The art of game soundtracks
Wether it is an official original score or a compilation of songs, a good soundtrack is a big factor in the impact a game may end up having on people. The truth is that a great game soundtrack can achieve the status of a classic piece of music on its own regardless of the game it belongs to.
What's needed in a soundtrack to become a classic? Which ones are your favorites? These are mine |
| 1 |  | Bill Brown
Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear Soundtrack
Bill Brown's work on the first three Rainbow Six games and their respective expansions is mostly orchestral, with an epic vibe and a few subtle electronic elements, similar to the ones found on games like Metal Gear Solid 3.
Many chords are repeated throughout these songs with the purpose of creating a sound that's immediatly associated with the saga, without falling into monotony.
The orchestral, military-like melodies are perfect for the epic and action filled yet tense atmosphere found on the three monuments of the tactical shooter genre that are the first RS games are while being catchy and memorable enough to be enjoyed outside of the game.
Rogue Spear Overture - https://youtu.be/WW4b59tnwUw
Victory Imminent - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOfuwNE-xe4
Urban Operations Theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7uypNfISF4
Raven Shield Theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of8UYlIBAyQ |
| 2 |  | Kelly Bailey
Half-Life 2
Half-Life 1, Half-Life 2 and HL2's episodes are filled with classic songs by Kelly Bailey that perfectly fit into the apocalyptic sci-fi theme of these games.
These electronic compositions vary from ambiental to rock tinted ones which match the classic scenes from these titles regardless of their tone.
Perhaps one day we'll be able to listen to a new sci-fi soundtrack for one of the most important sagas in the history of gaming, but it seems that a battleroyale mode for Counter Strike and a Dota trading card game are the priorities for Gaben right now.
Nuclear Mission Jam - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iXfWWrwrlQ
Vortal Combat - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZRNd6osQrk
Hazardous Environments (Valve's Theme) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UthQ2gR1bU4
Dark Interval - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29utEOUT71Y
You're Not Supposed to be Here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DNVMxMwwqY |
| 3 |  | Soundtrack (Video Game)
Fight Songs: The Music of Team Fortress 2
Cowboy Bebop's soundtrack is the only one that I can find to bear some resemblance to the sound found within TF2's score. An upbeat, orchestral bebop, filled with powerful brass instruments and that aims at a vintage 40's vibe.
Mike Morasky's compositions are rich and varied creating a soundtrack with a unique personality for a classic online game which has a unique personality as well.
Wether it is in game or on Team Fortress' animated shorts, Valve's Studio Orchestra does an impressive job at delivering these songs.
Intruder Alert - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNlVo5udnPs
Team Fortress 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDM2qukzKwg
More Gun - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NTfCbfvwM8
Playing With Danger - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llOvd2yGEio |
| 4 |  | Stephen Rippy
Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings
There is something extremly important to have in mind once you compose the soundtrack for an RTS: Matches may end up being long as hell, and since it isn't very practical to create an OST that lasts for more than 4 hours, the wisest choice is to create a short one that repeats itself over and over once it has finished. But by doing this people could end up getting bored, which is why it needs to be a soundtrack great enough for people to enjoy listening to it on a loop.
The Soundtrack for Age of Empires II made by Stephen Rippy has a length of roughly half an hour with classic anthems that will subconsciously get into your head by listening to them tons of times while you play. It manages to do this effectively by being catchy, simple (rumour has it that the songs were originally made on MIDI) and distinctive enough to be remembered and associated with the most iconic RTS game ever. |
| 5 | | Stephen Rippy
Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings
Continuation. Links to some iconic songs:
Quest For Butter - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_dXaBwYxfc
Shamburger - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPhJWlURRVM
Tazer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh39AXVCGQk
Machina del Diablo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcY5s5FwZhM |
| 6 |  | Soundtrack (Video Game)
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 Soundtrack
While older NFS games like Need For Speed II had some great original electronic compositions this was dropped by EA on the early 2000's going instead for compilations by different artists. In most cases this resulted in generic rock tracks and nothing more, but there are a couple of exceptions in which the songs picked, even if generic in style, managed to fit perfectly into the vibe needed for an energetic racing game. For me these exceptions are NFS Hot Pursuit 2 and NFS Hot Pursuit 2010.
Fever for the Flava (By Hot Action Cop) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NXuZT9SvNA
The People That We Love (By Bush) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytVyzMp5KAg
Ordinary (By The Buzzhorn) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLEjlhyRTb0
One Little Victory (By Rush) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMYDuPWHFAo
Keep it Comin' (By Uncle Kracker) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s564PxsoC4 |
| 7 | | Soundtrack (Video Game)
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 Soundtrack
Continuation. Links to some iconic songs:
Edge of the Earth (By 30 Seconds to Mars) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp1wXtimx0k
Ruling Me (By Weezer) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izVij3cs2Rc
Bigger Than Us (By White Lies) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW0yynlDmqQ
Cinema (By Benny Benassi) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxI2g1I9s5Q |
| 8 |  | Toby Fox
Undertale Soundtrack
A modern classic of gaming soundtracks. What Toby Fox managed to accomplish with little knowledge of music composition is outstanding. The simple instrumentaion inspired by old school games like Earthbound still manages to fill rich and dense in its sound and is a main factor on the game's design, being a big part of what makes of the emotional scenes something so touching while also being responsible for the battles feeling so vibrant.
MEGALOVANIA - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcoqR9Bwx1Y
Death by Glamour - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TgO-tN5wAM
Ghost Fight - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz1bfhtKsHM
Dating Fight! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ8bpWkoC7A |
| 9 |  | Solar Fields
Mirror's Edge Original Soundtrack
Solar Fields' style is perfect for the eerie, futuristic and sterile atmosphere of Mirror's Edge. These long ambiental compositions are the ideal accompaniment for a white, clean city, filled with glass and vibrant colored sections.
Lisa Miskovsky's work on the only different track in the album, Still Alive, is also excellent. A catchy, emotional tune, that somehow manages to retain that eerie vibe found on Solar Fields' tunes and within the game itself.
Introduction - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqFLp0jI8lY
Shard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZoHgTle2fw
Edge & Flight - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra5XVP-TxnE
Jacknife - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJp-eegULaM
Still Alive - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzmUde_EK5Y |
| 10 |  | Soundtrack (Video Game)
Hotline Miami Official Soundtrack
Synthwave is a relatively new subgenre of electronic music, with only a small number of artists on it being popular, and that is characterized by the use of synthesizers and a vintage vibe.
One of the best ways to get into this kind of music is through Hotline Miami's soundtracks. Compilations of tracks by the most important synthwave artists like Carpenter Brut, Perturbator or M-O-O-N, they are an excellent choice for HM's fast paced gameplay set in an 80's neon-like context typical of Miami Vice.
Technoir (By Perturbator) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0kg80jAtI8
Roller Mobster (By Carpenter Brut) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFfybn_W8Ak
Hydrogen (By M-O-O-N) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNE2oCZH_4k
Le Perv (By Carpenter Brut) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYtVf0wvPpc |
| 11 |  | Aperture Science Psychoacoustics Lab...
Portal 2: Songs to Test By
Mike Morasky shows us what a diverse composer he can be. In a totally different style than Team Fortress' we see a more techno/ambient vibe that goes well with the "laboratory" theme of the game. Compositions by Kelly Bailey and songs like Still Alive (probably the most popular song with lyrics ever in a video game) by Jonathan Coulton only help to make of the soundtracks for the Portal game something even better.
Still Alive - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6ljFaKRTrI
4000 Degrees Kelvin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33jk7MXZJeU
Reconstructing More Science - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAeiqxNH3W0 |
| 12 |  | Darren Korb
Bastion Original Soundtrack
Darren Korb's soundtrack for Bastion and Transistor feel fresh, with a mix of rock and electronic elements that create a very unique sound. Wether it is the warm atmosphere provided by the guitar arrangements on Bastion's OST or the more computerized ambience on Transistor's, the truth is that Korb creates some of the most unique soundtracks with tons of identity to them.
In Case of Trouble - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jU9EFTMhbY
Slinger's Song - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mDWzu5yxLg
Water Wall - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8SfXhG2zxg |
| 13 |  | Joel Nielsen
Black Mesa Soundtrack
In a case that's not very common in game's soundtracks, Joel Nielsen attempted to recreate the style found within Half-Life's soundtracks, in a tribute to the fans that would fit well with the long awaited fanmade remake of HL1. And let me tell you, he nailed it perfectly. You can tell this is made by a fan and for fans.
It doesn't feel just like a copy though, because it doesn't feel inferior. It feels like something Kelly Bailey himself could've made with tracks that are as good as the classics found on Gordon Freeman's official adventures.
Blast Pit 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jnFgqS5ZgM
Black Mesa Theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8fW_SeNm_8
Questionable Ethics 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtTmiYA5D4k
We've Got Hostiles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8ZCM4FuI5A
Surface Tension 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6nywODlcfk |
| 14 |  | C418
Volume Alpha
Minecraft's soundtrack is a serene ambiental work. It's incredible how soothing and relaxing it can be, immersing you into the world of Minecraft, a world in which you can just relax and be yourself, giving all the control to your imagination and its desires.
Minecraft - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq-RGFyaq0U
Mice on Venus - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ47H84Bc_Q
Sweden - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBkTkxKDduc
Danny - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SznnVAnkv3c |
| 15 |  | Junichi Masuda
Pokemon Gold & Silver OST
Limited by the power of portable consoles, Masuda still created excellent and distinctive soundtracks for the long running Pokemon series. Simple and short songs that still managed to become classics.
Battle! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jxk9DqdYsJ4
Come Along - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq3ZkBbGdaU
Gym - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OO5VAKk0d8 |
| 16 |  | Akira Yamaoka
Silent Hill
I'll be honest, I've never played much of the Silent Hill games. With the good ones not being on pc and also me being a scared little kid when they came out, I never gave them the chance.
With that being said, I absolutely love their soundtracks on their own
Silent Hill Theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2cK8mOG4Q8
Theme of Laura - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LB7LZZGpkw
You're Not Here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDCktKqHBGQ |
| 17 |  | Soundtrack (Video Game)
Starcraft 2: Wings of Liberty
Honestly, I don't like Starcraft. Its small maps and fast paced gameplay are not my style, and even though I respect it a lot and I recognize it as the cornerstone of the RTS genre along with Age Of Empires, I simply prefer the approach to the RTS gameplay that AoE has. However, I must admit the soundtrack for Starcraft II is amazing
Public Enemy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls_nDYHEZcw
Heaven's Devils - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDKQj7xdFsA |
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