(Video game) soundtracks

I make this thread to talk a little about soundtracks, especially from video games. To me it came from indie games. To be precise, BEEP, Braid and VVVVVV.

BEEP - small, sexy platformer, I enjoyed the soundtrack so much I purchased it on Bandcamp right after I finished the game. Very nice and relaxing sounds.
http://franciscofurtado.bandcamp.com/track/fungi-forest

Braid - one of best indie games of all time, also thanks to music you can find on Magnatune from artists like Shira Kammen or Swan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uejW9xIFCMw

VVVVVV - also already a legendary indie game, one of those who brought to us the 'retro reinvented' madness (pixel style graphics and chiptune soundtrack).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0j6pe043L4

And then there was much more and more...

My latest precious find is Faster Than Light soundtrack by Ben Prunty. Here you can find an interesting interview with composer with some pieces of game soundtrack included:
http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/01/21/ftl-faster-than-light-soundtrack-ben-prunty/

Recenly I am also listening to Edge soundtrack.
http://ninomojo.bandcamp.com/track/the-shameful-last-minute-music

How about you? Do you like game soundtracks? Which ones are your favourite? Or maybe you prefer movies soundtracks?

 

The entire Scott Pilgrim VS The World game's soundtrack is fucking fantastic. The Sub-boss theme just so happens to be a favorite. Anamanaguchi is the best thing to happen to chiptune music ever.

However, there is one game soundtrack that beats out Scott Pilgrim's soundtrack... And damn near every other OSV ever composed. (Except maybe for Chrono Trigger...)

That soundtrack is from the game La-Mulana.




These two tracks are just two of probably 2-3 DOZEN that are equally as amazing. It really gives the game it's own feel, and really does seem like an old school computer game. IF YOU HAVE NEVER PLAYED LA-MULANA, HERE IS A REVIEW I WROTE AS TO WHY YOU SHOULD:

Spoiler: WHY LA-MULANA MAKES MY DICK ROCK HARD

I’ll be the first to admit it; when I first played La Mulana, I tried my best to get through the Guidance Gate (the first “stage”). I remember that I just kept thinking, “What’s all the fuss about? This isn’t anything special,” and, “Sweet Lord, you’ve gotta be kidding me! Why the hell did they make this game so difficult?!” After dying about 10 more times (not realizing that you REALLY had to think about the puzzles), I finally closed the game, and put it down for about a year…

After hitting a freeware indie dry spell, I was searching through my games folder and saw La Mulana. “Well, I might as well try it again.” About half an hour later, I was facing the first Guardian of La Mulana, and it instantly sparked a new found love for this game. I played through it in about a month on and off, and am going to attempt the Hell Temple… When I work up the nerve!
Now, I’m going to be honest here. La Mulana is a game that doesn’t pull any punches, it isn’t going to hold your hand, and there are no lengthy tutorials or an abundance of hints. You don’t gather avatar strength, you don’t get weapons upgrades aside from a few stronger whips, and the puzzles are something maddeningly difficult. I’m almost ashamed to admit that I needed a walkthrough to get through about 50% of this game.

If you have a true love for the retro, don’t mind a grand challenge, and have about 20 hours to spare, La Mulana is your new bandwagon. Everybody rants and raves about how AMAZING Cave Story is, and while I’ll admit it’s a really fun game and everyone should check it out, I honestly believe that La Mulana is far, FAR superior. The graphics style is truly reminiscent of old school PC games (the MSX, specifically) and the HUGE labyrinth is colorful and varied. The controls take some getting used to, but once you get the hang of how Lemeza’s jumping works they’re as smooth as butter. The difficulty, as I’ve stated, is absolutely mind-numbing, so don’t be afraid to bring up a walkthrough or a Let’s Play if you’re stuck. The level design is something to behold; some levels require pixel-perfect precision, while some areas require you to swim through water (and lava?!). The music is probably the shining star of the game, though, as each track fits more than perfectly with every area; Inferno is pulse pounding, exciting, and makes you feel like you’re really traversing a volcano, and the song for the battle with Tiamat (Interstice Of The Dimension) may be one of the best boss battle themes ever composed.

All in all, La Mulana is a freakin’ GAME, and it’s highly recommended to retro gamers who don’t mind a little punishment. I know it brought out the masochist in me. Once you realize just how massive this game is, it’ll blow your mind. Even more mind-blowing is the fact that this was made by a very small group of people, and it’s obvious that a lot of love and attention went into the development. It doesn’t get NEARLY the amount of recognition that it deserves, as it is now near the top of my top 10 favorite games of all time list. There is a WiiWare port of the game coming (if Nicalis would kick dragging their damned feet!) and I’m looking forward to it! This game really should set the bar for independent (hell, even MAJOR) developers, and should send a message that even a game that’s made to look, sound, play and FEEL like a game from over two decades ago can be better than most modern blockbusters. Download this, and get ready to have your world rocked. The adventure starts here!

 

Check this out:
'
Amazing game btw. I haven't played much of it yet, but I did see a very short introduction type video that played the first 10 minutes.
This really goes well with my love of surrealism:D
Of course, the game its self is very surreal.

 

I personally enjoy alot the soundtrack of Hotline Miami. Every soundtrack in is freaking great.
These songs fits so great with some exploding heads.

http://youtu.be/YJGmoWE5rnM


http://youtu.be/pB63r8nJaII


http://youtu.be/sg8Ss61yJWs

 

Spoiler: Bastion

A few from (obviously) the same game.

 

You forgot Build That Wall. I really like that one from the Bastion soundtrack.

 

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.......
I know so many good video game songs I don't even know if I can count them all.

Besides the aformentioned Bastion, Scott Pilgrim VS The World, Hotline Miami, my favourite video game songs come from various sources (Note: they are not in any significant order, just the order I remembered right now)

Spoiler: This will stretch the page a bit

Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together - Breath of Earth
Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together - Avilla Henya
For the past week or so I have been playing Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together on the snes and having a blast with it. The soundtrack is very impressive.

Riviera: The Promised Land - Decisive Battle With Hector
Riviera: The Promised Land is one of the gems on GBA that I will play from time to time, because it's appealing both visually and audibly.

Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere - Execution
My favourite tune from that game hands down. I played Ace Combat 3 on my psx as a kid for countless hours. I just wish they made another AC like that. Too bad the US/EU port was butchered horribly too.

Aquaria - Above
Aquaria is one of those weird games that I never seem to complete, yet I still like very much. The theme for the Veil was one of the more memorable pieces from the game.

The Binding of Isaac - Sacrificial
The game was creepy and this song perfectly conveyed the feeling of horror and betrayal felt by Isaac.

Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow - Clock Tower
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow - Heart of Fire
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow is another one of those games I play from time to time. Some of the tracks in the game are quite remarkable. Besides, the theme of Julius is as badass as he ever was. I mean, who doesn't like awesome bearded men?

Final Fantasy V - The Four Warriors of Dawn
Final Fantasy V - Clash on the Big Bridge
Final Fantasy V - Forest of Moore
Speaking of awesome bearded men, I present you the theme song of Galuf. And Gilgamesh, even if he's not bearded, he's still awesome. I added Forest of Moore because it's simply so melancholic and in a way, otherwordly.

Golden Sun - The Elemental Stars
Golden Sun: The Lost Age - Aqua Rock
Golden Sun: The Lost Age - A Full Moon in Garoh
Golden Sun games on GBA were one of my late discoveries, even if I knew about them for years before. I like these soundtracks for their calmness and sorrow in their tune.

Castle Crashers: Mudholes
I dunno, this theme is just very action-packed and heroic.

Dwarf Fortress - Fortress Mode
Because Dwarf Fortress, that's why. Only game where your entire family can be killed by a skeletal carp hopping around the landscape while you are listening to this music.

Megaman Zero 2: Departure
The peak of the MMZ series soundtrack methinks.

inFAMOUS 2 - Half As Long, Twice As Bright
Okay, this song is here just because of it's relation to the scene it plays in. Killing your lifelong friend with your own hands shows how far you are willing to go.

Bastion - Setting Sail, Coming Home
I absolutely love Bastion and this song. I usually listen to this song when I'm on a train or bus heading home.

Portal 2 - The Part Where He Kills You
This theme made me go "oh shit oh shit oh shit" in a very awesome way.
Portal 2 - Light Bridge
Portal 2 - Companion Cube
Bet you didn't see those coming. They are not played in the game like the usual soundtracks, but they are played from their respective objects (near light bridge or companion cube). I have a thing for music that feel calm, lonely and sorrowful.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World The Game - Come On Down
But I also have a thing for action-packed boss-theme-like soundtracks.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World The Game - Shrine Bros
I have this masochistic relation to this song, because it used to play when I played Starcraft with my friends. And I got my ass kicked almost every time. This song reminds me the bitter defeat I endured countless times. Besides, this song is pretty good to imagine tanks rolling down the landscape on you.

World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King - Storm Peaks (night)
Did I say I was a sucker for calm?

Diablo 2: Lord of Destruction - Fortress
Because Diablo 2, that's why.

Unreal Tournament 2004 - Serenity
Airy, floaty, theme.

Fallout 2 - My Chrysalis Highwayman
Because there is no better song to dominate the dust of the wasteland in a car.

Spyro 2: Gateway to Glimmer - Winter Tundra
My favourite homeworld in Spyro 2 also comes with my favourite theme.

Devil May Cry 3 - Vergil Battle 2
I think this tune made that bossfight the best one.

Touhou 06: Embodiment of the Scarlet Devil - Apparitions Stalk the Night
At one point I played Touhou, I like this song because of it's fastpacedness.

Ragnarok Battle Offline - Running Shadow
Because fighting your doppelgänger is always loads of fun.

 

Eh, sound-of-the-music-wise I like Zulf's song better (Setting Sail, Coming home, was it? Not sure.) but the lyrics in Build That Wall are definitely more interesting.

 

Yeah, Build That Wall is definitely a minimalist blues song - all it's got is guitar and voice. But that's kind of what I like about it; no layers, just a smooth background, clever lyrics, and a simple pattern to follow.

 

Megaman X lovers probably don't like Megaman Zero series all that much, but this remix is pretty good:
Departure remix by Mythos

 

Never been a super huge fan of the Megaman series since MMX. It is really good, but I never got into it, mainly because I never owned it for the Super Nintendo and got to play it later on an emulator. That remix is really sweet though!

What about a track from the grandfather of all puzzle games, The Incredible Machine 3 - Hay Seed
The style is not usually my cup of tea, but it does bring back good memories of me watching my older brother play the game.

Also, an OCRemix I've fallen in love with as of late. Final Fantasy VI - Death on the snowfield. It is from my favourite track, Terra's theme that plays during the intro sequence. That song really makes me want to pick up the game and this time, complete it.

Edit: Great thread by the way!

 

Do that, bro, best part of Final Fantasy series!