GBHBL’s Top 10: Video Game Music (Part 2)
A quality video game soundtrack is much more pivotal to the overall experience than most people give it credit for. To me, the score can sometimes be even more memorable than any other aspect of a game. A lot of the time, the music will remind me of the scene in which it is used. I’ll hear the first few seconds and I’ll immediately be able to visualize the moment it was played. It is an extremely powerful tool, one that has been utilized to great effect over the years. This list is compiled of soundtracks that are not necessarily the greatest of all time. Also, some of them might not even spring to mind for some of you at all. In truth, I could easily write a list made up of 100 entries. However, I’ll start by giving you my first 10.
10 – The Wolf Among Us – Main Theme
Until recently it seemed like we’d never see a follow up to this fantastic Telltale game. However, that changed when they finally announced a continuation. The opening credits combined with this memorable theme always managed to get me excited for the episode ahead.
09 – Tales of Vesperia – The Ancients Float in the City
This entry in the Tales franchise is seriously underrated. Also, it is a fantastic J-RPG that is actually available on the Xbox 360! It has a number of great tracks but I found this one to be the most memorable. As soon as I hear it I’m immediately swept back to the town of Myorzo, just wow.
08 – Ori & the Blind Forest – End credits theme
What else can I say about this game that I haven’t already? It is an undeniable work of art. Also, it has a wonderful soundtrack that takes it to a whole new level of brilliance.
07 – Assassins Creed Rogue – Main Theme
This theme is used throughout the entire trilogy surrounding the Kenway family line. However, it is used with much more subtlety in Assassins Creed 3 & 4. In Rogue, it is at the forefront and the game is better for it, truly beautiful.
06– Alan Wake – Welcome to Bright Falls
Alan Wake has an extremely underrated soundtrack. This particular piece of music that plays near the beginning of the game as you enter Bright Falls is simply exceptional.
05 – Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Icarus
Another game with a severely underrated soundtrack! Deus Ex: Human Revolution is a great game and the soundtrack doesn’t disappoint either. This is a truly stunning piece of music.
04 – Final Fantasy X HD – Seymour (final battle)
I know this might be controversial; the original track for this battle is awesome. Still, the remade and remixed version of the song is something else. I didn’t want the battle to end due to how great this is. It is right up there as one of the best boss battle soundtracks ever made; simply stunning.
03 – The Witcher 3: Blood & Wine DLC – Gwent
I love Gwent; put those words on my gravestone. No seriously, I really love Gwent. Never has a card game captivated me more than the one in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. I played a round against anyone that I could find until there was nobody left to defeat. Thankfully, the Blood & Wine DLC added new opponents. If that wasn’t enough, the wonderful people at CD Projeckt Red added a new soundtrack as well. Hearing this song play as I decimated my opponent only added to the joy of victory.
02 – Final Fantasy XIII-2 – End Credits Theme
Final Fantasy XIII is a flawed game but one that is worth getting through. The two games that follow it are a vast improvement. Still, it’s a shame that so many were put off the whole series by the first game of the trilogy. However, one thing that cannot be denied is the quality of the soundtrack that the trilogy delivered. One track in particular stood out from the rest. The one I’m talking about is of course, Caius Ballad’s theme. It is an absolutely epic, dark operatic piece of music. Also, it accompanies one heck of a villain.
01 – Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver – Ozar Midrashim
Man, I love this song. I really miss the Legacy of Kain franchise; I really hope it can come back from the dead at some point in the future. Also, no other track on this list has the ability to take me back as much as this one does. After all, isn’t that what makes video game music so special in the first place?
