For high-end music fans, video game scores are rarely something they listen to on a regular basis, but these video games buck that trend. We've sifted through hours of video game soundtracks to find the ones that truly stand out. Some are surprisingly simple, providing the perfect backdrop for a quiet gaming session, while others are dramatic, amplifying the gaming experience and taking it to new heights. My personal favorites are the ones that had to dig deep into archival footage to bring history to life. So, if you're ready to add some video game songs to your playlist, let's get started.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
This Nordic masterpiece, composed by Jeremy Soule, encapsulates the beauty of the world created by the developers of Skyrim. For those unfamiliar with the game, it's a huge open world based on the Nordic landscape, but it also features dragons. Just like the soundtrack, it's magical, mystical and stunningly beautiful.
Musical highlights include a male choir singing in Dvazl, the game's own dragon language. The scale is epic, combining haunting strings and, on some tracks, a full-scale orchestra. Critics and fans alike praised the soundtrack's imagination and “epic” quality. In fact, it was so well-received that the entire thing was released on all streaming platforms as a four-disc set. Since then, many well-known musicians have created covers and remixes of the songs, ensuring that the soundtrack remains relevant 13 years after its original release.
Jungle Break
It's fair to say that some slot games don't push the envelope very much with their theme music. However, one online slot with a great theme music is Jungle Break. This slot game combines timpani drums and chirping birds to create the image of a paradise island. The game itself features jungle animals on the reels, delicious exotic fruits, and two explorers as the main characters. While the theme music may not be something you'd download and listen to on its own, the music's casual tempo and relaxed atmosphere are a perfect fit for the excitement of this genre of video game.
The Last of Us
Since the success of HBO's hit series “The Last of Us,” video games have made a full comeback. People are enjoying them again, and the soundtracks are getting attention. One of the most touching parts of both the video game and the TV series is seeing the main character, Ellie, perform an acoustic version of the famous A-ha song “Take on Me.” But this is not the only song Ellie plays on her guitar during the game. She also plays Pearl Jam's “Future Days” during a touching moment during the game, symbolizing the ups and downs of her relationship with Joel.
Gustavo Santaolalla, the mastermind behind The Last of Us' soundtrack, had the genius idea of including a variety of acoustic guitar pieces. Not only can you hear Ellie performing two of her hits, but he also composed Ellie's theme, which was later used in the TV adaptation. It's great to see such a well-thought-out soundtrack, especially with the game's protagonist taking part.
Journey
Though it's not as well known as some of the other games on this list, Journey's soundtrack is well worth a listen. Released in 2012 for the PlayStation 3, it was immediately praised for its minimalist soundtrack. The genius behind this score is Austin Wintory, who has created something incredibly stripped down, yet incredibly moving.
The concept of the game was to allow the player to fully immerse themselves in a new, unfamiliar environment, so it made sense to create an unobtrusive soundtrack. However, Wintory took this a step further, creating a minimalist soundtrack that aimed to highlight every element of the physical location. He carefully chooses individual instruments that change depending on where in the world the player is in. His use of the cello is masterful; in fact, his work was so good that it was nominated for a Grammy Award. Although he sadly missed out, it was the first video game soundtrack to be nominated.
