Bottom Segue
I haven't even played this game yet but I'm in love with its OST.
2. Shin Megami Tensei IV
Boss Battle
Probably my favorite game of this year. This game deserves an OST release, I can't understand why ATLUS hasn't released one.
3. Metal Gear Rising
It Has To Be This Way
Nanomachines son.
Can't think about any honorable mentions right now but if I may edit this post later.
brandonh83
Banned
A question that everyone that doesn't have it should be asking themselves. I suppose a common answer to that would be "because I don't have a Wii U" but naturally the remedy to such a thing would be to go buy a Wii U.
Chezzymann
Member
1. Super Mario 3D World
2. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
3. Fire Emblem: Awakening
Honorable Mentions (Rayman: Legends)
2. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
3. Fire Emblem: Awakening
Honorable Mentions (Rayman: Legends)
Super strong year for soundtracks.
1. The Last of Us- it's not what I expect, nor what I necessarily want from game soundtracks, but it's just so flat out beautiful and quality I can't vote anything else.
2. The Wonderful 101- Sorry, Metal Gear, the real Platinum final boss music is here. And that theme song is something else too.
3. GTAV- Hated the game, but I can't deny that the ost is wonderful.
Other Game Mentions- Blood Dragon, Killer Instinct, and SM3DW were a hair away from being picked. Guacamelee, Tearaway, BioShock Infinite, and Puppeteer had pretty quality stuff too. I liked MGR, Fire Emblem, and EOIV's OSTs, but also feel they were pretty overrated. ALBW would be on my list, but I don't really feel like it's fair given that its mostly riding on the strength of its wonderful source material. (By the same logic, WWHD and Sonic and Mario at the Olympics are also excluded) Yes, there were original compositions, but the real strength in that soundtrack is its older work. Rayman Legends was solid, but disappointing coming off the stellar Origins soundtrack.
And, yeah, those that haven't listened really need to: (the name of the game's final boss isn't really a spoiler, especially in context)
This 100 times over.
1. The Last of Us- it's not what I expect, nor what I necessarily want from game soundtracks, but it's just so flat out beautiful and quality I can't vote anything else.
2. The Wonderful 101- Sorry, Metal Gear, the real Platinum final boss music is here. And that theme song is something else too.
3. GTAV- Hated the game, but I can't deny that the ost is wonderful.
Other Game Mentions- Blood Dragon, Killer Instinct, and SM3DW were a hair away from being picked. Guacamelee, Tearaway, BioShock Infinite, and Puppeteer had pretty quality stuff too. I liked MGR, Fire Emblem, and EOIV's OSTs, but also feel they were pretty overrated. ALBW would be on my list, but I don't really feel like it's fair given that its mostly riding on the strength of its wonderful source material. (By the same logic, WWHD and Sonic and Mario at the Olympics are also excluded) Yes, there were original compositions, but the real strength in that soundtrack is its older work. Rayman Legends was solid, but disappointing coming off the stellar Origins soundtrack.
And, yeah, those that haven't listened really need to: (the name of the game's final boss isn't really a spoiler, especially in context)
This 100 times over.
Dark Schala
Eloquent Princess
Papercuts, your post is awesome. Super-good work. Good justification for Killer Instinct's soundtrack too. That's another one of my favourites this year. I feel sheepy, so I'll just say that I agree with you: soundtrack dynamics are one of my favourite things ever. I love it in Zelda, Sonic, FF13-2, etc, so KI going that route in a seamless fashion is super-cool for me.
I'm very glad you ended up writing your personal impressions of the soundtrack in a write-up style. It generally makes your vote and position stronger to me. There are a lot of times when I just can't link a soundtrack to gameplay because I just haven't imported the game, but your writeup for KI feels more personal because you've played the game. It feels a little reminiscent of my own writeup for Skyward Sword's soundtrack two years ago, and you linking gameplay videos to demonstrate how well the soundtrack works contextually is very good, and is a good point for discussion in terms of a game's sound design overall.
I'm surprised no one tried to rip it manually yet. Those soundtracks usually go up quickly so it's interesting that no one really bothered to this time. Sometimes I used to just link to gameplay videos that used the BGMs at certain timestamps, but that might be waaaaay too much work for one thing.
1 - Gunpoint
2 - Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
3 - Etrian Odyssey Untold / Guacamelee if remakes don't count. *
* - I know Soul Hackers is a remake, but NA got it here this year.
2 - Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
3 - Etrian Odyssey Untold / Guacamelee if remakes don't count. *
* - I know Soul Hackers is a remake, but NA got it here this year.
1. Super Mario 3D World
2. Fire Emblem Awakening
3. The Legend Of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
Honorable Mentions - Rayman Legends, Guacamelee, Shin Megami Tensei IV
I feel like I might be forgetting something but these were the ones that stood out to me. It was a great year for Nintendo's composers.
2. Fire Emblem Awakening
3. The Legend Of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
Honorable Mentions - Rayman Legends, Guacamelee, Shin Megami Tensei IV
I feel like I might be forgetting something but these were the ones that stood out to me. It was a great year for Nintendo's composers.
KillerTravis
Banned
Dark Schala
Eloquent Princess
Soul Hackers would count, yes. Especially since it got an album this year despite having just a few remixes from the 3DS version.
EOU has an original soundtrack and is different from its source material. It counts, too.
Honey Bunny
Member
I've only heard two songs but can I vote for Drakengard 3 already?
I was about to say the same
This Silence is Mine was released a few days ago, it should count!
AdmiralMikey
Member
1. Killer Instinct
2. The Wonderful 101
3. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
I do want to give a special credit to The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds & Ducktales Remastered, though. Both stellar soundtracks, but I crossed them off because I want soundtracks with mostly original scores to win this.
2. The Wonderful 101
3. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
I do want to give a special credit to The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds & Ducktales Remastered, though. Both stellar soundtracks, but I crossed them off because I want soundtracks with mostly original scores to win this.
Rei no Otaku
Member
1. Remember Me - The clear winner this year. Soundtrack is amazing and it's a damn shame it's not mentioned more in this thread.
2. Freedom's Cry - Not sure if this counts since it's DLC, but this Assassins Creed 4 DLC had an amazing soundtrack. Here's a sample: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_Jr835mQ-k
2. Freedom's Cry - Not sure if this counts since it's DLC, but this Assassins Creed 4 DLC had an amazing soundtrack. Here's a sample: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_Jr835mQ-k
ForteanMan
Member
1. SMT IV
2. The Legend of Zelda: ALBW
3. SMT Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
Honorable Mention; Fire Emblem: Awakening, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning
2. The Legend of Zelda: ALBW
3. SMT Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
Honorable Mention; Fire Emblem: Awakening, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning
Twin Drive System
Member
1. Metal Gear Rising: Revengence - Still listen to on a weekly basis, plenty of examples already listed by others
2. Blazblue Chronophantasma - Some decent new tracks
My favorites:
The HighlanderJustice Sword
3. Anarchy Reigns - Some songs are corny as hell, but catchy.
We All Soldiers
Find You
Honorable Mentions:
The Last of Us - Really great and atmospheric but not something I would listen to on its own. Especially given how bleak the setting was.
Project Diva F - Not a fan of Miku, but kz livetune stuff is great.
I haven't really played that many 2013 releases.
2. Blazblue Chronophantasma - Some decent new tracks
My favorites:
The HighlanderJustice Sword
3. Anarchy Reigns - Some songs are corny as hell, but catchy.
We All Soldiers
Find You
Honorable Mentions:
The Last of Us - Really great and atmospheric but not something I would listen to on its own. Especially given how bleak the setting was.
Project Diva F - Not a fan of Miku, but kz livetune stuff is great.
I haven't really played that many 2013 releases.
What's the rule involving KH 1.5? Depending on the answer will have a strong impact on my list.
I still have a few games that I want to play like Mario 3D World and Wonderful 101 (I need X-mas day to arrive!) before crafting my list. I also want to place MGS: Rising, since I have heard the OST on Spotify but I won't play the game until the PC release, which is on the ninth.
I still have a few games that I want to play like Mario 3D World and Wonderful 101 (I need X-mas day to arrive!) before crafting my list. I also want to place MGS: Rising, since I have heard the OST on Spotify but I won't play the game until the PC release, which is on the ninth.
Dog Problems
Banned
1. Kentucky Route Zero by Ben Babbit
Ghosts in the Static
Bureau of Reclaimed Spaces
The Zero
2. MirrorMoon EP by various artists
Planet 193 by ella guro
Eden by Michael Manning
Drift by Sine Waver
3. Device 6 by Daniel Olsen
Anna
Code Erotica
Porte Pluto
Ghosts in the Static
Bureau of Reclaimed Spaces
The Zero
2. MirrorMoon EP by various artists
Planet 193 by ella guro
Eden by Michael Manning
Drift by Sine Waver
3. Device 6 by Daniel Olsen
Anna
Code Erotica
Porte Pluto
1. Remember Me
I haven't really heard anything like it in a videogame. The way the sounds glitch out and form is awesome. Ref posted a good selection but I have to add in Hope. Another good and moody piece was Rise to the Light. Usually my OST of the year goes to something new and wild and Remember Me fits that spot. I will be listening to this album for quite some time.
2. The Last of Us
A lot of good guitar work here. The sounds fit the world beautifully and I had this on repeat for a couple of weeks.
3. Tearaway
Just a delightful good time. The haunting track of the messengers was complimented brilliantly by the snow mountain beat track. I'm going to have this one on when I want to feel in a cheery mood.
Honorable mention- Dragon's Crown;
This soundtrack gave me some great pleasure while I was looting and killing in this DnD inspired adventure. It felt perfect, from the haunting map music to the victory fanfare of the boss kills. Some of the stages had less memorable themes but the big ones hit home.
I haven't really heard anything like it in a videogame. The way the sounds glitch out and form is awesome. Ref posted a good selection but I have to add in Hope. Another good and moody piece was Rise to the Light. Usually my OST of the year goes to something new and wild and Remember Me fits that spot. I will be listening to this album for quite some time.
2. The Last of Us
A lot of good guitar work here. The sounds fit the world beautifully and I had this on repeat for a couple of weeks.
3. Tearaway
Just a delightful good time. The haunting track of the messengers was complimented brilliantly by the snow mountain beat track. I'm going to have this one on when I want to feel in a cheery mood.
Honorable mention- Dragon's Crown;
This soundtrack gave me some great pleasure while I was looting and killing in this DnD inspired adventure. It felt perfect, from the haunting map music to the victory fanfare of the boss kills. Some of the stages had less memorable themes but the big ones hit home.
brandonh83
Banned
Very, very good stuff.
Damn, that's a really nice track.
Too bad i haven't got far enough to listen to it, though the rest of the soundtrack didn't leave an impression on me, this reminds me of a melodramatic version of the Last of the Mohicans' famous piece, almost.
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1) Last of Us.
Ex: The Hour
An exceptional work from Gustavo Santaolalla, of whom i was a fan already, since listening to his 21 Grams soundtrack.
The soundtrack is also used wonderfully in the game.
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2) Grand Theft Auto V.
Ex: A haze of patriotic fervor
Seriously a killer combo of musician of this massive score, including Tangerine Dream, who i think author of one of the best soundtracks ever made (Thief's).
Unfortunately in the game, the use of the soundtrack is sparse at best, which makes it fall down to 2nd place.
As great as it was however, i don't think it reaches the heights of last year's HEALTH and their Max Payne 3 soundtrack, at least in terms of integration with the game itself.
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3) Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag.
Ex: The ends of the Earth.
I don't even have the game, and i enjoy the soundtrack.
I don't think it reaches the levels of Kyd's work on AC2 and Brohood, but it's a great blockbuster soundtrack, and especially after the very bland work on Assassin's Creed III.
Not really a surprise, really, since Tyler did an outstanding job already with FarCry 3.
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Honorable Mention: State of Decay.
Ex: Civilization Falls.
Not Jesper Kyd's best, but a very good soundtrack nonetheless.
I love his style.
1. Soul Sacrifice
I found the soundtrack added to the overall atmosphere of the game in a way I hadn't noticed in a game since Nier or Fez. You have damn straight epic tracks like "The sky used to be Blue" which are especially welcome during the somewhat repetitive gameplay. These are countered with the more somber tracks like "Hope and Future on the Same page" which are heard during story sections and complement the illustrated story telling very well. All the while in both art and presentation there is a sense of eeriness and forbidding was reinforced by the menu track "A certain magicians life". Brilliant music.
Hope and Future on The Same Page (vocal version)
The Sky Used to be Blue
A certain Magician's Life
2. Bravely Default
While being a light hearted game it also has some dark themes and the soundtrack manages to cover a variety of styles. The overworld theme "Land of Light and Shadow" gave that feeling of being on an adventure that didn't take itself too serious like an old squaresoft game and while the main battle theme is decent it really improves the whole experience when one of the other tracks such as "That Person's Name Is" plays. Tiz's special move theme is one of my favourite in any game this year "You are my Hope". I haven't finished it yet but the music so far has been great.
Land of Light and Shadow
That Person's Name Is
You are my Hope (Tiz's special move)
3. The Legend of Zelda A Link Between Worlds
It doesn't add many new tracks of note but it has some of the best arrangements of the traditional Zelda tracks and the Milk Bar renditions are incredible!
Hyrule Field
Main Theme (Milk Bar)
Lorule Field
Honorable mention - Fire Emblem, Animal Crossing and Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
edit: it was not the weapons that have special themes in bravely default it is the characters.
I found the soundtrack added to the overall atmosphere of the game in a way I hadn't noticed in a game since Nier or Fez. You have damn straight epic tracks like "The sky used to be Blue" which are especially welcome during the somewhat repetitive gameplay. These are countered with the more somber tracks like "Hope and Future on the Same page" which are heard during story sections and complement the illustrated story telling very well. All the while in both art and presentation there is a sense of eeriness and forbidding was reinforced by the menu track "A certain magicians life". Brilliant music.
Hope and Future on The Same Page (vocal version)
The Sky Used to be Blue
A certain Magician's Life
2. Bravely Default
While being a light hearted game it also has some dark themes and the soundtrack manages to cover a variety of styles. The overworld theme "Land of Light and Shadow" gave that feeling of being on an adventure that didn't take itself too serious like an old squaresoft game and while the main battle theme is decent it really improves the whole experience when one of the other tracks such as "That Person's Name Is" plays. Tiz's special move theme is one of my favourite in any game this year "You are my Hope". I haven't finished it yet but the music so far has been great.
Land of Light and Shadow
That Person's Name Is
You are my Hope (Tiz's special move)
3. The Legend of Zelda A Link Between Worlds
It doesn't add many new tracks of note but it has some of the best arrangements of the traditional Zelda tracks and the Milk Bar renditions are incredible!
Hyrule Field
Main Theme (Milk Bar)
Lorule Field
Honorable mention - Fire Emblem, Animal Crossing and Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
edit: it was not the weapons that have special themes in bravely default it is the characters.
Melchiah
Member
1. The Last of Us
Love the dark and melancholic vibe, that evokes pleasant memories of Silent Hill 2.
2. Killzone: Shadow Fall
Brooding industrial themes, what there not to like?
Here's a sampler of two tracks:
http://www.killzone.com/en_GB/blog/news/2013-12-05_Exclusive-sampler-Killzone-Shadow-Fall-OST.html
3. Bioshock Infinite
Music to match the game's visual style. I've listened to the same era's music for years, so it goes without saying the soundtrack is to my fancy.
Honorable mention goes to Beyond: Two Souls.
Love the dark and melancholic vibe, that evokes pleasant memories of Silent Hill 2.
2. Killzone: Shadow Fall
Brooding industrial themes, what there not to like?
Here's a sampler of two tracks:
http://www.killzone.com/en_GB/blog/news/2013-12-05_Exclusive-sampler-Killzone-Shadow-Fall-OST.html
3. Bioshock Infinite
Music to match the game's visual style. I've listened to the same era's music for years, so it goes without saying the soundtrack is to my fancy.
Honorable mention goes to Beyond: Two Souls.
Uncle Nert’s Wacky Pick ™ of the day is...
Pac-Man Championship Edition DX+
Composers: Taku Inoue, Toshio Kai, Akitaka Tohyama, Hiroshi Okubo, Hiroyuki Kawada and Junko Ozawa
Album Information
------------------
Pac-Man Championship Edition DX boasted my favorite game soundtrack for 2010. If you haven't listened to it yet, you owe it to yourself to fix that. In an E3 reveal that felt like it came out of nowhere, Namco Bandai announced that a free chunk of downloadable content would be made available in the form of a new "+" version of the game. Skins and modes and levels are all fine and dandy, but the thing that excited me the most was the prospect of more music.
This will be among my shorter daily posts, as I am only discussing what was added on this year. I believe that only four new songs were included in this DLC, and two of them come across as relatively humdrum retro throwbacks (Dig Renaissance and Rally-X A Go Go) when lined up next to the original game's triumphs. I'm not saying that they're bad, mind you; I just wouldn't bring them up in a thread dedicated to the best that the year had to offer. Thankfully, the other two songs are much more interesting, with one of them being one of the year's very best.
Reentrance takes the iconic menu music from the original game, cranks up its tempo and stretches it out in a highly ambitious and lengthy re-imagining. I personally think that 10 minutes is a lot to ask from the core menu music loop, but the song ultimately builds up to a satisfying conclusion as it broadens in scope.
Now Pac Steps... wow! This song fully utilizes its running time by taking you on an expansive drum and bass adventure. Opening with lush and soft instruments, the song subtly builds up in intensity and its sense of direction over time. Once the song is in its second half, more raucous electronic sounds assume center stage as it continues to build and build and build. After a minor reprieve, all of this energy is released in a rollicking climax (beginning at about 8:50) that is difficult to describe. I'll just embrace hyperbole and say that it feels like a celebration of everything that's great in life.
So, yeah. Listen to Pac Steps
Pac-Man Championship Edition DX+
Composers: Taku Inoue, Toshio Kai, Akitaka Tohyama, Hiroshi Okubo, Hiroyuki Kawada and Junko Ozawa
Album Information
------------------
Pac-Man Championship Edition DX boasted my favorite game soundtrack for 2010. If you haven't listened to it yet, you owe it to yourself to fix that. In an E3 reveal that felt like it came out of nowhere, Namco Bandai announced that a free chunk of downloadable content would be made available in the form of a new "+" version of the game. Skins and modes and levels are all fine and dandy, but the thing that excited me the most was the prospect of more music.
This will be among my shorter daily posts, as I am only discussing what was added on this year. I believe that only four new songs were included in this DLC, and two of them come across as relatively humdrum retro throwbacks (Dig Renaissance and Rally-X A Go Go) when lined up next to the original game's triumphs. I'm not saying that they're bad, mind you; I just wouldn't bring them up in a thread dedicated to the best that the year had to offer. Thankfully, the other two songs are much more interesting, with one of them being one of the year's very best.
Reentrance takes the iconic menu music from the original game, cranks up its tempo and stretches it out in a highly ambitious and lengthy re-imagining. I personally think that 10 minutes is a lot to ask from the core menu music loop, but the song ultimately builds up to a satisfying conclusion as it broadens in scope.
Now Pac Steps... wow! This song fully utilizes its running time by taking you on an expansive drum and bass adventure. Opening with lush and soft instruments, the song subtly builds up in intensity and its sense of direction over time. Once the song is in its second half, more raucous electronic sounds assume center stage as it continues to build and build and build. After a minor reprieve, all of this energy is released in a rollicking climax (beginning at about 8:50) that is difficult to describe. I'll just embrace hyperbole and say that it feels like a celebration of everything that's great in life.
So, yeah. Listen to Pac Steps
Thanks!
I definitely love dynamic soundtracks, it's just something totally unique to the medium. Takes advantage of the interactivity of the player and molds the music around it.
And I totally agree on linking the gameplay up, it's what I struggled with the most as I wrote that post. It was difficult to convey what I meant from playing, and KI specifically is unique in the sense that even the longer youtube videos are missing bits and pieces on top of stringing together smaller parts that don't mesh how it's presented there. They had murmurs of a soundtrack and I'm curious to see how it's done.
But the gameplay pairing is also why I dislike making a ranking post like this knowing I haven't played so many games with great soundtracks. Even if they are already just solid songs, all of my top 3 work so much better with context that the effect can't be understated. Listening to It Has To Be This Way alone is one thing, but having it playing in the background with the positively insane boss fight surrounding it is a whole nother ballgame. And this might just be a personal quirk but despite seeing a lot of praise for W101's final boss music I haven't checked that out, as I feel it may 'rob' the satisfaction of having it introduced ingame. Since I'm definitely going to get into that within the next few weeks, I try to avoid certain tracks based off titles if they seem to be tied to bigger moments like that. I dunno. I do intend to still edit the post to add more, and flesh out the bottom half of the honorable mentions as it was getting late and I felt I already had it in decent enough shape.
GhaleonQ
Member
Everyone be grateful for Nert. He's the best person around, and I defer to him on most things.
I'm so sad about video games this year, but this topic is already inspiring me to reimmerse myself. I FOUND MY SMILE, GUYZ.
Keep up the interesting picks and VERY intriguing write-ups. I'll be around with my own picks and comments on previous posts before too long!
I'm so sad about video games this year, but this topic is already inspiring me to reimmerse myself. I FOUND MY SMILE, GUYZ.
Keep up the interesting picks and VERY intriguing write-ups. I'll be around with my own picks and comments on previous posts before too long!
FloweryMarston
Member
I will try and pick my favorite track from each game.
1. Grand Theft Auto V
(Notable track: North Yanktown memories)
Tangerine Dream, Alchemist + oh no and woody jackson is just something that you think it wouldn't happen or even work. But with Ivan Pavlovich and Craig Connor (and obviously Sam Houser) being at the helm of rockstar's music sector, they created a soundtrack that conveys so amazingly what is happening on screen, and even outside the game, it's really easy to listen to. From casing the heists to going through a drug deal gone wrong, this trio of different musical style shines through in way that is something out of this world.
And of course, we have the radio selections, which perfectly captures the essence of that california vibe! It helped me discover a lot of brilliant artists, be it from the past or from today's musical landscape. So with all that in mind, GTA V's is my pick for the best soundtrack of the year!
2. The Last of Us
(Notable Track: The path(A new beginning) )
This game without its soundtrack just wouldn't be the same, from the key moments that gustavo's guitar plays in the game, or the powerful drums that accompany the combat sections of this game just make the whole package perfect. Even though the tone is more calm, I really really love to listen to this soundtrack while doing essays or other things. bravo for the sound design team from Naughty Dog. These guys, since i was a kid, always brought me games that i loved, and growing up with them is really something special for me.
3. Bioshock Infinite
(Notable Track: Welcome to Columbia)
They did it again, one of the best intros in a game, and like in the first bioshock, it reach its peak because of the incredible music by garry schyman. Again, this is a developer at the top of their game. the efforts that went into making this soundtrack are incredible. from the industrial and metallic sounds to the covers of pop music. This game has an incredible confidence of itself.
I could spend the entire day picking every game from this year and find a worthwhile soundtrack. really amazing stuff was brought up in 2013.
1. Grand Theft Auto V
(Notable track: North Yanktown memories)
Tangerine Dream, Alchemist + oh no and woody jackson is just something that you think it wouldn't happen or even work. But with Ivan Pavlovich and Craig Connor (and obviously Sam Houser) being at the helm of rockstar's music sector, they created a soundtrack that conveys so amazingly what is happening on screen, and even outside the game, it's really easy to listen to. From casing the heists to going through a drug deal gone wrong, this trio of different musical style shines through in way that is something out of this world.
And of course, we have the radio selections, which perfectly captures the essence of that california vibe! It helped me discover a lot of brilliant artists, be it from the past or from today's musical landscape. So with all that in mind, GTA V's is my pick for the best soundtrack of the year!
2. The Last of Us
(Notable Track: The path(A new beginning) )
This game without its soundtrack just wouldn't be the same, from the key moments that gustavo's guitar plays in the game, or the powerful drums that accompany the combat sections of this game just make the whole package perfect. Even though the tone is more calm, I really really love to listen to this soundtrack while doing essays or other things. bravo for the sound design team from Naughty Dog. These guys, since i was a kid, always brought me games that i loved, and growing up with them is really something special for me.
3. Bioshock Infinite
(Notable Track: Welcome to Columbia)
They did it again, one of the best intros in a game, and like in the first bioshock, it reach its peak because of the incredible music by garry schyman. Again, this is a developer at the top of their game. the efforts that went into making this soundtrack are incredible. from the industrial and metallic sounds to the covers of pop music. This game has an incredible confidence of itself.
I could spend the entire day picking every game from this year and find a worthwhile soundtrack. really amazing stuff was brought up in 2013.