Echo Screen #8: Video Game Music - The Greatest Hits
Commodore128The music of video games has changed quite a bit in the last 25 years. Just compare the fully orchestrated score from Modern Warfare 2 to the squeaks and beeps of the Atari 2600. Not only has the music matured, but its importance within video games has significantly changed as well. In this episode of the Echo Screen, the Commmodore and Roo run through the last 20 years of videogame music, picking out their (VERY subjective) favorites from video games past and present - with sample tracks from many of their picks. From Koji Kondo to the Jonathan Coulton, there's something here for everyone.
So secure those headphones and crank up the volume as the Clan of the Gray Wolf features the best of video game music!
You can download this episode as an mp3 by clicking here.
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Great review guys. Of course Final Fantsay XI is the best game and has the best music, my favorite song from Final Fantasy is the World Map theme, it is the epitome of adventuring music, get your adventurin' hats on!
Cyan's theme very noble, and tugs at the heart strings like no other!
I'd like to add a song off the top of my head that everyone should listen to, even though the playing of the game I don't necessarily suggest.
The best part of the LOTRO experience was the song I found in Tom Bombadil's house and I think it captures the essense of one of the Lord of the Ring's central themes of light in the face of overwhelming darkness, "Let Us Sing Together." I logged into the game for several days, not to play, but would just listen to this music while I did other things around the house because it is simply amazing, and I know I am not the only one to do this. Once I reached that part of the game I was content that I had nothing left to want from LOTRO.
Edit- found the song's title
Is it weird that when you mentioned Guild Wars I nearly screamed? If you ever wanna hit me up I am Ralas In Chains in guild wars. Guild Wars has arguably the best original score in a PC game ever
You'll have to hit up the Commodore for some Guild Wars action. I've actually never played (I know, I'm ashamed for myself). But I believe he's had a guild up for years called - appropriately enough - the Clan of the Gray Wolf.
Great list! I pretty much agree with all of it.
But there are a few great soundtracks on the saturn that you might want to give a listen to that us saturn fans, (yes, all 6 of us,) really love. Panzer Dragoon, NiGHTS, and shining force 3 all come to mind.
Don't forget the waterfall and the day/night cycle with the opening Zelda theme. Vampire Killer was good, but Bloody Tears was better. ;-)
Blaster Master, The Guardian Legend, and Crystalis are some of my favorite NES games that are a bit less popular. In addition to being incredibly fun, they all have exceptional music as well. For some reason, The Guardian Legend really speaks to me in its art style and music at the same time, so it feels very person to me.
No love for Koichi Sugiyama? He's way better than Nobuo...
"Argument made for Double Dragon?" When'd you talk about Double Dragon? :-P
The Dig for PC had a very interesting sound track. Very alien, synthesized, etc., but also very soothing and inspiring. I still listen to its music when I need to buckle down and work on something for a long time; for some reason it helps me.
I played Halo 3 and while it had good music, only about 1/10 of the game seemed to have music set to it. So I actually would say music was not central to that game...
I'm not sure about the rest of the series, but Persona 4 has some pretty good music.
Plus it came with the soundtrack.
There's a game for the PC that came out in the late 90's, made the the almighty Tim Schafer, called Grim Fandango. Personally it's my favorite game of all time but it has some great music as well. Her's some tracks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUbC7wODqW8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s1Izd3pzrI (my personal favorite) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57XW60cKnjQ Grim Fandango is definitely an experience. It sucks that it didn't do so well. It truly is a (dare I say it) PC gem!