Best uses of vocal tracks in games

[darthbator]

So I recently finished replaying the supergiant games and was reminded of how much I REALLY love a well placed vocal track in a game! The examples that really stick out to me are

 

• Bastion - Zia/Zulf themes
• Transistor - "The Spine" and variants (or just red humming to the general soundtrack throughout the game while in Turn()!)
• Red Dead Redemption - Going to Mexico
• The Walking Dead Season 1 - Credits
• Special Mention Final Fantasy III (VI) - Opera Scene (cause it never occurred to me a video game could that at that time)
• Special Mention Final Fantasy VII - Sephiroth (once again never saw that coming but I should have expected it cause you know. CDs)

 

I've also noticed a more modern practice where games (like moon hunters or axiom verge) incorporate faux vocal tracks using either "computer esq" voices or fake phonetically driven languages. I think this is really interesting cause it adds a sort of diagetic immersion (that song is written in the language of this world) while aiding in the pieces ability to loop as BGM.

 

What are some of your favorite examples of vocal tracks in games?

[Problem Machine]

Bastion is the big one for me, the most elegant possible expression of character and setting through soundtrack.

 

Still Alive is also Very Good.

[Patrick R]

I don't care about the stories or characters in Saint's Row the Third one iota, but this moment was so nice it almost made me forget that. Especially since my character had a Russian woman's voice, and sang in an adorable accent.

 

 

EDIT: I guess this is actually kind of a Saints Row trope, now that I check out the other recommended videos? That's too bad. SR the 3rd was the first one I ever played and it came as a total surprise.

[osmosisch]

I recently picked up Steamworld: Heist, and the  vocals that play in the space bars are absolutely amazing. They give a great sense of peace and rest from the action.

[darthbator]

I don't know how I forgot about this

 

 Upon relistening whoever composed the soundtrack for "Under the Skin" totally played this game!

[Roderick]

I remember being totally miffed when I discovered about the RDR track when you get to Mexico. Stepping off the boat, I refused to take the horse that was ready for me (which triggered the song), because I first wanted to explore the surroundings a bit. Guess my wanderlust actually got in the way of a beautiful, scripted moment about... wanderlust.

[Ben X]

By "vocal track" I take it you mean "song"? We have a thread about licensed songs in games and a thread about original songs in games (and also a litany of other music threads which probably have some suggestions too).

[eRonin]

Xenoblade Chronicles X has many vocal tracks! I love many of them, despite how weirdly quirky and varied they all are.

 

Uncontrollable; Tyrant Battle Theme

Black Tar; Battle Theme/Skell Battle Theme

Wir Fliegen; Overdrive Battle Theme

Don't Worry; Skell Flight Theme

[Beasteh]

Does this count as vocal? That monastic chant still sends shivers down my spine...

 

 

[tberton]

"The Spine" is a good choice from Transistor, but "Paper Boats" is my choice.

[sucks2Bme]

Saints Row 4: Just for the parody, and one of my favorite Video game openings

 

Dragon Age:Origins  -  Leilani's Song. pretty cool when this came up but i don't know if it would be "best use of" 

 

Transistor is probably my favorite use of vocal music though