GameCentral readers discuss the best video game music of the current gen, from NieR:Automata to God Of War.
The subject for this week’s Hot Topic was suggested by reader Ishi, who wanted to know what you think has been the best video game soundtrack for the modern formats? What do you think of current trends in video game music and do you think this generation has been better or worse than previous ones?
We had so many different suggestions that there wasn’t really a clear winner – which seems a very healthy sign – although Red Dead Redemption II, Celeste, and Persona 5 did come up multiple times.
Unshaken but stirred
I think a lot of people have started to see Red Dead Redemption II in a much more negative light in the months after it’s release. It’s still a great game but the flaws are pretty obvious in hindsight and I don’t consider it to be as good as the original or a classic in its own right… except when it comes to the soundtrack.
The original game’s soundtrack was basically cut and paste from every Western film made ever, with lots of tunes that were so close as to be identical to famous tunes that already existed. The sequel though has an identity of its own and although there’s a lot of variety the more authentic period tunes are like a perfect mix of old and new.
The real standouts though are the songs with lyrics of which there are more than one. Unshaken is my favourite but they’re all great and they’re all used extremely well to heighten the drama of what’s happening on screen. It’s rare for games to do that but Rockstar pulls it off perfectly.
Watson
Noticeably good
For me The Messenger hands down has the best music of any game I have played this generation. Although it is heavily inspired by retro games it manages to stand out with its relative simplicity and elegance. An honourable mention also goes to the Wooded Kingdom level in Super Mario Odyssey.
To be honest I do not pay that much attention to the music in games (or films) unless they are licensed tracks. I am usually so focused on the gameplay, visuals and following the dialogue that I tend to block out the music unless the cinematography purposely directs you to it. So for me to notice it normally requires it to be very distinctive.
I acknowledge that there is some very impressive sound work going on and Square Enix in particular are very good. Whilst playing Final Fantasy XV I did spend a bit of time listening to the classic music tracks and was very impressed by some of them. A particular highlight was Final Fantasy XIII’s score which was excellent, yet this passed me by entirely when I played XIII.
PazJohnMitch
Killer track
I really have to say Killer Instinct’s soundtrack is awesome! Especially when Celldweller got involved with season 3.
My fave is the Battletoads song remix. Starts off retro then gets heavy pretty quickly. Check it out!
How this game was not a console seller I will never know. Let’s hope for some Inbox magic and get Killer Instinct 4 for the next gen!
Lee Smith (Changingtheorys – gamertag/Changingtheories – PSN ID)
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Classic compilation
I suppose it has to be Super Smash Bros. on the Wii U for me. So many classic tracks hidden away in one game.
I love it so much I even bought the CD, which gets played all the time at work via my iPod. Pac-Man (club mix), Super Mario medley, Guerudo Valley, Trophy Rush, Ashley ‘s song, Kapp’n’s song, Kongo Jungle… the list goes on.
Off course Smash Bros. Ultimate allows you to use your switch as an iPod and has even more great gaming tunes, but it’s predecessor is my choice.
Goodness gracious I nearly forgot how much I love the Zelda: Breath Of The Wild soundtrack but that is more of an ambient thing whilst playing. So Smash Bros. Wii U is as close to gaming tune nirvana as you can get for me.
Chopsworth
Interactive soundtrack
My first thought for this topic was Dark Souls III as the boss fight music in it is consistently good and really adds to the intimidation your lowly character feels when fighting them.
However, then I remembered I had just started re-playing The Sexy Brutale again and how much I love the jaunty jazz of the main casino theme. The way they integrate the music with what is happening in the game is what truly separates it apart though; when you realise the changes in tempo, volume and style correspond directly to events that are occurring elsewhere in the level that you haven’t discovered yet.
SuoTempore (PSN ID)
A good year for music
At first I thought that this was going to be an easy decision: Persona 5. The soundtrack is incredible. From the thrilling, Ocean’s Eleven-style Life will Change when it’s time to get serious with the current dungeon boss to the moving Swear to my Bones that you first hear when you help Futaba get her persona. And to the downright silly stuff that’s played for the maid cafe and crane machine game.
But there is a more correct answer. A game that almost got lost in the flood of high quality that was 2017: Night In The Woods. My particular favourites are the Astral levels but the piece Climb, which comes at a very symbolic time for protagonist Mae, is really beautiful and left a lump in my throat.
NieR:Automata is pretty good, too – but when has Square Enix made a game with a bad soundtrack?
A special mention must go to Shantae: Half-Genie Hero. It kind of reminded me of Rocket Knight Adventures – always a positive thing. It’s just how a platformer ought to sound. Pure, primary-coloured joy. I even love the theme song!
‘They say we live in the darkness, they say there’s trouble ahead…’
DMR
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Thumping soundtrack
There have been many immense soundtracks this generation; from the sweeping orchestras of your God Of Wars and Horizon Zero Dawns, to the wild jazz of the more recent Ape Out.
But I want to give some kudos to Drool’s Thumper. A perfect marriage of audio-visual stimulus that made the game feel so dark and intense (I’m sure it helped that I was playing in VR)! This from someone more used to listening to Pink Floyd than some of your more modern stuff!
Paddy Hill
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