Track: Beginner Race
From: Marble Madness
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This piece is probably my favorite from the NES version of Marble Madness, which had a fantastic score. The was the first game I remember stopping and thinking, "Wow, this music is awesome and not like anything I've heard before!" I think this has stuck with me over the years, since that is still one of my goals with making music: Do something I've never heard before!
Track: Tristram
From: Diablo II
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This is one of the more memorable pieces from my gaming experiences, if for no other reason than the fact that I played Diablo 2 for like 10 years...
I think the aesthetic of this piece is something that informed the way I approached the music for Bastion is some regard. It was definitely an influence. The eerily effected acoustic instruments is something that goes a long way here!
Track: Night Stage
From: Plants Vs Zombies
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The music for this game is some of my favorite recent game music. I'm continually surprised by the strong associations I have with this piece. As soon as it comes on I feel the urge to harvest sun as fast as possible before I get eaten. I'm also pretty amazed that, as much as I've played this game, the music never wears on me and doesn't seem repetitive.
Track: It's Construction Time!
From: Dungeon Keeper
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This is the first game soundtrack that I listened to on purpose outside of playing the game. I took the actual CD-Rom and stuck it in my CD player and listened to this a TON. The atmosphere in this piece and all the others on this soundtrack is some of the strongest I can think of. It is gritty and exciting and dingy and all things Dungeon Keeper. It does a fantastic job of encapsulating the tone of the entire game.
Tracks: Khans of The New California & My Chrysalis Highwayman
From: Fallout 2
Listen | (California), Listen | (Highwayman)
These pieces from Fallout 2 are my favorites from that soundtrack. They both did a wonderful job of contributing to immersion. I played Fallout 2 more times from start to finish than any other game, and these pieces have definitely been burned into my brain. When I listen back to them now, I can see how much of an influence they had on the Bastion soundtrack. They are moody, eclectic, and vaguely "frontiersy" for sure.
Track: Main Theme
From: Bionic Commando
Listen | (Original), Listen |(Rearmed)
This was one of my favorites as a kid. I remember being really impressed by how this music used the available 8 bit synth to creat some pretty impressive arrangements. I think the remix really did a great job of respecting the original piece but bringing in some really interesting modern flare.