They say that nostalgia happens in chunks of twenty years. If that is the case, then the nostalgia goggles will be aimed at the the mid-to late nineties - also known as the Fifth Console generation.
I've said it once and I'll say it again: This was a great period for the PC Gamer with them being spoiled for choice with the likes of Baldur's Gate, Doom, Warcraft, Command and Conquer, Deus Ex, Plansescape Torment and System Shock 2 among others. Sure, there was some shlock when Windows 95 rolled around but once that nonsense was sorted out, there were some real games to be found. Sure there were some interesting things happening in the console camp but they have not aged well as their PC counterparts. I remember at the time, console games of this era were being marketed as 'cutting edge' but looking at them now, they have naturally aged the worst.
This in turn presents an interesting opportunity for someone keen on nostalgia: Take a brand, fix some glaring issues with it and you'll have a certified hit. Why do you think so many have been clamoring for a remake of Final Fantasy 7? When you have a hugely successful game you have a hit guaranteed purely on brand recognition - but when you fix some of the problems the critics have pointed out, you win on both a commercial and critical level.
I myself aren't really that interested on nostalgia as, for me, it stifles progress (how can you move forward when you have eyes on the past?). But I will admit, however grudgingly, that there's something to be said for making classic games readily available, accessible without dragging some aging tech out of the deepest corner of the bedroom cupboard and in a state of preservation.
That being said, has anyone tried to resurrect some of the lost classics from the Saturn? Someone must've played the likes of Panzer Dragoon Saga and Shining Force 3 - So surely they must've been hit with inspiration strong enough to make something similar so what they enjoyed two decades ago can be enjoyed by people of the present. If anything, I'd rather play a RPG that involves traveling across on a desolate, post-apocalyptic world with minimal NPCs atop a flying, customisable beast, encountering Moebius-inspired monsters and discovering lost ancient tech than a retread of Advent Children any day....
Showing posts with label Deus Ex. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Deus Ex. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Monday, June 8, 2015
System of a Down
Another game has been cast down from my Hall of Shame (and the first for 2015 too!). Goodbye System Shock 2!
Man oh man, has this game got a reputation and a half: the father of Bioshock, a complete reinvention (alongside Deus Ex) of the First Person Shooter genre, one of the scariest games ever made, one of the greatest villains ever conceived in gaming history.
And you know what? In this case the reputation is justified.
Okay so I may have been using a heavily modded version of the game, that resulted in updated graphics, reworked environments and high level textures but even such modifications can;t take away that this is a game dripping in atmosphere. There is real tension with danger lurking around every corner, there is dread invoked with the sound design and there is a real sense that this is survival horror done right (ie you're all alone and no one else can jump you & nick your gear).
However whilst System Shock 2 may be pushing sixteen years, it still stands as one of the toughest games I've played. Never mind the careful selection of skill allotment (it's been well-established that this game is unforgiving to a point that if you chose the wrong skills, you may find yourself unable to complete the game), I had to contend with weapon degradation, constant threats, never having enough ammo, and dying over and over again. Even the boss fight with the Many was a real nightmare - one that somehow made the eventual confrontation with SHODAN seem tame by comparison. That being said, I think I can now understand why Bioshock was made easier - and may have contributed to greater sales. Still, beating any tough game is certainly an achievement and that certainly was the case here.
Not much else except to say that System Shock 2 is a great game. And it is finally great to play it when it was lost in the legal limbo for so long.
Now, about No One Lives Forever....
Man oh man, has this game got a reputation and a half: the father of Bioshock, a complete reinvention (alongside Deus Ex) of the First Person Shooter genre, one of the scariest games ever made, one of the greatest villains ever conceived in gaming history.
And you know what? In this case the reputation is justified.
Okay so I may have been using a heavily modded version of the game, that resulted in updated graphics, reworked environments and high level textures but even such modifications can;t take away that this is a game dripping in atmosphere. There is real tension with danger lurking around every corner, there is dread invoked with the sound design and there is a real sense that this is survival horror done right (ie you're all alone and no one else can jump you & nick your gear).
However whilst System Shock 2 may be pushing sixteen years, it still stands as one of the toughest games I've played. Never mind the careful selection of skill allotment (it's been well-established that this game is unforgiving to a point that if you chose the wrong skills, you may find yourself unable to complete the game), I had to contend with weapon degradation, constant threats, never having enough ammo, and dying over and over again. Even the boss fight with the Many was a real nightmare - one that somehow made the eventual confrontation with SHODAN seem tame by comparison. That being said, I think I can now understand why Bioshock was made easier - and may have contributed to greater sales. Still, beating any tough game is certainly an achievement and that certainly was the case here.
Not much else except to say that System Shock 2 is a great game. And it is finally great to play it when it was lost in the legal limbo for so long.
Now, about No One Lives Forever....
Friday, March 14, 2014
Modding evolution
Just a little something I came across:
Baldurs Gate 2 takes up a size of over 2 gig
Baldurs Gate 1 takes up a size of under 2 gig
I play a heavily modified version of BG2 contained in a folder totaling 9.1 gig
Meaning I play a game where the mods take up more space than the game itself.
It is however not alone:
My System Shock 2 folder totals over 1 gig for a 357 mb game.
My Deus Ex folder totals over 4 gig for a 431 mb game.
My Planescape Torment folder totals over 2 gig for a 1.1 gig game.
My Freespace 2 folder totals over 4 gig for a 1.6 gig game.
It is interesting to note that all five of these games came from the same era - and all the modding is due to me bringing them into line with a lot of other modern games. Still, if I would rather play these games to the point that I'll seek out anything it make it so, then it says a lot about staying power.
Baldurs Gate 2 takes up a size of over 2 gig
Baldurs Gate 1 takes up a size of under 2 gig
I play a heavily modified version of BG2 contained in a folder totaling 9.1 gig
Meaning I play a game where the mods take up more space than the game itself.
It is however not alone:
My System Shock 2 folder totals over 1 gig for a 357 mb game.
My Deus Ex folder totals over 4 gig for a 431 mb game.
My Planescape Torment folder totals over 2 gig for a 1.1 gig game.
My Freespace 2 folder totals over 4 gig for a 1.6 gig game.
It is interesting to note that all five of these games came from the same era - and all the modding is due to me bringing them into line with a lot of other modern games. Still, if I would rather play these games to the point that I'll seek out anything it make it so, then it says a lot about staying power.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Second Prize
Following on from the previous post, has there ever been a game I purchased a second time around? Why yes there have - and not just one. I'm sure I'm the only one who's purchased multiple games more than once but in some cases, not without good reason.
So here's a list of the games I purchased a second time - and some cases my reasons for doing so may make for fascinating stories by themselves:
Age of Empires
Had the original but seeing it on Steam was too good to miss (expect to see those words a lot ahead). Funnily enough I am still hanging onto the original disc seeing as Steam tends not to be kind to the modding community
Freedom Force
Got it on ebay but it didn't come with an install code. But then I saw it on Steam....
Dragon Age
In my previous post, I mentioned I was considering buying Dragon Age for the PC just to get my meat-hooks onto the mods available. But what would come as a surprise to some people is that my current version of Dragon Age Origins isn't the first: I got my first version of Dragon Age Origins second hand and Awakenings on the cheap. And then I found about about the Special edition....
So I got the special edition, with all it's DLC but to this day I'm still not sure if I saved any money from not buying the DLC on XBLA
Still one can't argue having all the DLC on a handy disc.
Half Life
In 2009, I was in Melbourne and I saw this in a store. I grabbed it and thought I was very lucky to get such a find. And then in 2013, I discovered something called Steam...
Pharaoh
I got Pharoah as a birthday present in 2001. Sadly, in recent years, the original disc disappeared on me so I got a new version. I was fortunate to find one in a Melbourne EB store for $10 - and this one had the Cleopatra expansion too!
Rock Band
I had a Wii at the time so naturally I'd download songs to use for it. But then I got a 360 and discovered that songs could be saved to the console's hard drive and utilized the songs from all the Rock Band games. So I got all the Rock Band games for the 360 and downloaded all the songs I liked a second time. A terrible lack of foresight true but at least I'm keeping certain musicians from going hungry.
Secret of Monkey Island
I managed to get this game working using Scummvm - only to go on Steam and finding the special edition/version.
Sonic CD
I got the Sonic gems collection on PS2 to play this - but then it reappeared on XBLA in HD graphics and with the original soundtrack restored.
Soul Calibur
Once again, it was nice in it's original format (Dreamcast) but to see it on XBLA in HD is even better (still bitter they dropped the Direct the Opening feature though....)
Stars Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Funny story: I purchased this game on the PC before encountering the Xbox and figure dit may be a better played on the console (stay with me). I played the Xbox version a lot but found, much to ym dismay that it wouldn't work on the 360. Solution? Download it on Steam
Xcom
Again: Had it on disc but then saw it on Steam
The GoG parade
Duke Nukem 3d, Baldurs Gate, Deus Ex, Thief 2, Rayman 2, Planescape Torment, Sim City 2000, Clive Barker's Undying, Fallout, Heroes 2, System Shock 2. Why buy them all again? Well I like that I have them all in digital format and they are continuously updated for modern OS by the tireless folk at GoG. Duke Nukem 3d is of special note: I had it on XBLA but then I saw a special event where GoG was giving it away for free for a limited time...
Looking back over what I've just typed, I can see a pattern emerging: If I've purchased games a second time it's largely down to two reasons: 1) a lack of foresight and 2) the game in question comes on a preferred format or system. The former can be dismissed as pure human error but the latter is more interesting: There is certainly a lot on offer for a digital format in that it is always in easy reach, it takes up less physical space than a boxed game (besides my 500g game hard drive isn't going to fill up itself) and, in the case of GoG and Steam, it's not going to disappear any time soon. And in some cases, sometimes it's better for some games to be played through gripping a console controller than bashing a keyboard. And at the same time, modded games can sometimes yield a greater experience than the restrictions imposed by a console game.
Still, once again, there is the thought that if I'm continually striving for the best than I deserve to be ripped off.
So here's a list of the games I purchased a second time - and some cases my reasons for doing so may make for fascinating stories by themselves:
Age of Empires
Had the original but seeing it on Steam was too good to miss (expect to see those words a lot ahead). Funnily enough I am still hanging onto the original disc seeing as Steam tends not to be kind to the modding community
Freedom Force
Got it on ebay but it didn't come with an install code. But then I saw it on Steam....
Dragon Age
In my previous post, I mentioned I was considering buying Dragon Age for the PC just to get my meat-hooks onto the mods available. But what would come as a surprise to some people is that my current version of Dragon Age Origins isn't the first: I got my first version of Dragon Age Origins second hand and Awakenings on the cheap. And then I found about about the Special edition....
So I got the special edition, with all it's DLC but to this day I'm still not sure if I saved any money from not buying the DLC on XBLA
Still one can't argue having all the DLC on a handy disc.
Half Life
In 2009, I was in Melbourne and I saw this in a store. I grabbed it and thought I was very lucky to get such a find. And then in 2013, I discovered something called Steam...
Pharaoh
I got Pharoah as a birthday present in 2001. Sadly, in recent years, the original disc disappeared on me so I got a new version. I was fortunate to find one in a Melbourne EB store for $10 - and this one had the Cleopatra expansion too!
Rock Band
I had a Wii at the time so naturally I'd download songs to use for it. But then I got a 360 and discovered that songs could be saved to the console's hard drive and utilized the songs from all the Rock Band games. So I got all the Rock Band games for the 360 and downloaded all the songs I liked a second time. A terrible lack of foresight true but at least I'm keeping certain musicians from going hungry.
Secret of Monkey Island
I managed to get this game working using Scummvm - only to go on Steam and finding the special edition/version.
Sonic CD
I got the Sonic gems collection on PS2 to play this - but then it reappeared on XBLA in HD graphics and with the original soundtrack restored.
Soul Calibur
Once again, it was nice in it's original format (Dreamcast) but to see it on XBLA in HD is even better (still bitter they dropped the Direct the Opening feature though....)
Stars Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Funny story: I purchased this game on the PC before encountering the Xbox and figure dit may be a better played on the console (stay with me). I played the Xbox version a lot but found, much to ym dismay that it wouldn't work on the 360. Solution? Download it on Steam
Xcom
Again: Had it on disc but then saw it on Steam
The GoG parade
Duke Nukem 3d, Baldurs Gate, Deus Ex, Thief 2, Rayman 2, Planescape Torment, Sim City 2000, Clive Barker's Undying, Fallout, Heroes 2, System Shock 2. Why buy them all again? Well I like that I have them all in digital format and they are continuously updated for modern OS by the tireless folk at GoG. Duke Nukem 3d is of special note: I had it on XBLA but then I saw a special event where GoG was giving it away for free for a limited time...
Looking back over what I've just typed, I can see a pattern emerging: If I've purchased games a second time it's largely down to two reasons: 1) a lack of foresight and 2) the game in question comes on a preferred format or system. The former can be dismissed as pure human error but the latter is more interesting: There is certainly a lot on offer for a digital format in that it is always in easy reach, it takes up less physical space than a boxed game (besides my 500g game hard drive isn't going to fill up itself) and, in the case of GoG and Steam, it's not going to disappear any time soon. And in some cases, sometimes it's better for some games to be played through gripping a console controller than bashing a keyboard. And at the same time, modded games can sometimes yield a greater experience than the restrictions imposed by a console game.
Still, once again, there is the thought that if I'm continually striving for the best than I deserve to be ripped off.
Friday, October 18, 2013
Mod the Dragon
Here's something I came across recently: A list of worthwhile mods for Dragon Age.
I don't have Dragon Age Origins for the PC: My copy is for the Xbox. However looking at this list it becomes clear that I've been missing out on a lot of worthwhile material.
Now I do indulge in some modding for my PC games but they're for old games like Baldur's Gate 2, Deus Ex and System Shock 2. Thus for the longest time I've seen modding as something of a Catch 22: On one hand, modding is a method to give aging games a new lease of life and to elevate them to a level comparable to more recent games. But on the other hand, there lies the thought that if anyone can mod then one would find a lot of dodgy mods involving a) doing silly things or b) a level of poorly written content on par with fanfiction. Therefore, it then becomes something of a chore to find the mods that are well done and actually worthwhile.
Look at the list though it becomes clear that I've been missing out on a lot. Somehow I thought one couldn't possibly mod something as complex as a recent game- largely due to the resources. I mean, anyone can easily integrate a mod into Baldurs Gate as the necessary dialogue and exposition is all conveyed in text. Therefore for a game like Dragon Age, it presents a monstrous challenge considering the modders are without the resources that the game makers had - Somehow, it seems doubtful that the likes of Claudia Black will be willing to help out some no-name modder and, for me, having everything voiced electronically will break the immersion considerably.
And yet, judging by the list, some people are willing to rise to up to the challenge.
.
Thus it now becomes quite tempting to pick it up the PC version of Dragon Age Origins - but in doing so I'll be throwing away a lot of XBLA achievements and 130 hours of game time. I may recreate my Xbox Grey Wardens but they won't be the same. I can do the same things all over again but you can only that for so long before it gets tiring.
And there is the thought that if I'm committed to obtaining the best possible experience out of particular games then I deserve to ripped off.
I don't have Dragon Age Origins for the PC: My copy is for the Xbox. However looking at this list it becomes clear that I've been missing out on a lot of worthwhile material.
Now I do indulge in some modding for my PC games but they're for old games like Baldur's Gate 2, Deus Ex and System Shock 2. Thus for the longest time I've seen modding as something of a Catch 22: On one hand, modding is a method to give aging games a new lease of life and to elevate them to a level comparable to more recent games. But on the other hand, there lies the thought that if anyone can mod then one would find a lot of dodgy mods involving a) doing silly things or b) a level of poorly written content on par with fanfiction. Therefore, it then becomes something of a chore to find the mods that are well done and actually worthwhile.
Look at the list though it becomes clear that I've been missing out on a lot. Somehow I thought one couldn't possibly mod something as complex as a recent game- largely due to the resources. I mean, anyone can easily integrate a mod into Baldurs Gate as the necessary dialogue and exposition is all conveyed in text. Therefore for a game like Dragon Age, it presents a monstrous challenge considering the modders are without the resources that the game makers had - Somehow, it seems doubtful that the likes of Claudia Black will be willing to help out some no-name modder and, for me, having everything voiced electronically will break the immersion considerably.
And yet, judging by the list, some people are willing to rise to up to the challenge.
.
Thus it now becomes quite tempting to pick it up the PC version of Dragon Age Origins - but in doing so I'll be throwing away a lot of XBLA achievements and 130 hours of game time. I may recreate my Xbox Grey Wardens but they won't be the same. I can do the same things all over again but you can only that for so long before it gets tiring.
And there is the thought that if I'm committed to obtaining the best possible experience out of particular games then I deserve to ripped off.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Hungry like the wolf
This weekend I’ve been playing Wolfenstein 3d. Yep, the original and still the best. True the shooter genre may have had major changes in the wake of Half Life and Deus Ex but honestly? There still exists and want to just switch one’s mind off, garb the biggest gun you can think of and mow down anything dumb enough to stand in your way. And that’s a need Wolf3d fulfills nicely. It may be twenty one years old but it’s appeal still stands strong.
Okay sure it’s odd to walk about the most incoherently designed stronghold(s) imaginable, sure there are enough soldiers to invade an entire country and there’s a stupidly large amount of gold stashed in the bases, but I don’t care. I’m willing to tolerate the dated graphics and the whole cheesy dialogue (“Spion!”,”Mein leben!”). If anything, there is a certain charm to the graphics as it’s hilarious to see the body count of an intense bout of shooting:
If anything, get past the realism and the hyper-serious nature of shooters and all is left is the desire just to shoot so many dudes with a chain gun. I could say they don’t make ’em like they used to but you know what? They don’t
Okay sure it’s odd to walk about the most incoherently designed stronghold(s) imaginable, sure there are enough soldiers to invade an entire country and there’s a stupidly large amount of gold stashed in the bases, but I don’t care. I’m willing to tolerate the dated graphics and the whole cheesy dialogue (“Spion!”,”Mein leben!”). If anything, there is a certain charm to the graphics as it’s hilarious to see the body count of an intense bout of shooting:
If anything, get past the realism and the hyper-serious nature of shooters and all is left is the desire just to shoot so many dudes with a chain gun. I could say they don’t make ’em like they used to but you know what? They don’t
Monday, March 4, 2013
Drop the Bomb
I recently read that SquareEnix is currently in a rather precarious position: Following the flop that was Final Fantasy XIV, the once revered JRPG company is in the position where if yet another flop comes along, it'll be curtains for SquareEnix as a whole.
Personally, I hope such a thing does come about. Yeah that's right: I sincerely hope that SqueeEnix does close it's doors for good and we can all move on. Sure that may not be an opinion shared by a group of people who vastly outnumber me but I speak as someone who's realized that the glory days of SqueeEnix are well & truly past and it's unlikely they will ever get back on their feet again.
Call me a cynic (or a heretic) but it is a somewhat realistic approach: SquareEnix is not the giant it once was and it's continued presence is looking more like a deadweight. Why? Well several reasons actually:
Key figures within the company have left the company and struck on their own (in the form of Mistwalker and Monolith Soft); no new talent is being groomed or developed in the wake of the aforementioned departures; the company is sticking to their RPGs and not trying (or, more accurately, risking) anything new; the possibility of a Kingdom Hearts 3 game is looking unlikely with each passing year; and SqueeEnix seems to be running on established ideas with it's recent involvement in the recent Tomb Raider and Deus Ex games. All of which suggests that SqueeEnix seem unwilling to try/risk new ideas and/or get some new blood into the stable.
So maybe it is time to move on: If SqueeEnix aren't prepared to try something new and would rather keep milking the cash cows of previous successes then maybe it is time to let it die in peace. The world has changed considerably since 1997-2000 and instead of basking in nostalgia how about finding something new you haven't discovered before? Who knows, you might actually find something enjoyable.
______________
Addendum:
To those who still want a FF7 remake: You're not helping. Yes we get the idea that Final Fantasy 7 may well have been the zenith of JRPGs but there are other games out there - including JRPGs - so you should at least give them a chance (apparently Xenoblade Chronicles is really good). Besides, it's better to got out and explore than giving up completely right?
And besides, if you keep claiming that doing an update of a 2d-game-done-3d in modern tech can be done then how about producing some evidence to back it up?
Personally, I hope such a thing does come about. Yeah that's right: I sincerely hope that SqueeEnix does close it's doors for good and we can all move on. Sure that may not be an opinion shared by a group of people who vastly outnumber me but I speak as someone who's realized that the glory days of SqueeEnix are well & truly past and it's unlikely they will ever get back on their feet again.
Call me a cynic (or a heretic) but it is a somewhat realistic approach: SquareEnix is not the giant it once was and it's continued presence is looking more like a deadweight. Why? Well several reasons actually:
Key figures within the company have left the company and struck on their own (in the form of Mistwalker and Monolith Soft); no new talent is being groomed or developed in the wake of the aforementioned departures; the company is sticking to their RPGs and not trying (or, more accurately, risking) anything new; the possibility of a Kingdom Hearts 3 game is looking unlikely with each passing year; and SqueeEnix seems to be running on established ideas with it's recent involvement in the recent Tomb Raider and Deus Ex games. All of which suggests that SqueeEnix seem unwilling to try/risk new ideas and/or get some new blood into the stable.
So maybe it is time to move on: If SqueeEnix aren't prepared to try something new and would rather keep milking the cash cows of previous successes then maybe it is time to let it die in peace. The world has changed considerably since 1997-2000 and instead of basking in nostalgia how about finding something new you haven't discovered before? Who knows, you might actually find something enjoyable.
______________
Addendum:
To those who still want a FF7 remake: You're not helping. Yes we get the idea that Final Fantasy 7 may well have been the zenith of JRPGs but there are other games out there - including JRPGs - so you should at least give them a chance (apparently Xenoblade Chronicles is really good). Besides, it's better to got out and explore than giving up completely right?
And besides, if you keep claiming that doing an update of a 2d-game-done-3d in modern tech can be done then how about producing some evidence to back it up?
Friday, November 18, 2011
31 Songs (no.3)
And welcome to part 3 of this ongoing series of video game music. Today, we head into the fifth generation. Now things are a little different than before: In previous posts, I made mention that I grew up with the games of the previous generations. But during the fifth generation of consoles, my interest in gaming was being directed away and I missed out on a lot - much of which was eventually rediscovered years later. Thus, this post is going to be based on looking through a past generation through a perspective both new and adult.
Will it make a difference? Let's find out...
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night - Dracula's Castle
Well when you call your game a Symphony it’s kind of expected that the music be top-notch right? Well not only does Symphony of the Night achieve this goal but it surpasses it many times over.
Symphony of the Night is often considered one of the finest soundtracks ever made in the history of gaming and rightly so. Whilst many other soundtracks may age with time and technological advancements, Symphony of the Night is in a class of its own. It has a timeless quality that can proudly hold up some fourteen years later. And it certainly has a lot of variety and colour throughout, touching many styles and succeeding: Choral voices, classical pieces, rock guitars and even a dancey number – it may sound cluttered but somehow it works and even maintains the gothic horror mood that made the Castlevania series famous. In fact, I could say this is one of the few soundtracks that could actually work without the game: on it’s own it sounds dark, sinister and strangely beautiful. Much like Symphony of the Night itself.
Thus I, once again, am spoiled for choice when it comes to selecting one piece for the purposes of this list. Requiem for the Gods, Abandoned Pit, Lost Paintings and Heavenly Doorway are all beauties but I’ve decided to go with Dracula’s Castle. It is the first theme heard when the player enters the castle as Alucard and pretty much sets up the mood for what’s to follow. It’s nightmarishly scary but at the same time, wonderful.
You know, I recall playing Symphony of the Night at a friend's place and someone heard Lost Paintings and said: “That’s nice music”. And this was without looking at the TV screen. Sometimes moments like that can count for so much.
Chrono Cross - Unsealed Jewel
It seems that each time I do a post to this series I must, at some point, break my own guidelines. Yes this game wasn’t released in Australia, yes I never played it, and yes I’m basing this theme purely on what I’ve heard but damn is this a sweet theme.
For me, I have no idea what this song is implying: I don’t know what the singer is singing, I don’t know what context this is being used in the game (okay I do: it’s the ending cinematic) and I have no idea what the point, if any, is trying to be conveyed. But you know what? I don’t care. This is such a simple song and it works well. I love the singing, the guitar playing and the peaceful mood this song manages to project. And that’s the beauty of it: It doesn’t need the game to work for me. I can listen to this and still enjoy it without playing the game. And for a game theme to do that is indeed a substantial accomplishment – and an accomplishment that happens much rarely than one would realise.
In fact, as I found out, it’s quite nice to listen to when you go outside in the morning and watch the sun rise. It’s also nice to listen to when you wake up in the morning nursing a large hangover.
Command and Conquer - Act on Instinct
I must say I’ve always had a soft spot for the work of Command and Conquer composer Frank Klepacki. It's a great combination with the metal guitars and industrial beats – even to the point that when I play the previous Command and Conquer games now I’m still impressed that the music like this was still being made in the mind-nineties. It was as if someone decided that music in computer games was going to get serious and, years later, it would seem they were successful.
So what can I say about Act on Instinct? Well not a lot really: There’s a lot going on in this song with the bass, the pounding drums and the sound effects. But honestly what makes this theme for me is that four note keyboard part that appears halfway through the piece. It’s the dealmaker for me, even to the point that I rewind those parts of the song just here it again. Although I’m not entirely sure why I like to so much – but then again, there is the fear that if I try to explain it may not work in the same light ever again.
So yes, Act on Instinct is a rockin’ theme. And this must rank as one of the few game themes that can actually work outside the game: As I found out, this is actually a really good theme to listen to in the car.
Command and Conquer: Red Alert - Hell March
Die Waffen legt an!
Well it was hard to choose one piece from the repertoire of Frank Klepacki so I went with his other best known theme. And could I not? This is a theme with plenty of bite and perfect for charging into battle with guns blazing. Or behind the wheel of a tank.
This is pretty much a battle theme – even to the point of being shameless in its intent. It’s loud, powerful and pretty much just the thing to get one’s blood pumping. It may have been intended for a strategy game but it could work equally well for a shooter. Or a death match LAN. Open fire? Hell yes.
Everything here seems to work: The rumbling bass demands attention before the drums kick in and the guitars come charging in. And it must’ve succeeded so well because it’s been remixed for the Red Alert sequels
Now I’m not a big fan of metal music – I do enjoy it yes but I’m nowhere near the hyper serious fans that flock to it’s banner – But I have to say this works for me far more than a lot of metal bands I’ve heard. And all for a computer game no less! And if such a theme can cross such barriers then you know you’ve done something right.
Deus Ex - Opening Theme
Yes it’s another no-brainer but its inclusion is there for a reason. For one of the main goals for any opening theme is to pretty much establish the mood and establish a line of thinking that the player must abide to. And this theme is shining example of that principle. I hear this now and I immediately think cyberpunk, X-Files-esque conspiracies and saving the world from catastrophe – pretty much what Deus Ex is all about. I can picture all of this is achieved even without a single image being shown. In fact I bet you could play this to anyone without a prior knowledge of Deus Ex and they'll pick it up straight away. And if your opening theme can do that then you're onto a winner indeed.
I also like the orchestral arrangements and the pounding drums throughout. And let us not forget: At the end of the day is a pretty damn good tune.
Not much more I can say except, I must confess that nowadays I, unfortunately, can’t hear this song without thinking: “Put on a trenchcoat, and fight some conspiracies, Get experience and level up abilities…”
Final Fantasy 9 - Crossing The Hills
You know what? Of all the Final Fantasy games I’ve played, I would have to say that no.9 has the strongest soundtrack of all. And I’m not the only one: Nobuo Uematsu himself has even ranked no.9 as his favourite. So who am I to argue?
And once again I face the difficult process of selecting one track on a soundtrack that’s packed to the gills with gems. I love The Place I’ll Return to Someday. I love Awakened Forest. I love Freya’s theme. I love Burmecian Kingdom. I love You Are Not Alone!. Much like Secret of Mana, in the previous post, if I could the entire soundtrack on this list I damn well would’ve. But no, I’ve broken enough of my own self-imposed rules already so we must go with one. And the lucky winner is Crossing the Hills.
One thing I like about this, and this may sound kind of bizarre, is whilst this used as a world/journeying theme, it doesn’t sound anything like an atypical journeying theme. I wouldn’t associate this with exploring a world – I would think it more a theme to a storybook being read than a game.
And that’s what’s kinda cool about it. I mentioned in my best endings post that Final Fantasy IX does come across as taking the storybook approach – perhaps more so than it’s brethren – and this theme really is representative of that intent.
But this is just me rambling. Simply put: I like this song, I think it’s great so just listen to it and draw your own conclusions.
Metal Gear Solid - The Best is Yet to Come
Well seeing have I’ve spoken at length of the emotional impression Metal Gear Solid’s ending had on me having The Best is Yet to Come on this list shouldn’t come to a surprise to the regular viewer of this blog. But who am I kidding? It’s a great song and one of those rare songs that still sound great no matter how many times one hears it.
Mind you, Celtic folk isn’t something you’d hear in any video game at all, let alone a military drama but here it works. And as the title suggests, the Best is Yet to Come: Snake completed his mission and ultimately found himself and a new purpose in life and hearing this haunting tune only adds to that truth. The fact that it is accompanied by the footage of the Alaskan wildlife, where life truly does go on, only adds more to it.
But again, this is one theme that exists freely beyond the confines of its original purpose. I can hear this when I’m feeling low and it helps. For tomorrow is another day. The problems that came before are meaningless. Things can get better and every moment in this life counts. It may sound cheesy but to find a theme that can work without it’s accompanying game is a rare thing. But to find such a life-affirming theme in a video game is certainly an achievement in itself. Who would’ve guessed that video game music could do such a thing?!
Shining Force 3 - Scenario 1 opening theme
I’ve played the Shining Force games that came out on the Megadrive and I enjoyed them very much. But I have issue with the music: It sounds ghastly and has aged rather horribly. So much so I can barely listen to instead preferring to mute it and put on some Dragon Force.
Thus hearing this, the opening to Shining Force 3 (scenario 1) on the Saturn, comes largely as a shock: Instead of some Megadrive ditty, we get a full orchestral piece accompanied by the rapping of military drums. It sounds epic, heroic and more representative of the game, a strategy RPG, as a whole. The fact that this is playing during the opening cinematic – which features the unforgettable image of two warriors facing off against each other in a crumbling fire-ravaged city as a giant mech approaches – is the icing on the cake.
Indeed, listening to this theme now to me sounds like the composers finally had an opportunity to work beyond the technological restrictions previously presented to them and are relishing it for all it’s worth. As such whereas the previous Shining Force games have had soundtracks consisting of rather chirpy sounding little ditties, this, along with the rest of the soundtrack, sounds much more serious and indeed more befitting of an army fighting its way through countless battles. Indeed one feels that this is the soundtrack that the Shining Force games deserved all along.
Not much else to say but there have been many heroic themes throughout fantasy games but none of them can match this: More than anything that came before it, or even after it, this is the sound of an army marching to war.
Starcraft - Terran Theme 1
It’s the Korean National Anthem!
Okay seriously, much like the Command and Conquer themes, this is pretty much a battle theme, designed to get the blood pumping and create the mood of building an army, storming across the battlefield and annihilating anything stupid enough to get in your way. Whilst the first part, the orchestral arrangements that came with the UED campaign in Brood War, is impressive by it’s self, the real meat comes in the rock part. I love the moody bass and the guitar work but the real treat comes in the keyboard work (Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-Bah, Bah, Bah bahhhh!!!). In any case, this theme works as being many parts being put together to produce a compelling whole.
Of course the rest of the soundtrack to Starcraft is pretty cool in itself. But what I find particularly interesting is that this theme, and indeed the rest of the Terran music, is more akin to conventional music from a strategy game. Thus the themes to the Protoss and the Zerg are less about convention and more building a mood to go with the race in question. Thus the Zerg get themes with industrial electronics, squealing guitars and a sense of being evolved to destroy. And the Protoss get orchestral themes, a sombre mood and the sense that a once glorious civilisation is pretty much on it’s knees. It’s an unusual move for a strategy game but in my mind, makes it all the better for it.
So that's it for the fifth generation. Already, game music was evolving at an impressive rate and delivering some unforgettable tunes. So what can the sixth generation do? Tune in next week to find out...
Will it make a difference? Let's find out...
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night - Dracula's Castle
Well when you call your game a Symphony it’s kind of expected that the music be top-notch right? Well not only does Symphony of the Night achieve this goal but it surpasses it many times over.
Symphony of the Night is often considered one of the finest soundtracks ever made in the history of gaming and rightly so. Whilst many other soundtracks may age with time and technological advancements, Symphony of the Night is in a class of its own. It has a timeless quality that can proudly hold up some fourteen years later. And it certainly has a lot of variety and colour throughout, touching many styles and succeeding: Choral voices, classical pieces, rock guitars and even a dancey number – it may sound cluttered but somehow it works and even maintains the gothic horror mood that made the Castlevania series famous. In fact, I could say this is one of the few soundtracks that could actually work without the game: on it’s own it sounds dark, sinister and strangely beautiful. Much like Symphony of the Night itself.
Thus I, once again, am spoiled for choice when it comes to selecting one piece for the purposes of this list. Requiem for the Gods, Abandoned Pit, Lost Paintings and Heavenly Doorway are all beauties but I’ve decided to go with Dracula’s Castle. It is the first theme heard when the player enters the castle as Alucard and pretty much sets up the mood for what’s to follow. It’s nightmarishly scary but at the same time, wonderful.
You know, I recall playing Symphony of the Night at a friend's place and someone heard Lost Paintings and said: “That’s nice music”. And this was without looking at the TV screen. Sometimes moments like that can count for so much.
Chrono Cross - Unsealed Jewel
It seems that each time I do a post to this series I must, at some point, break my own guidelines. Yes this game wasn’t released in Australia, yes I never played it, and yes I’m basing this theme purely on what I’ve heard but damn is this a sweet theme.
For me, I have no idea what this song is implying: I don’t know what the singer is singing, I don’t know what context this is being used in the game (okay I do: it’s the ending cinematic) and I have no idea what the point, if any, is trying to be conveyed. But you know what? I don’t care. This is such a simple song and it works well. I love the singing, the guitar playing and the peaceful mood this song manages to project. And that’s the beauty of it: It doesn’t need the game to work for me. I can listen to this and still enjoy it without playing the game. And for a game theme to do that is indeed a substantial accomplishment – and an accomplishment that happens much rarely than one would realise.
In fact, as I found out, it’s quite nice to listen to when you go outside in the morning and watch the sun rise. It’s also nice to listen to when you wake up in the morning nursing a large hangover.
Command and Conquer - Act on Instinct
I must say I’ve always had a soft spot for the work of Command and Conquer composer Frank Klepacki. It's a great combination with the metal guitars and industrial beats – even to the point that when I play the previous Command and Conquer games now I’m still impressed that the music like this was still being made in the mind-nineties. It was as if someone decided that music in computer games was going to get serious and, years later, it would seem they were successful.
So what can I say about Act on Instinct? Well not a lot really: There’s a lot going on in this song with the bass, the pounding drums and the sound effects. But honestly what makes this theme for me is that four note keyboard part that appears halfway through the piece. It’s the dealmaker for me, even to the point that I rewind those parts of the song just here it again. Although I’m not entirely sure why I like to so much – but then again, there is the fear that if I try to explain it may not work in the same light ever again.
So yes, Act on Instinct is a rockin’ theme. And this must rank as one of the few game themes that can actually work outside the game: As I found out, this is actually a really good theme to listen to in the car.
Command and Conquer: Red Alert - Hell March
Die Waffen legt an!
Well it was hard to choose one piece from the repertoire of Frank Klepacki so I went with his other best known theme. And could I not? This is a theme with plenty of bite and perfect for charging into battle with guns blazing. Or behind the wheel of a tank.
This is pretty much a battle theme – even to the point of being shameless in its intent. It’s loud, powerful and pretty much just the thing to get one’s blood pumping. It may have been intended for a strategy game but it could work equally well for a shooter. Or a death match LAN. Open fire? Hell yes.
Everything here seems to work: The rumbling bass demands attention before the drums kick in and the guitars come charging in. And it must’ve succeeded so well because it’s been remixed for the Red Alert sequels
Now I’m not a big fan of metal music – I do enjoy it yes but I’m nowhere near the hyper serious fans that flock to it’s banner – But I have to say this works for me far more than a lot of metal bands I’ve heard. And all for a computer game no less! And if such a theme can cross such barriers then you know you’ve done something right.
Deus Ex - Opening Theme
Yes it’s another no-brainer but its inclusion is there for a reason. For one of the main goals for any opening theme is to pretty much establish the mood and establish a line of thinking that the player must abide to. And this theme is shining example of that principle. I hear this now and I immediately think cyberpunk, X-Files-esque conspiracies and saving the world from catastrophe – pretty much what Deus Ex is all about. I can picture all of this is achieved even without a single image being shown. In fact I bet you could play this to anyone without a prior knowledge of Deus Ex and they'll pick it up straight away. And if your opening theme can do that then you're onto a winner indeed.
I also like the orchestral arrangements and the pounding drums throughout. And let us not forget: At the end of the day is a pretty damn good tune.
Not much more I can say except, I must confess that nowadays I, unfortunately, can’t hear this song without thinking: “Put on a trenchcoat, and fight some conspiracies, Get experience and level up abilities…”
Final Fantasy 9 - Crossing The Hills
You know what? Of all the Final Fantasy games I’ve played, I would have to say that no.9 has the strongest soundtrack of all. And I’m not the only one: Nobuo Uematsu himself has even ranked no.9 as his favourite. So who am I to argue?
And once again I face the difficult process of selecting one track on a soundtrack that’s packed to the gills with gems. I love The Place I’ll Return to Someday. I love Awakened Forest. I love Freya’s theme. I love Burmecian Kingdom. I love You Are Not Alone!. Much like Secret of Mana, in the previous post, if I could the entire soundtrack on this list I damn well would’ve. But no, I’ve broken enough of my own self-imposed rules already so we must go with one. And the lucky winner is Crossing the Hills.
One thing I like about this, and this may sound kind of bizarre, is whilst this used as a world/journeying theme, it doesn’t sound anything like an atypical journeying theme. I wouldn’t associate this with exploring a world – I would think it more a theme to a storybook being read than a game.
And that’s what’s kinda cool about it. I mentioned in my best endings post that Final Fantasy IX does come across as taking the storybook approach – perhaps more so than it’s brethren – and this theme really is representative of that intent.
But this is just me rambling. Simply put: I like this song, I think it’s great so just listen to it and draw your own conclusions.
Metal Gear Solid - The Best is Yet to Come
Well seeing have I’ve spoken at length of the emotional impression Metal Gear Solid’s ending had on me having The Best is Yet to Come on this list shouldn’t come to a surprise to the regular viewer of this blog. But who am I kidding? It’s a great song and one of those rare songs that still sound great no matter how many times one hears it.
Mind you, Celtic folk isn’t something you’d hear in any video game at all, let alone a military drama but here it works. And as the title suggests, the Best is Yet to Come: Snake completed his mission and ultimately found himself and a new purpose in life and hearing this haunting tune only adds to that truth. The fact that it is accompanied by the footage of the Alaskan wildlife, where life truly does go on, only adds more to it.
But again, this is one theme that exists freely beyond the confines of its original purpose. I can hear this when I’m feeling low and it helps. For tomorrow is another day. The problems that came before are meaningless. Things can get better and every moment in this life counts. It may sound cheesy but to find a theme that can work without it’s accompanying game is a rare thing. But to find such a life-affirming theme in a video game is certainly an achievement in itself. Who would’ve guessed that video game music could do such a thing?!
Shining Force 3 - Scenario 1 opening theme
I’ve played the Shining Force games that came out on the Megadrive and I enjoyed them very much. But I have issue with the music: It sounds ghastly and has aged rather horribly. So much so I can barely listen to instead preferring to mute it and put on some Dragon Force.
Thus hearing this, the opening to Shining Force 3 (scenario 1) on the Saturn, comes largely as a shock: Instead of some Megadrive ditty, we get a full orchestral piece accompanied by the rapping of military drums. It sounds epic, heroic and more representative of the game, a strategy RPG, as a whole. The fact that this is playing during the opening cinematic – which features the unforgettable image of two warriors facing off against each other in a crumbling fire-ravaged city as a giant mech approaches – is the icing on the cake.
Indeed, listening to this theme now to me sounds like the composers finally had an opportunity to work beyond the technological restrictions previously presented to them and are relishing it for all it’s worth. As such whereas the previous Shining Force games have had soundtracks consisting of rather chirpy sounding little ditties, this, along with the rest of the soundtrack, sounds much more serious and indeed more befitting of an army fighting its way through countless battles. Indeed one feels that this is the soundtrack that the Shining Force games deserved all along.
Not much else to say but there have been many heroic themes throughout fantasy games but none of them can match this: More than anything that came before it, or even after it, this is the sound of an army marching to war.
Starcraft - Terran Theme 1
It’s the Korean National Anthem!
Okay seriously, much like the Command and Conquer themes, this is pretty much a battle theme, designed to get the blood pumping and create the mood of building an army, storming across the battlefield and annihilating anything stupid enough to get in your way. Whilst the first part, the orchestral arrangements that came with the UED campaign in Brood War, is impressive by it’s self, the real meat comes in the rock part. I love the moody bass and the guitar work but the real treat comes in the keyboard work (Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-Bah, Bah, Bah bahhhh!!!). In any case, this theme works as being many parts being put together to produce a compelling whole.
Of course the rest of the soundtrack to Starcraft is pretty cool in itself. But what I find particularly interesting is that this theme, and indeed the rest of the Terran music, is more akin to conventional music from a strategy game. Thus the themes to the Protoss and the Zerg are less about convention and more building a mood to go with the race in question. Thus the Zerg get themes with industrial electronics, squealing guitars and a sense of being evolved to destroy. And the Protoss get orchestral themes, a sombre mood and the sense that a once glorious civilisation is pretty much on it’s knees. It’s an unusual move for a strategy game but in my mind, makes it all the better for it.
So that's it for the fifth generation. Already, game music was evolving at an impressive rate and delivering some unforgettable tunes. So what can the sixth generation do? Tune in next week to find out...
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Put on a trenchcoat
Today I installed Deus Ex to my hard drive with the intention of playing it (not that's much else you can do with a game). Funny, it's been sitting on my shelf for a very long time and it's only now I've decided to take a look. Of course, it's not easy to take a game boasting ten year old graphics seriously but I'm still keen.
Strangely enough, when the title came up, along with that unforgettable opening theme, I immediately began singing along using the words Yahtzee came up with (see the Zero Punctuation review of Guitar Hero World Tour if you have no idea what I'm talking about). It's strange: I had not played the game before and yet I was already connected with it through the satirical videos of a grumpy web critic. It was one of those things that just happen - and I'm certain I'm not the only one who has done this.
All together now:
"...Put on a trenchcoat
and fight some conspiracies
Get experience
and level up abilities
Will you pick rifles
or computers?
Don't pick swimming, because
it's fairly useless
It's a shooter
and a role-playing game
The levels are ugly
and everyone looks the same
We're not the same Ion Storm
that made Daikatana
Our games are good
and they
stay on schedule
We made a sequel
that no-one liked
'cos we dumbed it down too much
'cos we're thick..."
Strangely enough, when the title came up, along with that unforgettable opening theme, I immediately began singing along using the words Yahtzee came up with (see the Zero Punctuation review of Guitar Hero World Tour if you have no idea what I'm talking about). It's strange: I had not played the game before and yet I was already connected with it through the satirical videos of a grumpy web critic. It was one of those things that just happen - and I'm certain I'm not the only one who has done this.
All together now:
"...Put on a trenchcoat
and fight some conspiracies
Get experience
and level up abilities
Will you pick rifles
or computers?
Don't pick swimming, because
it's fairly useless
It's a shooter
and a role-playing game
The levels are ugly
and everyone looks the same
We're not the same Ion Storm
that made Daikatana
Our games are good
and they
stay on schedule
We made a sequel
that no-one liked
'cos we dumbed it down too much
'cos we're thick..."
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