Video games have become a staple hobby for many people all around the world. Gamers aren’t just drawn to interesting characters, exciting storylines or high-quality graphics but also engaging soundtracks that align with the video game’s theme. Nowadays, games developers are experimenting with different sounds to create an immersive gaming experience. So, let’s dive into some of the most outstanding video game soundtracks and why they’re so successful.
The Impact of Music in Video Games
In general, music has the ability to inspire emotions in people and transport them to a different world. Songs and soundtracks in different genres intertwine different themes and concepts, taking listeners on a unique journey. Video games developers as well as casino operators have recognised the power of music with popular real money slots now featuring custom soundtracks and immersive audio experiences to enhance the overall gaming atmosphere.
Music also has the ability to change your mood. For example, if you listen to an upbeat song, you’re more likely to feel uplifted or energetic. Music plays a huge role in video games and they can make all the difference in its long term success as if a player doesn’t like a certain soundtrack, they are less likely to play the game. Soundtracks are often linked to video games because they create an association between certain songs and key moments or themes from the game. When a player hears that music again, they are likely to feel more nostalgic and connected to the experience.
Iconic Video Game Soundtracks
Animal Crossing:New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons was released in March 2020 and became one of the best-selling Nintendo Switch games of all time. This was largely helped by its soundtrack which allows you to get caught up in the monotony of every day as you relax and enjoy the soft trumpet. As a life-simulation game where you are building your own virtual life by socialising with others and decorating the island, every song choice deliberately reflects the time of day. You’ll be able to listen to soft, relaxing tunes in the morning and then brighter, more cheerful melodies as the island gets busier. By evening, the mood shifts to mellow, nostalgic tracks, eventually fading into dreamy, peaceful sounds at night. One of the best parts of the game is K.K. Slider’s Saturday night concerts, where the cool guitar-playing dog plays all kinds of music such as pop to jazz. Players can collect his songs and play them at home, making their island feel even more personal.
The Witcher 3
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an open-world action RPG released in 2015 by CD Projekt Red. If you love rich storytelling and immersive gameplay, this is the perfect game for you as you navigate the world around you and meet characters such as Geralt and Ciri. The world is huge and full of life, with dense forests, eerie ruins and battle-scarred villages. The soundtrack also keeps you consistently engaged as it includes folk music and battle hymns composed using medieval instruments, making the game feel as authentic as possible. The music in The Witcher 3 perfectly matches the vibe of each area, with eerie chants in the swamps and nostalgic tunes in peaceful villages.
Grand Theft Auto V
Grand Theft Auto V is a hugely popular game where you can travel through Los Santos and explore natural landscapes such as beaches and mountains on your screen. The success of the game is largely attributed to the three parallel storylines with the characters Michael, Trevor, and Franklin. You’re never short of something to do as you can take part in side missions, sports or simply listen to music while you wait in traffic. This game is packed with original music with plenty of tracks being produced solely for the game. On top of this, the GTA series is well-regarded because of its radio stations which features over 441 licensed tracks stemming from practically every genre imaginable. In GTA V, you can jam to Kendrick Lamar, Led Zeppelin, Passion Pit, Soulwax, The Stooges, Twenty One Pilots and even Beethoven as the game features music in every genre imaginable.
Slot Games
Music themed slot games are also growing in popularity, allowing players to listen to their favourite artists while they spin the reels. Some slot games revolve entirely around music like Guns N’ Roses released by NetEnt, which features some of the band’s classic hits such as Sweet Child O’ Mine. Slot games with adventure themes such as Gonzo’s Quest also feature relevant music where players are transported to an ancient Incan world with upbeat, tribal music and jungle noises.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, music can make or break a video game by setting the mood and adding to the gameplay so it’s very important for video games developers to choose their soundtracks carefully. If you’re a fan of music and gaming, play one of these games with iconic soundtracks and let them transport you to another world.
This article is a guest contribution. Views expressed are the author’s own.
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