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Games that have the perfect atmosphere+music.

brandonh83 said:
I can't even begin to explain why, but for me, Secret of Evermore. That game cast a spell on me when it came out. I know it isn't a popular favorite, but it had this really weird vibe about it, it was really subdued and original.
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Jeremy Soule.
 
Castlevania IV.

Great music that perfectly matches each level. In particular I love the playful music on the dancing ghosts stage, the ominous melody-free music on the level where you enter the castle (the level that has no boss and serves as a transition between the outside and inside), the gold level (where every item is money) and the last 10 minutes of the game. The use of sound in those last minutes is incredible, you have the fights with Slogra and guy-whose-name-I-forget, then the fight with Death, then the near silent walk out of Death's room where the lamps light up behind you as you pass them with a "woomph" sound, and the subdued confrontation with Dracula until the first stage theme reprise kicks in. An then finally the contemplative ending music.

Maybe not the best music in a CV game in terms of melodies, but IMO the best as far as matching the music to the game and using music to shape the total experience.
 
I think Tales of Legendia has the best music, BUT for a combination of atmosphere+music...

Donkey Kong Country 1-3 hands-down. David Wise, holy shit. <3
 
Margalis said:
Castlevania IV.

Great music that perfectly matches each level. In particular I love the playful music on the dancing ghosts stage, the ominous melody-free music on the level where you enter the castle (the level that has no boss and serves as a transition between the outside and inside), the gold level (where every item is money) and the last 10 minutes of the game. The use of sound in those last minutes is incredible, you have the fights with Slogra and guy-whose-name-I-forget, then the fight with Death, then the near silent walk out of Death's room where the lamps light up behind you as you pass them with a "woomph" sound, and the subdued confrontation with Dracula until the first stage theme reprise kicks in. An then finally the contemplative ending music.

Maybe not the best music in a CV game in terms of melodies, but IMO the best as far as matching the music to the game and using music to shape the total experience.
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I love CV4's music. It's freakin' eclectic.

Only hiccup is the weird jazzy tune in the level with the fishmen. That tune in that area is just WTF worthy
 
revolverjgw said:
I love CV4's music. It's freakin' eclectic.

Only hiccup is the weird jazzy tune in the level with the fishmen. That tune in that area is just WTF worthy
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You are aware a large potion of Civ4's music are known compositions composed for a real audience outside of videogames?

Mike Cromer and Jeff Briggs got some pieces in, and even moved over a few choice pieces from Civ3. But there's also work from composers ranging from Bach to John Adams.
 
Deku said:
You are aware a large potion of Civ4's music are known compositions composed for a real audience outside of videogames?

Mike Cromer and Jeff Briggs got some pieces in, and even moved over a few choice pieces from Civ3. But there's also work from composers ranging from Bach to John Adams.
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Uh... he's talking about Castlevania 4.

If that was a joke post, it was one of the strangest ones I've seen.
 
Chrono Cross had the perfect soundtrack for every location. Then again, the dungeons got dull at times.

Mass Effect with all the synth and the sci-fi madness everywhere. The music was absolutely fantastic and the design...I mean, it's derivative but it was fitting.

Mirror's Edge, Deus Ex, Ico/SotC, etc. I've never played The Longest Journey, but I've heard good things about that title as well.
 
FateBreaker said:
I think Tales of Legendia has the best music, BUT for a combination of atmosphere+music...
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You can't be serious, Tales of Legendia? I HATE this game, it made me quit the complete Tales of series, can't see it anymore after playing this game for too many hours. Such a annoying game.
 
Just about anything by Valve.

Highway 17 in HL2 is a great example. Along the coastline there's five or six little shacks and houses that you can basically drive right past.

But you don't. Because you don't want to miss an ounce of the game's atmosphere.

Also, for me, Rayman 2. Specifically the Dreamcast version, I guess? Since I hear other versions of the game are pretty different. Rayman 2 is one of my favorite games ever, and I just love all of the hand-painted textures, the dynamic music, and just... the general style of the game. And I am a sucker for games with imaginary, made-up languages (and I don't mean Banjo-Kazooie "duh duh buh buh duh" speak)

I want another Rayman game like Rayman 2. :(
 
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All perfect combinations of atmosphere and music.
 
God of war
shadow of the colossus
ico
mass effect
devil may cry
zone of the Enders 2
onimusha 2
uncharted
killzone 2
 
Panzer Dragoon
Shenmue
Silent Hill
Half Life
Locoroco
Metal Gear Solid

And many more lol This is one hard question, it's impossible to make a small list :lol
 
MECHWARRIOR 2

Without a doubt. Of course it's overlooked, been a mid 90s game for a niche crowd on the PC. But goddamn was it ever atmospheric. That music... so good.

Quickrun Mission of original MW2 with music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txy-1HmQ3CE&feature=related

MW2 Intro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X3GD0UnBCk&feature=related

Clan Wolf Ending cinematic ending
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s1FNOc9LV4&feature=related

Clan Jade Falcon cinematic intro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7_rSyRD8XM&feature=related

Good times. I played the shit out of this game... hopefully the guys making MW5 will be referencing this stuff.
 
Amir0x said:
yeah Bioshock

also Shadow of the Colossus
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Another vote for Bioshock and who said Tales of Legendia is awful? The music is probably the best in the series. But only for the music, not for the atmosphere+music combo.
 
Scribble said:
Tbqh this is another 'What's your favourite game' thread.
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Nah, I have plenty of "favorite games" that I don't think have the greatest atmosphere.

Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, for example. I don't play that game for immersion or atmosphere. I play it to beat shit up and do pile-drivers off the tops of sky scrapers.
 
Totally agree about the Knytt games, such beautiful atmospheric music combined with those ultra-charming 2d visuals. Also, Demon's Souls is another favourite of mine atmosphere-wise, it does a great job of creating an incredibly foreboding enviroment for the player.

I don't think i've seen seen The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind mentioned yet - I loved the soundtrack, despite the repetition of the main theme (which is now ingrained upon my memory, I play it on guitar all the time :p), and the ambient background noise was done really well. That, combined with the wonderful art-style and engrossing lore & backstory helped make Morrowind one of my all-time favourite RPGs.
 
Bootaaay said:
Totally agree about the Knytt games, such beautiful atmospheric music combined with those ultra-charming 2d visuals.
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I think it even tops Shadow of the Colossus as a whole, which is interesting, considering SotC inspired Nifflas (the creator of the Knytt games).
 
Can't believe GTAIV hasn't had a mention.

For me the atmosphere is what made the game. The weather, people's chatter in the street, the sound of a living, breathing city was totally immersive. Awesome game.

Other nod's for me

WoW
Oblivion
Halo
 
One game that I'm surprised to see missing is Ecco the Dolphin - Defender of the Future. I always felt that it was one of the most atmospheric games I had ever played. The music and visual design come together to create something unfortettable

I'll never forget my first visit to the Shrine of Controversy. I'd recommend tracking down the PS2 version (the superior version) and giving it a shot, if you haven't played it. Even if you don't focus on progressing, the simple act of swimming around the world is soothing and immersive.
 
A lot of games fail at providing a full consistency when it comes to atmosphere and music, which is understandable because: a) this isn't the film industry, and b) most writers and directors of games are still nerds at heart.

That said, there are still some brilliant moments in games which really need to be experienced at least once for the first time, and without sounding like a broken record I'll include some moments that others haven't listed.

- The Suikoden II opening credits is one such moment, however I find the full impact of it is best felt after you have just completed the game.

- Whilst hard to capture the moment it does happen, the time when you set sail and head off in Dragon Quest IV on your own sailboat is goosebump worthy. You've literally sunk 10-15 hours into the game and it's only now just opening up - complete with grandiose violins, a dancing flute and muted brass section as you set forth across the blue yonder.

- Walking into Stormwind for the first time is a daunting task due to its size and maze-like pathways. As if that wasn't enough, being looked down upon by the stone statues in the Valley of Heroes as you meekly cross the cobblestone bridge complete with a gregorian choir starting up as if to emphasize its importance just that tiny bit more.
 
I agree that Metroid Prime has some really nice atmosphere & musics, Retro really know what they're doing with that.

But WoW also have some really nice ones that fits their zone. Like Tanaris, the music is just perfect when you're lost in the middle of the desert. Icecrown & Storm Peaks are pretty nice too and fits their zone just right. Coming from Blizzard, it's no surprise.

I would link some youtube links for some of them, but it's blocked at work. ;(
 
Dead Space, Mirror's Edge, Splinter Cell Chaos Theory, Half-Life 2, Perfect Dark 64, and Deus Ex instantly come to mind.
 
Wipeout series, Mirror's Edge, and of course Rez Area 5 (well all of Rez, but in particular, Area 5).
 
Only one game in recent memory has provoked this in me. It has beautiful environments, along with some of the best and most relaxing music I've heard in a videogame in the past few years.

Lord of the Rings Online
mount_lake.jpg
 
dark10x said:
One game that I'm surprised to see missing is Ecco the Dolphin - Defender of the Future.
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i was also surprised to see Ecco dotf missing...

...when i mentioned it on page 3 : )


didn't go too in depth (pun intended) with my post, typing the title alone gave me good memories. The game is full of goosebumps inducing moments and has an awesome progression; going from the dull ocean to the coral reef, shallow waters, being chased by an eel into narrow caves which eventually open up to a breathtaking vista on atlantis (and omg the music) and from there on the game starts going crazy with beautiful architectures of alien ruins, all in good taste. Starts off soothing, gets haunting, then epic, then thrilling. I believe it's one of the best examples of visuals and music working together.
Tim Follin's soundtrack is simply amazing.
 
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