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Post by Bobinator on Jul 7, 2019 22:59:59 GMT -5
So, I have a thought. I think a game's soundtrack can partly be measured by the songs that a game starts and ends with. No matter the quality of the actual game, I think that having a good song to really get you hyped to start a new game, and another great song to finish it, is a sign of a great OST. So what are yours?
Mine would be Shovel Knight, to start.
((That second one technically isn't the very last stage, but close enough.))
Some opening stages...
(Technically from the game's expansion, but still good!)
A couple of good closing stages...
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Post by lurker on Jul 7, 2019 23:16:43 GMT -5
How about some Rocket Knight Adventures? I like it so much I got the soundtrack vinyl.
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Post by X-pert74 on Jul 8, 2019 5:38:34 GMT -5
Not much can rival the final stage theme in Turrican II: The Final Fight :3
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Post by Sac (a.k.a Icaras) on Jul 8, 2019 6:09:33 GMT -5
I've always loved the 1st stage theme in Mercs, it just really pumps you up!
I'll also add on Journey to Silius (The title theme is also awesome)
Also, props for the shoutout to Jazz Jackrabbit (Mind you, Epic, at least back in the MegaGames days, always had a knack for awesome music tracks in their games. Pretty much all the tracks in Epic Pinball are bangers, IMHO)
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Post by ommadawnyawn2 on Jul 8, 2019 11:31:21 GMT -5
I tend to use a similar method for when researching my retro vgm tribute (generally intro, first couple of levels/areas, then the ending theme) and it seems like a good rule of thumb for retro games at least.
Anyway, since I've been editing it today SoM's fortress (final dungeon) music was the first that came to mind.
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Post by Snake on Jul 8, 2019 11:42:47 GMT -5
Journey to Silius had some amazing BGMs! Really loved the mood of the 1st level.
My pick must sound like a broken record, as I've said it way too many times. Dracula X:Rondo of Blood, first and last levels:
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Post by Bumpyroad on Jul 8, 2019 12:37:56 GMT -5
First stage of Chou-Kousoku Gran Doll(PSX) and last stage of Super Raiden(PCE)
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Post by vnisanian2001 on Jul 8, 2019 14:44:53 GMT -5
Going for a somewhat obscure example:
The first stage's really gets you ready for adventure, while the final stage's theme really makes you realize that this is the end, especially with its deserted setting of tombstones and mud.
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Post by windfisch on Jul 9, 2019 18:46:25 GMT -5
Best last level theme has to be Jet Set Radio's "Grace and Glory". It retains the funky vibe of the rest of the soundtrack, but at the same time sounds darker, more mysterios and more dramatic by using elements like eerie cultist chants. The icing on the cake is that this very track is played by the final boss who is DJing while sitting on top of a gigantic record player in order to summon a powerful demon... Or maybe it's Rez' "Fear"? Again, a departure from the other tracks, this remix of Adam Freeland's song is slower and calmer, but at the same time more "adventurous" and more hopeful, perfectly synched to this level's different phases, each representing stages of evolution of life on earth. It's so fucking good!
edit: Can't really have a best game music thread without Zuntata, can we now? (G-Darius, first stage and last boss:)
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Post by ommadawnyawn2 on Jul 10, 2019 8:12:06 GMT -5
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Post by kaoru on Jul 10, 2019 9:02:04 GMT -5
It's not the first level, but DQXI starts with a great sounding orchestral version of the fanfare. Once you go into the game, the tracks sound like butt.
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Post by Bumpyroad on Jul 10, 2019 9:16:42 GMT -5
The Adventures of Bayou Billy, Jurassic Park, James Bond Jr., Toxic Crusaders(NES), Final Mission(Fam). All 1st levels.
And last level of Mitsume ga Tooru(Fam)
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Post by ommadawnyawn2 on Jul 10, 2019 10:29:58 GMT -5
Didn't know Toxic Crusaders was on the NES too. That one sounds a lot better than the MD game overall.
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Post by Bumpyroad on Jul 10, 2019 14:34:59 GMT -5
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Post by 🧀Son of Suzy Creamcheese🧀 on Jul 10, 2019 16:05:56 GMT -5
I think per definition if you have a great soundtrack, probably the first/last tracks will be good too. But there are definitely some examples I can think of where the first track seems especially suitable in getting you in the mood for the game.
he Genesis Sonic games make a really good first impression with their music. In fact, in the case of Sonic 1 and 2 this extends to the levels too I think. Definitely Green Hill Zone is deliberately designed to be the most 'fast' stage in the game.
Smash Bros. Melee's intro and menu stage show off the game's (generally) orchestrated sound really well. Especially since it's such a huge step up from the flaccid OST of the original Smash, and it's one of the first Nintendo games that doesn't use chiptunes. I can imagine someone playing Melee for the first time would get quite curious about how some of their favorite Nintendo songs sound in the game. I didn't have a lot of experience with Nintendo games at that age, but it probably would've blown my mind to hear the Zelda theme all orchestrated, or the Star Fox 64 theme.
Also, it's probably just on my mind since I'm playing through it right now, but Banjo-Kazooie's Spiral Mountain has a very catchy tune and puts you in a good mood, and the rest of the game keeps it up with the catchy tunes.
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