There are a good bit of games from 2017 with amazing soundtracks. I’d like to say there are even some from 2016 that I can remember, and they helped bring the beauty and grace to many games.
Many people don’t realize the effect that music has in giving games the right atmosphere, and in my opinion, if the music doesn’t fit the game, it’s not worth playing. Let’s take a look at some of the best songs in video games this year.
The first game we will dive into is Horizon: Zero Dawn, in which our heroine Aloy tries to take back her once-thriving civilization from dangerous machines. “Prologue” has got to be one of the best songs I’ve heard in the game; it makes you feel hopeful and eager to experience the story.
Horizon: Zero Dawn – “Prologue”
Horizon creates an amazing atmosphere for players, and the enchanting melodies of “Prologue” engulf your mind in serenity. The full soundtrack by artists Joris de Man, The Flight, and other artists is available on Amazon.
Gravity Rush 2 – “Storm and Triumph”
Gravity Rush 2 is another good game with a strong melody from the company Japan Studio. Most of the soundtrack made me feel like I was racing against time. You play as Kat, a girl who defies gravity with the help of her mysterious cat. You must save the world of Heksville after it is sucked into a vortex that leads to another world. The music really adds to the open-world freedom of flying without gravity. “Storm and Triumph” is a good song that I feel brings out the game’s purpose. Kohei Tanaka brings a very upbeat song that flows well with the fighting and adventures Kat faces on her journey. The Gravity Rush 2 soundtrack is available on Amazon.
NieR: Automata – “City Ruins (Rays of Light)”
NieR: Automata is about three androids who want to take back their world that’s overrun by dangerous machines. I only got to play the demo of NieR: Automata, but after listening to the full soundtrack, I found “City Ruins (Rays of Light)” to be the perfect melody for this story. In fact, it’s got to be my favorite song off the soundtrack. This song brings hope and peace to the game. It’s a nice, slow melody that carries a strong sentimental tone. You can buy the full soundtrack on Amazon.
Persona 5 – “Phantom”
Persona 5 is about a student who transfers to Shukin Academy. During the school year, he and his friends awaken their personas and become masked vigilantes. Atlus Sound Team has put together a nice and funky collection of songs that retain that classic Persona smoothness while giving us a taste of Tokyo. The song “Phantom” really makes you want to dance. It gives you those classic Persona feels but also brings out the spunky side with a mellow feel. The soundtrack for Persona 5 is available on iTunes.
Mass Effect: Andromeda – “Heleus”
This deep-space adventure is very popular, and though I haven’t played the game, I did listen to the full soundtrack on iTunes. “Heleus” is a very intense song that brings out the mystery of space. This song embodies the courage of the game’s characters as they struggle with aliens and other species who try to get in their way. What I like about this song is that it made me feel determined and very interested in this game. Jon Paesano has brought a hopeful and exhilarating sound to Mass Effect: Andromeda.This sound resonates through the whole soundtrack, but “Heleus” is one of my favorites.
Songs create their own memories, and the good ones stick with you no matter how many you hear. When a game maintains the same style of music, such as the case with the Persona series, it makes you feel like you’re a part of the family, and you know what to expect. But with the games I have never played, hearing their soundtracks for the first time makes me want to dive deep into their stories. I can’t wait to see what next year will bring.
What type of game music do you enjoy? Let us know in the comments below.