Gaming Soundtracks for the Elitest Music Major

[Phlakes]

How dare either of you mention Prime without including this sexy thing-


(Although I agree hard with your choices)

I haven't finished Metroid Prime yet, so I... get off free?

I'm playing the series in reverse, because I'm craaaaaazy

Alright, but you better watch yourself.

And that's actually kind of a good idea, you'll finish with the best game in the series.

 

[endtherapture]

The soundtrack for Bastion has literally been stuck in my head for days, it's driving me insane, so good.

 

[DustyDrB]

I'm not a music major, but I am very well versed in the game musics [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/Top-Ten-Songs].

And I mean this in an honest not-trying-to-advertise way, but you could probably find some good ones looking through those.

You might enjoy this one-

I agree with this. Beyond Good and Evil has a great soundtrack that's unlike any other I've heard. Epic orchestral music is so overused that I barely even notice it anymore when I'm playing a game.

Another one of Ancel's games also has a great soundtrack: Rayman Origins. I was on the fence for that game...until I heard some of the music for it. It makes playing the game even more of a joy.

 

[Singularly Datarific]

To reiterate a very recent post, my all time favorite is Mechwarrior 2.
Coolest dang soundtrack ever.
In no particular order:
It's a very atmospheric soundtrack, many of the pieces make little sense on their own, but coupled with the level they compliment each other, improving both with the context.
Take Sable Flame:
Sounds horrible and stark and depressing and hollow, right?
It plays on one of the moon-based missions.
Sounds like hard vacuum (not that it has sound), doesn't it?

 

[HardkorSB]

Chrono Cross has a great soundtrack:

 

[C117]

Super Meat Boy, oddly enough. Or maybe not, indie games always seem to have pretty nice soundtrack.


Aside from that, there are many games with great a soundtrack. So many that I won't bother listing them here, or else I'll be here all night...

 

[MammothBlade]

How about a nice optimistic battle march? Paradox games have some of the best orchestral tracks.

 

[deathbydeath]

the re-worked soundtrack in the GOTY edition of deus ex is very memorable and the second half is reworked and magical


i really enjoy the "devil's lab" portion in ff6 due to the sound of the pistons in the song, and the fact you're in a factory when this plays


pretty much everything in half life 2 is subtle, but enhances the atmosphere and mood of the
game, so i'll just post my favorite:

the romance music in both Mass Effect games were simple and generally subtle, but surprisingly effective


simple brilliance:


and even though i don't have silent hill 2, this song is just so listenable

 

[HardRockSamurai]

Alone in the Dark (2008) has one of the best scores I've ever heard in a video game (even though it's featured in, ironically, one of the worst games I've ever played); it's so good I actually went out and bought the CD.

 

[st0pnsw0p]

Super Mario Galaxy

Spoiler: Have a listen

 

[ECasThat]

It saddens me to see that the Knights theme form Heroes of M&M 2 TPoL isn't on this list
So let me add it.
also Magicka's "At Worlds End" because... It is just that good.

 

[WalrusPowers]

If I had to choose a single soundtrack? Well, I guess I would choose....

This one scared the shit out of me when I was 3.

Another great sountrack:

 

[ewhac]

Obvious entrants:

Spoiler: Okay, in hindsight, not so obvious. Neither of these are strict instrumentals.

 

[RedEyesBlackGamer]

Odin Sphere.
It has an excellent orchestral score.

 

[AshtonF]

BastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastionBastion I CANNOT GUSH ENOUGH ABOUT THE SOUNDTRACK

 

[ewhac]

I thought this one was rather nicely done:

 

[Von Dean]

I won't link because it's easy to find,all of the Voices of The Lifestream. 40+ tracks of awesome..

 

[ImperialSunlight]

Oh, and the Demon's Souls Soundtrack deserves mention.

THIS. So much this.

And:

Spoiler: These

 

[JaceArveduin]

BFME2 is my pick

Spoiler

 

[Black Arrow Officer]

I'm noticing a lot of RPG music in this thread. For me, Splinter Cell has the best ambient, suspense and battle soundtracks in any game series I've played.

Ambient:


Suspense


Battle


I'm sorry but other games just cannot compare to the level of awesomeness in the Splinter Cell soundtracks. I'm not a fanboy or anything, but these are the only video game tracks that I can listen to for hours on end and not get tired of. The runners up are the World of Warcraft soundtracks for ambience, Battlefield 3 soundtrack for suspense and Freedom Fighters soundtrack for battles.