PixlBit

*I've saved all my Blogs from 1up now, i'm not willing to lose all that work so till I decide to create something new (like that Pandora's Tower Non-review  I've been putting off ). So, just incase you missed it...I'm getting my game music Blogs out of the way*

Hello and Welcome to the Top Ten game intros music, as we all know music is an important component to a game; games can defined or salvaged by this aspect alone “This game is crap but man, if the music ain’t kickin”.

We all have our favourite game songs or songs we acknowledge as pure excellence even though it isn’t you type of music in general. Instead of Levels I will be more specific and talk about the music you here before and or after the start screen.

The purpose of an intro is to give you an impression of the game and get you pumped and riled up, this list will look at not just this aspect but overall quality. So remember this is not just about quality of the piece but who it affects you before you start the game.

 

Rules

*The music must be original, no stock (so you won’t see the Borderlands theme, sorry)

*the song must take place during the opening cutscene or at the start screen

*Fighting games are the exception to the rule as the music that plays through the menu screen wil count

*Lengh isn't a factor, it could be short or long the full song or an edited version

 

10. Jazz House – Anarchy Reigns

This is a personal one because I have to say I think this is the only game to start up with Jazz House (Acid Jazz) that alone makes it worthy to be on this list however the way it’s used on the start screen is damn near brilliants.

In other games for example Skyward Sword when you‘re in the market you here music but when move from shop to shop it fades into their own unique melody that runs off the main song. The title Screen does the same things, when you get to the Start screen first you here the Bass (rhythm) and the drums (the beat). This will keep playing till you press start but as soon as you do the entire song plays and I have to be honest, it blew me away, the was excellent build up and it fitted the background animation perfectly just a bunch of fighters chillin’ in the bar. Cool.

 

 

9. Sonic Advance 3

Though I kind of prefer Sonic Advance, the intro cut scene music in Sonic Advance just seemed to have more elements, suspense, adventure, it suits the cut scene perfectly. If you listen carefully the bass line is bloody good even for a Gamboy Advance but more them that the entire song feels urgent, like something’s about to go down.

 

8. Title screen - Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal

I’ve always loved how slow it starts and them picks up the tempo it sounds like you just woken up and prepared for this exciting adventure, this was an improved arrangement overall which added an extra layer of detail, even  the beat are more complicated. And I love who near the end it slows down again when the beat drops then picks itself up again.

 

7. Main theme – L.A. Noire

This is on the list for the similar reason as the 10th entry but it’s a bit more than that, this is a sombre well-arranged piece that sums up the game perfectly, in theme and tone. It reminds me of Casablanca and a good song paints a picture in your mind. I hear this and I see the last dance of a doomed relationship, they’re bad for each other, they hurt each other but yet they keep on dancing till it’s over. The don’t look in each other’s eyes they just hold each other close looking over each other’s shoulders and feeling what they felt before. They say nothing, they just dance and hang on till it’s over.

 

 

6. Nate’s Theme - Uncharted 3

The 3rd entry in the main series and a remixed/revisioned arrangement of the theme the 3rd is the best, the added drums gives the song a lot more life and even though the grandeur is slightly lost (because the horns aren’t as prominent) but it sounds more triumphant as a result, Nate’s a douche as a character but this is his Rocky theme so you can’t help but route for him.

 

 

5. Simon’s Theme - Super Castlevania IV

I had to choose between this and Megaman 2, but this wins due to variety of the arrangement, it sounds very European but at the same time modern, with mystical and regal elements, the changes in tempo and melody and tone move between one another with no Musical Whiplash (you know when you hear a song and suddenly it changes and it seems foreign to what you’ve heard like when a bad DJ doesn’t mix his music correctly? Musical Whiplash).

 

4. Title screen – The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Even without the cut scene there’s something very magical about this piece, it’s peaceful engrossing and has a very relaxing melody. Funny, seeing as it doesn’t at all prepare you for the epic adventure and other things to come, instead it puts the player at ease it relaxes you and it doesn’t overwhelm you. Great Atmosphere, when put with the scene of Link riding Epona, the sound of the hooves, it's truely cinematic.

 

 

3. Sonic Boom – Sonic CD

I’ve all ways loved this cut scene and wished they actually made a movie of Sonic CD (the OVA doesn’t count), but the very 80s sounding song with all the synths and the guitar but I think it’s vocals and Lyrics that sell it for me Pastiche have done excellently.  I know the whole song off by heart and it makes me want to sing and move about, I do this a little too often with this friend of mine .

 

2. Intro - Final Fantasy VI

Everytime I talk about this game I mention the Intro music rather than Terra’s theme but it’s simplicity and sheer drama is what puts it here, an Organ and a Piano. That is it. That’s all that was needed to get you properly prepared for such a great game, it had build-up 6 chords one after the other then pause… a lord chord with another pause with a more stressed chord as it introduces the Games logo. And then the Harp plays continuously through the start screen.

 

1. Theme of Laura – Silent Hill 2

Oh Akira Yamaoka, how I enjoy your tracks.  Silent Hill 2 is probably his best work at least in the serires and his intro is glorious, I couldn’t tell you specifically but maybe it’s the almost astral guitars the strong beat or the accompaniment of the different instruments, it’s probably the two times the beat drops but I suspect because it was more intense, something about it feels like raw emotion that envelops every sound generated by it. It’s a dark expressive song and I think it’s the best theme one that sums up the game so well.

 

Honorable Mentions.

Megaman 2

Super Metroid

Borderlands - No Rest For The Wicked

Super Smash Bros Melee

Halo: Combat Evolved

Shadow the Hedgehog - I Am All of Me

Brutal Legend

Persona 4

Xenoblade

Burnout 3 - Lazy Generation

Street fighter II (Main Menu, GBA)

 

Well i'll post my Top Ten Outros soon enough so stay tuned, tell me your own favourite Intro songs.

This is V saying "Press Start..."

(100 games where looked at during these blogs )