StriKeVillain
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NeoGAF's Official Game Soundtracks of the Year 2014 Voting Thread [voting closed]
- Thread starter Dark Schala
- Start date
The Xtortionist
Member
Based file rippers
Spinosaurus
Member
1. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
I'm sure I said something similar last year about the Rayman Legends soundtrack, but I love exuberant music in games. Tropical Freeze is a joy to play (despite its crushing difficulty), and the music is a big part of that. In turns energetic, irreverent, ambient, and even somber... Tropical Freeze has an amazing quantity and variety of excellent music courtesy of the incomparable David Wise. It also has a little undercurrent of Metroid Prime--courtesy of Kenji Yamamoto--that peeks around the corner and says hello every so often. The overall package is easily my favorite soundtrack from 2014.
Favorite Tracks
- Mangrove Cove
- Busted Bayou
- Scorch n' Torch
- Seashore War (Track of the year, seriously)
- Staff Credits
2. Bravely Default
Let's just get this out there: I love a good RPG soundtrack, and Bravely Default has an excellent RPG soundtrack. Pastoral towns, a grand overworld theme, intense battle themes... it's all here. This is an OST that would be right at home in a bygone era where JRPGs ruled game music. It's fantastic in the truest sense of the word.
Favorite Tracks
3. Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth
Persona Q has an excellent soundtrack that almost feels like it belongs in an anime instead of an RPG. The basic battle theme, in particular, puts in me in mind of a modern-day anime title/credits theme. All of the music is consistently great and does a good job setting the game's zany, surreal, and slightly horrific mood. Not the easiest task, but... nailed it.
Favorite Tracks
Honorable Mentions
There were a lot of games with great music this year. Here are some standout tracks I particularly enjoyed. I'll spare you individual write-ups from this point on, with one exception.
x. Crypt of the Necrodancer
I don't count this as a 2014 game since it's still in early access. If it did count, let's just say Persona Q would be down here instead. Necrodancer has an amazing chippy dance soundtrack. You know you're in for something special when you first boot up the tutorial. I don't know the last time I called out tutorial music for excellence, but this is the most badass tutorial I've heard in my entire life. It gets better from there, too. Look for this OST to feature prominently in my list next year. Danny B is the man.
Favorite Tracks
x. Dark Souls 2
x. Hyrule Warriors
x. Shovel Knight
x. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
x. Child of Light
Whenever they used brass in the remakes, it sucked so much. Route 119 was utterly ruined because of this.
Dive in ORAS is incredible.
SatoAilDarko
Member
1. Super Smash Brothers Wii U
A celebration of dozens of franchises and several hundred game. The soundtrack is so amazing that for every stage at least 5 tracks are all tied for my favorite.
Ashley's Song (both languages)
Xenoblade Chronicles Medley
2. Mario Kart 8
I like the brightness of Mario Music and the horns of Mario Kart are just great. DLC tracks like Mute City are also amazing.
Dolphin Shoals
Mount Wario
3. Bayonetta 2
I really like the J$pop vocals of these songs and the conversion of old songs like Fly me to the Moon to J-popness.
Tomorrow is Mine
Moon River
LTTP:
No More Heroes 2:
No More No More
Philistine
Dynamite Bat
This isn't really late to the party as I was one of the lucky 5000 to buy a copy of the soundtrack when it was released. I've been listening to it intently again and am surprised at how truly perfect it is. Plenty of music including a lot of superb hard work with some amazing end songs. As each boss has unique music the memories that come forth are great. There is also a CD dedicated solely to all the chip tune music featured in the game. Finally it has the two best ending songs I've ever hear in a videogame. It may be my favorite soundtrack of anything.
Note:
I hope it's okay I didn't include YouTube videos but just titles. I just didn't want to add any more videos to the thread.
A celebration of dozens of franchises and several hundred game. The soundtrack is so amazing that for every stage at least 5 tracks are all tied for my favorite.
Ashley's Song (both languages)
Xenoblade Chronicles Medley
2. Mario Kart 8
I like the brightness of Mario Music and the horns of Mario Kart are just great. DLC tracks like Mute City are also amazing.
Dolphin Shoals
Mount Wario
3. Bayonetta 2
I really like the J$pop vocals of these songs and the conversion of old songs like Fly me to the Moon to J-popness.
Tomorrow is Mine
Moon River
LTTP:
No More Heroes 2:
No More No More
Philistine
Dynamite Bat
This isn't really late to the party as I was one of the lucky 5000 to buy a copy of the soundtrack when it was released. I've been listening to it intently again and am surprised at how truly perfect it is. Plenty of music including a lot of superb hard work with some amazing end songs. As each boss has unique music the memories that come forth are great. There is also a CD dedicated solely to all the chip tune music featured in the game. Finally it has the two best ending songs I've ever hear in a videogame. It may be my favorite soundtrack of anything.
Note:
I hope it's okay I didn't include YouTube videos but just titles. I just didn't want to add any more videos to the thread.
Spieler Eins
Member
1. Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Magical Level 5 tunes at their best.
A Strange Story
Puzzle Theme
The Forest
Cross Examination
Objection
2. Shin Megami Tensei IV
being from EU, so...
Camp Ichigaya
Overworld 2
Domain
Credits
Infernal Underground district
3. Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth
Didn't play it, but the thread convinced me.
Regional Exhibition
Honourable mentions:
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze - Far from the best David Wise OST, relying too much on the old on top of that, but it was decent.
Magical Level 5 tunes at their best.
A Strange Story
Puzzle Theme
The Forest
Cross Examination
Objection
2. Shin Megami Tensei IV
being from EU, so...
Camp Ichigaya
Overworld 2
Domain
Credits
Infernal Underground district
3. Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth
Didn't play it, but the thread convinced me.
Regional Exhibition
Honourable mentions:
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze - Far from the best David Wise OST, relying too much on the old on top of that, but it was decent.
1. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
To further add to the heap of praise this has already received, Tropical Freeze's soundtrack is far and away the best soundtrack this year, if not one of the greatest of all time. While the music differs somewhat to the darker soundtracks of earlier DKC games, there's a certain familiarity to it all and I think the upbeat style suits Retro's take on the series.
One of the first tracks that completely amazed me was Windmill Hills, reassuring me that the inclusion of David Wise was the best possible decision for this game. The music often reflects the action going on, however, which is one of Wise's greatest strengths. There's no better example of this than Sawmill Thrill. While the song itself is good alone, it's when you play through the level itself that you can see how brilliant it is. The way in which the soundtrack reflects the gameplay and vice versa is where Tropical Freeze completely blasts its predecessor out of the water. Not every track is jolly, however. Frantic Fields, for example, reflects a sense of urgency and danger, reminiscent of the gloomier tone of DKC2. The adaptability and wider range of this soundtrack, I feel, elevates it beyond that of DKC2's music.
The series sorely missed David Wise and his return is perhaps the greatest strength of this game, which is only a testament to how fantastic this soundtrack is.
2. Mario Kart 8
Continuing Nintendo's newfound love for jazzy music, MK8's soundtrack completely blows away the music of its predecessors. The sheer quality of this soundtrack (and the game in general) perhaps caught many people by surprise, yet it seems as if Nintendo's composers went all out for this one. The games on the Wii U have certainly delivered incredible soundtracks.
Notable Tracks:
Mount Wario
Shy Guy Falls
Dolphin Shoals
3. Wolfenstein: The New Order
A very different tone to the other games on my list and quite an underrated soundtrack generally. Mick Gordon has recently been on a roll with his music, notably his tracks in the recent Killer Instinct. From incredibly bassy, badass music to the German "remakes" of classic songs, TNO's soundtrack reflects both the sheer absurdity of blasting Nazis with insane weaponry alongside the more uncomfortable themes of the game. The credits theme took me off guard in particular and was perhaps one of the most poignant endings of a game in recent memory. MachineGames is completely masterful in this genre and the soundtrack lifts their storytelling/world to new heights.
Notable Tracks:
Main Theme (Alternative Version)
Credits (I Believe - Melissa Hollick)
Die Käfer - Mond, Mond, Ja, Ja
To further add to the heap of praise this has already received, Tropical Freeze's soundtrack is far and away the best soundtrack this year, if not one of the greatest of all time. While the music differs somewhat to the darker soundtracks of earlier DKC games, there's a certain familiarity to it all and I think the upbeat style suits Retro's take on the series.
One of the first tracks that completely amazed me was Windmill Hills, reassuring me that the inclusion of David Wise was the best possible decision for this game. The music often reflects the action going on, however, which is one of Wise's greatest strengths. There's no better example of this than Sawmill Thrill. While the song itself is good alone, it's when you play through the level itself that you can see how brilliant it is. The way in which the soundtrack reflects the gameplay and vice versa is where Tropical Freeze completely blasts its predecessor out of the water. Not every track is jolly, however. Frantic Fields, for example, reflects a sense of urgency and danger, reminiscent of the gloomier tone of DKC2. The adaptability and wider range of this soundtrack, I feel, elevates it beyond that of DKC2's music.
The series sorely missed David Wise and his return is perhaps the greatest strength of this game, which is only a testament to how fantastic this soundtrack is.
2. Mario Kart 8
Continuing Nintendo's newfound love for jazzy music, MK8's soundtrack completely blows away the music of its predecessors. The sheer quality of this soundtrack (and the game in general) perhaps caught many people by surprise, yet it seems as if Nintendo's composers went all out for this one. The games on the Wii U have certainly delivered incredible soundtracks.
Notable Tracks:
Mount Wario
Shy Guy Falls
Dolphin Shoals
3. Wolfenstein: The New Order
A very different tone to the other games on my list and quite an underrated soundtrack generally. Mick Gordon has recently been on a roll with his music, notably his tracks in the recent Killer Instinct. From incredibly bassy, badass music to the German "remakes" of classic songs, TNO's soundtrack reflects both the sheer absurdity of blasting Nazis with insane weaponry alongside the more uncomfortable themes of the game. The credits theme took me off guard in particular and was perhaps one of the most poignant endings of a game in recent memory. MachineGames is completely masterful in this genre and the soundtrack lifts their storytelling/world to new heights.
Notable Tracks:
Main Theme (Alternative Version)
Credits (I Believe - Melissa Hollick)
Die Käfer - Mond, Mond, Ja, Ja
SatelliteOfLove
Member
Gawdayum last year was soooooo good for 80s Cyberpunk synth, and these are some of rawest, buzziest, nastiest of that lot and they're so gooooooooood.
Nocturnowl
Member
These are good choices, I've only just strolled through Route 113 myself and yeah that one is far beyond the original piece, listening to it again now really hits that home.
I expected Fortree to just use the secret base track so it having a more relaxed version of the same theme is nice variation.
And I completely forgot that Team Hideout theme existed, it sounded pretty tinny in the original so I'm thinking this remix does good on the original concept.
I just gave it a listen, wow that one fell flat, like really flat.
1) Transistor
I don't think it's too surprising that this soundtrack is top notch considering Bastion before it. Going in a bit of a different direction, the soundtrack fits the mood of the game perfectly, Ashley's vocals are especially fantastic.
Excerpts -
In Cirlces
We all become
Signals
Paper Boats
Sandbox
Coasting
2) Lightning Returns
Say what you want about the quality of the game play, but the soundtrack is something special. The soundtracks of the first two games were impressive as well, however, this time around they tried a different style again and it did not disappoint. From the booming lively hood of Yusnaan, to the more peaceful sunset of Wildlands, there's tracks to suit all tastes.
Excerpts -
Death Game
Sunset Path
Glittering City of Yusnaan
The Savior's Words
The Evil Savior
3) Dragon Age: Inquisition
While the soundtrack manages to capture the cutscenes down to a tee, that's not really quite what I find so great about the DAI soundtrack. What I do find impressive is the attention that they put into the bard songs that you find being sung in taverns throughout Thedas. They even went to the trouble of making French versions that were played in Orlais since that's the 'France' of their world. It's a damn crime that they weren't included on the soundtrack that came with my digital deluxe edition.
Excerpts -
Rise
I am the one (You may remember this from the first game, it's a great remix)
I am the one (Instrumental Ver.)
Empress of Fire English Ver. / French Ver (I consider it slightly more fitting since it's about Orlais anyway)
Enchanters
Sera was never
Honourable Mentions:
Divinity: Original Sin - Due to only really getting round to play it now, I'm not actually very far in it so I can't comment on the full soundtrack yet. However, from what I've heard so far between the starting menu music, to all the different themes that play around the town it certainly impresses. I could totally see it knocking DAI off my list if the quality continues. Unfortunately, I doubt I'll actually see it through before voting closes.
Original Sin
Bittersweet Regrets
Persona Q - Again, this is another game which has a good soundtrack that I've barely scratched the surface of. Corn dog I especially found catchy, often just leaving my 3DS open listening to the track.
Corn Dog
We're here now
I don't think it's too surprising that this soundtrack is top notch considering Bastion before it. Going in a bit of a different direction, the soundtrack fits the mood of the game perfectly, Ashley's vocals are especially fantastic.
Excerpts -
In Cirlces
We all become
Signals
Paper Boats
Sandbox
Coasting
2) Lightning Returns
Say what you want about the quality of the game play, but the soundtrack is something special. The soundtracks of the first two games were impressive as well, however, this time around they tried a different style again and it did not disappoint. From the booming lively hood of Yusnaan, to the more peaceful sunset of Wildlands, there's tracks to suit all tastes.
Excerpts -
Death Game
Sunset Path
Glittering City of Yusnaan
The Savior's Words
The Evil Savior
3) Dragon Age: Inquisition
While the soundtrack manages to capture the cutscenes down to a tee, that's not really quite what I find so great about the DAI soundtrack. What I do find impressive is the attention that they put into the bard songs that you find being sung in taverns throughout Thedas. They even went to the trouble of making French versions that were played in Orlais since that's the 'France' of their world. It's a damn crime that they weren't included on the soundtrack that came with my digital deluxe edition.
Excerpts -
Rise
I am the one (You may remember this from the first game, it's a great remix)
I am the one (Instrumental Ver.)
Empress of Fire English Ver. / French Ver (I consider it slightly more fitting since it's about Orlais anyway)
Enchanters
Sera was never
Honourable Mentions:
Divinity: Original Sin - Due to only really getting round to play it now, I'm not actually very far in it so I can't comment on the full soundtrack yet. However, from what I've heard so far between the starting menu music, to all the different themes that play around the town it certainly impresses. I could totally see it knocking DAI off my list if the quality continues. Unfortunately, I doubt I'll actually see it through before voting closes.
Original Sin
Bittersweet Regrets
Persona Q - Again, this is another game which has a good soundtrack that I've barely scratched the surface of. Corn dog I especially found catchy, often just leaving my 3DS open listening to the track.
Corn Dog
We're here now
Hot Coldman
Banned
1. Mario Kart 8 - Wii U - Composed by Shiho Fujii, Atsuko Asahi, Ryo Nagamatsu, Yasuaki Iwata; Developed by Nintendo EAD
Stand-out Tracks: Excitebike Arena; Bowser's Castle; Mount Wario
Truth be told, I have usually hated Mario Kart soundtracks. Bland, utterly forgettable music, perfect for background noise as you scream at your mates on the sofa, but with little other redeeming value. So it was to my surprise that the first sounds of something far greater began coming out of Mario Kart 8 ahead of its release - and even more surprising that I couldn't stop listening to it all following release.
Almost every track has an accompanying theme that immortalises the portrayed location in the Mario canon. The sun-drenched port of Toad Harbour matched with a sub-zero chilled guitar that oozes tourist adventure on a summer holiday; Bowser's Castle's ridiculous hard rock riffs, instantly painting a dual vision of playfulness and ruthlessness in co-operation with the soundtrack's ever-present brass section; Shy Guy Falls with its beautiful duet of violins and pan-pipes transporting you instantly to a untouched frontier on the edge of the Mushroom Kingdom.
Older tracks are rejuvenated by Nintendo's live band, such as the killer violin treatment for Moo Moo Meadows, the bluegrass swagger of Yoshi Valley or the impeccable makeover for Rainbow Road N64, dragging it and many others out of the depths of MIDI hell and into a dazzling new world of real banjo, saxophone, violin, drums, bass guitar, trumpets, flutes, infinitely improved synths and guitars electric and acoustic. The DLC even gives the oft-forgotten but forever-infectious Excitebike theme new life.
The sheer polish put into the music for Mario Kart is staggering, and every single song, new or old, is all the better for it. It has songs that take you away into its fantasy world, drill them into your head, and have you humming them for weeks after you've escaped. It bleeds fun and effort and love, it puts Nintendo's other soundtracks this year to shame, and it's far and away the best soundtrack this year.
2. D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die - Xbox One - Composed by Manyo; Developed by Access Games
Stand-out Tracks: Detective of the Past; Theme of D4
Somewhat fitting for a game about a man jumping through time and cases; here's a soundtrack that can't sit still. D4 leaps from genre to genre, instrumentation to instrumentation, throwing the rulebook out for how a coherent soundtrack is supposed to sound in an effort to settle for nothing less than the absolute best, most memorable sound for each moment.
Like Deadly Premonition, it wears its inspirations on its sleeve - CBS crime procedurals, Trent Reznor, Dropkick Murphys, bad hotel piano/porn music - but rather than the wackiness or borderline plagiarism that that game could fall into, D4 crafts some surprisingly strong themes and incidental music out of these influences. The theme tune, whilst clearly undoubted to many a cop show title sequence, outshines possibly all of them, perfectly setting the tone for a game that wears its heart on its sleeve. Later on, Drank Dead DOM Die is a perfectly ridiculous Dropkick Murphys song that leaves you equally parts unconvinced and utterly without doubt as to SWERY's grip on American culture, but you'll be too entertained to think more of it than that.
This is a soundtrack that matches SWERY's vision to a tee amplifies the comedy, the drama, the confusion and the strange otherworldliness that only he can craft. Hopefully there's more to come.
3. Luftrausers - PC, PS3, Vita - Composed by Kozilek; Developed by Vlambeer
Stand-out tracks: Trickrauser; Laserauser
When you think about it, the traditional high-score game - the kind of game that Taito, Namco, Atari et al pioneered back in the late 70s and early 80s - should really be a solemn affair. They wrap those games up in bright colours and catchy jingles for a reason secondary to enticing someone to put in another 50p, and it's to mask the fact that these games are not going to end in your victory; you will always be overcome. Vlambeer's Luftrausers, rather than hide that fact, instead embraces it full-on, with a muted colour scheme, a vague WWII setting and an absolute maelstrom of bullets, enemy ships (both on water and wind) and narrow escapes. The music has to match that aesthetic, that of an ascent into certain doom, but it's also got the problem of fitting the other side of Luftrausers; the part where you're alley-ooping through the air, ripping apart entire companies in a flurry of bright white fire, feeling the breathless high of aerial supremacy in the moments before you come crashing down. What's a Kozilek to do?
First thing's first; he has a genius idea that makes his job tens times harder. Luftrauser's "soundtrack" is only 9 songs, as per the bandcamp release, but that's not quite accurate. The game features a layered soundtrack, that switches out rhythms and instrumentation based on the parts that you've chosen to build your machine of death out of, allowing for a total of 125 different tracks. Some are incredibly dirty; the standard default "Luftrauser" gives you a mean digital reverb that gets throatier as it grows, eventually growing an infectious, commanding drumbeat, and it's instantly attention grabbing. Others go for more high-pitched sounds, like "Trickrauser", led by its chirps as the ever-present drums attempt to keep up.
Ultimately, each track eventually hits the 1:30 mark, at which they explode into a more traditional war-time chorus, almost celebratory, almost a sigh of relief. Well done! You did it! You're not cannon fodder after all, you're hanging in there. Perhaps this conflict won't be quite so pointless for you after al- oh, never mind, the drums are back and you just got shot down by an ace. Oh well.
Maybe go back to the hangar, fix your craft up, change some things around. The tune you'll hear between your ears will be different, and so might your luck. Sure, the overall structure is the same, but when it's this good, and when it so perfectly fits your tastes - agile and scratchy when falling with style, ruthless and intimidating when behind the joystick of a flying nuke - it's hard to find much fault with a lack of variety. Luftrauser's soundtrack doesn't paint its game as anything it's not; instead, it successfully bends, warps and rebuilds itself, all the while drilling the fear of your inevitable comeuppance into your subconsciousness.
Stand-out Tracks: Excitebike Arena; Bowser's Castle; Mount Wario
Truth be told, I have usually hated Mario Kart soundtracks. Bland, utterly forgettable music, perfect for background noise as you scream at your mates on the sofa, but with little other redeeming value. So it was to my surprise that the first sounds of something far greater began coming out of Mario Kart 8 ahead of its release - and even more surprising that I couldn't stop listening to it all following release.
Almost every track has an accompanying theme that immortalises the portrayed location in the Mario canon. The sun-drenched port of Toad Harbour matched with a sub-zero chilled guitar that oozes tourist adventure on a summer holiday; Bowser's Castle's ridiculous hard rock riffs, instantly painting a dual vision of playfulness and ruthlessness in co-operation with the soundtrack's ever-present brass section; Shy Guy Falls with its beautiful duet of violins and pan-pipes transporting you instantly to a untouched frontier on the edge of the Mushroom Kingdom.
Older tracks are rejuvenated by Nintendo's live band, such as the killer violin treatment for Moo Moo Meadows, the bluegrass swagger of Yoshi Valley or the impeccable makeover for Rainbow Road N64, dragging it and many others out of the depths of MIDI hell and into a dazzling new world of real banjo, saxophone, violin, drums, bass guitar, trumpets, flutes, infinitely improved synths and guitars electric and acoustic. The DLC even gives the oft-forgotten but forever-infectious Excitebike theme new life.
The sheer polish put into the music for Mario Kart is staggering, and every single song, new or old, is all the better for it. It has songs that take you away into its fantasy world, drill them into your head, and have you humming them for weeks after you've escaped. It bleeds fun and effort and love, it puts Nintendo's other soundtracks this year to shame, and it's far and away the best soundtrack this year.
2. D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die - Xbox One - Composed by Manyo; Developed by Access Games
Stand-out Tracks: Detective of the Past; Theme of D4
Somewhat fitting for a game about a man jumping through time and cases; here's a soundtrack that can't sit still. D4 leaps from genre to genre, instrumentation to instrumentation, throwing the rulebook out for how a coherent soundtrack is supposed to sound in an effort to settle for nothing less than the absolute best, most memorable sound for each moment.
Like Deadly Premonition, it wears its inspirations on its sleeve - CBS crime procedurals, Trent Reznor, Dropkick Murphys, bad hotel piano/porn music - but rather than the wackiness or borderline plagiarism that that game could fall into, D4 crafts some surprisingly strong themes and incidental music out of these influences. The theme tune, whilst clearly undoubted to many a cop show title sequence, outshines possibly all of them, perfectly setting the tone for a game that wears its heart on its sleeve. Later on, Drank Dead DOM Die is a perfectly ridiculous Dropkick Murphys song that leaves you equally parts unconvinced and utterly without doubt as to SWERY's grip on American culture, but you'll be too entertained to think more of it than that.
This is a soundtrack that matches SWERY's vision to a tee amplifies the comedy, the drama, the confusion and the strange otherworldliness that only he can craft. Hopefully there's more to come.
3. Luftrausers - PC, PS3, Vita - Composed by Kozilek; Developed by Vlambeer
Stand-out tracks: Trickrauser; Laserauser
When you think about it, the traditional high-score game - the kind of game that Taito, Namco, Atari et al pioneered back in the late 70s and early 80s - should really be a solemn affair. They wrap those games up in bright colours and catchy jingles for a reason secondary to enticing someone to put in another 50p, and it's to mask the fact that these games are not going to end in your victory; you will always be overcome. Vlambeer's Luftrausers, rather than hide that fact, instead embraces it full-on, with a muted colour scheme, a vague WWII setting and an absolute maelstrom of bullets, enemy ships (both on water and wind) and narrow escapes. The music has to match that aesthetic, that of an ascent into certain doom, but it's also got the problem of fitting the other side of Luftrausers; the part where you're alley-ooping through the air, ripping apart entire companies in a flurry of bright white fire, feeling the breathless high of aerial supremacy in the moments before you come crashing down. What's a Kozilek to do?
First thing's first; he has a genius idea that makes his job tens times harder. Luftrauser's "soundtrack" is only 9 songs, as per the bandcamp release, but that's not quite accurate. The game features a layered soundtrack, that switches out rhythms and instrumentation based on the parts that you've chosen to build your machine of death out of, allowing for a total of 125 different tracks. Some are incredibly dirty; the standard default "Luftrauser" gives you a mean digital reverb that gets throatier as it grows, eventually growing an infectious, commanding drumbeat, and it's instantly attention grabbing. Others go for more high-pitched sounds, like "Trickrauser", led by its chirps as the ever-present drums attempt to keep up.
Ultimately, each track eventually hits the 1:30 mark, at which they explode into a more traditional war-time chorus, almost celebratory, almost a sigh of relief. Well done! You did it! You're not cannon fodder after all, you're hanging in there. Perhaps this conflict won't be quite so pointless for you after al- oh, never mind, the drums are back and you just got shot down by an ace. Oh well.
Maybe go back to the hangar, fix your craft up, change some things around. The tune you'll hear between your ears will be different, and so might your luck. Sure, the overall structure is the same, but when it's this good, and when it so perfectly fits your tastes - agile and scratchy when falling with style, ruthless and intimidating when behind the joystick of a flying nuke - it's hard to find much fault with a lack of variety. Luftrauser's soundtrack doesn't paint its game as anything it's not; instead, it successfully bends, warps and rebuilds itself, all the while drilling the fear of your inevitable comeuppance into your subconsciousness.
With all the great soundtracks that came out this year I thought this thread would get more contributions.
Updated my post, I did what I could.
Updated my post, I did what I could.
I'm kidding, yeah
still, I think I've heard 1-2 songs worth a shit and the rest are just forgettable blurbs
1. Mario Kart 8
Cloudtop Cruise
Dolphin Shoals
Mount Wario
2. Child Of Light
Woods Darker Than Night
Pilgrims on A Long Journey
Metal Gleamed in The Twilight
Final Breath
3. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Scorch n' Torch
Mangroove Cave
Frantic Fields
Cloudtop Cruise
Dolphin Shoals
Mount Wario
2. Child Of Light
Woods Darker Than Night
Pilgrims on A Long Journey
Metal Gleamed in The Twilight
Final Breath
3. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Scorch n' Torch
Mangroove Cave
Frantic Fields
1. Sid Meyers Civlzation Beyond Earth composed by Geoff Knorr, Griffin Cohen, Michael Curran and Grant Kirkhope
Shame it hasn't been mentioned yet. Maybe the disappointment about the game for most who bought it is a reason for this. For me one of the best ambient music for a game I have heard. Like most Civilization soundtracks the songs fit perfectly to the gameplay.
The Future of Mankind
Xemomalleum
Deep Memory
2. Dragon Age: Inquisition
3. Mario Kart 8
LTTP:
Sins of a Solar Empire by Peter Schuergraf
Vasari Rebels- Diplomatic Envoys
The Emerging Empire
Shame it hasn't been mentioned yet. Maybe the disappointment about the game for most who bought it is a reason for this. For me one of the best ambient music for a game I have heard. Like most Civilization soundtracks the songs fit perfectly to the gameplay.
The Future of Mankind
Xemomalleum
Deep Memory
2. Dragon Age: Inquisition
3. Mario Kart 8
LTTP:
Sins of a Solar Empire by Peter Schuergraf
Vasari Rebels- Diplomatic Envoys
The Emerging Empire
I guess you just never went in any taverns at all.
Dark Schala
Eloquent Princess
Was thinking of extending the vote a few days, but since we haven't gotten very many votes, I don't know if it would be worth doing so.
I was going to mention it to you earlier, but I felt that throughout our short conversation about your writeup last night, you were going to change one of your options to something else. It's a bit of a pleasant surprise that one of them changed to a soundtrack that I didn't see oft-mentioned here.
It makes me feel less like the odd woman out considering what I've narrowed my shortlist down to, lol.
Maaan, RPGFan. When I was a teenager, I used to read those things eagerly, clicking on the realplayer links and everything, lol.Insert almost every single non-localised game whose soundtrack got reviewed by RPGFan and/or defunct SEMO/Game Music Online here.
You know, I never thought of it like that before. It really does seem like a Mother-type of soundtrack when put in that sort of context.
And yeah, I completely thought the TL soundtrack would be phoned in with poor samples, too. Even if the samples are poor in some tracks, the track still sounds fairly cohesive since that's what they're going for (ie: the "I had a fight!" music or something like that). It's honestly my surprise of the year.
Nocturnowl
Member
Addressing a point you mentioned in your update, Layton games tend to have strong location setting themes though the more fantastical medieval nature is pretty unique to this entry and its setting, typically the main games have what I could best describe as something of a European tourism angle a lot of the time, music is similar enough in style mind you.
I didn't. The first one I had access to was the first and last I visited. Can't deal with terrible cheese.
They have practically the same soundtrack, but if I have to follow the formula exactly I'll just act like they don't.
1.Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair
2. Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
Danganronpa
Mr. Monokuma's Tutoring
Miss Monomi's Practice Lesson
Box 15
Desire for Execution
Hope vs Despair
1.Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair
2. Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
Danganronpa
Mr. Monokuma's Tutoring
Miss Monomi's Practice Lesson
Box 15
Desire for Execution
Hope vs Despair
The three votes thing has never particularly bothered me until this year. Hell, 10 votes still wouldn't be enough. This year was impossibly brilliant for game music.
Instead of just linking everything at the end, I'm going to link while I ramble then just include a list at the end of each title in the order they were linked for those that have too many tabs open already.
1. Super Smash Bros for Wii U -
Honestly, I feel like this is cheating. Sakurai is cheating. You can't just invite every huge name that's ever written a song on a Nintendo platform and ask them to remix each other's songs. Like the rest of the game, it's a celebration, it celebrates everything that makes game music unique and amazing.
You want Noriyuki Iwadare remixing Takashi Tateishi? This game has that.
You want Yuzo Koshiro remixing Junichi Masuda? This game has that.
You want Yoko Shimomura remixing Hip Tanaka? This game has that.
It's an incredible send up to all of the composers I grew up listening to.
Notable tracks linked above are:
Airman Stage Remix
Battle! (Trainer Battle)
Magicant/Eight Melodies Remix
2. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze -
Dave Wise is a genius, and I'm not sure I can say much about this OST that hasn't been said a hundred times in this thread. The tracks swing from catchy and fun to moody and atmospheric to just really intense whenever the level design dictates a shift of mood. I appreciate what Yamamoto was doing with Returns, but this is the soundtrack I was expecting.
Notable tracks linked above are:
Canopy Chaos
Aquatic Ambiance
Scorch 'N' Torch
3. Bravely Default -
This game's music was impressive for a couple of reasons. One of them being that there are a couple of songs you hear a lot, but I never got sick of them. The overworld theme was grand and filled with a sense of adventure, and the dungeon theme set the mood so perfectly that when I first heard it, I hoped that it was the only dungeon song they wrote.
The other reason is the way music is incorporated into the gameplay. The four special move themes are what you'd expect, they're supposed to instill confidence and optimism, which they succeed in doing. The special move themes in Bravely pump you up so much that your party receives a stat bonus until it's over and the audio returns to the normal menacing battle music. I just thought that was such a cool touch.
Notable tracks linked above are:
Horizon of Light and Shadow
Infiltrating Enemy Territory
Love's Vagrant
Honorable Mentions-
Man, there are so many.
D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die
Lethal League
Kirby Triple Deluxe
Shovel Knight
Mario Kart 8
Bayonetta 2
Transistor
Any of these games could top the list and I would be totally satisfied.
LTTP Vote:
Bayonetta - Played it for the first time on Wii U. The only reason I missed it the first time was because I heard horror stories about the PS3 port.
Instead of just linking everything at the end, I'm going to link while I ramble then just include a list at the end of each title in the order they were linked for those that have too many tabs open already.
1. Super Smash Bros for Wii U -
Honestly, I feel like this is cheating. Sakurai is cheating. You can't just invite every huge name that's ever written a song on a Nintendo platform and ask them to remix each other's songs. Like the rest of the game, it's a celebration, it celebrates everything that makes game music unique and amazing.
You want Noriyuki Iwadare remixing Takashi Tateishi? This game has that.
You want Yuzo Koshiro remixing Junichi Masuda? This game has that.
You want Yoko Shimomura remixing Hip Tanaka? This game has that.
It's an incredible send up to all of the composers I grew up listening to.
Notable tracks linked above are:
Airman Stage Remix
Battle! (Trainer Battle)
Magicant/Eight Melodies Remix
2. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze -
Dave Wise is a genius, and I'm not sure I can say much about this OST that hasn't been said a hundred times in this thread. The tracks swing from catchy and fun to moody and atmospheric to just really intense whenever the level design dictates a shift of mood. I appreciate what Yamamoto was doing with Returns, but this is the soundtrack I was expecting.
Notable tracks linked above are:
Canopy Chaos
Aquatic Ambiance
Scorch 'N' Torch
3. Bravely Default -
This game's music was impressive for a couple of reasons. One of them being that there are a couple of songs you hear a lot, but I never got sick of them. The overworld theme was grand and filled with a sense of adventure, and the dungeon theme set the mood so perfectly that when I first heard it, I hoped that it was the only dungeon song they wrote.
The other reason is the way music is incorporated into the gameplay. The four special move themes are what you'd expect, they're supposed to instill confidence and optimism, which they succeed in doing. The special move themes in Bravely pump you up so much that your party receives a stat bonus until it's over and the audio returns to the normal menacing battle music. I just thought that was such a cool touch.
Notable tracks linked above are:
Horizon of Light and Shadow
Infiltrating Enemy Territory
Love's Vagrant
Honorable Mentions-
Man, there are so many.
D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die
Lethal League
Kirby Triple Deluxe
Shovel Knight
Mario Kart 8
Bayonetta 2
Transistor
Any of these games could top the list and I would be totally satisfied.
LTTP Vote:
Bayonetta - Played it for the first time on Wii U. The only reason I missed it the first time was because I heard horror stories about the PS3 port.
Dark Schala
Eloquent Princess
I have finally finally finally started work on the Archive on the first page. It's not completed yet and there are way more soundtracks that need to go up there, but I felt like it was time to start work on it (especially since I was sick for so long!).
Please check what's up so far if you have a chance. I'll be adding more as the week goes on, but there's some really good stuff in there (some very interesting surprises in some of the Bandcamp material and I might go into that later on with my honourable mentions/personal awards posts when I vote).
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=143636221&postcount=2
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=143636344&postcount=3
Additionally, I wanted to add some soundtracks in for those who haven't voted yet (or have voted and are still mulling about in their choices) to go through. I've tried to add purchasing and as many places to listen to the soundtracks as possible this year, so I hope that helps people out. I'll keep adding more stuff as time goes on but I hope this helps just a little bit now.
Also: I would not be averse to extending the vote by two or three days for folks to have a bit longer get their bearings together. Please let me know if you're for or against this. If nothing's said or brought up, the deadline stays as-is.
Please check what's up so far if you have a chance. I'll be adding more as the week goes on, but there's some really good stuff in there (some very interesting surprises in some of the Bandcamp material and I might go into that later on with my honourable mentions/personal awards posts when I vote).
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=143636221&postcount=2
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=143636344&postcount=3
Additionally, I wanted to add some soundtracks in for those who haven't voted yet (or have voted and are still mulling about in their choices) to go through. I've tried to add purchasing and as many places to listen to the soundtracks as possible this year, so I hope that helps people out. I'll keep adding more stuff as time goes on but I hope this helps just a little bit now.
Also: I would not be averse to extending the vote by two or three days for folks to have a bit longer get their bearings together. Please let me know if you're for or against this. If nothing's said or brought up, the deadline stays as-is.
Haha. I recall when I came across with all their Falcom reviews almost a decade ago on RPGFan and pretty much knew zilcho about Falcom and/or their VGM history. Looking back at it, most of them are awful and full of misinformation, lol.
SatelliteOfLove
Member
Whatever you're fine with Schala. Hopefully it pulls in more people who otherwise have ignored it.
Listening to it and it's exactly what you describe, it also made me appreciate even more the job they did in the crossover.
I have nothing against the extend, it would be a shame to not have more participations.
SatelliteOfLove
Member
PLvAA mixing PL's continental flair you mentioned and AA's frantic scene setting to something that was both yet neither was a neat touch.
Dark Schala
Eloquent Princess
Okay, I was thinking 3-4 days to the 14th-15th, but I realized that would be really close to the GotY deadline. Traditionally, this thread ends before the GotY deadline, but since we've been lacking participants this year, I wonder if ending the vote Sunday, 18th January at 11:59 PM PST would be okay with people. If it's too long, then 14th/15th is fine.
Let me know what you think!
We had a similar conversation for Persona 4: Golden in 2012, actually. A lot of people ended up voting for the core Persona 4 soundtrack in their writeups and most of those votes went towards the Golden 17-track OST in-name. Kind of a tough choice there. But as long as additional tracks for the expansion and they exist in some format, then I think it's okay. Some soundtrack eligibility this year was tossed around between Ghaleon and myself this year, so we'll see how next year's handled. 2014 was restrictive because 2014 was an odd special case/outlier.
But there is a limit. If you're voting for a soundtrack that came out this year and the game came out in like 2001, then no. LTTP vote. I added the LTTP vote partially because a ton of soundtracks turned up in the database for games released a long time ago, and because we got a lot of re-releases this year to try to make it a little fair.
If it's a game like... Trails in the Sky SC, if the thread were theoretically run in 2006-07, people would've been able to vote for it then. People will be able to vote for it whenever the game comes out on Steam (this year or next year) since it's the first time it's getting released in the west. I personally wouldn't vote for it because I played Trails SC a few years ago.
Let me know what you think!
It would fall under "God Eater 2 / God Eater 2: Rage Burst" instead in that case, which is fine. I'm guessing they're adding some new tracks to the Vita/PS4 version. If people voted for God Eater 2 in 2013, that would've been fine too. It straddles the line between voting for a soundtrack as a VGM listener and voting for a soundtrack for a game that you've played again. That one's a tough choice since we only had rips and videos to rely on since last year, and I don't want to penalize people voting for the Rage Burst soundtrack in 2015 if they had imported the game.
We had a similar conversation for Persona 4: Golden in 2012, actually. A lot of people ended up voting for the core Persona 4 soundtrack in their writeups and most of those votes went towards the Golden 17-track OST in-name. Kind of a tough choice there. But as long as additional tracks for the expansion and they exist in some format, then I think it's okay. Some soundtrack eligibility this year was tossed around between Ghaleon and myself this year, so we'll see how next year's handled. 2014 was restrictive because 2014 was an odd special case/outlier.
But there is a limit. If you're voting for a soundtrack that came out this year and the game came out in like 2001, then no. LTTP vote. I added the LTTP vote partially because a ton of soundtracks turned up in the database for games released a long time ago, and because we got a lot of re-releases this year to try to make it a little fair.
If it's a game like... Trails in the Sky SC, if the thread were theoretically run in 2006-07, people would've been able to vote for it then. People will be able to vote for it whenever the game comes out on Steam (this year or next year) since it's the first time it's getting released in the west. I personally wouldn't vote for it because I played Trails SC a few years ago.
chaosblade
Unconfirmed Member
1) Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze. I mean, wow. I don't know if I can pick two songs to even post here, I could basically post the entire OST. I'll go with some rather contrasting songs in Grassland Groove and Punch Bowl. David Wise is utterly incredible.
2) Mario Kart 8. Yeah, Nintendo knocked it out of the park with this one. First song is a really easy choice: Dolphin Shoals (above water) is amazing. Along with that, Cloudtop Cruise is a pretty fantastic Galaxy-inspired song, complete with a Gusty Garden segment. Picking just a couple songs from this one is really difficult too.
3) Bravely Default. I don't think this one had quite the consistency of the other two, but most of it was great and resonated extremely well with me. Ringabel's theme, Love's Vagrant, is definitely among the more under-appreciated songs in the OST, and you can't really mention Bravely Default music without the excellent That Person's Name Is...
2) Mario Kart 8. Yeah, Nintendo knocked it out of the park with this one. First song is a really easy choice: Dolphin Shoals (above water) is amazing. Along with that, Cloudtop Cruise is a pretty fantastic Galaxy-inspired song, complete with a Gusty Garden segment. Picking just a couple songs from this one is really difficult too.
3) Bravely Default. I don't think this one had quite the consistency of the other two, but most of it was great and resonated extremely well with me. Ringabel's theme, Love's Vagrant, is definitely among the more under-appreciated songs in the OST, and you can't really mention Bravely Default music without the excellent That Person's Name Is...
1.- Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze: FUCKING DAVID WISE, MAN. Picking three themes here was hard, but I think these were the ones I remembered the most. Beautiful OST all around, and every single track fits the atmosphere perfectly.
2.- Mario Kart 8: MK never disappoints, and this one is no exception. Amazing OST, and some of my all-time favorites of the series are from this game.
3.- Super Smash Bros. for 3DS/Wii U: Smash games are always a treat for music, due to the huge amount of different IPs it borrows from. These three tracks got stuck in my head the most, but I wish I could list a lot more.
2.- Mario Kart 8: MK never disappoints, and this one is no exception. Amazing OST, and some of my all-time favorites of the series are from this game.
3.- Super Smash Bros. for 3DS/Wii U: Smash games are always a treat for music, due to the huge amount of different IPs it borrows from. These three tracks got stuck in my head the most, but I wish I could list a lot more.
Really should write a list of memorable soundtracks when i encounter them.
1. Shantae and the Pirate's Curse
https://virt.bandcamp.com/album/shantae-and-the-pirates-curse-ost
dude's best work yet. Just a thumping good time.
2. Brave Default
Mixed feelings about the game, but loved the OST. Some of my favorite overworld music period.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=invo-XZuicc
3. Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
A bit 'orthodox' but still good stuff. and nice to hear some classic AA tunes done with an orchestra.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYg0J2rE0Aw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hbiQzWGkXA
4. Danganronpa 2
Won't put the first one because I played that fansub last year. Second one is still good stuff. Really like
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCfpmW6s37U&index=9&list=PLU4ktq2pWONvsyBd_LrTVX8Et-gp0th4a
And my favorite theme of the year probably goes to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emEg0zGS7KY&index=8&list=PLU4ktq2pWONvsyBd_LrTVX8Et-gp0th4a
6. A Bird Story
LTTP: Ace Attorney Investigations 2
Builds on the already stellar ost of the original. Just some fantastic music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rr9AVYDEeMQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj6PSqjLI_c
1. Shantae and the Pirate's Curse
https://virt.bandcamp.com/album/shantae-and-the-pirates-curse-ost
dude's best work yet. Just a thumping good time.
2. Brave Default
Mixed feelings about the game, but loved the OST. Some of my favorite overworld music period.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=invo-XZuicc
3. Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
A bit 'orthodox' but still good stuff. and nice to hear some classic AA tunes done with an orchestra.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYg0J2rE0Aw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hbiQzWGkXA
4. Danganronpa 2
Won't put the first one because I played that fansub last year. Second one is still good stuff. Really like
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCfpmW6s37U&index=9&list=PLU4ktq2pWONvsyBd_LrTVX8Et-gp0th4a
And my favorite theme of the year probably goes to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emEg0zGS7KY&index=8&list=PLU4ktq2pWONvsyBd_LrTVX8Et-gp0th4a
6. A Bird Story
LTTP: Ace Attorney Investigations 2
Builds on the already stellar ost of the original. Just some fantastic music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rr9AVYDEeMQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj6PSqjLI_c
Dark Schala
Eloquent Princess
Ghaleon and I talked it over yesterday morning and we decided to extend voting by a week, giving the entire thing a full month for people to think it over. Therefore: voting will now end on January 18th, 2015 at 11:59 PM PST.
Hopefully during the two days after GotY votes end, folks will have some time to get some more votes in.
Hopefully during the two days after GotY votes end, folks will have some time to get some more votes in.
I didn't play nearly enough games released this year, but of what I played, there were a few that really stood out.
A soundtrack that gets your pulse racing, unique, threatening and disquieting by turns, full of strange sounds and alien noises that speak to the very essence of the eternal battle between hope and despair.
2. Luftrausers (Trickrauser | Heavyrauser | Going To War)
The pulse-pounding beats alone would be sufficient to impress, but it's the amazing layering affect that comes in with your differing combinations of ship components that really elevates Luftrausers to something that sticks in your mind and can't get out.
3. Persona Q: Shadows of the Labyrinth (Maze of Life | Corn Dog | Labyrinth Culture Festival | Light Up The Fire in the Night -DARK HOUR- | Laser Beam | Light Up The Fire in the Night -MIDNIGHT CHANNEL-)
Zany, fun, and all around hype, Persona Q knows when to slow it down, when to jazz it up, when to get threatening and heavy and when to go completely Anime OP and get you in the mood to fight with hardcore nonsensical rap and soaring vocals. Not to mention the amazing remixes of familiar tunes.
Honourable Mentions:
Bayonetta 2 (Moon River | Tommorrow is Mine | Ruins of Lost Memory | Alarune - Whisperer of Dementia)
Bravely Default (Instant of Eternity | Bell of Battle | His Name Is | Fighting to the End | The Snake that Devours the Horizon)
Mario Kart 8 (Intro Theme | Electrodrome | Bowser's Castle | Mute City)
Super Smash Brothers 4 WiiU/3DS (TOO MANY GODDAMN SONGS)
1.Super Danganronpa 2 (Danganronpa Super Mix | Beautiful Ruin [Summer Salt] | Dive Drive | Ekoroisha (Kill Command))
A soundtrack that gets your pulse racing, unique, threatening and disquieting by turns, full of strange sounds and alien noises that speak to the very essence of the eternal battle between hope and despair.
2. Luftrausers (Trickrauser | Heavyrauser | Going To War)
The pulse-pounding beats alone would be sufficient to impress, but it's the amazing layering affect that comes in with your differing combinations of ship components that really elevates Luftrausers to something that sticks in your mind and can't get out.
3. Persona Q: Shadows of the Labyrinth (Maze of Life | Corn Dog | Labyrinth Culture Festival | Light Up The Fire in the Night -DARK HOUR- | Laser Beam | Light Up The Fire in the Night -MIDNIGHT CHANNEL-)
Zany, fun, and all around hype, Persona Q knows when to slow it down, when to jazz it up, when to get threatening and heavy and when to go completely Anime OP and get you in the mood to fight with hardcore nonsensical rap and soaring vocals. Not to mention the amazing remixes of familiar tunes.
Honourable Mentions:
Bayonetta 2 (Moon River | Tommorrow is Mine | Ruins of Lost Memory | Alarune - Whisperer of Dementia)
Bravely Default (Instant of Eternity | Bell of Battle | His Name Is | Fighting to the End | The Snake that Devours the Horizon)
Mario Kart 8 (Intro Theme | Electrodrome | Bowser's Castle | Mute City)
Super Smash Brothers 4 WiiU/3DS (TOO MANY GODDAMN SONGS)
1. Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair
2. Final Fantasy X HD
3. Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze
Honorable Mentions: Lightning Returns, Persona Q, Transistor, Shovel Knight
LTTP Soundtrack: Persona 3
2. Final Fantasy X HD
3. Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze
Honorable Mentions: Lightning Returns, Persona Q, Transistor, Shovel Knight
LTTP Soundtrack: Persona 3
Grim Patron
Member
1. Transistor - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41tIUr_ex3g&spfreload=10
2. Persona Q - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd50-MO6Kac&spfreload=10
3. Bravely Default - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nB2kz8VlB4&spfreload=10 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nB2kz8VlB4)
LTTP - Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. Beat the game a few days ago. It has to be this way is GOAT.
2. Persona Q - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd50-MO6Kac&spfreload=10
3. Bravely Default - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nB2kz8VlB4&spfreload=10 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nB2kz8VlB4)
LTTP - Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. Beat the game a few days ago. It has to be this way is GOAT.
I wasn't going to vote, mostly because I convinced myself that I am pretty terrible at writing about music.
Well, turns out I was asked to write up something about Bravely Default's soundtrack elsewhere, and while revisiting it, I realize I adore it too much to abstain.
1. Bravely Default
While the soundtrack doesn’t boast a large number of tracks in total, clocking at less than 50, the quality found in nearly every piece is simply remarkable. The music does a great job with varied styles while also creating a cohesive overall package. Not only is the audio quality itself top notch, but every track fits exceptionally well into its place in the game. It’s impressive how appropriate each track feels.
Choices during composition go a long way in integrating the music into the game. Each character is represented by a suitable instrument, such as the serene pan flute for the low-key Tiz, or an accordion for the goofy and flirty Ringabel. Location themes also perfectly set the mood, as the industrial war city is represented by a bombastic brass melody, while sleigh bells and piano mark the outlier snow city. Battle themes are upbeat and lively, and the concluding sections of the game join together many of the earlier tracks in an all encompassing finale medley. How common musical phrases are rearranged throughout the soundtrack is masterfully done.
Land of Civil War is simply a great track.
Well, turns out I was asked to write up something about Bravely Default's soundtrack elsewhere, and while revisiting it, I realize I adore it too much to abstain.
1. Bravely Default
While the soundtrack doesn’t boast a large number of tracks in total, clocking at less than 50, the quality found in nearly every piece is simply remarkable. The music does a great job with varied styles while also creating a cohesive overall package. Not only is the audio quality itself top notch, but every track fits exceptionally well into its place in the game. It’s impressive how appropriate each track feels.
Choices during composition go a long way in integrating the music into the game. Each character is represented by a suitable instrument, such as the serene pan flute for the low-key Tiz, or an accordion for the goofy and flirty Ringabel. Location themes also perfectly set the mood, as the industrial war city is represented by a bombastic brass melody, while sleigh bells and piano mark the outlier snow city. Battle themes are upbeat and lively, and the concluding sections of the game join together many of the earlier tracks in an all encompassing finale medley. How common musical phrases are rearranged throughout the soundtrack is masterfully done.
Land of Civil War is simply a great track.
Dark Schala
Eloquent Princess
Simply a bump to notify everyone that you have one week left to get your votes in.
I've mostly finished a game whose soundtrack I'm (predictably) voting for, so I'll be starting my writeup on Tuesday.
I've mostly finished a game whose soundtrack I'm (predictably) voting for, so I'll be starting my writeup on Tuesday.
Nocturnowl
Member
Following up on my previous list I've got a few LttP soundtracks in mind this year, to make my decision easier I'll give the vote to the one that already has some votes going for it (That GAF peer pressure) and make mention of the others afterwards.
LTTP vote: Ace Attorney Investigations 2/Gyakuten Kenji 2
Between AA5 last year, the Layton crossover earlier in this thread and now this LttP choice the Ace Attorney soundtracks are getting a lot of love from me. Investigations 2 does indeed serve up more of the same consistent goodness via Iwadare which is to say it ain't going to blow your mind with another round of courtroom themes, wait actually not in the courtroom but along the same lines, Investigating themes if you will.
Pursuit: Wanting to find the Truth
Edgey doesn't corner people, he pursues them, see there's a difference. Well in any case the cornered equivalent here is actually a bit unusual coming off the first Investigations which tackled the trope with an almost classier style befitting Edgeworth. In this case however right from the start it has a much different vibe that I can best describe as being a lot more gamier with its sound selection. As such it took a while to gel with me as I found it to not reflect Edgeworth as well as Lying Coldly did, in the end though it burrowed its way into my ear and became another appreciated earworm with a great escalating ending before the loop.
Ichiryuu's/Sebastian's Reasoning
Quickly covering the naming bases for us translation folks there. The almost childlike plinky plonky nature of this theme is quite a change from what you usually hear when debating, probably because the character in question isn't worth taking that seriously and that makes this theme work well in context, then you can contrast it with Goddess of Law for maximum effect.
LTTP Honourable mentions
Earthbound
Some soundtracks you remember because the music is catchy, Earthbound has that in places.
Some soundtracks you remember because the music is just memorably weird and sticks in your head even if you can't really hum it, you better believe Earthbound has that going for it as well and that's what really makes it stand out.
Taking the first point into account themes like those for the town of Fourside and the snowy wilderness of Winters White fall into that category.
Then suddenly you get in a fight, Battle with a weird opponent is as weird as advertised like getting in a brawl with an unassuming local guy.
Then its gets stranger still, Battle against an Unsettling Opponent really sells the oddball enemies you come up against in this game, and it just keeps on going like that with battle themes that I just can't help but find oddly hilarious throughout much like the games tone in general, with that in mind the music fits.
Kirby's Dreamland 3
I've got to admit, I've found recent Kirby soundtracks kind of hit and miss across the board in this post Epic Yarn world, Dreamland 3 doesn't entirely avoid this same fate but when it hits the whimsy button it hits it hard which makes me remember it quite fondly which is more than I can say for the game itself which was charming yet full of problems, note that Nago the fat cat and Coo the Owl are not the issues.
Cloudy Park
Grass Land 4
Ripple Field 2
I could try putting thoughts to each of those individually but it's all in the same area of sickeningly sweet, good thing I have a sweet tooth.
Persona 4
I don't think this place goes a month without a LttP thread for Persona 4, count me among those who only got around to it in 2014. I'm actually at something of a loss trying to describe the style of the soundtrack as a whole, it must be hip with the kids and all that jazz....yeah.
Smile
Me and my feel good themes, doesn't this just make you think of jolly friendship forged by the gradual filling of bars? now that's true friendship.
Your Affection
The running trend I noticed with lyrics in this game is that they don't seem to make much sense and actually looking them up dare I say raises further questions. So in the end I just roll with it and accept that its catchy and somehow it doesn't bother me after like 50 hours which is something of an achievement in itself.
RTTP: Skullgirls Encore
Yes this is a thing that I'm actually doing, back in 2012 Skullgirls was one of my votes for SotY on the strength of its Michiru Yamane goodness. In the time since them the game has only expanded further with new characters and stages, with new stages comes new music and I for one couldn't be happier with that result.
Unfinished Business (under the bridge)
I coined the term Jazzvania for this OST and here it's taken to even jazzier heights, well when the character the theme is whipped up for is attacking with brass instruments you best bust out the horns in more ways than one, actually you can even play along with Big Band's attacking inputs.
An Oasis in Time (Bath of Tefnut)
Of course I can't help but think back to Castlevania Portrait of Ruin's Egyptian themed maps with this one, here though things are quite a bit more peppy.
Yep the Skullgirls soundtrack is still the nuts.
And now I'm done, potentially done done.
But not before saying that the Yoshi clan from Yoshi's New Island was probably the worst thing I heard from a game in 2014, surely a contender for the crazy bus award.
LTTP vote: Ace Attorney Investigations 2/Gyakuten Kenji 2
Between AA5 last year, the Layton crossover earlier in this thread and now this LttP choice the Ace Attorney soundtracks are getting a lot of love from me. Investigations 2 does indeed serve up more of the same consistent goodness via Iwadare which is to say it ain't going to blow your mind with another round of courtroom themes, wait actually not in the courtroom but along the same lines, Investigating themes if you will.
Pursuit: Wanting to find the Truth
Edgey doesn't corner people, he pursues them, see there's a difference. Well in any case the cornered equivalent here is actually a bit unusual coming off the first Investigations which tackled the trope with an almost classier style befitting Edgeworth. In this case however right from the start it has a much different vibe that I can best describe as being a lot more gamier with its sound selection. As such it took a while to gel with me as I found it to not reflect Edgeworth as well as Lying Coldly did, in the end though it burrowed its way into my ear and became another appreciated earworm with a great escalating ending before the loop.
Ichiryuu's/Sebastian's Reasoning
Quickly covering the naming bases for us translation folks there. The almost childlike plinky plonky nature of this theme is quite a change from what you usually hear when debating, probably because the character in question isn't worth taking that seriously and that makes this theme work well in context, then you can contrast it with Goddess of Law for maximum effect.
LTTP Honourable mentions
Earthbound
Some soundtracks you remember because the music is catchy, Earthbound has that in places.
Some soundtracks you remember because the music is just memorably weird and sticks in your head even if you can't really hum it, you better believe Earthbound has that going for it as well and that's what really makes it stand out.
Taking the first point into account themes like those for the town of Fourside and the snowy wilderness of Winters White fall into that category.
Then suddenly you get in a fight, Battle with a weird opponent is as weird as advertised like getting in a brawl with an unassuming local guy.
Then its gets stranger still, Battle against an Unsettling Opponent really sells the oddball enemies you come up against in this game, and it just keeps on going like that with battle themes that I just can't help but find oddly hilarious throughout much like the games tone in general, with that in mind the music fits.
Kirby's Dreamland 3
I've got to admit, I've found recent Kirby soundtracks kind of hit and miss across the board in this post Epic Yarn world, Dreamland 3 doesn't entirely avoid this same fate but when it hits the whimsy button it hits it hard which makes me remember it quite fondly which is more than I can say for the game itself which was charming yet full of problems, note that Nago the fat cat and Coo the Owl are not the issues.
Cloudy Park
Grass Land 4
Ripple Field 2
I could try putting thoughts to each of those individually but it's all in the same area of sickeningly sweet, good thing I have a sweet tooth.
Persona 4
I don't think this place goes a month without a LttP thread for Persona 4, count me among those who only got around to it in 2014. I'm actually at something of a loss trying to describe the style of the soundtrack as a whole, it must be hip with the kids and all that jazz....yeah.
Smile
Me and my feel good themes, doesn't this just make you think of jolly friendship forged by the gradual filling of bars? now that's true friendship.
Your Affection
The running trend I noticed with lyrics in this game is that they don't seem to make much sense and actually looking them up dare I say raises further questions. So in the end I just roll with it and accept that its catchy and somehow it doesn't bother me after like 50 hours which is something of an achievement in itself.
RTTP: Skullgirls Encore
Yes this is a thing that I'm actually doing, back in 2012 Skullgirls was one of my votes for SotY on the strength of its Michiru Yamane goodness. In the time since them the game has only expanded further with new characters and stages, with new stages comes new music and I for one couldn't be happier with that result.
Unfinished Business (under the bridge)
I coined the term Jazzvania for this OST and here it's taken to even jazzier heights, well when the character the theme is whipped up for is attacking with brass instruments you best bust out the horns in more ways than one, actually you can even play along with Big Band's attacking inputs.
An Oasis in Time (Bath of Tefnut)
Of course I can't help but think back to Castlevania Portrait of Ruin's Egyptian themed maps with this one, here though things are quite a bit more peppy.
Yep the Skullgirls soundtrack is still the nuts.
And now I'm done, potentially done done.
But not before saying that the Yoshi clan from Yoshi's New Island was probably the worst thing I heard from a game in 2014, surely a contender for the crazy bus award.
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