So I thought about ranking a few albums and getting recommendations based on those. Look at what I like, look at what I own, and recommend another OST you think I might enjoy. Figure if anyone wants to do the same on this thread it'll conserve some forum space.

Here are my top few albums:

1. Xenogears and CREID
2. Chrono Cross OST
3. PSO: Songs of Ragol
4. Saga Frontier 2/Raphsody on a Theme OST
5. Shadow Hearts OST Plus 1

And here are the OSTs I already own:


Shadow of the Colossus
Persona 3 FES
Persona 3
Burn My Dread-Reincarnation (Persona 3)
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner OSTs
Chrono Trigger
Final Fantasy XI OSTs (plus expansions)
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy VIII
Final Fantasy X
FFVI Grand Finale
Silent Hill 3
Street Fighter 3rd Strike
Tobal No. 1
The Black Mages 1 & 2 (I don't like 3)
Oblivion

Now what can you recommend? =]

Also, nothing from the before the 32-bit era, please. I'm going for CD quality sounds.

Thanks much for your time and input.

I recently downloaded Devil May Cry OST, this is a fine album, composed by Masami Ueda (Resident Evil, Okami, etc), dunno if this is your kind of music but I think you should try it. Also, and seeing there are lots of RPGs on your favorites list, I definitely recommend you try Odin Sphere OST, is a masterpiece.

Odin Sphere definitely

Also maybe. . .

Suikoden
Suikoden 2
Valkyrie Profile
Star Ocean 3
Lost Odyssey
Dark Cloud
World of Mana

I highly recommend you check these too:

Biohazard Outbreak OST
Akumajo Dracula X Chronicle OST
Akumajou Dracula Curse of Darkness OST
Shin Onimusha Dawn of Dreams Special Pack OST
Chaos Legion OST
Medievil Resurrection OST
Silent Hill Zero Original Soundtracks
Silent Hill 2 Original Soundtracks
Valkyrie Profile Silmeria OST
Capcom Music Generation Rockman X1~6

Hey, thanks lots.

I think I might try the Valkyrie Profile OST first, since you both mentioned it. What's it's like? Synthetic instruments/techno? Classically orchestrated? Western/Eastern flavor?

Lots of plucked and chiming sounds, slow sweeping synths (mostly slow and moody throughout), moments akin to Shadow of the Colossus, a few flutes and synthed voices, dark in tone

and then a whole lot of your standard RPG battle music

My favorites are "Behave Irrationally," "Requiem to a Predicament," and "All Is Twilight."

Actually, I was referring to Valkyrie Profile 2, much better than VP1.

Albums I own and reccomend:
1.MOTHER (Earthbound Zero)
2.MOTHER 2 (Earthbound)
3.MOTHER 3
4.Final Fantasy Tactics
5.LoZ: Ocarina of Time
6.Fable
7.Kinghts of the Old Republic (Number one has an overall better sound & feel to it IMO)

Actually, I was referring to Valkyrie Profile 2, much better than VP1.

I've heard that from other people, too, although I'm not familiar with VP Silmeria. The first VP is also known as VP: Lenneth (which was the PSP port), so you can use that to tell the two apart.


Albums I own and reccomend:
1.MOTHER (Earthbound Zero)
2.MOTHER 2 (Earthbound)
3.MOTHER 3
4.Final Fantasy Tactics
5.LoZ: Ocarina of Time
6.Fable
7.Kinghts of the Old Republic (Number one has an overall better sound & feel to it IMO)

I'd second the Fable recommendation (loved "Temple of Light"), although Odin Sphere and some of the others are stronger soundtracks in my opinion.

arthurgolden, Silmeria has quite easily one of the best soundtracks ever composed for an RPG, and the game itself is just as good, you should give it a try.
I never played the first VP, and neither Lenneth, but I downloaded the OST despite being completely unfamiliar with the music... it was worth the try, although it has some rather cacophonous tracks mostly on the 2nd CD.

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll check Silmeria out.

I never played the first VP, and neither Lenneth, but I downloaded the OST despite being completely unfamiliar with the music... it was worth the try, although it has some rather cacophonous tracks mostly on the 2nd CD.

That's quite good. I like an OST that can stand on its own feet without nostalgia to help it along.



Anyway, I popped over to bluelaguna and had a listen to some of the albums. Both Valkyrie Profiles sound pretty good. Also, just so I'm clear, since Lenneth is a port of the original VP do both retain the same soundtrack?

IIRC, I had and sold the Star Ocean 3 OST because I may have liked only one song. At least one is all I can recall (Rust Colour). Chaos Legion's OST struck me as somewhat bland, while Dark Cloud seems kind of repetitive because each track I heard reused a guitar and a woodwind. Admittedly I only listened to five tracks, but is that basically the entire album?

Those are the OSTs I've listened to so far; I AM actually listening to what you've all mentioned and I appreciate the suggestions.

I think it would be great if everyone could recommend two or three choice tracks from an album like arthurgolden since right now I'm just listening to random songs.

Again, thanks.

Check rpgfan.com for reviews on both VP soundtracks. The music for Lenneth is slightly better than the PSX original, I read, but its nothing special.

Also, try listening the tracks you find weak or bland several times, they may grow on you overtime, I'm sure we all here have experienced it.

Odin Sphere - "Restaurant" and "Study Time"

Suikoden - "Into a World of Illusion," "Eternal Flow," "Distant Mountain," and "Forgotten Days"

Suikoden 2 - "The Chase," "2 Rivers," "Nahala Yam Koong," "Requiem of Grief"

Star Ocean 3 - "The Dawn of Wisdom," "The Virtual Image," "The Desolate Smell of Earth," and "Reflected Moon"

Lost Odyssey - "Battlefield," "Neverending Journey," "Epsylon Range," "Saman, Town of Merchants," and "The Man Possessed by the Demons"

Dark Cloud - "The Cave of Djinni" and "A Sinking Ship"

Legend of Mana - "World of Mana" and "Nostalgic Song ~ Ending Theme"

Chaos Legion's OST struck me as somewhat bland

Are you sure about that? there are some fast, very powerful tracks in that album, here are some:

Pledge (Stage ~Street~)
Choir of Curse (Boss BGM -type 1-)
Solemn Voice (Stage ~Cathedral Gallery~)
Be Killed Again (Theme Music of Delacroix - 2nd)
I Can Hear the Shriek (Stage ~Cave~)