Game Soundtracks You Must Hear

Video game music has evolved from simple bleeps and bloops to full orchestral scores that rival Hollywood films. But the best game music does something movies can't: it adapts to your actions. Here are the soundtracks that define the medium and deserve a spot on your playlist.

DOOM (2016) & Eternal - Mick Gordon

This isn't just metal; it's a weapon. Mick Gordon used a chainsaw and a lawnmower to create some of the sounds. The music uses a system called "dynamic mixing." As you fight harder and kill more demons, the music gets louder, faster, and more aggressive. When the combat ends, it settles. The music is the gameplay feedback loop.

NieR: Automata - Keiichi Okabe

A hauntingly beautiful mix of orchestral, electronic, and vocal tracks. What makes it unique is the "Chaos Language"—the vocals are sung in a made-up language that sounds like a mix of French, English, and Japanese, designed to convey emotion without literal meaning. Tracks like "City Ruins" and "Weight of the World" will stay with you forever.

Persona 5 Royal - Shoji Meguro

Acid Jazz meets J-Pop. The soundtrack of Persona 5 is oozing with style. It makes mundane tasks like walking to school or buying medicine feel cool. The battle theme "Last Surprise" is an internet meme for a reason. It is catchy, energetic, and perfectly matches the game's thief aesthetic.

Outer Wilds - Andrew Prahlow

A soundtrack played on a banjo, whistling, and a synth. It captures the feeling of sitting around a campfire in space. The music is a core gameplay mechanic; you use a signalscope to listen to other travelers playing their instruments across the solar system. When the sun explodes (spoiler?), the music swells in a final, tragic, beautiful crescendo.