Top 10 Best Video Game Scores of the Decade (ft 8-bit Music Theory)
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#10: “Shovel Knight” (2014)
When the Blue Burrower burst onto the scene, he brought everything amazing about retro gaming with him. This not only extended to the level designs and boss battles, but also the music as well. Despite being somewhat musically limited given the game’s chosen aesthetics, Jake Kaufman nonetheless managed to create some truly dazzling pieces. Songs like Steel Thy Shovel and The Defender really amp up the excitement, while practically anything associated with the Enchantress will undoubtedly invoke pixelated fear. Thankfully, it also knows how to not take itself so seriously. Admit it, you listened to Watch Me Dance on repeat!
#9: “Cuphead” (2017)
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It’s quite an accomplishment when a game has so much charm that it can effortlessly bring smiles to players, even after they just suffered their seven hundredth game over. Perfectly paired with the 1930s animation style that made it such a household name, Cuphead’s soundtrack is like travelling back through time. You’ve got the barbershop inspired Don’t Deal with the Devil, the off-putting if relaxing Inkwell Isle, and lest we forget, the borderline jazz-gasmic masterpiece that is Die House. Pretty sure there hasn’t been a game that has done more for this musical style than this little gem.
#8: “Bastion” (2011)
Supergiant Games are known for a multitude of things: twisting gaming tropes on their heads, making each new title an entirely different beast from its predecessor, Logan Cunningham’s unholy acting talent, and lest we forget – a killer soundtrack. For our buck, Bastion takes home the gold, and not just because of Ruck’s resonating vocals. The guitar work here is truly exceptional, as tracks like Slinger’s Song and Spike in a Rail more than prove. However, none can truly compare to the ending theme; Setting Sail, Coming Home, which manages to seamlessly blend two previous songs together in such a way that it will have you mouthing along before you know it.
#7: “Celeste” (2018)
Madeline didn’t just climb the mountain, she climbed into the hearts of gamers everywhere thanks to her top-tier platformer that weaved together themes of isolation, anxiety and every other kind of mental state. The result was spectacular, and that was before the music kicked in. Lena Raine outdid herself with a collection of tracks that heighten both the wonder and dread of exploring these shining stages, along with whatever darkness may lurk within. If you’re looking for a pick me up, songs like Madeline and Theo, First Steps and Reach for the Summit are the way to go, while adrenaline junkies might be more at home with fiery tracks like Confronting Myself and Starjump.
#6: “Read Dead Redemption 2” (2018)
Thundering in at the last second to steal a spot is Arthur Morgan’s tale of loyalty, crime and inevitability, one made infinitely more potent thanks to a soundtrack that throws you right into the dying old west. Given the pedigree of the original, that’s nothing to scoff at. But hey, it’s Rockstar, what do you expect? Whether its our favourite gunslingers busting out a tune like Ring Dang Doo or the melodic beauty found in pieces like See the Fire in Your Eyes, each song expertly fits into this Cruel, Cruel World.
#5: “Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance” (2013)
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Raiden may not have the superior storytelling found in Snake’s canon of work, but we’ll tell you what he does – Rules of Nature! More akin to a full-on heavy metal album, the unapologetic badassery found in this crazy-awesome spin-off is easily reflected in the soundtrack’s lyrics. The Only Thing I Know For Real, A Stranger I Remain, Red Sun, all of these would be a highlight anywhere else, and yet Revengeance has it all in one place. Of course, we can’t fail to mention It Has To Be This Way, which might just steal the show as far as epic delivery goes. It is, after all, the theme of Senator “Played Football in College” Armstrong.
#4: “Undertale” (2015)
This one is twofold. On the one hand, you’ve got Toby Fox’s ingenius soundtrack that not only makes for a great listen, but comes across as incredibly diverse in presentation. Where else can you find musical marvels like Hopes and Dreams and Battle Against a True Hero as well as ridiculously hilarious songs like Temmie Village and Dogsong. Keep in mind, we haven’t even scratched the surface of how much of an influence Undertale’s music has had on the gaming community, paving the way for countless creators to throw their hat into the ring with all manner of covers and remixes. Yep, Megalovania was just that big of a deal.
#3: “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” (2012)
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There was a time where this soundtrack dominated, and its not hard to see why. Even years on, Dragonborn is still a staggering piece of music, not to mentioned one of the most parodied and duplicated to date. There will never truly be another like it, but that’s not to say Skyrim doesn’t have other amazing songs to latch onto. From Past to Present and Dawn are utterly serene in their execution, complimenting the rich fantasy of the Nordic lands we’ve traversed so many times. Don’t worry if you’re still in need of more battle anthems to add to your playlist, Steel on Steel and One They Fear have got you covered.
#2: “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” (2015)
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Because why wouldn’t one of the greatest games of a generation not have a masterful collection of songs under its belt? After all, Geralt of Rivia deserves the best. Even if we ignore some of the excellent tracks to come out of the Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions, the original OST has no shortage of stellar titles you’ll want blasting out as you hunt down those monster contracts. The Trail will have you hyped up beyond belief, Wake Up Ciri is so beautiful that it almost made the White Wolf cry, Commanding the Fury will literally make you want to start hacking and slashing, while Another Round for Everyone is…well…pretty self-explanatory. Before we reveal our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions that more than deserve a place in your music library of choice. “Octopath Traveler” (2018) “Final Fantasy XIII” (2009) "Mario Kart 8” (2014) “Persona 5” (2017) “Dragon Age Inquisition” (2014)
#1: “Nier: Automata” (2017)
A puzzle wrapped in an enigma with an approach to storytelling that could only come from the mind of a beloved madman like Yoko Taro. Is it any wonder that the accompanying soundtrack is just as breath-taking? We could literally go on for days about how incredible tracks like City Ruins and Weight of the World truly are, and normally that would be it. However, much like our undying affection for 2B, things go one step further when the songs start repeating themselves, only slightly altered, resulting in a totally different listening experience, along with a drastic shift in the emotional atmosphere. From start to finish, this score truly is an achievement unto itself.
