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There's no denying the importance of a well-crafted soundtrack when determining whether a game can stand the test of time. There's a debate raging as to whether video games can be called art, but that can't undermine the efforts of composers and music producers who work tirelessly to design soundtracks best suited for a game.Time has proved that it's not what we see that only matters in gaming. They go beyond acting as mere background scores. Soundtracks help set the mood and enhance our experience.Here's a list of the 10 best game soundtracks in history.
#10 Far Cry 4 (2014)
The Trail By Fire track by former Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Cliff Martinez deserves a place in the top 10 just for its unique style.
Far Cry 4 is Martinez's debut in the gaming industry, but he delivers a heavyweight punch on his first outing. His innovation with the unique take on exotic Himalayan music is truly enchanting. The track is as gripping as it gets with woodwinds and exciting natural rhythms that go seamlessly with the gameplay.
The album consists of a balanced mix of melodic and intense tracks.
#9 Portal (2007)
Most of Portal's soundtrack is melancholic ambient electronic music composed by Kelly Bailey and Mike Morasky. It really shines through in the ending credits. It's here that Jonathan Coulton's 'Still Alive' is sung by a classically trained operatic soprano Ellen McLain as GLaDOS. Just for the record, GLaDOS is a homicidal artificial intelligence in the game. Now you can guess why it's unique.
The song became so popular that it became released as a separate track in the Rock Band franchise.
#8 Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (2013)
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance was a sea change from its stealth genre roots. But most gamers loved it.
The explosive techno-rock soundtrack by Jamie Christopherson (who composed scores for The Golden Compass and Lost Planet) adds extra thrust to the game's frantic momentum of fast and furious action.
The music consists of a bunch of speed-metal tracks, mainly led by vocals. John Bush (former member of Anthrax) and Logan Mader were some of the other contributors. This combo created some of the most hackneyed collection of songs for a popular gaming giant like Konami.
#7 Final Fantasy VII (1997)
Final Fantasy VII still stands tall even after all these years because of the characters, graphics, plot, and most definitely the music. It was composed by one of the most respected video game music composers of all time - Nobuo Uematsu. This Japanese legend scored most of the titles in the Final Fantasy series.
Right from the melodic theme to the martial music that plays during each battle, the soundtracks encompass the wide range of emotions in the game. One of the most popular scores here is 'Aerith's Theme'. It's the iconic sad music that plays after the Sephiroth impales Aerith with his sword.
#6 Red Dead Redemption (2010)
Red Dead Redemption is more than one of the best games ever made. It's also complimented by a poignant soundtrack and quintessential cinematic storytelling.
Half way into the game, John Marston takes a long ride across the border into Mexico. Something exceptional happens then- the ambient sounds and effects fade away, and José González's prodigious acoustic song 'Far Away' starts playing.
It's an extremely poignant moment that has strong hints of what might happen to Marston. What's particularly unique here is that the cut scene plays for a full four minute- quite a drag by general standards, but you stay transfixed, captivated by the music.
#5 Streets Of Rage 2 (1992)
Another crown jewel from the era of 16-bit video games, Streets Of Rage 2 is one of the best productions by Sega. It's from the time when 2D was cool, and game plots were one dimensional, but this one is still extremely enjoyable today.
One of the chief reasons for the game’s everlasting charm is the soundtrack. Written and composed mainly by Japan's Yuzo Koshiro, one of the most distinguished innovators in game sound design, it has retained it's appeal. The master Director pushes the hardware to its limits, using techno music for a fighting genre gameplay.
What's most bewildering is that we're talking about the antique NEC PC-8801, but it still sounds incredibly retro-futuristic.
#4 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)
The music from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is as extensive and panoramic as the game it's meant for. The commercial music CD collection consists of four discs! The impeccable level of detail enjoyed in the game is carried over to its soundtrack.
Take this, Composer Jeremy Soule used a male choir of around thirty singers and wrote the lyrics in Draconic, the dragon's native tongue for the main theme 'Dragonborn'. No wonder it's still popular years after it's release.
#3 Tetrisphere (1997)
We have known Tetris long before it's updated Nintendo 64 version released in the late 1990s. There have been umpteen renditions of this classic block game, but nothing can replace the three decades old iconic track by Neil D Voss. He earned the Best Soundtrack award from Nintendo that year.
This one leans on Pop Culture with it dance numbers for its inspiration. The delicacy of its frenzied beats created the perfect fun atmosphere. That, combined with the greater processing power of the Nintendo 64 created a lip-smacking combo gamers found hard to miss.
#2 Journey (2012)
Quite deservingly in the top 3 is the first ever video game soundtrack that earned a place at the Grammys. It was nominated in the Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media category, where it unfortunately lost to The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Trent Reznorand Atticus Ross.
Journey can be called a mini-game. You can complete it in an hour or so. It's not notably demanding either. The main objective here is to guide a mostly silent character across various terrains till he finally reaches the end of the journey. Here, he has to climb a mountain.
This particularly simple game would appear soulless without the handiwork of composer Austin Wintory. His luxurious and contemplative orchestral music perfectly fits every frame and makes it an amazing experience.
#1 Super Mario Bros. (1985)
The game soundtrack for Super Mario Bros. is a retro masterpiece. It was composed by the Japanese video game composer and director Koji Kondo. He later went on to create some of the most memorable melodies in gaming for Nintendo.
His composition with nothing but a keyboard can put many new-age high-end music productions to shame. The game contains only six soundtracks, but they're the most exemplary examples of musical genius.
The main track 'Ground Theme' is so captivating, it has stayed with us even after two decades. Kondo himself accepts he never expected in his wildest dreams that these would become what they are - the most iconic in gaming history.
