This time round Origami Killer wants to talk to you about what music means to him, particularly when games use it.
I’ve always been a musical person, in my life I’ve learnt how to play Guitar, Violin and now Piano. So when I play a video game the soundtrack is always something I listen out for. For a game to be great it is essential for it to have a really memorable soundtrack in my opinion; it helps me connect with the game.
What has really brought the subject of soundtracks to my mind is the recent “Video Game Heroes” show as part of the Vision Sound Musical Festival. Here the London Philharmonic Orchestra performed many pieces of music from a series of different video games. More can be read here thanks to our very own TSA News Team.
Moving on from the event I would like to talk about some of my favourite or most memorable soundtracks that I have encountered. There are only a handful of games that I have played where I have stopped playing just to listen to the music in the background. Of course one of these games is Uncharted 2.
The soundtrack of the game is without a doubt the best on any game this generation; it’s varied, compelling and powerful. Other than that, the way it seamlessly changes into different moods is a big part of the Uncharted experience. At one point the music is spurring on action and makes you feel like you are right in the middle of the gunfight, similar to the feeling of a huge blockbuster movie. Then, with a snap of the fingers, the music is low and ominous, filling the atmosphere with tension for the gamer. It is utterly fabulous and ultimately a huge part in making Uncharted 2 the great game it is today.
Another main part of a strong soundtrack in a game is its ability to promote emotion. The title that does this best for me is a tie between Heavy Rain and, although not entirely a game, the Dead Island Teaser Trailer. The music scores in both have really made my eyes water and sometimes even shed a tear. It’s these types of soundtracks that I think connect you with the game most efficiently and they are so intense that you don’t even need an image on the screen to get the same feeling. Also for me the Dead Island melody is so difficult for me to describe, other than moving and compelling I can’t think of any other words that do it justice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_pzIWp5kCA
I also think that a soundtrack is a very good way to immerse you into a game or help you adjust to the culture of that game. L.A. Noire is a prime example; the in game radio features some wonderful songs recorded and produced by various artists around the world who have all re-mastered the 30/40’s Jazz vibe to near perfection. This makes it very easy for me to imagine the world of the game, but this time it is not by emotion but through the culture of the era.
I hope these examples have shown how music can be used so diversely in video games, which as a result refines the experience of gaming. The soundtrack is something I always keep an ear out for, and can sometimes even be a deciding factor in the decision of purchasing games. With the time and effort that goes into recording these musical scores they really should be more appreciated in gaming.
So do you share the same love for game soundtracks – If so have there been any stand alone soundtracks in your gaming experience? Don’t be shy either when admitting that a certain tune made your eyes slightly misty.
Jakster123x
Yeah, really love the Uncharted 2 soundtrack as well as Heavy Rain and Assassin’s Creed, especially Venice Rooftops from AC2.
The Lone Steven
No mention of the FF soundtrack!? you sir have offended me.:op
I love to listen to VG soundtracks. I like it in New Vegas when you are traveling by foot with the soundtrack playing in the background as it adds to the experenice. When the Vault 13 song started playing in vault 21, it added a sense of something that i can’t explain but it just adds to the experience.
The ME soundtrack is also excellent as it helps the story to be more epic. Sure, they fight a massive monster but without the music it would be bland. When the normandy is thingy majicgy and thingy is thingy then the ME theme song starts playing it gives you a sense of what is to come.
Another soundtrack is the DAO one. Even the main menu song is epic. It gives you a sense of what to expect. First it starts out soft and then picks up the pace. I could talk about the soundtracks in great depth but i think CB would murder me for breaking the site by having the largest comment in the history of TSA. Excellent article Origami Killer. :)
Also i always shed a tear when i listen to Aeris’s theme song due to that scene where you know what happens and if you don’t then shame on you for not playing FF7.
Origami Killer
Thanks, but I’m going to be offending you some more by saying that I have never played any Final Fantasy games ;) I can agree with the Fallout New Vegas ones, the in game radio is also very good, especially the New Vegas Radio station (the first one) which has some excellent songs which are depressing but really set the mood up for travelling across the wasteland.
The Lone Steven
*kidnaps origami killer and puts a bomb collar on his neck which will explode if he doesn’t play and enjoy FF and it’s soundtrack.* :p I like the radio but after a while it got repitive but the background music never gets old. Hoover Dam’s BGM gave you a feel of a miltary base and that something is about kick off at any minute. I am glad that they included some songs from Fallout 1 and 2 as thoses songs are excellent and do still give the same vibe that they did back then.
I like the intro/main menu song as it is epic. It starts off slow and gets faster. Which symbolises the player starting off very underpowered and turning into a killing machine.(but still faces a challenge.) I could talk for hours but doctor who is on and this comment is starting to get a bit too big. We need a thread. TO THE FORUMS!*lights up the TSA GB signal in the sky*
Origami Killer
I’m safe by the way if anyone was wondering and my head hasn’t been blown off ;) I completely forgot about the opening music to New Vegas! HOW?! It’s awesome! :D
bacon_nuts
Portal 2 was nice, got that free also, other than that it has to be SOTC, which is just fantastic.. Red dead worked well too, got across the feel of the west quite nicely, and Fallout 3 did a good job on setting the theme, though that was waaaaaay too short for the 150+ hours I spent in world..
DRCD1
I just love Uncharted’s music.
Makes it feel very Firefly-ish, and I like it.
Dan Lee
Bastion’s soundtrack is stunning. So much so that I bought it and put it on my phone.
Roynaldo
Final Fantasy tracks otherwise known as The Black Mages (youtube them). Thats all I have to say, sit back and enjoy
XisTG
Music is indeed great. Besides the games you pointed, I also enjoy God of War’s scores, they’re quite epic (saw it live once, amazing).
And Fallout 3 radio. Those tunes are still stuck in my head!
THIS IS THREEE DAWG, AAAAAAUUUUUUUUUU!!!!
Origami Killer
I love GNR, I think the radios in Fallout 3 and slightly better than New Vegas. I really liked Three dog’s little story updates about you over the radio :)
hol
Ooo, KZ2 & 3 were great soundtracks, adding that extra something. RDR’s soundtrack is top notch & through headphones really immerses you when galloping across the old west!
But going right back, the little classical tunes that popped up in Elite, those got me into classical music, even though I was/am into rock & metal.
rht992
reminds me of the guest artical i did on soundtracks a while back. gotta love this generations music. the original bioshock is one of my favourites. i even have it on vinyl with the collectors edition thingy ma bob
Origami Killer
sorry how long ago was that? I lokoed through older ones to see if it had been done before.
Shakugan
No one mentioned Tales of Vesperia, Tales of …, BlazBlue, MvC3, Dynasty Warriors 7, Final Fantasy, Street Fighter and Split/Second?! Shame on you guys! Ò_Ó