New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Music is a huge part of gaming. No matter which title you're playing, whether it's a casual game like
Tetris or an eSport title like
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, there's a critical audio element at play. The bigger and more successful a developer studio is, the more attention and resources it'll put behind its audio production.
This has turned some soundtracks into their own hits, like the Legend of Zelda's Hyrule anthem or 'Guile's Theme' from Street Fighter 2. In certain cases, as with DOOM and FIFA, the soundtrack is composed of original and borrowed hits. The goal is to create an unforgettable atmosphere using music and audio production.
But some games—digital and old-fashioned—go above and beyond by making music a critical part of gameplay. In these cases, music isn't part of the background but a critical element of a player's success or failure. If you're a music fan who enjoys gaming, dive into one of the activities below.
Music Roulette
First, let's cover a more diverse folk game known as music roulette. This is a guessing game where multiple people add a song to a playlist, which is then played on shuffle. Participants must guess which songs were added by others in the group.
Keep in mind that this has no official pairing with virtual casinos that host roulette games. But it's not totally unrelated. That's because many groups play music roulette when they're busy with another activity—whether a casino game or a board game. So, if you happen to be playing a game of (actual) virtual roulette with your friends via a multiplayer platform, then it might be a perfect time to double up on the roulette fun. While you place bets and spin the wheel, you can also try to figure out which friend played 'Running Up That Hill' by Kate Bush for the thousandth time.
Beat Saber
Second, we'll dive into one of the most advanced music games on the market: VR's Beat Saber. The game is a modern variation on hits like Just Dance, requiring players to hit obstacles while staying on beat. The game is a bit more physical than other titles in this genre, as players have to move incredibly quickly to wield their virtual sabers and cut down the moving symbols. For this reason, it's best for kinesthetic gamers who like to keep moving.
Thumper
Third, let's dive into one of the most imaginative new types of music game—one that's literally billed as a 'rhythm violence' title. A simpler way to describe this video game, available for console and VR, is a music-based racing game.
Players must navigate through imaginative and abstract worlds on-beat with the background music while also contending with other obstacles. For example, they might have to defeat enemies or jump over spikes to beat the next level. In other words, it bridges elements of rhythm with more traditional racing and fighting gameplay.
Wandersong
Let's move back off the beaten track for a moment. Games like music roulette incorporate social elements that will put friends and music lovers to the test. But titles like Wandersong, an indie PC and Switch game, let players explore an even more dynamic world of musical interests. In the game, they'll meet over 150 other characters, each of which has their own musical taste and outlook.
The game is a casual title that brings to light all the beauty of little interactions and musical growth, whether learning a new instrument or finding a way to hit a new note. Along the way, players face some of life's greatest challenges and questions—all through the lens of sharing the joy of music.
Fuser
Lastly, let's cover a game that showcases one of the latest trends in music: digital mixing. It seems almost everyone today knows a DJ or an aspiring DJ. With Fuser, available for PC, console, and Switch, players are able to step into the shoes of a world-famous DJ. Along the way, they'll also be able to practice the basics of sampling and mixing.
The game benefits from having a huge list of licensed musical tracks, which lets players work with real-life songs. However, the true magic is in emulating a large concert. Players are able to sample what it would be like to play in front of a massive festival crowd—an experience not many will have IRL, no matter how developed their skills are.
