Favorite BGM/soundtrack of a Visual Novel

[Clephas]

http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm22761000

 

Also, this from Hapymaher can still break my heart, even just heard in passing.

 

And of course, the obligatory OP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzSoTwjfyb0

 

Lyrics translation

Dreams or truth, which do you desire?

Whichever you take in hand is very fragile/fleeting.

It is a momentary light that vanishes if you touch it.

By reflecting it in a mirror, you try to make it eternal. (not precise)

The more you chase it, the faster it runs away.

Just like love, isn't it ironic?

Spinning... Spinning... just like a spiral.

And so I pray, seeking the faint hope of a miracle.

Even if I know that I cannot run away.

I'm willing to lose everything, in order to take you back. (translation of short version ends here)

I become unable to know whether all that is reflected in the mirror is true.

You smile, your gaze striking me numb like an aphrodisiac (yes, that is the meaning).

It stains, like a -  - (deliberately not translating this). 

Overwhelming with red... red...

Melting my heart with a sweet molten honey.

Even if that is the flavor of loneliness...

If it is to become one with you, I am willing to be burnt away.

Spinning... spinning... like a spiral.

And so I pray, seeking the faint hope of a miracle.

Even if I know I cannot run away.

I'm willing to throw everything away, in order to take you back.

 

Done in five minutes, lol.

 

It is surprisingly rare for one of the central conflicts of the VN to be so... obviously represented in the opening song's lyrics.

[Eclipsed]

If My Heart Had Wings - A New World

 

So peaceful. Tranquil. Serene. IMHHW was my first visual novel and this BGM sums up the whole "entering a new magical world" feeling nicely 

Rewrite - Journey

 

Rewrite's title theme. 'Nuff said.

Rewrite - Love Letter

 

Ok this isn't a technically a background music but I still wanted to put this here xD. Not gonna lie, after reading Shizuru's ending, I was on the verge of tears... Then this damn thing played, and I bawled like a loser.

 

 

Grisaia no Kajitsu - Ameagari Ni Hikaru Michi:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UHpmoFEv8M&index=1&list=PLwpMnBCyuBekFDw9qarahod8tITuus5CJ

 

I love ALL of Grisaia no Kajitsu's BGMs, they're all so wonderful (Grisaia's OST is probably my #1 out of all VNs so far)
Notice a trend? I like these peaceful sounding BGMs    

 

 

Little Busters! - Born Into this World

 

#1 nostalgia theme in existence yo.

 

[rainsismyfav]

Clannad had a lot of good bgms that moved me. In particular:

 

gives a mysterious feel

 

 

and the menu theme:

 

 

 

Thanks for the heads up, Clephas

[Clephas]

Put the videos in spoilers tags so they don't slow the page loading for those with slower connections.

[Nerathim]

My favorite soundtrack from any visual novel (or videogame) is definitely Umineko, nothing even comes close to it imo, more than a hundred of bgms from good to god-like. But  my favorite piece isn't in it, "Our Round Table" (Coµ) is the only composition ever that I can listen to again and again without getting tired of it and that always give me chills : (shitty youtube quality here, it doesn't retranscribe it properly...)

[Ezeefreak]

I'll agree with Eclipsed (like always ) that KonoSora really as great peaceful and calm BGM that fits the whole thing perfectly.

 

But the best Music in a VN (for me, of course) till now are in Deardrops. Well, it's about Music so it is not that surprising. But that does not mean that the Music has to be good. Like in KonoSora it was really fitting for the whole setting and the Songs were really good. I enjoyed that a lot at this VN.

[Heizei_koukousei]

Clannad had a lot of good bgms that moved me. In particular:

 

Roaring Tides is like the BGM to my life. I think its safe to say that Clannad is a masterpiece Coming from the guy with the Tomoyo avatar

[sirjabberwock]

Katawa Shoujo's OST is my favorite by far out of the VNs I have played. In fact, it is one of my favorite works in general. I listen to it all the time and not only does it soothe me, but it fills me with similar emotions to when I played KS... Idk if it makes me want to dance, cry, or fall in love... or some combination of the three :3

[Decay]

Umineko definitely has the strongest overall soundtrack of any VN I've read. It's incredibly vast. With over 150 different tracks, you think of the phrase "throwing shit at the wall and seeing what sticks" but there actually are no bad ones, there wasn't a single BGM that I actually disliked. The vastness brought a lot of variety, with really great tracks for every kind of mood, from depression, to comical scenes, to drama, to action. The music from all categories are pretty much top-tier when compared to other VNs. It's also used very skillfully, with every scene having the perfect accompaniment to bring out the right mood. None of the tracks felt wasted or unnecessary, and the variety helped push you through an incredibly long read. 

 

A great example of a piece that is perfect for the scenes it's used in. Discolor is a good name for it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_2Sso-JoO4

Umineko has several organ-dominated tracks and this is one of the better ones. It fits a certain character's particular brand of evil quite well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dORf0tLaSn8

I don't normally go for crappy low-grade video game buttrock, but I do like this one. It's not even used for action like you might expect, but somehow it's perfect for a dramatic stage performance. Like I said, I really like how they used the music almost as much as the music itself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa_u_DI0fvg

 

 

Put the videos in spoilers tags so they don't slow the page loading for those with slower connections.

I'm pretty sure this doesn't actually do anything. All content in spoiler tags, including videos and screenshot, get loaded by the browser even without clicking on the spoiler. It's just hidden. Still a good idea just for keeping the thread easier to read.

[TexasDice]

I vote in favor of spoilers, because some thumbnails and titles are spoilers.

 

Katawa Shoujo had such beaufitul BGM. To this day, I can't choose my favourite.

Katawa Shoujo's OST is my favorite by far out of the VNs I have played. In fact, it is one of my favorite works in general. I listen to it all the time and not only does it soothe me, but it fills me with similar emotions to when I played KS... Idk if it makes me want to dance, cry, or fall in love... or some combination of the three :3

 

Protip: Do yourself a favor and never set Daylight as your alarm clock. It might seem like a cute thing to do, but you'll end up hating this track with every fiber of your being.  

[sirjabberwock]

I vote in favor of spoilers, because some thumbnails and titles are spoilers.

 

 

 

Protip: Do yourself a favor and never set Daylight as your alarm clock. It might seem like a cute thing to do, but you'll end up hating this track with every fiber of your being.  

I don't use any music I like as my alarm clock, I'd naturally hate it. Instead I scare myself shitless with either radio static or a recording of me yelling at myself to wake up. Soothing music like that couldn't wake me up anyway lol

[Kaguya]

Umineko definitely has the strongest overall soundtrack of any VN I've read. 

If we're talking 7th Expansion, I liked Rose Guns Days's soundtrack over Umineko's one, personally. It has less tracks, but some are just so amazing. 

 

Maboroshi no Shisu and No.9 come to mind, but I wouldn't even say they're the best. Everything is great.

[Ayana]

My favorites are:

The entire Subarashiki Hibi OST, but let's just stick with the classics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpaqkIjNibA

Epiphanical.

The entire Umineko no Naku Koro ni OST.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7O18lICr-5Q

My favorite song, during the most detestable part of the entire Novel. Q_Q

The entire Kitto, Sumiwataru Asairo Yori mo OST. Drink some milktea while listening to this for full immersion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP2MOBeMQvk

Not Waka, but this is seriously just the title screen music I am not kidding (maybe). Absolutely superb if not the best OST ever (not to mention one of the best VNs ever <333).

Well, there you have it. MUCH more where that came from, and some honorable mentions would be in place... if I did follow such a principle. (*‿*✿)

[Funyarinpa]

There are several other tracks that I've fallen in love with, OST's I admire; however, I do have a single VN track that surpasses all else I have ever heard.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjQfY47pFNs

[Snowtsuku]

Symphonic Rain OSTs are my favorite. Below are my top 5.

Feel The Rain (Vocal Version)
The Other Side of the Sky (Music Box Version)

Even When Crying (Music Box Version)
Lyceene (Acapella Version)
Melody (Vocal Version)

[Vokoca]

Didn't we have a thread for this already?

 

On topic, a lot of my favourite BGMs were already mentioned, like the entire Umineko OST, SubaHibi OST... There's so many! To pick one that hasn't been listed yet, though, have this chuuni greatness:

http://youtu.be/QVZI5ECzmYw

[edwd2]

[HMN]

here are some i'm fond of:

 

grisaia no kajitsu-Tsuki Ga Miteiru:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5r7NcvstQXc&list=PLwpMnBCyuBekFDw9qarahod8tITuus5CJ&index=4

 

Yume Miru Kusuri-I'm Falling!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQurf8JGcXA&index=11&list=PL89BAF11D22F2AB9E

 

G-Senjou no Maou - Shiyuu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfthFelJnsk&list=PLFACB1CED3B908B79&index=12

 

http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm23938502

that one gives me shivers for some reason.....

 

Didn't we have a thread for this already?

 

[Nyanko]

If we're talking 7th Expansion, I liked Rose Guns Days's soundtrack over Umineko's one, personally. It has less tracks, but some are just so amazing. 

 

Maboroshi no Shisu and No.9 come to mind, but I wouldn't even say they're the best. Everything is great.

In my opinion nothing above Umineko ost, but I'd like to add this one from Rose Guns Days, because it's a beautiful track and it has emotional value in the story! And of course Kaze, for the nice surprise in the middle that caused nostalgia and a little tear in my eye 

 

[The Major]

I'll go with one song. Currently my favorite bgm from a visual novel.
 

[Carronade]

I'm quite fond of Umineko's Golden Nocturne, which decay posted earlier.

 

Also,

 

[Monmon]

Youkai FTW~~~~~

 

Been listenin to them for more than 3 years and still love em.

[Kynbound]

Hard to pick favourites.All of them have they own charms
Heres a couple though

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1CLzRA2040

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1C5Uxf_ctQ

[ServeTheServant]

Another great one from Clannad:

[Tawm]

Absolutely agree. Visual Novels are a wonderful combination of Visuals, Audio and text. Good music is just as necessary as good art and good writing to make a great VN. 

 

To anwser the question, Symphonic Rain without a doubt contains my favorite OST. My personal favorite tracks in Symphonic Rain are the vocal and non-vocal versions of Rain Musique:

 

Personally I find the non-vocal version even more soothing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn_FHkWIuXo&index=14&list=PLCF83E840F9D8FF64

Oh, wow.

That comes dangerously close to being plagiarism of the Costa Del Sol theme from FF7.

Seriously, look it up and compare them.

 

My all around favorite OST is likely Saya no Uta.

The BGM gets more and more schizophrenic as the VN goes on.

 

I love the vast majority of ZIZZ' work, but Kikokugai and the above mentioned are the ones that stand out.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o0y-MNqdQU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxfR2XdM_aI

 

Sharin no Kuni, Ayakashibito, Kara no Shoujo, Cartagra, Swan Song, Muv Luv Alternative and Steins;Gate also have exceptional OSTs.

 

Haven't finished more than 30 VNs, but less than half of them has had noteworthy BGM.