Music has long been a component of video games and it is used to enhance the gaming experience.
In terms of graphics, playability and sheer scale, games have improved monumentally over the past several decades. If you compare Red Dead Redemption, which was released in 2010, to the sequel Red Dead Redemption 2 which was released just eight years later, it is simple to see how far the game industry has advanced in less than a decade. Be that as it may, it does not mean that modern games are more memorable as the games of the past. Certainly, there is a much more substantial selection of online games now compared to the past, but online gameplay is not the be all and end all.
In this eLyrics article, we will take a look at some of the most memorable gaming soundtracks of all time. A great soundtrack in the background of a particular gaming moment can make a huge difference to how the gamer remembers the moment.
Halo: Combat Evolved
Although the menu music in Halo: Combat Evolved is probably the best remembered, anyone who has played the games ten missions will be fully aware that the soundtrack has even more to offer than its opening song. Who could forget the feeling of being levitated up to the Covenant’s alien flagship, The Truth and Reconciliation with its accompanying music? My personal favourite is the music titled Lament for Private Jenkins who was the unfortunate first victim of the terrible alien lifeforms known as The Flood. Incidentally, Devils…Floods is the rather terrifying soundtrack which accompanies the players first meeting with The Flood! Finally, if Rock Anthem for Saving the World doesn’t get you pumped up to kick some alien but, then you are probably playing the wrong game!
The whole Halo:Combat Evolved soundtrack is available on Spotify as well as Youtube. Martin O’Donnell and Micheal Salvatori are the two greats behind the soundtrack.
Pokemon: Red and Blue
The first Pokemon games to be released in the United Kingdom were Pokemon Red and Blue. Along with Super Mario, these games changed handheld gaming forever. The soundtrack was and still is deceptively simple. Who can forget the dings and dangs of the opening theme? Each new town had a different theme, this helped to make the already large world seem even bigger, as every town and even route had its personality enhanced by the music. Oak’s Laboratory was probably my favourite and brings lots of nostalgia and happy memories when I listen to it even now. The Indigo Plateau theme was probably the most intense out of them all, it meant that finally beating the Elite Four felt all the greater.
The Pokemon soundtrack is widely available online and can be found on both YouTube and Spotify.
Book of Dead
A game which can be found within the online slot games niche, Book of Dead was a real pioneer when it was released in 2016 by Play N’ Go. The soundtrack reminds me a little of Age of Empires. It has a slightly war-like feel to it, but the game itself is based on adventure and discovering the wonders and treasures of Ancient Egypt. The soundtrack changes throughout the game, in the bonus round the music becomes much more tense, and if a win is triggered on the reels then there is a sort of celebratory track which begins. If you would like to listen to the Book of Dead soundtrack without actually playing the game, you can play in demo mode.
Kingdom Hearts
Arguably the greatest Disney game of all time, Kingdom Hearts is renowned for its excellent soundtrack which is regularly featured on Classic FM’s greatest video game soundtracks of all time. Yoko Shimomora is the composer and pianist behind the game. In typical Disney style, the music is very light with numerous melodies and memorable tracks. The game itself is an absolute classic too and is adored by fans all across the world despite being released back in 2002 for the PlayStation 2.
You can listen to the whole soundtrack for free over Spotify or YouTube.
Heroes of Might and Magic 3
Another cult classic of a game with a soundtrack to match, Heroes of Might and Magic 3 is a turn-based fantasy strategy game for the PC. The menu theme kicks things off with a bang and summarises exactly what you can expect from the game to come: mystery, magic and epic fantasy battles between creatures from mythology and fantasy. THere are several playable factions, all of which have their own unique themes. The undead of the Necropolis has a creepier soundtrack, as you can imagine. Whilst the archangels of the Castle are high and mighty with their glorious musical theme.
Put simply, this game would not be the same without its epic sound effect and soundtrack. The HD edition of Heroes of Might and Magic 3 can be played via the Steam store. The whole soundtrack is also available to listen to on YouTube and Spotify.
The Gaming Soundtracks of the Future
In 20 years from now, I hope I am reviewing the epic soundtracks of some more games. Music is and probably always will be an important component of any game. In fact, music is arguably mankind's greatest ever creation. Where would we be without music?
