Annual Game Music Awards 2013 – Albums of the Year
We are proud to present the winners in the ‘Albums of the Year’ category of the Annual Game Music Awards 2013. These panel-voted, officially-recognised awards provide a thorough and wide-reaching recognition of achievement in game music over the last year. The panelists have selected their choices by carefully considering the merit of the game music created this year — as art and entertainment, as part of in-game experiences and as part of stand-alone albums. Congratulations to all winners, runners-up, and nominees.
Best Album — Soundtrack CD
Ni no Kuni -Wrath of the White Witch- Original Soundtrack
Wayô Records beat Japanese labels to the punch on this one. This release compiles all of Joe Hisaishi’s compositions from the PlayStation 3’s Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch and the DS’ Ni no Kuni: The Sorcerer of Darkness into a well-presented two disc set.
Runners-Up
Magical Chase Original Soundtrack
Dead Rising 3 Original Soundtrack / Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Original Soundtrack
Other Nominations
Before Meteor -Final Fantasy XIV- Original Soundtrack
DmC: Devil May Cry – No Redemption
Dynasty Warriors 8 Original Soundtrack Complete
Muv-Luv Alternative -Total Eclipse- Original Soundtrack
Nintendo 3DS Pokemon X & Y Original Soundtrack
Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney Original Soundtrack
Best Album — Arrangement
Dragon Quest X Symphonic Suite
83-year-old Koichi Sugiyama remained on top form as the composer, arranger, and conductor of the symphonic suite for Dragon Quest’s MMORPG. Performed the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony, this recording is among the most emotional, memorable, and polished of the series.
Runners-Up
Ragnarok Online Elemental Tunes
Steins;Gate Symphonic Reunion
Other Nominations
Critical Hit Volume One
Falcom Field Zanmai
Final Fantasy Orchestral Album
Indie Games Concert Official Bootleg
Little Busters! & Kud Wafter Piano Arrange Album -ripresa-
Phantasy Star Series 25th Anniversary Concert Live Memorial Album
Sora no Kiseki Zanmai
Best Album — Remix
World 1-2: The Complete Collection
Breaking down cultural barrier, creative director Mohammed Taher brought together legendary NES composers, indie artists, and fan-arrangers from four different continents on World 1-2. Whether remixes or originals, each contributor offered something fascinating to the endproduct.
Runners-Up
Xevious 30th Anniversary Tribute
Strix Memoria
Other Nominations
Dancing Dad
Final Fantasy Tribute -Thanks-
MM25: Mega Man Rocks
Paula Agnus Denise – Best of Amiga and CD32 Video Game Music
Sakura Flamingo Audiography -PINK-
The Amiga Works
We Are Rock-Men! 2
Best Album — Fan-Arranged
Spectrum of Mana
Under the inspired direction of Nate Horsfall, numerous arrangers and performers teamed up to offer a vast, colourful tribute to Hiroki Kikuta’s much-loved Secret of Mana score. The result is Spectrum of Mana, an album extraordinary for both its ambition and its achievement.
Runners-Up
NieR Gestalt & Replicant Jazz Arrange Version
Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin / Mega Rock Carnival
Other Nominations
A Bard’s Side Quest
Brighter Oath
Le Grimoire de Reve
Mágico Catástrofe
The String Arcade
Time’s End: Majora’s Mask Remixed
Best Album — Chiptune
Truthcannon
In a stellar category, the latest and greatest album from chip-hop pioneer Luke Esquivel (aka A_Rival) particularly stood out. Truthcannon is an irresistibly catchy blend of female vocal performances, authentic chiptune sounds, and even some dub-step elements.
Runners-Up
Spectra
Big Steel Wheels / MoeNES Vol. 1: the idol composer’s groove
Other Nominations
Endless Fantasy
New Beginnings
Noisechan & Nugget: Adventures in Chiptune
one
Papillons
Triptunes
Best Album — Compilation
Turrican Soundtrack Anthology
Following a massively successful Kickstarter campaign, Chris Huelsbeck delivered the Turrican Soundtrack Anthology in November 2013. With complete scores, remastered soundtracks, beautiful packaging, and a tonne of bonus content, the compilation offers the definitive Turrican musical experience.
Runners-Up
Ar tonelico hymmnos concert Complete Box -Kruth hymneth-
Redux Complete Soundtrack
Other Nominations
Capcom 30th Anniversary Music Best Original & Arrange
Cotton Original Soundtrack
Mahou Daisakusen Original Soundtrack
Nobunaga’s Ambition 30th Anniversary Box
Shinji Hosoe Works Vol. 2 -Ordyne-
ROM Cassette Disk in HOT-B
Rockman X Sound Box
Best Album — Original
Paragraph
Between his works at SuperSweep, Takahiro Eguchi has released several original albums through his KLAMNOP label. Paragraph is perhaps the culmination of the artist’s work to date, a well-balanced blend of soft electronic tracks and endearing vocal performances.
Runners-Up
Days and Dreams
Digitaloid and Humanity / Legacy
Other Nominations
Conquering 20 Years
G5 2013
Game Music Prayer
Identity Sequence
Passage
Sunrise
Posted on April 23, 2014 by Chris Greening. Last modified on April 25, 2014.
About the Author
Chris Greening I've contributed to websites related to game audio since 2002. In this time, I've reviewed over a thousand albums and interviewed hundreds of musicians across the world. As the founder and webmaster of VGMO -Video Game Music Online-, I hope to create a cutting-edge, journalistic resource for all those soundtrack enthusiasts out there. In the process, I would love to further cultivate my passion for music, writing, and generally building things. Please enjoy the site and don't hesitate to say hello!
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