Sound in Video games is an interesting thing. When its good you can hardly notice it at all. It helps us immerse ourselves in the world the game had created. With the technological advancement games can know have full fledged soundtracks know. So I decided to make a list of what I think are the top ten best( In case the title didn't give that away). The basic rule is no music games, as that would be cheating.

Letsa go!

 

Number 10:

Good ol' sands of time. Personally I think its the best Prince Of Persia game. As made clear from the video above, it did its best to have as much sex appeal as possible, and effort greatly helped by the main theme, Time Only Knows. The man we have to thank for this as well as almost all of the Prince Of Persia games, is Canadian composer Stuart Chatwood (That really is his name). The soundtrack to this game really does a good job of getting you in the badass, action hero mood, as well as staying beautifully middle-eastern. I guess I'm a sucker for any of those hypnotizing Arab songs. Thanks to Stuart, this great series has a great soundtrack. Except Prince Of Persia (2008). That game will have its day.

 

Fuck you.

 

Number 9:

This was a hard decision. Should I go with Half Life 2s sci-fi, techno that fills you with a sense of doom? Or should I go with L4D 2s chaotic banjo music that perfectly captures the anarchy of the Zombie Apocalypse? After much thought, I went with the obvious decision. Team Fortress 2.

That's right, arguably the most underrated part of everyone's favorite War Themed Hat Simulator is its great soundtrack.

 

Most Games have soundtracks that get you pumped for a certain event in the game, or add to the atmosphere. But Tf2s soundtrack lets you know exactly what to expect when you play. Lighthearted, goofy fun. There is also music that perfectly sums up some of the characters, my favorite being the Soldiers, called "The Art of War".

As well as the humble, yet intimidating, Engineer, whos Theme is named "More Gun".

Tf2, because sometimes, you could use a little less story.

 

Number 8:

 

Total War: Shogun 2 not only saved the Total War franchise, but set the bar for future RTS games. I would be so bold as to call it one of, if not THE, best RTS games out there. Composer Jeff Van Dyck has a beautiful mix of calm and serene...

 

...To the epic battle music...

...All while keeping the enthralling Japanese feel. It really does help you feel like you're actually in Feudal Japan. The music actually helps calm you down somewhat if you get frustrated, (STOP FUCKING REBELLING, STUPID PEASANTS!), which I did. It truly is one of the most stunningly beautiful soundtracks to a game. And its always satisfying hearing the victory theme. 

My Lord! A great victory will soon be yours!

 

With a great soundtrack like that it, kinda makes you wanna, grab a Katana, and...

BANZAAAAAAI!

 

Number 7:

While the previous scores where all beautifully done orchestral, this next one is just plain rockin.

 

Frank Klepacki wrote Red Alerts signature theme, Hell March, where each game gets its own rendition. The majority of the games score, however was composed by James Hannigan, with help from Timothy Michael Wynn. Together they created the games other great theme, "Soviet March"

For Mother Russia!

 

In the game, you can play as 3 different factions, The Allies, The Soviets, And The Empire of The Rising Sun. The great thing about the game is that the composers all made each faction unique music, so that no 2 faction play the same tunes.

 

Weather its the Allies rock n roll sound.

 

 

The Soviets Heavy Metal, on the march style

 

Or the Empires oriental music.

 

 

Its the kind of music that just makes you want to head bang. With a hardcore soundtrack, as well as a star studded cast, this makes for one memorable game.

A sexy star studded cast

 

 

Number 6:

Quick! Whats the one Nintendo 64 game with the most recognizable Overworld theme! No, not Mario. No not Banjo Kazooie! Donkey Kong 64? Good guess, but no. Conkers Bad Fur Day? Look I'll just tell you

Still Better Than Majoras Mask!

 

Of all the Zelda games, this is the one that revolutionized the entire series. It brought Zelda into 3 wonderful dimensions. There to score the game was Koji Kondo, who did the music for all the Zelda games. Ocarina alone had 83 songs, all of which were written and composed by Koji himself.

No, no. Its cool guys, I can write and compose 83 songs. By myself.

 

Koji put personality into each one of the levels themes, making sure they all stood out form on another. Not only did each dungeon have its own music, but each town, village, and even houses get there own themes! And lets not forget, you yourself can play some of these songs, like the kooky Song of Storms...  

I make it rain on dem hoes! Literally, this song makes it rain.

 

To the stoic Temple of Time theme. (Called the song of time when played on the Ocarina.)

The monks of Santo Domingo de Silos can suck it.

 

The Most iconic and memorable songs of the whole soundtrack has got to be the dungeon theme. Each dungeon should have a theme that is unique and summarizes the atmosphere of the dungeon. And OoT has some of the scariest dungeon themes ever.

In this level, Link fights Yog-Sothoth and the Elder Gods

 

And some, unsettling music...

Not another shadow hand!

 

And for some reason, Islamic prayer chants.

Praise be to Gorons!

 

All of these songs are famous and iconic in there on right. All thanks to the Genius that is Koji Kondo.

 

Know its stuck in your head forever! HAHAHA!

 

 

Number 5:

Sing along everyone!

 

Civilization IVs soundtrack is Interesting because most of the songs are not original. This of course sets it aside from all the others, but it fits with the game perfectly. I know Civ V is out right know, and all the reviews of it are glowing with praise, but the moment I played this one, I fell in love. Thats right, I LOVE this game. I am going to marry it and have several beautiful children with it..... Sorry, I just really like it

  Whoa, really?

 

Civilization is divided into eras. Ancient, Classical, Medieval, Renaissance, Industrial, Modern, and Future. Each one has music from each era.

 

Ancient:

 

Medieval:

Renaissance:

Industrial:

   

And Modern:

 

All of these do a great job of immersing you in the time period better than anyone else (Sorry, Shogun 2, I still love you too). All this set to one of the best strategy games out there. Oh, and Montezuma is an asshole.

Stop declaring war on everybody and trade me your oil, douche bag!

 

 

Number 4:

 

AKA: GTFO: The Song

 

Some of you may be wondering why the first Portal is not here. To that I say, "Portal 1 came out in 2007, get with the times man!" Also, while "Still Alive" is a great piece, the rest of Portal 1s soundtrack is pretty forgettable. Name me one song from Portal 1 besides "Still Alive". HAHA! YOU CAN'T! But seriously though, Valve really upped the ante on the music for Portal 2. Jonathan Coultan returns with "Want you gone", and composer and writer Mike Morasky fills in the rest of the game. Moraskys score really can add to the intensity as well as the humor and charm of Portal 2. Including the always uplifting end song to the co-op campaign, "Robots FTW".

Not since WALL-E have any robots been this cute

 

To the heart pumping, "Science is Fun".

Yes it is, Valve, yes it is

 

To my personal favorite, "The Part Were He Kills You"

I wonder what happens when this song gets played...

 

A great example of techno track that's not over doing it. Portal 2: a great improvement on already great game. Know about episode 3....

 God damn it, GLaDOS! We need to finish Episode 3!

Number 3:

Too bad the rest of the games not nearly this peaceful

 

Final Fantasy never really hit off for me. I am under the opinion that everything after 7 was crap. Almost everything. nine was okay. But really weird.

That fuck is that?

 

But to me, Final Fantasy 7, is one the best TBS games out there. With an epic story, and some epic characters(Who are totally not compensating with there ridiculously over sized swords) all who you both loved and hated. The characters are some of the most recognizable in the whole series of FF, and with it we get the most recognizable music from the series, including Aeriths death...

 

Don't cry, Don't cry, Don't cry...

 

To the instantly recognizable, fanbase favorite, "One Winged Angel".

This song just screams: I'm going to fuck you up

 

Nobody can hear these songs and not have nostalgia come rushing back in. Final Fantasy VII gives us epic music for epic characters. And the epically angsty 

No-one understands, man. Its not easy having ridicules hair.

 

 

Number 2:

A vampire that manages to stay sexy, AND badass?

 

 

Castlevania was such a break away from the traditional Castlevania. Konami took a risk, which very much paid off. It brought voice acting,(Albeit hammy voice acting), a great knew score, and a phenomenally knew game play style. Gone were the simple days of grinding through the castle, know we have level progression, and a non linear map.

Were am I?!

 

The soundtrack has a very haunting feel to this, all while being on the PS1. Michiru Yamane blends jazz, gothic rock, as well as classical styles to get songs that are both intense and spooky

Die monster!

 

You're never leaving! Muahahaha!

 

 

Symphony of the Nights soundtrack fits in with the theme of the rest of the game. The game play was something we had never seen before, and the soundtrack was something we had never heard before. It also gave us a kickass knew protagonist.

And the most effeminate

 

Before we get to number one, lets look at some- runners up who didn't make the list:

 

Runners-Up:

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Snake Eateeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer!

Super Mario 64

AGH! Nostalgia overdose!

 

Red Dead: Redemption

This song just makes you fell like a total bad ass, riding off into the sunset.

 

Every Pokemon game ever

Pokemon used childhood memories! Its super effective!

 

Silent Hill 2

Surprisingly mellow, for a game about demons.

Sims

Who know what would make me feel better? SHOPPING SPREE!

 

Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Good, I just thought OoTs was better

 

Pheonix Wright: Ace Attorney

 

OBJECTION!

 

Half Life 2

Mr. Freeman...

 

Left 4 Dead 2

If only all the zombies could be this polite

 

 

Know before this thing gets any longer than it already is, lets move on to number 1!

 

Number 1:

Aw yeah...

 

This is the stuff, baby. The high end. The A grade. This is the soundtrack that all the other soundtrack look up to. Who else perfectly captures the fell and atmosphere of one of the best Fantasy games there is? Who else can fill you with a sense of both calm and excitement? Jeremy Soule, that's who. If you want your Fantasy game or movie to sound amazing, you get Soule.

It would be nice to listen to this without being interrupted by a god damn mud crab every five seconds

 

This soundtrack really lets you know what your in for. This isn't just a game, this is no quest! This is a fucking adventure! Every time you hear that music, you just...

 

Oh yeah....

 

 

...You just...

OH YEAH!

 

 

Ummm... Excuse me for a moment...

Must change pants...

 

It could give Lord of the Rings a run for its money.  It truly is the perfectly fitting music for this great game.

 

 

Well, that's my list, it certainly is longer than I thought it would be. Feel free to comment on what you agreed or disagreed with, and what your favorite game soundtrack is! Thanks!