Forums > General Chatter > Freeman's Music Corner

When done right, video game music is an integral part of the experience. I've been introduced to many fantastic games via their soundtracks, as well. Enjoy this thread dedicated largely to video game music! There will be consecutive postings due to the nature of this thread, by the way. Let's start this thread off with a triple-feature!


"The Boy's Got Wings" from Ys III: Wanderers from Ys (Turbo CD)
https://youtu.be/LJnhYhL2-fM

Easily one of my favorite video game soundtracks, Ys III has a wide variety of genres, from rock to synth orchestral. I can only imagine how amazing it was to hear this back in the days of 16-bit sound.


"Devil Hunter/Mode Select" from Devil May Cry 2
https://youtu.be/UeWnVzhuKaE

One of the most under-appreciated soundtracks is DMC2. An almost immaculate selection of hard rock, with synth and quieter pieces peppered about for good measure.


"Title Theme" from Jet Force Gemini
https://youtu.be/khlPGVOGL2g

Perhaps the greatest N64 score, Jet Force Gemini changed my perception of what video game music could accomplish. From the triumphant title theme onwards, each track suits its environs perfectly, using emotional strings as well as haunting ambience to do so.


What are some of your favorite video game soundtracks?

A song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RqzFkV2K4g
Film reviews: https://letterboxd.com/Follow_Freeman/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVo7uK3vlYw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aToOckImfM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVpJTLpPLD0

I like a surprising amount of music from Street Fighter Alpha 3, and I love most of the music from Mega Man 2. Capcom in general delighted me for much of around 20 years, honestly. My favorite soundtrack is probably Yasunori Mitsuda's work for Chrono Cross, and he is one of my favorite composers in general. Final Fantasy VI also had some amazing tunes. Beyond that, I tend not to pay a whole lot of attention to game music, honestly.

"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." - John F. Kennedy on reality

"What if everything you see is more than what you see--the person next to you is a warrior and the space that appears empty is a secret door to another world? What if something appears that shouldn't? You either dismiss it, or you accept that there is much more to the world than you think. Perhaps it really is a doorway, and if you choose to go inside, you'll find many unexpected things." - Shigeru Miyamoto on secret doors to another world2

Since you're a fan of Mitsuda's work, I think you would be interested in some of the works at OCRemix.org. There are entire albums of fan-made arrangements of his music from such games as Chrono Trigger, Radical Dreamers, and Xenogears, all for free!

A song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RqzFkV2K4g
Film reviews: https://letterboxd.com/Follow_Freeman/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVo7uK3vlYw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aToOckImfM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVpJTLpPLD0

I'm aware of OCRemix, and I even backed them substantially on Kickstarter when they put together that Final Fantasy project. One of their community members composed a beautiful Zelda II medley that is (as far as I know) the only game composition I have on my iPhone.

"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." - John F. Kennedy on reality

"What if everything you see is more than what you see--the person next to you is a warrior and the space that appears empty is a secret door to another world? What if something appears that shouldn't? You either dismiss it, or you accept that there is much more to the world than you think. Perhaps it really is a doorway, and if you choose to go inside, you'll find many unexpected things." - Shigeru Miyamoto on secret doors to another world2

Here are two games I plan to review soon. I'm not sure which to take on first, so if anyone is particularly interested in either game, let me know!



"Camanis Level (Remix)" from Tyrian 2000
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pS7yQ9M63M

Oh, ho, you thought Thunder Force IV or Gate of Thunder or some other game with Thunder in the title was the best shmup ever made? Wait 'till you hear about this one...


"Efrain's Return (Extended)" from Castlevania: The LeCarde Chronicles 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VjqXbwhv3Y&list=PLhV0S_CLD6ZTxM8nfBTQLwW46_3965W11&index=7

The production values in this game are astounding! As you might have inferred, this game is a sequel to an equally excellent game; the original is a Rondo of Blood-style affair, and the sequel is what we might call a Metroidvania.

A song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RqzFkV2K4g
Film reviews: https://letterboxd.com/Follow_Freeman/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVo7uK3vlYw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aToOckImfM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVpJTLpPLD0

Time for some obscure soundtracks to get their due.



"Level 0" from Tetris CD-i
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXvztldcWA4

Wonderful studying music right here. This version of Tetris was kinda clunky, but I liked the pleasant nature footage in the background. More interesting than just a plain backdrop. Actually, there are some really neat Tetris games out there; maybe I'll review some of them.


"Time" from Deep Fear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLqeEe4VM5w

Resident Sea-vil took the seminal '96 title's formula and decided to focus on the running back and forth through empty corridors to get stuff bit instead of anything tense. I don't know how they got the composer for Ghost and the Shell on this sinking ship, but we got some great music out of the deal. Watch the abridged Retsupurae videos on this game if you are interested in it.


"Stellar Light" from Eschatos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qecqf_nRzUM

Now THIS is some shmup music! Yousuke Yasui is easily one of my favorite composers. Amazing from start to finish.

A song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RqzFkV2K4g
Film reviews: https://letterboxd.com/Follow_Freeman/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVo7uK3vlYw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aToOckImfM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVpJTLpPLD0

Been too long since I've posted in this thread. Let's hear some obscure classics!

"Isotoxin" from In Pursuit of Greed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmaxOSAe7Jw

Very interesting FPS for its time. The soundtrack surpasses that of any FPS prior and is still a giant today. This track was also featured in Unreal, so you know this OST is something special.


"Title" from Over Horizon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdotzyCSEYA

One of the better NES shmups. I may review this one soon.


"Island of Ruins" from Ardy Lightfoot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lawboQcT1I

This one I will review soon. Ardy has one of the most atmospheric soundtracks of any 16-bit platformer, which, alongside the interesting aesthetic, help make it more than the many mascot cash-ins of the era.

I thought I'd chime in with some favourite shooter tunes of my own:

VERYTEX - Act 4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1d1pwSYa_I

SPACE MEGAFORCE - Space Cruiser
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgRpU70fX2A&list=PL1ED6389785C4A71E&index=9

GATE OF THUNDER - Stage 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sThnCzeNyEk

BLAZING LAZERS - Area 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fhbf99ZrH3E&list=RDFhbf99ZrH3E&index=1

R-TYPE III - Stage 5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo7YkdX17i8&list=PLB0xooEkKbSa2P3LvcYjKqw7VecTNBrhP&index=18

GINGA FUKEI DENSETSU SAPPHIRE - Boss Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flfyG6AJXe8&list=RDflfyG6AJXe8&t=53

AXELAY - Colony
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrWp4taT4yI&list=RDOrWp4taT4yI&t=85

R-TYPE DELTA - Fate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4YcMZ09K0A&index=12&list=PLXSaJ1VYkIYuzScqXdQahXAmgI7ul7o33

RAYSTORM - Intolerance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baChi7Niaz0&list=RDbaChi7Niaz0&t=56

I don't have to prove I'm refined - that's what makes me refined!

Oh, cool! There's a few here I haven't played yet; I may have to get to that before publishing my Tyrian review. I'll follow up with music from more shmups:

"Stage 1" from ring^-27
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iewDKOgFNc

This game gets the award for weirdest shmup title. It sounds like one of those bizarre visual novels. I haven't tried this one yet, though.


"Will Force (Arrange)" from Mamoru Has Been Cursed!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqGdXTfoo9Q

More Yousuke Yasui excellence. It seems Touhou may be the third or so most influential shmup (behind R-Type and Gradius) in terms of aesthetics.


"Judgement Day" from Don-Don-Pachi Black Label
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jQgU4orrV8

Jake "virt" Kaufman, composer of Shovel Knight and many tunes from DwellingofDuels.net, lends his talents to this remake of the seminal bullet-hell title.

I'll get in on this on what remains my favourite OST of all time. I even imported the album:

Wild Arms - Ps1 Soundtrack

For us. For them. For you.

Happy birthday, my fellow of good taste:

http://ocremix.org/album/35/wild-arms-armed-and-dangerous

I was always struck by the beauty of the Wild Arms 3 soundtrack, myself. The first one had some good selections, but didn't stick with me to the same extent.

"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." - John F. Kennedy on reality

"What if everything you see is more than what you see--the person next to you is a warrior and the space that appears empty is a secret door to another world? What if something appears that shouldn't? You either dismiss it, or you accept that there is much more to the world than you think. Perhaps it really is a doorway, and if you choose to go inside, you'll find many unexpected things." - Shigeru Miyamoto on secret doors to another world2

It's been too long since I had the time to be online. Now for some movie soundtracks! I'd like to write about these movies and more; I guess the blog sections here would be fine to do so, right? But anyway:

"Doors and Distance" from Birdman/The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_2eNgkWGns
This masterpiece broke into the mainstream largely because of its fascinating premise: an aging superhero actor tries to regain his image by directing, producing, and starring in a play adaptation of a classic book. The former superhero actor is played by Michael Keaton. As in, the star of the Tim Burton Batman movies. The soundtrack, like the cinematography, is experimental and succeeds in crafting an electric atmosphere.


"Liberation" from 127 Hours
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH2R_kb1OmU
How do you make a movie set almost entirely in one location, starring one actor for the majority of the film? You get the director of Slumdog Millionaire and you make sure everyone's on their a-game, that's how. And you end up with one of the best survival stories ever told.


"Too Hip to Retire" from Whiplash
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxpPcf2pizc
Another of many fantastic movies from 2014, Whiplash may be the most tense experience in media I've ever had. Suffice it to say that the plot revolves around an aspiring jazz drummer and the obstacles he faces. Of course, the music is fantastic, but I recommend not spoiling much of it for yourself; if you like this track, check out the movie for even more musical goodness!

"Melting Point" by Mitch Murder
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw6pqJ9UltE
Oh, yeah, time for some synthwave, a wonderful music genre that's only getting bigger and better! Mitch Murder, who contributed to the soundtrack of Hotline Miami 2, is one of the leaders of this category of electronica. This album "Selections 3" is free on his Bandcamp (see video description).


"Take Off" by Konrad Celinski
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sapmFbvQNo
The amazing music of Konrad Celinski is some of the best in the genre, making excellent use of instrumentation, sound effects, and voice clips. This song is featured on YouTube channel LuigiDonatello, thoug don't miss the picks by ThePrimeThanatos, either.


"Everything" by FM-84
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYoWstToygA
FM-84 may be my favorite synthwave artist. All their music is sublime, and their "Atlas" may be my favorite synthwave album. It's certainly one of my all-time favorites!

"06 ECCOと悪寒ダイビング" from Macintosh Plus' album Floral Shoppe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PlCaoxCHCs
It's time to feature tracks from what might be my new favorite music genre: vaporwave! This genre is a chill, ambient subgenre of electronica, often taking preexisting sources and mixing them into something new. "Floral Shoppe" is the most well-known album of the genre and a good starting point for newcomers.


"Leaving Hollywood" from nmesh's album Nu.wav Hallucinations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bXOA1FV5Rc
Nmesh was the artist who introduced me to vaporwave, and Nu.wav Hallucinations is likely my favorite of his albums. Here we hear a wildly different version of Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "Relax," which was already a great song. Don't ask me which one I like more!


"New Wave" from Macross 82-99's album Sailorwave
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtBOlvHwpFo
Macross 82-99 is one of the most well-known artists of future funk, which is arguably a subset of vaporwave. Whatever it fits into, there's no denying that some of her music is astoundingly good.

"Battle BGM (Arrange CD)" from Princess Maker 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdHKg6d9PXI
Time for some FM-Towns music! This game is a sim/RPG in which you raise a child to influence her path in life, accompanied by GAINAX of Neon Genesis Evangelion fame. Princess Maker 2 has a Steam re-release, and while I don't know if it's any good, but the music sure is!


"Tower of Destiny" from Rusty
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyJ5jvROwac
Rusty is basically a Castlevania game; there exists an English translation patch, so I may play and review this some day. Are you noticing a theme with these game covers?


"Shop Demo" from Grounseed (PC-98)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLOqRHi927g
A masterwork from my favorite composer, Ryu Umemoto. Expect me to feature more of his music in the future. Absolutely astounding.

Vaporwave Picks II: The Return. These fit surprisingly well with playing Yume Nikki, incidentally.

"NΞΘN DRΞΛMS INFINITY" and "KΞΞP/////THIS/////" from nmesh's "Dream Sequins"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa4hOFVGHIA
The majestic madness of nmesh takes its most dreamlike state in this album. Few other works, audio or otherwise, allow for such an entrancing experience as this auditory simulation of dreams. "KΞΞP/////THIS/////" is my favorite song of the album (perhaps the peak of vaporwave as a genre), but "NΞΘN DRΞΛMS INFINITY" segues into it so impeccably that I had to throw that in as well.


"東京 HAZE (extended tape version)" from 猫 シ Corp.'s "SANDRAWAVE"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ao97vrAkF8
Another of my favorite vaporwave artists. By the way, most of these guys have their work up for free on Bandcamp. Check the links in these videos!


"永遠に生きる" by t e l e p a t h テレパシー能力者
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtLVMEjnoB8
His music titles aren't English-friendly, but it's worth the trouble to find the music of t e l e p a t h -- not "telepath," mind you. He might be the most prolific artist in the genre, making an ocean of excellent albums and collaborations over the years.

A song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RqzFkV2K4g
Film reviews: https://letterboxd.com/Follow_Freeman/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVo7uK3vlYw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aToOckImfM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVpJTLpPLD0

Been too long since I did one of these. Let's go!

"Theme" from Stalker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoxvBeaPi04
Based on the same novel the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games adapted (Roadside Picnic), this masterwork from the late great Andrei Tarkovsky is perhaps my favorite film. Somberly silent and deliberately paced, it is not a movie for entertainment but for enlightenment as a group of people make their way through ruins searching for a wishing room, discussing their beliefs along the way.



"Haruka: Distant" from Umineko
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh1VTKXCGVQ
I've heard good things about this visual novel series featuring a dizzying cosmology. I'm reluctant to try it as most VNs and other anime-infused works are poorly written, but if the story is one-tenth as good as the music here, I'll give it a shot!



"Shine On You Crazy Diamond" by Pink Floyd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWGE9Gi0bB0
One of my favorite songs by one of my favorite bands. This was written in honor of a member of the band who left. By the way, Pink Floyd have an amazing experimental film titled Pink Floyd: The Wall based on the album of the same name. Bold, baffling, and beautiful.

A song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RqzFkV2K4g
Film reviews: https://letterboxd.com/Follow_Freeman/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVo7uK3vlYw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aToOckImfM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVpJTLpPLD0

Nice, those are some pretty eclectic selections. As a tribute to APC's 'new' album which came out a few months ago, and to the upcoming Tool album (hard rock's Detox?), these are my top ten Maynard songs in no particular order:

1. 3 Libras
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmcvczx6LOA

2. Judith
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzf09PYSuhk

3. The Hollow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avgiqNapUx0

4. Weak and Powerless
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtvvzxET1GI

5. The Patient
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtHAKEZzrl8

6. H
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iXMhphebGI

7. Stinkfist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-IR9oNzdrA

8. Schism
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yNAABKD4IA

9. Jambi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF0lVn3n12I

10. Vicarious
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOKV9Stri_M

Sober, Lateralus and Right in Two round out the list as my honorable mentions.

I don't have to prove I'm refined - that's what makes me refined!

Hey, @Masters, that's pretty good! I've been looking for some good tracks of that kind of music lately, so big thanks! I'm amazed by how I can just stumble upon a really great band that scratches an itch of mine. I did that recently with a band called Ozric Tentacles, a sort of psychedelic rock group with tunes that wouldn't be out of place in Unreal Tournament. And no, I haven't tried to see what the name brings up in Google Images...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf0-zrV0uHg

Look forward to a double-feature this week; I'll spare the already overtaxed judges some more reading for now. Until then, subscribe to these grossly overlooked music channels!



"Castlevania Adventure II - Praying Hands" by Mozzaratti
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwOFkeCU7hQ
This contributor to such masterclass albums as Harmony of a Hunter is a wizard of orchestral rock. He needs more support for his craft. Give him some.


"King Dedede's Theme [Midnight Driver Remix]" by DjKlzonez
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Wf1nMIzK3o
DjKlzonez has such a diverse selection of amazing remixes from a variety of styles, so it's hard to pick just one to define him. This one has a funny take on Nicolas Winding Refn's excellent Drive, though, so there's that. A sense of humor and good taste in tunes make for a great combo.



"Another Medium [Dark Synth]" by SlashBib
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q_JuY9SiNQ
Ubertale remixes are all over the place, so it takes serious skill to stand out from the crowd in this regard. And SlashBib has serious skill.



"Dogs Of War / Amiga 500 Metal Version" by Aki Järvinen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAtCreE-f9c
This. Is. Metal.



"Club Wario Inc." by Forgotten Dawn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gWvtWr_wT0
The fact that this artist and others like him are practically unknown and waiting to be found is both reassuring and truly, utterly terrifying. Discover sonic bliss. Forgotten Dawn has a lot to share.

Tracker time! Modern music crafted to old hardware specifications is some of the best jammin' you can ask for, any time, any place.

"Elimination (Part 2)" by LizardKing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDyFRTINzxE

An ideal place to look for good tracker music is sLASH's YouTube channel. The massive variety of music (much of it exclusive to his channel on YT) demonstrates the sheer variety of the demoscene has in terms of genre and execution. And somewhere near the top of it all is this groovy opus by LizardKing.



"Eternity" by 4mat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcmPfholujo

Note that this song uses C64 chips. Note that this song is astoundingly amazing. Note that this song is part of a free Bandcamp album. Think modern pop music stinks? Why pay for lousiness when you can pick up excellence for free, maybe even throwing some gratitude cash to the ones who deserve it?



"Orchard Street" by Andrew "Necros" Sega
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOp27j3-NtQ&index=23&list=PL737D46790EF1995D&t=0s

My favorite tracker artist happens to have worked on the exceedingly excellent soundtracks of Unreal Gold and Unreal Tournament '99. Necros excels at any style he goes for, and he takes what could be composed as simple melodies and takes them to unexpected places. It;s hard to pick a favorite, but I think this song just defines me in some strange way.