Zonto Goblin Squad Member |
Arbalester Goblin Squad Member |
Ooh, what video game music has stirred my blood recently? Not much, I must confess; I usually play my games muted. (And yes, I know I'm missing out; I'm in a choir, I like music, I just don't like hearing it all the time, for some reason. Call me crazy.)
Of the stuff I've heard that PFO could consider, uh... how about Warhammer Online? The login music absolutely kicks ass and takes names; it's still what I hear in my head when playing other fantasy games.
As for the rest of its music, I'm not too sure. LOTRO's music is kinda meh, but the player-made music is pretty good... but that's a totally separate topic.
WoW's music is classic Blizzard: Good music, but pretty over-the-top, and it proves that there is such a thing as sounding TOO epic. Having a four-part choir and a full orchestra playing their hearts out is great, having it just on the character select screen isn't. At least Warhammer Online's theme shows some restraint.
Valkenr Goblin Squad Member |
Jeremy Soule is my favorite. He did the elder scrolls(III-V) games, KoTOR, Supreme Commander, guild wars. Lost of very powerful and emotionally deep soundtracks.
I don't think Michael Hoenig has done anything for about 8 years now.
A good soundtrack can really help a game, when you have great music(and a good diversity) tedious activities become less tedious.
Valkaern |
I can honestly say that in my entire gaming history (apart from possibly the old EQ midi music nostalgia), no game music has made as strong an impression on me as the music from Horizons/Istaria.
I did some searching and found it was apparently done by a guy named Eric Speier. The game tracks ranged from acoustic guitar to incredibly descriptive ambiant tracks to darker and louder bits as well.
I'm sure some of my appreciation for it was due to its in game flow, it all just fit so well with the world. For example, one of the tracks you'd find in a crafting area:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C32_F6JyBaA&feature=related
The range of styles was quite extensive but all very cohesive. I found a site that has some of his work, with a few tracks (the ones with names that sound fantasy MMOish)are from that game if anyone's interested:
http://www.filmmusic.org/game_music.html
I rarely give in game music much consideration unless it's implemented well (for me it's mostly either too repetative, good but too sparse, or just annoying). But this games music stood out for me amongst , jeesh, hundreds of other MMOs and countless games, so I thought it was worth a mention.
I'd love to hear something like this in PFO.
Zonto Goblin Squad Member |