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NeoGAF's Official Game Soundtracks of the Year 2013: Voting Ends January 12th

M

mmxzero

Member
1. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
So good I've kept listening to it through out the year, fits the game incredibly well and gets you pumped like no other. Favorite two are Stranger I remain and The only thing I know. The only track it didnt care for was A soul cannot be cut.

2. Anarchy Reigns
I loved the Madworld OST and liked this one even better, Platinum's killing it. Favorite tracks were Over in a Flash, Play my ass off, Killem all/Merciless, Jaw, Here we go, My Pride, MDKs, Find You, Ruthless, Demise.... ok I'm naming most of the soundtrack now.

3. Fire Emblem: Awakening

Number three was a toss up compared to the first 2 and went with FEA. Zelda, and Mario&Luigi Dream Team both had great soundtracks, Pokemon X&Y had a good showing too. Then stuff I see in the thread that I haven't played yet like Mario 3D World, Wonderful 101, Payday 2 (Simon Viklund! recognize him from the Bionic commando rearmed ost), SMT4, AA5, EO4, all sound fantastic as well.
 
N

Nert

Member
Uncle Net's Wacky Vote™ of the year is...

1) Risk of Rain

iNGbPimaSV69a.png


Wonderful variety, amazing production values, a distinct sci-fi flavor and just a ton of fun to listen to. As is often the case with these things, I wasn't even aware of this soundtrack's existence until this topic had been open for a while.

2) Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan

iKEfHtNfk4Krv.png


3) Element4l

ib16WBtZaZQ6qY.png


Honorable Mentions: The Last of Us, Guacamelee!

-----------------------------------------------------------

Best In-Game Use of a Song: Will The Circle Be Unroken - choral version (BioShock Infinite)

The beginning of BioShock Infinite was overwhelming for me in the literal sense of the word. For quite a while, I was fully content to just *be* in Columbia, lapping up every little detail and artistic flourish that the environment had to offer. This song, combined with the soft candlelight and the sounds of water splashing as you walk through to
the game's first baptism sequence
, left an incredible impression on me.

Runner-up: Caverna del Pollo (Guacamelee!)

This song has electronic chicken warbling in it while you are in an environment called "Caverna del Pollo," which almost obligates me to include it here.

Biggest Surprise: Remember Me

Along with Sonic Lost World, this is a soundtrack that I really wish I would have found the time to do a proper write-up for. Olivier Deriviere's electronic manipulations and distortions of the underlying orchestral sounds are fascinating, and they've resulted in a highly original take on "futuristic" sounding music. Nilin The Memory Hunter does a great job of encapsulating what this soundtrack is all about.

Runner-up: Samurai Gunn

Song of the Year: Pac-Steps (Pac-Man Championship Edition DX+)

Remember how I said that this song feels like a celebration of everything that's great in life? It's simply in a class of its own.

Runner-ups: Sea Bottom Segue (Sonic Lost World), Monsoon (Risk of Rain)

-----------------------------------------------------------

I'm not going to give out any of my negative awards this year (including "biggest disappointment" and "shitty song that's a piece of shit"), as nothing is immediately coming to mind for either of them. On the one hand, that's probably a good thing. On the other hand, that's also indicative of how few new releases I actually played last year. 2013 marked a lot of major changes in my life, and my gaming time fell off quite a bit.

That's enough out of me for now. Time to start polishing up that archive!
 
M

micbri

Neo Member
1. Bravely Default
Dark Schala pretty much summed up my thoughts on this pick. First listened to the OST shortly after the Japanese release, which made me look up the composer's other works and become a Revo/Sound Horizon fan.
2. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
3. Fire Emblem Awakening
 
D

Dark Schala

Eloquent Princess
GhaleonQ said:
As always, I'd love to continue conversations after the deadline and in the results topic. Amazing posts, and I'm glad Dark Schala came through.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I'll probably post my LTTP 2012 / Attack of the Friday Monsters stuff after voting's done since I wasn't able to get anything done today.

I didn't think I'd make it on time due to certain circumstances, but I hurried my ass out anyway (and ended up half-assing some parts, too). With that said, this is probably the first time I cranked out 4 posts consecutively ever on GAF and I felt really iffy about doing it. Next year if I'm still around, I'll probably keep it shorter.

randomkid said:
Schala, I am all ready for a little Friday Monsters love, definitely slept on.
Click to expand...
Give me a few days. I wasn't able to finish the writeup off today. Also my fingers kind of hurt considering how much typing I was doing.

Soulhouf said:
Just finished reading the 4 posts written by Dark Schala.
It was awesome and now I want to play Time & Eternity because of the soundtrack and Koshiro who is my favourite VG composer.
Thank you Dark Schala.
Click to expand...
...a month ago, a few GAF members and I were joking around that my Time and Eternity review and what I think of it might have actually sold the game to people than deterred them from playing it.

Maybe that joke might have a bit of truth to it.

I hope not.

SupraDarky said:
Excellent posts, great read.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I would've loved to have seen some of your picks this year, but you do sort of do it on a daily basis with single, original themes.
 
G

Gartooth

Member
A lot of great soundtracks this year which makes picking my top three all the more difficult.

1. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
2. The Last of Us
3. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

My number 1 was the most obvious for me and it remains possibly my most listened to soundtrack of this year, especially the boss battle music. ALBW scratched an itch for good classic gaming style music and is one of my favorite soundtracks in the Zelda series. As for TLOU, the music perfectly matched what was going on the screen and helped give mood to an already incredible world.
 
K

King Gilga

Member
1. Anarchy Reigns.

2. Metal Gear Rising.

3. Phoenix Wright Dual Destinies

A day where I don't at least listen to one track from AR isn't a good day.
 
F

Fimbulvetr

Member
I'd like to vote, but like a fool I waited until the last minute to compile my thoughts, so this post will lack detail. I'm unsure if my nominee is even eligible, being a translation of a game that's actually more than 10 years old. In any case, even if it's judged ineligible, I'll be editing this post in short order with talk and selections.

1. Saya no Uta - The Song of Saya

warning: a great deal of this game's content is potentially disturbing and parts are outright pornographic. Do not go googling this without care.

I have... quite a bit to say about this. Until later.
 
cj_iwakura

cj_iwakura

Member
Fimbulvetr said:
I'd like to vote, but like a fool I waited until the last minute to compile my thoughts, so this post will lack detail. I'm unsure if my nominee is even eligible, being a translation of a game that's actually more than 10 years old. In any case, even if it's judged ineligible, I'll be editing this post in short order with talk and selections.

1. Saya no Uta - The Song of Saya

warning: a great deal of this game's content is potentially disturbing and parts are outright pornographic. Do not go googling this without care.

I have... quite a bit to say about this. Until later.
Click to expand...

Saying SnU is potentially disturbing is like saying Mortal Kombat is somewhat violent.
 
M

mdubs

Banned
1. Metal Gear Rising

2. Fire Emblem Awakening

3. Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney Dual Destinies

Honorable Mention: Ys Memories of Celceta, The Wonderful 101
 
D

Diamond

Member
Nothing really stood out for me in 2013, and I usually don't like people who say these things (you just have to search better !). All previous years I had too many games to choose from, so I was a little bit disappointed not to have as much to say as some of you guys in this thread. I love all the detailed posts, great read, and I can appreciate the choices, even if I wasn't really satisfied with the general output of 2013.

1. Bioshock Infinite
bioshock-infinite-soundtrack1.jpg
Click to expand...

Bioshock Infinite music probably won me over during the fantastic introduction of the game with Welcome to Columbia and Will the Circle be Unbroken played back to back. Mesmerizing, with an almost frightening crescendo, then the calm piano when the player discovers the city above the clouds, and finally the incredible choral, which made me stay in the "church" longer than I should have. A magical moment, and the soundtrack played a big part in it.

- Let Go
- Will The Circle Be Unbroken - full version

2. Brothers : a Tale of two Sons
a4194443411_10.jpg
Click to expand...

An emotional tale like this one wouldn't have been the same without a good soundtrack. Great use of violin and voices, sometimes almost discordant, both giving an appropriate tragical tone to the game. When you hear Winged Hope near the end, it elevates THAT scene among the most touching moments in gaming, ever.

- Heading Home
- Main Theme

3. Far Cry 3 : Blood Dragon
fc3%20blood%20dragon%20square.jpg
Click to expand...

I've always been fascinated by the music from the 80's, where the artists had all these new electronic sounds and instruments to experiment with. That was something else compared to all this dubstep nonsense (read this sentence with the voice of a grumpy old man without teeth). Blood Dragon manages to capture a lot of what made many OSTs from this period great : melodic synth solos, gritty basses and toogoodootoogoodoo percussions. I love it !

- Moment of Calm
- Love Theme
- Theme (reprise)
 
E

Eusis

Member
1. Shin Megami Tensei IV
2. Metal Gear Rising: Revengence
3. The Legend of Heroes: Sen no Kiseki

Honorable Mentions:
x. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
x. Super Mario 3D World
x. Etrian Odyssey IV
x. Grand Theft Auto V

I know one poster wanted to leave off Sen no Kiseki in favor of waiting on a US release, but that'll be years away at best if they don't just skip ahead by a crazy amount, and I wonder whether the voting will look this far back anyway assuming something else doesn't take my attention. Still, a lot of great music this year!
 
N

Nert

Member
Alrighty, folks! The voting period has come to a close. The "ballot" portion of your posts should now be locked in (the soundtracks you've selected and how they're ranked), but you're more than welcome to elaborate further on your choices and to keep the discussion going.

It's worth keeping in mind that we will pull descriptions of soundtracks from your posts and integrate them into the results thread, so please feel free to say what's on your mind (especially for a soundtrack that you feel strongly about that may not have gotten much recognition from other posters).

Ideally, we'll have the results thread up by Thursday evening; if that changes for any reason, we'll let you know!
 
GhaleonQ

GhaleonQ

Member
*pats Nert on back*

A round of appplause, please, for our host and for the many amazing posters in this topic. Good God, everyone, this is the best topic on NeoGAF in quite awhile.
 
T

TWILT

Banned
Yeah great job Nert, and everyone else in the thread who contributed.

Eagerly awaiting the results (think a certain game about Revengeance has got this...)
 
T

Thoraxes

Member
Thanks for the work and awesome write-ups you did, Nert!

Also for Tearaway composers (I saw your note in the OP), I believe they are Kenneth Young and Brian D'Oliveira.
 
L

Levyne

Banned
Oh darn, voting has closed. I wasn't intending on making a ballot but playing Rising and Rise of the Triad in the last week really made me want to.

I see Rising is getting plenty of love though, which is good.

If it's okay I'll leave a few of my favorite Triad songs in here just for fun. If you're going to listen to any of them the first is the best :)

Cccool
Run Like Smeg
Addagio For Strings And Organ
Goin' Down The Fast Way

I just love that there is so much variety, and the songs don't really have a repeated chorus nature, they just kind of add and remove layers as the songs continue but without losing their initial identity.
 
T

theprodigy

Member
totally unofficial results that I got (top 15):
1. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance: 208 points,12 HM
2. The Last of Us: 162 points, 9 HM
3. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds: 111 points, 18 HM
4. Fire Emblem: Awakening: 97 points, 13 HM
5. Super Mario 3D World: 71 points, 19 HM
6. Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch: 66 points, 6 HM
7. Bioshock Infinite: 63 points, 7 HM
8. Shin Megami Tensei IV: 57 points, 12 HM
9. Tearaway: 53 points, 7 HM
10. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney-Dual Destinies: 50 points, 7 HM
11. Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan: 40 points, 7 HM
12. Grand Theft Auto V: 34 points, 3 HM
13. Rayman Legends: 31 points, 9 HM
14. Remember Me: 29 points, 1 HM
15. Bravely Default: 28 points, 2 HM

SM3DW had the most honorable mentions, that's why its bolded
 
T

theprodigy

Member
SatelliteOfLove said:
A lack of EO IV there is surprising, though. :(
Click to expand...

theprodigy said:
totally unofficial results that I got (top 15):
1. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance: 208 points,12 HM
2. The Last of Us: 162 points, 9 HM
3. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds: 111 points, 18 HM
4. Fire Emblem: Awakening: 97 points, 13 HM
5. Super Mario 3D World: 71 points, 19 HM
6. Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch: 66 points, 6 HM
7. Bioshock Infinite: 63 points, 7 HM
8. Shin Megami Tensei IV: 57 points, 12 HM
9. Tearaway: 53 points, 7 HM
10. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney-Dual Destinies: 50 points, 7 HM
11. Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan: 40 points, 7 HM
12. Grand Theft Auto V: 34 points, 3 HM
13. Rayman Legends: 31 points, 9 HM
14. Remember Me: 29 points, 1 HM
15. Bravely Default: 28 points, 2 HM
Click to expand...

say what
 
R

RedlineRonin

Member
Darth Zandatsu said:
TIME TO LEAVE THEM ALL BEHIIIIIIIIIIIIIND!
Click to expand...

Just finished the pc version. God. Damn. Right.

VIOLENCE BREEDS VIOLENCE

EDIT: But in all seriousness, I think the MGR OST is more clever than most people realize. The songs get you pumped, but even more than that, some of them are paced to reflect the bosses you fight. Certain bigger, lumbering bosses have slower, more punctuated guitar riffs while quicker, more nimble bosses may have a track that is more speed medal-ish. Very clever and not he type of nuance I would have expected from this game.
 
L

Levyne

Banned
And also they're paced/manipulated so that the lyrics will kick in during certain stages changes (or put more bluntly, during the QTEs).

Or at least I am pretty sure RULES OF NATURE always kicks in when you grab Ray's blade thing.
 
J

Jucksalbe

Banned
RedlineRonin said:
EDIT: But in all seriousness, I think the MGR OST is more clever than most people realize. The songs get you pumped, but even more than that, some of them are paced to reflect the bosses you fight. Certain bigger, lumbering bosses have slower, more punctuated guitar riffs while quicker, more nimble bosses may have a track that is more speed medal-ish. Very clever and not he type of nuance I would have expected from this game.
Click to expand...

I really has to be amazing in-game, because if you only listen to the YouTube videos linked here, the music is pretty awful. I'm not interested in the game, though, so I just have to believe everybody here.
 
Riposte

Riposte

Member
SMT IV's soundtrack really made the otherwise unimpressive apocalyptic tokyo come alive. Also props to Platinum for putting out three great soundtracks this year that are totally different from each other.
 
R

RedlineRonin

Member
Jucksalbe said:
I really has to be amazing in-game, because if you only listen to the YouTube videos linked here, the music is pretty awful. I'm not interested in the game, though, so I just have to believe everybody here.
Click to expand...

Definitely see how it would be less enjoyable if it wasn't necessarily someone's type of music. It seems to me it isn't very often where gameplay is interwoven with the music tho. Like in MGR, the chorus lyrics kick in as you get to critical points in boss battles etc. that really punctuate the epic moments in the fights. It makes more a more immersive experience, almost like a movie.

I'm sure you could level plenty of complaints against the game and maybe even some against the OST if it wasn't your thing, but I can't remember ever putting a game OST on my phone before and listening to it outside of actually playing the game. MGR is my first.
 
S

Soma

Member
^ Awesome. Just started the game this week and the soundtrack has been surprisingly great. (now I see why people are posting the Tokyo Overworld theme so much haha)

Probably would've voted it pretty high if I had played this game sooner.

...and had remembered to vote.
 
T

theprodigy

Member
can't wait for Nert's "damn it you spoiled the results" post

on topic, Bravely Default's soundtrack is pretty good....but there really should've been more battle themes
 
N

Nert

Member
theprodigy said:
can't wait for Nert's "damn it you spoiled the results" post
Click to expand...

Haha, no worries! If anything, you getting the results out early gives me some cover to take a little bit more time to put the thread together. I'll see what I can get done tomorrow, but realistically, I might be aiming more at Friday or Saturday now. I'm also fiddling with compiling some other pieces of information for the thread as well :D
 
J

Jucksalbe

Banned
Now that I finally finished SMT IV, I'd probably have put it on my top 3, not sure on which position, though. Good thing I don't have to decide that anymore. It's a pretty damn good soundtrack.
 
J

Jucksalbe

Banned
Since I also just finished Attack of the Friday Monsters, I want to say: This has a surprisingly great soundtrack. Composed by Hideki Sakamoto and probably the total opposite of the SMT IV soundtrack.

Sadly, as so often, I couldn't find the music by itself on YouTube, but at least take a listen to the song from the intro.
 
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