Rating: 10/10
Often I like to torture myself by listening to the soundtracks of games I REALLY want to have, but don't/can't. Such is the case with Haunting Ground, which I'm trying to find, and decided to listen to the soundtrack first. While it did just make me that much more desperate to play the game, it was well worth it. Because this is without a doubt my favorite survival horror soundtrack.
First off, it's more melodic, loud, and complex than most music in the genre. Yes, there's dark ambient, but that doesn't make up the whole soundtrack. And the dark ambient songs still make plenty use of melody and unique sounds.
Second, it is PERFECTLY suited to it's game. I was struck by how well the visual style of the gameplay and the songs went together. (As a contrast, the music of many Silent Hill or Fatal Frame seems a little out of place when compared to what you're seeing on screen. And don't even get me STARTED on Resident Evil, ugh.) Emotionally, as well - trust me, when the music panics, you panic. When the music gets sad and sweet, you say "Awww" and get teary.
Third - I know I always harp on this, but it's important - the songs are diverse. With one or two exceptions, no two pieces sound alike.
And fourth, it is ridiculously creative. From the panicky industrial sounds to the flawless incorporation of classical music, I've never heard a soundtrack quite like this before.
Like any other game I'll rate the full 10/10, I have absolutely no complaints about Haunting Ground's soundtrack. It blew me away, pure and simple. I may not have the game, but I'm sure glad I can enjoy as marvelous a soundscape as this.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Soundtrack Review: Legend Of Zelda - Wind Waker
Rating: 9/10
It's an unusual opinion I have in the Zelda fandom: Wind Waker is hands-down my favorite game. For many reasons, including the creativity, amazing fight controls, lovable characters, lack of a water temple, dozens of awesome sidequests, and the sailing (which I totally loved). Another one of those reasons is the music - I would say WW has the best soundtrack of any game in the series.
I always judge soundtracks by three main factors: Creativity, Quality, and Suited to the Scene. Wind Waker has all of those things in spades. There's a wide range of sounds - the songs for each area are all unique. They set a perfect mood for every boss and event. The musical arrangements are like I'd never heard before.
The other wonderful thing about the music is how emotional it is. Not just sad or dramatic. The songs range from perfectly festive, to utterly majestic, to mildly terrifying. The sheer range of emotion in the soundtrack is impressive on its own.
The only real complaint I have with the music is that some of the songs do feel a bit...empty, I suppose is the best way to describe it. For the most part, the arrangements in Wind Waker are very sparsely orchestrated. Most of the time that works, but in some songs it just leaves you feeling disappointed. But that's a minor complaint, and this game still has my favorite soundtrack out of all the Zelda games.
It's an unusual opinion I have in the Zelda fandom: Wind Waker is hands-down my favorite game. For many reasons, including the creativity, amazing fight controls, lovable characters, lack of a water temple, dozens of awesome sidequests, and the sailing (which I totally loved). Another one of those reasons is the music - I would say WW has the best soundtrack of any game in the series.
I always judge soundtracks by three main factors: Creativity, Quality, and Suited to the Scene. Wind Waker has all of those things in spades. There's a wide range of sounds - the songs for each area are all unique. They set a perfect mood for every boss and event. The musical arrangements are like I'd never heard before.
The other wonderful thing about the music is how emotional it is. Not just sad or dramatic. The songs range from perfectly festive, to utterly majestic, to mildly terrifying. The sheer range of emotion in the soundtrack is impressive on its own.
The only real complaint I have with the music is that some of the songs do feel a bit...empty, I suppose is the best way to describe it. For the most part, the arrangements in Wind Waker are very sparsely orchestrated. Most of the time that works, but in some songs it just leaves you feeling disappointed. But that's a minor complaint, and this game still has my favorite soundtrack out of all the Zelda games.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Soundtrack Review: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
Rating: 10/10
Moving out of the survival horror genre for a minute, I'd now like to talk about what is probably my absolute favorite video game soundtrack of all time: Final Fantasy - Crystal Chronicles.
If anyone ever tells me that video games aren't art, or don't have any merit, I think that all I'll do is play this CD and ask them "How can something with this in it not be art?"
It's impossible to describe the soundtrack if you've never heard it. It's a shining example of what can be done with folk instruments and a tiny orchestra. 90% of the songs use only folk instruments or unique ones to create a truly distinctive soundscape. Woodwinds are at the forefront. Shakers and tribal-style percussion sets an either relaxing or energizing background. Each song is unique and wonderful, setting a perfect mood for wherever you are at the time.
And the thing is, all the songs are amazing. Not just a few. They're all mind-blowingly creative and lovely, showing what a little creativity and a lot of inspiration can do. Remember, I mentioned that what makes a great soundtrack to me is one that you would listen to anywhere, not just in the context of the game itself. Well, I would listen to the Crystal Chronicles soundtrack everywhere. Most "normal" music isn't this incredible.
I don't even think I can pick a favorite song. If forced to, I'd probably say it's a tie between the ridiculously catchy Moschet Manor theme (I literally would stand for twenty minutes in this level, just to hear this song. I went back there whenever I could), and the genuinely disturbing Mag Mell. But really, every song was equally wonderful, and whatever I thought of the game itself, Crystal Chronicles without a shred of doubt had the best soundtrack of the Final Fantasy series. As well as, in my opinion, video games in general.
10/10, no second thoughts.
Moving out of the survival horror genre for a minute, I'd now like to talk about what is probably my absolute favorite video game soundtrack of all time: Final Fantasy - Crystal Chronicles.
If anyone ever tells me that video games aren't art, or don't have any merit, I think that all I'll do is play this CD and ask them "How can something with this in it not be art?"
It's impossible to describe the soundtrack if you've never heard it. It's a shining example of what can be done with folk instruments and a tiny orchestra. 90% of the songs use only folk instruments or unique ones to create a truly distinctive soundscape. Woodwinds are at the forefront. Shakers and tribal-style percussion sets an either relaxing or energizing background. Each song is unique and wonderful, setting a perfect mood for wherever you are at the time.
And the thing is, all the songs are amazing. Not just a few. They're all mind-blowingly creative and lovely, showing what a little creativity and a lot of inspiration can do. Remember, I mentioned that what makes a great soundtrack to me is one that you would listen to anywhere, not just in the context of the game itself. Well, I would listen to the Crystal Chronicles soundtrack everywhere. Most "normal" music isn't this incredible.
I don't even think I can pick a favorite song. If forced to, I'd probably say it's a tie between the ridiculously catchy Moschet Manor theme (I literally would stand for twenty minutes in this level, just to hear this song. I went back there whenever I could), and the genuinely disturbing Mag Mell. But really, every song was equally wonderful, and whatever I thought of the game itself, Crystal Chronicles without a shred of doubt had the best soundtrack of the Final Fantasy series. As well as, in my opinion, video games in general.
10/10, no second thoughts.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Soundtrack Review: Silent Hill 1
Rating: 8/10
Given that I disliked the SH2 soundtrack, you would probably think I'd hate the original game's soundtrack, due to the fact that it's way more of dark ambient than the second one, with even fewer melodic songs.
But I loved the original Silent Hill's soundtrack. It's an example of how to do ambient, dark, industrial music well. It creates a perfect atmosphere, while not being boring or repetitive.
That's the key: Unlike the overly-repeated sounds of SH2, every atmospheric track is incredibly unique here, and really works to give each area its own different mood.
The songs work great with your emotions. Some of the highlights, for me, are the loneliness-inspiring Last Goodbye, the rather terrifying Playing Truant, or the paranoia-inducing Holy Ghost, the tunes know how to get you really into the game.
And of course, not all songs are only ambient. There are the opening and different ending themes, for one. But the shining star of the soundtrack is Not Tomorrow, the song that plays during and after Lisa Garland's (in)famous death scene. I didn't even care for Lisa's character that much, but it was this stunningly beautiful and sad song that made me start crying at that scene. Especially when the rest of the music up to this point was aimed to be scary or emotionless, suddenly hearing this song was enough to make you want to bawl.
So yes, I think the original Silent Hill definitely had the best soundtrack out of the series. With a slew of unique and creative dark ambient/industrial songs complemented by the occasional touching melody, it's a piece of pure art.
Given that I disliked the SH2 soundtrack, you would probably think I'd hate the original game's soundtrack, due to the fact that it's way more of dark ambient than the second one, with even fewer melodic songs.
But I loved the original Silent Hill's soundtrack. It's an example of how to do ambient, dark, industrial music well. It creates a perfect atmosphere, while not being boring or repetitive.
That's the key: Unlike the overly-repeated sounds of SH2, every atmospheric track is incredibly unique here, and really works to give each area its own different mood.
The songs work great with your emotions. Some of the highlights, for me, are the loneliness-inspiring Last Goodbye, the rather terrifying Playing Truant, or the paranoia-inducing Holy Ghost, the tunes know how to get you really into the game.
And of course, not all songs are only ambient. There are the opening and different ending themes, for one. But the shining star of the soundtrack is Not Tomorrow, the song that plays during and after Lisa Garland's (in)famous death scene. I didn't even care for Lisa's character that much, but it was this stunningly beautiful and sad song that made me start crying at that scene. Especially when the rest of the music up to this point was aimed to be scary or emotionless, suddenly hearing this song was enough to make you want to bawl.
So yes, I think the original Silent Hill definitely had the best soundtrack out of the series. With a slew of unique and creative dark ambient/industrial songs complemented by the occasional touching melody, it's a piece of pure art.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Soundtrack Review: Fatal Frame 1
Rating: 3/10
One thing I'll mention a lot in upcoming reviews is that there's not always a correlation between the quality of a game and the quality of its soundtrack. There are games I absolutely despise - that I nevertheless must admit have great soundtracks. With Fatal Frame, it's the sad opposite - a game I completely love, but one that has a rather terrible soundtrack.
Fatal Frame, like any survival horror game, has a soundtrack consisting primarily of dark ambience. But you could barely tell that from playing it, given that the songs are so quiet you can barely hear them, no matter how loud you turn up the volume. (And you DON'T wanna turn up the volume too much, given that a door opening is ten times louder than the soundtrack. You'll blow your ears out, kid.)
I don't even know how to describe what disappointed me about the soundtrack. One of the things I can pinpoint is that it was very cliche, with very little originality. The song that you'll be hearing the most throughout the game consists solely of that "windy-ghost voice" effect you hear used EVERYWHERE. (Literally every dark classical band I've listened to has used that stock sound effect - including Nox Arcana.)
The other huge problem is that each ghost's song is basically a background of white noise, with several of the ghost's sayings repeated. Over and over and over again. You know how much you hated fighting Blinded, right? Now imagine listening to her whining about her lost eyes for five minutes straight. Yeah, it's pretty much the same for every single ghost.
What makes this even more disappointing is that you could tell, the composers had the potential to make a great soundtrack. There's the wonderful menu and ending themes, as well as one example of really GOOD dark ambient, the Children's Room. The other two wonderful songs from the game, Koto and the unnamed song that plays in the flashback to Kirie's lover, are far too short to be enjoyed properly. (On the soundtrack, Koto is only 30 seconds long, and the second song isn't there at all!)
So yes, overall I give it a 3/10. As amazing a game as Fatal Frame is, its soundtrack is not so wonderful.
One thing I'll mention a lot in upcoming reviews is that there's not always a correlation between the quality of a game and the quality of its soundtrack. There are games I absolutely despise - that I nevertheless must admit have great soundtracks. With Fatal Frame, it's the sad opposite - a game I completely love, but one that has a rather terrible soundtrack.
Fatal Frame, like any survival horror game, has a soundtrack consisting primarily of dark ambience. But you could barely tell that from playing it, given that the songs are so quiet you can barely hear them, no matter how loud you turn up the volume. (And you DON'T wanna turn up the volume too much, given that a door opening is ten times louder than the soundtrack. You'll blow your ears out, kid.)
I don't even know how to describe what disappointed me about the soundtrack. One of the things I can pinpoint is that it was very cliche, with very little originality. The song that you'll be hearing the most throughout the game consists solely of that "windy-ghost voice" effect you hear used EVERYWHERE. (Literally every dark classical band I've listened to has used that stock sound effect - including Nox Arcana.)
The other huge problem is that each ghost's song is basically a background of white noise, with several of the ghost's sayings repeated. Over and over and over again. You know how much you hated fighting Blinded, right? Now imagine listening to her whining about her lost eyes for five minutes straight. Yeah, it's pretty much the same for every single ghost.
What makes this even more disappointing is that you could tell, the composers had the potential to make a great soundtrack. There's the wonderful menu and ending themes, as well as one example of really GOOD dark ambient, the Children's Room. The other two wonderful songs from the game, Koto and the unnamed song that plays in the flashback to Kirie's lover, are far too short to be enjoyed properly. (On the soundtrack, Koto is only 30 seconds long, and the second song isn't there at all!)
So yes, overall I give it a 3/10. As amazing a game as Fatal Frame is, its soundtrack is not so wonderful.
Soundtrack Review: Silent Hill 2
Rating: 5/10
Ask survival horror fans what the epitome of the genre is, they'll most likely point to Silent Hill. Ask them where the best survival horror soundtracks are, and they'll most likely point the exact same way.
I agree with them...to an extent. Silent Hill, including Silent Hill 2, does have some very lovely and interesting songs. The problem is, I'd like to hear more of them.
While the second game in the series gave birth to some classic melodies like Betrayal and Theme Of Laura, those are incredibly rare within the game itself. The majority of the soundtrack isn't that great at all. For every stunningly beautiful Music Box melody you hear, you have to go through ten tracks of what, as YouTube commenters so accurately put it, sounds like Pyramid Head's copy machine.
Anyone can tell you that I'm a huge dark ambient whore, so I thought I would like the ambient-style soundtrack. But there's a right and a wrong way to do dark ambient, and one way to instantly put yourself on the Wrong List is too much repetition. Silent Hill 2 has this problem in spades. While the songs can work simply to provide atmosphere within the game, the sheer recycling of sounds and repetition of rhythms gets boring FAST.
This annoyance is amplified by the track division on the soundtrack - you'll have three songs that should be one, given that they're each just the same repeated sound effect(s).
So, I give it an overall rating of 5/10. While I give it massive credit for having masterpieces like Betrayal, the Music Box, and Theme Of Laura, you have to wade through so much repetitive and boring other songs to get to the good. The reason I actually don't rate it lower is that, as I said, the ambient songs do their technical "job" within the game, which is to contribute to the game's atmosphere. But for a soundtrack to be impressive, it has to be something you'd listen to outside of the game. And I don't know about you, but I don't want to listen to five tracks of Pyramid Head's copy machine just for the fun.
Oh, and if I put you in a SH2 mood now...I ARE JAMES! PURIFIER OF THAT WHICH IS UNHOLY!
Ask survival horror fans what the epitome of the genre is, they'll most likely point to Silent Hill. Ask them where the best survival horror soundtracks are, and they'll most likely point the exact same way.
I agree with them...to an extent. Silent Hill, including Silent Hill 2, does have some very lovely and interesting songs. The problem is, I'd like to hear more of them.
While the second game in the series gave birth to some classic melodies like Betrayal and Theme Of Laura, those are incredibly rare within the game itself. The majority of the soundtrack isn't that great at all. For every stunningly beautiful Music Box melody you hear, you have to go through ten tracks of what, as YouTube commenters so accurately put it, sounds like Pyramid Head's copy machine.
Anyone can tell you that I'm a huge dark ambient whore, so I thought I would like the ambient-style soundtrack. But there's a right and a wrong way to do dark ambient, and one way to instantly put yourself on the Wrong List is too much repetition. Silent Hill 2 has this problem in spades. While the songs can work simply to provide atmosphere within the game, the sheer recycling of sounds and repetition of rhythms gets boring FAST.
This annoyance is amplified by the track division on the soundtrack - you'll have three songs that should be one, given that they're each just the same repeated sound effect(s).
So, I give it an overall rating of 5/10. While I give it massive credit for having masterpieces like Betrayal, the Music Box, and Theme Of Laura, you have to wade through so much repetitive and boring other songs to get to the good. The reason I actually don't rate it lower is that, as I said, the ambient songs do their technical "job" within the game, which is to contribute to the game's atmosphere. But for a soundtrack to be impressive, it has to be something you'd listen to outside of the game. And I don't know about you, but I don't want to listen to five tracks of Pyramid Head's copy machine just for the fun.
Oh, and if I put you in a SH2 mood now...I ARE JAMES! PURIFIER OF THAT WHICH IS UNHOLY!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
I'm reviewing video game soundtracks now!
Not in any official context. That's just what my next project is going to be for this blog.
I've always loved video games of all types, but this last year is when I've gotten really, REALLY into them. I've found so many new games that I love. And what's the the thing I pay attention to most, as a typical cynical musician? The soundtrack.
It should be pretty obvious that soundtracks are hugely important to games. While there are good games that manage to succeed despite having crappy music, the gaming experience is affected more than anything by the sounds accompanying the action on screen.
Having listened to many game soundtracks, I've decided to start placing my thoughts and opinions on various OSTs here. Not every soundtrack that I review will be from a game that I've played, though most will.
So yeah...look forward to more reviews soon!
I've always loved video games of all types, but this last year is when I've gotten really, REALLY into them. I've found so many new games that I love. And what's the the thing I pay attention to most, as a typical cynical musician? The soundtrack.
It should be pretty obvious that soundtracks are hugely important to games. While there are good games that manage to succeed despite having crappy music, the gaming experience is affected more than anything by the sounds accompanying the action on screen.
Having listened to many game soundtracks, I've decided to start placing my thoughts and opinions on various OSTs here. Not every soundtrack that I review will be from a game that I've played, though most will.
So yeah...look forward to more reviews soon!
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