'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFAABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABv/aAAgBAQAAAAACA//EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL/2gAIAQIQAAAAP//EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT/2gAIAQMQAAAAd//EACIQAAEDAwMFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwUABhIEEyEHJEJh0v/aAAgBAQABPwCOk+nYtdgvxsvvoUULG8g8BPHh7NPay1S8stxMrhkce9R8V//EABgRAAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAAME/9oACAECAQE/ANSB72M//8QAGREAAQUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQADBCNh/9oACAEDAQE/AJZpZGL/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Music, in all its forms, is often used as a building block for nearly all other forms of art. Just like movies, video games too use music to establish the necessary tone and mood of the game.
Evolving from synthesized beeps to full-blown orchestral performances, music in video games has sure come a long way.
From the epic Dovahzul chants of Skyrim to the poignant charango melody of 'The Last of Us', great music will always leave a lasting impression on players.
While a lot of modern games have great soundtracks and background scores, here are the top picks which fiddled with our heartstrings.
The best music and soundtrack in video games
"Music is the art which is most nigh to tears and memory" - Oscar Wilde
7) Cuphead
Featuring music inspired by '30s cartoons (recorded with the help of 42 musicians), this jazz fest of a game hits all the right notes.
Release Date: Sept 2017
Composer: Kristofer Maddigan
Publisher: StudioMDHR
Metacritic Rating: 88/100
6) Stardew Valley
Harmonizing with the chill and relaxing tone of this indie farm sim, the music (composed by the solo dev himself) does a wonderful job of capturing the beauty and charm of this gem.
Release Date: Feb 2016
Composer: ConcernedApe
Publisher: ConcernedApe
Metacritic Rating: 89/100
5) The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
From epic 30 man choir chants to soulful tavern music, Skyrim is not just a mesmerizing game, but an entire musical experience in itself.
Release Date: Nov 2011
Composer: Jeremy Soule
Publisher: Bethesda
Metacritic Rating: 94/100
4) Red Dead Redemption
Red Dead Redemption, a true western game through and through, features a plethora of great music across genres, ranging from spaghetti western to Appalachian folk.
Release Date: May 2010 (RDR1), Oct 2018 (RDR2)
Composer(s): Various artists, including Bill Elm, Woody Jackson & Daniel Lanois
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Metacritic Rating: 95/100 (RDR1), 97/100 (RDR2)
3) The Last of Us
This heart-wrenching story of love and loss features some of the most poignant music in video games, most notably the main theme, composed and played by Gustavo Santaolalla on a variation of a charango called 'ronroco'.
Release Date: June 2013
Composer: Gustavo Santaolalla
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Metacritic Rating: 95/100
2) The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3 is a masterpiece, and so is its music. The distinct east European tonality of the game is beautifully accentuated by the accurate use of medieval folk instruments. From the very first score you hear, aptly titled 'Geralt of Rivia', to the haunting 'Hearts of Stone' theme, the mesmerizing music is sure to stay with you.
Release Date: May 2015
Composer: Marcin Przybyłowicz
Publisher: CD Project Red
Metacritic Rating: 93/100
1) Life is Strange
Although the majority of the music you hear in Life is Strange and its prequel isn't original, the assortment of songs is so flawlessly selected that one might easily think these songs were made with the game in mind.
Featuring hits and classics across genres like indie-folk and alternative, the soundtrack for 'Life is Strange' remains one of the best, even after half a decade of its release.
Release Date: Jan 2015 (Lis1), Aug 2017 (Lis: BTS)
Composer(s): Various artists, including Syd Matters & Daughter.
Publisher: Square Enix
Metacritic Rating: 85/100 (Lis1), 82/100 (Lis:BTS)
Let us know in the comments which ones you like the most and which ones you think we missed.
(Note: This article reflects the views of the Author)
