For as long as there have been video games, there have been beautifully-crafted soundtracks to accompany them. From the 8-bit tunes of the late 80s to the full orchestras in today’s games, players have had a wealth of auditory art to explore.Many are composed for the games themselves, creating one-of-a-kind tracks that capture thespirit of adventure, or horror, that might populate a game.
However, a smaller selection makes use of pre-existing music to bulk-up, and educate, gamers on tunes they might not hear anywhere else. These tracks are meticulously curated to capture the environment as best as possible, adding an air of authenticity and immersion that brand-new compositions cannot give.
Practically every entry in Rockstar’s open-world crime RPG series has access to a wealth of music that captures the time, and geography, of the game, butGTA Onlineis particularly expansive given that it is consistently updated with new radio stations that boost the quantity of music genres available to players.
Examples include the Latin Music station MOTOMAMI hosted by Rosalia, and the legendary Non-Stop Pop FM hosted by Cara Delevigne. There are simply hundreds of pre-existing songs littered throughoutGTA Online’sradio stations for gamers to add to their playlists, to be listened to whether running errands in the real world or acriminal empirein-game.
Kristofer Maddigan’s soundtrack to one ofthe most difficult gamesof all time is a masterful companion piece to the retro gameplay, making use of a 13-piece big band that replicates the swinging sounds of rubber hose cartoons and Jazz musicians such as Glenn Miller.
Cuphead’s soundtrack serves to remind players just how great these older styles of music are, and will hopefully leave them itching for more. If they can get away, or complete the game fast enough, to check out other rubber hose animated shows and the music they used, players will learn about multiple brand-new pieces that are rarely touched outside the retro media they originate in.
The most recent single-player entry in the franchise, Bethesda’sFallout 4is a treasure trove of pre-1960s tracks that capture the mood of the era, offering dated, but catchy tunes to whistle throughout the day.
The addition of other genres of music inFallout 4,including a strong classical radio station courtesy ofThe Institute, makes the post-apocalyptic RPG a much more musically diverse contender than previousFalloutgames, although it’s worth noting that each of the 3D games offers a beautiful selection of songs that vary between one another.
Grim Fandangomay have an original soundtrack courtesy of Peter McConnell, but it’s continuous celebration for over two decades is a testament to its lasting impression on players, and wider popular culture. An infusion of jazz, swing, some Mexicano and other South American folk or noir music,Grim Fandango’s soundtrack brings together so many styles to create one magnificent score.
The music is a textbook example of how such melody can elevate a game, and the cultural topics of the game and soundtrack, both relatively untouched in Westernvideo games at the timeof publication, have caused a greater interest in the soundsGrim Fandangocaptures so well.
Theintense racingtaking place in Paradise City needed a great soundtrack to complement it, and the combination of rock, pop, and rap helped to deliver a heart-pumping experience inBurnout Paradise. Featuring legendary musicians such as Guns ‘N’ Roses and Jane’s Addiction,Burnout Paradisewas the perfect way to discover iconic tracks without having to search for them independently.
The soundtrack operated similarly to a radio station, and as a result, allowed versatility when it came to the music; if racers didn’t like a track, they could simply skip it.Burnout Paradisedelivered an excellent selection of bands and groups that help to setBurnout Paradiseaside from other, more traditional, racing games.
Original soundtracks won’t introduce players to unheard-of pre-existing tracks, but they can showcase traditional styles often underrepresented in media.The Witcher 3is one prominent example of this, making use of Slavic folk styles and instruments to capture the atmosphere ofThe Witcher’s Eastern European roots.
It goes as far as to include chanting and lyrics in Polish, performed with great intensity whilstGerald takes The Continent by storm. The soundtrack gives players a taste of Slavic folk music that will potentially leave them desiring much, much more.
Every Guitar Hero introduces players to new music; the number of songs (and amount ofGuitar Herogames) have increased over time, so that the original 64 songs from 2005’s debut, and its DLC seem tiny in comparison.
It’s a great place to start, however, for gamers looking to dig into some new guitar-heavy tracks, and it offers a diverse selection that is lost in some of the later, more genre or band specific entries.Guitar Herostill holds up today as anexcellent rhythm sim, and is sure to introduce those rocking the unusual controller to some great musicians.
Inspired by film depictions of the era more than the 80s itself,Hotline Miamioffers superb Indie synth-wave and electronic music that are just as catchy as the gameplay itself. Nearly every level has a brand-new song, and though they may be less known than some bigger numbers from AAA games, great composers such as M.O.O.N and Sun Araw help to intensify the neon mood of the game,
BothHotline Miamiand its sequel are favorably remembered for their meticulously picked musical tracks, so much so that the game’stwo-man development teamhas been able to release vinyl editions of the soundtracks. It’s a testament to the extreme popularity of the music, and newcomers will have a hard time forgetting such blood-pumping tunes.
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