My votes go to Grim Fandango and Uru:Ages Beyond Myst. Those were two games where I would stop mid-game and just listen to the music.

Sometimes the best game music is music that adds to the atmosphere almost subliminally -- and in that case, I don't notice it until I go back after I've finished the game and listen just for the music.

I'm not sure if one effect is superior to the other, now that I think about it.

I think the part with the atmosphere is very crucial for a game's music... With the correct choice of music the game becomes even better... Even though some times i might not like the music of a game it's good to add to the atmosphere...

I thought the music in Ring was beautiful. Especially the opening.

While I didn't care much for the game...

I have to give credit to Dream fall...The music tracks were very mystical & beautiful...

Enjoyed the music from "Journey to the Center of the Earth".
Just couldn't figure out a way to capture it. Even went to the web site hoping there would be some kind of "soundtrack".

This is such a great subject. For me, great background music can make a game memorable. I've downloaded short clips of Robert Holmes' music from Gabriel Knight's 2nd game and some from the 1srt and 3rd games. I've played it over and over again. Also, the music from The Last Express was truly beautiful. It stayed with me long after I had finished the game. The music from Syberia, Grim Fandango amongst many other was also outstanding. Wished that all the great music was available in cd form. Also Would love to try some of the games mentioned such as Loom for the music alone.

Atlantis: The Lost Tales
Betrayal at Krondor (and other Sierra soundtracks from DOS games)
The Dig
Faust
Gabriel Knight 2 (other Gabriel Knights good also)
Monkey Island games (all of them)
Myst
Outcast
Parasite Eve
Riven
Syberia

and from what I've heard from them, the new Sam & Max games

The original Myst had some fine music, particularly in the Fortress Age.

Has to be Syberia II. Very haunting and very emotional. I actually got weepy at the end.

Betrayal at Krondor (already mentioned it)
King's Quest VI
Legend of Kyrandia

In the matter of music in games. It always seems a bit retarded for the music not to follow the actions of the hero. Only very lately there've been moves towards more interactive elements in music. Monkey Island had some examples of that, but in midi.

Finally, since the thread is about games and not adventure games I do feel inclined to propose Morrowind (Elder Scrolls III). The main theme is offered by the composer (Jeremy Soule) and also in the game's website. So there is no issue I think. http://www.ubi.com/DE/Downloads/Info.aspx?dlId=308

It is an rpg, but anyhow...

I've always loved the Morrowind soundtrack--splendid, and haunting!!

I'd have to say Shivers 2, because it was part of the puzzles.
However, I did burn the Gabriel Knight music (my favorite is the theme from GK 3) to listen to in the car .
And, maybe because it's my favorite game ever, I think the background music from Riven is very evocative and atmospheric.

Every time i play a game with good music, i try after finish to keep the music... Some games have mp3 files some others ogg files and some of them they have file extensions that i never heard before... So i do the best i can to hear my favorite soundtrack evn though the game is finished

For me the best soundtracks it is:

Syberia
Syberia 2
Riven
Myst Exile
Myst Revelation

Love Maria

My favorite music was from Myst and Zork Nemesis. Both games for me had a rather sad and sorrowful feel at times. But I can remember those still to this day, and I played them many years ago.