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What are the most underrated game soundtracks?

Bamboo

Member
Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance
https://youtu.be/IJhQgp4rkVs?list=PL713F890B7C7018C0

I only saw people hating on that soundtrack. I thought it was great, since it dares to be actually dissonant for most of the time. Makes it stand out from most of the harmonious background music of other games. Even in comparison with other Castlevania titles - it gives it a very special feeling. Too bad the GBA sound quality is so poor.

Okami OST underrated?
 

jwillenn

Member
Although I haven't had a lot of time with this game currently in my playlist, Dariusburst Chronicle Saviours is a masterpiece and is already my Game of the Year. Everything I've heard of its soundtrack has been supportive to the overall basis of that sentiment.
 

Venom.

Member
Personally, i think the stunning soundtrack for The Order: 1886 by Jason Graves is criminally underrated. The actual game did not deliver in playability so people wrongly forget the soundtrack. But it is dark, mournful and powerful. There are a range of pieces that vary from moody to heavy action to classically romantic. Accentuated with male choristers and deep strings that perfectly complement the story about an ancient order and an old Britain filled with secrets. Whatever you think of the game the OST is worth a listen, it's certainly deserving of being in a good movie.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=x7hMXhqJZog
 

Synth

Member
Trickstyle.jpg

US Race 4
UK Race 1
UK Race 2
Japan Race 2
Japan Race 3
 

dogen

Member
Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance


I only saw people hating on that soundtrack. I thought it was great, since it dares to be actually dissonant for most of the time. Makes it stand out from most of the harmonious background music of other games. Even in comparison with other Castlevania titles - it gives it a very special feeling. Too bad the GBA sound quality is so poor.

Yeah, HoD is underrated across the board. If the sound quality was better maybe it would've been better received, but I don't think that would've stopped people from confusing music that doesn't sound pretty with actual poorly composed music.
 

Ten posts in and we've already done the "here's my favorite soundtrack" post.

Saw some people mention Pokemon Colleseum and Soukaigi so it balances out I think.

Emil Chronicle On-Line is done by ACE of Xenoblade fame so that clean eclectic tone is the same goodness here. It's odd it doesn't get a look despite that pedigree.

Down to the Danger

Beyond the Destiny

Dance in the Shadows

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (the Fighter by Capcom one) by Yuko Takehara and Setsuo Yamamoto is also constantly ignored. The best part is how wrong and unnerving the villian's themes are (the work of an enemy stand no doubt).

Kakyoin's Theme

Alessi's Theme

Rubber Soul
 

Fellow

Member
Heavymetalfakk2box.jpg


Heavy Metal F.A.K.K. 2.

There's no one song that I can point out, since the tune within the soundtrack just seamlessly flows from one melody to another, but it pretty much was singularly responsible for me playing through the entire game. It never takes over the gameplay, but always enhanced the mood of the setting.

Theme Song


Game Beginning
 
I think Secret of Evermore.

May have been the first soundtrack by Jeremy Soule. The OST captures each area so well. Pretty diverse, atmospheric. The battle tracks are damn good.

I have been listening to it for years since the game came out.


However, I'm not sure if Parasite Eve is underrated but it's among the best OST's of all time, In my opinion.
 
Very good pick and it is one of my favorite fighting game soundtracks ever... but I think the Tekken 3 Arranged Soundtrack is slightly better.

Just this theme alone is king. (Pun intended.)

Awww man, you got me with Tekken. And I love me some Tekken soundtracks. Well, Tekken 2 and 3, anyway. Two amazing soundtracks. I hold the Street Fighter EX OST in higher regard, but it's difficult to disagree with your opinion.
 

Oneself

Member
No link cause I'm on my phone but I'll get to that...

Lately, I feel like the quality of soundtracks has stepped up in general. More variety.

My personal highlights lately: Firewatch, Virginia, Abzu, Hyper Light Drifter...

IIRC Rive, Adventures of Pip, Lumo, Song of the deep...
 
The original Fable. It blended seamlessly with the world and perfectly conveyed the dark, sometimes twisted fairytale that was the game. Danny Elfman created the main theme, but whoever did the rest of the OST picked up the reigns and delivered what I personally believe to be a masterpiece.
 
Psychonauts. I just got the vinyl release by iam8bit and it's amazing. You don't really get it as much playing the game because there are so many voices and sound effects always making noise. The music isn't really to the forefront but this release really brings it home how fantastic of a score it is. Peter McConnell and the band he assembled do a great job.
 

maxcriden

Member
Mickey's Speedway USA (N64)

Mickeys_Speedway_USA.jpg


N64 kart racer made by Rare. Great soundtrack that's sadly overlooked. Which is weird considering how praised Rare's N64 music tends to be, but it is a relatively obscure game after all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyDOOoM0308&index=2&list=PLC7B1F5CDC3346687

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP3jBzspWu0&index=7&list=PLC7B1F5CDC3346687

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KefSw33sypQ&index=10&list=PLC7B1F5CDC3346687

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqdtLPDLo8w&index=20&list=PLC7B1F5CDC3346687

There's obviously lots more. You can find the rest of the soundtrack on YouTube. Rare had some of the best musicians in the business at the time.

Also, an honorable mention goes to Toy Story 2 (N64/PS1/DC). Great game and underrated soundtrack.
Thanks for this!
How's the game itself?
 
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