VGM Vinyls - A New (& Dangerous) Hobby
As mentioned in a previous post, I have played through quite a few video games over a period spanning decades. That being said, I’ve never really had a need to commemorate them with collectibles; bobble head figurines and special edition game cases never really appealed to me for some reason.
However, something has changed recently. Since writing reviews about games and getting into them once again, I’ve felt a new and reinvigorating energy about gaming in general. They have provoked me to really go in depth as to why they are great, and I in turn realised that there are some truly astonishing games that should never be forgotten.
My father (who is no longer with us unfortunately) possessed a small vinyl collection and introduced me to amazing music such as David Bowie’s Space Oddity (1972 version). I can also tangibly say that a great video game tends to have a great soundtrack. And I love a good soundtrack. So of course the logical next step was to start collecting video game music (VGM) vinyls.
Here is what I’ve started with so far:
Shovel Knight - I’m not usually a fan of chiptunes……..I know I’m a terrible excuse for a gamer. That being said this is most probably the most uplifting chiptune soundtrack I’ve ever heard, for one of the most fun and rewarding platforming adventures. Really gets you ready for some questing!
Portal - This is one of the first games I ever played on Steam while it was still young. It’s a portal-jumping first-person action puzzle game with a memorable antagonist. This was part of a collection by Valve called Orange Box, which featured some of the most critically acclaimed games of all time such as Half Life 2 and its two further episodes. The end credit song will definitely be played on repeat.
Okami - Probably the most important and beautiful video game ever made in my opinion. Every step is a breath of fresh air, the main mechanic is to this day one of the most unique I have seen, and for longer than a decade it topped my favourite games of all time list and likely still does. It is by far the most expensive out of the lot; a jaw-dropping £450 spent. However it is also the very game that ignited my now undying interest in traditional Japan as well as being quite possibly the most beautiful collection of vinyls ever conceived alongside some astonishing ukiyo-e artwork.
Cuphead - This game has a very unique 1930s animated aesthetic that is beautifully executed. It’s also one of the most frustrating games I have played. Be that as it may, you just want to keep on going just see what the next boss looks like because they all have gorgeous animated movement. The soundtrack is also quite unique in the field of video games.
Hollow Knight - I have already gushed over this game in a previous review. Quite simply, I believe it to be quite possibly the greatest game of all time, as the only issue I found was slightly harder difficulty. Everything else was ambitious, well-executed, full of variety & memorable. The soundtrack is incredibly immersive and beautiful, perfectly capturing the essence of each dramatically different area on the map.
Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery - An obscure game that can be considered very ‘indie’. It’s a chilled out, in some ways zelda-esque audiovisual adventure with laid-back dialogue presented in quite an artsy way. It is short (around 3-4 hours), but it is also a haunting adventure that will remain with you. It’s quite an experience.
Doom - An over-the-top metal soundtrack that really gets your adrenaline pumping while you rip and tear until it is done. You can really envision the shooting and glory-killing of the various hell monsters, in a roller coaster of arena battling while you traverse facilities to end the torment.
I do have some ground rules however. Firstly the game has to have been played and there has to be some great memory or story attached to the game. Secondly, the soundtrack actually has to sound good or unique. Thirdly, I will be opening and eventually playing these. I can then consider purchasing. A vinyl can be the most gorgeous ever made, but if there is no memory or story of it, then it’s an empty purchase.
As more vinyls come in, I will have some more opportunities to talk about some great and sometimes obscure games. I’ll also show these opened up, as VGM vinyl is greatly eye-catching. Keep checking back for more.
