Video games are made up of a lot of different components, from story to gameplay, but one of the most important aspects is the music. It is one thing to have intense action or breathtaking visuals, but if a suitable soundtrack doesn't accompany them, the world can actually feel empty and basic, despite having many other great components.
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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's soundtrack is packed with tremendous songs that will stay with the player even when they're away from their screen.
Many games create their own soundtracks in-house, using existing talent within the space to build up a musical experience in line with the gameplay onscreen. However, in some cases, developers choose to branch out into the wider musical world, bringing in established talent, from famous artists to bands from across the globe, to deliver an even heavier and more impactful overall feel.
10 Final Fantasy 15
Elegant And Emotional
- Soundtrack by Florence & The Machine.
- Give contrast to the orchestral score.
Final Fantasy 15 is full to the brim with emotional tracks that run alongside the action, yet many players might not know that the signature track, "Stand by Me," is not just a random artist hopping on a track, but was written and performed by the group Florence & The Machine.
The song perfectly encapsulates the game's themes of brotherhood and loss, giving players a deeply heartfelt backing to one of the heavier narratives in the franchise. Despite being a cover, the song manages to hit the emotional side of things far more than the original, turning a familiar song into a powerful storytelling device that lingers long after the credits roll.
9 Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
A Cultural Time Capsule
- Standout artists like Red Hot Chili Peppers.
- Music is integrated directly into the gameplay.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 did not merely feature licensed music as an added extra; it defined how music and gameplay could merge into a single, perfect moment. Tracks from Red Hot Chili Peppers, alongside several other artists from a range of genres, create a sense of rhythm that perfectly parallels the speed of the gameplay.
Every trick and combo feels synchronized to the soundtrack’s momentum, and rather than existing in the background, the songs manage to seamlessly blend with the action, regardless of whether players are preparing their next run or are in the middle of hitting an insane string of moves.
8 Quake
Industrial Atmosphere Perfected
- A Nine Inch Nails collaboration.
- Emphasizes dread and isolation.
Nine Inch Nails’ work on Quake redefined how sound could shape video game atmosphere. The soundtrack abandons traditional melodies in favor of oppressive drones, metallic textures, and industrial noise that blur the line between music and environment. It feels less like an accompaniment and more like a living in-game presence. Music emerges subtly, reinforcing isolation and dread rather than overtly guiding emotion. Silence is used as effectively as sound, making each audio cue feel deliberate. It's an audio landscape that enhances immersion and tension without distraction.
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The music never comes out of nowhere or feels like a last-minute addition; instead emerging subtly and playing into the themes of isolation and dread in a non-intrusive manner. The result is an auditory experience that comes across as heavily immersive without ever breaking the tension with distracting notes or out-of-place beats.
7 Forza Horizon 5
Every Genre Imaginable
- A diverse lineup of artists.
- Ties into the festival energy.
Forza Horizon 5 has less of an original soundtrack and more of a collaborative collection of songs that come from all sides of the cultural landscape. There are DJ-driven tracks by Avicii and deadmau5, and more classic rock anthems from bands like Foo Fighters, all accessible on their own respective radio stations.
Each group caters to different styles, allowing music to match the player's tastes but also the kind of driving they want to do on the road. By integrating the music directly into the gameplay, the moment stays high-energy and never becomes a distraction from the speed and intensity of the race.
6 Destiny
Bringing A Legend Into The Gaming Industry
- Paul McCartney was part of the music team.
- The soundtrack matches the sci-fi grandeur.
Paul McCartney’s involvement in Destiny brought unexpected warmth to its otherwise dark cosmic atmosphere. A lot of the tracks give a human feel to the action, reinforcing themes of perseverance and legacy, most notably with the track "Hope for the Future" serving as the game's final send-off after beating the campaign.
While there are still plenty more orchestral tracks to be heard throughout a playthrough, the fact that such an important musical figure appears on the soundtrack at all is impressive enough. It's clear that McCartney's talents and insight had a big impact on creating a grand and deeply memorable series of musical tracks.
5 Neon White
Adreneline In Audio Form
- Machine Girl leads the whole soundtrack.
- Speed-focused gameplay is matched by high-energy music.
Machine Girl’s soundtrack for Neon White transforms the game into a sensory overload of speed and aggression. The frantic electronic tracks mirror the game’s breakneck pacing, encouraging rapid movement and constant momentum, even during less combat-heavy levels.
Each run feels like a timed performance, with sound driving the player forward at every step along the way, encouraging them to go faster to shave just one more second off their time. The music never fades into the background, instead becoming a force that brings a level of pace to the game that simply wouldn't exist without it.
4 Life Is Strange
Indie Icons Blended With Emotional Bonding
- Features a wide range of smaller artists.
- Warm and heartbreaking tracks throughout.
Life Is Strange has a curated soundtrack by artists that each serve a distinct purpose within the context of the narrative. The majority of the songs come with an emotional tone, like those by Syd Matters, but later on, there are plenty more up-tempo tracks, like those heard during episode four, that perfectly mimic the energy of the moment.
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Yoko Shimomura is best known for her work on the Kingdom Hearts soundtracks, but she's made incredible music for other games too.
The majority of the artists on the soundtrack come from the indie space, yet many have grown into much larger artists thanks to the success of the franchise. Local Natives, Foals, and many more are all featured on the soundtrack, showing that sometimes, it doesn't take a global superstar to write an exceptional set of songs.
3 Death Stranding
A Journey Of The Ears And The Soul
- The soundtrack is headlined by Low Roar and CHVCHES.
- Music is triggered through gameplay.
Death Stranding uses many licensed tracks as points of emotional elevation rather than just accompanying pieces. Songs from bands like Low Roar appear during long journeys, transforming traversal into reflective, almost meditative experiences that can feel far more enjoyable thanks to the calming nature of the tracks.
Conversely, the CHVRCHES track, itself titled "Death Stranding," closes things out in a much more uplifting manner, contrasting the relaxing yet serious feel that the rest of the songs bring. For an experience that focuses on thought and big stretches of time without action, Death Stranding manages to nail the musical side of things in every imaginable way, creating an atmosphere that never grows dull as a result of the constant musical ebbs and flows.
2 Halo 2
Rock Fused With Orchestra
- Music by icons of the rock world.
- The soundtrack heightens combat without feeling scripted.
Halo 2’s soundtrack stands as a landmark achievement, blending the talents of several rock bands like Breaking Benjamin with Martin O’Donnell’s orchestral compositions to create a fusion that elevates combat encounters into operatic clashes, giving emotional weight to every firefight.
Pivotal moments are often defined by their backing track, whether by outlining the intensity or bringing a more heroic piece that falls in line with the current theme of the story. The balance between licensed and original songs also makes the soundtrack feel incredibly bespoke, as licensed tracks never feel forced into specific moments, and the in-house ones always land from an emotional point of view.
1 Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Every Station: A Journey Through Time
- Stars a huge range of popular musicians.
- Music is integrated into exploration.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City’s soundtrack functions as a musical time machine, capturing the excess and energy of the 1980s through its various radio stations. Featuring iconic bands and artists from Lionel Richie to Michael Jackson, the music manages to define the setting as much as visuals or dialogue.
Radio integration allows players to engage with music organically while driving, adding to the immersion and keeping their attention on the action at hand. Each station reflects a different slice of 80s culture, giving players a chance to experience all sides of the Vice City landscape without ever leaving the neon-soaked city that has become such an icon in the years since.
What Makes a Video Game Soundtrack Great?
What makes a video game soundtrack great? Today we're here to find out.