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[AlgernonV]

When I compose I notice that it's easier for me to compose anime sounding tracks compared to epic tracks. It must be my preference for chord extensions since I come from a jazz background.

So I want to get into Japanese games to see if I can get used to the feel of the music.

Do you have any recommendations for Japanese PC games?
I'm not into FPS games but I love strategy and action-adventure. Thanks!

[Jason S. Longia]

Grim Fandango
Earthbound
LA Noire
Marvel vs Capcom 2

Some Japanese Games with great music

Hotel Dusk as it has a jazz theme
Another Code also is good
Touhou's OST
Donkey Kong Country
Visual Key's Planetarian and/or other subsequent works
Sigma Harmonics has a unique Jazz flavor
Warioware's Tracks or Wario Land 4
Mario Karts
TimeStalkers
Azure Dreams
Sonic Colors OST - "Planet Wisp"
Super Mario Galaxy 1,2

Epic Tracks

FF13
FF10
Other FFs
Streets of Rage 2
Street Fighter series
Tales of Legendia's OST
Ni no Kuni
Legend of Zelda: Twlight Princess
Crash Bandicoot 2 (for the jazzy ost)
Folklore
Tomba 2
Spyro

Composers

Masashi Hamauzu/ FF13
Dave Wise
Go Shinna / Tales of Legendia
Electrocado's stuffz
Nujabes
Josh Mancell and his influences (eg: Kraftwerk,

Epic Animes

Ore Monogatari
R-15
Prison School
Any romcom anime
Suisei no Gargantia
Outbreak Company


http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=12993884840A97642100&page=0
http://www.giantbomb.com/profile/schmid/lists/video-games-with-fusion-jazz-music/31212/
http://chipmusic.org/forums/topic/8696/what-games-have-bluesjazz-soundtracks/

Check out Supradarky's Channels, he's got a ton of JRPG stuff.
I have a shit ton more, tell me what you think so far.
kawabunga on Soundcloud and look for Sei Mutsuki, Intero, Skittlegirl Sound, Andy hiroyuki, Traceon, etc even.
Surf through the related tracks for some of those artists on Soundcloud, you'll thank me later! :D

A lot of the old Synthwave and synthpop tracks from the 80s felt kinda japanesy with their use of pentatonic scales
try looking up guys like Modern Talking, Rick Astley (Yes you got rick rolled), Aha - Take on Me, Depeche mode etc.





Or check my SoundClou- jk jk <_<  >_>

[Audiosprite]

^ LA Noire & Grim Fandango are Australian & American games actually.

OP I have a feeling you'd dig Metal Gear Rising

[FelixArifin]

Super unorthodox choice, but man, Killer7 was an insane game with an equally insane storyline. The music for it is moody synth heaven.

And if you like more bizarreness, I can't recommend enough El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron. Really varied genres and styles of music.

-Felix

[Jasmine]

To add --

Games:
- FF7 Advent Children (Masashi is DA MAN!)
- Kirby Dreamland 2
- Arc the Lad Twilight of the Spirits
- Star Ocean 3
- Parappa The Rappa
- Jet Set Radio
- Space Channel 5
- Dragon Quest VIII
- Final Fantasy Tactics

Animes:
Katanagatari
Kimagure Orange Road
Gundam Wing
ANYTHING BY YOKO KANO (seriously, A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G)
Outlaw Star

Those are some that come to mind off the top of my head and from experience.

[Breakdown Epiphanies]

A biiiiiiig +1 for Yoko Kanno, she is one of my favorite composers of all time <3 Although I don't find her music to be particularly japanese most of the time, she writes in so many different styles, the constant being that everything is absolutely brilliant.

Other stuff that comes to mind:
Like Remr said, the stuff from Nujabes is very cool, too. I feel that the mix of different musical styles with traditional japanese culture like in Samurai Champloo is a common theme in Japanese media.

I always enjoyed the music in Naruto, "Sadness and Sorrow" features an Ocarina and a Koto or Shamisen if I'm not mistaken:



A game that I enjoyed recently was the rpg "The Last Remnant". Looking back I am still very fond of the music of the Shining Force series if you'd like to go down the chiptune route.

Regarding virtual instruments I have been thinking about getting Emertone's Chinese Chang Erhu for some time now, that thing sounds lovely: http://embertone.com/instruments/changerhu.php

[AlgernonV]

Wow all of these suggestions are great! I just started watching Ore Monogatari and it's really good. This list is going to provide me with months or even years of entertainment. Thanks!

[Kyle Preston]

Yeah, good stuff on here. Only thing I would add is Xenoblade Chronicles; very grand-sounding soundtrack.

[groovyone]

check out Atlus Games
- Shin Megami Tensei Persona 3,4,5
- Odin Sphere :




Muramasa - Demon Blade :