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[SCULLIBUNDO]

Shenmue & Shenmue II.

Hell, even the different background music themes for each Qr. in the game is amazing.

 

[Mabase]

Wow, the Remember Me stuff is pretty great! Maybe I should have a look at that game...

 

[DaciaJC]

I'd say any Medal of Honor game prior to the 2010 reboot have had quality orchestral soundtracks. I prefer Frontline (has more emotional tracks), but all of them are worth checking out.

Operation Market Garden
After the Drop
Arnhem
Escaping Gotha

Jeremy Soule's work on IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey is also excellent.

Sturmovik March

Some really great stuff in this thread, by the way, thank you all for the links.

 

[Auron_Kale]

+1
I just recently started listening to this. Why did I wait so long!!!!! Truly beautiful -the entire soundtrack. Pulls at all my heart strings!

If you're interested, I'd also recommend the flower soundtrack by Vincent Diamante as well as Austin Wintory's soundtrack for flOw. thatgamecompany's soundtracks for their Sony games have been absolutely stellar.

Give these a try.

Vincent Diamante - Peaceful Repose

Austin Wintory - Gratitude

 

[Gunstar Ikari]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnrseZq05sA

Star Fox Assault's soundtrack is easily the best part of the game.

...not sure if that says more about the soundtrack or the game, though.

 

[sqwarlock]

Say what you will about the game, but World of Warcraft's soundtrack(s) are amazing.

Lament of the Highborne

 

[gryz]

orchestrated soundtracks are the worst

 

[Aeriscloud]

Smashing Live

Great Bay Shrine

Pokemon Medley

Fountain of Dreams

Planet Corneria

Depths of Brinstar

 

[FrostuTheNinja]

Rygar has a pretty stellar orchestral OST.

 

[EhoaVash]

Super smash bros Brawl has the best soundtrack complication ever and its mostly orchestrated too

but my favorite orchestrated game has to be Mario galaxy

EPIC ness

 

[Auron_Kale]

orchestrated soundtracks are the worst

Nope, sorry can't get behind this kind of thinking.

I can happily listen to orchestrated soundtracks alongside my chiptune ones and jpop ones (I'm looking at you Persona 3/Persona 4).

Variety is a good thing.

 

[Guerrillas in the Mist]

Jesper Kyd's Hitman Soundtracks (Namely 2 & Blood Money, 47 and Contracts are mostly electronic):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQTsj8c-RHM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbA4tId4zSU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2w4SNOW-6w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn8ndCnkw-k&list=PLBBFCBFDA55F3DDA6

 

[J_Ark]

Xenoblade - Main Theme

Eternal Sonata - Pyroxene of the Heart

Ni No Kuni - World Map

Kingdom Hearts II - Dearly Beloved

 

[jett]

Ace Combat Assault Horizon, much derided by AC fans, but the soundtrack is fucking aces. A few individual tracks used live instruments in previous AC games, but this is the first title in the franchise with a full blown out orchestral score.

Keiki Kobayashi - Rebirth

Kobayashi has got to be one of the most under-appreciated composers in the industry.

 

[jacksepticeye]

Shadow of the Colossus: The Opened Way

you can't get better than that level

Doesn't really get better than this. The whole soundtrack is amazing

Also I'd like to throw these out

Guild Wars 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gay1Cn2o4i8

Skyrim
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga8KbMcUfm8

Jeremy Soule is the fucking man

 

[legacyzero]

All of Joris de Man's Killzone OSTs

DAMN good. I just hope Shadow Fall has that great a theme.

Ace Combat Assault Horizon, much derided by AC fans, but the soundtrack is fucking aces. A few individual tracks used live instruments in previous AC games, but this is the first title in the franchise with a full blown out orchestral score.

Keiki Kobayashi - Rebirth

Kobayashi has got to be one of the most under-appreciated composers in the industry.

I see that, and raise you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS1JkPqreKQ

DAT ESCALATION!

 

[aranth]

The whole Outcast soundtrack composed by Lennie Moore and performed by the Moscow Symphony Orchestra is fantastic.

Heaven on Adelpha

 

[jett]

DAMN good. I just hope Shadow Fall has that great a theme.



I see that, and raise you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS1JkPqreKQ

DAT ESCALATION!

Now for something completely different:

Keiki Kobayashi - Ace Combat 5 - The Journey Home

 

[FrogFucius]

I agree with many of the posters here, the Galaxy games have absolutely fantastic tracks (specifically the yokota ones)
____________
World of Warcraft has a ton of absolutely gorgeous orchestrations as well - Although the Blizzard composed Echoes of War (which is sort of a compilation of Blizzard music) is even better.

Here are some highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOqha3Ei1Lc&list=PL77A5064A96399FA4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwEder2RVsY&list=PL77A5064A96399FA4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wkv1Jd_23g&list=PL77A5064A96399FA4
______________
If you're interested in something off the beaten path. My favorite orchestrated soundtrack from an older game is Little Big Adventure 2's (also called Twinsen's Odyssey).

This is my one of my favorite tracks of all time:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlermfIH-lg&list=PLAC788F6FB953B9B0

 

[gryz]

Nope, sorry can't get behind this kind of thinking.

I can happily listen to orchestrated soundtracks alongside my chiptune ones and jpop ones (I'm looking at you Persona 3/Persona 4).

Variety is a good thing.

yeah but they are pretty much replacing the other kind of soundtrack. sometimes they are good but most of the time they are usually not very good or memorable.

 

[legacyzero]

Kobayashi, you so awesome.

 

[Choppasmith]

Kid Icarus: Uprising OST is among my favorite of all time.


Here's the opening theme that just pumps me up everytime.

Damnit Sakurai, I want a sequel.

I mean GOD DAMN

Pit > Link

I don't even think those are the best ones, especially for showing of the orchestral flair of the soundtrack.

Lunar Sanctum
Wrath of the Reset Bomb
Aurum Hive
And War's End, with it's multiple phases almost (but not quite) reaches Dancing Mad levels of awesome.

 

[Mabase]

Dark Souls: Ash Lake

Like the game itself, Dark Souls' Soundtrack has an eery, epic, tragic atmosphere. But in this, there is endless beauty.

Praise the sun.

 

[H_Prestige]

Dragon Quest VIII
Dark Souls
Demon's Souls

All fantastic scores that don't fall into the trap of being generic hollywood style pieces.

 

[jacksepticeye]

Dark Souls: Ash Lake

Like the game itself, Dark Souls' Soundtrack has an eery, epic, tragic atmosphere. But in this, there is endless beauty.

Praise the sun.

That music made me so incredibly uneasy when I played, something about it made it feel like God was watching me or something was about to smite me lol

 

[DarkSoul]

Remember Me is a recent outstanding one which combines Orchestra with synth.

I highly recommend it.

And don't forget Ni No Kuni. God-tier.

Recently completed Ni No Kuni, bought it day one but couldn't play it as I was at uni...And my PS3 wasn't. It was really worth the wait, the orchestration gives it such a magical, wonderful feeling. Joe Hisashi is the king of emotive soundtracks. Here's one of my favourites, Madness. it's not game music but it's good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QAGPUDV-0c&list=PL3EBF00E760761364

Honestly though there are some excellent recommendations in this thread. Disappointed to see a lack of Skyrim in here, so here's the main theme with orchestra and choir
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-_g8NZr1tA

and also "The Streets of Whiterun" which is so very relaxing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_6utMqfR8g

EDIT: Also the Journey soundtrack, great stuff, well worth listening to in it's entirety.

 

[Dusk Golem]

So many good contendors.

Anyways, I'll go with these final boss themes from two recent Sonic games:

Sonic Unleashed Final Boss

Sonic Colors Final Boss

 

[guit3457]

This is one of the best orchestrated songs I have listened in a videogame:

Red Alert 3 Soviet March

 

[Protome]

Pretty recent Orchestrated OST is Soul Sacrifice.

Obligatory Mitsuda: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVAG7hIk3aw

And while most is made up of songs from Mitsuda, Wataru Hokoyama also has quite a few contributions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h51b4aeqkE

Came here to post those exact videos, the Soul Sacrifice soundtrack is fantastic.

 

[ladyluthien]

If you're interested, I'd also recommend the flower soundtrack by Vincent Diamante as well as Austin Wintory's soundtrack for flOw. thatgamecompany's soundtracks for their Sony games have been absolutely stellar.

Give these a try.

Vincent Diamante - Peaceful Repose

Austin Wintory - Gratitude

Wow! These are fantastic!!!
Thanks for the recommendations, I truly enjoyed them.
Gratitude has such a beautiful "flow" to it!


Really want to share this one: Opening theme from Dawn of Mana.
I don't think it's completely orchestra, but I just love listening to this.
Dawn of Mana ~Opening Theme

 

[Scoot2005]

Total Annihilation - The March Unto Death by Jeremy Soule

his best score ever

and

Shadow of the Colossus: The Opened Way

you can't get better than that level

also god tier:

Baldur's Gate 2 Throne of Bhaal Main Theme

Still got my copies of Total Annihilation and BG2:SOA + TOB expansion. Makes me want to dig em out and play! I also liked the boss music(Firkraag etc.) better.

 

[Scrabble]

You guys don't give Marty O Donnel enough love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXxQyAuqBiI&list=PLC7DFC1FA9633E0EC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehd-cihwTKs

 

[FoxSpirit]

yeah but they are pretty much replacing the other kind of soundtrack. sometimes they are good but most of the time they are usually not very good or memorable.

Well, I will admit often it's senseless bombast and bloat whereas chiptunes have to carry themselves with melody.

But good orchestral pieces are really good and memorable, though you of course can't really humm them.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

83 posts and still no Kameo??????

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFT_NNZJldA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXi2yLQZop0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxuKt93U0VU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l53G8JhhQ_8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sanATG-S4mM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RaWwshzbQ0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2jXo7ig0N4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVvIBp5gdEg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6x1Jf6WmXI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjdwSQewsxE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npzTzo32iic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_q7FbFkgqE

the songs I could find quickly. The whole thing was amazing.

still one of the very, very best game OST's I've ever heard, and it makes me only more sad that Kameo 2 has yet to come.

 

[explodet]

Monster Hunter Tri/3 Ultimate's soundtrack is orchestrated.

Zinogre
Brachydios

 

[dampflokfreund]

Is it just me or are the most of the best OSTs from Nintendo games? Oh, and the Trine 2 soundtracks are REALLY great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTXWuAl5S40

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7pzxjlWfNU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jbmRXKoNXU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw8IQK-e4oA

Just examples. I think besides of the Nintendo games, Trine 2 had the best soundtrack of all videogames.

 

[Professor Chaos]

The Ocean on His Shoulders, Bioshock:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp6QpMWaKpE

Terra's theme from FFVI arranged by Jeremy Soule:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_rpLNt81LU

 

[Rekubot]

Total Annihilation - Ambush In The Passage (best track in the game)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gajD7rrp3s

 

[K.Sabot]

OP has it right.

Castlevania LoS is one of the best orchestrated soundtracks in a video game to date. At no point did it feel monotonous or forced. The composer actually gave lead parts instead of letting everyone blend together in a boring mess.

The music they used in LoS2's trailers has me hopeful for another stellar OST.

 

[Bamihap]

The soundtrack from my first game has been played by an orchestra: check it out HERE

I hope you like it

 

[akaoni]

Didn't expect this from a Mario game. Good stuff!

You made this thread and haven't played Galaxy yet? For shame...

Get a preowned Wii if you need to, they're practically free at this point.

 

[Kard8p3]

I don't even think those are the best ones, especially for showing of the orchestral flair of the soundtrack.

Lunar Sanctum
Wrath of the Reset Bomb
Aurum Hive
And War's End, with it's multiple phases almost (but not quite) reaches Dancing Mad levels of awesome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEnDMF-z6-0

Destroyed Skyworld has always been my favorite theme from the game. War's End is right there with it though.