Summary
Music is arguably one of the most important aspects to any video game, especially with games driven by narrative; music can help to elevate an already good game, and assists in evoking emotions from the player, from empowerment to retrospection.
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Throughout the years, there has been a plethora of fantastic game soundtracks and instrumentals, but this list aims to focus on songs in the literal sense: music accompanying lyrics. This list includes a broad variety of music from a wide selection of games both old and new, aiming to provide something for everyone.
11Cyberpunk 2077 - Black Dog
This sprawling, immersive sci-fi RPG’s soundtrack contains some great tracks, but itsCyberpunk 2077’s fictional band - SAMURAI - thatbrings the world to lifewith their heavy riffs and aggressive vocals.
The virtual band’s songs were written and performed by the Swedish hardcore punk band, Refused. In the game, SAMURAI was fronted by Johnny Silverhand, portrayed by Keanu Reeves. Although a lot of the music is heavy by nature, and won’t be for everyone, it helps to make some of the game’s narrative beats more memorable and helps add the ‘punk’ toCyberpunk.
10Metal Gear Solid 3 – Snake Eater
A favorite of many fans of the franchise,Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eaterdominates primarily due to the way it combines the best aspects of the first and secondMetal Gear Solidgames to wrap up its plot lines in an action-packed, blockbuster fashion as a prequel toBig Boss' tragic story.
But the classic 2004 stealth adventure’s title song, reminiscent ofa James Bond title theme, stands out above the rest; featuring strings, brass, and a powerful female vocal that soars throughout. The song’s musical stings and vocal hooks encapsulate the feeling ofMetal Gear Solid 3perfectly.
9BioShock Infinite – Will The Circle Be Unbroken
BioShockis an iconic game series that has always featured solid soundtracks, butBioShock Infinite, the third entry in theBioShockseries, went above and beyond to create an immersive world with its visuals, narrative, and audio.BioShock Infinite’smusic, in particular, is both technically impressive and thematically appropriate.
Of all the songs inBioShock Infinite, “Will The Circle Be Unbroken” is perhaps the most thematic of them all with its hauntingly beautiful lyrics performed solely alongside a gentle acoustic guitar playedby famed voice actor, Troy Baker.
8Dragon Age: Origins – Leliana’s Song
TheDragon Ageseries is one of the most revered epic fantasy game franchises, butDragon Age: Originsis still arguably one of the best games in the series with itsthematic, epic, and often emotional fantasy narrativethat drives the gameplay forward without relent.
Although the entirety of theDragon Age: Originssoundtrack, composed primarily by revered composer Inon Zur, is a beautiful accompaniment to the game as a whole, “Leliana’s Song” in particular is a hauntingly beautiful track that provides a solemn and tranquil moment for players after completing the “Nature of the Beast” quest.
7HiFi Rush – Captive Normals
AlthoughHiFi Rushdoes feature licensed music, it also has a full original soundtrack by The Glass Pyramids that provides a more than appropriate and relentless backdrop to theaction rhythm game.
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There are plenty of great tunes onHiFi Rush’soriginal soundtrack, but the song that plays during the “Rekka” boss fight is arguably one of the best with its rhythmic beat, blunt guitar riffs, and adrenaline-inducing vocals. The song’s thematic lyrics also help to elevate an already enjoyable boss fight into a more dramatic and narrative experience.
6Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge – We Ain’t Came To Lose
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revengeis a nostalgic return to form fortheTMNTvideo gameswith its retro pixel-art aesthetic and arcade gameplay reminiscent of theTMNT: Turtles In Timebeat ‘em up game.
The game’s brilliant soundtrack is a non-stop barrage, arguably culminated by “We Ain’t Came To Lose”, which was performed by Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, members of the hip-hop group, Wu-Tang Clan. The song’s lyrics feature plenty ofTMNT-related quips that, when combined with its relentless pace, make it the perfect track for theTMNTbeat ‘em up.
5Bastion – Setting Sail, Coming Home
This narrative-driven top-down action-adventure RPG from indie darlings Supergiant Games (developers ofHades) features beautiful artwork, action-packed gameplay, and a wonderfully voice-acted narrator who provides context and thematic one-liners throughout the game. However,Bastion’smusic elevates the sum of its parts to another level.
After the long and arduous journey that the player takes through the game,the ending themeofBastionprovides the perfect climax to an unforgettable experience with its steady, rolling beat and melancholic vocal melodies performed by Ashley Barrett and Darren Korb.
4Halo 2 – Blow Me Away
For some,Halo 2is the epitome of the series with its epic story, themes, characters, and iconic soundtrack. The game’s blockbuster sci-fi narrative is driven forward at every turn by the game’s thematic and memorable music, but the song played when entering the mausoleum of the Arbiter in the “Gravemind” level, although instrumental in-game, is an iconic track that elevates the action.
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“Blow Me Away” was written specifically forHalo 2by nu-metal band Breaking Benjamin, and while the lyrics aren’t included in the game, the song is an iconic and memorable part ofHalo 2.
3Portal – Still Alive
Valve’s iconic game,Portal, is arguably one of the most innovative puzzle games. Released all the way back in 2007,Portalis arguably still one of the most iconic video games of all time, partially due to the game’s antagonist - GLaDOS, the artificial intelligence.
The game’sdark story and humorperfectly culminates with the game’s acclaimed end-credits song written for the game by singer/songwriter Jonathan Coulton, featuring comical lyrics relating to the events of the game and sung from GLaDOS’s perspective.
DespiteRed Dead Redemption 2having some great songs on its soundtrack, it’s hard to beat the moment in the originalRed Dead Redemptionwhen the player crosses into Mexico for the first time.
The song, performed by Jose Gonzales, does a perfect job of setting the tone and encapsulating the themes present in the narrative. The combination of the solemn music and vocal melodies, along with the thematically appropriate lyrics, make entering Mexico for the first time a dramatic and memorable moment inthe game’s narrative.
