- Albus Dumbledore
(Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone)
Music truly is magical. There's not that many art mediums that can transcend the senses and become something more than it is. Anyone who cares to disagree should just leave right now, because this post is going to contain a lot of it.
Good day, everyone! I figured that the best way to end this month's tirade of one thousand words per entry (as well as nine consecutive months in a row) is to just relax it all away.
So, before we get to the fun stuff, let's get some things straightened out.
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| "The flow of time is always cruel... its speed seems different for each person, but no one can change it... A thing that does not change with time is a memory of younger days..." |
Now, while I could focus on the whole of video game music, I decided to focus on pieces that evoked a more... soothing feeling out of all of us. This sub-genre was actually quite difficult to select the best from. As a huge fan of the stuff I couldn't just grab ten pieces sub-consciously like I did with my Top Ten Pokémon. No - each piece required much more analysis and a lot more time to digest as I heard them over and over again. Suffice to say that this post actually took more than just one mere day to work on - it's been in the works for almost a week, and only now have I finalized and locked down my choices.
Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy your day as you read this. Hopefully these ten tracks will soothe you if you're stressing, and if you're not stressing, then allow me to let you feel at ease with these musical pieces. If you feel like listening along (which I strongly suggest you do), then fret not - each selection has a link to YouTube with the track in question.
Remember: this selection accounts only for video game music pieces that had a soothing sound to it. There are plenty of other amazing tracks out there, but for now I'll pay attention to anything you can relax to. Pieces such as Final Fantasy VII's "One-Winged Angel," Super Mario World's "Athletic Theme" and Sonic the Hedgehog's "Green Hill Zone" will have to wait for consideration on another list. Same goes with songs heard in-game - I can put those somewhere else, too (even if they are relaxing).
(Author's Note: YouTube links for all ten entries below were working as of 30 SEP 2011.)
Josh Blanco's Top Ten
Relaxing Video Game Music Pieces
Relaxing Video Game Music Pieces
Yoko Shimomura
Kingdom Hearts (PlayStation 2)
A lot of people who enjoy video games will know about the Kingdom Hearts franchise. Anyone who's played said franchise will definitely recognize this piece - the title music played in the main menu.
No one should question the presence of this piece. Between the representation of Kingdom Hearts - which most gamers would probably yell at me for if I didn't include something from it here - and the fact that Yoko Shimomura (a highly-recognized video game composer) developed the franchise's music, I don't see how this didn't earn a spot on this list.
With a piano as the lead, it definitely sets an air of peace and stillness - probably what a lot of people felt after beating this legendary game (and in some cases: beginning another one). The way the music almost echoes serenely... *closes eyes and sways with the music*
Mahito Yokota and the Mario Galaxy Orchestra
Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
In the English-speaking world, "Star Dust World" is better known as "Space Junk Galaxy," which (in my opinion) doesn't sound as soothing. Anyway, this track is the background music to the level of the same name in Super Mario Galaxy.
During my first playthrough of Galaxy back when I got the game, I remember having fun and blitzing through all the levels to get the stars as quickly as I could. However, when I first got to Space Junk Galaxy, I froze in my tracks. "Star Dust World" began playing and I remember getting goosebumps. A wave of peace just washed over me - before this level, I had been listening to tracks that seemed to get the adventure jump-started and ready to kick some Koopa butt. I certainly wasn't expecting a musical interlude that reminded me I was helping Mario get through space. In a way, it got me to slow down and enjoy the game even more.
When you close your eyes while listening to this, you get this feeling of cosmic flying - as if you were sailing through the vast openness of the black void we call space. Very relaxing to hear, especially if you're outside at night and have an unobstructed view of the stars.
Sergei Mantis
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PlayStation 2)
As I analyzed the soundtracks to the games of the Metal Gear franchise, I realized that while the soundtracks had amazing action-y or plot-driving musical scores on it, they possessed little in the "relaxation" department. However, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater somewhat fought that by placing eight varied easy-listening tracks in the game and soundtrack. These "healing tracks" as they came to be known could only be listened to on the radio. Of the group, "Sea Breeze" won the competition because it has that muzak feel to it - casual, upbeat, elevator music that you could have playing about anywhere.
In Snake Eater, if you went on the radio and dialed in the correct frequency, "Sea Breeze" would begin to play and after listening to it, your health and stamina would be restored. The track would also be put to use in the same fashion in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots as an iPod track. By going prone and having this play on the in-game iPod, Snake would restore his health and stamina as well.
Another reason why "Sea Breeze" won out over the other seven healing tracks? Try playing this as background music and put on some movie with a brutal war scene. The reaction you got? Probably similar to mine: confusion and maybe a light case of amused laughter. Because of that, it's on my "Songs Inappropriate for the Zombie Apocalypse" playlist. Hehehehe.
Koji Kondo
Super Mario 64 (Nintendo 64)
A lot of people have lauded Super Mario 64 as one of the greatest games ever made, and I have to agree with them. Known as the Nintendo 64's best-selling game, the 3D platformer set new grounds for most contemporary games that now exist or are in development.
Gamers around my age have many fond memories of this game - much more so if they personally played and completed it. When they hear "Dire, Dire Docks" they often recognize it within the first three seconds (often because that introduction is so highly recognizable). It brings back memories of playing this game, enjoying the time spent helping Mario rescue Princess Peach from the clutches of Bowser (yet again). It brings into the listener a sense of aquatic peace - which, when you consider the potential lethality of the two water levels in Super Mario 64 (Jolly Roger Bay and Dire, Dire Docks), is musically ironic. Maybe the game was preparing us for the incoming stress. Who knows?
Koji Kondo is a genius. It has to be said.
Keiki Kobayashi
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War (PlayStation 2)
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War is one of my favorite games, because it had a story and characters I connected to. The action and intensity the missions had were, of course, engaging, but the story of a pointless war fought by people who only wanted peace? Man, that's gripping. When you add emotion-driven music into the mix, you get one hell of an experience.
As a bit of a pianist, I guess it could be said that I'm a bit biased towards any track with a piano lead, but I have my reasons for selecting this track. Played in-game in certain parts, "15 Years Ago" takes the dramatic Razgriz leitmotif heard elsewhere in The Unsung War's soundtrack and gives it a more personal and calming touch. When this plays, you could almost forget you were at war and just flying your aircraft for the sake of flying...
If you're ever up before the sunrise and wish to make it something to remember, I highly recommend playing this as the sun peaks over the horizon. Anyone lucky enough to have a large lake, sea, or ocean going eastward will probably have the greatest experience (beaten only by anyone flying over the ocean).
Nobuo Uematsu
Final Fantasy VIII (PlayStation)
In case you didn't already know, Final Fantasy VIII has the honor of being the only Final Fantasy game I've played extensively. While I know there's a few rabid fanboys and fangirls out there who're now sharpening their weapons after reading that, we're not here to provoke a war. We're here to have a peaceful time.
Anyway, Nobuo Uematusu did a superb job making this piece feel soothing. Matter-of-fact, I think he did a little too well - every time I hear this, I end up getting somewhat sleepy. My eyes begin to slowly close and my body begins to go in a relaxed state, and the only two things I can do is either succumb to the serenity "Fragments of Memories" sounds off or switch the track while I'm still conscious.
Fortunately, as I've had a shot of coffee before listening to this piece extensively, I'm immune to the effects temporarily. Then again, some others weren't. Laguna Loire, for one. Heard in-game as Squall has "flashbacks" of his father's past days, it just seems too peaceful to be an ordinary track.
Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
Halo 2 (XBox)
The Halo trilogy has been one of my favorites growing up. As I no longer possess an XBox or a 360, I can't finish the fight with Master Chief or the Arbiter, but with the soundtracks, I sure can believe I am.
"Unforgotten" brings with it a bit of a haunting emotion in addition to the peace it possesses. Those familiar with the Halo storyline know of the many losses and sacrifices made by humanity, and with that knowledge in mind, "Unforgotten" becomes more than a string-and-piano duet - it becomes a testament to mankind - a solemn reminder "...that their fight - our fight - was worth fighting."
This haunting peace can probably be experienced even by non-gamers or non-Halo fans. If you were to just sit at the screen and watch the background of Halo 3's menu as "Unforgotten" plays, you'd get that feeling once it finishes. Chilling and yet soothing at the same time... no wonder I liked Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori's work in the series.
Koji Kondo
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo 64)
Koji Kondo has the distinct honor of having two of his musical compositions make it on this list. It's not just because I'm a Nintendo fanboy - it's because his work has spanned so many games that to deny something from both the Mario and Zelda franchises would seem to be a cardinal sin.
Anyway, most everyone who grew up with a Nintendo 64 (either owned by them or a friend two doors down) played The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and most people who played that game remember the sheer amounts of epic win the game possessed. "Lost Woods" is one of those gems - a little musical ditty that brings "a hot beat" to an enchanted forest that for some reason didn't really stress us out as much as it should have.
Honestly, I don't think this piece requires any form of explanation as to why it's on this list. It's probably the reason why I considered creating this list in the first place.
I could listen to this song for hours. Matter-of-fact, I have. I left my 3DS on with Ocarina of Time 3D loaded, and all I did was have Link stand somewhere in the Lost Woods as I slowly began to drift to sleep.
Go Ichinose
Pokémon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum (Nintendo DS)
Years ago (in 2007) when I first got Pokémon: Diamond Version for my Nintendo DS I remember blitzing out like crazy in an attempt to get the game defeated within a week. As the then-sole player of Pokémon games back then in high school, it would seem necessary for me to grab the National Dex and help out the closet players. I grabbed my team, plowed through the game and then came to a screeching halt right outside the Pokémon League building.
Fatigue didn't stop me. Food had no priority. Late homework assignments and newspaper articles couldn't even raise their hands up to dissuade me from being irresponsible. THIS MUSIC PIECE DID. There's a saying out there stipulating that the eyes are the gateway to a person's soul. While I subscribe to that theory, I also believe that there is an aural gateway as well - and the key to that gate would be music.
Rather than have you shake from nervousness with from the marching tones reminiscent of the prior three generations, the musical team behind Diamond, Pearl and Platinum decided to go for one of the most soothing synthesized piano pieces ever. Hearing it for the first time (and all subsequent times) was just soothing - I felt so much at peace with this playing. (Hearing it on a real piano will definitely make your day.)
(Author's Note: Any of that sound familiar to any of you? =P)
There's a sense of accomplishment in this piece. There's also that feeling of serenity backed with the knowledge that your adventure's only just begun. It's the perfect piece to back any moments of reminiscence and nostalgia. And I welcome it.
David Wise
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy Kong's Quest (Super Nintendo)
And now, Number One. Why this track? Well, let's see... it comes from an excellent platformer from an excellent system, had an amazing developing team that employed an excellent composer, and brings back waves of nostalgia to all those who've played Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy Kong's Quest.
Truth be told: I couldn't decide whether this piece or "Pokémon League (Day)" deserved the number one spot. Both of these tracks are excellent and have nothing but peaceful bliss to offer. In my view they're both aural triumphs in the video game world. So, why "Stickerbrush Symphony," then?
- It's older.
They say things get better as they age, and since "Stickerbrush Symphony" has eleven years up, it's had plenty of time to become known. - I didn't feel like throwing "Pokémon League" on first.
As a die-hard Pokémon fan, it'd look a bit biased. - Piano-wise, this is much, much more difficult to pull off.
That means it's more badass. =P
I certainly hope you got the same feeling of rest, relaxation, and peace from these ten pieces as I did. If anything, this showcases to the people I know who normally aren't fans of video game music to reconsider their stance.
Well, as I have things to do and people to hang out with, I'll bid you all and September adieu. I will see you all again... next month. =D
Ciao-ciao!
Actually, I find Dearly Beloved -Reprise- (KH1) or Dearly Beloved (KH2) more relaxing than KH1 Dearly Beloved.
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