I'd like to hear your opinion on these distinctions I've noticed between Western and Eastern video game soundtracks:

Japanese video game soundtracks:

- Melodic (Kirby, Megaman)

- Techno-y/Electronica influence (Most Japanese fighters, Super Smash Bros, Street Fighter)

- Sometimes plays an integral part in the actual gameplay (A good chunk of Nintendo games, mainly Zelda)

- Whimsical/Emotional (Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts)

- Relies much more on synths than raw instruments

- J-pop/rock influence (Sonic the Hedgehog, most SEGA games)

- "In your face", much more noticable

Western video game soundtracks

- Atmospheric (Dead Space, Skyrim)

- Plays a much more cinematic role in games (Uncharted, Last of Us)

- May be based on popular American music (Watch Dogs 2, Black-Ops Zombie mode soundtrack)

- Profesionally-made/orchestrated

Now I understand that there are exceptions to the rule.  That being said, would anyone be able to recommond me some OST's that defy these trends?  Also, what do you think causes the distinction in the first place?

Well Doom is as "in your face" as you can get.

And I don't think professionally-made is really a solely Western thing (plenty of fully orchestrated pieces in Japanese games). It's just the general state of video games in the modern era.

J-Pop/Rock for Sonic?? Makes total sense, you know if you ignore the fact that all of the songs are in English

Persona breaks all the rules.

What exactly does professionally made mean in this context? It comes off as if Japanese composers are amateurs instead of actual musicians. Orchestral music in general is in no way a western thing. Some of these trends certainly feel accurate, but in many of them I'd say it's more of a case by case thing than a clear distinction between western and Japanese video game music.

I've noticed music in Western games tends to be more atmospheric and subtle. Music in Japanese games isnt, particularly during cutscenes with character development or emotional moments.

IMO, FFXV OST went for a much western feeling. Yes, it has a few whimsical/emotional tracks (as you call them), but, mainly, it goes for a very "epic" atmosphere with a heavy focus on chorus. For example:

And I wouldn't call the "- Profesionally-made/orchestrated" quality as a western trend only.

Latin choirs are classic Final Fantasy, and I'd say those tracks are far less subtle than Western video game music.

ktay95 said: J-Pop/Rock for Sonic?? Makes total sense, you know if you ignore the fact that all of the songs are in English

I was just going to say that the Sonic music is done by an American band. Oh, and it's great.

Normchacho said: ktay95 said: J-Pop/Rock for Sonic?? Makes total sense, you know if you ignore the fact that all of the songs are in English I was just going to say that the Sonic music is done by an American band. Oh, and it's great.

I dont care for Sonic, havent really played any of the games but the music is some of my most listened to gaming music