Monday, 29 June 2009

  • Video Game Music and Its Effects on our Psyche

    Video Game Music and Its Effects on our Psyche

    Back when I was but eight years old, I played Zelda 2: Adventure of Link. Now many people will say this is one of the worst Zelda's of all. I disagree completely. But that is not the nature of my post. 

    What is, however, is the music in the game itself. Mr. Akito Naakatsuka composed much of the game's score. The one tune in the whole game that sent shockwaves throughout my body and psyche is the Great Palace theme. You gamers know which one that is: after restoring the six crystals in the six palaces, you take a trip through an area dubbed "Death Valley," and after braving it, you end up in front of the Great Palace. The Palace is huge, with many floors and traps, and the strongest enemies in the game gravitate to this palace in an attempt to make your passage through nearly impossible.

    But the major clencher in all of this: the theme of the palace that plays throughout. When you first enter, you won't notice the landscape, nor the "binding force"(if you didn't restore the six crystals, you will only get hurt touching the forcefield), nor how big the palace is. What you will do, is hear with your ears, and then in your mind, the theme play. It assults your very psyche with a wave of confrontation, and from that first beat you KNOW you're in for a challenge. Listen for yourself, as that will reinforce every word I have typed.

    How many of you have similar experiences on video game music and the imapct it has on your very being? I myself believe that if I was in a coma(God forbid), that playing that song would help me get through my very own mind and possibly come to. Anyone agree that video game music can stick with you, getting you through touch times and giving you strength to overcome struggles you have in life? Please share, if you have any stories, as I would love to hear your thoughts.

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Comments (42)

  • AgentShiro@xanga

    I noticed you on my footsteps & by this post I am glad to have found your site. I have been playing zelda for as long as I can honestly remember because my dad was a big fan. first starting with the original nintendo. I understand exactly what you're saying. The beginning theme of The Legend of Zelda almost makes me cry. Every memory i have of childhood is tied to the many themes & tunes this game series had to offer. It's strange that memories can attach themselves to sounds. Thanks for posting this.
  • democrab@xanga

    Whenever I'm walking around and doing nothing in particular, I hum the Onett music to myself.
  • nerdishh8D@xanga

    I wouldn't say that music has affected me quite so dramatically, but the Pokemon Gameboy theme songs have always stuck with me. They're always playing on that little thing so subconciously I memorized them. They always make me so happy. :] I guess because I was happy playing Pokemon.
  • trynstopme@xanga

    I agree - however; this does not apply only to video game music. All music is equally inspiring in its proper context.

    For me, the most standout song of any video game score would be (Such as it is for @AgentShiro@xanga) the introduction song to Legend of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time (I'm assuming this is the one he's talking about) is indeed a very memorable tune - however, I don't connect it to any memories in of itself.

    As I said, I believe the music only affecting in its proper context. Taking the intro song from LoZ:OoT in mind, I usually connect it with the "beginning of the end" of something. It's sad, but hopeful - if the context of your real situation fits this connection, then you will probably feel that strong attatchment to the song.

    With all that said, A new friend I made this morning at my new summer school for early college credits played the intro theme from Final Fantasy X this morning and it made me feel pretty goddamn nostalgic. =)
  • laytexduckie@xanga

    Metal Gear Solid has one of the best soundtracks ever. The composition is riveting and moving, while providing the suspense and mood for the scene. Check out the music and you'll know what I mean. :)
  • methodElevated@xanga

    Tetris music has frequently gotten stuck in my head.
  • xAnotherxCasexOfxTeenxAngst@xanga

    Twilight Princess orchestral music... Nuf said.
  • AgentShiro@xanga

    I"M A FUCKING GIRL MAN & i was talking about the original legend of zelda like i said in my post.
  • nooitzben@xanga

    jet set/grind radio music is wicked..should check it out

    or anything from the final fantasy series or squaresoft/enix

    or music from busta a move
  • Lakakalo@xanga

    I disagree.

    Good music is good music.  It helps you get through tough times regardless of whether it was made for videogames, movies, albums or what have you.
  • joahchun@xanga

    I like music from Kingdom Hearts, it's never epic but the theme song sung by Utada Hikara is pretty great, and when you leave it at the "new game/load" scene, they play the band composition of the theme, and that to me sends waves through me of epicness.
  • Riskbreaker

    Awesome article, I'd love to see more video game music posts from you, and on HardestLevel, in general. I echo your sentiments about Zelda 2's music - I think that was one of the few things I liked about the game actually. I could never really get into it as much as the later games in the series, like A Link to the Past. The ending theme for that game... so moving. So melancholy.

    @AgentShiro@xanga - The opening Zelda tune has that effect on me too. It's like "You're going on an epic adventure. Get your emotions ready."

    @xAnotherxCasexOfxTeenxAngst@xanga - Yeahh, the new Hyrule Field theme in Twilight Princess was a terrific surprise. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnNy-ZP-Amg

    @joahchun@xanga - Utada
    Hikaru's and Yoko Shimomura's compositions are pretty great. "Dearly
    Beloved", the piano piece that plays in one of the game's title screens
    (the first one?), is a favorite for sure. "Passion" gets stuck in my
    head for a while sometimes too.
  • joahchun@xanga

    @Riskbreaker - I know! I love the songs in Kingdom Hearts, they're just so flowing and nice sounding!
  • Lynnjynh9315@xanga

    "Path of Repentence"- Final Fantasy X... this is MY song.
  • Sorrows_xx_Soliloquy@xanga

    @nerdishh8D@xanga - Ah Pokemon (:


    I remember a little while ago I played Sapphire version for the first time in several years I was literally put in tears once I heard the music again!! hehe ^_^
  • one_more_path@xanga

    Video game music is just like any music, but it's stronger.


    Why? It freezes the moment, the joy you get out of playing that game (and the memories of your age and year while you're at it) and crystallizes it, traps it into that melody.


    Then we relive it upon that song.
  • teen_assassin@xanga

    Pokémon!
    I've recently rediscovered my GameboyAdvanceSP and old Pokémon games. I'm hooked on them again XD
    The music's pretty memorable too, although slightly annoying after an hour...



    =]
  • JulieMillerFan@xanga

    F.E.A.R.  The music gives me the creeps every time I hear it.  Great effect considering the game.
  • Cerberus399@xanga

    I like the music from the Silent Hill series and maybe the first three or so Resident Evil video games the best. The music is just so chilling...
  • ichironin@xanga

    A lot of the music from Legend of the Dragoon...particularly the song that was featured in a number of palaces (including Alfred's castle, if I remember right).  I haven't played that game in forever, but that song still gets stuck in my head sometimes.
  • MasterShoe11@xanga

    And tell me who can resist the song of storms?
  • Murazrai@xanga

    Game music itself is a minor side of music industry despite it's importance over the video game industry. At least now it gets the fame it should be. Like Ys series the music simply spawns new ones from the original ones. But it's still have a long way to go to reach the same level compared to pop music.
  • dancin_in_the_rainn@xanga

    i have the soundtrack to ocarina of time =X
  • Ro_ad808@xanga

    Music from Chrono Trigger gets me, there are others but I still argue best overall video game score.
  • Dargon@xanga

    Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross (as well as Xenogears and other things where Yasunori Mitsuda composed the soundtrack) have had amazing soundtracks. 

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