Thursday, February 7, 2013

Favorite Tunes #45: Anything Goes

No particular theme for this edition. I'm listing whatever I feel like. Boss themes, character themes, a Mario tune here, some NiGHTS there. There's a little bit of everything.

Show Your Mettle - Crimson Shroud (3DS)



This is another one of those cases where I haven't played the game, but have heard the music. Crimson Shroud is a downloadable table top RPG where you'll actually roll dice to determine your actions. It's very much like the classic board game RPGs from what I've read, meaning it's very stripped down to what you're probably used to. Even the story is explained as if it were a novel. If you're looking for something different in the RPG genre, you may want to give Crimson Shroud a download on the 3DS eShop.

The Dragon Gave a Loud Scream - NiGHTS into dreams... (SAT, PS2)



NiGHTs into dreams was gaming experience unlike that of any other. NiGHTS used 3D gameplay but it was on-rails of sorts, so just because a ring or Ideya was in view, that didn't necessarily mean you could access it. A quick go in one of the levels and you'll pick up on how things work quickly. SEGA's development teams always had a knack for giving their game's outstanding soundtracks and NiGHTs was no exception to the rule. This boss theme is but one of many great tracks from this 32-bit classic. If you missed NiGHTs when it was originally released (like me) you can check out the HD remake on PlayStation Network, Xbox Live Arcade and Steam.

Battle Rock - Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)



Mario and Luigi have been dealing with canon fire since the original Super Mario Bros., but Battle Rock Galaxy from Super Mario Galaxy rivals the airship levels from Super Mario Bros. 3, making it feel as if the plumbers are in the middle of a real war. Sometimes you'll have to make the Bullet Bills chase you to break down barriers and other times you'll have to outmaneuver a large wave of canon fire to collect those blasted Purple Coins. Despite all of that, Battle Rock Galaxy was still one of the best areas from what has become one of my all-time favorite games.

Apoplexy - Final Fantasy Tactics (PS, PSP)



There is a war being fought and, ah, screw it. Despite owning the PS re-release of Final Fantasy Tactics and the PSP remake, War of the Lions, I've only played about three hours of what many called one of the grandest RPG experiences ever. I want to sit down and go through this game, because I love the art style, I'm very much intrigued by all the wonderful things I've heard about this game, and the soundtrack! The gorgeous soundtrack that I've heard so many times amazes me each time I listen to it. Apoplexy is one of the game's battle themes, something Tactics has no shortage of.

Cold Pipe - Street Fighter EX Plus Alpha (PS)



There has been much bemoaning of the Street Fighter EX series, the franchises' first foray into 3D gameplay.  Developed by Akira, it felt quite different from the Street Fighter II and Street Fighter Alpha series, but after playing a few of the EX games, I can honestly say they aren't that bad. The EX games gave us some of the best music in the Street Fighter universe, which tracks that are right on par with those from the iconic SFII themes. Cold Pipe is the theme of the Red Cyclone, Zangief and while it's vastly different from his original SFII theme, I dare say I like it a lot more.

Boss Battle - Golden Sun (GBA)



Released in 2001, Golden Sun was one of the earliest RPGs for the system. It had a by the numbers story, but it was enough to drive things along and Golden Sun was still a great way to kill 25 hours or more on your new handheld. The visuals, even on the small screen were very vibrant and the soundtrack still impresses today.

Flight of the Zinger (Hornet Hole) - Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (SNES)



I guess the whupping Donkey and Diddy gave the Kremlings in Donkey Kong Country wasn't enough because they came back in the sequel, kidnapping the big ape, leaving Diddy and his girlfriend Dixie to rescue him. David Wise flew solo when writing the music for Donkey Kong Country 2 and as marvelous as the music was in the first game, many would argue that the this one had even better sound.

F-F-Fire! - Mother 3 (GBA)



If ever a game should have gotten an international release, it's Mother 3. Despite fan outcry, the game was never released outside of it's home country of Japan. But even this didn't stop gamers from being able to play one of the GBA's best titles in English. In 2008, the good folks at Starmen.net released their completed English patch of Mother 3, which was very welly received by fans and the gaming industry at large. I mean, if even Nintendo, the publisher of Mother 3 didn't shut them down, then that says a lot. I think this track should play in the place of the usual fire sirens. It keeps the sense of panic in the air, but it makes you wanna bob your head, too.

Stereo Protect (Stage 2-1) - Pulseman (GEN)



Pokemon is fine and all, but some of my favorite games by Game Freak are the ones where you don't have to catch 'em all, such as Drill Dozer and Pulseman. In this action/platformer you're on a mission to take down Pulseman's mad scientist father that kinda looks like Heiachi. You can utilize Pulseman's electrical abilities to zip through power lines and attack foes from a far. Originally the only way gamers outside of Japan could play Pulseman was through Sega Channel's limited distribution of the title, but now it's available on the Wii's Virtual Console and is well worth the 900 ($9) Wii points.

Battle 2 - Grandia (SAT, PS)



Grandia was quite the lengthy RPG. I remember investing some 70 hours before I actually completed it. And there weren't any random battles either, so it was great to be able to pick my fights. But I have to admit, when an enemy did get the drop on me, it wasn't all that bad because Battle 2, is leagues better than Battle 1 and that battle theme was no slouch.

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