30 Days of Games

[Fool's Requiem]

Favorite OST: Beyond Good & Evil or any of the original 3 Halo games.

The Halo games are the only OSTs that I have a physical copy of, besides what came on the CD and Record for the Bioshock 2 Collector's Edition (not sure if that was OST stuff or songs they licensed).

HM: Smash Bros series from Melee onward. Smash is kinda cheating because it samples the best tracks from many, many games. Mach Rider anyone?

 

[Quagmire]

Best OST: Even though I wasn't a fan of the game, Mario Galaxy has some bops. Nothing gets me as hyped up as that game.

Never understood the love for the Galaxy OSTs, like they're fine, but nothing that sticks in my head when Im done. Im a much bigger fan of the stuff done on N64 and previous. Once they got to CD it felt like it mostly just got generic orchestra music (other than maybe Wind Waker)

Anyway my answers

Persona 3/4/5 take your pick, overall I'd probably go with 5, but all three are fantastic

Morrowind, so many great tunes that evoke so many feelings of an alien world while also feeling familiar

Final Fantasy 6 or 8, again take your pick, I lean towards 6 as I think it is less bloated, but you can't go wrong with either

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 or 3 so close, I lean towards 3, but 2 was my first game so Im slightly compromised here due to nostalgia

Halo similar to Morrowind, it feels alien, but holy fuck does it slap when it gets to some of the fire fight music.

 

[Spiner202]

Best OST: it's probably not super surprising that I'm going to pick Ocarina of Time. Just unbeatable music.

 

[Smacktard]

Never understood the love for the Galaxy OSTs, like they're fine, but nothing that sticks in my head when Im done. Im a much bigger fan of the stuff done on N64 and previous.

For me, songs that stick in my head aren't necessarily good. Sometimes they're annoying ear worms like Baby Shark. I don't really care much about orchestral music in Nintendo games, but Galaxy 1 had some incredible music:



I don't even really care that much for SMG1

Morrowind, so many great tunes that evoke so many feelings of an alien world while also feeling familiar

SUCH a good pick. I regularly listen to some of Jeremy Soule's compositions for Morrowind. I loved how music would occasionally start out of nowhere, without rhyme or reason. It spooked me and left me confused the first few times it happened, but I learned to love it.

 

[Quagmire]

For me, songs that stick in my head aren't necessarily good. Sometimes they're annoying ear worms like Baby Shark. I don't really care much about orchestral music in Nintendo games, but Galaxy 1 had some incredible music:

I agree, it doesnt have to stick in my head to be good, but when I think of Mario (or Sonic or Zelda or those games from my youth) I think of fun and catchy songs for games like these

Feels generic to me

It works for the games, but not anything Im going to write home about

SUCH a good pick. I regularly listen to some of Jeremy Soule's compositions for Morrowind. I loved how music would occasionally start out of nowhere, without rhyme or reason. It spooked me and left me confused the first few times it happened, but I learned to love it.

He did a good job with Skyrim and Oblivion too. I like both their OSTs, but Morrowind easily tops those for me both in terms of depth and breadth

I have an instrumental playlist for when students take tests and quizzes and when a Morrowind track comes on I've had students ask if it was Skyrim and I tell them close, so glad that a few recognize the style


Oh fuck

Chrono Cross, no clue how I forgot this one

 

[Smacktard]

Feels generic to me

dude WHAT

This track sends me over. It makes me feel like I'm embarking on some giant, fun adventure. The way it slowly builds in intensity before moving into a slower, more somber, almost regal piece, and belting out even MORE intense tunes -- goddamn, it's SO good. For me, it is THE song of Mario Galaxy.

He did a good job with Skyrim and Oblivion too. I like both their OSTs, but Morrowind easily tops those for me both in terms of depth and breadth

None of those songs stand out in memory, but it's probably because these games didn't have the same impact on me that Morrowind did. They're probably really good, too.

 

[The Eye in the Sky!]

It's Persona 5 for me. Not really even close.

 

[Quagmire]

None of those songs stand out in memory, but it's probably because these games didn't have the same impact on me that Morrowind did. They're probably really good, too.

These are the ones that stand out to me, they work well with the exploration so they're tied together with the gameplay in my mind, there is also a sense of, is this Morrowind? at a few parts so does make them a little derivative, but still good, but he has a style

 

[Smacktard]

This just cements my belief that Oblivion really is the black sheep of the modern Elder Scrolls mainlines

 

[VashTheStampede]

Best OST

When I think of video game music, my brain typically goes to 3 franchises.

First for me is Castlevania. So many bangers, including my favorite video game track of all time, Bloody Tears:



But so many of the best tracks are spread over the whole series, so it's hard to name a Castlevania as my favorite.

Second one that comes to mind is Persona, specifically Persona 5. I'm not usually the type to listen to video game music outside of actually playing the game, but this one was my commute music for quite a while.

But my all-time favorite would be those early Sonic games, and I'm gonna have to actually go with the original Sonic the Hedgehog as the best. Both of the first two games have pretty close to flawless soundtracks, but Sonic 1 has Marble Zone, Scrap Brain Zone, and my personal favorites Sonic track, Star Light Zone.

Honorable Mentions:

The other video game OST that found its way to my car is  Hades.

And since there's no entry for best licensed soundtrack, I'm just gonna give a shout out to Mafia III for having the best era-appropriate licensed soundtrack, barely beating out GTA: Vice City.

 

[Quagmire]

But my all-time favorite would be those early Sonic games, and I'm gonna have to actually go with the original Sonic the Hedgehog as the best. Both of the first two games have pretty close to flawless soundtracks, but Sonic 1 has Marble Zone, Scrap Brain Zone, and my personal favorites Sonic track, Star Light Zone.

Starlight zone is straight fire

 

[VashTheStampede]

Starlight zone is straight fire

When I was a kid me and my buddy were so fucking nerdy we would make up lyrics to it as we played.

Miss those days sometimes.

 

[rktaker]

first preorder: technically i didn’t do it myself but pokemon heartgold was the fisrst thing i had my parents preorder

favorite ost: i’m not really sure tbh

 

[shortkut]

Best OST: Chrono cross and I will fight someone

Best theme: frog’s theme from Chrono trigger

 

[Fool's Requiem]

Best Theme for me is the Super Mario World Atheletic Theme.

Or the Turtles in Time (SNES) Sewer Surfin' theme.

Or the Duck Tales Moon Theme.

I could go on.

Spoiler: more music

 

[Smacktard]

Best supporting character: Dimitri (FE3H)

I feel like I'd need to play more of the GOAT story-driven games like Mass Effect series and Witcher 3 to give a better answer, but Dimitri from the Blue Lions route of Fire Emblem: Three Houses is pretty badass. True, his schtick in the second half of the game becomes a bit one-note and repetitive, but he's an excellent character in the first half, and the reveal of how he's changed over the years was so cool. Great character, and total bro.

HMs:
Navi (OoT) and Issun (Okami). Some people find them annoying, but idk, I enjoy their companionship in the game. You always feel like you have an extra bit of support whenever needed.

Mallow (SMRPG) unique and very entertaining, with a positive and charming personality.

 

[Fool's Requiem]

Half Life 2: Alyx.

Or all of the poor saps in Black Mesa that I tried to keep alive in Half Life 1.

 

[Quagmire]

Side Characters

Final Fantasy 6 - Ultros

Final Fantasy 8 - Laguna

Yakuza - Majima and Akiyama

Mass Effext - Gerris

Persona 4 - Kanji and Chie

Kotor - hk47

Suikoden 1 & 2 - Flick and Victor

 

[Fool's Requiem]

Kotor - hk47

My guy is always surrounded by meatbags.

 

[rktaker]

best supporting character: Sully from uncharted

 

[Quagmire]

best supporting character: Sully from uncharted

Love Sully, only character I liked from that series

 

[Joseph Snapple]

Oh hey I can finally mention this one without a giant fucking spoiler being involved

Best Supporting Character: Habetrot from Fate/Grand Order's Sixth Lostbelt, Avalon le Fae

 

[The Eye in the Sky!]

Garnet/Dagger FF9.

HM: Brok, Freya, Elena Fisher, Vesimir

 

[Smacktard]

Favorite series: Super Mario Bros (2D and 3D)

The mainline games simply do not miss. There might be some you enjoy less than others, but I don't think a single one could be considered a "bad" game. For a series with so many entries, it's impressive that quality has remained so high for so many titles, and most of the games vary the gameplay in significant ways

 

[Spiner202]

Favourite Series: This is a tough one because I feel like every series falls into one of two camps: (1) a small number of games that are my favourite of all-time; (2) a large number of good/great games, but not many that are my all-time favourites.

I wouldn't call myself a Zelda superfan, but I would probably go with that because OoT is my favourite game ever and I loved BOTW/TOTK. I've also enjoyed everything else I've played, though there are a ton of games I haven't played.

As far as something that falls in the first category, I'd go with The Last of Us.

 

[Quagmire]

Favorite series

Gonna go with Like a Dragon, so much to love, has something for everyone and fantastic characters

 

[Fool's Requiem]

Favorite Series: Probably Half Life. While I haven't gotten around to playing Blue Shift, Opposing Forces, Alyx, or the PS2 exclusive campaign, Decay, I've played almost every inch of the Half Life 2 games, and the tech demo, Lost Coast. As well as the Black Mesa remake up to the Xen levels (as they hadn't been released at the time), and a couple HL2 single player mods.

HM: Mario, the original Halo Trilogy, Dynasty Warriors, Battlefield, Max Payne, and Need for Speed.

 

[VashTheStampede]

Favorite Supporting Character

Suikoden 1 & 2 - Flick and Victor

Hells yeah, Fliktor.

 Flik from Suikoden and Suikoden II is my all-time favorite supporting character. Seeing his evolution from impetuous hothead to the trusted general of not one but two heroes of major wars was extremely satisfying. Dude looks cool all decked out in blue, slinging lightning magic, and wielding a sword named after his fallen love.

My runner-up is DAMN close though: Georg Prime from Suikoden II and Suikoden V. First appearing relatively late in Suikoden II, he just appears on the surface to be your typical quiet elder swordsman. He was always a great front-line heavy-hitter for me for the last acts of the game, but just seems to be one of those random shallow characters made to fill out the 108 Stars of Destiny.

However, if you send your in-house detective, Richmond, to look into him, you find out that until just before the events of the first game, he was one of the Great Generals of the country in which the first Suikoden took place. Oh cool, that kind of explains his strength.

Then if you CONTINUE to investigate him, you find out that before THAT, he was a general for a whole other kingdom we haven't seen yet, and he fled that country after being accused of killing the Queen.

For years, that was a story I wanted to see play out in a game, rather than just as text in someone's backstory.

Then Suikoden V finally came out, and the whole plot of the game was based around that story. Video games fucking rule sometimes.

Favorite Series

Have...have you not been paying attention? Its Suikoden. Heads up, remasters of the first two games are coming in March.

 

[Smacktard]

the PS2 exclusive campaign, Decay

WHAT WHY AM I LEARNING ABOUT THIS NOW

You should also totally play OpFor. It's really good. Blue Shift is nice too, but OpFor is excellent

 

[The Eye in the Sky!]

Favorite series: Uncharted.

No other game series has given me as much memorable, fun gameplay and action sequences as Uncharted. Even 3, which is the weakest one IMO, had some of the coolest sequences (the sinking ship and falling out of an airplane). The first was a great intro, the second is one of my favorite games ever, the third is like a well oiled machine, and the fourth is just a phenomenal story told with cool new mechanics.

I was going to say Final Fantasy, but then realize it has been 18 years (!!) since the last one in the series that I was psyched for or enjoyed completely (FF12). I'll give FF16 credit, it did save the series from completely bottoming out this century. It was good, but I can't say I was amped up for it. I waited for reviews to come out before I made my decision to buy it. You can't have an 18 year gap in quality while releasing mainline games. Even if there are 7 really good games, the drop in quality offsets some of that.

I'd give it the 90s, then GTA gets the '00s and Uncharted takes the '10s. We are too early into the 20's still, but GoW is looking like this decade assuming they produce another game.

 

[Fool's Requiem]

WHAT WHY AM I LEARNING ABOUT THIS NOW

You should also totally play OpFor. It's really good. Blue Shift is nice too, but OpFor is excellent

Probably because the PS2 Half Life port was poorly received and Decay is supposedly a pain to play solo because it forces you to hop between the two characters.

Last time I tried Blue Shift and OpFor, I encountered issues that broke the game somehow and put them on the backburner.

 

[VashTheStampede]

Favorite series: Uncharted.

No other game series has given me as much memorable, fun gameplay and action sequences as Uncharted. Even 3, which is the weakest one IMO, had some of the coolest sequences (the sinking ship and falling out of an airplane). The first was a great intro, the second is one of my favorite games ever, the third is like a well oiled machine, and the fourth is just a phenomenal story told with cool new mechanics.

Planning on finally playing these in 2025, very excited.

 

[The Eye in the Sky!]

Well, okay, but I don't want you talking to my wife Elena when you play it. She's mine.

 

[Joseph Snapple]

Favorite Series: Witcher. Don't even gotta think about it.

 

[TD]

Favorite Series: For me it's the Souls series (which for this purpose is Demons and Dark 1-3), these games came out of nowhere for me in 2009 and have emerged as the series I'm most enamored by and have spent the most time with. I also replay them regularly. I was hyped for Elden Ring but the unpopular opinion is I'll take all 4 Souls games over Elden Ring (but I've grown to have a love-hate relationship with it, probably because I'm tired of Open World).

I wanted to say Final Fantasy because it was instinct but similar to Eye, they have just kind of existed for me since XII and I'm never really excited about them anymore.

 

[The Eye in the Sky!]

I like to compare FF to the Simpsons - the early stuff is legendary and now it is just kind of a blip on the radar. It's still there, but who really cares?

 

[shortkut]

I like to compare FF to the Simpsons - the early stuff is legendary and now it is just kind of a blip on the radar. It's still there, but who really cares?

 

[Joseph Snapple]

FF14 is a mainline game

 

[The Eye in the Sky!]

I always wished I could have experienced 14, but I just don't have time or patience for MMO games. I've heard amazing things about that game and have a few friends that play it religiously, but I can't.

I did a free month of it back when Realm Reborn was released but it was so overwhelming. Impossible to do it now.

 

[Quagmire]

Favorite Series: Witcher. Don't even gotta think about it.

So hoping for a remake of the first

 

[Lunar Kreskents]

I wanted to say Final Fantasy because it was instinct but similar to Eye, they have just kind of existed for me since XII and I'm never really excited about them anymore.

Favorite series: I'll say Final Fantasy, since even with this fact, and that I disliked XIII so much, and I care so little about multiplayer games that FF just became a blip, there's been no series since that's gotten me as excited as I was up through FFX, and maybe even including XII. I also was surprised to find how much I really enjoyed FFVII Remake (have not yet played Rebirth), so apparently the charm is still there for me. And how delighted I was to discover Theatrhythm. Nobuo Uematsu and FF music was pretty much the thing that carried me through the motivation necessary to learn piano and still be playing 30+ years later.

My runner up would probably be Shadow Hearts (1, 2, and including Koudelka). Followed by Lunar series, the PS1 remakes.

I care less about other genres, but I'd probably follow that up with The Last of Us, God of War (except the most recent one?), and maybe Prince of Persia (the ones on PS2), in that order.

Okay, picking just one turned out to be harder than I thought.

 

[Smacktard]

Followed by Lunar series

Ooh, cool! I got myself a Sega CD recently that I'm bringing back to Saudi, and this series is one of the games I'm looking forward to playing.

 

[rktaker]

Favorite Series:MLB the Show

 

[VashTheStampede]

My runner up would probably be Shadow Hearts (1, 2, and including Koudelka).

Did you participate in the Kickstarter for Penny Blood?

 

[Lunar Kreskents]

Did you participate in the Kickstarter for Penny Blood?

I missed the Kickstarter (unless there's been a new one?) I feel like the last I heard they were looking for a publisher. I very much hope it makes it to the finish line, I would really love me some more Shadow Hearts

Annnnd now I've looked up music demos








Edit: Man all the Shadow Hearts soundtracks are good, I remember listening to them a lot, and I feel like they should get an honorable mention here


Fun Fact I just learned about Koudelka from Wikipedia:
The composer, Hiroki Kikuta, is also listed as the writer, director, and producer, and he's also founding President and CEO of Sacnoth/Nautilus! He's also the composer for most of the Mana series

 

[Fool's Requiem]

Favorite Series Exclusice Species: I don't have many options, personally, so Halo's Elites, I guess. Grunts are funny, though.

I expect something from Mass Effect to get mentioned.

 

[VashTheStampede]

Favorite Series Exclusive Species

I expect something from Mass Effect to get mentioned.

Resigned: I suppose this does not come as a surprise.

Defensive: Elcor from Mass Effect have the best speech quirk in gaming.

Inspired: Everyone should talk like an Elcor on the internet.

 

[VashTheStampede]

Optimistically: I like to think Eeyore was not a depressed Donkey but a misunderstood Elcor stuffy with a speech impediment.

 

[Quagmire]

Favorite Series Exclusice Species: I don't have many options, personally, so Halo's Elites, I guess. Grunts are funny, though.

Grunts are hilarious. I love going up against a Hunter, especially on Legendary

I expect something from Mass Effect to get mentioned.

Favorite Series Exclusive Species



Resigned: I suppose this does not come as a surprise.

Defensive: Elcor from Mass Effect have the best speech quirk in gaming.

I do love them, especially when teamed up with Hanar in Blastos




Yeah Mass Effect or Halo are the two that jump out at me


Final Fantasy malboro's send chills down my spine both in design and deadliness

 

[The Eye in the Sky!]

I've been thinking about this all morning and drawing a blank... I mean, the easiest one is to go Mass Effect. I'd say the quarian, but it might just be because Tali was such a great character. But all of the different races were well written, so its hard to pick one.

Does Tonberry count as a species? Because little green dudes with lanterns and small pokey sticks are fun.