2. Batman: Arkham Asylum: There really was a lot to love about Arkham Asylum and not just because it was one of the surprise hits of 2009. Really, I was just as surprised as everyone else when I played the demo and then the full game, realizing about halfway through that the awesome fun I was having wasn’t going to bloody stop. From the gameplay to the ambient environment, everything about that damn game makes you feel like you’re Batman stalking through Arkham Asylum. It still boggles my mind how insanely fun and visceral this game is. Overall though, what completes the experience is the music. From fighting a group of thugs to a boss battle with Bane, all of it really makes you feel like you’re wearing the cape and cowl of the Dark Knight. Even during segments where it seems like old Bats is going to have himself a good old fashion nervous breakdown is compelled by the audible ambience. While I digress, I leave you with this, if you haven’t played Arkham Asylum yet, I can’t recommend the overall experience highly enough.
1. Mass Effect: If you haven’t played Mass Effect, you’re already missing out, but the music is simply an experience unto itself. As I’ve stated in the past, Bioware knows what they’re doing when it comes to weaving an epic RPG title, be it science fiction or fantasy in nature. But with Mass Effect, they truly outdid themselves. From the main menu the soundtrack has a relaxing undertone to it that is shocked away when you enter into a combat situation. Additionally, the underlying music is ever-present throughout the course of the overall narrative and is intriguing in that it really comes into its own multiple times. Truly a soundtrack that could easily be recognized on its own, very much like Bioshock, these stellar sounds truly invoke the spirit of Mass Effect, propelling the player into the crafted experience that Mass Effect 2 will hopefully carry on.
