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Best video game soundtracks

kayla ethan
Updated ·4 min read
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First of all we will admit that it is an inherently difficult topic to write about. Any soundtrack which eventually goes into any list is highly subjective upon the user's choices and overall experience with the game. Nevertheless, of all the games to come out in the last couple of years, one has made a definite mark on almost every gamer: The Last of US. Somehow the game envelopes you into its deep embrace and you are unable to look away till the very end. The excellently timed, beautiful music plays a major role in the unfolding story.
Likewise, people who played The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time will remember its distinctive soundtrack. We know some people who would actually stay at the menu to enjoy the music of this classic. Yet, we doubt that the newer generations would appreciate it as much. Still, some of these soundtracks transcend time. The original mortal combat soundtrack comes to mind, which has been entertaining people for more than two decades now.
But let's set aside these musings, and in no particular order, let us go through some of the best soundtracks from games released during this decade.

The Last of Us

Okay this one was a bit obvious, but this action adventure survival horror video game with a story, is one of the only games which scored consistent 10/10 across the board. The odd thing is that for a horror survival the soundtrack is emotional rather than scary. This minimalist yet ambient music reaches right to the heart and has a nostalgic feel to it. The rather sparing use only enhances its effectiveness. At the end of the day we like it because as we played the game, but it sort of played with our feelings and the soundtrack had a big role in it. It was even re-mastered for PS4 due to its popularity.

Journey

Here is another auditory masterpiece published by Sony for PS3, which has an oddly spiritual effect. It was released back in 2012 and may not be every gamer's piece of pie. Dominated by the cello with electronic instruments thrown in for good measure, it has won many awards. However, if you truly want to enjoy the soundtrack then you will have to play the game. The soundtrack actually reacts to the physical objects in the game and is hence quite dynamic. This was removed when it was released on the iTunes store. It continues to be the only game whose soundtrack has been nominated for a Grammy Award.

Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

We know that due to the open world nature of the game, the soundtrack can become a bit repetitive. Even we were not above muting it sometimes, but there is no denying the fact that it has some excellent compositions which complement the game very well. The folksy nature and the instruments used, make it excellent and oddly reminiscent of Eastern Europe with hints of Central Asia mixed in. You may get discount by using coupons while purchasing this game from G2A.

Everybody's Gone to the Rapture

This may turn out to be an unpopular choice, simply because many gamers did not understand what was being offered in the game. But, what almost everyone will agree on is the excellently integrated soundtrack. This interactive story may actually have been a bit ahead of its time. The underlying story was truly amazing once you got used to the pattern. Some may even say that all the other features play second fiddle to the soundtrack which won a BAFTA award in audio achievement.

Undertale

Undertale's soundtrack is reminiscent of the simpler times of NES. The storyline is absolutely fantastic and if you wish you can complete it without killing anyone. It received acclaim throughout the gaming community receiving multiple awards. The 16/32 bit era was a time in gaming when the story had to be good if you wanted the game to be a success. Pure visuals meant nothing. This is what Undertale is all about. The game features a hilarious storyline which is held together by the excellent nostalgia driving score from Toby Fox himself.

There are many other video games that deserve a place in the list. Some of the runner's up were Life is Strange, Bloodborne, Flame in the Flood, and Ori and the Blind Forest. Do share you opinion with us in the comments. Perhaps a more comprehensive top 20 list would have done better justice. If you would like to play a title that you missed, most of these games are still available through different retailers or you can simply buy the soundtracks from iTunes.