SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs - Symphonic Sweetness Edition

We kick off this new batch of a hundred VGMs with a special all dealing with the orchestra. From somber songs to action-packed battle themes, this week's edition of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs should delight those who love grand ensembles of instruments. Maybe if you close your eyes you'll be able to picture yourself seated in front of a massive orchestra as it plays! This week's selection of games has songs from Grandia, Shenmue, and Castlevania: Lords of Shadows, to name just a few! Sit back, relax, and let the music take you to new heights!

v801. Grandia (PS1) - Theme of Grandia

We kick off this ode to the orchestra with the main theme of the Grandia series. This one in particular comes from the original game that only released on the original PlayStation. Noriyuki Iwadare is the composer behind this wondrous theme for the series.

v802. Shenmue (DC) - Main Theme (Orchestrated)

What's worse than a cliffhanger to a cancelled TV series? How about a cliffhanger to a series that probably won't see a new installment any time soon? It's been over a decade since the cliffhanger kept players wanting more at the end of Shenmue II. Not even listening to this outstanding orchestral version of Shenmue's main theme can soothe the sadness players awaiting a conclusion to the Shenmue saga feel.

v803. Xenosaga Episode II (PS2) - The Image Theme of Xenosaga II

Xenosaga Episode II's compositions were split up by whether they were cutscenes or played during gameplay. Yuki Kajira composed the former, and also so happened to compose this image theme for the game as well. Meanwhile, Shinji Hosoe wrote the in-game pieces. While that bit of trivia is unimportant to this particular song, I have to give credit where credit is due!

v804. Panzer Dragoon Saga (SAT) - Sona Mi Areru Ec Sancitu

A heavenly, celestial theme for the ending credits of Panzer Dragoon Saga for the Sega Saturn, Sona Mi Areru Ec Sancitu is a delight for the ears, delivering peaceful tranquility and satisfying harmonies. The last appearance of the Panzer Dragoon series was in track form in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed.

v805. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow (PS3, 360) - Mechanical Monstrosity

Castlevania went full blown with its Western approach with a drastic Hollywood-style departure for the series. While the soundtrack for Lords of Shadow holds no candles to the much more melodic and memorable themes made in-house at Konami, there are several themes that are quite bombastic, such as this one, Mechanical Monstrosity.

SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs - First Snow of the Season Edition

Snow has fallen upon Central City for the first time this season! Let's bring out the old SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs segment to celebrate! (I was going to be posting this anyway, but don't let that spoil the celebration!) This week we have music from Killzone: Shadow Fall, Grandia, and Dark Souls! If you want to check out past VGMs featured on this weekly segment, check out the VGM Database!

v741. Killzone: Shadow Fall (PS4) - Main Theme

Let's start off this edition of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs with a PlayStation 4 launch title. Over the weekend it was the PlayStation 4's first birthday, after all. Killzone: Shadow Fall might not have played as an outstanding first-person shooter in a seemingly endless sea of the genre, but it certainly looked and sounded tremendous. This main theme of the game may not be the most melodic, but it's certainly provides an ominous mood all the same.

v742. Grandia (PS1) - The Sandy Beach of Gumbo

A gentle and serene theme for a tranquil town, The Sandy Beach of Gumbo lulls players into a peaceful meditation with its soft piano and soothing strings. Grandia debuted on the PlayStation in 1997, and from there it spawned three sequels. As for the PS2 generation, Grandia as a series has unfortunately been missing in action.

v743. Blue Dragon (360) - Dragon Fight!

Nobuo Uematsu knows how to deliver excellent boss music, and Blue Dragon's Dragon Fight! is no exception. Well, actually, now that I think about it, that Infinity song with the Deep Purple lead vocalist singing is sort of bad... Regardless, as the name implies, this battle theme plays upon facing one of many dragons within this Xbox 360 exclusive.

v744. Dark Souls (PS3, 360) - Ornstein & Smough

A terrible twosome, a boss battle to end all Dark Souls boss battles-- well, except for every other climactic and tense encounter within the game. Ornstein & Smough's theme features an entire orchestra and a deep chorus that shakes the very foundation of the song. Motoi Sakuraba shows his mastery of magnificent boss music with this track.

v745. Sonic CD (SCD) - Collision Chaos Zone (Good Future)

I am of the camp that prefers the North American version of Sonic CD's soundtrack. It's far catchier, has better beats, more amusing melodies, and so on. Collision Chaos Zone is the second zone of several in Sonic CD. This particular rendition of the theme plays in the good future, the final act of the zone. Gotta dig that awesome guitar and the proceeding riffs it rocks out!