Game Music is Underrated

in Blog, Game Design, Observation by LAS on January 19th, 20103 Comments

Game Music is UnderratedEverybody knows the components of a great videogame: interesting storyline, impressive graphics and smooth gameplay mechanics. People rarely include music, despite it seemingly resonating with fans.

Videogame music, especially epic Japanese soundtracks such as Final Fantasy, and 8-bit classics, are well loved by fans. Orchestras have started to make their entire living touring the world playing covers of game music. Much like Hans Zimmer has become a household name from his film soundtracks, so is Nobuo Uematsu revered in gaming circles.

Some of my favorite games are bolstered by their soundtracks, and following are my ten favorite video game songs. I’m not going to pick out ‘must include classics’ such as the Mario Theme or the Tetris music. These are merely my personal top picks.

Doom’s E1M1 music is immediately recognizable and its origins are interesting as it was a last minute change in style for id software. They’d initially planned to go with moody gothic tunes.

 

The MedSci 1 theme from System Shock 2 is not merely the best music from this epic game, it’s also one of the first songs you hear and introduces you to the futuristic techno experience to come.

 

Planescape Torment doesn’t need its music to be a great game; its story is already the greatest in any videogame. That being said, its Fortress of Regrets theme is haunting and memorable.

The Zelda series has a number of strong offerings, but I think the dungeon music from Link to the Past is the catchiest, and everybody already knows the overworld theme anyway.

Final Fantasy is so overdone as far as the music goes, but the series’ offerings are just so prolific that a couple warrant selection. The first is ‘At Zanarkand,’ from Final Fantasy X.

The second is actually a cover of the Final Fantasy VII boss theme by The Black Mages, the band made up of developers for the series.

Who can forget the Dr. Wily theme from Mega Man 2? Of the 8-bit offerings it’s certainly the best.

As much as I hate Halo, I can’t help but include its epic theme on the list. This was the reason for which I was initially excited about the game, and part of my severe disappointment from its move from the computer to the Xbox results from knowing deep down that I’d never get to play the game with this theme.

Super Mario Kart was a fantastic experience and it didn’t hurt that its Rainbow Road theme remains the best of the series.

Finally, the Mortal Kombat theme song is the campiest, greatest fighting game song ever made. It is the only reason this series ever gained any traction with fans (don’t believe what the books say about ultra violence!)

Videogame music is gaining in legitimacy. Hans Zimmer did the music to the recent blockbuster Modern Warfare 2, and I have no doubt we’re going to see increasing numbers of high profile film composers working on games. It’s a long road, but it is inevitable.

LAS

About the author

I'm kind of a big deal

Responses to “Game Music is Underrated”

Trackbacks

  1. Wavatar Game Music is Underrated | Drakz Free Online Service

Leave a reply