The top 13 best RPG soundtracks

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Posted by admin on 09 24th, 2009

Top 13 RPG Soundtracks

Categories: Featured Articles, RPG Lists | one response

Top 13 RPG Soundtracks

13. Eternal Sonata
Kicking off our list is Eternal Sonata, a game in which you assume the role of Frederic Chopin. As you might imagine, a game based on such a prolific pianist features a stunning soundtrack. The soundtrack even incorporates some of Chopin’s classic works, such as Polonaise, Op. 53, Étude Op. 10, No. 12, and Étude Op. 10, No. 3. The theme featured is the battle music, which clearly demonstrates the theme of the game.

12. Wild Arms (Playstation)
Wild Arms is one of the only RPGs created with a wild west theme. Its soundtrack combines Country Western and Classical to purvey the sense of a fantasy wild west. The result is a blend of soft and gritty, familiar and unique. The featured theme is from the overworld map, and if it sounds familiar, then you might have heard the melody, which was derived from “The Ecstasy of Gold” by Ennio Morricone from the film “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”, which was sampled, more recently, by Jay-Z in his song “The Blueprint 2″.

11. Suikoden (Playstation)
Suikoden’s militaristic setting is enhanced by its soundtrack, consisting of many upbeat, marching-bandesque tunes. Suikoden was one of the first RPGs to make use of the increase in sound quality that the Playstation provided, resulting in what was one of the best soundtracks of its time. The sample track is the world map theme, which gives a glimpse of the setting.

10.Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (Xbox/PC)
Award-winning composer Jeremy Soule was asked to create an entirely original score for this Star Wars RPG. He managed to come up with an epic soundtrack that delivers the feel of the Star Wars universe with minimal use of existing Star Wars tunes. The sample to the left is the theme for the card game “Pazaak”, which is played frequently in-game.

9. Skies of Arcadia (DC/GC)
Skies of Arcadia is an epic game where you assume the role of an air pirate. In exploring the world you come across many different settings, and the music you hear is strongly influenced by where you’re at in the world. The sample is the main battle theme which is heard frequently throughout the game.

8. Secret of Evermore (SNES)
The second soundtrack on this list scored by Jeremy Soule, Secret of Evermore combined ambient noises to the music to create a higher sense of realism. Throughout the different worlds you travel, the music changes as well. Caveman themes dominate the beginning of the game, moving on to a hybrid ancient greek/roman/egyptian world, but where the sound really shines is when you get to Gothica and its medieval theme. The featured sample is from inside Ivor Castle, the first place you visit in Gothica.

7. Kingdom Hearts (PS2)
Save for the two J-pop themes in the game, Kingdom Hearts has a great soundtrack. The musical score consists of some arranged Disney themes as well as completely original music. Composer Yoko Shimomura stated that it was difficult to come up with the music for the game, because she had no idea what a hybrid Squaresoft/Disney world would sound like. She managed to create a wonderfully imaginative score, as evidenced by the sample featured, the theme to Traverse Town.

6. Seiken Densetsu 3
One of two games on the list that were scored by Hiroki Kikuta, Seiken Densetsu 3’s soundtrack builds on the epic music that was laid out for Secret of Mana. For some odd reason, this was the last Mana title Kikuta composed for. The sample is called Splash Hop, and is the theme song of Booskaboo, the totally awesome penguin-turtle-thing that you ride on in the ocean.

5. Final Fantasy 7
Nobuo Uematsu’s first effort on the Playstation was as expected and Final Fantasy 7’s soundtrack does a great job of mirroring the depth of the game. The somber melodies serve as a great backdrop to the dystopian setting, drawing out intense emotion. The featured song is the theme to the seedy Wall Market, home of the most disturbing brothel in video game history.

4. Secret of Mana
Hiroki Kikuta admitted that his first video game soundtrack was difficult to make. He was unsure he could express both his own style and the style of the game, while overcoming the hardware and software limitations that came with the Super Nintendo. That makes this soundtrack even more impressive, as the combination of upbeat, lively songs and somber melodies complete one of the greatest RPG adventures of all time. The featured sample is the theme of the ice palace.

3. Chrono Cross
Learning from the godfather of RPG music will do wonders, as Yasunori Mitsuda has become as prolific as the great Uematsu. Director Masato Kato personally requested Mitsuda, as he felt it was important to maintain the same feel from Chrono Trigger. Kato states that the ending theme made him cry. The featured theme is the home world map theme, which uses a melody from the previous Chrono title.

2. Final Fantasy 3/6j (SNES)
The greatest Final Fantasy title of all time also has the best soundtrack of all of them as well. With many memorable themes, including a song for each of the game’s series high 14 characters, Nobuo Uematsu set the bar too high on this one, as none of his work has touched this soundtrack. The featured theme is Relm’s theme song.

1. Chrono Trigger
In 1994, Yasunori Mitsuda gave Square an ultimatum: Either he was going to compose a soundtrack, or he was going to leave and find work elsewhere. He was given the duty to compose the score of the most epic RPG of all-time under the guidance of Nobuo Uematsu. At one point Mitsuda gave himself an ulcer due to how much stress he was under while finishing the soundtrack. Eventually Uematsu helped out with the rest of the soundtrack, composing a handful of tracks. The sample is the world map theme in the kingdom of Zeal.