I believe that everyone reading this has most likely played a video game at some point in his/her lifetime. A very integral part of the video game experience nowadays is the music and songs that are incorporated into the game play. The way it is implemented into the games can sometimes make or break a cut scene or a boss battle. I'd like for this thread to be used for the discussion of our favorite video game song tracks. If there's ever been a video game song that you can youtube and have it send shivers down your spine after having not played the actual game for a long time, then share it here!
I have one with which I'd like to start off the thread. It's a track from the game Shadow of the Colossus. It's entitled "The Opened Way." I haven't played the game for years, but hearing this song brings me back mentally to epic battles against giant behemoths. It's actually a really good musical piece in itself. If anyone else would happen to know of anything similar to that, then I'd be most grateful if you'd tell me about it.
(courtesy of a google image search... I doubt the person who I got it from actually owned it, but there's a signature on there so I'm assuming it belongs to that person)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbOnvj9wZKc
The next song is a fan made song for SotC. It's title is "Wander on the Offensive." It's a lot different from the normal SotC musical pieces, but I think it's been done really well. I think the video has a link to the owners of the song... along with a free owner endorsed download if you happen to like it. I really enjoy the violin or whatever instrument they used to fake the violin in this piece. If anyone happens to know of any other songs that incorporate similar instrumental work (the violin!!! ;D) I'd be grateful for that too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ha320edRi8
I have more songs that I really enjoy that I'll gladly share if this thread gets off the ground.
Fallout 3 has some great tracks, especially I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMMV_RoEMxE) and Civilization (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgDF2xfcbv8). Both are great pieces, that will stuck on your head for hours. I never thought I'd enjoy music that's over 50yrs old, but this game proved me wrong.
One of my personal favorites is also Skyrim's main theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-_g8NZr1tA), because it's just so epic. That choir....I mean, you turn the game on, go grab yourself something to eat/drink, and return to the room with this blowing from your speakers. If it doesn't set the tune for one of the best video game adventures today, I don't know what does.
Also, Final Fantasy series has many, great songs, but by far my most favorite piece is from Final Fantasy X. To Zanarkand (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyLuezULidE)...you just have to hear it. If you don't get moved by this music, you really don't have a heart or you don't appreciate good music.
Looking further into the game world, I also like Escape from the City from Sonic Adventure 2, Some of the soundtrack in Amnesia: The Dark Descent because it sets the game atmosphere really well, and most of the Bully soundtrack. Shawn Lee did some great work with the music for that game.
I'd have to go with the soundtrack in Medal of Honor: Frontline. It really sets the mood for the diffrent levels, from haunting vocals, to victory scores, to fight for your life orchestra music.