A good videogame soundtrack can be the difference between whether a game is memorable or not. Good gameplay helps too, but even if a game is bad, it can still be remembered fondly by its music. Where would a game like Cheetahmen be without its catchy music? Even more awful and forgotten. Would Super Meat Boy be the same experience without Danny Baranowsky’s input? I don’t think so. I think there’s something to be said for melody driven, simple game music.
Let’s go back to the 8 and 16 bit era. The music was simple due to programming limitations, which ultimately was a strength because the music was catchy due to a strong melody. Games like Super Mario Brothers, Donkey Kong Country, F-Zero, MegaMan, Tetris, Final Fantasy, Earthbound, Bubble Bobble and a slew of others. How many songs from just the games I’ve listed can you hum? I would wager quite a few. I would also imagine that it brings back both good and frustrating memories.
Modern indie games have embraced the idea of a strong melody. Danny Baranowsky is a master of such melody. In no other game is this more evident than Super Meat Boy. In addition to its super solid platforming and gorgeous art style, SMB’s soundtrack is certainly something special. It’s a retro style soundtrack with modern production values, so the music is nuanced and complex, but still retains what you remember most, the melody.
Part of what makes Hotline Miami such a visceral experience is it’s droning 80’s club soundtrack. Songs such as ‘Crystals’ and ‘Hydrogen’ are infinitely stuck to your brain like sticky tar. Thematically, the music feels like a descent into madness. It gets more intense and grating the further into a mission you are.
That isn’t to say ambient music or a lavish orchestral score can’t be memorable. In many cases its even preferable. One of my favourite examples of ambient music was in Mirror’s Edge. It really felt like the sound was echoing off the concrete walls and filling your ears. It gave the entire game a real industrial vibe. But I couldn’t hum it to you. It’s music that blends in with the environment, so you barely notice it’s there.
It’s very difficult to make engaging ambient music. Ben Prunty did the soundtrack for FTL: Faster Than Light. He managed to make a soundtrack that complemented the theme of deep space. From calm exploration music, to more intense battle music. It seamlessly transitioned to add immersion.
Shadow of the Colossus is beautiful and epic in scale. I couldn’t possibly imagine a chiptune soundtrack for this game. The sweeping orchestral score by Kow Otani fits the theme of battling giant stone monsters. No music is used during any other gameplay, so it makes the colossi battles feel very special.
A strong argument can be made for simple melodies being more memorable. But it certainly doesn’t fit every game. The variety of music in videogames today is the biggest strength it has. But try getting Bubble Bobble out of your head!
Questions to the readers: What videogame music style do you prefer? What is your favourite videogame soundtrack?
Last Updated: November 1, 2013
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was reviewed on PC |
John's (JJ's) grand endeavour
November 1, 2013 at 12:05
MUCH less memorable.
Stephen, this is an article worth a debate.
Unreal soundtrack was epic. Total Annihilation soundtrack was so memorable. What’s happened?
Umar Moe Moe
November 1, 2013 at 12:17
Have to disagree bro, this gen brought some amazing music.
John's (JJ's) grand endeavour
November 1, 2013 at 12:34
Personally I just didn’t find any of it memorable.
Starcraft 2 has is great though
Ultimo_Cleric N7
November 1, 2013 at 12:40
Check out the Heavy Rain, Mass Effect 2 and Assassins Creed soundtracks (especially Brotherhood).
very good.
John's (JJ's) grand endeavour
November 1, 2013 at 13:26
Haha. Three games I haven’t played.
Ultimo_Cleric N7
November 1, 2013 at 14:50
Bro, do yourself a favour. All three are great.
John's (JJ's) grand endeavour
November 1, 2013 at 16:06
Only played Assassin’s Creed 1,2 and 3. And 3 kind of put me off the series. But will definitely try Heavy Raid and ME
Ultimo_Cleric N7
November 1, 2013 at 16:28
Brotherhood to me was the best game in the franchise. If you like 2, you will love brotherhood.
Devourer of Small Bunnies
November 1, 2013 at 13:40
TOTAL MOFUGGIN ANHHILATION! Cant believe people still remember that, what a brilliant brilliant game, and ost! Good pick
Milesh Bhana
November 1, 2013 at 12:09
the early Megaman games had awesome soundtracks.
Rincethisweekout!
November 1, 2013 at 12:17
I was just about to post ‘what about Mega Man’ 🙂 Well done sir!
Stephen Snook
November 1, 2013 at 12:30
Dude. Second paragraph xD. I would never forget megaman!
Rincethisweekout!
November 1, 2013 at 12:33
Oh thank the maker, my bad man, my bad!
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
November 1, 2013 at 12:11
Now i will have bubble bobble in my head the whole weekend. again. I agree though; something about simplicity of chiptune melodies makes them stick in my head much, much more than the sweeping orchestras and dubstep nonsense you get in today’s games
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 1, 2013 at 12:11
Heh, who can remember why you can overwrite the contents of the cassette in the header?
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
November 1, 2013 at 12:12
Tabs are still there. Need to snap em off 😉
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 1, 2013 at 12:13
10 points to the Overlord!
Jason Ashman
November 1, 2013 at 12:46
dont forget to do the same to your video tapes too! many a times i taped over something accidently
Vampyre Squirrel
November 1, 2013 at 12:16
You have won…. wait for it…
Absolutely nothing!
Unless if Trevor has something to give out… like a personal stalker or something.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 1, 2013 at 12:17
He won 10 points 🙁 They’re better than Bitcoins but worth less.
Vampyre Squirrel
November 1, 2013 at 12:21
LMAO! They’re also easier to get than Bitcoins
Anon A Mouse
November 1, 2013 at 12:34
And then you just put in some tissues or tape over the holes and you can overwrite again. I’m such a badass…
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 1, 2013 at 12:40
Old school pirating 😉
Alukard Neck Nibbler PhD
November 1, 2013 at 12:12
Anyone remember Manic Miner?
ThatManVan
November 1, 2013 at 12:13
Quake 2 OST best and most memorable (for me anyways)
Admiral Chief Ninja
November 1, 2013 at 12:16
YES!!!! I STILL listen to it on my daily playlists!
Umar Moe Moe
November 1, 2013 at 12:13
I’m an OST freak, my phone is filled with VGM, I must say, the soundtracks these days are actually still really good. I prefer ALL types of music. From Orchestral to chiptune..I love them all!!I think Composers these days are still really good.As for favorite soundtrack..dear lord where do I begin..
Overall this gen: Nier…Oh god this soundtrack is amazing and visceral….beyond amazing actually
Single Soundtracks that I really loved this gen (A few)
Lost Odyssey: Howl of The Departed
Nier: Song of the Ancients (MY GOD)
Bayonetta : Mysterious Destiny
Castlevania Lords of Shadow : Enchanted Woods
Far Cry 3: Main Theme
VVVVVV : Positive Force
Bastion : Setting Sail, Coming home
I could go on forever though…..but yeah, this gen was actually amazing!
Kromas
November 1, 2013 at 12:14
Leaving earth from the mass effect 3 album. Also death of Shepard from ME2. Also end credits song from ME. Damn now I have leaving earth stuck in my head. Time for some Malukah.
Ultimo_Cleric N7
November 1, 2013 at 12:47
Suicide Mission from ME2. Hero music if ther ever was one. And the trailer music is from Two Steps From Hell.
Check out their Invincible Album. I think you may enjoy it.
Kromas
November 1, 2013 at 12:52
I have it. Just got confused with the names. 😛
Ultimo_Cleric N7
November 1, 2013 at 13:10
Black Blade = win
Kromas
November 1, 2013 at 13:26
Two Steps from Hell = win
or as Charlie Sheen puts it.
“Epic winning”
Admiral Chief Ninja
November 1, 2013 at 12:15
FTL!!!!
Rincethisweekout!
November 1, 2013 at 12:16
Oh man, OVG will do his nut when he sees the last picture!
Admiral Chief Ninja
November 1, 2013 at 12:19
“will do his nut”
O_O
Rincethisweekout!
November 1, 2013 at 12:26
You shut up you! There’s more to the world the SA!
HvR
November 1, 2013 at 12:17
Best video game soundtrack ever…
That Dark Twit
November 1, 2013 at 12:19
YES!!!
Vampyre Squirrel
November 1, 2013 at 12:21
CnC!!! Man I loved playing Soviet for their sound track
Admiral Chief Ninja
November 1, 2013 at 12:30
I don’t even have to listen to know what song you are referring to!
UPVOTE!
Jason Ashman
November 1, 2013 at 12:47
did you forget about im a mechanical man from the c&c (standard) universe?
HvR
November 1, 2013 at 13:05
Definitely not, but I think Hell March is more memorable . There has been a rendition of it (although the original is the best) in each of the Red Alert games and easily recognizable and more synonymous with the series.
Also reminds me of Links 3,2,1 so it gets bonus points.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 1, 2013 at 12:20
I definitely notice when music adds to or detracts from a game while playing it, but it’s never been something I’d listen to outside of that. I find it’s the game’s ambient sounds that evoke more of a response in me.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
November 1, 2013 at 12:24
This.
Umar Moe Moe
November 1, 2013 at 12:26
Ahh, guiles theme, quite liked the Lion King one too lol
oVg
November 1, 2013 at 13:05
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA
10 HOURS
Johann
November 1, 2013 at 12:29
Recently played Baldur’s Gate Enhanced Edition and that game also had quite a memorable sound track. Most AAA RPGs have proper sound tracks that are pretty good, Dragon Age Origins and Mass Effect Trilogy are ones that immediately pops into my head.
More old school games like Mega Man and Duck Tales had awesome sound tracks, also the Sierra games like QFG, Space Quest and King’s Quest had some of the best music in gaming history.
Gareth L
November 1, 2013 at 12:34
I would say that game scores and soundtracks, although of a higher quality and standard, are far less memorable nowadays. Can anyone think of a tune from Diablo 3?
The golden age of melodies and a strong orchestral theme has passed. We have some incredible music composed these days, however a lot of it is contextual and only really works within the scene that it is intended for. We don’t have games soundtracks that play as a track list anymore, like the era of Command & Conquer and WarCraft 2, now we have a more cinematic-inspired score that roles and picks-up as each scene unfolds.
Ultimately, once the game is over, or it’s time for work/bed/saving the world the music fades from our minds quickly. It doesn’t stick as a tune in our heads while we’re driving to work.
Spathi
November 1, 2013 at 12:35
Anyone who has played Red Dead Redemption will tell you that 2 of the most epic moments in gaming was partly because of the songs they chose to go therewith. If not for those songs, those moments wouldn’t have had half the impact it did.
The Last of Us is also a great example. The subtle sounds and music makes the game so much more epic.
Modern Soundtracks FTW!
Ultimo_Cleric N7
November 1, 2013 at 12:38
Soundtracks MAKE the game for me.
And some of them lately have been incredible. More memorable for me I would say.
Also great for gymming to…..
Jason Ashman
November 1, 2013 at 12:49
I think the biggest problem is the fact that graphics are now everything. The only sound players wanna hear is gunshots and footsteps. Its sad in a way. But when a great soundtrack comes along, something along the lines of vvvvvv (a game that after the first time i played i hummed it for about a month), it is just something all the more special.
So while i agree with the tone of the article, I will say a big no. OSTs are definitely not less memorable, the memorable ones are just few and far between.
oVg
November 1, 2013 at 13:00
Still good today. Bioshock 3 and the Tomb Raider soundtracks made my balls tingle.
oVg
November 1, 2013 at 13:02
ZELDA Will forever hold the mantle above ALL. The 8-BIT casio keyboard still sends shivers.
Rock789
November 1, 2013 at 13:02
I thought Deus Ex: Human Revolution had a really shweet soundtrack! Especially the song “Icarus: Main Theme”. Man, everytime I hear that song, it gets me! Really great track.
Heavy Rain had a great soundtrack too – very emotive! You can almost hear the rain drops in the way the piano is played…
Rincethisweekout!
November 1, 2013 at 13:36
Star Fox had some shweet music too!
Devourer of Small Bunnies
November 1, 2013 at 13:39
Dude, you picked the BEST game OST’s. Colour me impressed. Read the title and immediately thought of pretty much all that was mentioned, except for one (feel ashamed, because its brilliant) is the Deus Ex HR OST. Absolutely phenomenal. Oh and Bastion.
Dark
November 1, 2013 at 13:41
Quake 2 Trent Reznor!
ElimiNathan
November 1, 2013 at 13:53
Definately, I still listen to the Contra and Robocop soundtracks every now and then for some nostalgia
FreddyBear
November 1, 2013 at 14:02
Gabriel Knight, sins of the fathers. Never ever forget that opening tune!
CypherGate
November 1, 2013 at 14:38
Castlevania Symphony of the Night… one of the best and most memorable in my opp.
RangerMossel
November 1, 2013 at 14:58
DmC – One of the most epic soundtracks ever! More metal than your mom’s kettle!
RangerMossel
November 1, 2013 at 15:00
Also the song that plays in the trailer for Bioshock Infinite. I am actually a fan of that band because of BI.
aj321
November 1, 2013 at 21:58
My favourite soundtracks from this gen are Rdr, Tlou and Heavy Rain. Atmospheric!
DatKofGuy
November 5, 2013 at 14:22
Kind of late the party, but, Metal Gear Rising’s ost is soooo good. Far Cry Blood Dragon and the Hotline Miami soundtracks were also killer, so while the majority of new games have soundtracks that are soon forgotten, there a few that a true gems.