The stars turn and a time presents itself. And with that comes more game music. March was a month bursting to the brim with titles from a variety of genres, from JRPGs to AAA first-person shooters to more unique titles like mandatory co-op experiences. There was a little for everyone in March. Among these titles were some really great soundtracks, too.
A Way Out
Josef Fares’ mandatory co-op prison break, while a little rough around the edges, was able to still deliver a knockout title that was truly heightened by the co-op experience rather than held back. Alongside that was a great soundtrack, crafted by Sam Hulick – best known for his work on the Mass Effect soundtracks – and Gustaf Grefberg, who previously worked on Fares’ last title, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. There’s no official release yet, but hopefully that’ll be changing soon.
Check out some of Sam Hulick's samples here.
Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom
Composer Joe Hisaishi, the man responsible for many of the scores to Hayao Miyazaki’s masterpiece films, scored the first Ni No Kuni when it released on the PS3. He returns to score the follow-up, and, while maybe not quite as universally great – editor Robert Ramsey had his gripes with a few of the looping tracks – the score is still unquestionably extraordinary.
Criterion’s racing gem is fondly remembered, and the PS4 remaster was able to give us a nice, fresh reminder about it was so beloved. Alongside that is the game’s great licensed score, which much titles like the Tony Hawk games, is a major part of what gives the title its character. The eclectic and varied soundtrack is classic.
And that about does it. While March had a lot on offer in the game’s department, there really weren’t all that many memorable scores to discuss. That should hopefully change in April when a certain God of War rears its head.
Comments 16
No love for Far Cry 5? Superb soundtrack of original contemporary American cult songs and licensed music. Bob Log III is on it!
The omission of DJ Max Respect shows there really aren't rhythm games fans here.
@sinalefa That's mostly down to me on this one. I curate these lists each month, so a lot of games for better or worse will slip through the cracks by the virtue of what I play or what catches my attention outside of the games I don't play.
Plus a lot of it ends up coming down to personal taste too. DJ Max Respect's music isn't the kinda stuff I'd go out of my way to listen to, which says nothing of its quality, just that I wouldn't listen
@Johnnycide I've only listened to a little bit of it (haven't played the game itself), but other than the Blood Dragon score, that series' music generally hasn't done much for me, so I probably didn't give it much of a chance either.
@gbanas92 @sinalefa DJ Max Disrespect
@gbanas92
I guess I was just surprised that a music game that has so many songs in so many different genres (a little for everyone like you wrote) does not even get a mention here.
Thanks for the reply.
Not relevant to this month, but I really enjoyed Silent Hill: Downpour’s licensed soundtrack (full disclosure: SH fanboy)
@jacobia Dunno if I've ever listened to the Downpour soundtrack. I love the first 2 game's scores of course, but that's practically cheating!
@sinalefa Honestly it mostly just stems from the fact that the game flew completely under the radar for me. I comb the releases monthly to try and make sure I give everything a fair shot, and that one just passed me by
@gbanas92 Downpour no longer had Akira Yamaoka’s genius, and Daniel Licht did the score, which was still great imo. But there was also a licensed soundtrack, and I think the choices were amazing - they really suited the mood of the game, well worth a listen 👂
@jacobia Oooo. I didn't realize Licht did that score! I love the Dishonored soundtracks!
Did they use Johnny Cash's ring of fire? That was an inspired choice in the film.
@gbanas92 ooo, now you’re asking...um, no, I’m pretty sure they didn’t. I’ve still got my PS3 so that I can play Downpour (and Homecoming) when I fancy. I can’t list any of the licensed tracks off the top of my head though, and for the sake of this conversation, I think they are best heard when playing Downpour for their relevance to it’s unfolding story. For what it’s worth, I just remember being impressed with quite a few of the tracks chosen.
@jacobia Damn! I just looked up the list and while just reading it didn't sound necessarily impressive, I know that feeling of licensed music just feeling perfect in context. That's how Alan Wake's licensed music makes me feel too! Although in that case, I actually discovered a couple bands that I listen to on the regular now. Licensed music can be awfully powerful. Not many games do a terribly good job with it though. Alan Wake and Spec Ops: The Line are the only ones that I always think of when I think of games that did it well. It sounds like Downpour belongs there as well!
@gbanas92 Alan Wake was awesome, really like Remedy’s games. Never got round to playing Spec Ops: The Line and have only ever heard good things about it...so I think I’ll get myself a preowned copy of it at some point. Thanks for the chats 👍
Cannot get the overworld map music from Nino Kuni 2 out of my head, its fabulous. I know it's a rehash from the first game but still, I love it.
@Lovespuds I noticed quite a few reprises to the first game while listening as well. It was wonderful!
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