I remember quitting City of Heroes for one simple reason: there was no music. I'm not the type to play my own music (when I listen to my music, it's MUSIC-TIME). CoH had an intro-zone theme, and then stopped. No CoH for me,
Both WoW and GW were up-and-down when it came to their soundtracks. Some zones in WoW were amazing...others, not so much (most of the undead regions).
GW had a different problem. Yes, the music was great...but it wasn't memorable....it was just kinda...background. I want Soule to go Inception-style with GW2, giving us some REALLY memorable zone music.
I'm surprised this thread got to 3 pages. I thought I was the only one that really loves game music (cmon, Chrono Trigger).
*edit*
I don't play Aion anymore, but damn.....THAT had a good soundtrack.
Thats a very good post concerning your experience with COH.
I think that alot more players actually care about in game music more than they really think. If there was no music at all, or if the music just plain sucked, then you would hear complaints about it. However, if the music is just right, most players will not mention it, but that doesn't mean that the music didn't serve its purpose by immersing them into the fantasy world that they logged into. Alot of us are long time gamers who have been raised on some really good game music. Some of our favorite themes still rings in our ears while we type in this thread (I've already visited Youtube over 20 times since I've started this thread). Most, if not all gamers know when the game's soundtrack was nothing more than an afterthought in the game's development. There are some of us who are more of the "art appreciation" kind of players, players who will still be humming or whistling the Stormwind theme hours later in class, while driving, or at work. I'm actually speaking to both types of players right now...
"Everyone dies. It is how one lives that matters." Artemis Entreri (R.A. Salvatore)
"P.S. MAKE NO DEALS WITH THE WOLF." -Durzo Blint-
"But, there is one they fear.
In their tongue, he is Dovahkiin -- Dragonborn!" -Game of the Century-
There are some of us who are more of the "art appreciation" kind of players, players who will still be humming or whistling the Stormwind theme hours later in class, while driving, or at work. I'm actually speaking to both types of players right now...
That's me. The guy that's humming the Stormwind theme, and the guy that thinks that Sorrow's Furnace is the best part of Guild Wars JUST because of the soundtrack,
Western MMOs have a tendency to overlook this aspect. From what I've heard (manifesto trailer, demo-music), GW2 is on the right path.
Those who made it for WoW is not far away but their songs is so....soft all through the song,nothing happens and many of the songs are like the other.
I believe they are trying to do more ambient music than non-ambient (not sure if theres another word for it ?`)
I Simply both love both WoW's musical score as well as a lot of GW1 newer sound tracks.. The Title Screen in GW1's music is amazing.
The word you're looking for is "melodic" (in other words, music that uses a strong driving melody that's memorable and easy to hum). I've noticed this too, and since I tend to favor more melodic styles, I'm gonna have to vote for Mr. Soule's compositions. Don't get me wrong, I have many favorite pieces from WoW and the Diablo series as well.
Those who made it for WoW is not far away but their songs is so....soft all through the song,nothing happens and many of the songs are like the other.
I believe they are trying to do more ambient music than non-ambient (not sure if theres another word for it ?`)
I Simply both love both WoW's musical score as well as a lot of GW1 newer sound tracks.. The Title Screen in GW1's music is amazing.
Listen to this and imagine pre searing ascalon,run in the woods were the light seek through the three tops and warmth your cheek,animals run there harmlessly and it,s o beautiful it can be.
It,s so beautiful,really i want to live there
This is one of my favorite Guild Wars pieces. Also one of my favorite areas. I created a character whose sole purpose was to only be in that starter area.
I mean no offense when I ask this, but was this song cut/paste into Oblivion? I know it's the same composer, but that piece sounds basically identical to a piece from Oblivion, unless I'm going insane.
Those who made it for WoW is not far away but their songs is so....soft all through the song,nothing happens and many of the songs are like the other.
I believe they are trying to do more ambient music than non-ambient (not sure if theres another word for it ?`)
I Simply both love both WoW's musical score as well as a lot of GW1 newer sound tracks.. The Title Screen in GW1's music is amazing.
Listen to this and imagine pre searing ascalon,run in the woods were the light seek through the three tops and warmth your cheek,animals run there harmlessly and it,s o beautiful it can be.
It,s so beautiful,really i want to live there
This is one of my favorite Guild Wars pieces. Also one of my favorite areas. I created a character whose sole purpose was to only be in that starter area.
I mean no offense when I ask this, but was this song cut/paste into Oblivion? I know it's the same composer, but that piece sounds basically identical to a piece from Oblivion, unless I'm going insane.
i dont know do you have the song to show the class?
Those who made it for WoW is not far away but their songs is so....soft all through the song,nothing happens and many of the songs are like the other.
I believe they are trying to do more ambient music than non-ambient (not sure if theres another word for it ?`)
I Simply both love both WoW's musical score as well as a lot of GW1 newer sound tracks.. The Title Screen in GW1's music is amazing.
Listen to this and imagine pre searing ascalon,run in the woods were the light seek through the three tops and warmth your cheek,animals run there harmlessly and it,s o beautiful it can be.
It,s so beautiful,really i want to live there
This is one of my favorite Guild Wars pieces. Also one of my favorite areas. I created a character whose sole purpose was to only be in that starter area.
I mean no offense when I ask this, but was this song cut/paste into Oblivion? I know it's the same composer, but that piece sounds basically identical to a piece from Oblivion, unless I'm going insane.
This is a fair concern. One thing that I've noticed about Jeremy Soule is that he sometimes has the tendency to compose music that is a little too similar with music that he composed for another game. Any Oblivion fan can hear Cyrodil all over this song. I stress the word "sometimes", because he's also proven that he can be very versatile too (look at his track record on Wikipedia). So far, what I've heard from GW2 seems pretty good.
"Everyone dies. It is how one lives that matters." Artemis Entreri (R.A. Salvatore)
"P.S. MAKE NO DEALS WITH THE WOLF." -Durzo Blint-
"But, there is one they fear.
In their tongue, he is Dovahkiin -- Dragonborn!" -Game of the Century-
Those who made it for WoW is not far away but their songs is so....soft all through the song,nothing happens and many of the songs are like the other.
I believe they are trying to do more ambient music than non-ambient (not sure if theres another word for it ?`)
I Simply both love both WoW's musical score as well as a lot of GW1 newer sound tracks.. The Title Screen in GW1's music is amazing.
Listen to this and imagine pre searing ascalon,run in the woods were the light seek through the three tops and warmth your cheek,animals run there harmlessly and it,s o beautiful it can be.
It,s so beautiful,really i want to live there
This is one of my favorite Guild Wars pieces. Also one of my favorite areas. I created a character whose sole purpose was to only be in that starter area.
I mean no offense when I ask this, but was this song cut/paste into Oblivion? I know it's the same composer, but that piece sounds basically identical to a piece from Oblivion, unless I'm going insane.
i dont know do you have the song to show the class?
I'll look for it - I was just going off what I remember from playing oblivion, then one day I went back to GW1 for a bit, hear the linked song and was like "wtf, did I accidentally load up oblivion?" lol. I'm on crappy university internet right now so it takes forever to look through all the youtube vids .
Those who made it for WoW is not far away but their songs is so....soft all through the song,nothing happens and many of the songs are like the other. I believe they are trying to do more ambient music than non-ambient (not sure if theres another word for it ?`) I Simply both love both WoW's musical score as well as a lot of GW1 newer sound tracks.. The Title Screen in GW1's music is amazing.
Listen to this and imagine pre searing ascalon,run in the woods were the light seek through the three tops and warmth your cheek,animals run there harmlessly and it,s o beautiful it can be.
It,s so beautiful,really i want to live there
This is one of my favorite Guild Wars pieces. Also one of my favorite areas. I created a character whose sole purpose was to only be in that starter area.
I mean no offense when I ask this, but was this song cut/paste into Oblivion? I know it's the same composer, but that piece sounds basically identical to a piece from Oblivion, unless I'm going insane.
Jeremy Soule, like many composers, has a very distinct style. The piece you are referencing is not the same but he utilized the textures in a very similar way as the one in oblivion.
What you are also picking up on is the use of the Harp. Well, "fake" harp.
Like Skyrim? Need more content? Try my Skyrim mod "Godfred's Tomb."
This thread is brilliant. It's good to hear so many people appreciating the gaming music, especially since since the old days where composers made brilliant game music but didn't have the technology to implement it into their games.
Take this classic game: Apidya (Composer: Chris Huelsbeck):
As someone commented: "Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety? to life and to everything."
I'll say, that people can perfectly knock the music in many of these games. People of the last couple of generations have in general become so out of tune with classical music, that when they hear something ambient or something that uses instruments they don't hear in the auto-tune mainstream or in the indie rock/metal/hip-hop /electronica sphere.
You would be surprised at how easy it is to knock up some "epic music" just using samplings. I've educated myself a bit more about it in the last couple of years, even though I am still completely ignorant at classical music.
One thing is for sure though, both WoW and Jeremy Soules work is not consistent. The new WoW Cataclysm music has some very questionable themes. The long new main theme, is all over the place, like a child on ADHD. It's still nice, because ohh it has chanting, and that bit reminds me of lord of the rings, and that bit has elf lady singing beautifully.
It's kinda like Hans Zimmer to be honest. Who does not love his soundtracks for Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, Dark Knight, and hazillions of others? Only thing is that the reason, the dude can pump them out so fast, is that he has an army of lesser composers, to which he takes credit for. But this is common practice in the movie industry, but I suspect that a lot of people are behind the scenes in the games industry as well that, prey on this as well.
Jeremy Soules best work to date? I had a few great tracks in Guild Wars, that I can still remember. I actually think his work with Knights of the Old Republic was much more inspiring! Why? Because he had to take, add, rework and compliment the work of the Star Wars music from John Williams. Not only did he have to make it cohesive and relateable, but also make it relevant in a context that it takes place 4000 years before. KOTOR had very impressive and moody music. Taris, Dantooine... It was all very very well done, and it felt like Star Wars without being John Williams.
It's the highest compliment I can give to a composer. If he as a person has made something equally great as that soundtrack, it would have to be the main theme from Morrowind. Morrowind was faulted by having a limited soundtrack. I remember a lot of people, that were chugging for more, but that main theme is haunting. That's truly his own. That theme does not sound like LOTR, Braveheart or something else that usually fuels inspirations for fantasy games and suh:
In terms of Warcrafts music, I think Warcraft 3 had a very high quality feel to it, that suited it's over-the-top, perhaps cringe worthy seriousness, when it was out of it's humorous moments(cut scenes).
The holy grail of video game music for me, as of now is Metal Gear Solid(Harry Gregson-Williams, who also made the outstanding soundtrack for Kingdom of Heaven) and Halo(Marty O'donnell, indesputeably the current master. Halo is almost carried by it's music. It makes it stand out from everything else in gaming).
Special mention to Jesper Kyd as well(Freedom Fighters, Kane and Lynch, Hitman series, but those are not fantasy or MMO soundtracks of course. I just think these three men, are what MMO composers should aspire to, instead of being pointless background music.
Particularly many american developers and filmmakers are talking down to audiences. I am beginning to seriously dislike when a game or a movie tries to control the emotions of the audience with music. Learn from No Country for Old Men. No music can also add a lot to it. People keep forgetting less is more. It pisses me off.
I'll say, that people can perfectly knock the music in many of these games. People of the last couple of generations have in general become so out of tune with classical music, that when they hear something ambient or something that uses instruments they don't hear in the auto-tune mainstream or in the indie rock/metal/hip-hop /electronica sphere.
You would be surprised at how easy it is to knock up some "epic music" just using samplings. I've educated myself a bit more about it in the last couple of years, even though I am still completely ignorant at classical music.
One thing is for sure though, both WoW and Jeremy Soules work is not consistent. The new WoW Cataclysm music has some very questionable themes. The long new main theme, is all over the place, like a child on ADHD. It's still nice, because ohh it has chanting, and that bit reminds me of lord of the rings, and that bit has elf lady singing beautifully.
It's kinda like Hans Zimmer to be honest. Who does not love his soundtracks for Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, Dark Knight, and hazillions of others? Only thing is that the reason, the dude can pump them out so fast, is that he has an army of lesser composers, to which he takes credit for. But this is common practice in the movie industry, but I suspect that a lot of people are behind the scenes in the games industry as well that, prey on this as well.
Jeremy Soules best work to date? I had a few great tracks in Guild Wars, that I can still remember. I actually think his work with Knights of the Old Republic was much more inspiring! Why? Because he had to take, add, rework and compliment the work of the Star Wars music from John Williams. Not only did he have to make it cohesive and relateable, but also make it relevant in a context that it takes place 4000 years before. KOTOR had very impressive and moody music. Taris, Dantooine... It was all very very well done, and it felt like Star Wars without being John Williams.
It's the highest compliment I can give to a composer. If he as a person has made something equally great as that soundtrack, it would have to be the main theme from Morrowind. Morrowind was faulted by having a limited soundtrack. I remember a lot of people, that were chugging for more, but that main theme is haunting. That's truly his own. That theme does not sound like LOTR, Braveheart or something else that usually fuels inspirations for fantasy games and suh:
In terms of Warcrafts music, I think Warcraft 3 had a very high quality feel to it, that suited it's over-the-top, perhaps cringe worthy seriousness, when it was out of it's humorous moments(cut scenes).
The holy grail of video game music for me, as of now is Metal Gear Solid(Harry Gregson-Williams, who also made the outstanding soundtrack for Kingdom of Heaven) and Halo(Marty O'donnell, indesputeably the current master. Halo is almost carried by it's music. It makes it stand out from everything else in gaming).
Special mention to Jesper Kyd as well(Freedom Fighters, Kane and Lynch, Hitman series, but those are not fantasy or MMO soundtracks of course. I just think these three men, are what MMO composers should aspire to, instead of being pointless background music.
Particularly many american developers and filmmakers are talking down to audiences. I am beginning to seriously dislike when a game or a movie tries to control the emotions of the audience with music. Learn from No Country for Old Men. No music can also add a lot to it. People keep forgetting less is more. It pisses me off.
Yes I agree with you: Less can be more. I remember back in the 80's I used to play Nintendo games just for their music. They certainly didn't have much room (8bit games) to play with in terms of music but they had music that was brilliant and really suited the game. I'm not sure what you mean by downplaying but I try not to look into it too much as long as the composition is smooth and flows, and that the mood of the tune reflects the environment/setting.
Jeremy Soule made The Elder Scrolls music, the star of Morrowind gives me the chils even to this day. To putt him against the several composers that worked on World of Warcraft (and WarCraft in general) is not a fair fight. World of WarCraft has a great soundtrack and its really something that I wish I could see live with a chior and full orchestra. It is better in my opinion.
BUT, Jeremy Soule is the best music composer in video games to date. It's just that World of WarCraft have a lot more of them.
Edit: Feel I have to add that making a soundtrack and making "calssical" music is a HUGE diffrence! Music in a game is there to emphasize and accopmany the game, that is what makes a good game music composer. And the fact that Jeremy Soule manages to create a staggering amount of music to a single game is amazing. Thats why its not fair to put him up against several people at once. Anny good composer could create a couple of songs, but only a really f-ing good one can do a whole game alone.
OP asked witch is better. I think that World of Warcraft is better. But as I said, its not a fair competition.
Jeremy Soule made The Elder Scrolls music, the star of Morrowind gives me the chils even to this day. To putt him against the several composers that worked on World of Warcraft (and WarCraft in general) is not a fair fight. World of WarCraft has a great soundtrack and its really something that I wish I could see live with a chior and full orchestra. It is better in my opinion.
BUT, Jeremy Soule is the best music composer in video games to date. It's just that World of WarCraft have a lot more of them.
Edit: Feel I have to add that making a soundtrack and making "calssical" music is a HUGE diffrence! Music in a game is there to emphasize and accopmany the game, that is what makes a good game music composer. And the fact that Jeremy Soule manages to create a staggering amount of music to a single game is amazing. Thats why its not fair to put him up against several people at once. Anny good composer could create a couple of songs, but only a really f-ing good one can do a whole game alone.
OP asked witch is better. I think that World of Warcraft is better. But as I said, its not a fair competition.
It,s fair and anyone who likes classic music would say Jeremy Soule is better.
There are music that I like for both. I'm a Guild Wars fan, by FAR. Having said that, I actually think I preferred WoW's music. The inn music, both and new and the Grizzly Hills music were my favorites. Can listen to those any time.
I am anxious to see what Guild Wars 2 has to offer in the music department, and I am sure that it will become my favorite.
There are music that I like for both. I'm a Guild Wars fan, by FAR. Having said that, I actually think I preferred WoW's music. The inn music, both and new and the Grizzly Hills music were my favorites. Can listen to those any time.
I am anxious to see what Guild Wars 2 has to offer in the music department, and I am sure that it will become my favorite.
Wow...this thread has really come to life with people who really love video game music. Huzzah!
I'm sure we'll all be fine with what Jeremy Soule has to offer for GW2, but its fun to discuss!
Some of the songs that are being discussed have some really nostalgic value. When a song is almost all it takes to make you come back and play a game that you haven't touched in years, then the song has done its job, nuff said...
"Everyone dies. It is how one lives that matters." Artemis Entreri (R.A. Salvatore)
"P.S. MAKE NO DEALS WITH THE WOLF." -Durzo Blint-
"But, there is one they fear.
In their tongue, he is Dovahkiin -- Dragonborn!" -Game of the Century-
Originally posted by SweetZoid Originally posted by NightAngell I think AOC and Vanguard have the best mmorpg music i have heard in any mmorpg to date. A mmorpg without great music is a real turn off for me.
[/b][/quote] It,s fair and anyone who likes classic music would say Jeremy Soule is better. [/b][/quote]
no shooting down the opinions....respect people.
*listens to perfect world music and forgotten sorrow of aion*....T.T. yeah...i love music... i loved the city soundtrack of gw2 the most 2 (someone else mentioned it)
*sigh- i'm looking forward to more...=)
It's kinda cruel to kill the innocent monsters standing in the fields picking daisies. -GW2-
Jeremy Soule made The Elder Scrolls music, the star of Morrowind gives me the chils even to this day. To putt him against the several composers that worked on World of Warcraft (and WarCraft in general) is not a fair fight. World of WarCraft has a great soundtrack and its really something that I wish I could see live with a chior and full orchestra. It is better in my opinion.
BUT, Jeremy Soule is the best music composer in video games to date. It's just that World of WarCraft have a lot more of them.
Edit: Feel I have to add that making a soundtrack and making "calssical" music is a HUGE diffrence! Music in a game is there to emphasize and accopmany the game, that is what makes a good game music composer. And the fact that Jeremy Soule manages to create a staggering amount of music to a single game is amazing. Thats why its not fair to put him up against several people at once. Anny good composer could create a couple of songs, but only a really f-ing good one can do a whole game alone.
OP asked witch is better. I think that World of Warcraft is better. But as I said, its not a fair competition.
It,s fair and anyone who likes classic music would say Jeremy Soule is better.
er, well, that's a tough one. I'm trained in writing "classical music".
I would say that jeremy soule's has simpler textures (from what I can recall) but some of the other game music I've heard is very good and probably on par. I won't say what I think is "bad" music because I have no interest in putting down what someone else likes.
However, the music of WoW and the music of Mr. Soule are pretty much in the same ballpark. I think they are tryjng to accomplish slightly different things. I hear some of the wow scores and they have more lines going on at once in order to fill out the, to use a term, "sonic space" whereas Jeremy Soule's pieces definitely favor bringing out certain melodic lines.
Just off the top of my head as I have been playing a lot of oblivion lately and so the music is fresh in my head.
I do think there is some atrocious game music out there. However, I say that from a technical standpoint. If a person likes it then there really is no reason to listen to me if I point out that some of these more "poor" pieces seem to be very limited harmonically and I even think there are a few pieces that have very repetitive I, IV, V progressons with the melodic lines just sort of "doodling" over those harmonies.
Of course, most if not all of this music is extremlely tonal so there are going to be very strong tonic ( I ) and Dominant (V) relationships.
This is not to say that they all have to adopt heighened chromaticism of Mahler or Wagner or completely lose their tether to harmony by adopting a 12 tone or Aleatoric construction.
but there are a few games that have music that sounds like highly sugared bubble gum.
My teeth hurt every time I hear it.
Like Skyrim? Need more content? Try my Skyrim mod "Godfred's Tomb."
Jeremy Soule made The Elder Scrolls music, the star of Morrowind gives me the chils even to this day. To putt him against the several composers that worked on World of Warcraft (and WarCraft in general) is not a fair fight. World of WarCraft has a great soundtrack and its really something that I wish I could see live with a chior and full orchestra. It is better in my opinion.
BUT, Jeremy Soule is the best music composer in video games to date. It's just that World of WarCraft have a lot more of them.
Edit: Feel I have to add that making a soundtrack and making "calssical" music is a HUGE diffrence! Music in a game is there to emphasize and accopmany the game, that is what makes a good game music composer. And the fact that Jeremy Soule manages to create a staggering amount of music to a single game is amazing. Thats why its not fair to put him up against several people at once. Anny good composer could create a couple of songs, but only a really f-ing good one can do a whole game alone.
OP asked witch is better. I think that World of Warcraft is better. But as I said, its not a fair competition.
It,s fair and anyone who likes classic music would say Jeremy Soule is better.
er, well, that's a tough one. I'm trained in writing "classical music".
I would say that jeremy soule's has simpler textures (from what I can recall) but some of the other game music I've heard is very good and probably on par. I won't say what I think is "bad" music because I have no interest in putting down what someone else likes.
However, the music of WoW and the music of Mr. Soule are pretty much in the same ballpark. I think they are tryjng to accomplish slightly different things. I hear some of the wow scores and they have more lines going on at once in order to fill out the, to use a term, "sonic space" whereas Jeremy Soule's pieces definitely favor bringing out certain melodic lines.
Just off the top of my head as I have been playing a lot of oblivion lately and so the music is fresh in my head.
I do think there is some atrocious game music out there. However, I say that from a technical standpoint. If a person likes it then there really is no reason to listen to me if I point out that some of these more "poor" pieces seem to be very limited harmonically and I even think there are a few pieces that have very repetitive I, IV, V progressons with the melodic lines just sort of "doodling" over those harmonies.
Of course, most if not all of this music is extremlely tonal so there are going to be very strong tonic ( I ) and Dominant (V) relationships.
This is not to say that they all have to adopt heighened chromaticism of Mahler or Wagner or completely lose their tether to harmony by adopting a 12 tone or Aleatoric construction.
but there are a few games that have music that sounds like highly sugared bubble gum.
My teeth hurt every time I hear it.
Awesome reading your views, I'm something of a self-confessed ignoramus when it comes to music.
Comments
Thats a very good post concerning your experience with COH.
I think that alot more players actually care about in game music more than they really think. If there was no music at all, or if the music just plain sucked, then you would hear complaints about it. However, if the music is just right, most players will not mention it, but that doesn't mean that the music didn't serve its purpose by immersing them into the fantasy world that they logged into. Alot of us are long time gamers who have been raised on some really good game music. Some of our favorite themes still rings in our ears while we type in this thread (I've already visited Youtube over 20 times since I've started this thread). Most, if not all gamers know when the game's soundtrack was nothing more than an afterthought in the game's development. There are some of us who are more of the "art appreciation" kind of players, players who will still be humming or whistling the Stormwind theme hours later in class, while driving, or at work. I'm actually speaking to both types of players right now...
"Everyone dies. It is how one lives that matters."
Artemis Entreri (R.A. Salvatore)
"P.S. MAKE NO DEALS WITH THE WOLF." -Durzo Blint-
"But, there is one they fear.
In their tongue, he is Dovahkiin -- Dragonborn!" -Game of the Century-
That's me. The guy that's humming the Stormwind theme, and the guy that thinks that Sorrow's Furnace is the best part of Guild Wars JUST because of the soundtrack,
Western MMOs have a tendency to overlook this aspect. From what I've heard (manifesto trailer, demo-music), GW2 is on the right path.
The word you're looking for is "melodic" (in other words, music that uses a strong driving melody that's memorable and easy to hum). I've noticed this too, and since I tend to favor more melodic styles, I'm gonna have to vote for Mr. Soule's compositions. Don't get me wrong, I have many favorite pieces from WoW and the Diablo series as well.
I mean no offense when I ask this, but was this song cut/paste into Oblivion? I know it's the same composer, but that piece sounds basically identical to a piece from Oblivion, unless I'm going insane.
i dont know do you have the song to show the class?
This is a fair concern. One thing that I've noticed about Jeremy Soule is that he sometimes has the tendency to compose music that is a little too similar with music that he composed for another game. Any Oblivion fan can hear Cyrodil all over this song. I stress the word "sometimes", because he's also proven that he can be very versatile too (look at his track record on Wikipedia). So far, what I've heard from GW2 seems pretty good.
"Everyone dies. It is how one lives that matters."
Artemis Entreri (R.A. Salvatore)
"P.S. MAKE NO DEALS WITH THE WOLF." -Durzo Blint-
"But, there is one they fear.
In their tongue, he is Dovahkiin -- Dragonborn!" -Game of the Century-
I'll look for it - I was just going off what I remember from playing oblivion, then one day I went back to GW1 for a bit, hear the linked song and was like "wtf, did I accidentally load up oblivion?" lol. I'm on crappy university internet right now so it takes forever to look through all the youtube vids
.
Listen to this and imagine pre searing ascalon,run in the woods were the light seek through the three tops and warmth your cheek,animals run there harmlessly and it,s o beautiful it can be.
It,s so beautiful,really i want to live there
This is one of my favorite Guild Wars pieces. Also one of my favorite areas. I created a character whose sole purpose was to only be in that starter area.
I mean no offense when I ask this, but was this song cut/paste into Oblivion? I know it's the same composer, but that piece sounds basically identical to a piece from Oblivion, unless I'm going insane.
Jeremy Soule, like many composers, has a very distinct style. The piece you are referencing is not the same but he utilized the textures in a very similar way as the one in oblivion.What you are also picking up on is the use of the Harp. Well, "fake" harp.
Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w
Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547
Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo
My real favorite song from a game was Blackmore's nights song Darkstone for the Diablo copy with the same name.
Richie Blackmore sure know how to play the lute.
Soule is no Blackmore but he is still good.
GW 1/2 soundtracks are very good. They have only two drawbacks:
- sometimes I'm not sure if i'm playing Guild Wars or Oblivion or NWN or Supreme Commander
- they lack variety sometimes (applies to GW1), WoW has of orchestra, sometimes drums only (trolls), sometimes some mysterious ambient
apart from that it's very good. GW2 soundtracks look promising, so i can't complain at the moment
This thread is brilliant. It's good to hear so many people appreciating the gaming music, especially since since the old days where composers made brilliant game music but didn't have the technology to implement it into their games.
Take this classic game: Apidya (Composer: Chris Huelsbeck):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1W70U7S8nA&feature=related (War at Meadow's Edge)
One of my all time favourite endings to a game woud have to the classic Megaman 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys7CC9oP8mU&feature=related (Ending Theme) This is a nice cover of it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U23o40e7T1o
Aion has some good piece to it, especially the following:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjL7DjtbcO4&feature=related (Song of Moonlight)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HTA9hbn6WA&feature=related (Fairy of Peace)
Perfect World:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJrSC-JoZB0 (Fly with Me)
Xenogears:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSHESDI5Uqc (Emotions)
I have to include Final Fantasy, as in the following:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3IUMZW-swM (This is a cover version from FF4 by Celtic Moon for the Overland Theme)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYzifR67NJs&feature=related (FF8: Eyes on Me Piano Version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCHVYnThKG0 (FF7: Aerith's Theme Orchestral)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqEfDUx0kyo&feature=related (FF7: Main Theme Orchestral)
Dragon Quest:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es-a18EEC8I (DD8: Travelling Theme Orchestral)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_diN8zgh3Nw&feature=related (DD8: Remembrances)
Chrono Cross:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leFTNSTt1MU (Another world: Map Theme)
Lucky last, how can we forget Chrono Trigger:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a33yZHmZAIQ&feature=related (Memories of Green)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uODZVIkuqlI&feature=related (Peaceful Days)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTwocdhLpus&feature=related (At the Bottom of Night)
As someone commented: "Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety? to life and to everything."
Enjoy
the burning crusade expansion in wow had some great soundtracks. the background music in terokkar was my favorite.
jeremy soule has some awesome tracks. dont think i can say one is better than the other. since half the experience of video game music is visual.
I'll say, that people can perfectly knock the music in many of these games. People of the last couple of generations have in general become so out of tune with classical music, that when they hear something ambient or something that uses instruments they don't hear in the auto-tune mainstream or in the indie rock/metal/hip-hop /electronica sphere.
You would be surprised at how easy it is to knock up some "epic music" just using samplings. I've educated myself a bit more about it in the last couple of years, even though I am still completely ignorant at classical music.
One thing is for sure though, both WoW and Jeremy Soules work is not consistent. The new WoW Cataclysm music has some very questionable themes. The long new main theme, is all over the place, like a child on ADHD. It's still nice, because ohh it has chanting, and that bit reminds me of lord of the rings, and that bit has elf lady singing beautifully.
It's kinda like Hans Zimmer to be honest. Who does not love his soundtracks for Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, Dark Knight, and hazillions of others? Only thing is that the reason, the dude can pump them out so fast, is that he has an army of lesser composers, to which he takes credit for. But this is common practice in the movie industry, but I suspect that a lot of people are behind the scenes in the games industry as well that, prey on this as well.
Jeremy Soules best work to date? I had a few great tracks in Guild Wars, that I can still remember. I actually think his work with Knights of the Old Republic was much more inspiring! Why? Because he had to take, add, rework and compliment the work of the Star Wars music from John Williams. Not only did he have to make it cohesive and relateable, but also make it relevant in a context that it takes place 4000 years before. KOTOR had very impressive and moody music. Taris, Dantooine... It was all very very well done, and it felt like Star Wars without being John Williams.
It's the highest compliment I can give to a composer. If he as a person has made something equally great as that soundtrack, it would have to be the main theme from Morrowind. Morrowind was faulted by having a limited soundtrack. I remember a lot of people, that were chugging for more, but that main theme is haunting. That's truly his own. That theme does not sound like LOTR, Braveheart or something else that usually fuels inspirations for fantasy games and suh:
In terms of Warcrafts music, I think Warcraft 3 had a very high quality feel to it, that suited it's over-the-top, perhaps cringe worthy seriousness, when it was out of it's humorous moments(cut scenes).
The holy grail of video game music for me, as of now is Metal Gear Solid(Harry Gregson-Williams, who also made the outstanding soundtrack for Kingdom of Heaven) and Halo(Marty O'donnell, indesputeably the current master. Halo is almost carried by it's music. It makes it stand out from everything else in gaming).
Special mention to Jesper Kyd as well(Freedom Fighters, Kane and Lynch, Hitman series, but those are not fantasy or MMO soundtracks of course. I just think these three men, are what MMO composers should aspire to, instead of being pointless background music.
Particularly many american developers and filmmakers are talking down to audiences. I am beginning to seriously dislike when a game or a movie tries to control the emotions of the audience with music. Learn from No Country for Old Men. No music can also add a lot to it. People keep forgetting less is more. It pisses me off.
Yes I agree with you: Less can be more. I remember back in the 80's I used to play Nintendo games just for their music. They certainly didn't have much room (8bit games) to play with in terms of music but they had music that was brilliant and really suited the game. I'm not sure what you mean by downplaying but I try not to look into it too much as long as the composition is smooth and flows, and that the mood of the tune reflects the environment/setting.
Jeremy Soule made The Elder Scrolls music, the star of Morrowind gives me the chils even to this day. To putt him against the several composers that worked on World of Warcraft (and WarCraft in general) is not a fair fight. World of WarCraft has a great soundtrack and its really something that I wish I could see live with a chior and full orchestra. It is better in my opinion.
BUT, Jeremy Soule is the best music composer in video games to date. It's just that World of WarCraft have a lot more of them.
Edit: Feel I have to add that making a soundtrack and making "calssical" music is a HUGE diffrence! Music in a game is there to emphasize and accopmany the game, that is what makes a good game music composer. And the fact that Jeremy Soule manages to create a staggering amount of music to a single game is amazing. Thats why its not fair to put him up against several people at once. Anny good composer could create a couple of songs, but only a really f-ing good one can do a whole game alone.
OP asked witch is better. I think that World of Warcraft is better. But as I said, its not a fair competition.
XH
It,s fair and anyone who likes classic music would say Jeremy Soule is better.
Vanguards music is really great,played it for 4 years and i still love it.
There are music that I like for both. I'm a Guild Wars fan, by FAR. Having said that, I actually think I preferred WoW's music. The inn music, both and new and the Grizzly Hills music were my favorites. Can listen to those any time.
I am anxious to see what Guild Wars 2 has to offer in the music department, and I am sure that it will become my favorite.
Grizzly hills is awesome,thank you for that one
Wow...this thread has really come to life with people who really love video game music. Huzzah!
I'm sure we'll all be fine with what Jeremy Soule has to offer for GW2, but its fun to discuss!
Some of the songs that are being discussed have some really nostalgic value. When a song is almost all it takes to make you come back and play a game that you haven't touched in years, then the song has done its job, nuff said...
"Everyone dies. It is how one lives that matters."
Artemis Entreri (R.A. Salvatore)
"P.S. MAKE NO DEALS WITH THE WOLF." -Durzo Blint-
"But, there is one they fear.
In their tongue, he is Dovahkiin -- Dragonborn!" -Game of the Century-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssXTjhaJjwc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9mHFMF9upc&feature=related
I was very impressed because of these opera singing, when I visited these regions for the first time.
It would be fine if more MMOs would put in some vocal music.
[/b][/quote] It,s fair and anyone who likes classic music would say Jeremy Soule is better. [/b][/quote]
no shooting down the opinions....respect people.
*listens to perfect world music and forgotten sorrow of aion*....T.T. yeah...i love music... i loved the city soundtrack of gw2 the most 2 (someone else mentioned it)
*sigh- i'm looking forward to more...=)
It's kinda cruel to kill the innocent monsters standing in the fields picking daisies. -GW2-
er, well, that's a tough one. I'm trained in writing "classical music".
I would say that jeremy soule's has simpler textures (from what I can recall) but some of the other game music I've heard is very good and probably on par. I won't say what I think is "bad" music because I have no interest in putting down what someone else likes.
However, the music of WoW and the music of Mr. Soule are pretty much in the same ballpark. I think they are tryjng to accomplish slightly different things. I hear some of the wow scores and they have more lines going on at once in order to fill out the, to use a term, "sonic space" whereas Jeremy Soule's pieces definitely favor bringing out certain melodic lines.
Just off the top of my head as I have been playing a lot of oblivion lately and so the music is fresh in my head.
I do think there is some atrocious game music out there. However, I say that from a technical standpoint. If a person likes it then there really is no reason to listen to me if I point out that some of these more "poor" pieces seem to be very limited harmonically and I even think there are a few pieces that have very repetitive I, IV, V progressons with the melodic lines just sort of "doodling" over those harmonies.
Of course, most if not all of this music is extremlely tonal so there are going to be very strong tonic ( I ) and Dominant (V) relationships.
This is not to say that they all have to adopt heighened chromaticism of Mahler or Wagner or completely lose their tether to harmony by adopting a 12 tone or Aleatoric construction.
but there are a few games that have music that sounds like highly sugared bubble gum.
My teeth hurt every time I hear it.
Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w
Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547
Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo
Awesome reading your views, I'm something of a self-confessed ignoramus when it comes to music.
Still I think this takes some beating: Xenon 2 Amiga Intro
http://www.gdcvault.com/play/1014633/Classic-Game-Postmortem