Mine is Skyrim.
I always come back to its music. It’s uplifting, telling me that everything’s gonna be alright. I have its songs in many different playlists.
Stardew Valley. I find myself humming the songs through the day all the time, they are so relaxing and whimsical.
Nocturne of Ice is a top 5 video game song for me
Mine are Subnautica, I’ve put myself in danger in that game just for the music. Honorable mentions include horizon (zero dawn specifically, but I am currently playing through forbidden West for the first time, so I still might prefer it), Halo(CE), and Skyrim for me as well.
Journey !
The soundtrack of the game is amazing !
When the game’s story is told without words, the soundtrack does a lot of legwork delivering such an emotional impact.
Few games have moved me to tears, but Journey is one of them.
Absolute favourite game soundtrack? Frostpunk’s OST. The soundtrack really brings home the desperation and harshness of survival in the cold. When the storm is coming and the music swells up… goosebumps. Every single time.
Divinity 2: Original Sin has a great soundtrack too. Kinda surprised I couldn’t find it in the comments. Minecraft as well. It’s very soothing and calming.
Aside from that, some smaller titles with great music: GRIS, What Remains of Edith Finch, and FAR: Lone Sails.
I am absolutely floored that nobody has said any Legend of Zelda games, but Twilight Princess and Ocarina of Time for sure.
A close third would be the first Ace Attorney game. Every song is a banger.
Persona 4 / 5. So many bops.
Reminder that every day’s great at your Junes
No love for Persona 3?
Might be a controversial statement, but I love Persona 5’s music and art design way more than I like the actual game, if I’m being honest. The anime tropiness isn’t really my thing and I’m not a huge fan of the writing, but the vibes of that game are immaculate.
Metroid Prime. All the music fits so perfectly to the environment, especially Phendrana drifts when you first discover the location.
I’m surprised no one has said Undertale yet, so I will.
Unreal Tournament and Deus Ex both come to mind. Alexander Brandon was involved in both and his work is absolutely amazing.
If we talk specific singles, though, it’s Morrowind (Nerevar Rising), Control (Take Control), and, recently, Baldur’s Gate 3 (Raphael’s Final Act). Morrowind’s tune is so ingrained in my mind that it’s my to-go whenever I get my hands on a keyboard.
Great choices there! the Unreal Tournament and Morrowind soundtracks have been stuck in my head for a long time now. UT in particular – I listen to the full album about once a week while I’m working.
I never played Deus Ex when it came out, so I don’t have the nostalgic attachment for that one, but I just discovered this a few days ago: https://alexanderbrandon.bandcamp.com/album/conspiravision-deus-ex-remixed. I bought it and am giving it a full listen today. Highly recommended; probably that much better if you’re a fan of the game.
Halo!
The CE soundtrack was so distinctive and awesome!
Can’t believe no one has said Risk of Rain 2 here yet. Amazing music, masterful composition
Doom 2016
Some favorites of mine:
Sonic (just about every game in the series): even during the “dark age of Sonic” ('06 through Unleashed) and in flops like Forces, the one thing the series has consistently gotten right is the music. Jun Senoe will rarely steer you wrong.
Ace Attorney (also the whole series): has it all - some fun melodies, tracks that fit the mood whatever it might be, great character themes, and just about every Pursuit theme is an awesome hype track.
Octopath Traveler (the original): I love the instrumentation, more wonderful themes for characters as well as locations, and the Battle II music has to be my favorite battle music in any JRPG ever. I’m a sucker for good string music.
Final Fantasy IX
Melodies of Life is the first time I ever heard an original song with lyrics for a video game
Mines FF VIII. Howdy neighbor!
Ouff, that’s a tough one.
But I think Persona 5 wins this one, owing to:
- Rivers in the Desert
- Life will Change
- Phantom, it’s menu background music
- The spin-off Strikers has the absolutely brain-infecting Love te Wonderland
However, I’ve recently finished Cassette Beasts, and it’s a really really strong contender. Imagine creating an OST piece as amazing as Same Old Story, then going back and adding lyrics for it for when you are fused. And then there’s the even more phenomenal Shot in the Dark (only linking the lyrics version here).
