Best video game soundtrack of 2002?

[Adaman]

Why not? I've done the other catagories =p

Which game released in 2002 do you think had the best music?

I will say Grand theft Auto: Vice City, because of the great selection of 80's music. I guess it wouldnt really qualify as VGM, but that's not the question here.

[Eriol]

I classify VGM as original compositions. To take existing music and slap it together into a video game is not what I consider VGM. GTA: VC is no better than most modern movies, whose soundtracks are derived from existing music rather than composing their own.

Right now, I'd have to say Contra: Shattered Solider.

[Adaman]

Well i couldnt really think of anything else, havent played many games in 2002 that were actually released in 2002. But the topic says Best video game soundtrack, not best video game music =p

I might change my answer if i think of something else...*ponders*

[Ian Gillseed]

Contra, yes indeed. Nightfire seemed to have nice Bond soundtrack, from what little I heard. Rygar had some decent music too.

How about the Xbox owners here? What had the best tunes for that system?

[Rince]

I vote NOLF 2 for cool, groovy 70's sounds, other than that Metal Gear 2 and Metroid Prime for certain.

[Karasuman]

Contra as far as an OST goes, and Onimusha 2 Orchestra for best arranged album.

[Naka]

I am quite fond of PSO's music. I realize its the same as the DC version for the most part, but I really love it. I guess I would have to though after playing it for so many hours.

FF1+2 was also an outstanding soundtrack.

[Secret Squirrel]

I'd probably go with Magna Carta - Phantom of Avalanche, although I'm not entirely positive that it was a 2002 release.

[Eriol]

Originally posted by Naka
I am quite fond of PSO's music. I realize its the same as the DC version for the most part, but I really love it. I guess I would have to though after playing it for so many hours.

FF1+2 was also an outstanding soundtrack.

PSO Ep. 1 doesn't count. New games, man.

[Capcom Guitar]

seems alot of ppl are saying Shin Contra OST, i'd probably have'ta agree, since Konami kicks ass with metal songs lately :)

as for Capcom, i'd have to say the official release of Rockman 1~6 - now i know these games are from late 80's to early 90's, but the OST was released (finally) in 2k2.

[BenuNeko]

I'd definately have to throw in a vote for Kingdom Hearts. Very good music. Nice arrangement of old Disney songs (especially Atlantica), and nicely done original stuff too (especially Traverse Town).

[Zeitgeist]

I was thinking the same thing with Kingdom Hearts. I liked the Gummi Ship songs, and as you said, Atlantica. The soundtrack works better in the game than out, as the songs just seem to fit the action VERY well.

[Ian Gillseed]

Perhaps this is the wrong thread to ask in, but I was wondering about some of these:

http://www.gamemusic.com/dept/101/restocked.asp?dept=101

It's a few recent restocks they've gotten again. Specifically, I was wondering about DQIV2002 and the new Shinobi OSTs.

By the way, is this the best place to buy VGM? I've tried CDJapan and this place, and they both seemed pretty reliable.

[Grass-eatin'me]

Strangely enough I like Final Fantasy XI OST best, it's much better than 7-10. Possibly because old Uematsu didn't compose more than 9 tracks for it :) Grandia Xtreme is good too, Iwadare's a god with his Battle themes.

[ttube]

Shenmue 2 for the Xbox and/or Dreamcast. Voice Acting was crap, but the soundtrack was breathtaking.

[Eriol]

Originally posted by Ian Gillseed
Perhaps this is the wrong thread to ask in, but I was wondering about some of these:

http://www.gamemusic.com/dept/101/restocked.asp?dept=101

It's a few recent restocks they've gotten again. Specifically, I was wondering about DQIV2002 and the new Shinobi OSTs.

By the way, is this the best place to buy VGM? I've tried CDJapan and this place, and they both seemed pretty reliable.

They are both good places. Game Music Online, however, tends to be slightly slower at getting albums than CDJ.

[Zeratul]

I'd have to say Wild Arms 3 for its captivating western themes and highly dynamic music. The soundtrack is worth owning for "There's Only One Schrodinger Family" anyway.

[Eight Rooks]

GTA: VC is no better than most modern movies, whose soundtracks are derived from existing music rather than composing their own.


...

Riiight, because soundtracking an important/dynamic moment with a piece of music not specifically written for that moment in the narrative, or particular gameplay sequence or whatever, can't possibly convey any amount of real emotion, can it?

Good Lord, my first wanna-be sarcastic post on SlightlyDark... sorry, Eriol, but I just had to say it; I know you're entitled to your opinion, I do, but I've got to state mine - anyone in any way deriding soundtracking anything with someone else's music just, just... has issues. God knows as a game I didn't like Vice City very much, but it has one of the finest and most apposite soundtracks ever conceived by man.

Plus it's streets ahead of Shin Contra's tired, bland, generic, monotonous lightweight pseudo nu-metal second rate watered down industrial nonsense. So Akira Yamaoka can do wrong! God, it hurts finding that one out. * shivers *

Please, please rephrase the GamingForce-tinged mainstream-bashing in future, and I can stop making kneejerk reactionary posts like this one that'll have everyone hating me.