Is in-game music important to you?

[Fishyash]

I generally think that context is important for in-game soundtracks. The music should help set the time and atmosphere, or important events.

Also, I like the music with good variation. When the entire soundtrack sounds similar (this doesn't apply to games with a more atmospheric or conservative approach to their soundtrack) I will eventually turn it off and put on something on itunes, even if it's out of context or pop music. The worst thing music can do is make a game less interesting, I personally think music brings a great amount to the experience and if the music is uninteresting to listen to then I am generally gonna find the entire game more boring unless I put on something else. I find this a personal problem with me that I let boring music detract from good gameplay.

I personally don't mind loops though, as long as the area is short lasting and the loops last a decent amount of time (depends on how long I have to listen to it) or sound REALLY good. I guess that's why I like mario, megaman and zelda music.

Also, lack of additional sound can make things much more intense, whether it's the music stopping so you can view beautiful scenery or if it's for suspense for something waiting to happen. Sound effects nowdays are capable of bringing atmosphere like music can.

Edit since i'm stupidly spontaneous with these posts: I generally think that games without music (including ambient music) are usually more dull. To explain my point of the silence thing, what I really mean is that the contrast to the usual BGM is what can make said situations more intense.

 

[CleverNickname]

Yes, it's important, which is reason #2937 why games these days are so depressing.

Most of the time they throw some strings and trumpets together and call it a day, because unfortunately to them music isn't important. The endless clichéd dialogue, the relentless gunfire and explosions as frequent as you exhaling are what's important to them.

Video game music was better when it made up 90% of a game's soundtrack. About the only exceptions are franchise games who started in those days.

Okay, maybe it's not quite as bad, but it feels like that one or two times too often.

So, I don't care much for the music if it's just "there". When it's noticably awesome or beautiful, I'll try to hunt it down to listen to it on its own. The last games to do that for me were Trine and VVVVVV. Though I also have the scores to Mass Effect 2 and Darksiders simply because they came with my Steam versions.
But other than that...

 

[Caradinist]

Yes it's very important.

On the other hand, if you pull it off right on the right scene, you can make an even better moment by not having any music at all. For example, a movie version of Macbeth had his final moments without any music whatsoever, where he was brutally struck down and decaptitated.

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

Yes. A game with fitting music can be fantastic.

Killing an overpowered something-or-other: fine
Killing an overpowered something-or-other while heavy metal is playing in the background: fuck yes!

Wandering through a destroyed hallway: fine
Wandering through a destroyed hallway while melancholy piano music is playing: scary and lasting

 

[Bobbity]

I don't really notice game music much, unless it's placed strongly to emphasize a moment - several occasions in Mass Effect, for example. I do, however, notice the lack of music in a game instantly, and I hate it when it drops out.

 

[BlastedTheWorm]

I'll just say that music can make or break a game for me. Bad music can turn me off a game, whereas good music can make me stay on.

 

[Atheist Pope]

This music made me look forward to every mini boss fight just to listen to the epic music.
(Can someone tell me how to embed the video?)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Xlsy3cC03o

 

[Azarhac]

Well of course it is important, great music can enhance the gaming experience a lot, a part of the reason why like every FF game until recently has been great.

But I will say that the overall catchy music's from games have faded away since the 8-bit era, even though Demon's Souls soundtrack is probably the best of the decade.

 

[Fr]anc[is]

For Fallout 3 and New Vegas? No. I turned off the music one day in FO3 to see if it would make the wasteland feel more, i dunno, wastelandier because of the quiet, and it did. I don't miss it at all. Didn't even try with NV. I know that makes me a bit odd but try it.

 

[Offworlder_v1legacy]

Yes. Music is about half of my gaming experience. Without it I probably would't game.

 

[Caradinist]

anc[is]For Fallout 3 and New Vegas? No. I turned off the music one day in FO3 to see if it would make the wasteland feel more, i dunno, wastelandier because of the quiet, and it did. I don't miss it at all. Didn't even try with NV. I know that makes me a bit odd but try it.

Let me link you one of my favorite dungeon music off Fallout New Vegas. I think the music improved in New Vegas and it helped convey the feeling of taking part in a nuclear apocalypse.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvXtr6SsCnI

 

[Sethzard]

It really does depend on the game, in some games it's crucial, in others it really doesn't add much.

 

[binvjoh]

Doesn't really bother me if the music is less than stellar, but a great soundtrack can definitely improve the experience.

 

[TomLikesGuitar]

I know people on both sides of this weird opinion contrast. Some people say the games' music adds massively to the experience and just makes everything better, while other says that it just gets in the way cause your constantly bombarded by music all the time while you play.

So Escapists, how important is in-game music to you?

Me personally...I waver from point to point. In some games (most games) I keep the music on because in some games the music is just so perfect to really give you that extra little something. But in some games I turn it off (such as in New Vegas for example, I've never had the in-game music on) because it kinda distracts me. Mostly these are games where I use stealth tactics to play. Nothing annoys the flow of stealth more than having some epic, grand chorus randomly start belting out when your trying to hear if an enemy's footsteps are retreating or approaching.

Best thing to do for New Vegas...

First, make 2 playlists... one with old school country/western music, and another with Sinatra-esque big band and swing. Listen to the first in the Mojave and the second in and around Vegas.

Then, anytime you get to a quest named after a song (Volare, One for my Baby, etc) listen to that song when you think you are getting to the "climax" of the quest.

Yeah this (usually) means you have to have played the game already to get the timing down, and yeah it can easily get fucked up, but it's so worth it when you're watching Jason Bright blow up into a million pieces to "Come Fly With Me".

 

[Raziel_Likes_Souls]

It can seriously make or break a game.
For example:
FF XIII. Going through this every 3 seconds:
To get this:
It doesn't feel like a proper pay off.

But compare to this:

Spoiler: If you get bored, this'll probably wake you up during the game.

At least that's kinda tolerable to hear every 3 seconds.

And the miniboss, at least gets this.
Just sayin', a good soundtrack can make the difference between giving up after the first hour and playing the entire way.