ifirit

That has me thinking, since retro game soundtracks aren't considered, what about throw-back games, particularly re-makes and re-releases? I know that the Final Fantasy IV Complete Collection was released last year containing both new and old music from FFIV, which also goes for DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY and DISSIDIA 012[duodecim] FINAL FANTASY. Would Katamari Forever also not count since it's mostly arranged music from the first few Katamari games (Pre-2005)? A few more considerations might include: Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions (PS release vs. iOS release [Co-op/PvP Mission Music]) Shin Megami Tensei Persona 2: Innocent Sin (1999 Japanese release vs. 2011 US release) Super Street Fighter IV Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles Contra 4 The Metal Gear Solid HD Collection (MGS2 vs. MGS Peace Walker) Any Nintendo property

Portal 2 has a very (and ) soundtrack.I'd also like to nominate Shadows of the Damned for the film score methodology to its soundtrack (a rarity for modern games).If I had to judge a game's BGM simply by its overall tone alone, I could find no better and appropriately fitting example than the long forgotten PS2 gem Dog's Life. ( , think Earthbound meets Beyond Good and Evil.)And, if we've completely moved on the voting phase, I'd like to throw my support in for killer7 and The World Ends with You as representatives that VGM doesn't have to follow distinct and established conventions. If I'm restricted to only voting for soundtracks from the Round 2 list, I'll pick Hitman: Blood Money (because despite being very much a film score, Kyd manages to infuse a great deal of flair into his works) and inFamous 2 (despite the comparisons to [and preferences for] Bastion's soundtrack, I still like it better than Bastion's music).

I think that this thread has shown that commercial tie-ins have had a effect on the presence of certain characters even after their own franchises have run aground. Sonic

Interesting. I didn't realize that the original localization actually went that far to make the joke. Anyway, back on topic - play da dang games, y'all.

That's not exactly true. The full title of the first game was originally Holy Invasion of Privacy, Badman!: What Did I Do to Deserve This? Also, NIS revised the name of the first game after the second one was localized to reflect the original Japanese title, hence What Did I Do to Deserve This, My Lord!? 2....

Since everyone has thus far only recommended cartridge and disc-based games, I'll limit myself to DLC content for the PSP and DSi. PSP: -Disc/DLC Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles (Includes SotN and RoB as unlockables) Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded Capcom Classics Collection Remixed Capcom Puzzle World (includes Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo) Crush Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions HALF-MINUTE HERO Jeanne d'Arc LocoRoco 1 & 2 Me & My Katamari Mega Man Maverick Hunter Metal Gear Peace Walker Metal Gear Portable Ops, Ops+ & Digital Comic Bundle Patapon 1 & 3 Sega Genesis Collection Silent Hill Shattered Memories SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together Valkyria Chronicles What Did I Do To Deserve This, My Lord!? 2: Time to Tighten Up Security -DLC only echochrome Everyday Shooter flOw Gradius Collection Metal Slug Metal Slug Anthology No Heroes Allowed! Patapon 2 PATCHWORK HEROES SUPER STAR SOLDIER UNO -PSOne Classics Final Fantasy VII - IX Metal Gear Solid Parasite Eve I & II Resident Evil 1 - 3 Silent Hill Street Fighter Alpha 1 & 2 Suikoden Threads of Fate Tomb Raider 1 - 4 Vagrant Story Xenogears -Japanese PSOne Classic Imports Arcade Hits: Shienryu Arcade Hits: Sonic Wings Special GaiaSeed Magical Drop F Mega Man I - III DSi -DSiWare 99Bullets 505 Tangram Anonymous Notes Chapter 1 & 2 (From the Abyss series) Cave Story Dark Void Zero Dr. Mario Express Earthworm Jim Game & Watch series Mighty Milky Way myPostcards (wink, wink) Rhythm Core Alpha (hintity-hint-hint) Shantae: Risky's Revenge Tetris Party Live Wario Ware Snapped!

I agree with you, though MEMG is an overdub professional and not a sound designer by trade. So, who knows if there's someone from the sound department that will be overlaying the static/noise filters onto the dialogue, especially for Mary's lines heard on James' radio? And what about the sound effects? Will Konami be re-recording James' and Maria's in game sound effects (breathing, attack grunts, injured grunts, death screams)? I honestly don't think they'll leave it out, but how weird is going to be to hear someone else's voice every time you stop running?

I think you should know that Mary Elizabeth McGlynn is the V.O. director in charge of the HD Collection. So, the decision to put herself in the role of Mary/Maria is entirely her own. (This isn't the first time she's done this. If you recall her interview video a few years ago at an anime convention, she notes that during her direction of V.O. for the English dub of Cowboy Bebop, particularly when the time came to place a voice for Julia, she filled the role herself out of her own personal desire for said role.)

I'm wondering what your thoughts are on the "Vote With Your Wallets" campaign against the Silent Hill HD Collection. [Reference] Given recent events, I think I know what your response will be, but I see a conflict in overlaping issues from the Video Games and Storytelling and Innovation episodes. Also, there are unexplored issues of altering original works and control of intellectual property ownership involving re-releases.

It's an interesting question: is it fair for a company to continue to make money on re-releases of its intellectual properties, even after the development team has left the company? In the case of Silent Hill, Team Silent has completely disbanded and almost all the original staff have left Konami. So, in essence, Konami is only earning money from Silent Hill re-releases as a publisher, not a developer. Therefore, is it appropriate for Konami to alter the original works (SH2 & SH3) without the input of the original staff? I don't think there would have been much of a problem if the re-release was solely to remaster the graphics and sound, much the same way older films are remastered for new media releases. However, the issue here is complicated by a re-recording of the original dialogue by new cast members and a new cast director. The issue is even further complicated by allegations that even though members of the original staff are willing to work with Konami on a re-release, Konami is reluctant/unwilling to negotiate with said staff on payment of residuals from past and future releases. I'm sure there have been cases of this before with other companies and other re-released games, but I think this is the first time the general audience at large has had to really think about the consequences it creates for development staff who are uncompensated in the process. Possibly with Final Fantasy/Square games, Mega Man collections, arcade collection re-releases, or even cult-title re-releases this is true, though in general these re-releases have had improvements added either through content, visual presentation or director's cuts. Even with previous Konami re-releases such as the Castlevania series were clear improvements added. However, who knows how much of the original staff was involved in any of these releases?

I'm thinking that by this point, most everyone has seen this for the forthcoming Silent Hill HD Collection. Based on comments and poll votes online, it's received a surprisingly negative response overall. Many fans are unhappy about the altered voice-overs, citing changes in the performances that are affecting the presentation of the story.Well, in related news, Twin Perfect (a joint website operated by fungo, Rosseter and DerFuzhwar), who recently compiled their video commentary for the Silent Hill series, is petitioning fellow enthusiasts to not purchase the Silent Hill HD Collection in a "Vote With Your Wallets" campaign. Between their two video commentaries, they raise a plethera of valid reasons why fans should not purchase the re-releases of SH2 and SH3. Whether or not you agree with the popular opinion currently, it should be noted that if the campaign is successful, this could mark the first major console release of the last two generations to receive overwhelming support against its release by its intended audience. In turn, it could also indicate a dramatic shift for the video game industry at large. It's currently unknown how much Konami has invested in the project or how much they intend to sell in return (though I assume it is a great deal), but if their goals fall short it could mean drastic changes within their business model, which could affect the general culture among video game executives. (I feel I may be over-dramatizing the situation, perpetuation the stereotype that well-written games generally don't sell, but I think it warrants explaining the possible consequences that could occur in the event that the Silent Hill HD Collection becomes a major flop, though I fear they may be farther reaching than I anticipate.) Personal Note: I do not intend to purchase this re-release do my dislike of Konami's business practices toward the creative teams, as more and more talent comes forth citing poor treatment by executives post-release.

That certainly makes things a lot clearer. I sincerely hope that things go well for everyone from now on.

I really don't like seeing this kind of thing happening to anybody for any reason, and I really don't like to point fingers, so I'll try to be objective. However, as I've been reading through the facebook messages and forum posts between James and the management from The Escapist, it becomes more and more apparent (to me) that discussion of what to do with the excess funds was made without inclusion of feedback from The Escapist until the announcement to develop an indie company, which at that point, exposed a bevy of unresolved conflicts between everyone. "He said that; she said this" and so on. Basically, James was upset at the unreliability of payments from The Escapist and The Escapist was simply wanting compensation for materials and expenses encountered for providing the bonus content for donations. If the long-distance communication between all parties had been more fluent, I don't think any of this would have happened. I still hope that both Extra Credits and The Escapist can work things out. Addendum: As far as I understand, The Escapist did come through with donating some money to Allison's surgery/recovery initially post haste and have made no effort to recollect it per se. EDIT: Being that I made a contribution to the fund after the goal was reached, I am unhappy to see that my donation is not going toward the intended purpose. As such, I will be more wary of making donations to Extra Credits in the future. It's unfortunate because I really want to support the show, but not if it leads to more situations like this.

Word.

Definitely second the Mass Effect series, Dragon Age and Bioshock. I would personally recommend DJ Hero 2 and Rock Band 3. Lost Odyssey seems to be somewhat popular around here, seeing as how there are 3 posted remixes (tied for this console generation, excluding portables), though I haven't played it.