Symphonic Odysseys: A Tribute to Nobuo Uematsu; £32.99
An exclusive release to the Square Enix online store, this two-disc collection offers tracks from Uematsu’s illustrious career performed by the Cologne Rundfunkorchester, conducted by Arnie Roth. It’s an outstanding variety of music, ranging from instrumental to choral, covering games such as Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger and Blue Dragon. The orchestral treatment brings Uematsu’s compositions to life.
The Sims 4; £7.99
It was a flawed game, but the soundtrack – by film composer Ilan Eshkeri (Stardust, Kick-Ass) – might be the best thing about it. Eshkeri fills the score with cheery, whimsical pieces, evoking the idyllic lifestyles championed in The Sims’ gameplay with 18 tracks of relaxing and surprisingly uplifting music. A separate album (both released digitally) collecting the game’s vocal tracks also impresses, with 12 tracks presenting genres as diverse as blues, pop, and EDM, yet all performed in the fictional “Simlish” language. Strange but wonderful.
Civilisation: Beyond Earth; £7.49
For a game with such soaring ambition and scope as Beyond Earth, it’s only fitting that its soundtrack matches. Series veteran Geoff Knorr serves as lead composer – with select tracks by Griffin Cohen, Michael Curran, and Grant Kirkhope – and produces a score full of heroic swells and strange cacophonies reflecting unexplored new worlds, all contrasted with moments of almost fearful sombreness. The 42 tracks give a distinct character and identity to the planets and battles of the game, making this OST a shining example of aural world-building.
Video Games Live: Level 3; £7.49
The Video Games Live concerts have become a high point of games music in recent years. And listening to this album, it’s clear why. From straight-up performances such as Skyrim’s Dragonborn theme to inspired creations like the Tetris Opera, Level 3 delivers a breathtaking selection of pieces from the medium’s finest titles, displaying a peerless level of artistry and musical skill. There’s something magical about hearing the Pokémon theme, of all things, played with the sincerity of Bach. A joyous celebration of games as art.
Kingdom Hearts 1.5 & 2.5 HD ReMIX OST Set;
£59.99, available 15 December
Another limited release exclusive to the Square Enix store, this marvellous seven-disc collection contains the full suite composed by Yoko Shimomura for the crossover RPG series for which she is best known. Shimomura, who lists Beethoven, Chopin and Ravel as influences, is one of the most highly regarded game composers and this is exhibit A as to why. It is a glorious collection of music that crosses numerous genres, with original tracks joined by superb arrangements of beloved Disney songs such as Under the Sea and This is Halloween. The exquisite fold-out packaging in a slipcase box makes this a great piece for collectors, too.
