We have all had that one moment. You are just casually playing a game and all of a sudden a song comes up that you never forget. There is something about it that sticks in your mind for years to come. Whether it be a boss battle or just a calmness that hits when you find a new town. Something about those first moments triggers something that feels so right. They can add so much to the emotions and feel at that time of the story. Here are some of my favorite songs and a brief description of how it added feeling to the scene.
(Viewer beware! Ahead lies spoilers! Continue at your own risk!)
1. Vector to the Heavens
This is one of the final fights in Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days. It plays as you have to fight and kill your best friend in self defense. The only way to save the worlds was by killing her. This led to the main character gaining back his true power as she was siphoning off of it and holding half for herself. The real kicker is that not only did she want him to kill her, but by doing so meant that anyone who ever had contact with her would forget her instantly. Imagine having to kill your best friend and watch them die as you forget about them. This music adds so much more value to the fight because it forces you to remember all the sweet times and memories with her. You know that she doesn't want to do this, but its the only way to make things right. I wont be afraid to admit I cried.
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2. Gerudo Valley
This next one is from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This plays as you enter the section of the world named Gerudo Valley. Here you face massive dunes and a dust blown city. The sense of wilderness is in the air and you really feel awed by the scenes and city. This song pushes that feeling to the next level and really gets you engrossed in the game. You become one with scenery as you push through the hot desert. I don't think they could have made a better song to fit with the game area. It's no wonder this game received the legendary 40/40 score!
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3. Escape
Dying Light takes the next spot on the list with Escape. This song plays as you are right about to face the final boss. You fall into a sewer system and attract a horde of zombies called Volatiles that chase you. They are stronger, faster, and more agile than you. You have no choice but to run for your life with them right on your tail the whole time. It never lightens up seeing as you run they pop out of the sewer holes right in front off you. The whole 4 minute chase is blood-pumping and fast paced with split second decisions that mean life or death. This song captures that feeling perfectly.
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Honorable Mention: Welcome to Rapture
I just couldn't leave this song out of this list. This plays as you enter the city of Rapture for the first time. You get a good look at the world under the ocean as a creepy recording plays for you in the background. It fills you with a sense of wonder and dread at the same time. You can't help but want to learn what lies in the underwater city, yet you know you shouldn't be there. The city was a hell, and you were about to dive into it unprepared.
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As you can see, music has incredible influence on the feel of a scene. Just try putting the my little pony theme on for the escape section of Dying Light. I can guarantee you that the scariness factor drops to a 1 or 2 at max. Depending on what a developer wants you to feel, they will put a song fitting towards that emotion. Whether it be happy, sad, or suspenseful soundtracks music makes a world of difference.
I hope you enjoyed my post today! Would you kindly please up-vote if you did and follow me for more content soon! Comment your favorite songs below! Have a wonderful day.
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Need some bass for shooters and PVP:
That bass holy moly :3
Honestly, the story and the soundtrack are the most important parts! I could care less if the graphics were terrible, good music and good story can make the worst game good!
I totally agree with you...
Music is important not only in games but everywhere.
I am a big fan of Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy) and Michiru Yamane (Castlevania)...
You guys should listen to their music! (play the games too)
I have heard some of the music before but I have to say Yoko Shimomura takes the cake everytime haha.
I love her she is really good.
Have you played Legend of Mana?
My favorite Legend of Mana OST is Hometown Domina (Yoko's composition)
I haven't heard any of those songs. I have heard of the game before though.
very true
The music makes the game. And films also would be nothing without music. My favourite game music of all time is Final Fantasy VII. There is so much emotion, I get goosebumps whenever I go back and listen to it all!...
While I do believe that music has a huge impact on the game itself, I can't say it makes a game or movie for me. I can play a game just for the story alone and watch a film just the same. It's like reading a book. Music is an amazing thing in the moods of the scenes, but the story is what really grabs me.
P.s. Keep those bathroom sessions coming
My first racing game was Asphalt 2. I still love the songs I heard in this game on my Nintendo DS. Not ever gonna forget that
Congratulations @primelink!
Your post was mentioned in my hit parade in the following categories:
Thank you so much!
I couldn't agree more that music is a huge, and often overlooked aspect of gaming.
I grew up in the 80s when bleeps and bloops were as good as it got. Even still, I can honestly say that there were games I played specifically because I liked the music in them. I'd even go as far as to say that if a game does not have a compelling sound track there is an above average chance I will not be as willing to go deeper into the experience.
Megaman games, especially, piqued my interests and were the first titles I really found myself humming on the playground after lunch.
That's a great story. For me the first song stuck in my head was the clocktown theme from LoZ:MM.
Perfect post!!
There so many game music specially you got me when you said when you come to a new town, i instantly remembered "The Witcher" game. Wow the feelings i had were so strong.
I also remember when i was a child and i got a Nintendo as a present from my father i was pausing the street fighter to listen to the music.
You have evoked good memories in me @primelink
Thank you for that
Thank you for saying such kind words to me. I'm glad I can bring back happy times!
Great post! I find the music from the old pokemon games the most nostalgic, my brother downloaded a game called Roblox and was able to play a version of pokemon on there that played all the old battle music from the gameboy versions! I could still hum along to the tune!
I played pokemon Blue so much the music was burned into my brain. I swear I could still hear it after the thing was off.. xD
That's amazing haha
Which version though? Red or Blue? Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby?
Cant belive u had kingdom hearts up there but i would have to say the opening song for the first kingdom hearts is what pulls at my heart strings. Or maybe final fantasy 7 . Loved every song
Kingdom Hearts is everything I'm about! Pretty much all my posts have a hint of it in there ^-^
nice post you are awesome . nice article
Thank you so much!
Music in games can be so good. RiME that recently cane out has an amazing soundtrack
I'll have to check it out!
The game itself id ok, Its not that great but the music is 10/10
Oh that's a cool topic. Music in games is so undervalued. My personal favourite is in Max Payne 3 that song launching on the final scene while you shoot your way into the airport. Epic! Something missing comics I must say!
Never played it sadly, ill check it out!
Great article!
I think music is important in any medium, not just games. Music is the main way one creates an atmosphere, it's the easiest way to create a specific tone for your story.
My favorite game soundtracks would have to be: Mirror's Edge, Super Mario RPG and TES IV: Oblivion.
The Oblivion soundtrack in particular is just...
Great post! Check this out, made me instantly go purchase the artist's music.
I've seen it haha, but i prefer more classical music.
Yeah I love classical music. :) Did my degree on the trombone so it was all part of my formal training, but this teaser just hit me in the feels man. If you have a sound system that can play stereo to mono, do yourself a favour: There is a sound that comes in I think around 1:45, you can't miss it, its like a growl sound that sounds out of place. Listen in stereo, then listen again in mono. :) Super interesting little "easter egg".
Alright, now you have me interested.
Awesome article and I do agree wholeheartedly! Good music can just completely change how the game feels.
So far, I still love Transistors music the best!
Great post ! Would you mind if I included it in today "best of gaming"?
I understand, everyone has their own favorites! Yes you can, you don't have to keep asking for permission haha. I make these post so people can read and enjoy them as a community. Feel free to use this or any other future posts that you like.
I actually do need to ask for permission :)
Internal trail rules :)
Oh, I see. Well in that case never mind haha. Have a good one!
Great post. Music is such a huge part of a game that often isn't realized unless it's not existent or really terrible. I have a lot of respect for the the people that put in real effort to make a games soundtrack great
Yoko Shimomura and people like her really have amazing talent.
I would say that one of the most unforgettable songs is Louis Armstrong's "Give Me A Kiss to Build A Dream On" that plays at the opening of Fallout 2 as the scene pans out to the dystopian nuclear wasteland that war has left behind. Shortly after, Ron Perlman's iconic "War never changes" speech comes on. It's haunting.
Music can emphasize certain elements in a game. I swapped out Oblivion's music for Silent Hills and ran some horror mods and it felt like a horror game. God damn silent hill 1/2/3 ost m8 :O
I just made a video game about called Stop The Wall (it is available for iOS and Android phones) and one of the things people have loved the most about it is the music. Thank your for this post!
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What do you mean?
Great post. Those Legend of Zelda songs are so memorable, aren't they? When you hear them later, you can remember the scenes in the games and the emotions tied to them.
When a song in a game is successful it helps make the game part of you in that moment. I love racing games and just chilling out to the background music while I travel through the scenery.
Music is also important in movies.
When something sad happens you want a sad music to play because it will make the audince more likely to feel it.
I tend to favour music I hear in games or films rather than anywhere else. I think it's due to the story I was experiencing at the time which makes me have more feelings attached to them (if that makes any sense). Loved your article! (I'm new here, is that what we call them?) ^_^
Music in a game adds immersion or just makes it cool. The best music I remember is the Mario and Luigi series final battle, darkest dungeon, or Paper Mario we believe in you.
What about Nier Automata ? The ending song, Weight of the World and Kaine Salvation hit me right in the feels. This game has the best OST in my opinion !
Love how on Grand Theft auto you could just switch to your favourite jam
Oh yeah
Congratulations @primelink
You took 52 place in my Top 100 of posts