What videogame music can be up to classic music?

[captaincabbage]

I completely agree with most of what's been previously posted. So, I'll post some of the more obscure game music I really enjoy.

Helghan Forever (Main Theme) - Killzone 2

This reminded me instantly of this.


Sweet holy balls that makes me emotional.

 

[AyreonMaiden]

I think I might agree with your girlfriend. I've not heard any game music that comes even remotely close to the sophistication of classical music. It's too film-scorey, too simplistic.

But if she wants good videogame music independent of that, then Shoji Meguro's, Harry Gregson-Williams, Koji Kondo, Kou Ootani, Michiru Yamane, and Masafumi Takada.

 

[captaincabbage]

How could we possibly forget this one?

Spoiler

 

[Hitman Dread]

The problem with modern music is that it really is simplistic. That's not to say that simple is bad, it's just not very complex.

If you take any piece by Tchaikovsky or Beethoven, and even an amateur should be able to hear a multitude of emotions and themes being explored.

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

no.
Complexity doesn't help potray a vast array of emotions. In fact, the "art world" of music has taken a very different opinion these last 50 years, taking on and embracing simplistic music. Also note that pieces during the Baroque era were just as simple and forumlated as any modern day pop song, and followed very strict rules in their pieces.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cnaqI1B7BU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0RKpmjjpLQ&feature=related

I really don't see the point of this thread. First off you don't judge accompiant music the same way you do a stand alone piece. Even pieces that can work as standalone lose something when taken out of that context.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8JzA2B5Z7I&feature=related
This is a fantastic standalone song,but outside of the game, it losing meaning to some degree. The music itself is a compliation of the various other songs featured throughout the game, helping tide the player over.

 

[Jacob Haggarty]

Absloutley ANYTHING from the original Final fantasy: crystal chronicles.

The music in that game is thus far the only music in a game that has actually moved me emotionally. Its always spot on for the locale, mood, events. You name it. The music deffinatly snags "best ever" in my top ten games of all time.

 

[captaincabbage]

I really don't see the point of this thread. First off you don't judge accompiant music the same way you do a stand alone piece. Even pieces that can work as standalone lose something when taken out of that context.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8JzA2B5Z7I&feature=related
This is a fantastic standalone song,but outside of the game, it losing meaning to some degree. The music itself is a compliation of the various other songs featured throughout the game, helping tide the player over.

Oh shit I fukken' lol'd

Admittedly you hit the nail on the head there, tho I wouldn't have said it in so many words.

I would have said: "You're friend's girlfriend is a stupid-face for being so close-minded."

 

[captaincabbage]

Mechwarrior 2 has a weird mix of techno and classical music that just sounds awesome. The odd beeps and bloops, but it's to strings and it's horribly awesome.

one of my favorite games partially due to it's echoey, tense soundtrack.

Another of my favorite songs from MW2.

 

[captaincabbage]

The problem with modern music is that it really is simplistic. That's not to say that simple is bad, it's just not very complex.

If you take any piece by Tchaikovsky or Beethoven, and even an amateur should be able to hear a multitude of emotions and themes being explored. With modern music, you're pretty much stuck with one idea being sung in different lyrics each time.

Again, it's not for everyone. Sometimes I just want to sing some pop or rock music on a bus ride with my friends. But sometimes, I want to sit down and think about music. That's really what classical music is: thinking music.

The closest thing that comes to mind in video game music is probably One Winged Angel. The Final Fantasy series definitely has a bunch of really interesting orchestral pieces.

are you sure you're not thinking of this when you say "Thinking Music"?

 

[Hitman Dread]

I guess I should give some music reccomendations for your friend however.

I can't believe no one has posted these yet.

 

[TheBaron87]

One thing that needs to be mentioned, and that you'll have to explain to her, is that probably 90% of music's impact is in resurfacing memories and emotions tied to a particular song. When you hear a song for the first time you register your emotion at that time to it. So if you're arguing with her about her taste in music when you bring these up, she'll automatically hate them. Your friend needs to convince her to actually PLAY the game so she can understand why people like me love this music so much. Just make sure it's the SNES version or don't even bother.

EDIT: I'm actually going to move these videos down, read the above first. Try to convince her to give something like Chrono Trigger a try. If you need something more recent, get Shadow of the Colossus.

Screw her distaste for "bleeps and blops." Anyone that isn't moved by Chrono Trigger's soundtrack has no soul.
If you had to choose only one song from those I post, let it be this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXOkmLKNCqo

Now when she's done with that, if she likes it at all, make her listen to this and dare her to say it doesn't sound DAMN good for a synthesizer from the early 90s.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn5K-NNmgTM

A few others from CT:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NITRZK8z0ek&#t=1m45s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALh3kBn9pB4

The Tour de Japon is pretty good too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQwAxMiKHPo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYecLvwOiVA

 

[trooper6]

Snip

First of all, I would like to apologize. When I first quickly read over the response that I quoted, I believe I misinterpreted your view on the matter (and also didn't look up the articles, mostly because I was supposed to be studying) and quickly wrote you off as similar to MY music history professors, which does you a great disservice after reading your response here.

I'm currently a music education student and it's always great to hear the older generation of educators talk about the value of current music and ways to incorporate it into the classroom. One of my professors, whose area of expertise is middle school general music, pushes for the use of more popular music to teach about music through music the kids already like, while sparsely using music written by "the dead white guys."

So kudos to you and I'm glad to see that someone studied music extensively has weighed in on this issue and is pushing students to be more open minded. It's a good thing!

Thanks for the kudos! But for full disclosure, I'm actually part of the younger generation of educators...and trained in what is dubbed "The New Musicology"--which is different than what is generally out there. I teach primarily popular music...but not because I think I should teach about music through music kids already like (because how many kids like 1920s jazz?)--but because I think the music itself is important and valuable and interesting.

 

[A Weary Exile]

Spoiler

 

[KuwaSanjuro]

Don't know whether someone has said it but Metal Gear Solid's music i s just generally fantastic and was developed like a film score even though that sounds a bad, I think the score is simply amazing especially Metal Gear Solid 3

 

[PurkinjeFiber]

This reminded me instantly of this.


Sweet holy balls that makes me emotional.

Wow, that's really awesome! I'm really loving the Killzone soundtracks these days.

 

[TiefBlau]

The problem with modern music is that it really is simplistic. That's not to say that simple is bad, it's just not very complex.

If you take any piece by Tchaikovsky or Beethoven, and even an amateur should be able to hear a multitude of emotions and themes being explored.

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

no.
Complexity doesn't help potray a vast array of emotions. In fact, the "art world" of music has taken a very different opinion these last 50 years, taking on and embracing simplistic music. Also note that pieces during the Baroque era were just as simple and forumlated as any modern day pop song, and followed very strict rules in their pieces.

Not for nothing, but you kinda suck at getting your point across.

I didn't really talk about baroque music, and it is simple and formulaic. Notice how I mentioned classical and romantic composers.

Also, this:

Complexity doesn't help potray a vast array of emotions. In fact, the "art world" of music has taken a very different opinion these last 50 years, taking on and embracing simplistic music.

Does absolutely nothing to disprove my point.

 

[arrapippol]

I'm not sure if this counts... but Gran Turismo 5 has a decent Classical section in its music playlist. Being a classical music fan myself, I can tell you that she's not the only elitist fan out there.

 

[trooper6]

The problem with modern music is that it really is simplistic. That's not to say that simple is bad, it's just not very complex.

If you take any piece by Tchaikovsky or Beethoven, and even an amateur should be able to hear a multitude of emotions and themes being explored.

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

no.
Complexity doesn't help potray a vast array of emotions. In fact, the "art world" of music has taken a very different opinion these last 50 years, taking on and embracing simplistic music. Also note that pieces during the Baroque era were just as simple and forumlated as any modern day pop song, and followed very strict rules in their pieces.

Not for nothing, but you kinda suck at getting your point across.

I didn't really talk about baroque music, and it is simple and formulaic. Notice how I mentioned classical and romantic composers.

Also, this:

Complexity doesn't help potray a vast array of emotions. In fact, the "art world" of music has taken a very different opinion these last 50 years, taking on and embracing simplistic music.

Does absolutely nothing to disprove my point.

Okay how about this for disproving your point.

If it were true that "complexity" (which for classical/romantic snobs tends to mean only harmonic complexity) == more emotions, then people would find Milton Babbit's total serialism more emotional than Schubert. Which they don't.

 

[MikailCaboose]

try Touhou music.

Gah! Ninja'd already?! But yes, especially

'tis a personal favorite of mine.

 

[TiefBlau]

The problem with modern music is that it really is simplistic. That's not to say that simple is bad, it's just not very complex.

If you take any piece by Tchaikovsky or Beethoven, and even an amateur should be able to hear a multitude of emotions and themes being explored.

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

no.
Complexity doesn't help potray a vast array of emotions. In fact, the "art world" of music has taken a very different opinion these last 50 years, taking on and embracing simplistic music. Also note that pieces during the Baroque era were just as simple and forumlated as any modern day pop song, and followed very strict rules in their pieces.

Not for nothing, but you kinda suck at getting your point across.

I didn't really talk about baroque music, and it is simple and formulaic. Notice how I mentioned classical and romantic composers.

Also, this:

Complexity doesn't help potray a vast array of emotions. In fact, the "art world" of music has taken a very different opinion these last 50 years, taking on and embracing simplistic music.

Does absolutely nothing to disprove my point.

Okay how about this for disproving your point.

If it were true that "complexity" (which for classical/romantic snobs tends to mean only harmonic complexity) == more emotions, then people would find Milton Babbit's total serialism more emotional than Schubert. Which they don't.

Emotional complexity isn't really the same thing as emotional potency. I still think Schindler's List and Grave of the Fireflies are two of the saddest movies I've ever seen, and I didn't really have to think very hard to understand them.

In fact, I'd say the more you think, the less emotion you're capable of feeling in a situation.

 

[Hitman Dread]

Except you don't have to "think" during Beethoven at all. Fur Elise has nothing that requires constant analysis and thought, nor does his 9th symphony. The only Beethovan or any classical or romantic pieces that require this are the musical pictures (there's a better word and classification for this, but for the life of me I can not remember) such as Beethovan's 6th.