Top Ten Video Game Soundtracks.

After my last post I decided to compose a list of my top ten favorite video game soundtracks. This was actually pretty hard for me to do because I enjoy so much music from so many different games. To make things a bit easier for myself, I decided on two different things. First off, I would only pick one soundtrack per game series. Secondly, that I was only going to pick soundtracks that I actually enjoy listening to in my free time. Therefore, no matter how great the original Mario Bros. soundtrack was, or how catchy the original Tetris theme was, I wasn't going to include them. And so, with these criteria in mind, I put came up with a list of my ten favorite, though they could realistically change on a weekly basis and what kind of mood I'm in. Well, here it is.



1. Halo: Combat Evolved

I didn't actually think this would end up with my number one spot, but when I started thinking about it I knew that's where it belonged. It's such a memorable soundtrack, and the majority of songs are really standout for me. Hearing the Gregorian chants of the Opening Suite is always so stirring, and probably the most memorable theme in recent years.

Favorite tracks: Opening Suite, Under Cover Of Night, Rock Anthem For Saving The Universe, Halo.



2. Metroid Prime

I actually was expecting this to end up in my number one slot. Anyone who ever talks games with me knows how much of a Metroid fan I am, and the music is one of the reasons that makes the games so great in my mind. The music of pretty much the entire series, Prime included, is incredibly moody and atmospheric. I've never understood why some of the series' music doesn't garner as much attention as, say, Zelda.

Favorite tracks: Title Theme, Main Menu, Talon Overworld I, Magmoor Caverns, Phendrana Drifts.

Runner-up: Super Metroid, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes.



3. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty

My first experience with the MGS franchise was actually MGS2. While I didn't understand some of the story until after I had already finished the game, it was still one of the most incredible experiences I've had with any game, and the music is one of those reasons. I usually skip any pre-title screen cinemas too avoid seeing anything that I'll be seeing in the opening of the game, but I simply couldn't stop this one from playing. Also, the track Opening Infiltration is one of the most atmospherically-settings opening tracks in video game history.

Favorite tracks: Metal Gear Solid Main Theme, Opening Infiltration, Russian Soldiers From Kasatka, It's The Harrier.

Runner-up: Metal Gear Solid.



4. Resident Evil 2

As I got into gaming more and more after the release of the N64 I started to become a big fan of the RE franchise, again starting with the second game in a series. The amazing, dark atmosphere really threw me for a loop at that age since I had never really experienced anything like it before then, and the soundtrack is really what helped craft it.

Favorite tracks: Front Hall, First Floor, Second Floor, Basement Of Police Station.

Runner-up: Resident Evil.



5. The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time

I can only imagine any big Zelda fans who look at this are raising an eyebrow at this one. The OoT soundtrack was the only Zelda OST, that I know of, to not include the series theme music. However, outside of some limited experience with the original Zelda, this was my first real outting with the series, and the soundtrack really blew me away, especially since I wasn't aware that something big was missing. Also, the soundtrack was later recorded using a full symphony, and I'm a huge fan of that version.

Favorite tracks: Bolero Of Fire, Hyrule Field, Kokiri Forest, Gerudo Valley.



6. Final Fantasy VII

While not one of my favorite games of all time, the soundtrack sure lives up to any hype you could give it. Really, I probably don't need to say much here. Most gamers, whether they love it or hate it, have heard some of the soundtrack before. "Seh-fi-roth!!!"

Favorite tracks: One-Winged Angel, Shinra Company, Final Fantasy VII Main Theme, J-E-N-O-V-A. Really, I'd like to list more, but since I don't have the soundtrack in any form it's kind of difficult to do.



7. Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening

While the soundtrack from the original could be better, I honestly haven't heard it in such a long time that I'm not sure. However, I love the techno/choir/metal-ish fusion DMC3's has. It's just all really fitting for the DMC franchise, and really helped make things memorable in my mind. Unfortunately I don't have the soundtrack on this PC, so I can't list specific favorites.

Favorite tracks: Devils Never Cry, misc. others.



8. Shadow Of The Colossus

Epic. That pretty much sums up the SoTC soundtrack. It simply pounds you whenever you encuonter one of the colossi, really elevating the feel of the battle, and instills such a feeling of sadness when one ends. It's one of those soundtracks you just know is going to be incredible as soon as you start things up.



9. Guilty Gear XX

Definitely my favorite fighting game soundtrack, and one that I've always enjoyed rocking to whenever I'm sitting at the computer. Also, the neo-classical-ish metal sound really favors my musical tastes, simply adding to why I like it so much.

Favorite tracks: Awe Of She, Holy Orders(Be Just Or Be Dead).



10. God Of War

As one could guess from the anger in my last post, I loved the soundtrack of God Of War. As soon as I heard chants of "Kratos!" while I ripped innocents apart for health, I fell in love. As far as I know the soundtrack hasn't been released on CD, so there's no way for me to list specific tracks.

Honorable Mentions: Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night, Ikaruga, Silent Hill 3.

A Bad Day For Gaming News.

It's only 2:00 PM on the East Coast, but that's been enough time for the gaming industry to hit me twice in my nether region.

First off, Blizzard announced that World Of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade, their first expansion for the MMO juggernaut, is delayed until January. They're going to extend the closed Beta and continue on combing things over, which is understandable. Still, it sucks for anyone who was hoping to play it next month. Honestly, I don't need it next month considering the console and game releases we'll be seeing then, but I was still hoping to gank fools with a Draenei warrior, or something of that nature. Atleast by then Blood Elves racial abilities won't be so good that everyone will want to play as one of them. And if they are...well, I can't gaurantee I won't be running around with blonde hair and pointy ears. I mean, they are elves, and they do crave dark energies.

The second punch, which brought pain which snakes up into one's abdomen(yes, that pain), can be read about here. Basically, Sony is holding a contest that will allow an unsigned band's song, picked through competition, to be included on the God Of War II soundtrack alongside "other major recording artists."

What. The. Fuck. For those of you who remember, Ubisoft included licensed music(Godsmack) in one of their Prince Of Persia titles, a decision that didn't sit well with fans at all. That decision didn't affect me because I wasn't planning on playing the game in the first place, but I thought it was a stupid idea. Also, the first God Of War was highly praised for it's amazing soundtrack. Pretty much anyone who played through the game agreed that it really added to the experience, myself included. I remember the first time booming chants of "Kratos!" filled the air and I swung the Blades Of Chaos into the faces of my enemies. It could almost be called a religious experience. Seriously, though, who doesn't? Having to hear some crappy modern rock band at any point during the game is really going to detract from the overall experience.

Having a well known artist help work on a soundtrack isn't always a bad idea, though. Marty O'Donnell and the Bungie crew aquired Steve Vai to add some guitar work to the well-known Halo theme, and it turned out fantastic. They also included a Breaking Benjamin song on the soundtrack, but it wasn't included in the actual game itself. Having Steve Vai lay down some guitar to accompany a central melody is definitely different than including an actual song in the game.

While this was just announced, and who knows what Sony will choose when it's all said and done, I had to make this post to express the disappointment I felt when I read the announcement.