Tagged as: Video Game

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Since AJ has trouble updating his daily blog more than twice a month, I figured I’d infiltrate and post something to help him out. And how better to celebrate espionage than with a game that’s all about it? Snake Eater is the third entry in the Metal Gear Solid franchise, from the (slightly mad) mind of game designer Hideo Kojima. This track has a strong “Bond theme” vibe to it, though it’s hard to take it too seriously after you hear the lyric about eating wildlife. This song notably appears in the game during one of the best scenes I’ve ever seen. If that doesn’t make you want to play it, then I don’t know what will!

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Egad, peeps. I’ve been waiting for this song to be released ever since I heard it used in the trailer for Transistor back in May last year. But the waiting has paid off, because both the game and its soundtrack have been released! Rejoice!

Darren and Ashley have featured on either/or before for their work on the Bastion soundtrack. This new track follows a similar thread to their previous efforts, only with far less country and far more drums and bass. Have at it, fellow readers!

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I am quite the fan of Mirror’s Edge, so I naturally lost my shit when EA announced the sequel at this year’s E3. EA’s going for a similar sound with regards to the sequel’s headline song as well (the predecessor I’ll post about soon): a kind of ambient-y, beat driven blend of piano and electronica. Thankfully, this remix is far better than the original, as it does away with the horrible vocals and the general campy feel.

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Time has not yet spoiled my love of Journey (the game, not the band): it is a sublime, achingly beautiful experience. As such, here’s another track from its equally stupendous soundtrack. If it was good enough to be nominated for a Grammy award, then it sure as hell should be good enough for you!

I Was Born for This by Austin Wintory on Grooveshark

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M’colleague over at Invert-x is quite the Japanese video game soundtrack fiend. And I reap the benefits, because I don’t have to search for it myself! This piece comes from the latest in the Fire Emblem series for the Nintendo 3DS, and it reminds me of so many other film and video game soundtracks: from Pirates of the Caribbean and the Avengers to Star Fox and the Phoenix Wright series, it is surely one of the most prime examples of sublime Japanese composition: very poetic and graceful, but perfectly heroic at the same time.

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Some of you will probably not play The Last of Us. Perhaps you’re a little squeamish about violence, or maybe you consider video games to be a juvenile waste of time (and shame on you if you do). But that’s ok, because I am here to play it for you and point out some delightful music from it.

The Last of Us is an action game set in a world devastated by zombie attack, but you certainly wouldn’t know it from listening to its theme. It’s a haunting, flamenco-flavoured piece that speaks of solitary hardships in an abandoned world. Simply beautiful.

The Last Of Us Main Theme by Gustavo Santaolalla on Grooveshark

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I usually don’t go for the techno-type stuff but I love the beat of this one. The violin parts make it a winner for me! – Dan

Hey, look at that: turns out not all my friends are women. Dan is the person I do serious writings with: world’s collide! Suitably, he’s picked music from a game I’ve never heard of, but what a tune it is. Something that’s always delightful about Japanese techno for video games is that they tend to throw in a lot of stringed instruments like violins, so you get a lovely, somewhat classical feel combined with a thumping electronic beat. Fans of Anamanaguchi, take note.

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Video game music arrangements back in the 80s and 90s were wonderfully composed with elegant, memorable melodies and hooks that worked in favour of the limited opportunities for musical expression granted to them by the limited hardware of the time. What’s even better than hearing the original version, however, is hearing fully orchestrated versions of them. Same catchy melodies, but with a friggin’ orchestra!

This version of Fountain of Dreams first appeared in Super Smash Bros. Melee and is overflowing with symphonic brilliance. For comparisons sake, here’s the original tune.

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It’s unofficially video game week here on either/or, which explains why Christophe Heral is getting quite a plug at the moment. Ubisoft is a company that has both irritated the crap out of me and also crafted some truly amazing games, most of which are accompanied with great music. Such is the joy of a French video game company, I guess.

Anyway, Heral is behind the music of many of the Ubisoft games I like, this one coming from one called Rayman Origins. It is quite a whimsical and spirited game too, and the music fits right in. The only unfortunate thing with the soundtrack version of this tune as opposed to the game itself, is that during the level with this track, Rayman has the opportunity to run across what can only be described as a pan flute snake. While doing so, music plays in time to the soundtrack; it’s quite a lovely sound that I can’t find a video for!

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It’s a rather big week for all the gamers out there. Not me though, I’m totally not a nerd. I heard all the gaming music that’s appeared on here from, uh, friends. Yeah.

‘Ol Christophe Heral has appeared on either/or before with another track from the Beyond Good and Evil soundtrack. Continuing the serene beauty of that track, this one adds a bit of a tribal beat to the mix, painting a picture of what I assume is the best beach resort ever.