Video Games Live (Kuala Lumpur 2010) - Review!

this will be the geekiest post you've ever seen me write. it is very long. you have been warned.




so I went for the Video Games Live concert on Saturday. it was the first orchestra concert I've been to and the first sit-down one I've been to in ages. I believe the last one was Maksim? (I don't consider maksim's an orchestra concert, since he did not have a full orchestra, if I remember correctly)

in case you didn't know, Video Games Live is a series of concerts playing music from video games, with a full orchestra (in this case The National Symphony Orchestra), and VGL founders Tommy Tallarico on guitar and Jack Wall conducting. oh yes, it's every gamer's and any self respecting geek's dream come true. maybe wet dream, for some.

ive always loved video game music. the first video games I'd ever played seriously were Final Fantasy VII and Chrono Cross. the music was so beautiful and so right for the games. in fact, "Time's Scar" from Chrono Cross is still my fav piece of game music ever. seriously, check it out. even if you aren't a gamer. it's beautiful.

now I've watched loads of youtube videos of these concerts, and others, wondering if we'd ever get such an amazing chance to see something like that live.

well, we did. and it was mind-blowing.

come Saturday, 17th April 2010, the geeks were out in full force at kl convention centre. and I don't only mean the video game geeks. oh no, pc fair was being held on the same day, same venue.

we attended the 2.30 pm show. we saw Nemesis from Resident Evil lurking around and a guy dressed up as cloud strife from FFVII wielding an impressive Buster Sword but with equally unimpressive wilting blonde hair.

of course, me being me couldn't help wondering why there weren't any hot guys. I mean, there has to be some good looking men who enjoy video games and it's music as much as the next awkward teenage boy, no? and then I spotted him. he was sitting nearby and all alone. what was a hot guy like that doing all alone? but now I'm just sidetracking. back to the main event.

the show started pretty much on time. there was a quick cosplay competition before the actual thing, with nemesis dude winning. and then Jack Wall walked out at about 2.40pm. what a pleasant change. remember the AAR concert? not cool.

they started off innocently enough... with pong, which turned into a medley of classic arcade games. this was followed by tetris. but these were just warm ups. for me, the show really started with the next song: metal gear solid.

I've never actually played MGS. I usually watched others play (like rach says, it is an awesome game to watch haha) and I'd never paid attention to the music. i know now though, it is so good!

(all videos recorded by me!)







I can't remember the exact order of the songs, but I think God of War was next. the music is so epic! Laura Intravia came on stage to sing the female vocal part. amazing. Laura performed again several times later. once, with a flute solo, another time for the legend of Zelda medley and again during the finale (more on that one later).

God of War. something went wrong with my camera at the 1.05 mark. the sound got cut off somehow :S


I've never played Shadow of the Colossus but apparently it was one of the most requested songs.



here's Laura Intravia again, dressed up as Link from the Legend of Zelda. she is immensely talented.



also in the first half (at least, i think so) was the music from Sonic The Hedgehog games. pretty cool! unfortunately, i did not get a video of it.

and then there was a 20 minute break. toilet break? or maybe a chance to chat someone up (you know, that one you kept glancing at during the show *cough*). lol, i kid. anyway, they actually had a load bar on the big screen (timed at precisely 20 minutes of course). seriously, could it get any geekier? but that's what i love about it haha.

before they started off again, someone set up an acoustic guitar on the stage, next to the conductor's podium. i cannot tell you how excited i was (please don't roll your eyes :P) because the only thing i could think of when i saw that acoustic was Time's Scar from Chrono Cross. BEST.GAME.SONG.EVERRRRR

but they started off again with the orchestrated version of Utada Hikaru's Hikari from the Kingdom Hearts soundtrack. it was so nostalgic ♥



and then. there was World of Warcraft. the music is just SO incredible. it felt like there was so much scope and depth to it. especially while watching the clips from the game. SO EPIC. it's like, music from an epic fantasy film. i never played world of Warcraft. i've only played Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and it's expansion pack: Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne :) still, watching the clips brought back memories of what fantastic games they are.



and then the composer of most of the Metal Gear Solid games came on stage. Norihiko Hibino performed Snake Eater (on the saxophone) from the MGS III soundtrack. It was so good. unfortunately, i did not get the full video of it. bummer.



music from the super mario brothers was also performed, though i can't for the life of me remember when it was played. i don't have a video of that. but it brought me back to my primary school days. we used to play mario in computer club. LOL.

and then tommy tallarico came out with his electric guitar. sidenote, this guy is hilarious. he is so good with the audience. the light banter, the jokes, making jibes at the audience (and the choir lol), and er... hiding in a box. anyway, i can't remember what the order was, but starting from this point, all the songs had tommy on the electric guitar. Halo was fantastic.



the recording of Halo was from my brother's camera, thus, the obvious difference in sound and distance. There was also music from megaman which was surprisingly, really really good. again, no video.

but then came the moment most people were waiting for. oh yes. music from Final Fantasy VII. yep, what else could it be? The epicness known as ONE-WINGED ANGEL. i don't believe that anyone who is a fan of Final Fantasy VII has not chanted 'SEPHIROTH!' along with the One-Winged Angel chorus at least once when playing the game. it is THAT iconic. lol.



and then tommy and jack said their goodbyes and left the stage. of course, everyone knew it wasn't the end. what's a concert without an encore? plus, that telltale acoustic guitar was still sitting pretty by the conductor's podium. They came back and played Castlevania, again with mr tallarico on electric guitar.

but the best part was saved for last. it was the one i was really hoping to see. they'd only recently started performing this at their concerts. apparently it was one of the most requested songs. no surprise there. They started off with the Chrono Trigger medley. Laura Intravia was back with her flute, and Tommy Tallarico was picking his guitar. when the chrono trigger medley was over, Jack Wall stepped off the podium and picked up the acoustic guitar and joined Tommy on the stools. FINALLY. they started picking that oh-so-familiar guitar intro. it could only be Time's Scar. Tommy added some of his own improvisations. i didnt know the song could be better than the original, but it worked SO well. Laura Intravia, again on the flute playing that amazing melody while the men plucked at the guitar strings, with the amazing orchestra in the background, one couldnt ask for more. but being the generous people they are, they gave us more! Norihiko Hibino came back on stage with his saxophone. seriously, EAR ORGASM. geekgasm, whatever. it was the most amazing thing i'd ever heard live. i felt so complete. perfect ending to an amazing show.



apparently they might be coming back again next year. i can't fucking wait :D