The Impact and Power of Music in Video Games
Exploring and reflecting on how music in video games elevates immersion, evokes powerful emotions, and shapes unforgettable gaming experiences
Setting the Game’s Tone
You walk through an archway with gothic-inspired architecture surrounding you, and the town you’re in is covered in old stonework.
Bells ominously toll in the far background. It’s not quite dark yet, with an orange glow warmly illuminating the sunset skies, and you can easily see grotesque statues that line the long, harsh pathway you are on.
Then, in the distance, you witness a horrific creature jump over a stone wall and land on the opposite end of the same path you are on. Now, once it lands, you hear it scream in an agonizing wail that instantly makes you tense up.
With your weapons equipped and Molotov cocktails easily reachable, you charge forward as the Cleric Beast freakishly lurches towards you, shrieking and slamming its arms down as you try to dodge its attacks.
In the background though, intense choirs and epic orchestrated music fill your ears, and the shrieks from the Cleric Beast create an eerie sound that will not cease until you kill it. In the meantime, the music gets more unsettling, and you gradually get covered in the blood of the creature as you chip away the last of its health.
Once you give the beast a final blow and absorb the blood echoes from the slain prey, the music quiets down — suddenly, relief and reward fill your heart and mind, all while your hands slowly loosen their grip on the controller.
If you were anything like me, that is exactly what happened when I fought and eventually defeated the Cleric Beast in Bloodborne for the first time many years ago. It was the first boss fight I experienced in that game, and it was incredibly atmospheric in the environment. It was amazingly intense, as most FromSoftware games are with their bosses in the Dark Souls and Bloodborne (SoulsBorne) titles.
However, a huge element in those games profoundly enhances the experience, making boss fights incredibly rewarding:
And that element is the music!
This newsletter will explore musical moments that have greatly impacted my gaming life, showcasing the powerful experiences and emotions they instill during gameplay!
While I've already highlighted Bloodborne's hauntingly beautiful music and the dread it infuses into the gameplay, I'll also dive into other games that powerfully convey various emotions and create lasting impact.
Whether it’s Mario as you explore a far-away galaxy, meeting up with your friends at the food court in Persona 4 Golden, clearing out enemies from crumbled buildings as part of the Battle of Arnhem in Medal of Honor: Frontline, or wandering the vast plains outside the town of Whiterun in Skyrim!
My hope is that this newsletter will give you a renewed joy in the music that video games have, and even go back through some of them yourself to experience them again or for the first time! Also, I will link any piece of music I reference throughout this newsletter so that you can listen to it!
Now, let’s dive into it!
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First off though, I want to extend my warmest welcome and send my thanks to you for the privilege and honor of your time!
My name is Joe, and The Saved Game is a gaming newsletter about nostalgia, new and old favorites, and finding ways to rekindle your love for why you played video games in the first place! Read more here about my Substack page and content!
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SoulsBorne | The Feeling of Dread
I had briefly discussed some of the music from Dark Souls II in a previous newsletter, Dark Souls II | Beauty Amid the Chaos, and that game really has a beautiful soundtrack, especially for the hub area in Majula that I had talked about a bit.
Yet, FromSoftware's masterful use of music in their games consistently elevates their unique, and often grim atmospheres.
In Bloodborne, the haunting score perfectly complements its grim, gothic atmosphere. It masterfully heightens the sense of dread, crafting intensely challenging boss fights that are naturally woven into the game's dark world. As I mentioned in the introduction, the Cleric Beast was my first real taste for the style of music that would be in Bloodborne, and I loved every second of it!
The theme in the Souls series for the Gargoyles boss fight is also iconic, and is an incredibly fierce experience against those enemies! Especially in Dark Souls, the iconic fight with the Bell Gargoyles in the Undead Parish was tough when I first played that game, and the music dramatically intensified and escalated the fight!
In Elden Ring, the most intense piece of music had to be for Starscourge Radahn’s boss fight from my experience — where the raw passion of the fight mirrored the powerful music! His theme amplified the experience, where I was under constant stress dodging his attacks. That was one of the tougher enemies I had issues with out of all of the FromSoftware games, and the music was perfect for keeping me on the edge of my seat and my heart rate high until I finally defeated him!
On the flip side though, there were a lot of moments that were softer and quieter — a complete contrast to the dread and force of the bosses and overall themes in the SoulsBorne games.
Of course, Majula is a great example where the serene music compliments the quieter moment of rest, and the main hubs in the other games accomplish a similar goal of creating a peaceful area of respite. I also think back to the powerful fight in Dark Souls between Ornstein and Smough — a fantastic, high-stakes score as well — which is immediately followed by the sudden reveal of Gwynevere. Her chamber — bathed in a warm, but dimmed light — presented a quiet, safe haven where she bestows the Lordvessel to the player, all while tranquil and uplifting music plays in the background!
These FromSoftware titles delivered truly unforgettable experiences, with their meticulously crafted music consistently elevating the gameplay and leaving a lasting imprint on every playthrough!
Super Mario Galaxy | Adventure Awaits in the Stars
Nothing could have prepared me for the sheer magic and excitement of Super Mario Galaxy when it first launched! Its innovative motion controls and wholesome charm instantly made it one of my all-time favorite Wii games!
I grew up on the 3D Mario games — Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy! They were incredibly special, and they were all very different in unique ways that made them very memorable!
While the music in Super Mario Sunshine was very fitting for the tropical environment and was super fun, I think that the music from Super Mario Galaxy stole my heart for its emotional and ethereal undertones that felt like they belonged in the universe for that game!
The soundtrack blended adventurous spirit with moments of amazing relaxation! The theme for the Observation Dome or the Comet Observatory for instance, created a graceful, happy, calming soundscape that perfectly encapsulated the serene majesty of this game!
In this game, I will always remember when Rosalina had the storybook out, and how shockingly emotional it was with the music during those sequences playing in the background, especially when it transitioned to a more moving soundtrack during a certain chapter with a tragic tale. I recall being surprised at how touching this all was, even more so from a Mario game — a level of emotional storytelling with a moving theme I wasn’t expecting to find in this otherwise vibrant universe!
It would be hard not to also mention and give a shoutout to the must-hear theme for the “Gusty Garden Galaxy” level! The music that plays there is so whimsical and uplifting, and it is the theme that I closely associate with Super Mario Galaxy!
All of the boss and the rest of the level themes pulsed with an amazingly fun, animated, and upbeat energy! All the while, the main theme for the game soared with an epic tempo and sound that matched the lively energy of this truly special game!
Persona 4 Golden | Slice of Life with an Eerie Backdrop
Playing Persona 4 Golden completely spoiler-free on my PS Vita back in 2015 or so was an incredibly fun and entertaining experience! Its blend of everyday life and unfolding mystery was captivating, as was the dynamic blend of characters!
Honestly, I plan on dedicating an entire newsletter just to this game in the future — definitely stay tuned for that!
The music in this game really distinguished itself, balancing tracks that are happy, fun, and exciting — all while turning very mysterious or downright dark sometimes! The upbeat town themes perfectly captured the daily rhythms of Inaba, the town where this game takes place in. All the while, the battle themes exploded with an infectious energy that kept every encounter engaging!
If you haven’t experience it yet, I would highly recommend picking this game up to try yourself, especially since it is available on Steam and most consoles now! I'll refrain from revealing too much, but suffice it to say, the game's music compliments the world of Persona 4 Golden amazingly well — from its more upbeat, slice-of-life moments to its shadowy and suspenseful themes!
From the beginning, the main/opening theme is amazingly upbeat and really set a happy tone! It also had background themes when you were walking around, such as “Heartbeat, Heartbreak”, that was always a favorite of mine with its relaxed and chilled-out sound! And of course, the battle sequences deliver truly memorable themes, perfectly balancing suspense with the game's unique atmosphere — with “Time to Make History” standing out as one of my favorites!
As the story progresses and the narrative deepens, there are really emotional moments in the game, as well as moving music that fits really well in those scenes. It does well by mixing the humor, upbeat slice-of-life settings, and unsettling moments of unease with tense tracks throughout the various points in the game!
While other Persona titles certainly boast fantastic soundtracks — and I truly loved the music especially from Persona 5 — I consistently find myself returning to Persona 4 Golden. Its blend of infectious melodies, battle themes, and unnerving moments in the music ensures that its soundtrack remains etched in my memory from the world of Persona 4 Golden!
Medal of Honor: Frontline | An Unsettling Soundtrack that Fits the Brutality of War
Medal of Honor: Frontline was one of the earliest first person shooter video games I was exposed to back in the early 2000s. I first played it on the Nintendo GameCube, and while it was fun to play with the combat and especially the multiplayer, it was the single-player campaign that revealed a surprising depth that truly resonated with me.
I remember thinking about how incredibly detailed the graphics looked at the time, and I was shocked as a kid to see how stark and violent this portrayal of war was. Of course, it is a video game that expanded on the brutal reality of World War II, but this was a stepping off point that exposed me to some historical events that did take place and profoundly shaped our world.
By today’s standards though and in hindsight, it is very clunky and definitely has outdated graphics! Despite that, I remember learning a lot about history when I played it years ago.
But, one element of Medal of Honor: Frontline remains utterly timeless, sounding as compelling today as it did decades ago: its stirring and brilliant soundtrack.
I cannot recommend enough that you go listen to and experience the entire soundtrack for Medal of Honor: Frontline at some point! It has a heavy weight that mirrors the deep tone and unflinching reality of war really well. Certain tracks, for me, continue to evoke powerful emotional responses of sorrow, interwoven with vivid memories of playing the game many years ago.
It is an orchestrated soundtrack, with the use of somber choirs and was brilliantly composed. Two of the tracks have stayed with me for years after I first played this game.
One standout track, “After the Drop”, uses a lot of solemn choirs throughout it. In the mission “Rough Landing”, you and two members of your squad parachute into a seemingly peaceful landscape. However, as soon as the mission starts, you are brought into a grim reality as a member of your squad is shot to death by a distant sniper after his parachute got tangled on a windmill. Soon after, the haunting soundtrack picks up as you fight your way through enemy forces — carefully destroying tanks along the way.
The other mission that I can still replay vividly in my mind is called “Arnhem Knights”, and the track that played in the background was fittingly called “Arnhem”. This slow-building song mirrors the mission's escalating intensity, gradually picking up as you painstakingly clear out crumbled buildings and assist Allied forces during the brutal Battle of Arnhem. It was a chaotic, desperate mission, filled with hidden snipers throughout the map and tanks lurking in precarious street positions. The ominous music — chillingly but beautifully sung in the Dutch language — mixed in compellingly well with the sounds of both nearby and distant gunfire, and really characterized the brutality of this mission. The translation was somber, given the historical events that transpired in the Battle of Arnhem.
Throughout the rest of the game, the music consistently maintained this astounding thematic quality. While Medal of Honor: Frontline may show its age in gameplay, I still wholeheartedly recommend experiencing it — if not for its nostalgic action, then clearly for its masterful and unforgettable soundtrack.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim | Epic Music on a Grand and Immersive Scale
Everyone who has played The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim likely has their own unique story for how and when they first played it.
My own journey began about a year after its release on the Xbox 360, after sinking countless hours into The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion on the PlayStation 3. But, when I finally stepped into Skyrim, I was instantly blown away — not just by its graphical leap or deep immersion, but particularly by its breathtaking soundtrack!
As I have said previously in past newsletters, I love being immersed in the world I am playing within the game! It is super special to be able to fully play as someone else, living in a world of magic, and putting reality on hold!
Skyrim is a game that excels at this really well for me; it’s a world I still go back to anytime I feel like escaping the real world for a bit. In doing so, one of the greatest elements of that escape from reality is undoubtedly the music, which smoothly plays in the background as I explore the vast landscapes!
The music in Skyrim is calming, peaceful, and relaxing when you’re out exploring the world around you. Still, to this day, one of my favorite places to just walk around is inside and outside the town of Whiterun.
There’s a beautiful magic to Whiterun for me. I think it’s because it is the first major town you naturally come across, or it could be because of the architecture! Whatever the reason is, the exceptionally calming music that plays there has a peaceful familiarity to it, and helps me to relax while I wander around!
Just outside of Whiterun is a beautiful and breathtaking part of Skyrim, where I always loved the vast scenery, with the majestic distant mountains and occasional dragon, as well as the scattered Giant camps that dot the landscape. There has always been an array of music that plays, but all of it reminds me that I am playing a game set in a fantastical world, filled with epic quests, and places to explore. One of my favorite tracks that offers a blissful ambiance is called “Wind Guide You”, and it really gives me that powerful feeling of exploration and wonder as I journey around — whether that’s just outside of Whiterun or further beyond into the other areas of Skyrim.
I eagerly look forward to future Elder Scrolls games, and hope that they recapture the thoughtful immersion that has defined my hundreds of hours spent in Skyrim and Oblivion. My greatest wish is to get lost once more in a new corner of Tamriel, exploring its wondrous world while listening to a future soundtrack that peacefully fills the background ambiance!
Worlds Filled with Music
These five games just scratch the surface of music's power and impact in video games, but they were the first ones that came to my mind when making this newsletter!
Though a diverse mix, my aim was to explore some of the emotions and feelings that encompass the music within games that help sculpt them to their final form. From the dreadful yet intensely rewarding scores of the SoulsBorne games, to the surprisingly emotional and adventurous tunes of Super Mario Galaxy. We explored the happy, cheerful songs that power Persona 4 Golden's upbeat story, even with its mysterious undertones, and the somber melodies in Medal of Honor: Frontline that vividly convey the terror of war. We also reflected on how music in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim's epic soundtrack immerses you wholly in its grand world!
All of the music in these games serves a powerful purpose that greatly impacts the overall mood and influence that each one of them has. For me, they all mean so much and the soundtracks are a major reason that I go back to them, even nowadays!
I wholeheartedly encourage you to actively listen to the music in the games you play, and truly observe how it shapes your gaming experience!
Likewise, I would love to hear from you about your experiences with music in video games!
I hope this dive into video game music brought you a new appreciation, and perhaps, even inspired you to revisit some of your own favorite gaming soundtracks!
Thank you for the honor and privilege of your time! It means a lot that you’re here, and I appreciate your readership!
See you all next time,
Joe
What are Your Thoughts
I want to hear from you!
Let me and others know down in the comments below about your experiences with music in video games! Do you have any shared history with the games I brought up? Or do you have games that immediately come to your mind when you think of their soundtracks?
I would also love to hear if there are any soundtracks for games that you would love to share! I am always looking for new things to listen to! Thanks!
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Completely agree with your point on how good soundtracks can evoke strong emotions and become iconic on their own merit. Some game scores are just as unforgettable as the games they come from. For SOO many of us, the music is a big reason why we keep going back to certain titles.
Excellent points about Medal of Honor and its contribution to military game scores. The shift from patriotic orchestral pieces to more nuanced and resonant music set a new standard I think. The way it conveys heroism, combat tension, and even somber reflections of war in its day was groundbreaking and pretty immersive. It added a layer of historical weight and human drama to the experience that went beyond say just “action music”.
Then in Super Mario Galaxy you really do get that showcase of how music can build a sense of wonder and joy. The arrangements really take you there! Each galaxy feels distinct with themes that are both grand and playful. The OST is essential to the game's identity, making every moment feel like an adventure!
Thanks for a great read!
Great music, for me, is a way to visualise in my mind what I remembered about the game. If I suddenly think of the Chemical Plant Zone music from Sonic 2, I can instantly imagine what it looked and felt like.
Do you ever listen to soundtracks on their own doing different things? For some I do, for the reason I just said. Others, however, feel like they need to be married to the visuals and gameplay to work. Taking the music on its own can sometimes be like removing an ingredient from a meal.