Hello everyone, this is basically my second post on this forum, and would like to get a good recommendation on some video game music.

All I really know is Final Fantasy music. Nobuo Uematsu is the top-dog as far as I know. I've also got into Motoi Sakuraba, Yoshinori Kitase, Yasunori Mitsuda and the FFX crew (Masashi Hamauzu, Junya Nakano).

I tend to favor more classical game music, as opposed to techno/midi music, like say Megaman. So any suggestions would be great. I'm trying to expand my library, but I rarely play RPG games anymore. I've only beaten Chrono Trigger and FFX. And others, like SAGA Frontier, Xenogears, and Shadow Hearts are a bit off my radar.

If you like really serious classical music then Arcanum is a MUST. You can download it at http://www.terra-arcanum.com/sierra/med … track.html

Wow man, that is some seriously good music. Reminds me a lot of that orchestrated Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time album, where Kondo only used stringed instruments. Great suggestion man, thanks a lot.

I simply HAVE to mention Shadow of the Colossus here, since it's one of the best soundtracks I've heard in a long time AND it's orchestral.

Also, you probably can't go wrong with the Dragon Quest Symphonic Albums.

I'll always recommend Hitoshi Sakimoto's work for a classical fan. It's more towards a heavier , brooding style but it's superb stuff. Check out Final Fantasy Tactics (with Masaharu Iwata), Vagrant Story and Final Fantasy XII in particular.

I second that notion, amazing soundtrack!

Though it's not from an RPG, if you're looking for something with great orchestration I think you'd enjoy the Soul Calibur 3 ost.
http://chudahs-corner.com/soundtracks/i … g=VIZL-158

Finally, Mitsuda's Chrono Cross is my favorite vgm album ever.  It was made back on the playstation so the quality isn't like the two soundtracks mentioned above, but it makes up for that with the most amazing composition and arrangement!!

I vote for Chrono Cross, Shadow of the Colossus, Musashiden II Blademaster (Hamauzu and Nakano strike again), Sakuraba Live (the first) and if you're up for some rock, Guilty Gear XX Reload Korean.

If you feel adventurous, I recommend the Katamari Damacy soundtrack, as well as Gungrave and Ridge Racer V. Great techno on that last one.

Well, if you like classical music, then let me suggest Archlord, the music is superb!!  I've read that it was performed by the London Symphony, which explains part of the awesomeness

Problem is, as far as I know the music CD was only available as a preorder.  Still, you can view ArchLord videos and listen to music at youtube, example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMunCF-U-J4

You should also check out this thread:

http://www.altpop.com/stc/forums/viewtopic.php?id=1318

cheers,

-avatar!

Try Actraiser by Yuzo Koshiro - some of the best stuff on the orchestral material processed on the SFC chip.

Rockman 3. Some of the most solid compositions of fun melody filled tunes.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for NES had some good music, this is probably more of a personal bias though.

Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. A classic video game soundtrack.

I could list too many more.

Thanks for posting this link. What I've heard so far is pretty darn good. It doesn't get much better than classical strings!

As far as cronotrigger913's original question: I'd recommend any of the Dragon Quest albums (my favorites are String Quartet and Legend), as well as the Headhunter soundtrack. Ogre - Grand Repeat - is also pretty good. (Just to throw a few off the top of my head.)

Wow, guy asks for classical music and no mentions of Saga Frontier 2 or Unlimited Saga!? Saga Frontier 2 is Hamauzu arranging the same theme a bunch of different ways and Unlimited Saga is both his classical/traditional side and his experimental/electronic sides on full display. I'm extremely partial to Unlimited Saga and I give it a full recommendation.

And the Dragon Quest Symphonic Suites...You probably won't get more classical than that.

If you don't mind synth instruments, there's Legend of Heroes 3 Electric Orchestra and also Legend of Heroes VI Super Arrange (FC and SC).

Also, Motoi Sakuraba's been fully exploiting more orchestral works recently (as opposed to his usual synth-orchestra stuff). Try both Star Ocean 3 Vol. 1 (fully orchestrated...Vol. 2 is mostly rock/experimental) and the Valkyrie Profile 2 OST's (more of an orchestral/prog rock mixture).

Gradius III Symphonic Poetry
Gradius in Classic I & II
Symphony Ys
Symphony Sorcerian
Shining Force I & II Symphonic Suites
Monopoly Orchestra Album
Ogre Battle Grand Repeat
Falcom Neo Classic
Saga Frontier II Rhapsody Album

Those were the first to come to mind.

Grandia OST I is pretty good if you've a bent for orchestration and RPGish bits. OST II is more battle themes and less prominent themes, with very little orchestration by comparison.

The Orchestral Game Concert releases are also pretty good, with #2 being my personal favorite.

Great suggestions, everyone. Whew, this is definitely going to take a long time to hear all these albums, but I'm looking forward to it.

Amazingu: I actually purchased the Shadow of the Colossus OST and simply love it. Beautiful and epic music. Personal fave: Counterattack. Gets the blood flowin'.

Seriously guys, I cannot wait to listen to your suggestions. Getting new music that I put on repeat is one of life's pleasures.