SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs - Symphonic Sweetness Edition

We kick off this new batch of a hundred VGMs with a special all dealing with the orchestra. From somber songs to action-packed battle themes, this week's edition of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs should delight those who love grand ensembles of instruments. Maybe if you close your eyes you'll be able to picture yourself seated in front of a massive orchestra as it plays! This week's selection of games has songs from Grandia, Shenmue, and Castlevania: Lords of Shadows, to name just a few! Sit back, relax, and let the music take you to new heights!

v801. Grandia (PS1) - Theme of Grandia

We kick off this ode to the orchestra with the main theme of the Grandia series. This one in particular comes from the original game that only released on the original PlayStation. Noriyuki Iwadare is the composer behind this wondrous theme for the series.

v802. Shenmue (DC) - Main Theme (Orchestrated)

What's worse than a cliffhanger to a cancelled TV series? How about a cliffhanger to a series that probably won't see a new installment any time soon? It's been over a decade since the cliffhanger kept players wanting more at the end of Shenmue II. Not even listening to this outstanding orchestral version of Shenmue's main theme can soothe the sadness players awaiting a conclusion to the Shenmue saga feel.

v803. Xenosaga Episode II (PS2) - The Image Theme of Xenosaga II

Xenosaga Episode II's compositions were split up by whether they were cutscenes or played during gameplay. Yuki Kajira composed the former, and also so happened to compose this image theme for the game as well. Meanwhile, Shinji Hosoe wrote the in-game pieces. While that bit of trivia is unimportant to this particular song, I have to give credit where credit is due!

v804. Panzer Dragoon Saga (SAT) - Sona Mi Areru Ec Sancitu

A heavenly, celestial theme for the ending credits of Panzer Dragoon Saga for the Sega Saturn, Sona Mi Areru Ec Sancitu is a delight for the ears, delivering peaceful tranquility and satisfying harmonies. The last appearance of the Panzer Dragoon series was in track form in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed.

v805. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow (PS3, 360) - Mechanical Monstrosity

Castlevania went full blown with its Western approach with a drastic Hollywood-style departure for the series. While the soundtrack for Lords of Shadow holds no candles to the much more melodic and memorable themes made in-house at Konami, there are several themes that are quite bombastic, such as this one, Mechanical Monstrosity.