WeBuyGames | The Best Video Game Soundtracks

Music adds a lot to the world of gaming, imagine how dull it would be if we didn’t have an ominous heartbeat in the background of a dungeon scene, or strings whilst two of our favourite characters share a heartfelt goodbye! It’s so appreciated in the video game community that “Best Soundtrack for Video Games” has its own category at the Grammy’s. Most recently the award was snapped up by Stephanie Economou for her composition on Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarök. Since the 1980s games have always been supported by a harmonious soundtrack, so let’s have a look at some of the best ones over the years.

Call of Duty: Black Ops - Zombies – Damned

There’s something about this song that makes you feel both hope and doom all in the same breath (if you’re actually breathing whilst playing this game). The song was composed by Kevin Sherwood, who also composed most of the other Zombies songs. It is a purely instrumental song and consists mainly of the piano. The song also samples the main theme of the 1978 film Halloween for the background piano.

The Legend of Zelda Soundtrack

The Legend of Zelda games are beautifully whimsical, and the music supports that exact feeling. These soundtracks are all over YouTube and are often branded as the best soundtracks to study/work to. We like the idea of starting off the day with a Zelda soundtrack and using it to achieve your usually mundane daily chores with a little bit more adventure.

The Final Fantasy Series

Nobuo Uematsu is probably the world’s most well-known video game composer and something of a legend thanks to his scores for the long-running Final Fantasy series. The soundtracks to these games have toured around the world with large orchestras and even larger audiences wanting to experience the success of Uematsu’s musicality first-hand.

Halo Theme

Iconic around the world, even if you haven’t played the games. There are multiple X-Factor and talent show clips of people attempting the eerie echoes that set the scene of this song, but nothing is quite like the original. This song builds in character as it progresses, layers of texture and vibrance add a lot of depth to the song and takes you on a journey without even leaving your seat. Not only does it hold a very powerful legacy but it’s instantly recognisable to anyone who grew up with Master Chief.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The soundtrack to Skyrim embodies the swords and dragons you encounter throughout the game. Composed by Jeremy Soule, the recordings feature a 30-strong choir of barbarian voices singing in the game’s own invented language. It’s a symphonic masterpiece, instantly recognisable and perfect for making your days more cinematic.

LA Noire

It had to be mentioned purely for its uniqueness and the recognition it received at the 2012 BAFTAs for “Best Video Game Original Music”. Simon Hale is a British composer who orchestrated a smooth, late-night jazz bar vibe for the soundtrack of LA Noire. It works really well for ambient background music at dinnertime.