Official Videogame Soundtrack Thread: Evoking emotions

[Azu]

Got a thought of making this after listening to the making of inFamous 2 OST vid.

Basically, one of the ideas of the thread is to tell people what OSTs you have listened to, what kind of collection you might have and what do you think of them. If you make a certain kind of post detailing the OST with information on composers, your own reviews/comments, samples of stand-out tracks (link to Youtube vids etc.), links/info where to purchase them (Amazon? Play-Asia? PSN? iTunes?) etc., I'll add it to the OP.

If you post something like this, it's good enough:

Composer(s):
Publisher:
Release Date: (this isn't mandatory, but if you want to include it, it's fine)
Download/Purchase info: (do not give links to illegal downloads, but feel free to give links to free downloads if the publisher offers it, i.e. Beyond Good & Evil)
Comments/Review:
*a few youtube-vid links, free sample download links or something* (BE SURE TO GIVE A DESCRIPTION i.e. "*link* - Track Name")



Of course more open discussion about videogame music, posting youtube vids of tracks you like & commenting new tracks you've heard from soundtracks that have not been released yet/ever etc. is also encouraged, this isn't meant to be only about the lists & stuff. The list is mostly to offer people possibilities to find a sorted list with links & comments about soundtracks that might encourage others to listen to new music they haven't listened to before, discover new favorite composers etc.


MY COLLECTION (WORK SERIOUSLY IN PROGRESS)

Beyond Good & Evil Original Soundtrack
Composer(s): Christophe Héral
Publisher: Ubisoft
Release Date: 2003
Download/Purchase info: Ubisoft offered a free download, but the link doesn't work atm. Will update if I notice it becoming available again. Hasn't gotten a disc release or even iTunes or similar.
Comments/Review: Cristophe Héral doesn't really do game music, but he did for Beyond Good & Evil and BOY am I happy he did. Filled with emotion, this is just one of the things that elevates the whole game onto another level of greatness, despite whatever shortcomings the game has.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTdcJWDNsao (Home Sweet Home)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZHqh19LQdo (First Encounter)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuSP5MoEQTU (Domz Attack!)

BlazBlue Calamity Trigger Limited Edition Soundtrack
Composer(s): Daisuke Ishiwatari
Publisher: Aksys Games
Release Date: June 30, 2009
Download/Purchase info: Came with BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger LE
Comments/Review:

Chrono Cross Official Soundtrack
Composer(s): Yasunori Mitsuda
Publisher: Square Enix
Release Date: 1999
Download/Purchase info: Play-Asia
Comments/Review: Contains a lot of Mitsuda's finest work. This alongside with Chrono Trigger's OST are simply GOD TIER stuff in the VGOST genre.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scmQ_6gUrVU (~Scars Left by Time~)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMxOeNNgxVM (On the Shores of a Dream)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxbQI3VpTuc (The Girl Who Stole the Stars)


Demon's Souls Original Soundtrack
Composer(s): Shunsuke Kida
Publisher:
Release Date:
Download/Purchase info: Came with the Collector's Edition
Comments/Review:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ESqvGzdnvs (One Who Craves Souls)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGDY4r951Zc (Old King Allant)

Dissidia Duodecim Original Soundtrack
Composer(s): Takeharu Ishimoto
Publisher: Square Enix
Release Date:
Download/Purchase info: Limited Edition from CDJapan.co.jp
Comments/Review: Has a great collection of new compositions from Ishimoto together with a lot of new arragements as well as some orginal versions of some fan favorites from past FF games.

Distant Worlds I: Music From Final Fantasy
Composer(s): Nobuo Uematsu & Co
Publisher:
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Distant Worlds II: More Music From Final Fantasy
Composer(s): Nobuo Uematsu
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Drag-On Dragoon 2/Drakengard 2 Original Soundtrack
Composer(s): Aoi Yoshiki
Publisher: Square Enix
Release Date:
Download/Purchase info: Play-Asia
Comments/Review: Has that same tragic feel Nier's OST does, although this is not nearly as vocal-heavy. Some absolutely awesome & sometimes a bit more experimental stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7WEslOpcyo (Fate)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTBdCR6h2Bg (Twilight Hill)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9I0s3oVSQAM (Impatience)

Drammatica: Best of Yoko Shimomura
Composer(s): Yoko Shimomura
Publisher: Square Enix
Release Date:
Download/Purchase info: Play-Asia
Comments/Review: Yoko Shimomura is one of my favorite composers at the moment and this album contains some of her finest work, newly orchestrated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97UUo7zBPp4 (Destati)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AqJZyHRGtM (Somnus)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrGetw-7byo (Legend of Mana Title Theme)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C__z1BqEQZs (Tango Appassionata ~The Way This Heart Is~)

Final Fantasy XIII Official Soundtrack
Composer(s): Masashi Hamauzu
Publisher: Square Enix
Release Date: January 27, 2010
Download/Purchase info: http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-...n-70-3mac.html
Comments/Review: I'm somewhat new to Masashi Hamauzu, but if I wasn't a fan before, FFXIII's OST sure as hell made me one! It may not always have the kind of distinctive themes like FF OSTs of yore, but it more than makes up for it in versatility. It might take some time to REALLY click outside of some standout songs, but it's oh-so-worth it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwHH0LMRXQU (Atonement)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjUyp6sq2Fw (The Pompa Sancta)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usf3-SD4XyQ (Fighting Fate)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY1lIaiTgs8 (Fang's Theme)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD-CKyGSkAM (Terra Incognita)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAeljBzzhsg (Dust to Dust, I used to take my party to Oerba and just let this track play ;_; )

Flower Official Soundtrack
Composer(s): Vincent Diamante
Publisher: Sony
Release Date:
Download/Purchase info: PSN
Comments/Review: This game is beautiful. This OST is beautiful. Nothing more to add. Absolutely worth it for the few dollars/euros/pounds they ask for it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7YfSEyuIcg (Purification of the City)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT-xs4EVH4E (Life as a Flower)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n-UpQJ6gRI (Sailing on the Wind)

Gyakuten Saiban Special Courtroom 2008 Orchestra Concert ~Gyakuten Meets Orchestra~
Composer(s): Noriyuki Iwadare
Publisher:
Release Date:
Download/Purchase info:
Comments/Review: The Ace Attorney series has some great music and these Orchestral pieces are a great reminder of it. Although some of the songs are perhaps a tad too slow from their original GBA/DS midi-songs, they don't lose their original charm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUl2xsd9B2w (Gyakuten Saiban 4 Courtroom Suite)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVhdez_qVX4 (Godot - Fragrance of Dark Coffee)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRCSVMVZ5TE (Great Revival - Reiji Mitsurugi)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNa0yrXcf3o (Gyakuten Saiban 1~3 Courtroom Suite)

Heavy Rain Official Soundtrack
Composer(s): Normand Corbeil
Publisher:
Release Date:
Download/Purchase info: PSN
Comments/Review: Not the longest OST ever, but has enough strong themes to carry the game through.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_pzIWp5kCA (Main Theme)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za5hzta5VpM (Painful Memories)

ICO ~Melody in the Mist~
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Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep & 358/2 Days Official Soundtrack
Composer(s): Yoko Shimomura, Tsuyoshi Sekito, Takeharu Ishimoto
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Last Remnant Original Soundtrack
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Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky First Chapter Musical Selections
Composer(s): Falcom Sound Team jdk
Publisher:
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Comments/Review: You might hear some divisive opinions about this game's OST, at least in comparison to . Yeah, the music is pretty light, but I really like the melodies and it fits the First Chapter's Grandia-like travelling, with all sorts of genres.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv_bDQ8VEz0 (Rescue Mission)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKMwOPOFhZA (Hollow Light of the Sealed Land
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV7C7cZAgBY (Setting Off)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_np4Gf9THv0 (Wandering in the Darkness)

Legend of Mana Original Soundtrack
Composer(s): Yoko Shimomura
Publisher:
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LocoRoco 2 Original Soundtrack
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Myth: The Xenogears Orchestral Album
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Nier Gestalt & Replicant Original Soundtrack
Composer(s):
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Comments/Review: What can I say that hasn't already been said a million times by other people in all parts of the Internet discussing this game's soundtrack. It's simply sublime. The vocals are heartwrenchingly beautiful, the songs full of tragedy and sorrow... Below are just a few of the songs from the OST, Nier should be recommended reading for everyone and anyone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaFmI2M6AAY (Hills of Radiant Winds)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUzBQbajbvQ (Grandma)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9F4rGxr9w4 (Kaine / Escape)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrwvtyWiicI (Shadowlord ~ White-note Remix)

Nier Gestalt & Replicant 15 Nightmares & Arrange Tracks
Composer(s):
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Comments/Review: Some of these remixes might come as a shock to someone who likes the serenity of the original songs. But there are also rearrangements that are closer to the original OST in style, which will most likely be appreciated even by those who don't like the more electronic remixes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzVPEYzKhTo (Song of the Ancients ~ Lord Androids Mixuxux)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue0CTSMZ6_g (Emil Ultimate Weapon No. 7)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kZdwPfeamw (The Wretched Automatons / A Capella)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IttCA98s9Us (The Legend of Nier: 8-Bit Heroes)

Parasite Eve I & II Box
Composer(s): Yoko Shimomura, Naoshi Mizuta
Publisher:
Release Date:
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Comments/Review: Long story short? Parasite Eve 1's OST has some really good stuff, but that's not too surprising given that it's from Yoko Shimomura. Parasite Eve 2's OST has a bit too much (weird) ambient stuff to be too listenable outside the game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGWa4Zm0YDA (Primal Eye)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpbDDwWATuY (Arise Within You)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnKiIILDB5E (Tower Rendezvous)

Piano Collections Final Fantasy VII


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=404Vyt92lCs (Main Theme)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnCqcfu28H0 (Those Who Fight)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sh9UmS5iQk (Aerith's Theme)

Piano Collections: Kingdom Hearts
Composer(s): Yoko Shimomura
Publisher:
Release Date:
Download/Purchase info:
Comments/Review:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufGPPatMLU8 (Concert Paraphrase on Dearly Beloved)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2XK9Dia38o (Missing You ~ Namine)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vpzq9tLFO4 (3rd Mov. : Riku - Scherzo Intermezzo)

Piano Collections Field & Battle: Kingdom Hearts
Composer(s): Yoko Shimomura
Publisher:
Release Date:
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Comments/Review:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HptGN_WV3g (Scherzo Caprice on a Theme of Never Land)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZX9sI5rlwA (Hollow Bastion)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvd9RtRXSdk (Musique pour la tristesse de Xion)

Radiant Historia: Piano Selections
Composer(s): Yoko Shimomura
Publisher:
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Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game Official Videogame Soundtrack
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Shadow of the Colossus Original Soundtrack: Roar of the Earth
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Shatter Official Soundtrack
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Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together Official Soundtrack
Composer(s): Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, Hayato Matsuo
Publisher:
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Comments/Review: An absolutely fantastic soundtrack filled with a lot of Sakimoto & Co's best work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Nyz5l5oG1c (Theme of the Black Knight)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsLibvvcy-0 (Fortune Teller 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TGjNQus3_8 (Impregnable Defence)

Xenoblade Official Soundtrack
Composer(s): Yoko Shimomura
Publisher:
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Ys I & II Chronicles Musical Selections
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Ys: The Oath in Felghana Musical Selections
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Ys Seven Musical Selections
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I'm hoping to hear some great new songs & learn from completely new composers, don't disappoint me Interweb people! I'll try to update the list as time goes by & and I have the time.

[Eric]

I think this is a good time to link my recent Q+A with Inon Zur. There's loads of music embedded within it, so be sure to listen to that as you read. Enjoy!

The Best in the Business: Dragon Age II Composer Inon Zur

[Azu]

Hmm... Dragon Age had better music than I remembered. For some reason I don't remember it as being anything too special...



Anyways, stuff I've discovered recently:

inFamous 2 music from Qore
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIv2ahxMzm0

Neotokyo (Ed Harrison)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4p87Q1sQNw - Welcome (I need to get this CD in me NAO, sadly I can't even find any overpriced copies from eBay, Amazon or anywhere )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm8mpq2VYFk - Out
+lots more from the related vids

Deus Ex: Human Revolution full trailer song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmRlnMheP-o

[Sieghardt]

Nice collection, mind if I include some albums from game composers that arent in games but are similar in theme and awesome?

Game:

Alundra: OGS
Composer: Kouhei Tanaka
Review: Atmospheric dreamlike tracks

Ar Tonelico OST
Ar tonelico Hymmnos concert Side Blue -Reading the Stars ~Hoshiyomi~-
Ar tonelico Hymmnos concert Side Crimson -Playing the Moon ~Tsukikanade~-
Ar Tonelico 2 OST
Ar tonelico II Hymmnos Concert Side Blue ''Waterway ~ Mio''
Ar tonelico II Hymmnos Concert Side Red ''Flame ~ Homura''
Ar tonelico III Hymmnos Concert SAKIYA=RUMEI
Ar tonelico III Hymmnos Concert SUZUNO=MIYA
Composers: Akira Tsuchiya, Daisuke Achiwa, Ken Nakagawa
Review: The soundtracks are a pretty excellent blend of fantasy and futuristic synth, similar to the game mythos but the Hymmnos albums are where it really shines with majestic sweeping themes inspiring hope and triumph and dark foreboding themes all written in a fantasy language created especially for the game inspiring a real sense of magic to the words.

Azel: Panzer Dragoon RPG OST
Composer:Saori Kobayashi, Mariko Nanba
Review: One of the most unusual soundtracks I've ever heard, it had a great tribal feel to it and really evokes an atmosphere of danger and mystery. Definitely worth a listen because there isnt much else like it.

Langrisser 2: Dramatic Edition soundtrack & Drama CD
Composer(s): Noriyuki Iwadare
Comments/Review: The drama CD is pretty throwaway but the high quality version of the soundtrack is amazing, Dark Princess, Neo Holy War and Knights Errant are awesome battle tracks and A story forever is one of the best final battle themes I've ever heard, the non-battle tracks are a bit weak though

Langrisser 5 OST
Composer: Noriyuki Iwadare
Review: Iwadare returned to the helm for L5 after missing 3 and shows how it's done, in contast to 2 this one has a futuristic feel and some nice synth

Lunar Silver Star OST
Lunar: Eternal Blue OST
Review: In all their guises these are awesome soundtracks, there's a bit of debate over which version is better, Sega CD or Playstation and English or Japanese, Personally I'm a fan of Working Designs english versions of the vocal tracks but all versions are full of awesome music anyway.

Mana Khemia OST
Mana Khemia 2 OST
Composers: Ken Nakagawa, Daisuke Achiwa
Review: The first album starts off very fun and cheery and has some really fun vocal tracks like Nee then turns dark toward the end, ending with STIGMATA, a beautiful track that really evoked being pained and suffering while also being an excellent battle track. the second album is much more light hearted but is still pretty great, Namelosen Licht is a decent successor to STIGMATA.

Grandia OST
Composer: Noriyuki Iwadare
Review: The opening theme is epic, simply one of the best pieces ever written the rest complements the game perfectly and I feel is best experienced by playing the game first, then listened to later.

Grandia 2: Deus, Melodia and Povo
Composer(s): Noriyuki Iwadare
Comments/Review: Just look up Fight!! Ver 1 and Cancao do Povo, they'll say more than I can

Guilty Gear XX in LA
Guilty gear XX in NY
Review: Vocal editions of the music from guilty gear, the lyrics are cheesy but it's very enjoyable

Super Robot Wars: Original Generations
Super Robot Wars: JAM PROJECT Songs
Review: Trombe, Platinum Lucifer and Ash to Ash are stand out tracks in an awesome soundtrack, the JAM PROJECT vocal tracks are the icing on the cake, Rocks, Protect You and Meikyuu no Prisoner being my favourites out of that bunch

Thunder Force 4: OST
Review: Shoot 'em Up music at its finest. Metal Squad still gets me excited to this day.

Sora No Kiseki OST
Sora No Kiseki Vocal Version
Sora No Kiseki SC OST
Sora No Kiseki The Third OST
Zero No Kiseki OST
Composer: Sound Team JDK
Review: I'm just going to bundle all these together, they are utter must haves for any game music fan, dont believe me? Just look up a few tracks like Silver Will, Golden Wings or Overdosing Heavenly Bliss

Ys The Oath in Felghana OST
Ys The Ark of Napishtim OST
Ys Origins OST
Ys Seven OST
Composer: Sound team JDK
Review: Almost as Essential as the Sora No Kiseki ones

Non-game:

Tindharia No Tane
Composer(s): Noriyuki Iwadare
Comments/Review: A beautiful vocal album, the title track is really powerful

Ingmar
Composer(s): Noriyuki Iwadare
Publisher:
Release Date:
Download/Purchase info:
Comments/Review: Very much in the style and theme of Grandia 2

Volkslied 3
Composers: Ken Nakagawa, Daisuke Achiwa
Comments/Review: A selection of tracks from the Atelier amnd Mana Khemia games reworked as Vocal tracks. GBMB is a really cheery enjoyable track, Kotodama is incredibly atmospheric, Argentum Astrum and Replicated Angel are fantastic battle music, the latter, based on Red Lucifer Rising is a personal favourite.

Broken Thunder
Review: This music was made for Thunderforce 6 for dreamcast, sadly the game got cancelled, but they released the music anyway

[Azu]

Nice collection, mind if I include some albums from game composers that arent in games but are similar in theme and awesome?

Go ahead, so long as you keep it roughly at a level that the music is "gamey" or the composer/performer has done some game stuff. It's always nice to hear if they've done something different with movies/anime/something else in comparison to game compositions.

Sora No Kiseki OST
Sora No Kiseki Vocal Version
Sora No Kiseki SC OST
Sora No Kiseki The Third OST
Zero No Kiseki OST

I'll have to look into these, perhaps after I've played the games, to appreciate them even better when I have a better understanding of the context of the music as well. That always elevates the experience, at least for me.

Tindharia No Tane
Composer(s): Noriyuki Iwadare
Comments/Review: A beautiful vocal album, the title track is really powerful

Uuu, is this from something? Some anime or such? I've really enjoyed Iwadare's Lunar, Trials & Tribulations and GS Orchestra & Jazz arrangements. Would be interested to hear more non-Gyakuten Saiban stuff.

[Sieghardt]

sadly tindharia isnt from a game, though there is a very RPG-like story to the songs themselves, It's a collaboration between Iwadare and Haruka Shimotsuki so it's kinda in between Grandia and Ar Tonelico Hymmnos in feel, fans of either or both of those will love it ^^

I'll try to add more when I get home and have a look at my CD cabinet