Saturday, 14 Dec 2024

A Soundtrack for Every Occasion: Enhancing Everyday Experiences with Video Game Music

Playing a video game without a soundtrack is like savoring a meal without being able to smell its enticing aroma. While the taste may still be enjoyable, something vital is missing. Game developers have recognized the pivotal role that music plays in enhancing the overall gaming experience, and they have crafted remarkable soundtracks to accompany their games. These soundtracks not only enhance gameplay but also have the power to elevate different moments in our everyday lives. Whether studying, running, working out, falling asleep, meditating, throwing a party, embarking on a road trip, or navigating through challenging times, there is a video game soundtrack perfectly suited for every occasion.

For Studying

When focus and productivity are paramount, selecting the right musical background is crucial. A study-friendly soundtrack needs to promote attention and efficiency while remaining unobtrusive.

Undertale

Undertale – With its diverse range of musical motifs, the Undertale soundtrack captures the humor and distinct personalities of the game. Each track represents a character or setting, creating a sense of underlying monotony that helps channel focus towards studying or writing. The varied nature of the soundtrack continually stimulates the brain, making it ideal for concentration.

SimCity (2013) – The SimCity soundtrack instills a sense of calmness and intellectual focus. Its industrious tone suggests progress, inspiring the mind to keep pushing forward. This soundtrack is an excellent cure for writer’s block and helps to keep the mind engaged with the task at hand.

Other notable soundtracks for studying include The Last Guardian, FEZ, and Xenoblade Chronicles.

For Running

A running soundtrack should be up-tempo, positive, and capable of boosting mental and physical endurance.

Valkyria Revolution

Valkyria Revolution – This soundtrack creates a sense of urgency, with driving melodies that push the listener forward. Its orchestral qualities generate a feeling of wonderment, making it perfect for outdoor running and providing a larger-scale journey experience. The intense strings and percussive elements establish a great pacing structure, motivating runners towards their goals.

Assassin’s Creed III – The Assassin’s Creed soundtracks are excellent choices for running, as they embody the thrill of chasing and parkour. Rumbling percussion and heavy brass give the music an off-kilter, pressing vibe, urging you to keep moving forward.

Other noteworthy soundtracks for running include Nier: Automata, Persona 5, and Sonic 3 and Knuckles.

For Working Out

The ideal workout music serves as a constant distraction for the mind and fuels the body with emphatic and adrenaline-pumping qualities.

Crypt of the Necrodancer

Crypt of the Necrodancer – This soundtrack, with its techno jam and perfectly synchronous groove of drum tracks and rigid synths, takes workouts to the next level. By combining various genres such as techno, jazz, metal, and trap, Crypt of the Necrodancer creates a unique musical hybrid, perfect for getting lost in the rhythm of your workout.

Doom – The music of Doom is a powerful companion for slaying demons and maximizing workout potential. Heavy guitar riffs and punchy drum beats pump adrenaline through your ears, while slower tracks offer necessary moments of respite between reps.

Other notable soundtracks for working out include Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, No Man’s Sky, and Mega Man 2.

For Falling Asleep

Soundtracks for falling asleep should be relaxing and non-intrusive, creating a sense of safety and comfort. They often possess a familiar quality and ease the mind, preparing it for rest.

Minecraft

Minecraft – The minimalistic and unobtrusive nature of the Minecraft soundtrack is easily overlooked. Despite its simplicity, each track features different musical stylings, making it one of the most technically varied soundtracks available. With its calm and soothing tones, this soundtrack is ideal for sleep and relaxation.

Firewatch – The Firewatch soundtrack, though relatively short, delivers a uniform and familiar experience. The repetition of melodies creates a lulling effect, making it an excellent lullaby. Composed to bring serenity, this music aids sleep and relaxation.

Other noteworthy soundtracks for falling asleep include Hyper Light Drifter and Child of Light.

For Meditating

Meditation requires thought-provoking, contemplative music that engages the individual on an emotional and spiritual level.

The Last of Us

The Last of Us – This soundtrack combines guitars and percussive textures to demand attention while soothing the mind. It transports listeners to a deeper level of thought with its striking melodies and enveloping harmonies, helping to drown out external noise and distractions.

Journey – The Journey game and its accompanying soundtrack made history by becoming the first video game soundtrack to be nominated for a Grammy. The contemplative and introspective music guides attention inward, providing an exceptionally well-crafted meditative experience.

Ori and the Blind Forest – The expansive ensembles and intense intensity of the Ori and the Blind Forest soundtrack broaden the meditative experience. Whether engaging in a walking or sitting meditation, this music invites listeners to observe and experience the world around them.

Other notable soundtracks for meditation include Life is Strange and Abzû.

For Throwing a Party

Party music should be up-beat, energetic, and fun. While video game soundtracks may not immediately come to mind for this purpose, some encapsulate the party vibe and get your foot tapping.

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime – This soundtrack combines heavy synths and club-feel elements to create an energetic dance atmosphere. With its electronic elements and distinctive drops, this soundtrack rivals the best dance music video games have to offer.

Hotline Miami – Hotline Miami’s soundtrack captures the essence of nightclub music. Layered synths over driving drum tracks create a chill nightclub vibe, drawing inspiration from house and underground genres. This soundtrack is the epitome of video game dance music.

Other noteworthy soundtracks for throwing a party include Afro Samurai and Sound Shapes.

For Road Trippin’

Long drives can be monotonous, so the perfect road trip soundtrack should counteract boredom with variety and energy.

Bastion

Bastion – This soundtrack offers a mix of styles to keep the journey interesting. Its gallivanting mood emphasizes that the experience is about the journey, not just the destination. The appearance of vocal pieces adds another layer of texture and makes you wish the drive would never end.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Boasting an engaging and diverse soundtrack, Breath of the Wild captures the spirit of travel and exploration. As the first installment in the open-world design of the series, it contains musical themes suggestive of epic journeys. With a duration of over four hours, it’s the perfect companion for lengthy travels.

Other notable soundtracks for road trips include Transistor, Ocarina of Time, and Hotline Miami 2.

For When The World Is Ending

During challenging times, soundtracks that resonate on an emotional level can provide solace and turn music into something truly special.

To The Moon

To The Moon – This soundtrack accompanies life’s most difficult moments with its melancholic piano. Expressing feelings that are often hard to put into words, it gives voice to the inexpressible. The music also offers a renewed sense of hope, reminding us that something good awaits when the bad times are over.

Valiant Hearts: The Great War – If loss could be embodied in sound, it would be this soundtrack. Through slower, piano-driven compositions, it evokes a devastating sense of mourning. While originally intended to depict the ravages of war, this soundtrack offers solace for the sorrows of real life. It serves as a companion that understands and acknowledges our inexplicable feelings.

Other noteworthy soundtracks for challenging times include That Dragon, Cancer, Gone Home, and Final Fantasy X.

FAQs

What are some other good video game soundtracks for different occasions?

Here are some additional recommendations for different occasions:

  • Studying: The Last Guardian, FEZ, Xenoblade Chronicles
  • Running: Nier: Automata, Persona 5, Sonic 3 and Knuckles
  • Working Out: Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, No Man’s Sky, Mega Man 2
  • Falling Asleep: Hyper Light Drifter, Child of Light
  • Meditating: Life is Strange, Abzû
  • Throwing a Party: Afro Samurai, Sound Shapes
  • Road Trippin’: Transistor, Ocarina of Time, Hotline Miami 2
  • When The World Is Ending: That Dragon, Cancer; Gone Home; Final Fantasy X

Conclusion

Video game soundtracks offer an incredible range of music that can enhance every aspect of our daily lives. Whether studying, running, working out, falling asleep, meditating, throwing a party, going on a road trip, or facing challenging times, there is a soundtrack perfectly attuned to heightening our experiences. So, the next time you find yourself in need of the perfect musical accompaniment, turn to video game soundtracks and let their immersive melodies transport you to new heights.