Video Game Soundtracks are something that should coexist with every new title. This is the undeniable truth. Nevertheless, this fact is starting to allow music to be taken for granted. The focus is starting to become more and more on how to portray our budget and create momentary glamour, instead of leaving the player with an everlasting impression, primarily through the things they will carry with them when they finish the experience.
Music aids me in forming an emotional bond with each narrative and iconic moments. It’s true that music is not just about the quality of the sound piece, but the story you use to sell this piece to the player. Only video games can do that, because of the infinite possibilities you have for integrating music into the interactive experiences, and below are some choices that left us with something that cant be seen, only felt with the power of songs.
Voice of Cards
I want to point out to this one in particular because of the unorthodox approach of the game, which takes a spin on common JRPG character tropes, and uses a narrator to deliver what should the player feel about them. It honestly felt for me like a walking interactive book more than a game, and it allowed me to imagine and process my feelings instead of accepting only what I can see. The game soundtracks helped a lot with the imagination part.
First of all, the music was written by Oliver Good with a distinct “Irish Atmosphere“, which created a delicate atmosphere and changed the way I look at the events in my mind. Not just that, but the composer is knowledgeable about the earlier ambience created by past Nier games, and was not only trying to create something different, but more of an analogue, or a fantastical take on the heritage Nier left.
It’s very hard to describe how music can make us feel, but If u have been there with Yoko Taro from the beginning, you will notice that there is a certain history to the soundtracks. It does not only try to fit in with the moment, but it acts as a homage to the past, and tries to transcended it regularly in various ways, accompanied with the wonderful narration, it left me with the warmest feelings this year.
Neo: The World Ends with You
Takeharu Ishimoto is a talented musician who is known for composing game soundtracks in many different genres, including rock, hip hop, electronica, and pop, and to be completely honest, it always felt like TWEWY series was his life’s work. The game transforms the regular activity of traversing the streets of Tokyo into a very invigorating experience. It has a little piece of everything, but keeps preserving its own charm in the end.
The pop synth tracks and the electric guitar made me feel like I was breaking free from the chains binding me. It mashed so well with the bizarre clothes and the stylish pins used as a battle system, and the dynamic approach to traversal instead of the Old two dimensional one completed the portrait of a masterpiece. Even when the sky changes it’s colors you can feel the heavy difference in tone and vocals.
I wasn’t just controlling the characters, but I was discovering something new about myself. I felt alive again, I used to leave the controller for a while and embrace what I feel about my choice of clothes, the usual streets around my house, and what do I think about when I look up the sky. It’s one of these games that helps you approach your life in a better way, and when you listen to the soundtrack while walking, I really felt something has changed within me. I believe all will feel the same when they listen to this wonderful masterwork.
Moonglow Bay
There is a monotonous feeling that haunts me when a friend describes a game as “relaxing“. It feels like something you can enjoy in many ways, and not from video games, or this specific musical score. I keep wishing they would include more details about what type of relaxation it was, and where did It move you on an internal level. Lena Raine‘s masterwork on Moonglow Bay is one example where I know perfectly where the magic lies.
The entire game soundtrack feels like it’s written to remind you of the small things in life. For me it felt like I was looking for pearls at the bottom of the ocean, even though I have experienced diving once before, and while I was very young, I was able to remember that young trip from my past in perfect details. The expression of soul touching music is a prefect fit here, all the tracks are rhythmic and filled with enough heart and love.
The Everyday life and Life at Home tracks in particular reminded me of my own mother’s cuddling, and how I used to be more creative and touch the hearts of people in their abstract form, with the senses of a child blessed with love and safety. I could probably say the same about many other tracks, and how they sent me back in time on the inside, but even without playing the game, you will probably get what I mean from the link below.
Her work can also be enjoyed through the game Chicory: A Colorful Tale, currently available on game pass and is as charming as games can get. The song Supper woods in particular is still stuck with me until now. Both game soundtracks can be sampled on her Bandcamp account.