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Happy September soundtrack fans. Admittedly getting started on this a bit late, but let's get the suggestions flowing. This month I will be joined by Don Casanova. I'll be bringing Axiom Verge 2 and Don is bringing Rayman Origins. I've heard that Rayman album has left a lot out, so if you know anything about where I can hear a more complete version, drop me some info.

Please leave your suggestion for this month in the comments below. Also even if your selection isn't picked, it's still fun to discuss in the comments, so leave a quick paragraph or two on why you suggested your pick if you can, and check out what others have submitted as well.

Here's our updated Google Doc with past submissions. Games marked in blue have already been discussed. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_nGNeXEScvvwWzm1HfpbF6N6Vu1m2A_DZ1blP6GjwaU/edit?usp=sharing

Comments

Anonymous

Can't wait to hear the discussion between you and Don. He has such an eloquent, dynamic approach to everything he is passionate about and leaves you teetering on the edge of your seat the way no one else can.

Brandon K Gann

For this month, my submission is a bit of a cheat as I'm submitting two games, but because of their nature and soundtracks being so close to another, it's hard for me to differentiate the two, as they both could be put with the other: The original DOOM & DOOM II What makes these soundtracks so fantastic is their timeless quality. As iconic as E1M1 is (At Doom's Gate) with its fast tempo of percussion and reliance on guitars and synths, both games' soundtracks are a nice mixture of songs fast, slow, and even both at the same time. The reliance of drum, metal guitar, and synth give both soundtracks that unique feel. Another big standout for me about the soundtrack is regardless of whichever level or map specific song plays, it's IMMEDIATE in its identity of DOOM, and the mind's eye paints the retro picture of that HUD with DOOMGuy in the center as you move through a corridor and memory superimposes the shotgun blast into a crying demon or the distinct sound of a door opening. The oppressive feeling of every song simultaneously weighs you down with dread while somehow pumps up to go out on a demon hunting trip.

Anonymous

Eastward! New soundtrack, but already deserves some recognition. It modernizes that chiptune feel in the same way that they modernized the pixel art appearance.

EdReedFan20

A favorite of mine is the soundtrack to Lair. It is incredibly epic. The game, itself, was a pretty big flop for PlayStation and developer Factor 5 (makers of Rogue Squadron). The game all but put Factor 5 out of business. With it's traditional symphonic score, written by Hollywood composer John Debney, Lair's soundtrack is as pleasing to listen to as it was in 2007. It feels like a blend of Star Wars and Lord of the Rings.

Anonymous

How has nobody suggested Portal 2 before? While the first game has a shorter, more digestible soudtrack and a more memorable closing song, Portal 2 has an absolutely gargantuan number of tracks to delve through, breathing new life into Aperture as a place. As you move through the game, going from present to past Aperture and back again, the music contains subtle changes and adjustments to reflect the different environments, and listening to it outside of the game not only gives greater appreciation for those differences, it helps them stand out more. "The Courtesy Call" open the game with a mixture of orchestral, also filmic, music and the same electronic beats from the first game, showing that this is a bigger and grander game than the first. Even with its more intense music like "Courtesy Call" or the tense "I AM NOT A MORON", there are still tracks that are almost somber and calm by comparison, like "You are Not Part of the Control Group", not to mention the ones that use more classical music like "Machiavellian Bach" and "Cara Mia Addio." Its a varied soundtrack filled with great intense music, wonderfully calming tracks, and still finding time for a great original song to cap things off. Plus, the entire three volume collection is available free digitally from Valve's website (https://www.thinkwithportals.com/music.php) and got a decently easy to find 3 disc set for those who love their physical music, and Mondo Records announced they'll be doing a pressing on Vinyl in the near future!

EdReedFan20

Another soundtrack from the era that I am really fond of is Warhawk. The soundtrack to Warhawk is an oddity. It was written for a story-based campaign, which Warhawk was meant to have. At some point in development, PlayStation and Incognito Entertainment dropped the story and went multiplayer only. Snippets of the soundtrack can be heard at moments during matches, especially when things are getting intense. I liken the music to a serial adventure set in the 1930's/1940's. Perhaps it's no surprise the aesthetics of the game match that tone.

Anonymous

Just wanted to say that I hope the soundtrack from Axiom Verge 1 also gets a mention, I think it has some fantastic tunes that run a mixture of being incredible atmospheric, unsettlingly creepy and at times really upbeat and action-packed. The scores from both Axiom Verge games are brilliant and even more special when one considers that they are also composed by Thomas Happ who did everything else on the game.

Anonymous

“Looks like things are gonna get weird today” – because today I’m nominating No More Heroes III. It’s a shame that only a handful of tracks are available to stream on Marvelous’s YouTube channel (and only until the end of September at that), because there’s plenty more to love where they came from. The music of NMH III is as wild and unpredictable as the game itself. Sometimes it’s mellow. Sometimes it’s totally ballistic. Often times, it gets “all funky real quick.” And if you want an outstanding victory screen theme, look no further than NMHIII. Here’s to hoping the full soundtrack sees the light of day in the not too distant future!

Anonymous

I'll suggest Super Street Fighter II Turbo. I love when characters get their own themes and Street Fighter has some of the most iconic character themes in games. Everyone knows Guile's theme but even the lesser known ones are great and they all sound distinct. You can get a sense of each character's personality and culture. It's always great to see these themes brought back and redone with new entries in the series.

Anonymous

Dragon Age Origins. I love the music in this game. Inon Zur did an amazing job composing the sountrack

Anonymous

It is time to...Huntdown ! The soundrack should be up on steam ( at least in europe) such an atmospheric collection that depicts the idea of dirty cyberpunk very well :)

Anonymous

Death’s Door OST had me hot n bothered.

Anonymous

Maybe Super Mario All Stars to get unique takes on already popular songs?

Anonymous

all of this for sure! I also remember Portal 2 had some of the earlier gameplay based music/sfx I've heard. The example I remember off the top of my head is the white acceleration goo will cause the soundtrack to speed up as you run and accelerate on it as a function of your speed!

Anonymous

I'm bringing Mario Kart 64! I love this era of vgm from Japan due to the heavy fusion jazz influence, and experimental freedom, which MK64 brings in full force. The main menu theme delivers an exciting and emotional first impression to a wild array of music filled adventures. Raceway kicks off Mario's classic premier track with a traditional fusion kart jam; Toad's Turnpike cranks up electric, eclectic jazz; Koopa Castle drags in a dramatic sense of dread as Bowser's Keep spikes the difficulty, with the truly terrifying Banshee Boardwalk lurking just around the corner. If you can make it this far, DK's Jungle Park theme will put you in a trance, as you tap into your hard earned skills and instincts. To finish it all out, Rainbow Road brings an intense sense of joy, exhilaration, fear, and determination all at once as the ride comes to an end. On top of all this, after you finish in 1st place, AI takes over your kart, and you cruise through the course on a victory lap, the camera sweeping around you with dynamic grace. The song Winning Results plays, and it gifts you a sense of cool, with a laid back, 11/8 metered groove that's so comfortable in it's complexity that it glides effortlessly around in space, just like you did around the track. MK8's OST is a Masterpiece, in an iconic era of entertainment!

Anonymous

This is the one I thought of! I'd love to hear Don spin a soliloquy of infatuation with this soundtrack!

Anonymous

For this month I'm going to submit the soundtrack of The Secret of Monkey Island Special Edition. Classic adventure games are often noted for their charm, and more than anything I think this is conveyed in Monkey Island’s music. Tracks like The Scumm Bar, Stan’s Previously Owned Vessels, and Ghost Ship Shuffle just ooze personality, giving character to the people and places that exist in the game. The soundtrack’s variety of instrumentation adds to this character, but never makes the whole experience too chaotic – somehow everything sounds playful and piratey (whatever that means). And of course, to kick it all off is the theme that plays in Introductions. Despite not playing Monkey Island until the mid-2010s, the song still feels nostalgic to me, and that seems to be by design. It sounds equally magical, mysterious, adventurous, and fun. And hey, I think those four words describe the game as a whole pretty well!

Anonymous

Please consider Rez Infinite for your discussion. Rez is Tetsuya Mizuguchi's first real attempt at synesthesia, blending of the senses in a video game art form. In Rez the visuals, music and gameplay all combine for an emotional experience, especially in VR. It's truly a joy to experience. Rez's soundtrack can also be enjoyed independently. It consists of tracks from various artists in the style of electronic dance music, influenced by European artists from the 90's. Each track fits and defines the level it's for. Rez Infinite has the new Area X which also has a phenomenal soundtrack. Highlights in my opinion are: "Buggie Running Beeps 01" by Keiichi Sugiyama, "Fear (Rez Mix)" by Adam Freeland, "Wide Echoes" by Hydelic. Thank you for all of your insightful discussions so far!

Anonymous

I would like to bring Jade Empire(2005)! Composed by Jack Wall, you can find the soundtrack in its entirety on YouTube, but hopefully it’s on bandcamp as well. I feel that Eastern Fantasy/Mythology is such a deep well for developers to draw from, but we see surprisingly little in the AAA space these days. Jade Empire was BioWare’s last RPG on the original Xbox, and something that has stuck with me in the years following my subsequent playthroughs has been the soundtrack. Not only are the themes well-composed and pleasant to listen to, but the instrumentation used includes sounds and instruments that are rarely used in Western compositions(namely the erhu and the zither, but the percussion section as well!) The instrumentation helps each song draw the player further into this world with its authenticity, and gives you the feeling of embarking on this fantastical journey that has always left me wanting more. The score befits the martial arts epic, and I would enjoy hearing the panel’s thoughts! L&R 🙏🏽

EasyAllies

Here's a link to what looks like a more comprehensive version of the Rayman Origins soundtrack, although I still don't think it's the full version. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkSWYLseisk -Bloodworth

Anonymous

I'm still listening to my personal edit of this soundtrack. Relaxing and cool at 68 minutes. It sound like 8bit Advisory Circle. Love.