by Reece Merryweather-Brown
Games are amazing. They blend lots of different elements from loads of different mediums, taking things from film, music, literature and mixing it all together and adding the special ingredient ‘interactivity’ to really make it special.
But a lot of the time, the music in a videogame is often forgotten. So let’s have a little look at what I think is some of the best original scores in modern video gaming.
Games are amazing. They blend lots of different elements from loads of different mediums, taking things from film, music, literature and mixing it all together and adding the special ingredient ‘interactivity’ to really make it special.
But a lot of the time, the music in a videogame is often forgotten. So let’s have a little look at what I think is some of the best original scores in modern video gaming.
5. Max Payne 3
One of Rockstar’s greatest games Max Payne 3 is the final outing of Max, looking at his crumbling life after he hits the booze to hard and ends up stumbling into a conspiracy written in a different language.
The music goes from high-tempo drum beats in a firefight as bullets whizz passed, to gentle and sad piano music, initiated by the player as Max compiles the soundtrack to his life. An amazing game with an amazing story, all backed up with a truly beautiful score.
One of Rockstar’s greatest games Max Payne 3 is the final outing of Max, looking at his crumbling life after he hits the booze to hard and ends up stumbling into a conspiracy written in a different language.
The music goes from high-tempo drum beats in a firefight as bullets whizz passed, to gentle and sad piano music, initiated by the player as Max compiles the soundtrack to his life. An amazing game with an amazing story, all backed up with a truly beautiful score.
4. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
Ubisoft’s most recent assassin adventure was simply fantastic. Improved mechanics and gameplay along with ultra-crisp visuals was presented to us alongside an amazing score.
As you sail the seven seas you can order your crew to sing sea shanties as you crash through waves and hunt for treasure. In towns and cities lutes and simple guitars are played, and in jungles and swamps the music becomes much more suspenseful.
Ubisoft’s most recent assassin adventure was simply fantastic. Improved mechanics and gameplay along with ultra-crisp visuals was presented to us alongside an amazing score.
As you sail the seven seas you can order your crew to sing sea shanties as you crash through waves and hunt for treasure. In towns and cities lutes and simple guitars are played, and in jungles and swamps the music becomes much more suspenseful.
3. Dishonoured
I really, really, reeeeallllly love Dishonoured. The gameplay is fresh and immersive due to the choices the player is able to make and the consequences they have to face and the whole thing is done with a really great artistic style. The soundtrack fits perfectly with the Industrial Steampunk London theme.
The most notable piece of music from the game is the ‘Drunken Whaler’ song, a modified version of the ‘Drunken Sailor’ song and while it’s not featured heavily in the main game the trailer’s enough to make it memorable with its creepy echoey tone sung by what seems to be young Scottish girls *shivers*.
I really, really, reeeeallllly love Dishonoured. The gameplay is fresh and immersive due to the choices the player is able to make and the consequences they have to face and the whole thing is done with a really great artistic style. The soundtrack fits perfectly with the Industrial Steampunk London theme.
The most notable piece of music from the game is the ‘Drunken Whaler’ song, a modified version of the ‘Drunken Sailor’ song and while it’s not featured heavily in the main game the trailer’s enough to make it memorable with its creepy echoey tone sung by what seems to be young Scottish girls *shivers*.
2. Red Dead Redemption
Arguably Rockstar’s finest game, Red Dead Redemption takes place in 1911, widely known as the end of the Wild West. Taking control of John Marston you must hunt down and kill your former gang members, which is all helped by the absolutely fabulous soundtrack. The Wild West has never felt so alive as you relive all the glorious spaghetti westerns as you watch tumbleweed roll on by and start shootouts in bars. Everything is perfect, the visuals, the mechanics, the sounds and the music. From piano in a bar, to guitar in the untamed wilderness, wherever you go, there’s a treat to the ears to be found. And don’t even get me started on that mission.
Arguably Rockstar’s finest game, Red Dead Redemption takes place in 1911, widely known as the end of the Wild West. Taking control of John Marston you must hunt down and kill your former gang members, which is all helped by the absolutely fabulous soundtrack. The Wild West has never felt so alive as you relive all the glorious spaghetti westerns as you watch tumbleweed roll on by and start shootouts in bars. Everything is perfect, the visuals, the mechanics, the sounds and the music. From piano in a bar, to guitar in the untamed wilderness, wherever you go, there’s a treat to the ears to be found. And don’t even get me started on that mission.
1. The Last of Us
Naughty Dog’s most recent master piece not only blew me away with its amazing visuals, brutal gameplay and excellent voice acting but also with its exquisite score. Either trying desperately to survive in the harsh world or exploring the ways in which nature has reclaimed the concrete jungle everything just fits. And the end scene is truly beautiful. Composed by Gustavo Santaolalla this is a truly amazing soundtrack, the best of which (in my opinion) being ‘The Last of Us’. Gustavo (not Fring) also previously composed and won Academy Awards for Babel and Brokeback Mountain. Not too shabby.
Naughty Dog’s most recent master piece not only blew me away with its amazing visuals, brutal gameplay and excellent voice acting but also with its exquisite score. Either trying desperately to survive in the harsh world or exploring the ways in which nature has reclaimed the concrete jungle everything just fits. And the end scene is truly beautiful. Composed by Gustavo Santaolalla this is a truly amazing soundtrack, the best of which (in my opinion) being ‘The Last of Us’. Gustavo (not Fring) also previously composed and won Academy Awards for Babel and Brokeback Mountain. Not too shabby.
As the gaming industry progresses, no doubt it will give birth to many more amazing scores and soundtracks for our ears to feast on. I know there’s a few games that you’re probably disappointed aren’t here (such as Halo and Final Fantasy) but, having never played those games, I didn’t think it would be right to comment on something I know nothing about and have no personal connection to. Think I’ve missed something big time? Make your voice heard in the comments below and fight the injustice that is this list.
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