Favorite Game Soundtrack(s)
Hell, I've been playing games on PC since 1999 and I've noticed that I'm more drawn to games with a good soundtrack. I've played mostly RTS and FPS (only until recently).
My favorite genre of music is classical, so I do prefer games with an orchestral score, notably Total Annihilation, MOHAA and C&C: Generals. I also listen to the soundtracks of other C&C games (despite their genres of not being classical), as they capture the very mood of warfare and battle.
I haven't played many games, nor was I ever interested in consoles, but my opinion is firm regarding C&C games having the best soundtrack.
Final Fantasy VI, Chrono Trigger, and the Soul Calibur series. Outstanding music.
I think that the best sound track of a game I have played is definatly Prince of Persia: Sands of time, POP Warrior Within was alright but not quite as good. They both somehow combined rock with an arabic beat, which really added ti the game effects.
The BF1942 sound track really helped the game as well, it really fedlt military
Total Annihalation was alright, but not really outstanding.
I havent played much in the way of Command and Conquer since the origional Red Alert, which I can't remember the sound track of...
El Caudillo
05-07-2005, 02:18
Secret of Mana, Chrono Trigger, Super Mario RPG, the Final Fantasy series, Legend of Mana, and the old Nintendo classics.
I think that the best sound track of a game I have played is definatly Prince of Persia: Sands of time, POP Warrior Within was alright but not quite as good. They both somehow combined rock with an arabic beat, which really added ti the game effects.
The BF1942 sound track really helped the game as well, it really fedlt military
Total Annihalation was alright, but not really outstanding.
I havent played much in the way of Command and Conquer since the origional Red Alert, which I can't remember the sound track of...
The GLA soundtrack in Generals would probably resemble POP since it's got rock, but combined with Middle Eastern beats.
I haven't played BF1942 but I heard that it's only music is in the main title. I don't like games that have no music during the play, it makes the whole things seem boring.
If you've played RA1 then you must have heard the only lyrics in the game: "We want war! Wake up!"
If a game has a weak soundtrack, I tend to play it less frequently, like RTCW (the same 50 sec. track being looped over for the entire missions, just boring), OFP was a great game but not much was in the way of a memorable soundtrack. A few pieces were exceptional but the rest seemed plain.
-Everyknowledge-
05-07-2005, 02:19
Hell, I've been playing games on PC since 1999 and I've noticed that I'm more drawn to games with a good soundtrack. I've played mostly RTS and FPS (only until recently).
My favorite genre of music is classical, so I do prefer games with an orchestral score, notably Total Annihilation, MOHAA and C&C: Generals. I also listen to the soundtracks of other C&C games (despite their genres of not being classical), as they capture the very mood of warfare and battle.
I haven't played many games, nor was I ever interested in consoles, but my opinion is firm regarding C&C games having the best soundtrack.
Only since '99? What are you, 10 years old? ;)
I started playing video games before I could even read or write.
I would presume that RPGs have good soundtracks to keep the suspense going, but since I've never played one, I would be sure.
The Lightning Star
05-07-2005, 02:23
I like the CnC: Generals Soundtrack(the GLA part the most), all the FF soundtracks, Halo 1 and Halo 2 soundtracks, Chrono Trigger, Super Mario RPG, and probably more, but I can't remember.
Oooh, and Rise of Nations.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (the New Wave Channel especially)
more seriously... the Command and Conquer Games have good soundtracks... for country, Railroad Tycoon 2 rocks...
But my favorite soundtrack is when I turn the sound in the game all the way down, and open up my windows media player and listen to my library.
Suuropolis
05-07-2005, 02:25
This is easy. The original Jet Set Radio for the Dreamcast undoubtedly has the best soundtrack I've ever heard. Final Fantasy VII isn't too far behind though.
-Everyknowledge-
05-07-2005, 02:25
I would presume that RPGs have good soundtracks to keep the suspense going, but since I've never played one, I would be sure.
To actually answer the thread, some of my favorite music is on the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series, along with various classic (as in, Final Fantasy) RPGs. I also like the Underworld theme song from the Mario series.
Only since '99? What are you, 10 years old? ;)
I started playing video games before I could even read or write.
I'm 18. My first PC was bought in '99. Prior to that, I had little interest in video games or computers. Doom II came with the computer and it's soundtrack was alright. When I first played Red Aelrt, that got me interested in warfare and weapons.
-Everyknowledge-
05-07-2005, 02:27
I'm 18. My first PC was bought in '99. Prior to that, I had little interest in video games or computers. Doom II came with the computer and it's soundtrack was alright. When I first played Red Aelrt, that got me interested in warfare and weapons.
Whoa. That's interesting. I'm younger than you, and I've been playing video games far longer!
The Lightning Star
05-07-2005, 02:28
Whoa. That's interesting. I'm younger than you, and I've been playing video games far longer!
Same here!
Weeeee!
I like the CnC: Generals Soundtrack(the GLA part the most).
Oooh, and Rise of Nations.
I liked the USA soundtrack more since I'm a big listener of classical music. Being Chinese, I think Bill Brown's done a good job composing with Chinese folk insturments and the tracks did sound genuine. I can't really judge for the GLA since I'm not a rock fan nor am informed about Arab music. I also like that hardcore electric guitar track in the intro and featured on one U.S. mission. If it gets the theme of war going, I'm listening.
I haven't played Rise of Nations, but from such a grand title, I presume they used an orchestra.
The Lightning Star
05-07-2005, 02:31
I liked the USA soundtrack more since I'm a big listener of classical music. Being Chinese, I think Bill Brown's done a good job composing with Chinese folk insturments and the tracks did sound genuine. I can't really judge for the GLA since I'm not a rock fan nor am informed about Arab music. I also like that hardcore electric guitar track in the intro and featured on one U.S. mission. If it gets the theme of war going, I'm listening.
I haven't played Rise of Nations, but from such a grand title, I presume they used an orchestra.
They were all grand (the Chinese battle music was AWESOME!), but I liked the GLA the best. Y'know, if you have the game, you can get a program that takes the song files from the game and converts them into MP3's so you can listen to them OUT of the game. Which I do.
Oh, and for RoN, they use an Orchestra. It's pretty good too.
UberPenguinLand
05-07-2005, 02:32
Battlefield Vietnam. Takes a bunch of classics, and lumps them together. And I like how you can only listen in Vehicles, and enemies can be alerted by hearing it. Also, pretty much any game with Uematsu as the composer for it's music has a great soundtrack.
I don't know which games have the most 'expensive' soundtracks. In my knowledge they would probably be the unsuccessful Kingpin: Life of Crime and MOHAA.
Kingpin featured a few tracks from the new Cypress Hill album at that time. The band thought it was good promotion.
As for MOHAA, the Seattle Symphony performed the soundtrack!
Messplaced
05-07-2005, 02:32
Final Fantasy, VII, IX, and X definately take the cake, but Secret of Mana is awesome too.
The Lightning Star
05-07-2005, 02:34
Battlefield Vietnam. Takes a bunch of classics, and lumps them together. And I like how you can only listen in Vehicles, and enemies can be alerted by hearing it. Also, pretty much any game with Uematsu as the composer for it's music has a great soundtrack.
I agree with the Uematsu comment, and BV is OK, but I exchanged the hippie music for my EvE online soundtrack.
Oh, and that's right! EvE online is t3h pwnz0rz when it comes to music(but then again, so is everything by Uematsu).
I hope the guy who is replacing Uematsu is as good...
Y'know, if you have the game, you can get a program that takes the song files from the game and converts them into MP3's so you can listen to them OUT of the game. Which I do.
I've been wanting to do that for YEARS! Please show me how!
Devon Land
05-07-2005, 02:35
A couple of my favorite game soundtracks are the Myth series, and the Marathon series. Vietnam war games also generally have pretty good soundtracks.
Battlefield Vietnam. Takes a bunch of classics, and lumps them together. And I like how you can only listen in Vehicles, and enemies can be alerted by hearing it. Also, pretty much any game with Uematsu as the composer for it's music has a great soundtrack.
Didn't that game have a soundtrack of '60s and '70s American rock and pop? LOL! On the box it claims that you can bring in a speaker truck and blast that crap on a Viet Cong camp for psywar.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (the New Wave Channel especially)
more seriously... the Command and Conquer Games have good soundtracks... for country, Railroad Tycoon 2 rocks...
But my favorite soundtrack is when I turn the sound in the game all the way down, and open up my windows media player and listen to my library.
You're on the right track but it's gotta be Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas! Especially Radio Los Santos (Modern Hip-Hop/Rap), Bounce FM (Classic Funk), and Radio X (Rock/Alternative).
UberPenguinLand
05-07-2005, 02:37
I agree with the Uematsu comment, and BV is OK, but I exchanged the hippie music for my EvE online soundtrack.
Oh, and that's right! EvE online is t3h pwnz0rz when it comes to music(but then again, so is everything by Uematsu).
I hope the guy who is replacing Uematsu is as good...
I'm probably gonna stop buying Square games now that Mist Walker has Sakaguchi, Uematsu, and Amano. If they had Ted Woolsey for localization, they would have the perfect RPG company. I <3 Woolsey's translations. 'Son of a Submariner!', 'You spoony bard!', and Edgar hitting on Terra were all classics.
Watterston
05-07-2005, 02:39
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Parasite Eve series yet. beautifully creepy chamber music.
UberPenguinLand
05-07-2005, 02:39
Didn't that game have a soundtrack of '60s and '70s American rock and pop? LOL! On the box it claims that you can bring in a speaker truck and blast that crap on a Viet Cong camp for psywar.
I didn't mean it was classical, I just meant songs that were considered classics, like 'War' by Edwin Starr, or 'You Really Got Me' by the Kinks. It's great how the soundtrack is actually a gameplay element instead of being there just to be there.
I have very strong feelings for RA1, since it's the first game that I thoroughly enjoyed, it got me listening to music (yes, the first time I actually listened to music was putting on the RA soundtrack) and it introduced me to war. I occassionally (a few times a month) play RA, even to this day.
I feel strangely nostalgic when my copy of RA takes it sacred place once more in the CD drive...
I didn't mean it was classical, I just meant songs that were considered classics, like 'War' by Edwin Starr, or 'You Really Got Me' by the Kinks. It's great how the soundtrack is actually a gameplay element instead of being there just to be there.
I knew exactly what you mean, that's why I wouldn't be playing a game like that, no matter how much I want to kill some commies.
The Lightning Star
05-07-2005, 02:43
I'm probably gonna stop buying Square games now that Mist Walker has Sakaguchi, Uematsu, and Amano. If they had Ted Woolsey for localization, they would have the perfect RPG company. I <3 Woolsey's translations. 'Son of a Submariner!', 'You spoony bard!', and Edgar hitting on Terra were all classics.
I'll buy 'em both.
Square Enix makes wonderful RPG's, and Mist Walker looks like it will too.
New British Glory
05-07-2005, 02:46
I loved Aeris' theme in FFVII. I also loved the central song in FFVIII (something like "Eyes for Me"). Both of those were fairly tear jerking. I can still remember the death of Aeris - it is one of my most vivid gaming memories and the music only makes it more so. The FFVIII song was also deeply touching and was a great accompaniment to the overarching theme of love that ran throughout the game.
The Lightning Star
05-07-2005, 02:47
I've been wanting to do that for YEARS! Please show me how!
I can't remember...
Don't worry though, I'll find it!
I haven't played Call of Duty, how's its soundtrack compared to MOHAA? I know that they both done by the same composer.
New British Glory
05-07-2005, 02:48
I haven't played Call of Duty, how's its soundtrack compared to MOHAA? I know that they both done by the same composer.
CoD has a great sound track, one of the best. So does MOH come to that.
I can't remember...
Don't worry though, I'll find it!
I am as excited as a virgin soldier about take his baptism of fire!
CoD has a great sound track, one of the best. So does MOH come to that.
What I don't like about the MOH soundtrack is that some of the tracks are too programmed for that particular mission, so it seems rather awkward listening to it if I'm not playing the game.
The Lightning Star
05-07-2005, 02:51
FOUND IT!
Final Big
http://www.planetcnc.com/files/main/index.asp?category=generals§ion=utilities
It's near the bottom. To download, you need to register(don't worry, tis free) at Fileplanet/gamespy. Then you just install it and tell to extract the music file. (which is either Music.big or MusicZH.big)
Rejoice! Does the same utility work for other (C&C) games as well?
Cold Flesh
05-07-2005, 02:52
Good mention of Total Annihilation by the thread starter; that was classic. The soundtrack to the follow-up, Kingdoms, was also beautiful music. Much more subtle, and less bombast.
The only other game scores/soundtracks that have really made me notice in the past were Unreal and Unreal Tournament, and also WH40K: Chaos Gate.
Doubtless there are many more i'd love but those are the only ones I ever really recall.
Good mention of Total Annihilation by the thread starter; that was classic. The soundtrack to the follow-up, Kingdoms, was also beautiful music. Much more subtle, and less bombast.
Didn't TAK employed a more medieval soundtrack compared to the old TA's blazing orchestral war movie style?
The Lightning Star
05-07-2005, 03:01
Rejoice! Does the same utility work for other (C&C) games as well?
If they have .big files, which I doubt.
Anyone here played RTCW? That game's soundtrack sucked balls! I can't believe that the same talented composer who wrote the score for Generals would produce something so shockingly poor! It absolutely ruined the gameplay.
Bongladesh
05-07-2005, 03:02
Without question, hands down, the best video game soundtrack of all time award goes to...
Katamari Damacy.
For those of you who don't know, this is a game for the PS2 wherein you roll stuff up into giant balls. I know it sounds stupid, but believe me, it's amazing, as is the soundtrack. Totally addictive, musically and gameplay wise.
If they have .big files, which I doubt.
What programs are suitable for ripping the .mix files from the games of the old C&C.
I have to say Call of Duty. The only one I have played in Finest Hour, but the music from the first Russian missions almost made me cry when I played it for the first time.
I have to say Call of Duty. The only one I have played in Finest Hour, but the music from the first Russian missions almost made me cry when I played it for the first time.
I haven't hear it but what so special about Ivans?
UberPenguinLand
05-07-2005, 03:06
I'll buy 'em both.
Square Enix makes wonderful RPG's, and Mist Walker looks like it will too.
But most of the people who made those wonderfull RPGs are now at Mist Walker or other companies. Sakaguchi's stories, Uematsu's music, and Amano's character designs are what made games like Chrono Trigger and the FF series great. And Ted Woolsey's translations, which were great considering the restrictions he had. Take FFVI for example. He had to take a huge script, pretty much halve it, conform to strict censors like no using the words kill, die, or holy, and do it all in a month.
The Lightning Star
05-07-2005, 03:07
What programs are suitable for ripping the .mix files from the games of the old C&C.
I dunno.
Look up .mix extractor..
I dunno.
Look up .mix extractor..
Roger!
Texpunditistan
05-07-2005, 03:12
Not counting the various GTA radio soundtracks... I'd have to say that my favorite game soundtrack would be the spy-jazz soundtrack of XIII. Absolutely perfect...amazingly performed and made the game even more playable.
Now...if I could find a CD of the soundtrack... :D
Get an extractor! Like what I'm searching for.
Too many to list, but a few favorites:
Anything by Nobuo Uematsu
Starcraft music(they never get annoying)
DDR( ;) )
Anything megaman
F-Zero music
The Lightning Star
05-07-2005, 04:35
Bump.
And my favorite Starcraft song was "Radio free zerg".
The Great Sixth Reich
05-07-2005, 05:15
GTA Series
Driver Series
MOH Series (screw COD!!! ;))
Mercenaries
Starcraft
Rome: Total War
Bump.
And my favorite Starcraft song was "Radio free zerg".
Starcraft seems to become boring no matter what. That game quickly lost its appeal to me. Maybe I'm too much of a C&C fan.
Whenever that debate over Westwood vs. Blizzard RTS control interface/engine, I'm used to both and neither is better.
The Lightning Star
05-07-2005, 05:44
GTA Series
Driver Series
MOH Series (screw COD!!! ;))
Mercenaries
Starcraft
Rome: Total War
Darn!
I forgot R:TW :(
MOH Series (screw COD!!! ;))
Everybody says the opposite but I've yet to judge for myself.
The Lightning Star
05-07-2005, 05:50
Everybody says the opposite but I've yet to judge for myself.
I like 'em both.
Thanks for the link, now I can finally enjoy the music that I've always wanted to hear outside off the game.
-Everyknowledge-
05-07-2005, 07:09
I like the soundtrack for Super Bubble Pop. (My own X-Box saved songs!) :p
-Everyknowledge-
05-07-2005, 08:29
What's that?
Dammit, I didn't catch that spelling mistake! ARGH! :p *Rushes to correct*
Ya know, games like the Eye Toy or Sing Star and consoles in general do not interest adult males like me.
I haven't heard a game soundtrack that beats Warcraft II. Likewise, Heroes of Might and Magic II had an awesome opera soundtrack that I missed in the later games.
I've been playing Generals for quite some time recently and I think the US soundtrack should get a Pentagon endorsement! It's basically a soundtrack of the whole War on Terror! I'm not American but I actually felt patriotic when I heard it.
Now that I think about it, I actually enjoyed the soundtrack from Legend of Zelda, the Wind Waker. No matter where you were, the music and backround sounds were always perfect.
Tuesday Heights
06-07-2005, 07:53
Two of my favorite gaming soundtracks include Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Earthbound. The latter being found on the SNES, IMHO, has some of the best video game music of all time. It was also, for those of you who don't know, the first video game to ever sample music.
Dark Kanatia
06-07-2005, 07:59
Chrono Trigger has the best soundtrack. C&C: RA had a pretty good soundtrack as well.
Boonytopia
06-07-2005, 08:15
I almost always turn the soundtrack off & just have the sound effects.
C&C: RA had a pretty good soundtrack as well.
I missed hearing that music. I'm swarmed with nostalgia.
Good soundtracks... FF series
and surprisingly
Rumble Roses.
Nimzonia
12-07-2005, 14:07
I've been listening to the soundtrack off Darius Gaiden lately, and that stuff is seriously demented, but in an interesting way. I don't think I've played a more tripped out game.
The Lightning Star
13-07-2005, 00:51
FFXI= t3h pwnz0rz as well.
And Ted Woolsey's translations, which were great considering the restrictions he had.
No. Absolutely NOT. He totally fucked up the translations for every game he did, and sometimes, he actually managed to *ruin* the game because of it. He took out entire text blocks, added his own inept sense of humor, and did other horrible things.
Iron Fist Dictators
13-07-2005, 02:04
I liked the music in Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It really fit the background and stuff. Loved it.