If you turn down the music in just about any game, you can immediately realize the impact that sound creates. This means music can either make or break a game. A perfectly designed music soundtrack can take a video game to new heights and can improve the experience. With that being said, here are 10 video games with exceptional sound design and soundtracks.
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The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
What makes The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt one of the best games of all time is the incorporation of brilliant soundtracks. Some of the notable songs in the game include "Hunt or be Hunted" and "Steel for Humans." Even the ambient music in the game can really get you immersed with the wonderful landscapes of Skillege and the swamps of Velen.
Doom
One cannot imagine Doom being Doom without the brilliant score from Mick Gordon. Some pieces, including "BFG Division" and "At The Hell's Gate," can really pump you up to rip and tear everything that stands in your way. Id Software has taken a similar route for Doom Eternal and we'll again get to hear the brilliant work from the legendary Mick Gordon.
Shadow of the Colossus
Many would agree that Shadow of the Colossus is a beautiful game. The game amazingly incorporated minimalist design, which included virtually no character dialog and minimalistic gameplay mechanics. However, all of it was tied together well with the game's brilliant soundtrack. Some of the orchestral songs in Shadow of Colossus will make you want to pause the game and just relax!
Skyrim
Elder Scrolls fans will agree with me that Skyrim could have been much better, but we cannot deny the fact that the game offers amazing musical scores. If you haven't played Skyrim yet, you're missing out on one heck of a game. Although the game has gotten quite old now, it has aged like fine wine. The music in the games always trip me up and get me in the mood to slay dragons like the Dragonborn I am.
The Last of Us
A masterpiece in storytelling, The Last of Us is also a testament to incredible music that pours emotions into the game. Beautiful musical scores express the emotional connection between Joel and Ellie on their epic journey. Once you get past the Prologue of the game, you really cement yourself in to find out what's next, and, thanks to the brilliant tunes that energize you, to experience the incredible story.
Nier: Automata
Nier: Automata may not have garnered much commercial success, but the game's sound design cannot be ignored. Some people really fell in love with the classic hack'n'slash gameplay that Nier: Automata offers, yet everyone who played the game appreciated the music and vocals. An interesting fact about Nier: Automata is that the game's director, Yoko Taro, invented a fictional language that is a mix of German and Japanese, which worked brilliantly for the voice work in the game.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Dark Souls and Bloodborne have some of the most brilliant soundtracks that we remember. Most of our memory can be credited to the number of times we died to particular bosses, but in all honesty, those soundtracks were amazing. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is no exception. FromSoftware has done an astounding job in creating the music for Sekiro that fits so well with the Japanese lore. One of my favorite tracks in the game is one that plays during the Demon of Hatred boss fight, it's pure art!
Red Dead Redemption 2
What could breathe life into the atmosphere of the Wild West? Guitars, rumbling percussion, flutes, and whistles complement the scenic adventures in Red Dead Redemption 2. The game is tied together with pre-rock orchestral pop music and occasional vocals, which make Red Dead Redemption 2 a masterpiece of a game.
God Of War
The scores in the God of War games have always amazed the fans. The latest God of War is no exception. God of War was Sony's most anticipated game of 2018 and turned out to be the most acclaimed game of the year, thanks in part to Bear McCreary's brilliant soundtrack that brought the Nordic setting alive with an excellent Icelandic choir.
Journey
By now you may have already heard about the beautiful game, Journey. The game doesn't teach you its mechanics through tutorials or dialog, yet somehow tells you everything that you need to know. What subtly goes along with this masterpiece of a game is its incredible soundtrack. The strings certainly add emotions to the sense of feeling lonely in the vast sand dunes, while rising harps give you a sense of hope. The game is a sheer joy to play and complete.
