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Favorite RPG music

Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 9:17 pm
by Frodo1
What is your favorite music at the level of an entire game, a piece that just stands out, basic theme music, or maybe a piece that is just atmospherically perfect for its setting? How about rousing fight music or subtle eat-your-greens stuff? How about music that just makes you laugh?

I'll start the ball rolling and go with the score from Dungeon Siege as my favorite overall work, Jeremy Soule is awesome and this stuff is vastly superior, imo, to his work on NWN, etc.

My favorite atmospheric piece is a tie between the background music for the town of Verdistis in Divine Divinity and the thematic music that is used in the white-out blizzard at the high pass in the Alpine Wilderness of Dungeon Siege.

As for basic thematic music, it's easily the theme music for Morrowind. It's corny, no doubt. However, it is still regal and adventurous.

Rousing music? The final battle music in Dungeon Siege.

My favorite piece in the funny category, and just about my favorite piece ever is the theme music for the Dwarven Inn in Divine Divinity. Dum di de dum, di de dum, di de dum de dum, dum di de dum dum dum. If you've never had the experience of hearing this before, just imagine the little people in The Wizard of Oz drunk on the finest dwarven ale singing away and your on the right track to what this track sounds like.

Oh, did I mention the fantastic music of Dungeon Lords? I guess not, since there wasn't any after your save game loaded. Any bombs you want to mention?

I'll heve plenty more to add later if this thread takes off. Indeed, I'll probably change my mind with some of my choices later. I know that I've heard some great music from more than these 3 favorites of mine.

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 2:33 am
by DesR85
Frodo1 wrote: I'll start the ball rolling and go with the score from Dungeon Siege as my favorite overall work, Jeremy Soule is awesome and this stuff is vastly superior, imo, to his work on NWN, etc.
I have never touched Dungeon Siege before but I've heard of Jeremy Soule. I agree that he is one of the best video game music composer out there. The music in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic have a rousing and cinematic effect. The score there are also quite memorable and I can even remember them up till this very day.

Another great RPG music is the opening theme for Fable: The Lost Chapters. Composed by Danny Elfman, the music suits Fable's theme and its a very memorable one too. The other musical scores are conducted by Russell Shaw. He did a fairly good job, though his scores are not as great as Danny Elfman's opening theme.

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 3:01 am
by mr_sir
I also really like the Star Wars music used in the KOTOR games. It seems to fit the events well. I also quite like the Gothic 1 & 2 music. Its subtle and not too over the top but adds a bit of feeling to areas, such as when entering the woods in Gothic 1.

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 12:29 pm
by (old)Mandalore
Yeah,Definately KotOR 1 music.I also like the names like Bendak Starkiller and Casus fett

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:34 pm
by Lonelypilgrim
Really enjoyed the music in Arcanum...the theme music is just awesome

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 12:13 am
by Aegis
Nobou Oumetsu(sp). By far one the greatest musical composers for video games. Square really lost a gem when they lost him. THe music he has done for some many of the quintessential RPG classics is breath taking (think John Williams in Japanese form), and have formed some of the most memorable tracks ever.

I would even go as far as to challenge someone to find a thematic score more timeless than that of "Prelude - Crystal Tower", or even the orchestral sound "One Winged Angel."

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 1:28 am
by DesR85
Aegis wrote:Nobou Oumetsu(sp). By far one the greatest musical composers for video games. Square really lost a gem when they lost him. THe music he has done for some many of the quintessential RPG classics is breath taking (think John Williams in Japanese form), and have formed some of the most memorable tracks ever.
Nobuo Uematsu. Gosh, I almost forgot about him. :( Yes, I wholly agree with you. He's one of the greatest music composers out there and in my honest opinion, none of the other existing composers out there could even rival him. His musical scores for most of Square-Enixes games like the Final Fantasy series and Kingdom Hearts series are captivating and even draws you in the first time you hear it. Up till this day, I can still remember his musical scores even though I didn't hear it for a long time. Its a pity he left Square-Enix.

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 2:07 am
by Coot
I've thoroughly enjoyed the music in the Baldur's Gate series.

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 6:38 am
by Minerva
Suikoden IV. For me, no competition there.
I know the game is no way perfect, even though I like it. Still, the music of the game is definitely the best I know of (Suikoden series always have great music, though).
So much so, I bought the soundtrack. :D

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 2:40 pm
by matthewd
I really like the music that is used on POPWW.. only that aint a real RPG
My style itself is aggressive Heavy-metal Like Godsmack.. Or punk rock.. Like Sum 41 or so...
But there is no way of comparing that with the music i encounter on Fable or Diablo II....
I connot really pinpoint but i do like the headings theme on fable TLC.. it is so... Relaxing ;) :o

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 5:46 am
by Robnark
I'd say Vagrant Story. atmospheric, understated and fits the mood of the game perfectly.

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 6:46 am
by Luis Antonio
Aegis wrote:Nobou Oumetsu(sp). By far one the greatest musical composers for video games. Square really lost a gem when they lost him. THe music he has done for some many of the quintessential RPG classics is breath taking (think John Williams in Japanese form), and have formed some of the most memorable tracks ever.
Indeed, he's really good, and knew how to work with the earlier systems really well, it was awesome.

The Baldur's Gate soundtrack is really good too, even though after years of listening to it it gets a bit boring.

Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 4:07 am
by Destinasi
Favorite TPG Music

My favorite RPG music was when Yuna was doing the "sending off" (or whatever it was called) of the dead in Final Fantasy X. She was dancing in the lake and music was so haunting that I replayed the cutscene over and over again just to hear the music.

Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 12:57 pm
by txa1265
Aegis wrote:many of the quintessential RPG classics
Such as ... ? Dropping a name (with questionable spelling) that hsa penned great RPG music without helping us find his stuff ... not very nice ;)

For many years I have loved great music in games. Some of my face RPG music has been mentioned:
- KotOR
- BG1 & 2
- Icewind Dale
- NWN
- Divine Divinity
- Arcanum
- Gothic 1 & 2

I like the themes from Blade of Darkness and Dungeon Lords, as well as some of the stuff from Vampire: Bloodlines.

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 1:57 pm
by triline beta
Fable. No compotition.

Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 9:03 am
by jcompton
No love for Alternate Reality, generally considered the first CRPG with a soundtrack?

Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 9:29 am
by Siberys
If it's one thing I do admire about Oblivion, it is its soundtrack. Midi's and digital music is gone, they have music to give you a feel of the land as well, not just a random piece.

Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 10:02 am
by Darmort
Knights of the Old Republic (either one) and Icewind Dale II's music were pretty good...
But the one thing I really loved was the Final Fantasy Victory tune... that's been stuck in my head for ages...

Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 10:18 am
by DesR85
Siberys wrote:If it's one thing I do admire about Oblivion, it is its soundtrack. Midi's and digital music is gone, they have music to give you a feel of the land as well, not just a random piece.
Wait, if I recall correctly, the composer for Oblivion's musical scores is Jeremy Soule, the very same guy who worked on the musical score for KOTOR, am I right?

Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 10:22 am
by txa1265
DesR85 wrote:Wait, if I recall correctly, the composer for Oblivion's musical scores is Jeremy Soule, the very same guy who worked on the musical score for KOTOR, am I right?
That's him ... as well as Icewind Dale, Neverwinter Nights, and many more ...