Music to my Ears (Castle Levels!)

...is a super interesting track if it's indeed written from Akechi's perspective as many fans have theorised.

Athrun888 wrote:

Beneath the Mask is one smooth chill number, I don't think I've enjoyed a night map theme this much since Persona 3's.  It's one mellow number and easy to chill out to.

This is one of those tunes I like a lot until the lyrics kick in. Ah well, it's still dead smooth. Smoother than Drunka chatting up a lady.

Athrun888 wrote:

Next up to contrast Persona 3's "Burn My Dread" is the full version of the game's opening theme Wake Up, Get Up, Get Out There, continuing the smooth classy feel (or should that be starting it given its role!)

I bloody love me some synth strings. But, again, I'd prefer it without the lyrics.

Athrun888 wrote:

Finally I wrap up the Persona 5 showcase with Last Surprise.  Bet you never saw that repeat coming!     Seriously though I'm in absolute love with this battle theme, might be too early to say it tops Mass Destruction, but I can't see myself getting tired of this one.

Now this one I actually quite like. Maybe I didn't give it enough of a chance previously? This is good stuff.

Athrun888 wrote:

If you thought I was done with Persona you were oh so wrong.

Sob.

Athrun888 wrote:

Jay already touched on the opening theme for the original so I'm going to take things straight to the street with the best rap in video games, Wiping All Out, let it remove memories of horrid raps like Xenoblade X's Black tar from your mind!

Black Tar is definitely rubbish. This feels like it could have come straight out of TWEWY. That's praise, if you didn't know. I actually don't like the bits so much where the rap stops: go figure.

Athrun888 wrote:

JBut why post one standard battle theme when I can post the best one!  Mass Destruction baby!  Welcome to the two songs that made me realise rap can actually be good!

This one's the opposite, good only when not rapping. Although the lyrics are even sillier when printed out.

Athrun888 wrote:

Meanwhile this next number is why Beneath The Mask isn't taking best night theme spot, When the Moon's Reaching Out Stars (engrish yay!), a nice mellow number to end the Persona 3 showcase.

Unremarkable. As in, I had it on in the background while typing, and didn't mark it. Nice enough.

Athrun888 wrote:

Signs of Love gets the honour of kicking off this showcase, despite the cheerful nature it's also got a bit of spunk in it.

Another one that's good until they start singing...

Athrun888 wrote:

Speaking of spunk here's the better battle theme Time To Make History, again showing that vocal battle themes can kick ass and, unlike its counterpart, not a theme I got tired of (which is actually kind of funny when you think about it considering I actually probably heard this more than Reach Out To The Truth).  

Once she stops rapping, I really like this one!

Athrun888 wrote:

Lastly, one song I can't omit after raving about it, is Heaven.  This one is f***ing tragic and perfectly fits with and demonstrates the quality of characters Persona often has.

I think this might be my favourite one you've posted. I really like the harmonies in this one. Good stuff.

JayMoyles wrote:

I like my first towns in RPGs to feel cozy and comforting. Onett's theme from Earthbound fits the bill for me. Goofy like most of Earthbound's OST whilst still keeping that homely feel.

I've still not played any of the Mother games, for my sins
I like the cute little melody here, but the percussion is driving me to kill.

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And just to carry on from my last pick, here's Ordon Village from Twilight Princess. MIDI aside, this is a lovely track for a sleepy start to Link's adventure.

Oh christ the nostalgia on this one . . . that Christmas playing Twilight Princess was really something, and I actually had a lot of time for the slow, homey opening.

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...because somebody had to.

As Jimminy Jim Jim alluded to, it is almost impossible to have an opinion on the Mario theme at this point. That said, here is a video about the musical techniques which make Mario Music fun. Most of it went over my head.

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IT'S BAAAAACK! Time for more Digimon World and another first town theme. I'm a sucker for those, seemingly!

Okay, I thought the Twilight Princess one was nostalgic, but I'm borderline crying listening to this.   The villages in Digimon World really remind me of those in Monster Hunter, particularly the earlier MH games with more of a zoomed out camera and the farms and everything.

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And finally, because I'm a massive nerd here's the first town theme from Runescape. I much prefer the modern 2013 remaster from the 2004 version. MIDI madness, that.

Jimbob wrote:

Assuming I can't use the technical "first piece of music you hear in game" for this (was on a previous list) then Link to the Past - Hyrule Castle. As the first game in the series that really pushed a story as part of the progress of the game, this music felt like they were chucking you in at the deep end.
Whereas Ocarina of time's Kokiri Forest was a lot more gentle with you.

All time classics, though I played these two quite late so they don't give me the nostalgia Twilight Princess does.

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Bit cheaty this as it's a license - Goldeneye - the Dam. This ain't yer daddy's James Bond. Mainly because yer daddy didn't have a videogame James Bond.

Gels the Bond music with sick gamey guitar licks nicely.

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David Wise sorts it out in Donkey Kong Country.

'Natch.

Unashamed nostalgia time!
Birabuto Kingdom
Bob-Omb's Battlefield
You can take yer Good Egg Galaxies and shove them where the Shines don't shine.  You may not like it, but this is what peak first level music sounds like.

More N64 nostalgia you say?  Oh go on then, who am I to disappoint?  Peak Kirkhope, that. And a more liberal interpretation of 'first level' gives you Spiral Mountain, which is even better! (pointedly ignores Drunka)

Paper Mario TTYD may not have the best music, a view espoused by myself and Jimbob a few 'weeks' back, but it starts well.  Whether you consider Rogueport or Petal Meadows to be the first level theme, they're both great hummable jaunty tunes.

Part one of 'I Can't Believe Nobody Got Here Before Me'.  Corneria's great.  The only thing that could possibly make it better was if it didn't have the SNES soundfont.  Heaven.

Part two of 'I Can't Believe Nobody Got Here Before Me'.  Specifically, 'I Can't Believe Jas Didn't Get Here Before Me'.  In the case of Plains of Passage, the soundfont is actually part of its charm.  I can imagine it sounding great orchestrated, but at the same time, I don't want to spoil the original for myself.

Is it time for a JRPG or two?  You bet it is.  Colony 9 from the original Xenoblade, and Primordia from its not-sequel, are both fantastic tracks.  I love 'em both!

Today's left-field pick is Gloomy Manor from Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, i.e. the game's theme tune.  It's damn fine, and indeed gets remixed in the other mansions to brilliant effect (apart from Old Clockworks, f*!k Old Clockworks and everything to do with it).  

But the best remix is in the very same mansion, with slightly better instrumentation.  Luigi is the best instrument.  'Ba ba ba ba bum bum'.

And finally: y'all have done so many great Zelda opening pieces already.  Kokiri Woods, Ordon, the original... and you left out this?  Shocker.  Go catch dem piggies, Link!  Absolutely charming.

So Jay starts with an absolute banger: I'm not lying when I say the Onett theme was the best part of EB I experienced.  Ordon's also great, so calming and lovely.  Then the first Digimon World track I think I've liked, although it does sound like a mediocre Pokémon clone (which I suppose is appropriate ).  My favourite, though, is the Runescape track!  I'm a sucker for harps, and harps-ichords - yes, I even enjoyed the MIDIous version.

Mario - sorry, but for all its classic status it's been done better since.

Then Jimbob launches with an even worse soundfont.  Sorry Jimmers, but again, done better since.  Meanwhile OoT's MIDI doesn't bother me at all.  Ah, memories!  (Rose-tinted... earplugs?)  David Wise is a chuffing genius, as we all know by now.  Dam, on the other hand, just reminds me of being unable to aim, and the MIDI guitars don't help none.

You know what, I think I prefer the original Pallet Town?  The upgrades sound like they're trying too hard.  Keep it simple chaps.  Star Festival's beautiful (all of the violins!), and much better than Good Egg, which is in my mind overrated and I'm glad it hasn't appeared yet.  Bayo's standard-issue epic done right, although I prefer enjoying it without all the stress going on on-screen.  

Kokoto Village tho! those ethnic instruments.  BRB listening to all of this when I've finished. (EDIT: YouTube Y U no have extended version? )

Zero's choice has be(en done better since.  We know. - Ed)

When Sonic gets its music right, it gets it very right.  And vice versa.  Those are very much in the 'right' camp.  Happiest piece thus far this 'week'!