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#81 Prometheus

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Posted 02 December 2010 - 03:46 PM

No need to be sarcastic ;)

I apologise if my straight response offended you, it's just that rather obtuse philosophies coming from 'the trained' can get a bit tiresome. Other threads have debated that stuff for years. For the record I largely agree with your opinion on traditional vs digital, but that is besides the point - when all is said and done talent will produce greatness regardless of methods. If you disagree with that fundamental argument then hey ho, fair enough.


You're right, in some cases it does. Usually these people teach themselves (autodidactism), which can can work very well. I'm just saying that a lot of talented people don't often have the privilege of a musical education. It would be nice if correspondence courses were available to the ghetto, but that's not how the system works. Another final loose thought to his paragraph, would be that one shouldn't necessarily equate talent with motivation or drive. A lot of gifted people don't even recognise the potential of the talent, or make the choice to capitalise on it. It's not as simple as, I dunno musical talent = instant ticket to world renowned success as film and television composer, with work spanning 5 decades. There are a lot more variables to the matter.

I hope you get the drift.

If anything, I'd say it could be argued that your point of view on that particular subject displays a lack of imagination, which, it could argued, may be translated into one's output, musically.


You could. But (implicitly) making suppositions about not only my character but my compositions from one or two posts, is not only of bad taste, but quite frankly ridiculous. In my short time I haven't gone after anyone here or their posts, I've just criticised a system of composition for screen (and slammed two hack composers), but that's all.

Also, verbal and non verbal intelligence and imagination are fairly separate mental faculties. Which is perhaps why a lot of composers (Williams including, along with Benny Herrmann) aren't the most imaginative or interesting in conversation, but their non-verbal communication through music makes up for that. I'm not saying I'm Williams I'm Herrmann, only that I hope my music does most of the talking. And once I get round to recording, hopefully you and the rest of the jwfan community can have the opportunity to hear it. :)

For the record, I haven't had a good night's sleep in the last couple days. I'd say that wariness, rambling on and lack of enthusiasm doesn't help (neither does the Walter avatar, TBH). I'm usually a nice guy, alert and all. Imaginative too.

Finished belabouring my point. ;)

#82 Quint

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Posted 02 December 2010 - 03:51 PM

I didn't say you were anything but :)

And just to put to bed the "lack of imagination" thing, as I said, it was merely for the sake of discussion, a counterpoint. No harm done I hope.

#83 bondo

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Posted 03 December 2010 - 11:38 AM

Two more.... FABLE by Danny Elfman and JUMPER by Chris Tilton





#84 Koray Savas

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Posted 03 December 2010 - 02:20 PM

Jumper is a great one. All of Chris Tilton's game scores are phenomenal, well, except for maybe Shrek Super Party and Muppets Party Cruise.

In 50 years Herrmann will be forgotten.


#85 bondo

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Posted 03 December 2010 - 03:18 PM

I tried to find tracks from Tilton/Giacchino's FRACTURE score, but I had no luck. Terribly underrated sci-fi action score!

#86 Faleel

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Posted 03 December 2010 - 08:54 PM


I think the late 80s/early 90s were the golden age for tunes in games. Production values are skyrocketing these days, but I'm not sure if the music is as catchy.

Couldn't agree more.

Back in the days, it was something like this :



Now, it sounds more like that :



And quite honestly, no matter how much "midi" the music sounded back then, it's still miles ahead of anything that has been composed recently for games. Try listening to this two cues, and tell me which one you'll remember most in a few days...
I just wish more people would realize how great some video games tracks are, so that we could be given orchestral versions of such tunes.

here is a link to "zelda reorchestrated" which is a community collaboration that updates the old games soundtracks to the sound of TP (perhaps better) it's not live orchestra but its closer than the originals
http://www.zreomusic.com/listen

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#87 John Crichton

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Posted 03 December 2010 - 10:07 PM

Elfman's main theme for Fable is wonderful.
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#88 Michael

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Posted 03 December 2010 - 11:33 PM

Was Johnny ever offered to score a video game? I mean, apart from that Star Wars game...
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#89 Faleel

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Posted 03 December 2010 - 11:35 PM

i heard that he did the dreamworks logo music for "The Lost World" game or something

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#90 John Crichton

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Posted 04 December 2010 - 01:22 AM

Speaking of Star Wars, since Youtube linking is all the rage in this thread some of my favorites from Soule's Knights of the Old Republic:

The Old Republic theme:



And my personal favorite, the Sith theme (slight SFX in the first part, taken from a cutscene):


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#91 Koray Savas

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Posted 04 December 2010 - 03:19 AM

I tried to find tracks from Tilton/Giacchino's FRACTURE score, but I had no luck. Terribly underrated sci-fi action score!


Superb score, but unfortunately it was unreleased. I asked Tilton if there was a chance for it to see the light of day, but he said probably not, and wondered why they had them master and produce a soundtrack only to never release it.

In 50 years Herrmann will be forgotten.


#92 Blumenkohl

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Posted 04 December 2010 - 06:29 AM

Best video game music I've heard yet:

http://www.myspace.c...keonline/videos

#93 bondo

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Posted 04 December 2010 - 09:33 AM

Good call on Star Wars KOTOR, John! I'd also like to mention (of course) Mark Griskey's phenominal FORCE UNLEASHED II score:





Hopefully he will be able to continue and possibly finish his own musical trilogy with Force Unleashed 3...

#94 BloodBoal

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Posted 04 December 2010 - 10:14 AM

here is a link to "zelda reorchestrated" which is a community collaboration that updates the old games soundtracks to the sound of TP (perhaps better) it's not live orchestra but its closer than the originals
http://www.zreomusic.com/listen

I know this site. Unfortunately, most of the tracks sounds synth to me, and a lot of them doesn't sound remotely like the original. There are a few that are worth a listen, though.

#95 Quint

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Posted 04 December 2010 - 11:20 AM

Speaking of Star Wars, since Youtube linking is all the rage in this thread some of my favorites from Soule's Knights of the Old Republic

Yeah, may as well go the whole hog and just rename the thread The Videogame Music Appreciation Thread ;)

#96 Marian Schedenig

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Posted 04 December 2010 - 02:29 PM

We shouldn't forget this:



#97 John Crichton

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Posted 04 December 2010 - 07:05 PM

;) Marian. Chris did a great job with that.
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#98 Quint

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Posted 05 December 2010 - 01:04 PM





If anyone doesn't enjoy that I have to seriously question their taste in music.

I'd argue the same in regards to this unlikely waltz from Halo ;)



#99 Marian Schedenig

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Posted 05 December 2010 - 01:54 PM

Chris did a great job with that.


Indeed. I'm trying to get him to upload the other tracks, too.

#100 BloodBoal

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Posted 05 December 2010 - 07:35 PM

Can't believe I forgot that one :

Super Smash Bros. Brawl - Main Theme


#101 E.T. & Elliott

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Posted 05 December 2010 - 07:37 PM


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#102 Koray Savas

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Posted 05 December 2010 - 07:41 PM



In 50 years Herrmann will be forgotten.


#103 E.T. & Elliott

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Posted 05 December 2010 - 07:42 PM

Giacchino's best work I've heard is level 1 on The Lost World video game.
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#104 Blumenkohl

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Posted 05 December 2010 - 10:57 PM

Those of you who have never played "Deus Ex" I encourage you to go out and grab a copy and play it.

It is without a doubt one of the most deep, thought-provoking, and innovative games ever created. The first game that was truly about story and creating a game world you could see as existing. The level of detail, the newspaper articles you could read, diaries, e-mails, books, conversations, pigeons to shoot. Just breathtaking.

The music was also wonderful, very unique, nothing like anything else in the game world.

Awesome intro music, with intro video:


More music, with gameplay for your movie-watching pleasure


I would consider this game as being one of the best literary experiences of any medium.

#105 John Crichton

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Posted 05 December 2010 - 11:01 PM

Just a gorgeous theme: Final Fantasy VII Main Theme (live orchestral version, and not Cloud's theme, don't know where they got that):



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#106 Blumenkohl

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Posted 05 December 2010 - 11:32 PM

Just plain music from Deus Ex






And the main theme:



#107 Wojo

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Posted 06 December 2010 - 01:15 PM

That game, Deus Ex, is one of my all time most favorite games. I have beaten it three times, on all difficulty settings, and when I got to the final level, would achieve each ending. The last time I played it was a few years ago, and beating it on Realistic was one of the most rewarding game experiences ever, especially considering I went everywhere, beat every side quest, and took advantage of just about everything I could. Even going back into VersaLife through the front door when Tong tells you not to, just to take on the mother of all spider robots.

I have never played it through totally nonlethal. Last time through, I did avoid, or at least attempt to avoid, killing any NSF people, but I have no qualms about killing Majestic 12 goons (even the ones you can meet BEFORE the big plot twist, which makes no sense). Although in my twisted sense of video game morality (Half-Life is another story), I don't consider explosive canisters as kills: I kill the canisters, whatever happens to people beside them isn't my fault. I'm not sure there are enough cattle prod charges and tranq darts in the game to go nonlethal that much, and I would have to be pretty dedicated to use the police baton in the interim.

I remember in college being able to save a key character from death at his apartment shootout, while nobody else who was playing on my dorm floor was able to, which was a nice achievement.

The soundtrack is excellent, and of course graces my iPod.

The sequel would not play on my old Athlon system, and I just haven't made the time to install it on my i7 rig.

I don't know what I was looking for, and will have to dig up the link, but I found a funny website where a player of Deus Ex took advantage of a "bug" where items in your hands are not taken from you when your inventory is stolen or you change maps. Case in point, he tranquilized the boss and then kept him throughout the rest of the game. Even when you're captured or hop into the helicopter, as long as he's in your hands, he'll stay with you. That made for a lot of funny pictures, especially in Hong Kong, where's not supposed to be in a "normal" game.

Great game. I need to reinstall it.

@Wojo: stop being facetious.


#108 Blumenkohl

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Posted 06 December 2010 - 04:49 PM

I try to go back and play it once every year or two. Every time I find something new or a different way to play through. (And it's so hard to go around murdering everyone, you can't rectify killing innocent digital bits!) I actually have a G4 iMac running Mac OS 9 of all things sitting around so I can still play Deus Ex basically. Does the Windows version work on Windows 7? I have both, but just kept the Mac OS 9 version around, and haven't tried the Windows version on the newer computers.

One of my favorite moments from that game is, I think you're in Paris, on the run and you're in some random house you've broken into, and this is after every ATM you try to get into reads:

ICARUS HAS FOUND YOU!!!!!
>ICARUS HAS FOUND YOU!!!!!
>>ICARUS HAS FOUND YOU!!!!!
>>>ICARUS HAS FOUND YOU!!!!!
>>>>ICARUS HAS FOUND YOU!!!!!
>>>>>ICARUS HAS FOUND YOU!!!!!
>>>>>>ICARUS HAS FOUND YOU!!!!!
>>>>>>>ICARUS HAS FOUND YOU!!!!!
>>>>>>>>ICARUS HAS FOUND YOU!!!!!
>>>>>>>>>ICARUS HAS FOUND YOU!!!!!
>>>>>>>>>RUN WHILE YOU CAN!!!!!!!!!!!
>>>>>>>>RUN WHILE YOU CAN!!!!!!!!!!!
>>>>>>>RUN WHILE YOU CAN!!!!!!!!!!!
>>>>>>RUN WHILE YOU CAN!!!!!!!!!!!
>>>>>RUN WHILE YOU CAN!!!!!!!!!!!
>>>>RUN WHILE YOU CAN!!!!!!!!!!!
>>>RUN WHILE YOU CAN!!!!!!!!!!!
>>RUN WHILE YOU CAN!!!!!!!!!!!
>RUN WHILE YOU CAN!!!!!!!!!!!
RUN WHILE YOU CAN!!!!!!!!!!!


In the real world it's 2:00 AM. In the game world, it's about the same time. You're exploring the quiet house....relatively pretty music playing around in the background, oooh I found a chocolate bar! Wait, what's that? Sounds like ringing. *Tense up* Is that my house phone or is it in the game? Sounds like it's coming from the game. Ooh....here's a phone...in a nice enclosed room to answer.

Answer. Creepy voice on the other end. Someone in creepy masked voice talking about how he is all around you...and can see you. Put down phone. RUN!

[Edit]
Re: Working on Windows 7 -> Looks like it's available on Steam, sweet! $9.99, or $19.99 for both the first and the (lesser, weaker) sequel.

#109 Wojo

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Posted 06 December 2010 - 08:12 PM

I never installed Windows 7 on my gaming rig. I'm waiting for the holiday break to make the time, fix the partitions, and not screw anything (i.e. lose music) up by trying to do it in a weekend. I have 7 on my laptop, and since this game was made when Voodoos and P3's were the rage, it might actually work well on it.

If I remember correctly, there was one sidequest I could never regularly accomplish. The one in Paris where the lady asks you to go back down into the sewers to rescue her cats from the greasels. I think I did that once by using a ton of anti-radiation meds and suits, but didn't survive the trip out, and never did it again because it wasn't worth it. I rarely put points into swimming, breathing, or radiation related skills.

If you're playing nonlethal, does using "Laputan machine" violate that goal?

@Wojo: stop being facetious.


#110 Red Rabbit

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Posted 06 December 2010 - 10:28 PM

This thread needs more Chrono Trigger:


Do you like John Williams? His early work was a little too jazzy for my taste, but when Jaws came out in '75 I really think he came into his own, commercially and artistically. The whole album has a clear, crisp sound, and an air of consummate professionalism that really gives the pieces a big boost. He's been compared to Jerry Goldsmith but I think John has a far more leitmotif-driven style of composing. In '82 John composed this, E.T., his most accomplished album to date. I think his undisputed masterpiece is "The Magic of Halloween", a theme so catchy most people don't listen to what it means. But they should, because it's not just about the pleasures of childhood and the importance of friendship, it's also a personal statement about the man himself. Hey Paul!
- Patrick Bateman on the Maestro

John Takis' Complete Hook Analysis


#111 BloodBoal

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Posted 06 December 2010 - 10:45 PM

This thread needs more Chrono Trigger:

I already posted the first part of a Chrono Medley on one of the previous pages, but for the sake of it, I'll repost it here (please, don't blame me !), along with the second part !



LOOK ! Mark Hamill at 1:54 !

#112 Wojo

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Posted 09 December 2010 - 12:30 AM

I don't know the piece because I haven't touched a Zelda game since the NES, but this is technically brilliant.


@Wojo: stop being facetious.


#113 BloodBoal

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Posted 10 December 2010 - 06:18 PM

OK, so I've just learned today that a game I so desperately wanted to play for many years, but never had the chance to, is given a PSP release. And if that means that it'll finally be available in Europe, then I say "Rejoice, rejoice !". To celebrate this PSP rerelease, here is a video of the opening sequence, featuring the main theme :



#114 Faleel

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Posted 10 December 2010 - 06:41 PM

I don't know the piece because I haven't touched a Zelda game since the NES, but this is technically brilliant.



that piece is from Majora's Mask (Nintendo 64*) which is said to be the Empire Strikes Back of the Zelda Series AND the most difficult







*its on the Wii Virtual Console AND on a "collectors edition" disc for the Gamecube

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#115 Docteur Qui

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Posted 11 December 2010 - 12:17 AM

And it is an incredible game. It's tied with OoT as best for me.

#116 John Crichton

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Posted 11 December 2010 - 02:46 AM

The more time goes by the more I'm sure that Twilight Princess is the best Zelda score, and it just might be my favorite Zelda game of them all as well.
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#117 Faleel

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Posted 11 December 2010 - 03:08 AM

not to me, my favorite will always be, the one and only, (A) Link To The Past (SNES)

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#118 John Crichton

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Posted 11 December 2010 - 03:13 AM

Link to the Past and Ocarina are the ones right up there too, game and score.
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#119 king mark

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Posted 11 December 2010 - 03:16 AM

I only want the freaking Call of Duty Finest Hour End Credits

I wish someone would just leak that one cue since there's no c.d. release

#120 BloodBoal

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Posted 11 December 2010 - 05:22 PM

I didn't really like Twilight Princess score, but I absolutely love the two orchestra pieces that were written for the game (especially the second one).







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