III. The Atwood Awards

In building the GameBasement Radio playlist, I tried to evenly apply the three rules I listed at the beginning of the article-- selecting only those soundtracks which are unique, memorable and popular. This is a subjective process. I rely heavily on listener input, as well as my own personal gaming experience. Of course, not every game soundtrack can make the cut. The only sin that is serious enough to warrant exclusion from the playlist completely is the sin of unoriginality. That said, here are my thoughts on some of the more notable games in the playlist.

Personal Favorites

  • Interstate '76
    What other game brings the funk? If this music doesn't make you want to move, then check your pulse, because I'll be damned if you aren't dead.

  • Total Annihilation
    The first game to set classical music to intense carnage, with brilliant results. I love the smell of charred metal in the morning. The game also was unique in switching from ambient to combat CD tracks in sync with the action on the screen.

  • Rocket Jockey
    I will swear up and down to anyone who will listen that this is one of the most under-appreciated and innovative games ever released for the PC. I would absolutely kill to see a modern update of this game with netplay and teamplay. But enough of my ranting. This game has a first-rate, pounding surf guitar soundtrack, even including a track from the king himself, Dick Dale. It works as pure soundtrack, and it fits the brutal, retro sensibilities of the game perfectly. It's sort of like Crimson Skies with brass knuckles, a nasty scar, and a much cooler logo.

  • Freespace 2
    For some reason, this soundtrack really gets to me. I'm not sure if it's the operatic wailing, or the stark, pounding synth notes. Short but very identifiable, and utterly unique.

Cult Favorites

  • Neverhood
    This is, without a doubt, the weirdest music ever in a PC game. I can't think of anything that comes remotely close to this one. It's difficult to even describe. I was lucky enough to get a copy of the soundtrack, which, like the game, is ridiculously difficult to find. It's a definite cult phenomenon. At one point a few months ago, the original soundtrack CD went for over $200 on eBay, and used copies of the game regularly go for $60. If you like the Neverhood songs, check out the web site of the demented mind behind this music... if you dare.

  • Dune
    Not the influential RTS game from Westwood, but the original lesser-known RPG game released way, way back in 1992. Like the next title, far ahead of its time in including a fully orchestrated CD soundtrack. The music is a quirky blend of .. well, I'm not sure what to call it. Kraftwerk meets unknown French techno artist, perhaps? Very euro.

  • The Dig
    An early LucasArts adventure game. Odd in that it shipped with crappy 256 color 320x200 graphics, but a fully arranged CD soundtrack. Completely the opposite of today's games, which tend to have great graphics and sound, for the most part, is an afterthought. Pseudo-classical in style, and quite haunting. Puts many modern games to shame.

  • Outcast
    The entire second CD is music performed by the Moscow Symphony Orchestra. Outstanding stuff. I personally never played this game, but every time I think of it, I recall a particular review which cited the game's depiction of a creature with a lifelike anus as an example of its attention to detail. Ew.

Most Underrated

  • Alien vs. Predator
    If you're into movie-style soundtracks, this is it. As authentic as it comes. These guys were so serious about their music that they bundled a second CD with the game consisting of nothing but redbook audio tracks. If you can find a cheap copy, it's worth picking up for the music. Oh yeah, and you get a free game.

  • Battlezone
    It's hard to not like the soundtracks of some of your all-time favorite games; and this one is in my top 10. Bias aside, the Battlezone soundtrack has a great ambient space feel with just the right tinge of martial paranoia. Though it's sparse, and rather subtle, it fits the game like a glove.

  • NetStorm
    One of the very few games that manages to create a techno soundtrack that is instantly recognizable. This little known online-only game was ahead of its time in more ways than one. Well worth revisiting.

  • Fantasy General
    High fantasy has never sounded so good. Amazing stuff; the orchestral chorus still gives me chills.

  • Afterlife
    The red-headed stepchild of the LucasArts game library, oddly, delivers some of the best music: quirky, transcendental and trippy audio tracks. Special prize for best use of a sitar.

Dialing In

The proof is in the listening. Head over to the GameBasement Radio page, tune in, turn on, and drop out.

Though I may not be a fan of every game in the rotation, every single track was included for a reason. Like children, I love them all in different ways. Some are "special". Some are overachivers. Some are tragically overlooked. But they're all worthy of your time. Each soundtrack in the playlist made the games they appeared in that much more notable.

I recommend listening to the WMA playlist using WinAMP if at all possible. WinAMP offers some crucial amenities, such as being able to sort and randomize the playlist. And unlike most radio broadcasts, we expose our entire playlist to every listener. Radio is a nice format to model our service on, but that doesn't mean we need to inherit its limitations. This means you can start anywhere you like, and jump to any song at any time.

I encourage everyone to listen to the radio broadcast and have fun rediscovering your favorite games, and maybe even find a few that you missed the first time around. And I welcome feedback and suggestions. Disagree with my choices? Is there some brilliant soundtrack out there that I somehow missed? Visit the radio forum and let me know. Who knows? Your favorite soundtrack might be the next one added to the playlist. Enjoy.

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