List threads are not entirely frowned upon by the powers that be, but they gradually generate comments about them being rather lazy. I've seen stumpakow try to address this issue previously but no doubt it is hard to force people into a box when it contains subject matter that has a life of its own. This is where this alternative thread comes in.
I had raised the issue in another thread and gunbo13 pushed the agenda a bit more. So now that we might have a "proper" list thread (no publication gets away with a list article without adding descriptions for those choices), I'll lay the foundations for some very loose rules that even I may break.
The Rules:
1. Try to keep it simple with a top 5 selection.
2. Try to restrict yourself to 1 game per series. For some juggernaut franchises it may be a tall ask, but narrow that list down.
3. This goes equally with composers. Try to keep it at 5 different composers for your top 5.
4. Links to samples/full tracks are great to listen to when reading your post, but if you can't find them or they aren't there then don't fret and simply tell us in your eloquent words why you chose it.
5. Having trouble writing about the song itself? Break it down: Why do you love the song? How does it make you feel? Which sections are your favourite? What thoughts penetrate your mind when you listen to it? You don't need to be majoring in music theory to get your point across.
6. Have fun! We're on a messageboard after all.
My choices which are unashamedly filled to the brim with RPG selections in no particular order.
- Final Fantasy X - Tidus' Theme. Compsed by Nobuo Uematsu.
Easily up there as one of my favourites, and not because of the character itself or when it is heard during the game. I throw this on everytime I go through my Final Fantasy music phase simply because of how enjoyable and free-flowing it is. When it hits the 1m30s mark, I hit a natural high of contentness. I recall listening to the Piano Collections album for the first time and hearing the last minute of this song, knowing that this might be the best album in that series. Would love to hear this played on solo cello.
- Tactics Ogre - Fortune Teller 2. Composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto.
Magical is probably the only word I could legimately use for this. It gives me goosebumps every single time I put it on, and the Ogre ~ Grand Repeat version linked above is my absolute favourite. It doesn't even play during an important part of the game such as a character introduction or plot section, and yet it has held sway over me for such a long time. The delicate balance of the flutes and violins during their entire dance duet make me feel as if I am floating on clouds. I personally don't think any RPG introduction could ever top Tactics Ogre simply because of this song.
- Chrono Trigger - Secret of the Forest. Composed by Yasunori Mitsuda.
My favourite part of Chrono Trigger is finally getting out of the festival at the beginning and heading into the forest that naturally acts as a border for Guardia Castle. Hearing this pump out of the speakers is absolutely hypnotizing, and the piano version above is nothing short of bliss. The entire latter half from 1m50s-onwards is genius work by Mitsuda. Whenever I am in the mood for piano, even if I am wanting to listen to Chopin, an mp3 rip of that video HAS to be played. It takes pure majesty to be placed alongside some of the old classics and even harder to believe that this is from a video game, let alone Mitsuda's first professional foray into composition.
- Dragon Quest V - Magic Carpet ~ The Ocean. Composed by Koichi Sugiyama.
Sugiyama seems to not get much love on GAF for some reason outside of the dedicated few DQ troops, but that doesn't change the fact that he is my favourite composer working in the industry. Even though the selection may be deemed as cheating (it is two songs in one) but I could not change the entire piece in any way. For the first half you have the cheery attitude that is everywhere in Dragon Quest that Sugiyama does so well and then it kicks into high gear at the 2m0s mark which forces me to tap my foot along and follow the tune with whistles. Things start to get much more sweeping at the 3m40s mark when it morphs into the sailing theme from DQ5. This is probably the best sailing theme he has ever done and I've caught myself more than twice sitting there idling in the ocean in-game wanting to hear the whole song without interruption. And then 5m20s hits. Typical Sugiyama in his grandoise state and I almost shed a tear everytime I hear it, harking back memories of the game itself.
- Diablo II - Tristram. Composed by Matt Uelmen.
Haunting, sorrow, pain, even enlightenment. All worthy descriptions for this song. The effect this piece of music has is so strong that I could easily play this song anywhere in public and complete strangers would listen to it and go "wow." It really is one of a kind and I doubt many town themes could ever beat it because of the feelings it conveys to individuals. The song makes me want to leave this space blank simply because the entire length needs to be listened by itself in many scenarios to fully embrace what its proper meaning is. I haven't found that message yet but that hasn't stopped me from continuing my search for Tristram's real face. A true artistic piece in every sense of the word.
I had raised the issue in another thread and gunbo13 pushed the agenda a bit more. So now that we might have a "proper" list thread (no publication gets away with a list article without adding descriptions for those choices), I'll lay the foundations for some very loose rules that even I may break.
The Rules:
1. Try to keep it simple with a top 5 selection.
2. Try to restrict yourself to 1 game per series. For some juggernaut franchises it may be a tall ask, but narrow that list down.
3. This goes equally with composers. Try to keep it at 5 different composers for your top 5.
4. Links to samples/full tracks are great to listen to when reading your post, but if you can't find them or they aren't there then don't fret and simply tell us in your eloquent words why you chose it.
5. Having trouble writing about the song itself? Break it down: Why do you love the song? How does it make you feel? Which sections are your favourite? What thoughts penetrate your mind when you listen to it? You don't need to be majoring in music theory to get your point across.
6. Have fun! We're on a messageboard after all.
My choices which are unashamedly filled to the brim with RPG selections in no particular order.
- Final Fantasy X - Tidus' Theme. Compsed by Nobuo Uematsu.
Easily up there as one of my favourites, and not because of the character itself or when it is heard during the game. I throw this on everytime I go through my Final Fantasy music phase simply because of how enjoyable and free-flowing it is. When it hits the 1m30s mark, I hit a natural high of contentness. I recall listening to the Piano Collections album for the first time and hearing the last minute of this song, knowing that this might be the best album in that series. Would love to hear this played on solo cello.
- Tactics Ogre - Fortune Teller 2. Composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto.
Magical is probably the only word I could legimately use for this. It gives me goosebumps every single time I put it on, and the Ogre ~ Grand Repeat version linked above is my absolute favourite. It doesn't even play during an important part of the game such as a character introduction or plot section, and yet it has held sway over me for such a long time. The delicate balance of the flutes and violins during their entire dance duet make me feel as if I am floating on clouds. I personally don't think any RPG introduction could ever top Tactics Ogre simply because of this song.
- Chrono Trigger - Secret of the Forest. Composed by Yasunori Mitsuda.
My favourite part of Chrono Trigger is finally getting out of the festival at the beginning and heading into the forest that naturally acts as a border for Guardia Castle. Hearing this pump out of the speakers is absolutely hypnotizing, and the piano version above is nothing short of bliss. The entire latter half from 1m50s-onwards is genius work by Mitsuda. Whenever I am in the mood for piano, even if I am wanting to listen to Chopin, an mp3 rip of that video HAS to be played. It takes pure majesty to be placed alongside some of the old classics and even harder to believe that this is from a video game, let alone Mitsuda's first professional foray into composition.
- Dragon Quest V - Magic Carpet ~ The Ocean. Composed by Koichi Sugiyama.
Sugiyama seems to not get much love on GAF for some reason outside of the dedicated few DQ troops, but that doesn't change the fact that he is my favourite composer working in the industry. Even though the selection may be deemed as cheating (it is two songs in one) but I could not change the entire piece in any way. For the first half you have the cheery attitude that is everywhere in Dragon Quest that Sugiyama does so well and then it kicks into high gear at the 2m0s mark which forces me to tap my foot along and follow the tune with whistles. Things start to get much more sweeping at the 3m40s mark when it morphs into the sailing theme from DQ5. This is probably the best sailing theme he has ever done and I've caught myself more than twice sitting there idling in the ocean in-game wanting to hear the whole song without interruption. And then 5m20s hits. Typical Sugiyama in his grandoise state and I almost shed a tear everytime I hear it, harking back memories of the game itself.
- Diablo II - Tristram. Composed by Matt Uelmen.
Haunting, sorrow, pain, even enlightenment. All worthy descriptions for this song. The effect this piece of music has is so strong that I could easily play this song anywhere in public and complete strangers would listen to it and go "wow." It really is one of a kind and I doubt many town themes could ever beat it because of the feelings it conveys to individuals. The song makes me want to leave this space blank simply because the entire length needs to be listened by itself in many scenarios to fully embrace what its proper meaning is. I haven't found that message yet but that hasn't stopped me from continuing my search for Tristram's real face. A true artistic piece in every sense of the word.
), that could easily sit beside any legendary prog rock album. If you've never checked out the Follins, you're missing out on some of the best music ever put to soundchip.
