The Greatest Video Game Music performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra

[Elementary - Dear Watson]

So I was on iTunes when [HEADING=1]this... [http://www.lpo.co.uk/heroes/][/HEADING]

I bought it without thinking and started listening to it as soon as the first tune entered my hard-drive. It really is a good compilation, and the arrangements are really accessible, with a good mix of tunes that are loyal to the original scores, and there own fun arrangements. (Can you get 'originals' with Classical music!?)

It got me thinking about the track list choice, however. I know from reading previous game music threads, and my own experience with people, that music taste varies greatly from person to person, and a lot of people will like to stick to their particular niche when listening to music,
and most people will have a favourite piece from a cult game that is special to them and there gaming experience, so that aside, escapists, what do you think of this track listing for this album? What do you think is missing? How would you tweak it to make it more epic for yourself...?

Spoiler: Track list for those who don't want to open a new window!

Tracklist:
1. Advent Rising: Muse
2. Legend of Zelda: Suite
3. Call of Duty - Modern Warfare 2: Theme
4. Angry Birds: Main Theme
5. Final Fantasy VIII: Liberi Fatali
6. Super Mario Bros: Themes
7. Uncharted - Drake s Fortune: Nate's Theme
8. Grand Theft Auto IV: Soviet Connection
9. World of Warcraft: Seasons of War
10. Metal Gear Solid: Sons of Liberty Theme
11. Tetris Theme
12. Battlefield 2: Theme
13. Elder Scrolls: Oblivion
14. Call of Duty 4 - Modern Warfare: Main Menu Theme
15. Mass Effect: Suicide Mission
16. Splinter Cell: Conviction
17. Final Fantasy: Main Theme
18. Bioshock: The Ocean on his Shoulders
19. Halo 3: One Final Effort
20. Fallout 3: Theme
21. Super Mario Galaxy: Gusty Garden Galaxy
The iTunes version also has a tune called 'Hanging Edge' from FFXIII as a bonnus track...

 

[Accountfailed]

Yeah, well, no.

Any supposed Best-of game music CD that puts in the Oblivion theme over the Morrowind one can go fuck itself.

You're complaining about the oblivion theme being up there when the angry birds theme is ranked even higher than oblivion?

No, no. perspective, you has none.

 

[Gloomsta]

Yeah, well, no.

Any supposed Best-of game music CD that puts in the Oblivion theme over the Morrowind one can go fuck itself.

You're complaining about the oblivion theme being up there when the angry birds theme is ranked even higher than oblivion?

No, no. perspective, you has none.

Tracklists are not equal to ranking.

>.>

 

[wooty]

Few decent songs on there but the best thing about this album is the cover, very witty indeed.

 

[SenorNemo]

Yeah, well, no.

Any supposed Best-of game music CD that puts in the Oblivion theme over the Morrowind one can go fuck itself.

You're complaining about the oblivion theme being up there when the angry birds theme is ranked even higher than oblivion?

No, no. perspective, you has none.

It's a track listing, not a ranking.

Edit: Ninja'd. Sorry.

Anyway, I'd say it at least covers the most popular video game soundtracks out there, if not the best, but none of those are bad, and most I think would probably deserve to be on a best-of compilation. Still, I do think this is a bit populist. If I were doing it, I'd expect to see the main theme from Black [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl40AmLv5BU], Scars of Time [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J46RY4PU8a8], U.N. Owen Was Her [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIop055eJhU], Zero [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wiskH1UE4c], and even though it's a bit cliche now I still think it probably deserves to be there, One Winged Angel [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7wJ8pE2qKU], among many others.

Anyway, the problem I have with most albums like these is that the arrangements are so often overblown and un-paced, with pointless choirs and too much of the orchestra being used at once to the point where there really isn't any specific sound anymore. I guess people want the music to sound epic, but most often it just sounds cheesy. Fortunately, from the samples I've heard from this album, it seems comparatively well-handled. Also, unlike the horrible recording quality of Play!'s album, this one is both well mastered and the performances themselves seem rather nice. I'm tempted to buy this album now.

 

[Elementary - Dear Watson]

It is a good one! The Royal Philharmonic and the London Philharmonic do make some well produced and arranged stuff.

I can see they made a point to use recent works, and its good that they ommitted 'ever' or 'of all time' from the box so it's not too insulting for more classic gamers. I think they did a good job getting titles from accross the board, but I do think that they have perhaps stuck too loyally to a few series of games, and agree with SenorNemo that the theme from Black will be sorely missed!

 

[Phlakes]

Yeah, well, no.

Any supposed Best-of game music CD that puts in the Oblivion theme over the Morrowind one can go fuck itself.

This so, so, so fucking hard. Oblivion's theme felt like it came from the first lesson in Fantasy Soundtracks for Dummies. No offense to the composer.

 

[theheroofaction]

Now now, that can't be the best game music.

I mean, there's not even a single capcom title up there.

 

[Waverider]

At the very least it could use the pokemon theme and perhaps the god of war theme. but I just "bought" it and am liking much of what i'm listening to. Suicide Mission was toned down though; not sure I like it.

 

[EmperorSubcutaneous]

I would have been upset if the Halo theme wasn't on there. But it is, so I'm happy enough.

I wouldn't have expected personal favorites like Silent Heaven from the Silent Hill 2 soundtrack on there, since it's amazing in game but not so much if you just hear it out of context. Or Badlands from Uru, since no one played it.