All lot of things can make a game stand out; perhaps it offers unique gameplay, a telling narrative, a haunting atmosphere, or a combination of all three.
However, one thing that is generally underestimated in games is a soundtrack. A decent soundtrack can set the mood of any game.
Epic music can perfectly tie in with a final boss; a sad, slow paced tune could represent defeat, there are tons of possibilities that music can offer for games and their experience.
Even some video games thrive off of their music alone, games like The Long Dark or Firewatch can be perfectly summarized by their music.
Take for instance a game like DOOM, if you’ve ever seen a video on the creation of their music, the same effort, if not more was poured into making the music than the actual game.
Miscellaneous easter eggs and segments from previous games are included in the soundtrack. Hell, even the song “Hellwalker” uses a chainsaw for it’s main riff, now that’s dedication.
The entire soundtrack perfectly complements what DOOM should be, a run and gun, demon shoot-em up, and it works beautifully.
However, action is not the only mood music can capture, defeat or loneliness are also prominent.
The Long Dark comes to mind, with it’s violins, cellos, and piano, it provides a very relaxing, but almost haunting tune.
Again, this type of music perfectly complements the style of game; a dark, mysterious world populated with danger.
Let’s move on again to one of my favorite soundtracks, Team Fortress 2.
However, TF2 differs in it’s soundtrack quite dramatically from the past two genres, while a lot of the music is relaxing, or action packed, you won’t ever hear it in a match.
So what is the point of the music then?
Well, a lot of the music in the TF2 soundtrack is used in the Meet the Team series and can also be heard in the main menu.
The point of the music, as always, was to set the mood, but it did so out of the game, which seems strange, but is brilliant.
There is no mistaking TF2’s soundtrack anywhere, it has an original style, and it’s a classic.
But what is my point in showing all of this?
My point was that I wanted to show off how important a good soundtrack can be to a game. It can and most likely will define the game if you do it properly.
And with that being said, I hope you have a good day/night
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