New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Let it never be said that video game development is simple. While it may well represent one of the most coveted industries for creatives and coders alike, those working on either side of the coin will have to put plenty of demands on their creative and emotional fortitude.
Becoming a video game composer is no different. While it may not get quite as much attention as the graphics or mechanics, the soundtrack to any game is a manifestation of the sheer will of some of the most talented musicians, singers, and writers out there.
From the most cinematic of AAA titles to indie developments, the top-end online casinos at https://www.newcasinos.com/money-transfer/trustly/, the creative development that pours into every one of these genres is, to those of us with little musical talent beyond what we bring into the shower each morning, truly awe-inspiring. In every instance, the music must strike an incredibly delicate balance between atmospheric and intrusive; it needs to be subtle enough to promote concentration, but bold and unique enough to create a truly immersive experience for the player.
With that in mind, here are 5 of our favourite video game soundtracks, starting with the very top of our list...
Ghost of Tsushima
If one ever needed to remind themselves of the exact definition of 'atmospheric', then they need only be pointed in the direction of a copy of Ghost of Tsushima, the 2020 open world masterpiece for the PlayStation 4, by Sucker Punch Productions.
From the startlingly beautiful, though unnervingly realistic, artwork to the enviable world- and character-building pulled off by the games writers, this title offers a remarkable example of the sheer power video game development holds as we stand at the beginning of the 2020s.
True to form, this title boasts one of the most absorbing and atmospheric soundtracks, with highlights including the tracks, 'The Way of the Ghost', 'No Mercy' and, 'The Tale of Sensi Ishikawa'. Worthy of a listen, even if you don't consider yourself a hardened enough gamer to go up against Ghost of Tsushima's challenging boss fights.
Silent Hill 2
The Silent Hill Franchise has long stood as a benchmark for the horror genre - and an incredibly, though admittedly rare, example of a title that can prove equally unnerving to spectators as it does to the gamer in charge of the controls.
Much like the movie, Silent Hill 2's soundtrack is equal parts terrifying, discomforting and fascinating. Not only is it capable of doing its job as a medium for amplifying the fear and anticipation even the most hard-boiled of gamers feel when they load up this influential game, but it is also a wonderfully atmospheric score in its own right - ideal for listening during long walks in the fog, and dimly-lit evenings home alone…if you dare, that is.
Death Stranding
Death Stranding was billed as a game-changer (pun intended) for the entire industry long ahead of its release onto PlayStation 4 back in the fall of 2019. From the unique interactions between online players to the developers' treatment of factors such as cinematography and in-game travel, it certainly lived up to the promise that it would offer an entirely new paradigm for the future of game design.
Thus, accordingly, the soundtrack for Death Stranding is entirely different to the other entries on this list. For one thing, numerous artists composed and recorded songs especially for this title - such as Hozier, Chvrches and Major Lazer - which kick in during the long and, at times, unsettling travel 'scenes' that punctuate this title.
Given the quality of this title, it's no wonder that it was nominated for, and won, multiple awards for its music.
Call of Duty: Warzone
The Call of Duty franchise has come a remarkably long way since its first iteration, which made its way onto our screens all the way back in 2003 - which is, believe it or not, fast-approaching two decades ago now.
From the graphics to the mechanics, online features and plot development, the entire narrative behind this franchise culminated int the releaser of Call of Duty: Warzone, which was widely perceived to be one of Activision's crowning achievements.
The soundtrack for this one is no exception. From instrumentals composed by notable modern composer Hans Zimmer, famed for his heart-wrenching movie scores, to the cold, machine-like, modern symphonics brought by Audiomachine, this soundtrack offers a perfect study into the melting pot of gamers' interests and tastes.
Red Dead Redemption 2
If there was ever a video game soundtrack suited to long road trips - namely, turning a late night, cross country drive into something altogether life-affirming and atmospheric - then the one deployed in Red Dead Redemption is, most definitely, it.
The game itself features plenty of action alongside an intangible emotional pull that keeps players returning to this title again and again, even as their next-gen collection piles up on the table. Featuring artists like D'Angelo, Daniel Lanois, Daryl Johnson and Rhiannon Giddens, this soundtrack is definitely one to have downloaded into your Spotify library, and ready for those twilight moments on the highway when you're not quite sure how you feel.
