Mine is Skyrim.
I always come back to its music. It’s uplifting, telling me that everything’s gonna be alright. I have its songs in many different playlists.
Stardew Valley. I find myself humming the songs through the day all the time, they are so relaxing and whimsical.
Nocturne of Ice is a top 5 video game song for me
I am absolutely floored that nobody has said any Legend of Zelda games, but Twilight Princess and Ocarina of Time for sure.
A close third would be the first Ace Attorney game. Every song is a banger.
Metroid Prime. All the music fits so perfectly to the environment, especially Phendrana drifts when you first discover the location.
Always enjoyed Skyrim’s soundtrack, but while I love it, I still enjoy and prefer Oblivions soundtrack more.
Oblivion was my introduction to the Elder Scrolls universe and the music from that game has kinda become embedded in my mind. Just my general go to music for fantasy environments including for DND or Pathfinder sessions.
I love Morrowinds music too, but if I had played Morrowind back when it first came out, I would have ranked it’s soundtrack higher than Oblivions.
Final Fantasy IX
Melodies of Life is the first time I ever heard an original song with lyrics for a video game
Mines FF VIII. Howdy neighbor!
Unreal Tournament and Deus Ex both come to mind. Alexander Brandon was involved in both and his work is absolutely amazing.
If we talk specific singles, though, it’s Morrowind (Nerevar Rising), Control (Take Control), and, recently, Baldur’s Gate 3 (Raphael’s Final Act). Morrowind’s tune is so ingrained in my mind that it’s my to-go whenever I get my hands on a keyboard.
Great choices there! the Unreal Tournament and Morrowind soundtracks have been stuck in my head for a long time now. UT in particular – I listen to the full album about once a week while I’m working.
I never played Deus Ex when it came out, so I don’t have the nostalgic attachment for that one, but I just discovered this a few days ago: https://alexanderbrandon.bandcamp.com/album/conspiravision-deus-ex-remixed. I bought it and am giving it a full listen today. Highly recommended; probably that much better if you’re a fan of the game.
Some favorites of mine:
Sonic (just about every game in the series): even during the “dark age of Sonic” ('06 through Unleashed) and in flops like Forces, the one thing the series has consistently gotten right is the music. Jun Senoe will rarely steer you wrong.
Ace Attorney (also the whole series): has it all - some fun melodies, tracks that fit the mood whatever it might be, great character themes, and just about every Pursuit theme is an awesome hype track.
Octopath Traveler (the original): I love the instrumentation, more wonderful themes for characters as well as locations, and the Battle II music has to be my favorite battle music in any JRPG ever. I’m a sucker for good string music.
Journey !
The soundtrack of the game is amazing !
When the game’s story is told without words, the soundtrack does a lot of legwork delivering such an emotional impact.
Few games have moved me to tears, but Journey is one of them.
Skyrim’s a nice choice.
If I had to pick one… Katana ZERO. Nice mix of genres, really emotional soundtrack, lots of synthwave type electronic, all of the artists who contributed songs really put work and passion in there, they work excellently for the game, and are awesome to listen to in their own right outside of the game.
Mine are Subnautica, I’ve put myself in danger in that game just for the music. Honorable mentions include horizon (zero dawn specifically, but I am currently playing through forbidden West for the first time, so I still might prefer it), Halo(CE), and Skyrim for me as well.
Ouff, that’s a tough one.
But I think Persona 5 wins this one, owing to:
- Rivers in the Desert
- Life will Change
- Phantom, it’s menu background music
- The spin-off Strikers has the absolutely brain-infecting Love te Wonderland
However, I’ve recently finished Cassette Beasts, and it’s a really really strong contender. Imagine creating an OST piece as amazing as Same Old Story, then going back and adding lyrics for it for when you are fused. And then there’s the even more phenomenal Shot in the Dark (only linking the lyrics version here).
Sim City 3000
- Frostpunk (epic)
- Citizen Sleeper (cozy and heartfelt)
- Wildermyth (cozy and heartfelt)
- Borderlands 2 (ambient and intense)
- Hotline Miami (ambient and intense)
I just played Frostpunk recently! Really fun game
Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Such an epic soundtrack. Listened to it countless times. Micheal McCann did an amazing job.
Wow… so many choices. Skyrim is a great shout.
I remember hearing the Halo soundtrack for the first time was incredible so feel I have to go with that.
Other worthy mentions:
- Street Fighter II
- Civilization (theme tune to be fair)
- Horizon
