Unknown/unappreciated battle themes

[wyrdwad]

Found an old topic about RPG battle themes on here, but non-RPGs have some pretty badass battle themes too, so I figured I'd create a new one with a more general theme.

This is a thread for sharing battle themes you've encountered in RPGs and other action games that just don't ever seem to really get brought up very often, despite being absolutely stellar pieces of music.

I'm creating it because I just discovered this gem a few days ago, and I feel it's something more people need to hear -- it's the main battle theme from the PC-Engine version of the utterly unique and boundary-pushing Brain Grey-developed RPG "Last Armageddon." I own this game on MSX2, and the battle theme in the MSX2 version is something completely different, and nowhere near as amazing as this. This... is just one of the best battle themes I've ever heard.



The game itself is also one of those unsung gems that I can see retro gaming enthusiasts really taking to, if they ever discover it. It's just about the most over-the-top thing I've ever seen, and definitely a standout among other RPGs of the era for its all-demon cast and absolutely brutal story with copious amounts of blood, gore, and casual nudity. Even though Linda3 was the first RPG I know of to really get recognized by the Japanese public for being extremely violent (I think it was the first game to have a violence warning slapped on it, IIRC), this game seems like it was pushing the envelope several years prior.

There's another game I discovered a really catchy battle theme from a few years ago, too, that's similarly outstanding. It's this final battle theme from the PS1 title "Neorude 2," by TecnoSoft:



It's just so... epic-sounding! In fact, this alone made me pick up the game (and its predecessor) from Japanese PSN, though I have yet to play through either (I've demoed both, though, and Neorude 1 in particular actually seems like a pretty neat game for its treasure hunt-y feel).

And finally (for this post, anyway), I feel compelled to share the final boss theme from the 2008 Wii game "Opoona" by Arte Piazza and Koei. The regular battle theme has gotten a fair deal of exposure, being part of a Hitoshi Sakimoto soundtrack and all, but the final battle theme hardly ever gets mentioned despite being CRAZY EPIC:



I mean, how can you not love that?! It's just so GOOD!

Anyone else have any to share?

-Tom

[ReyVGM]

Nice finds.

I've always loved the Arcana soundtrack and it barely gets mentioned.


Boss Battle


Last Battle theme

[wyrdwad]

Nice! Never played Arcana, but was always really curious about it. Good to know it has kind of a badass soundtrack if and when I do.

For the first non-RPG of the topic, I feel compelled to mention Monster Tale DS -- a cute, fun Western-developed Metroidvania with an overall pretty good soundtrack, which includes this LUDICROUSLY METAL battle theme. Like, considering the cutesy nature of the game, you would NOT expect to hear THIS when going into battle:



So good!

Also, in terms of obscure Falcom battle themes, Dinosaur: Resurrection has some damned fine examples of the Falcom sound in action. That whole soundtrack (and game!) is just really good.

Here's the main boss theme:



And... what I guess would count as the "decisive battle" theme for this game, since it only plays during really important/story-sensitive boss battles. This was the first track from the game that I really got into, and is still a favorite:



I love the Celtic influences on that one!

-Tom

[magic89]

Algol Theme from Soul Calibur V are very pump it up.


Its not composed by Kilar but music at least much better than NES

[jackcaeylin]

Hehe, another opportunity to praise Growlanser! (I will only post links from youtube, because I don't know, if someone has a weak computer and will have some problems to get into the thread due to the amount of videos)


The Growlanser series had some strong battle themes, but I chose that one. It is used sparely in the PSX version. It sounds very similar to the Opening theme, but this theme can only be heard in certain battles.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjGkkz6G05w

Langrisser 1 had also some interesting tracks. I love the soundchip of the Sega Genesis.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBMYnjWBpIM


Another one that I like is the battle theme from Trails in the Sky FC. It is calm, but fits very well with the adventure feeling of the game.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bekkP37HcC0


Yours sincerely

Jack Caeylin

[wyrdwad]

Good stuff!

One more from me, too, that I meant to include in the last batch but forgot about: the final battle theme from the original 1996 RPGMaker version of Corpse Party! Though primarily a story-driven game, there was exactly ONE battle in the entire game, at the very end -- and this is the music that played during it. I really like how it uses the PC-98's FM-synth to create a weird sort of techno-ey sound. It shouldn't work as well as it does, but it TOTALLY does.



-Tom

[condroid]

Quest for Glory IV had some pretty memorable battle themes but my favorite will always be Necrotaur battle, especially the MT-32 version.

Most soundtracks Masahiro Kajihara worked on also have at least one fantastic battle theme. This one is from the X68000 version of Silent Möbuis, a visual novel based on the manga of the same name.

[ommadawnyawn2]

Knight Arms: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xs7IHjhRI0

IIRC there's an improved fan version of it with sampled drums, but it's not on YT.

Sion II: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqbgE2ex7G0&t=20m23s

Gikadiver: www.youtube.com/watch?v=skTqSvWkd4Q

vgmrips.net/packs/pack/princess-maker-2-fm-towns#17-battle
vgmrips.net/packs/pack/genocide-2-master-of-the-dark-communion-sharp-x68000#25-the-black-body-stage-5-boss
vgmrips.net/packs/pack/thunder-cross-ii-sunset-riders#08-theme-of-ragamuffin-stage-2-boss-bgm
vgmrips.net/packs/pack/tank-force-namco-system-1#05-ak-destroyer

Sword of Lxsor: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXMGVBTj-GA
Actually not sure if this last one is a battle theme, but it could be and it's great.

[Bumpyroad]

"Formidable Enemy in China" from Gaia Crusaders.I'd say it would claim unappreciated theme spot rather, 'cause the game is fairly well known and the soundtrack itself is pretty dope as a whole.

[backgroundnoise]

I feel these may be sufficiently unknown, not that I have some sort of Obscuro-Meter or that I am some sort of authority at the Board of Public Opinion:

Phades' Last Stand (Dungeon Explorer II): PC-Engine guitar heavy music; the name Compozila is listed under CD music; second phase of the final boss;

Boss 1 (Neutopia): Surprisingly energetic for a Zelda inspired game and the point where the soundtrack really impressed me; composed by Tomotsune Maeno; regular boss;

Duel of the Winds (King's Bounty: The Legend): An orchestral theme with a very strong melody; composed by Lind Erebros; normal battle theme;

Strange Encounter (Treasure of the Rudras): Composed by Ryuji Sasai, though the overall soundtrack is a lot more diverse (genre-wise) than Mystic Quest; still very rock oriented; boss theme for Scion's chapter;

FAKE (Darius Gaiden): I'm not sure this is obscure enough, but I felt like including it; possibly composed by Zuntata; has a very strong pop melody, but still sounds somewhat strange and unconventional to me; boss theme;

Tor (Iji): Guitar heavy track attributed to Hyperduck Soundworks; the overall soundtrack was somewhat unexpected considering the freeware nature of the software; final boss;

BOSS 6 (Night Striker): Zuntata again; not much to say, it's catchy, energetic and short, as most music for Space Harrier inspired games tends to be;

[1983parrothead]

All versions of Castle (Battle) theme from Popful Mail:

[Snake]

Seems like Saga Frontier 2 is mostly overlooked and forgotten. "Feldschlacht" is one of my favorite battle tracks.