Feet first into hell! Set a fire in your heart, Spartan! Fight hard! Die well…wait, shit this is an OST blog, not an ODST blog. Original Sound Track, not Orbital Drop Shock Troopers. Damn, I messed that up.
When it comes to music, I’d estimate that most of the population would just skip over a song, even before hearing it, if they knew it came from a video game. I could be wildly wrong, but I always got some groans whenever I’d say “Oh this is from _____” (not from you, Megs). There’s some stipulation with video game music that makes people’s eyes roll, but it’s sad. Dare I say that some of the most pleasant music I listen to comes from a video game OST (or at least, covers/remixes) and I’d like to share ten of my favorites with you today. I’ll attach a link to each one above my thoughts on it.
Before we get started, I don’t know anything about music’s technical side so if I use some of these musical words wrong, I am sorry. This also isn’t some definitive list, I’m sure I’m missing a shit ton of great tracks which I hope you’ll tweet or comment at me the ones you’d put on here too.
First up, one of the songs I listened to when I was writing this: Rito Village (Day) – Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Though this song carries the melody of Dragon Roost Island from LoZ The Wind Waker, it doesn’t have it’s faster, upbeat tempo. It is slowed down and turned into a background slow dance between a piano and a mandolin with an acoustic guitar on support duty. It’s a song that really makes me look around and appreciate the small, simpler things going on around me. A lay in the grass, look up at the sky (math checks out given the inhabitants of Rito Village) and see what forms the clouds take. It’s slow. It’s beautiful. And it sets the theme for the rest of the songs on this list.
I have never played a NeiR game, but it is on my very very long back catalogue of games to be conquered! Then how did it end up here? Well, years ago I used to do a video game music quiz on stream where I’d play a song from a game and chat would fire off answers (respectfully, not spamming) until someone got it right. They would then link me a YouTube video of a song that I would play on stream for us all to enjoy. Unfortunately, there’s this little thing called Copy Right Law that won’t let me do that anymore, but I digress. Moon won one and posted this song and I’ve loved it ever since. Anytime I do a Witcher Contract in any of the Witcher games I throw this one and do some investigating and/or monster hunting.
Speaking of the Witcher. Getting to Oxenfurt was a massive change of pace for me in the Witcher 3. While it’s not the biggest city you’ll visit in your time with the Witcher 3, it is the first. You go from plains, swamps, and occasional village filled with peasants and monsters to a full fledged city. As you approach you realize “oh this place is different” and then the music kicks in. A lot softer and civilized than the songs in the wild or in combat are.
Listen. I totally understand that people have quite enough of doing chores and well…living life in real life. But there’s something magical about the Animal Crossing series. Maybe it’s being in almost total control of what goes on and your surroundings, but doing “chores” and paying off loans for a house is somehow fun and relaxing. And the music certainly plays it’s part in adding to the atmosphere. I have listened to a version of 7 PM from AC: New Leaf almost daily for the past decade. It’s probably one of my go to writing/reading songs as well as a tune I’ll throw on the background when Megs and I are chilling on the couch talking. This is my favorite version of it too.
Another game I haven’t played but OST got recommended to me to listen to was Xenoblade Chronicles. Probably the most mysterious (tone-wise) entry on the list, fills me with childlike wonder. I know nothing about the game, really, but I sure as hell enjoy the sound track. It’s almost chilling. But not in a bad way.
While not the official remaster, this Pokémon song is one of my all time favorites. It shoots me back to walking into Lake Verity for the first time on Pokémon Pearl for the DS. It never fails to improve my mood and makes me reminiscent. I love Pokémon and Gen 4 is one of my favorites. If only they’d remaster this game and this song officially.
Super Paper Mario fucking rules and it’s sound track is outstanding. Late in the game, as you emerge from a underworld type area (The Underwhere [lmfao]) you find yourself climbing the stairs of a place called Overthere. Once you climb to the top and reach Overthere Shrine, you are greeted with one of the this angelic melody. If you’ve place Super Paper Mario before, you know how the game likes to pluck on the ol’ heartstrings and Overthere Shrine has, imo, the most beautiful and sad moment in the game, all while this plays in the background. It really does stir something inside of me.
Now. Is this the worst game in the series? Probably. But it was my first and I loved it at the time. Plus I’ve spent dozens of hours listening to this song. The higher tempo/combat version is also very good, but that’s for another list. It is a flawed gamer, but the sound track? For a hand held game? Rivals some of the better Pokemon games. So kuddos there, Fates!
Nintendo really doesn’t miss with their music. Now, I know some people were shocked to see THIS has the Super Mario Galaxy entry instead of Gusty Garden, but remember, this is about calm and chill music. Gusty Garden swells different emotions in me, while this one makes me want to look up at the stars in wonder.
HAH! The intro was a tease after all! But seriously, the entirety of Halo 3: ODST’s OST is remarkable, but going around New Mombasa, at night, alone, as the Rookie the first time hit different than any other Halo experience I had ever had. It’s a dark, tense atmosphere where you stumble around a war torn city trying to find the rest of your team and what the hell happened. And the music, while calm, brings on a sense of isolation. You’re alone out here. Move quickly. Keep low. Survive.
Man, I kept on expanding this blog. I stared with five, wanted to up it to seven, then settles on ten. I have plenty more in the clip too, so be on the look out for part two in the next couple of week.
But also remember that just because a game has a calming atmosphere and music, doesn’t mean you’re in for a chill time:
https://clips.twitch.tv/LaconicRepleteWrenchPraiseIt-G9c7Vs3Pe-EnlfoH
Had to get that shameless plug in!
