There have been many game soundtracks in the past 20 years that have elevated games to an obscene level, but these are the best.
Gaming is such a unique medium as it allows the player to be totally immersed in a world with incredible sound design, voices, worlds, characters etc. But one thing stands out to me… game soundtracks. Nothing enhances an experience more than excellent music.
Over the years there have been many soundtracks that have stood the test of time and seemed to only get better over the years. Soundtracks that were epic and excitable to Soundtracks that were calm, emotional and subdued, these are the 10 best game soundtracks from the past 20 years.
10. Fallout 3 (Inon Zur)
Starting us off is the RPG Fallout 3, the return to the world of Fallout for the first time in over a decade was greeted by that amazing opening chord. The sound of foreboding danger and brutality truly prepares you for the Capital Wasteland and that is as soon as the game is loaded up, the very first chord that is struck on the main menu of the game is still a fond memory for me, and truly establishes the world.
It doesn’t stop there however, Inon Zur crafted a masterwork of these dangerous scores that constantly have the player on edge for what is around the next corner, the true soundtrack for a post-apocalypse.
If you want a specific example, ‘The Ferals’ is one of the more creepy parts of the soundtrack and those who have played the game will be transported right back into those Metro tunnels…
9. Bloodborne (SIE Sound Team)
Strangely enough, I am of the belief that Bloodborne’s soundtrack is one of the more underrated soundtracks of recent memory. The SIE Sound team combined known fantasy trends and mixed them with the creepy victorian/Lovecraftian style that made Bloodborne such a remarkable experience.
There are so many areas of the Bloodborne soundtrack that are so special. Obviously, the boss themes are the standouts, those moments when you as the player are facing down Ebrietas or Gehrman or Father Gascoigne or the Orphan of Kos, the music fits the tone. It is an incredible arrangement which makes you feel like you are trapped in that hell-scape of a world.
Oddly enough, my main recommendation isn’t any of the Boss themes, but is in fact a piece of music from the soundtrack called ‘Moonlit Melody.’ The long drawn-out strings and the eerie vocals are so perfect for Bloodborne it’s downright criminal.
8. Pillars of Eternity (Justin Bell)
Going for that more classically fantasy theme, we have Justin Bell’s score for Pillars of Eternity. It is incredible. It fully encapsulates the Dyrwood, the combat scores get you pumped and ready to kill all the enemies. The Tavern songs fit so perfectly well it just fully enhances the experience of the game. There was something magical about having conversations with characters and having those crazy tavern songs in the background, it was just amazing.
Now the thing about Pillars of Eternity is that many of you may have heard the music elsewhere. Those who are fans of Critical Role, the live DnD show (If not you should check it out) will hear pieces of Justin Bell’s score littered throughout. Because of this, check out ‘Twin Elms’ on the soundtrack and you won’t be disappointed, it is very calm and relaxed but very… fantastical.
7. God of War (Bear McCreary)
Many people will already know the work of Bear McCreary, he has worked in numerous projects be their film or television on some of the best shows and movies around. His best pieces of music, however, come through God of War.
It is hard to re-invent a franchise with such a beloved fanbase like God of War. Literally, everyone on this project was taking a risk, including Bear, who obviously wanted to create a unique sound for this game. Well, he did it.
The soundtrack is breathtaking. The constant ‘Kratos Motif’ as it were, weaving its way in and out of the music is so brilliant that it gets you nervous and excited whenever you hear it.
The best part of the soundtrack has to be ‘Memories of Mother’. Not only does it have the incredible vocals of Eivør Pálsdóttir, but it is combined with Bears unique sound, which creates an incredible piece. It contributed heavily to the emotions of the opening scene and has helped it settle for me that it may be one of the best game openings of all time.
6. Assassin’s Creed II (Jesper Kyd)
This one is a notable edition. One of the more iconic soundtracks in all of gaming, Assassin’s Creed IIs’ soundtrack is nothing short of exemplary. Jesper Kyd crafted a score that had so much scope and emotional resonance that even listening to it now elicits some of those same emotions in me over and over again. There are very few scores that can do that.
Ultimately, I think everyone should listen to ‘Ezio’s Family’. Just listen to it over and over again until that wave of nostalgia comes crashing down upon you. It is one of the greatest pieces of music to grace gaming and belongs in the great pantheon of gaming soundtracks.
5. Journey (Austin Wintory)
Austin Wintory is a genius.
Like seriously, the music in Journey is incredible. Journey on its own is a very interesting game. It has this range of emotional depth without having any dialogue and I believe a lot of that comes from the music. I don’t wanna downplay the work the developers did because the game is phenomenal. But without Austin Wintory’s score, the game would just feel… wrong.
It’s a terrific score and enhances the full experience that Journey takes you on. You truly feel like you yourself have actually endured all of this turmoil and hardship and difficulty, it is truly amazing.
If I’m being honest, it’s pretty hard to recommend only one part of this score, but since I have to… ‘Apotheosis’ is the one. It encapsulates the full experience of the game and is one of the finest pieces of music I’ve ever heard.
4. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (Marcin Przybyłowicz, Mikołaj Stroiński)
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt‘s soundtrack was lauded for how amazing it truly was. The game itself had already made waves, carving through critical acclaim to critical acclaim. The soundtrack is one of the games best facets.
Whether it is the intensity of ‘Silver For Monsters’ or the calm and beautiful symphony of ‘Geralt Of Rivia’ or even the chest-pounding, heart racing all around bombastic ‘Night of Long Fangs’ Marcin Przybyłowicz and Mikołaj Stroiński crafted an incredible weave of music that suits every occasion.
If I had to choose one piece of music (which is near impossible) I would have to choose ‘Spikeroog’ with how soft and subtle the tones of the piece are, it just embeds itself in your mind, and you will undoubtedly find yourself humming it if you dare listen.
3. Mass Effect 3 (Clint Mansell, Sam Hulick, Christopher Lennertz, Cris Velasco, Sascha Dikiciyan)
This score.
It is amazing. Mass Effect already had an incredible score in the first two. The first game had Sam Hulick craft a soundtrack that sounded wondrous and was all about exploration. The sequel saw Jack Wall add his own spin of Blade Runner style epic sci-fi madness. Mass Effect 3, was probably the more emotional of the trilogy with: Clint Mansell, Christopher Lennertz, Cris Velasco, and Sascha Dikiciyan all adding their own flair to the already fantastic trilogy. Each of these composers created an epic piece of music for the score.
`Leaving Earth’ is one of the best pieces of music in the game and that occurs about ten/twenty minutes into the game. ‘An End Once and for All’ never fails to get me a little teary eyed and some of the more epic pieces of music such as ‘The Fleets Arrive’ always make you feel like you did something like you had an impact… It’s a superb score.
2. The Last of Us Part 2 (Gustavo Santaolalla, Mac Quayle)
I could have easily chosen the first Last of Us as well, as it too has some amazing pieces of music. However, something about its sequel was different. It was obviously contentious for a lot of reasons, but I have to say the music in that game was nothing short of excellent. Gustavo Santolalla added his unique flair in the first game and took it to another level for the sequel making some of the more emotional beats in an already tumultuous game.
Mac Quayle was primarily utilised for the in-combat music and it pays off. The game is already one of the most tense games I’ve ever played, but the music in combat makes you feel like your heart is in your throat the entire time. It is a marvel.
The best piece of music in the game in my opinion has to be ‘Grieving.’ It appears towards the end of the game and just acts like a knife in the gut when it shows up. It portrays the emotions of Ellie in such a raw way and makes you feel those mixed emotions of; sadness, anger, and hate all boiled up. One of the best scores of all time.
1. Halo: Combat Evolved (Martin O’Donnell, Michael Salvatori)
This is the greatest score of all time. Period.
The first Halo game was a benchmark for a great many reasons. But I believe that one of the main attributing factors to Halo’s position in the hearts of every fan is the music.
Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori crafted the best score in any game ever. There is not a single weak link in the entire score. It all carries the weight of that sci-fi epic feeling, it permits the game to feel unique amongst other First Person Shooters of the time. In addition to that, it now holds the position of major nostalgia for any Halo player out there.
Let’s be serious, whenever we load up the first Halo game and hear that music for the first time, It’s unbelievable. Truly the best soundtrack in all of gaming.
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