Videogame soundtracks...

Killer7 Original Soundtrack
I haven't exactly hidden the fact that I love this game, I've mentioned the amazing visuals and the fact that it has a really deep storyline several times. Another thing that makes this game is the soundtrack, it really left an impression. It's pretty much all over the place, it has a strange dubby country soundtrack during the Cloudman levels, just before boss levels it leaps into Euro Disco of all things, and there is another level which uses cheesy music from a kids power ranger-esque show. My favorite bits though are the dark brooding cinematic moments though. This song is played whenever you enter a 'TV-room', this is Killer 7's equivalent of a save game menu; A dark room illuminated only by a TV set where you can talk to Iwazaru the friendly ethereal gimp and get Samantha the nurse to save your game (if she is feeling nice that is). This song really does make the atmosphere all the more creepy and dreamlike...

MP3: Multiple Personality

Lumines Remixes
So hands up who is getting a PSP next month, or hands up who has been impatient and already got one. Either way, one game you will want in your collection is Lumines - the PSP's Tetris if you will. It's a simple looking puzzle game where you arrange blocks of 4 squares into different patterns of 4 squares which are cleared from the level by a bar which constantly sweeps across the screen. The music plays quite an important part in this as the speed of the bar is directly linked to the tempo of the song playing for that level. It's not a game to show off the graphic capabilities of the machine, but it's easily one of the most additive games available for the PSP. Anyway, have a listen to this to see what you think. I have to admit the soundtrack is a bit empty on it's own, when playing the game you are constantly adding extra ambient noises by your actions, and some of the best songs aren't on this CD due to licensing restrictions (boo!), still someone may like this tune.

MP3: WORKING IN THE HOLE

Gamer's Guide To Rez
Rez was a fantastic game originally released for the Sega Dreamcast console. Essentially it's an on rails shooter, but the makers made a real point of synthesizing music and imagery with the gameplay. As you progressed through the level the scenery grew and the soundtrack became richer, when it came out on the Playstation 2 they introduced a further physical component with something called a 'Trance Vibrator' (ahem!), a rumble pack which you were meant to sit on to further immerse yourself in the game. And no, I didn't get one! The music was very much influenced by modern techno and electronica with artists such as Ken Ishii, Adam Freeland and Oval (they had a really odd level, it had no end and you couldn't die, the only aim was seemingly to induce a stroke or something) contributing. Mainly what you got was bounding beats as evidenced by this track:

MP3: Rock Is Sponge (Area04)