III. The Atwood Awards
In building the GameBasement Radio
playlist, I tried to evenly apply the three rules I listed at the
beginning of the article-- selecting only those soundtracks which
are unique, memorable and popular.
This is a subjective process. I rely heavily on listener input,
as well as my own personal gaming experience. Of course, not every
game soundtrack can make the cut. The only sin that is serious enough
to warrant exclusion from the playlist completely is the sin of
unoriginality. That said, here are my thoughts on some of the more
notable games in the playlist.
Personal Favorites
-
Interstate '76
What other game brings the funk? If this music doesn't
make you want to move, then check your pulse, because I'll
be damned if you aren't dead.
-
Total Annihilation
The first game to set classical music to intense carnage,
with brilliant results. I love the smell of charred metal
in the morning. The game also was unique in switching from
ambient to combat CD tracks in sync with the action on the
screen.
-
Rocket Jockey
I will swear up and down to anyone who will listen that this
is one of the most under-appreciated and innovative games
ever released for the PC. I would absolutely kill
to see a modern update of this game with netplay and teamplay.
But enough of my ranting. This game has a first-rate, pounding
surf guitar soundtrack, even including a track from the king
himself, Dick Dale. It works as pure soundtrack, and it fits
the brutal, retro sensibilities of the game perfectly. It's
sort of like Crimson Skies with brass knuckles, a nasty scar,
and a much cooler logo.
-
Freespace 2
For some reason, this soundtrack really gets to me. I'm not
sure if it's the operatic wailing, or the stark, pounding
synth notes. Short but very identifiable, and utterly unique.
Cult Favorites
-
Neverhood
This is, without a doubt, the weirdest music ever
in a PC game. I can't think of anything that comes remotely
close to this one. It's difficult to even describe. I was
lucky enough to get a copy of the soundtrack, which, like
the game, is ridiculously difficult to find. It's a definite
cult phenomenon. At one point a few months ago, the original
soundtrack CD went for over $200 on eBay, and used copies
of the game regularly go for $60. If you like the Neverhood
songs, check out the web site of the demented mind behind this music...
if you dare.
-
Dune
Not the influential RTS game from Westwood, but the original
lesser-known RPG game released way, way back in 1992. Like the
next title, far ahead of its time in including a fully orchestrated
CD soundtrack. The music is a quirky blend of .. well, I'm not
sure what to call it. Kraftwerk meets unknown French techno
artist, perhaps? Very euro.
-
The Dig
An early LucasArts adventure game. Odd in that it shipped
with crappy 256 color 320x200 graphics, but a fully arranged
CD soundtrack. Completely the opposite of today's games, which
tend to have great graphics and sound, for the most part,
is an afterthought. Pseudo-classical in style, and quite haunting.
Puts many modern games to shame.
-
Outcast
The entire second CD is music performed by the Moscow Symphony
Orchestra. Outstanding stuff. I personally never played this
game, but every time I think of it, I recall a particular
review which cited the game's depiction of a creature with
a lifelike anus as an example of its attention to detail.
Ew.
Most Underrated
-
Alien vs. Predator
If you're into movie-style soundtracks, this is it. As authentic
as it comes. These guys were so serious about their music
that they bundled a second CD with the game consisting of
nothing but redbook audio tracks. If you can find a cheap
copy, it's worth picking up for the music. Oh yeah, and
you get a free game.
-
Battlezone
It's hard to not like the soundtracks of some of your all-time
favorite games; and this one is in my top 10. Bias aside,
the Battlezone soundtrack has a great ambient space feel with
just the right tinge of martial paranoia. Though it's sparse,
and rather subtle, it fits the game like a glove.
-
NetStorm
One of the very few games that manages to create
a techno soundtrack that is instantly recognizable. This little
known online-only game was ahead of its time in more ways
than one. Well worth revisiting.
-
Fantasy
General
High fantasy has never sounded so good. Amazing stuff;
the orchestral chorus still gives me chills.
-
Afterlife
The red-headed stepchild of the LucasArts game library, oddly,
delivers some of the best music: quirky, transcendental and
trippy audio tracks. Special prize for best use of a sitar.
Dialing In
The proof is in the listening. Head over to the GameBasement Radio
page, tune in, turn on, and drop out.
Though I may not be a fan of every game in the rotation, every
single track was included for a reason. Like children, I love them
all in different ways. Some are "special". Some are overachivers.
Some are tragically overlooked. But they're all worthy of your time.
Each soundtrack in the playlist made the games they appeared in
that much more notable.
I recommend listening to the WMA playlist using WinAMP if at all
possible. WinAMP offers some crucial amenities, such as being able
to sort and randomize the playlist. And unlike most radio broadcasts,
we expose our entire playlist to every listener. Radio is a nice
format to model our service on, but that doesn't mean we need to inherit
its limitations. This means you can start anywhere you like, and
jump to any song at any time.
I encourage everyone to listen to the radio broadcast and have
fun rediscovering your favorite games, and maybe even find a few
that you missed the first time around. And I welcome feedback and
suggestions. Disagree with my choices? Is there some brilliant soundtrack
out there that I somehow missed? Visit the radio
forum and let me know. Who knows? Your favorite soundtrack might
be the next one added to the playlist. Enjoy.
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