Opinion Fest 2009: Best Soundtrack

Though – as I mentioned previously – games are mainly a visual medium, other elements make up the overall experience. One of those elements that plays a large role in a game’s subconscious identity is its music. Music has been in games for so long that most people pay it little conscious attention, though I’m willing to bet that most of you can still hum the Chrono Trigger theme.

The winners of this award were able to not only implement memorable or ear-pleasing tunes, but were able to do so in a way that compliments the presentation and adds personality.

3rd: Ar Tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica – Gust Sound Team – PlayStation 2

Haunting and dissonant at the same time, the composers that make up the Gust Sound Team – Akira Tsuchiya, Ken Nakagawa, and Daisuke Achiwa – have again created a soundtrack that carries the sub-standard visuals that Gust is known for into fantastic and memorable worlds. The returned involvement of Haruka Shimotsuki, Takashige Inagaki, and (of course) Akiko Shikata help set the music in the Ar Tonelico series in their own field.

Though the soundtrack isn’t as memorable, as original, or as pleasant as its predecessor, Ar Tonelico II’s OST is worth listening to, and is one of the high points of an otherwise disappointing follow-up.

2nd: Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled – Jan Morgenstern – Nintendo DS

Jan Morgenstern’s work is well-respected in many underground communities and projects, and is recognized even by mainstream outlets. It should come as no surprise, then, that his score for the unfortunately squandered opportunity known as Black Sigil, is similarly praiseworthy.

At once both fresh and nostalgic, the combination of epic scale and retro sensibilities gives much of the game an air of believability; if you didn’t know better, you might think this was once a great SNES game. Since this was the goal of the developers, its soundtrack, at least, got it right. It’s too bad that there is not outlet to buy or download the soundtrack directly at the time of writing, but I will keep my fingers crossed, as it is well worth listening to.

1st: Magna Carta II – Jang Sung-Woon – Xbox 360

At times charming. At others, evocative. Occasionally chilling. Often gorgeous. Jang Sung-Woon – though a name in music composition I am not familiar with – has done some wonderful things with Magna Carta II’s soundtrack, and the effort is recognized and appreciated.

Though, as I noted earlier, Magna Carta II’s visuals are stunning, the music really helps to solidify them in the player’s mind and give them a sense of character that carries them beyond the ending credits. I can still remember the first time I set foot into Navyblue Marsh, or the blood-stained rocks of Dunan Hill. Such is the signature of a great soundtrack: musically worthy of solo listening, but so complimentary to the game that the listener can’t help but see and feel the world from the game all over again.