The sequel to the best selling game music album of all time, the Greatest Video Game Music 2 is a collection of some of the most epic game soundtracks in history, remade by the world famous London Philharmonic Orchestra. Classical probably isn’t the usual music type you would associate with the stereotypical gamer but after the original sold over 100,000 copies worldwide, it’s clear there’s an audience ready and waiting.
I’m probably not the most qualified person to review a classical music score as I don’t even appreciate the classical greats. But what I do appreciate is a great game supported by an epic soundtrack. That’s the main thing that attracted me to the Greatest Video Game Music 2 as it features an impressive track list from some of the biggest games in history.
Greatest Video Game Music 2 Review
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Greatest Video Game Music 2 Track List
Track Name
1
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The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Far Horizons
2
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The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker – Dragon Roost Island
3
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Mass Effect 3 – A Future for the Krogan/An End Once And For All
4
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Final Fantasy VII – One-Winged Angel
5
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Assassin’s Creed: Revelations – Main Theme
6
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Halo – Never Forget/Peril
7
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Sonic the Hedgehog – A Symphonic Suite
8
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Chrono Trigger – Main Theme
9
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Luigi’s Mansion – Main Theme
10
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Kingdom Hearts – Fate of the Unknown
11
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Super Metroid – A Symphonic Poem
12
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Diablo III – Overture
13
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Batman: Arkham City – Main Theme
14
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Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Icarus Main Theme
15
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Splinter Cell: Conviction
16
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Fez – Adventure
17
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Portal – Still Alive
18
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Little Big Planet – Orb Of Dreamers (The Cosmic Imagisphere)
If you don’t recognize any of the names in the track list above, I’d rethink your hobby of gaming. When I sat down to listen to the CD I wasn’t really quite sure how I could review it. It’s not like we can use our regular review scoring system for a musical score and I have next to zero knowledge about the technical aspects of classical music. However, it became clear very quickly that this CD will become a valued part of my collection. I’ve not played all of the titles listed above, or I didn’t play them long enough for the music to have any lasting effect, but the ones I did remember, really hit home.
Those that fought the tears during the inevitable suicide mission on Mass Effect 3, or followed Cloud and Avalanche throughout their journey around Midgar, will immediately recognize the heart wrenching tunes. I have never had music provide some much nostalgia in such a short period of time. Games can quite often earn a special place in the heart of gamers, whether that be for the story or soundtrack and this amazing album floods back every emotion from your deepest gaming memories.
If you’re not after a trip down memory lane, selecting tracks 14, 16 or 19 will be sure to get you fired up for some intense gaming. Whether you’re an older gamer looking for something to bring back that feeling you thought was lost forever, or a younger gamer that will be amazed at the ability to turn Tetris and Gusty Garden Galaxy into actual music, Greatest Video Game Music 2 has something for all generations.
I never in a million years thought I would personally select to play a classical album over that of my normal music tastes but the Greatest Video Game Music 2 has earned a much deserved spot at the top of my music collection. A musical masterpiece that’s capable of bridging the gap between today’s youth and the classical music genre.
Blaine "Captain Camper" Smith is one of the original founders of Gamers Heroes. Now operating under the guise of Editor-in-Chief (purely because we felt the position was needed for public relations purposes), he's tasked with a lot of the kind of jobs that would put you to sleep at your desk.
When he's not catching some Zs, you'll likely find him arguing points he knows nothing about, playing the latest rogue-like he'll never complete, or breaking something on the website that never needed fixing.
