The Greatest Video Game Music 2 cover

Released 14 years ago this November

The Greatest Video Game Music 2

London Philharmonic Orchestra · 2012

69 min · 17 tracks · classical music

Orchestral arrangements breathe new life into beloved video game scores, blending nostalgia with symphonic grandeur.

Top tracks — play these first

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    Assassin's Creed: Revelations: Main Theme Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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    Final Fantasy VII: One-Winged Angel — This track exemplifies the fusion of orchestral power and video game nostalgia, showcasing how game music can evoke deep emotional responses through complex arrangements.
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    The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: Far Horizons — Its sweeping melodies capture the vastness and adventure inherent in the game, embodying how music enhances storytelling in interactive experiences.
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    Halo: Never Forget / Peril — Blending tension and heroism, this medley reflects the game's epic narrative while demonstrating the adaptability of orchestral interpretations of electronic scores.
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    Portal: Still Alive — This piece combines humor and melancholy, encapsulating the unique tone of Portal while highlighting how video game themes can resonate outside their original context.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental
56 /100
Foothills
Higher than 47% of albums we've rated

The album effectively blends orchestral music with video game themes, though it lacks a strong cohesive narrative.

What we noticed

  • Tracks vary in length, with some pieces extending over five minutes, allowing for elaborate orchestration and development.
  • The arrangement often includes dynamic shifts in tempo and volume, enhancing the emotional impact of familiar melodies.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic orchestral reinterpretations
  • nostalgic soundscapes for gamers
  • wave-like pacing for reflection
  • immersive symphonic journey
  • engaging background for focus

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer lyrics over instrumentals
  • want quick, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — It showcases the orchestra's successful venture into video game music, gaining wider recognition.
Themes
digital nostalgia· symphonic landscapes
Career context
This album marks the London Philharmonic Orchestra's continued exploration of video game music following their successful debut in this genre with 'The Greatest Video Game Music' in 2010. By 2012, the orchestra was solidifying its reputation for innovative performances that merged classical tradition with contemporary cultural phenomena.
Stylistic neighbors
Jaroslav Krček· musicAeterna· Wojciech Kilar

Tracklist

  • 1 Assassin's Creed: Revelations: Main Theme Start here 4:47
  • 2 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: Far Horizons 5:15
  • 3 The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker: Dragon Roost Island 3:40
  • 4 Final Fantasy VII: One-Winged Angel 4:11
  • 5 Mass Effect 3: A Future for the Krogan / An End Once and for All 4:56
  • 6 Halo: Never Forget / Peril 3:49
  • 7 Sonic the Hedgehog: A Symphonic Suite 6:22
  • 8 Chrono Trigger: Main Theme 3:11
  • 9 Luigi's Mansion: Main Theme 3:14
  • 10 Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep: Fate of the Unknown 3:33
  • 11 Super Metroid: A Symphonic Poem 5:49
  • 12 Diablo III: Overture 3:55
  • 13 Batman: Arkham City: Main Theme 2:57
  • 14 Deus Ex: Human Revolution: Icarus Main Theme 3:48
  • 15 Fez: Adventure 3:28
  • 16 Portal: Still Alive 3:07
  • 17 Little Big Planet: Orb of Dreamers (The Cosmic Imagisphere) 3:37

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata