Friday, June 12, 2015

The Top 50 Game Soundtracks of All Time - #40-31

Welcome to week two of the Top 50 Game Soundtracks of All Time, as chosen by yours truly. There are but two rules for games to be listed here: 1) They have to be from games I've played, and 2) They can't be made up of licensed music.

Journey with me through soundtrack selections 40 through 31 with this second part of my look at what I consider some of the greatest game soundtracks of all time!

Check out entries #50-41 here.

40) Fire Emblem: Awakening (3DS)


We start this week with a game that could have been the final Fire Emblem game in a while had the game sold poorly. It's Fire Emblem: Awakening on the Nintendo 3DS, and it delivers sensational symphonic sounds perfect for both the various battlefields and emotional moments of the game. From choir-central themes to majestic melodies, Awakening has it all.


39) F-Zero X (N64)


Taro Bando provided the hard rock and heavy metal themes to the first fully 3D F-Zero game, F-Zero X for the Nintendo 64. Whether you're listening to remixes of classic F-Zero themes like Mute City and Big Blue or entirely new compositions such as Silence and the Staff Roll, F-Zero X's music is sure to energize and raise one's adrenaline as they take to each track's numerous twists and turns.


38) Star Ocean: Till the End of Time (PS2)


Motoi Sakuraba sometimes doesn't give it his all when doing a soundtrack, but when he does, the emotions and feelings that empower one while they're playing a game featuring one of his compositions are tremendous. Star Ocean's third outing is one of these, offering immensely spectacular dungeon, town, and battle themes.


37) Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PS1)


Nostalgia can be a funny thing at times, but nostalgia isn't why Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is listed on my list of favorite soundtracks. The composition quality is masterful, and the sounds of the instruments used makes for a sometimes rocking, sometimes haunting, always wonderful soundtrack.


36) Sonic Generations (PS3, 360, PC)


The first of many Sonic the Hedgehog soundtracks to grace this list of favorite gaming soundtracks, Sonic Generations is a combination of old school and new school Sonic the Hedgehog, offering a robust lineup of retro themes made modern. It was the 20th anniversary game for the Sonic the Hedgehog series, and unlike many past installments, it was worthy of the classic Sonic lineage and legacy!


35) Sonic: Lost World (Wii U)


The first Sonic the Hedgehog game to hit the Wii U wasn't the most remarkable game-- it had its numerous problems. However, one thing that was near perfect was the soundtrack for the game in question, Sonic: Lost World. Featuring a wondrous mix of melodic marvels, grand orchestral themes, and locale-inspired tracks, Sonic: Lost World was a product of Tomoya Ohtani, one of the greatest names when it comes to video game composition.


34) Katamari Damacy (PS2)


If you're looking for an eccentric soundtrack, look no further than the Katamari Damacy one. With a wide range of musical styles, even mishmashes of ones, Katamari Damacy provides listeners a journey of musical mayhem that will most likely have them beaming from ear to ear as they roll up objects and people to please the King of All Cosmos.


33) Sonic Colors (Wii)


Sonic, you're taking up a lot of the list entries this week! That's okay, though, as the SEGA Sound Team is comprised of the some of the best video game music composers in the entire industry. Sonic Colors continues the tradition of quality Sonic the Hedgehog soundtracks with orchestral delights, heavy rock influences, and modern pop eccentricities.


32) Mega Man X2 (SNES)


Let's get retro for a moment, huh? Mega Man X2 features a rock-centric soundtrack that caters to the game's more hardcore sensibilities when compared to the classic Mega Man series. All of the Maverick stages contain catchy and memorable themes to make playing through them repeated times a pure joy (well, the excellent gameplay and level design also assist in this). What you end up with is one of Capcom's grander 16-bit soundtracks available.


31) Star Fox Assault (GCN)


I'm a huge fan of orchestral scores, so when I first heard very familiar melodies from Star Fox 64 get the orchestral treatment, I was in soundtrack heaven. The new compositions to accompany the grander older ones are just as fantastic, creating one of the Nintendo GameCube's most fabulous soundtracks. It makes me eager to hear what the Wii U game will offer sound-wise.

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