Official Nontendo Music Thread

I've not properly played a Jak game, apart from a brief go on a PS2 game at an ex's house 6 years ago, so I will endeavour to do so. Is there a version on the PS3 at all?

There's a HD Trilogy on PS3

Yep, there's an HD trilogy on PS3 - I got a copy for £15 off CEX, which is alright!

I would recommend simply downloading the first, 2 isn't worth a penny and 3 is an improvement but by no means a must play.

The only Way is Forward


A Boy and His Blob


Mighty Milky Way / Mighty Flip Champs!


Mighty Switch Force


DuckTales Remastered


Shantae and the Pirate's Curse

Sorry Mas, totally missed this! I'll add it to the index.

Oh Wayforward! You and your cartoon boobs!

But srs, I do like the murky bits of A Boy and His Blob.

It's kind of like the music I'm writing for my game *cough*plug

Final Fantasy Type-0 with bonus

I had two ideas for this one was Bioshock Infinite but I had this feeling I done  that before the other is Final Fantasy Type-O HD which is the Type of HD we should be getting and is one of the best Final Fantasy games with Final Fantasy in the title (we all know Bravely Default is basically FF in all bar name) for years.


Tempus Bellum / Opening Theme


What Becomes of Us / Main Theme


Pure Fire


Rem's Theme


Final Fantasy XV Episode Duscae Menu Theme

You can find all the tracks from the collectors soundtrack fro Final Fantasy Type-0 via my dropbox, I think

That Final Fantasy XV theme is gorgeous. Good stuff Mas.

If you want, make this one our "official" music weeks - slap up a title on this post like the rest and I'll add it to the index.

There hasn't been any non-Nintendo music of late, so since I'm playing Lightning Returns at the moment I figured I'd continue the Final Fantasy note Mas started with his lovely picks from Type-0 by sharing some of my personal favourite themes from both Final Fantasy XIII-2 and Lightning Returns, both of which in general are some of my all time favourite game original soundtracks.



We start with a quiet rendition of Lightning's theme, Lightning's Theme -Radiance-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1ZKkectsiw





From there we move to one of my favourite themes in the entire trilogy, the eery yet wondrous Eclipse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxbsbdM0jZw

Next up the magnificent theme of one truly magnificent bastard, Caius's Theme, which busts out the typical orchestra and latin choir chanting to great aplomb
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8vXYBEvSow




Moving back to Lightning Returns we turn to an epic battle theme reserved for monsters that can typical rip the player in two without proper preparation, The Showdown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6frMozW0TD4

As much as I adore all four of the city Yusnaan's themes I shall restrain myself and stick to just one, the upbeat Awaiting the Celebration, featuring some lovely use of the saxaphone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsDT_29CEM8


It just isn't a proper Final Fantasy final boss without a theme like this one, a simultaneously wondrous yet menacing orchestral theme complete with the now traditional latin choir, Divine Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATIV_F8YFgg

Finally I bring this round to a close with another bonus pick from XIII-2, Parallel Worlds full version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsTUdHOPpnA

To carry the theme



To Zanarkand

Otherworld

This Is Your Story

Spira Unplugged

Yuna Theme

*uses Phoenix Down*

So, perusing Balla's SMG2 music week got me hankering to revive this thread. I've been meaning to get around to it for weeks now, but laziness and forgetfulness always struck me before I could get to writing up a music week. But, inspiration has hit me, so it's time for the glorious revival of the Non-Nintendo music weeks!

Week Ten: Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix



Yes, it has a bloody stupid name. Yes, this is a thinly veiled attempt at getting round the "Street Fighter II was on SNES" loophole. No, I do not care. SSF2THDR (as it will never be called again) is a fantastic update of the early 90s classic fighting game, featuring updated visuals, online play, and most importantly for this thread, a fully remixed soundtrack done by the chaps over at OCRemix. Some are hits, some are misses - let's have a listen.



Ryu's Theme

Ryu's Theme is arguably the closest thing to a main theme that the Street Fighter series has (although some would argue Ken's theme fits the bill just as well - this RAWKTASTIC version is pretty decent) so it would be remiss not to include here. Whilst I do prefer the simplicity of the original version, I think the HD Remix holds up well.



Guile's Theme

You've heard the original version before in a thousand YouTube videos, and quite frankly, it's far better than the HD Remix's version. There's something lost in this version - I don't know if it's the instrumentation, if it's just too busy as a track, or if the original version is just too iconic, but I don't like the remix's attempt here.



Zangief's Theme

Here's a successful remix, in my opinion. The original version was somewhat lacking, as it didn't really seem appropriate for a big Russian grappler. I think the first twenty seconds alone of the remix nails Zangief far better than the SNES version - here comes the Red Cyclone, move the fuck out of the way. The rest of the track is similarly hyped up. A win for OCRemix here.



Balrog's Theme

Whilst I appreciate the attempt at trying something different here, this feels really out of place. It'd likely fit better in Bayonetta. The original version feels more Street Fighter to me.



The Character Select theme

This is the biggest failure in my book, and is somewhat indicative of the failings of the Remix's OST as a whole. The original is a short, simple and catchy loop. The remix is a bit too busy for my likings. Perhaps the more complex remixes will suit your ears better - I think something's lost here.

So that's that! An odd OST this one - a lot of the tracks don't really fit a fighting game and the soundtrack as a whole suffers from an addiction to RAWKTASTIC guitars. Perhaps that's a byproduct of utilising remixers for your actual soundtrack.

Hm, I'm coming from slightly different places to you, Jay.

Better:
Balrog
Character select

Worse:
Ryu
Guile

Neither are much good:
Zangief

Guile's in particular is a travesty.  It's too gentle, and they've changed the rhythm of only the most iconic tune in the game. Ryu's theme is mostly better in the original because of the woodblock sounds, mind.  Interesting to see what they do for SSB4, if he makes it over.

Bear in mind that I have no nostalgic attachment to SFII, having never played it ( ).  That said, Ken's tune is definitely the game's theme.

Ah, gutted you don't like Zangief's theme - that's probably my favourite from this soundtrack. Agreed about Guile's theme - it lacks the intensity of the original, I reckon.

As for "what is the main theme of Street Fighter" question, I put forward Ryu's because I'm fairly certain that's what played on Street Fighter IV's main menu, and that's the game I've had the most exposure. Either work, really!

I really like the Balrog one! It's sort of unexpected! And - sorry Jay - I'm not keen on the Zangief one. It sounds like a million YouTube videos where the guy can't really play the guitar that well.
But you're right about Ryu's being awesome, and the Guile theme missing the point.

Just listened to some of the others there - Ken's is exactly right.

I didn't mind Balrog's theme, honestly. But it felt out of place, hence why I ragged on it slightly.

I love Ken's theme in this game. Fond memories of grf741 absolutely schooling me as Ken with that playing in the background.

How haven't I done this game, which is in a lot of peoples minds at the moment.



Main Theme Orchestral Version



Nozomi and Ryo

The Place Where The Sun Sets

Wish Vocal Version



Intro


Joy's Theme

Catching Catching Leaves

Forest Part 4



Shenmue III Kickstarter theme

One I'd meant to do after E3, but you know what I'm like for actually updating this thread. I really should rename it "Non-Nintendo Music Indeterminate Timeframes".

Nevertheless, we press onward!

Week Eleven: Final Fantasy VII (PS1)



Some call it the greatest RPG of all time. Some even call it the greatest game of all time. Regardless of your opinion of Final Fantasy VII's arguably dated gameplay and graphics, it's difficult to finish playing it without coming away with fond memories of its world and characters. Midgar, Nibelheim, Cosmo Canyon, Gold Saucer... Cloud, Tifa, Barret, Aerith... The world of Final Fantasy VII is one of its greatest boons, and I think that's in no small part thanks to Nobuo Uematsu's wonderful score. Whilst listening to the OST to pick out a few tracks to feature from the game, I was instantly back in FF7's world. It's a nostalgic, melancholic score - and here's some of my favourites.



Anxious Heart is the track that best defines what I meant when I said FF7's score brings me back into that world. Within the opening seconds of the track, I'm instantly back in the desolate, dystopian city of Midgar. Anxious Heart really highlights the bleakness of Midgar - the blocky graphics might not accurately depict how horrid Midgar is, but this track more than accomplishes the job.



Final Fantasy's main theme plays whilst you traverse the overworld on foot, and I'll always associate with a feeling of excitement and going out to explore the world. A streamer I follow named Vinesauce talked about how he was totally stunned as a child playing this game when he left Midgar only to find a sprawling world map to explore. He assumed that Midgar would comprise most of the game, but he was happily mistaken. It's the same feeling you got when first entering Hyrule Field - there's an adventure to be had out there, and we're only just getting started. Listen to 2:40 - that swell in the track encapsulates that feeling for me.



Jim Sterling talked about Aerith's theme in his latest Jimquisition episode and it prompted me to include it here. I really shouldn't need to put a spoiler warning on this, but I will just in case:

Spoiler:

Naturally, everyone points to the cracking One Winged Angel boss theme as the quintessential Sephiroth track. It's awe-inspiring and epic - a true boss theme. To me though, the quintessential Sephiroth track is Those Chosen by the Planet. It's just dripping with malice - Sephiroth is an unhinged maniac, and I reckon this brooding theme gets that across better than One Winged Angel.

I really could go on to post the full OST, as it's all great. I'm really excited for the remake, but I hope they don't touch the original tracks too much beyond orchestrating them. They're great as they are.

Anyone else got favourites from FFVII I didn't mention?

Just looking this page it's become a FF / JRPG Fanfest, clearly to be marked as not for Cappa.

Some great tunes, most I only know due to popularity or if they popped up on other things then the actual game.

FFVIII next then followed by the actual best Final Fantasy IX.

Also to add to my Shenmue piece Suzuki's fav track is this.

I've got VIII on Steam, so maybe once I've played through that I can write up a music week for it. And you could take on FFIX's music week in the future as it's your favourite!

masofdas wrote:

Just looking this page it's become a FF / JRPG Fanfest, clearly to be marked as not for Cappa.

That's not surprising for a couple of reasons: Cappa doesn't have a non-Nintendo (current gen.) console, so he's not there to type "*boaks*" after every FF soundtrack; and JRPGs do tend to go for the epic sweeping stuff that tickles our eardrums.  A focus on story over gameplay (often) demands that the world be brought to life a bit more, and such games typically tend to be 30h+ sagas that merit that sort of music.

Aye, edited for clarification.

Balladeer wrote:

 A focus on story over gameplay (often) demands that the world be brought to life a bit more, and such games typically tend to be 30h+ sagas that merit that sort of music.

That's probably why I personally enjoy RPG OSTs more than any other genre. I enjoy when tracks have a distinct world-building purpose as opposed to just sounding great, and you don't get that as often in non-RPGs.

@Balla what I was saying in my reply to you that there is no reason why Cappa wouldn't have a look here as he has had other systems and for a while this has been mainly retro systems.

@Jay I could look at FFIX at some point if you want me to