Video game storytelling is a complicated art. The writing of the characters and narrative shape the trajectory, and the art direction and gameplay help the audience directly interact and move forward the plot. But one of the most important facets of video game storytelling is the music. While at first glance it functions similarly to the score of a film, punctuating moments containing a specific emotion and adding atmosphere, video game soundtracks have to be adaptive and (on a simpler level) able to be enjoyed for hours on end. This week’s playlist collects ten of my favorite video game main themes, battle tracks, and cutscene songs.
“Dearly Beloved”–Kingdom Hearts 2
Despite its admittedly goofy premise of mixing Disney princesses and icons with the brooding protagonists and epic villains of Final Fantasy, the Kingdom Hearts saga is a surprisingly emotional game series. Focusing on themes of loss of self identity, what makes an individual worthy of a title, estranged lovers, and the battle between light and darkness, Kingdom Hearts needed a theme that would fit the tone. Composed by Yoko Shimomura, “Dearly Beloved” perfectly captures the essence of each Kingdom Hearts game: while the first game’s thunderous piano and ambient sounds hinted at the beginning of a grand adventure, Kingdom Hearts 2‘s rendition is gentler, with swooning strings and softer piano; the sequel’s themes of loss of innocence and sacrifice are reflected in this gorgeous arrangement.
“Will the Circle Be Unbroken”–Bioshock Infinite
The Bioshock series has always been a master of atmosphere, but Bioshock Infinite‘s dimension jumping and time fluxes lent towards an incredibly inventive music direction. While the game seemingly takes place in the early 20th century, it isn’t long before protagonist Booker DeWitt is shot heavenwards to Columbia, a floating city of Americana iconography and twisted historical figures that feed into the xenophobia of its population. Nowhere is this depicted with such distorted beauty than during Booker’s baptism upon his entrance to Columbia, where this song plays. Allusions to the game’s setting (“is a better home awaiting in the sky?”) and parallel dimension ramifications (“will the circle be unbroken? By and by, by and by.”) are a double edged sword in this choral version, and it’s gorgeous but ultimately very, very unsettling.
“Fear of the Heavens”–Secret of Mana
The opening to the first JRPG I ever played, “Fear of the Heavens” evokes melancholy, mystery, and grandiosity in its short, barely two minute running time. The bells that echo near the beginning counterplay evocative strings, eventually leading towards a beautiful flute solo and an arpeggio of twinkling bells. Throughout there are strange flourishes, like the whale cry at the start of this track, and the synthetic sigh that closes it. The perfect start to a “we have to save the world!” narrative.
“Id Purpose”–Fire Emblem Awakening
The Fire Emblem series is known for its sprawling war epics, tactical gameplay, and tense permadeath mechanic. But the heart of its stories have always been its colorful cast of characters, how they come to form a closely knit army that stands together until the bitter end. “Id Purpose” from Fire Emblem Awakening, the battle theme to the final chapter of the game, encapsulates that comradery, creating an emotional soundscape that leads to the sacrifice that closes the game’s narrative.
“Theme”–The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda series is known for its main themes, whether it’s the lilting opening to The Wind Waker or the melancholic piano that introduces us to Ocarina of Time. While those themes illustrate the tones of their games extremely well, Breath of the Wild‘s may be the best of the bunch because not only does it set expectations for the story and world, but it also mirrors the experience of playing the game itself: quiet crescendos, discovering new layers and depths as Link progresses, all culminating in epic victories and emotional codas.
“Terra’s Theme”–Final Fantasy VI
One of the most adaptive tracks on this list, “Terra’s Theme” does some heavy lifting throughout the emotional journey that is Final Fantasy VI. Nobuo Uematsu decided to create musical motifs for each of the game’s fifteen playable characters and the main villain, Kefka, and while “Celes’ Theme” did give gamers the legendary opera scene in the game, “Terra’s Theme” feels simultaneously personal and epic. It plays as the overworld theme throughout the first half the game, soundtracks crucial moments of character development for the titular character, and is beautifully rearranged for another soundtrack highlight, “Awakening”.
“Prohibited Arts”–Shadow of the Colossus
While the main theme of Shadow of the Colossus or any of its absolutely excellent battle themes are more well known than this small cutscene theme, “Prohibited Arts” is one of the most striking songs in the game’s phenomenal soundtrack. Played as the protagonist, Wander, unveils the deceased lover he has delivered to the altar of Dormin, a god supposedly able to revive the dead, “Prohibited Arts” expresses the gorgeous dread that permeates the entire experience of playing Shadow of the Colossus.
“English Opening”–Tales of Symphonia
The Tales of series is consistently overshadowed by other JRPG juggernauts like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, which is a shame. Case in point: Tales of Symphonia. A fantasy epic spanning multiple worlds, confronting religious hypocrisy, racism, and comparing the families we are born into in contrast to the families that we choose, Tales of Symphonia was a shining jewel in the Nintendo Gamecube’s library. While the Japanese release of this game saw a J-Pop song as its opening, the opening found in the English version better captures the game’s grand scale, thanks to a sweeping orchestral arrangement.
“Suicide Mission”–Mass Effect 2
Opening with crawling synthesizers that eventually give way to pounding percussion, stabbing strings, ominous horns, and a harmonized choir for good measure, “Suicide Mission” from Mass Effect 2 earns the weight of its title. Resonating with the sacrifice and consequences of the final act of the game, “Suicide Mission” is cinematic and sweeping, reminiscent of the best action film movie scores.
“Last Surprise”–Persona 5
Possibly the most stylish game ever made, Persona 5 follows a group of vigilante teenagers as they discover they can enter an alternate dimension called the Metaverse, where they can dive into the minds of criminals and politicians in order to make them confess their sins against society. It’s Inception by way of Lupin the Third, with each of the characters adopting the disguise of a classic trickster or thief, and the rhythm of strikes and spells in battle are perfectly complemented by “Last Surprise”, a highlight in the acid-jazz influenced soundtrack of Persona 5.
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