What makes a video game great is the sum of all its parts, and yes, that includes an often underestimated part: the soundtrack. When we remember a jewel from the past, a little intrusive melody seizes our ears. Games like Super Mario World, Zelda Ocarina Of Time or Crash Bandicoot have original and distinctive tracks that bring them to life. Still, with video games being released left and right these days, it’s harder for an OST to cement itself as an all-time classic. Here is a list of 10 of the most underrated video game OSTs.
Related: The 10 most graphically demanding PC games of all time
celestial
Song via Soundcloud
Celeste challenges the player. Not only through its platforming gameplay, but also with the subject matter it tackles. In a game about overcoming anxiety, the soundtrack wraps nicely around players’ necks, warming them as they descend the mountain. Celeste’s soundtrack almost sounds like a character from the game, accompanying you on your lonely journey through Celeste Mountain. He delivers a hopeful tone in the early stages with songs like “Reflection.” Later, as his physical and psychological journey moves into a darker place, he takes on a deeper, more methodical tone.
Danganronpa triggers Happy Havoc
Song via Soundcloud
Far from being a conventional adventure, Dangaronpa is aimed at a particular audience. Those who dare to try it will discover a fascinating title that will keep them glued to the screen for countless hours. The soundtrack is one of the wonders of Takada. The great songwriter mixes urban style tracks with classic instrument-produced melodies. The soundtrack varies its register according to the moment of the game in which we find ourselves, passing from techno or even metal melodies to others much more ambient.
hollow knight
Song via Soundcloud
The abandoned kingdom of Hallownest, an ancient place of noble knights, insects and beasts, keeps its mysteries locked away. The soundtrack clings to leitmotif and texture-based playing, and there’s always a deep classical tone that oscillates between chamber music and minimalism, reminiscent of the work of composers such as Mahler or Rachmaninoff. The beauty of this OST is in the narrative: it begins with simple three-note songs, escalates into epic, dynamic themes over encounters, and culminates in the final battle. We’re sure we’re in for a treat as soon as Silksong comes out.
Eyes
Song via Soundcloud
Ōkami and his subsequent reincarnation as Ōkamiden reflect the best of Capcom. Most importantly, they bring folklore to the music, one of the most wonderful in the Osaka company’s catalog. Ōkami is a heavenly work for many reasons, but perhaps the most striking is its audiovisual section. Its soundtrack overflows with the magic of the Orient, mixing this sumi-e art and these watercolors inherited from Hokusai with music inspired by Gagaku, one of the courteous forms of traditional Japanese music. The instrumentation includes standard string and wind instruments from the Asian tradition.
Journey
Song via Soundcloud
Austin Wintory did not want to use exotic instruments for this soundtrack so as not to condition the player’s ear with mistaken identities. In the sands of Journey, there is no dialogue, just uncharted territory for everyone to make their own. Its progression is delicate and harms the loneliness of the player: from time to time we meet someone in the dunes, but we can’t communicate. It’s amazing how string accompaniment and sometimes keyboard and bass can be shaped to define the unknown.
life is strange
Song via Soundcloud
Indie aesthetics take over your screen to present you gameplay like no other. Life is Strange’s soundtrack consists of 14 songs, with contributions from Alt-j, Syd Matters and even Foals in some of the game’s saddest moments. on the table the problems of the generation of this century with instrumentals full of adolescent emotion. There’s a reason the LiS community came up with the term LiSPTSD, and the soundtrack certainly plays a part in that.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
Song via Soundcloud
Majora’s Mask has always been the black sheep of the Zelda saga: it doesn’t take place in Hyrule, there’s no Zelda to save, and no trace of Ganondorf. However, this is precisely what makes it so unique. Koji Kondo made the darkness surrounding Link’s Journey as desperate and lonely as ever.
It is divided into four sections defined by land. Although it shares many clues with Ocarina of Time, the quirky challenges define its twisted essence. Yet to this day, if we hear a doorbell, we go under the bed.
octopath traveler
Song via Soundcloud
Octopath Traveler was released alongside God of War, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Monster Hunter World. Despite being in the shadow of those great titles, Octopath Traveler is one of the best soundtracks in video game history. Octopath Traveler delivers a majestically symphonic soundtrack that is vast, varied and elaborate. Yasunori Nishiki composes exquisite music without flinching that offers different styles and dramatically and ecologically reinforces the stories of each of the eight playable characters. If the OST manages to take you through a whole story arc of an unlikable character, you know it’s a good one.
sayonara wild hearts
Song via Soundcloud
Sayonara Wild Hearts entered the Olympus of indie games in 2019. It borrows concepts from classics like Rez, OutRun or Panzer Dragoon. Yet it takes the mechanics to a new level with its musical storytelling. The repertoire is round and masterful from beginning to end. It’s been a long time since a video game evoked such powerful sensations, let alone placed music as the protagonist in such an authentic way. It will be some time before Sayonara Wild Hearts receives proper recognition. At first, it impresses and captivates. But the learning curve carves out a place in our memory, which suggests that the more we play it and the more we assimilate these songs, the more we’ll like it.
silent Hill
Song via Soundcloud
Silent Hill is about to return, bringing back all the memories of those indelible musical moments from the dead. His influence on video games transcends the boundaries of terror. Akira Yamaoka gave us some of the best soundtracks the medium has ever seen. It wouldn’t be bold for us to say that Silent Hill wouldn’t be what it is without him. Yamaoka’s soundtrack has influences from industrial music, trip-hop and dark ambient. It reinforces the powerlessness that Silent Hill seeks to evoke.
Source