As such, the soundtrack is appropriately poppy and upbeat. The game is an open-world RPG set in fantastical realms.
Though the Rayman Legends series hasn’t panned out into a huge hit like the other titles in this list, its soundtrack caught the attention of many critics. With only a few relaxing songs mixed into the unending metal riffs and hardcore vocals from King Diamond to Slayer, the Doom soundtrack was just as aggressive, edgy, and memorable as the game itself. The original project, on the other hand, changed how composers built out video game soundtracks. Though many also hail the soundtrack of Doom Eternal (2020), it had a notably different sound. Like Halo introduced ambient instrumentals to shooter games, Doom brought heavy metal to the masses in the 1993 release. Developers managed to marry this with the standard action of a first-person shooter, which featured different tracks for scenes battling Hunter enemies or playing at the Arbiter. At the time, the game’s signature theme song featured choir and melancholic piano. They’re also more likely to remember Halo 2 for its soundtrack. However, the vast majority of Halo gamers never actually made it to the end of the game-many were content to explore the first-person shooter on an afternoon off. When it comes to most Halo 2 diehards, they’re most likely to remember the game for having one of the most frustrating endings in the industry (at least in the early 2000s).
Looking back at the almost half-century of video game music, starting with Space Invaders, here are five of the most memorable (and replayable) soundtracks. Games like Journey (2012) have been nominated for Grammys based on its soundtrack, while video game franchises like Uncharted have opted to draw on (and improve on) earlier models like the Lara Croft: Tomb Raider theme.Ĭlearly, there’s something for everyone, whether interested in radio hits or title tracks from composers. Not only did the music introduce thousands of gamers to new artists and songs, but the eclectic mix of languages and genres added seamlessly to the gameplay.Īlong the way, video game soundtracks have become more varied. The idea was for players to tap into the music, which would help them concentrate and pass the time.įast forward three decades to the days of FIFA soundtracks, which are considered a mashup of global cultures through music. Back in 1978, developer Taito released a looped background song for Space Invaders. Video game soundtracks are one of the strangest ways to listen to music.