Good orchestrated soundtracks are very hard to come by these days, particularly in video games. There are the obscure hidden gems eclipsed by more mainstream franchise titles, such as Mario Galaxy and Skyward Sword. Some of the best of these hidden gems come from MMOs, a couple of outstanding examples being
TalesWeaver and
Emil Chronicle Online, which are arguably more awe-inspiring than any given track from MG or SS.
Even with that said, I prefer a perfect blend of Midi and orchestration. One of the best titles I've ever played, Xenoblade, features real instruments with a touch of synthesized rhythm for an
adventurous background feel. The result leaves something that is greatly desired from many other adventure series (Elder Scrolls, Fable, and The Witcher)--a vibrant pulsation that makes the area come to life as the player explores every nook and cranny of a given area.