How do you see Video Game Music?

Several game composers have released solo albums that don't have any direct connection with games they've composed. You mentioned Mitsuda, well just relased a solo album called "Kirite" just last year which was very good. Norihiro Hibino has come out with a solo work called Akashi. Lastly, and possibly my favorite solo album by a game comopser thus far, Akira Yamaoka released iFUTURELIST earlier this year. All 3 of these albums are great.

Yes, game music is beautiful because it's apart of the game but I enjoy it just as much outside of the game as well.... maybe even moreso. Several years ago, I would not listen to a game album until after I played the game. However, now, that has all changed. Today, almost always, I end up listening to the soundtrack before I play the game. That goes to show how much I love just listening to the music.

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Originally Posted by Unagi

That's actually what I do now: I don't download music for games I do not own, or haven't played extensively. For two to three reasons (or four, perhaps more).

1. I can recognize and place the music.

2. I feel better about having the music, if I actually own the game it is from.

3. I need to limit myself in some way, otherwise I'd forever be downloading music.

4. It gives me a reason to rip from my own collection, if the music I want isn't available.

As a result of this, I don't have any Final Fantasy music -is that strange?

Yes, that is very strange!! :P Nah man, I'm just messin'. Like I said, I used to be the exact same way. But since I've become a great lover of vgm over the last couple years, and have developed a joy of just listening to the music, I don't need the game environments to develop an enjoyment. Sure, having played the game first allows one to make a connection and to create nostalgia down the road, but I'm not really concerned about that. That's mainly because I don't play games as much as I used to.

Another reason I listen to the soundtrack before playing the game is because I have to import the soundtracks from Japan when I buy them. More often than not, the soundtrack is released in Japan well before the actual game is released in the States. FFXII is gonna be a prime example. The OST will be released next week and the game won't hit American soil until November. Sorry, but I'm not gonna keep the OST in the shrink wrap for 6 months and not listen to it. I just don't have the willpower to do that. :P

There are a couple exceptions though. Shadow of the Colossus being the latest one. I actually got a chance to play the game before the soundtrack was released. Having played the game gave me a greater appreciation of the music, yes, but because of the amazing quality of the soundtrack, I would have been able to enjoy the music just as much without having played the game.

By the same token though, if I had listened to the OST first before playing the game, I would not have enjoyed the final battle theme at all. However, since I had played the game and heard it in it's context first, I felt that the piece fit like a glove.

So yeah, it can go both ways at times, but generally I don't have a problem listening to the soundtracks without playuing the game or before playing the game.

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