The Best Video Game Soundtracks Explored
Ever tried playing a video game without the sound on? Most of us have – and the vast majority of us would agree that it isn’t quite the same. The music in these games isn’t just filler: some of it builds tension as we approach a monumental moment, some of it keeps us going as we power through a boss level. But all of it has a purpose. Let’s take a look at some of the ways that video game sound artists use music, with a few iconic examples thrown in for good measure – and nostalgia.
Crafting Atmosphere with Sound
Soundtracks have evolved into essential narrative tools. Composers design themes masterfully shape the mood of each scene. Take the Legend of Zelda series: its sweeping, adventurous scores conjure up ideas of epic quests and hidden mysteries – and that’s when just listened to on their own! Those familiar, tinkling piano motifs and soaring orchestral surges aren’t for decoration. They sweep us up into Link’s adventure, making every moment easier to fall into completely.
In pulse-pounding shooters like Halo, it’s the same thing – but for a different effect. Dynamic percussion and bold brass sections perfectly mirror the intensity on screen. Each spike of the guitar can signal danger (or triumph) in an alien battleground. These soundtracks are so good that they outsell some records – a gamer’s battle cry that’s just as good on its own.
Melodic Storytelling
The true genius of video game music lies in its storytelling. Themes evolve with the plot. A character’s tune might start simple and innocent, then twist into something altogether darker as their story unfolds. Think of Final Fantasy. Nobuo Uematsu’s compositions are kind of like musical ‘diaries’. Each score has an individual personality, capturing a bittersweet victory, a tragic loss, or a moment of hard-won hope. Give “Aerith’s Theme” a listen, you won’t regret it.
Horror games are a genre that gets this spot on too. These soundtracks are nothing short of psychological traps! Take Silent Hill, for instance. The distorted, ambient soundscapes create an almost tiringly relentless sense of unease. Sparse instrumentation and subtle dissonance are like pinpricks in the clouds around an isolated and forsaken town. Rhetorical questions bubble up – what lurks beyond that fog? Who’s waiting in the shadows? Somehow music can speak volumes where words fall short.
Music That Brings Characters to Life
We all love a good story and the right music helps to speed that along – making it the video game equivalent of an un-put-down-able novel. A perfect example is Immortal Romance, a slot game available on PokerStars, where the soundtrack cleverly elevates the gothic, supernatural theme. Subtle piano melodies and orchestral undertones create an air of mystery throughout the base game, but each character also has their own distinct musical theme, fleshing them out as characters. Just like in classic RPGs or horror titles, the right music enhances the gameplay, immersing us, right up to our necks, in a world of tension, romance, and intrigue.
Scores That Stand the Test of Time
History is dotted with soundtracks that have transcended their games to become cultural icons. Think back to Chrono Trigger’s memorable melodies – a blend of catchy tunes that still spark debates on which theme is the best. Or remember Bioshock’s score that mixes period music with unsettling synthetic undertones?
Every once in a while, a soundtrack redefines what video game music can be. Those are the ones that stick in our minds and there are examples for all genres of music – and game. Whether you’re after the grandiose male voice choir in Skyrim, or the punk pop and hip hop radio stations in GTA IV. Sometimes they capture a moment in time, our time, like GTA. Other times they capture a moment that’s never truly existed, yet exists so strongly in the minds of the people who played the game, purely because of that music. Inventing, replicating and capturing worlds is no mean feat, yet video game score composers manage to do it time and time again.