The Top 10 Video Game Music Tracks
When regarding a video game critically there are several aspects that are assessed and contribute to how well a game is received. Usually gameplay, story and controls are all heavily dissected aspects of a game. A game's soundtrack…
When regarding a video game critically there are several aspects that are assessed and contribute to how well a game is received. Usually gameplay, story and controls are all heavily dissected aspects of a game. A game’s soundtrack is also included in this list but more often than not, the music of a game often takes a back seat to the other areas. Despite this there is little doubt that good music can make a game extremely memorable. Take the Legend of Zelda theme as an example, undoubtedly one of the most iconic sounds in video game history and part of the reason the series is so successful.
With all this in mind, I will give a rundown of my own personal Top 10 pieces of video game music. I will be ignoring entire OST’s an instead be focusing on individual works that really struck me. If you feel like I’ve missed a particular track or disagree with my choices, please discuss it in the comments below.
10. – Engaged from Halo: Reach
This is a short piece, but I feel it is used incredibly well. It plays right after a cutscene whereupon the player is told to hunt down a fleeing Zealot whom has just kidnapped an important NPC. The track does a stellar job of building urgency in the player and, for me at least, marks one of the most stand out moments in Bungie’s last contribution to the Halo series. It’s sharp riff is exciting and dynamic and overall the music does exactly what it should, involve the player in the game.
9. Sad Mystery from Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos
Warcraft III is certainly on of my favourite games of all time and choosing a singular piece of music was a chore. In the end I chose Sad Mystery. It is Lord of the Rings-esque in its grandiose sound and I find this track to be layered in atmosphere and, whilst short, is used effectively in the emotional roller-coaster that is the Warcraft III story line.
8. Dovakhin from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Possibly one of the greatest things about the most recent single-player Elder Scrolls game was the main theme. This rousing track really helps the player immerse themselves in the world of Skyrim. If you close your eyes you can almost believe yourself to be in the land of the Nords, fighting dragons, slaying mammoths and trudging through snow. The only downside about this music is that you have to wait on the main menu to hear it, when really it should be playing every time a dragon appears.
7. Mute City from F-Zero X
This track features in all the F-Zero games in one form or another and even in Smash Bros. Brawl and Melee. Here I’ve gone with the version of the song from F-Zero X on the N64. This updated version of the original is a great representation of the tune but an honourable mention goes to the version from the first game, which has retained a certain amount of retro charm. The piece sounds futuristic and fast, perfectly in keeping with the game’s themes.
6. Corneria from Star Fox
Whilst for many people, Star Fox 64 is the more memorable of the series, I tend to fondly remember the first game on the SNES. The primary reason for this would be this track right here. Whilst Star Fox 64 is the better game, I don’t feel like it has anything that comes close to the level of the Corneria theme in terms of punchy brilliance. This is a great introduction to any video game and the fact it is used to open one so good only cements its place among legends.
5. In Awe of The Power from Shadow of the Colossus
Shadow of the Colossus is another game fabled for its legendary sound track. For me, this piece in particular stands out as a proper elaboration of the grand scale of the game. The enormity of the protagonists tasks are summed up very well in the music, it also conveys a great sense of adventure although managing to sound just bleak enough to fit in with the game’s themes.
4. A Proper Story from Bastion
Bastion was a delightful indie game and it became critically acclaimed quickly partly due to its excellent sound design. When thinking of the sounds of the game, it’s easy to get distracted by the honey-voiced narrator and forget the great OST that hid behind his excellent voice acting. This track in particular stood out for me, it epitomises the style of the game perfectly.
3. Hydrogen from Hotline Miami
Hotline Miami was another great indie title that had an entirely amazing soundtrack. However one track definitely stood out. Hydrogen is almost certainly the best piece in the game. It encapsulates perfectly the fast, violent and confusing action that the player orchestrates. Somehow this music perfectly fits with a brightly lit, drug fueled, murderous rampage.
2. Vampire Killer from Castlevania
Castlevania is another series with consistently great music, especially in the heyday of the NES. I find that the most striking music comes from the original game, called simply Castlevania. The opening riff of Vampire Killer is incredibly memorable and has really stuck with me over the years. Konami managed to squeeze the most out of the NES’ sound chip for this excellent start to an excellent game. Special mentions go to the death music from the same game, as that is equally etched in my brain.
1. Song of Storms from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time/Majora’s Mask
I think we all knew that there had to be a track from the N64 Zelda’s on this list somewhere and I struggle to think of something else so deserving of the number one spot. Both Majora’s Mask and Ocarina of Time are filled with exceptionally brilliant music. In all honesty, I could make a Top 10 list with just the music from those two games because of how great the soundtracks are. In the end I chose the Song of Storms because it of its flexibility. When played more upbeat it sounds very cheery, denoting the more innocent experience of Link’s child hood in OoT. However if you slow the song down a little, it is full of a crushing atmosphere of despair and fits in perfectly with the bleak world of Majora’s Mask. For that reason alone I have put this song at the top of my list. The Song of Storms, in my opinion, may be the greatest video game music of all time.
You can keep up with Edd on twitter @The_Eddpire
