Behind every brilliant game, is also a brilliant musical score. What’s the point in engaging yourself in a great piece of action without an engaging piece of musical performance to support the scene? Is any horror scene worth the horror with a proper creepy BG? Is any racing game racy enough without some high-octane score to accompany it?So, if you are one of the believers that a truly brilliant game’s biggest asset is its soundtrack, then here is a list of ten games that will support your belief. For non-believers, check it out anyways. You might turn out to be a believer.
#10 GTA: Vice City
The entire STA series has a great soundtrack to boas of, but we will go to the one that’s universally played everywhere – Vice City. That 80’s soundtrack, even if clichéd, works wonderfully into the fun gameplay.
When you get bored running around stealing, shooting, hitting off people, just get into a car and change the channels, and listen to some swinging music. Nothing more relaxing than that! And while you are it, also do try out ‘I Ran (So Far Away)’. Mesmerizing!!!
#9 Final Fantasy VII
The Final Fantasy Series have always been known for its fluid animations, interesting narratives, and above all, some brilliant pieces of musical score to accompany the gameplay. But the series’ original composer, the great Mr. Nobuo Uematsu’s finest work happens to be in the seventh title. The seventh title was certainly not the series’ best in terms of gameplay, but musically it soars high.
Why? Just listen to this piece called Terra’ Theme, and you will know why. Not only this theme, but several other themes fits so well in the scheme of things, that it actually elevates the game than it deserves.
#8 Saints Row IV
This is one of the campiest games I have ever played, and this campiness is also the USP of this enthralling and engaging game. Adding to the level of campiness is the soundtrack that accompanies the game.
From blasting off people, while flying in a UFO to the strains of EMF’s ‘Unbelievable’ to driving around singing Haddaway’s ‘What Is Love’, the songs mesh pretty well into the game’s weird plot and narration. After all, it’s so much fun killing off enemies to camp rock ballads.
#7 Metal Gear Solid
Metal Gear Solid’s background score is unlike anything we expect from the game that is high on thrills and action. We may be expecting some ear-thumping high octane notes, but the game not only goes against the expectations, but also transcends itself to another level.
The music, if heard separately, sounds like it belongs to any psychological horror game or even some abstract gem like ‘Limbo’. And when it ups the tempo during any action sequence, it still retains the abstract charm. Simply imaginative!
#6 Tony Hawks Pro Skater
This game was the one of the first games to effectively utilize band songs into the gameplay. Though skating isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, you need to try this one out purely for some amazing songs that it has used in the BG.
Various bands like The Vandals, Dead Kennedys, Primus, and The Suicide Machines have provided their best to up the ante here, and every sequel after this one, had managed to add even more enthralling songs to the tracklist.
#5 Scarface: The World Is Yours
The game doesn’t not even reach the standards of the movie, or, for the matter, even the standards of a single game in the list. But the music makes it somewhat a must-play. Listen to ‘The Message’ song and you will get my point.
Speaking of the same themes that the movie and the game propagate – that, in the world of crime, you are always standing alone and you can’t let them get to you – the song works out and reaches your core, each time it plays in the game, and that is actually quite a few times.
#4 Super Mario Brothers
No songs here, but you pretty much can’t forget the BG score. It’s so iconic that you can recognize it anywhere, with your eyes closed. The sounds and the chimes suits each action so well that any note played out without showing the scene, we will recognize what’s the corresponding action.
The surprising factor is that so few instruments have been actually used in the game. Maybe that’s what really worked out for it.
#3 BioShock
One of the greatest games set in the utopian future, where the future is entirely bleak and dangerous for human survival. But above all, BioShock is a brilliant horror game that plays with your senses, emotionally and psychologically.
And like any good horror, music plays an integral part here as well. Right from that haunting tune to the various prices of music used when we attack the enemies, BioShock is perfectly spot on in its musical deliverance. And listening the theme song ‘Beyond The Sea’ would surely send shivers up your spine with its chillingly-could-be-true lyrics.
#2 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Skyrim’s BG score, like the game, is so vastly expansive that it had around thirty background singers used for all its theme songs! Yup, you heard it right the first time….thirty singers were actually used here. With the almost never-ending quests, and areas to explore, you definitely couldn’t have the same repetitive music over and over, could you?
Of course, it had the legendary Jeremy Soule as the composer, so that’s another plus point. Another fun fact – the lyrics are mostly in Draconian. Doesn’t ring a bell? It’s the native language of the dragons!
#1 Red Dead Redemption
A critically acclaimed game, RDR is an experience that is something you cannot get out of your head. The Western themed game also uses the same flavor in its music, and integrates it seamlessly into the narrative, so much that you feel bad for the protagonist.
The barren landscape and the angry blue skies serve as a perfect foil to the themes that harp upon the feelings of loneliness and anguish. Just listen to the theme song ‘Far Away’ by José González, and you will get what I am blabbering about.
