7 games with the best soundtracks of all time

A soundtrack plays a significant role in setting the mood and tone of a game. This is a part that doesn't get enough credit as without it most titles would have no feel to them. Action scenes won't be able to emphasize how high the stakes are and emotional sequences won't be able to make the players shed a tear.

A good soundtrack can do wonders for a game in making the player have different emotions through its scores. Various titles over the years have featured wonderful soundtracks that complement the experience by adding to the setting and tone. This article will cover seven games with the best soundtracks of all time.

Note: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's views.

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Games with the best soundtrack of all time

1) Uncharted 4: A Thief's End

Uncharted 4 was a mature entry compared to the rest of the series (Image via Naughty Dog)

The fourth installment of the Uncharted franchise concluded Nathan Drake's adventures by giving him a happy ending where he retires with his family. This entry is considered different from its predecessors because it takes a more mature take on Nathan's character arc, which is perfectly reflected in the game's soundtrack.

The entire franchise features great background music, but Uncharted 4's shift in tone calls for a more mature score that the game delivers. The calm moments feature some of the most thought-provoking music, created by Henry Jackman, in the gaming industry. This helps make the player feel the importance of moments when Elena and Nathan have heart-to-heart conversations.

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2) God of War 3

God of War 3 has one of the best soundtracks in the franchise (Image via Santa Monica Studio)

The God of War franchise has always featured some of the best music in the gaming industry. However, God of War 3 takes it up a notch with its rage-filled score composed by Gerard Marino. He perfectly captured the rage building up inside Kratos as he climbs Mount Olympus to kill Zeus. The score elevates the action and emphasizes the cinematic kills of gods like Poseidon and Hermes.

The game's soundtrack complements the action-packed sequences when Kratos is juggling enemies in the air with his blades of chaos or punching the life out of Zeus in his final encounter with his father. Even though God of War 3 features a lot of violence, there are times of calmness when the music beautifully calms down for interactions between Pandora and Kratos.

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3) Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy is a fun single-player adventure (Image via Square Enix)

Guardians of the Galaxy doesn't get enough credit for the way it represents its characters. After Marvel made the characters a household name by giving them their own film in 2014, this game capitalized on its success. It featured characters with personalities similar to their films and emphasis on the soundtrack.

The title features plenty of licensed songs that Star-Lord listens to during battle and while on the ship with the rest of the guardians. All these songs are decades old and help in adding more flavor to his character. They also elevate the feel of combat when a random song plays during the battle when you activate your special ability.

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4) Life is Strange

Life is Strange is a single-player story game (Image via Square Enix)

Life is Strange has always featured minimalistic gameplay and calm moments where characters engage in conversations. These conversations create drama and tension in the story, accompanied by a somber soundtrack adding to the emotional feel. The franchise emphasizes light scores that blend in with the scenes without standing out too much.

This helps the players concentrate on the game's story instead of getting distracted by the background score. The entire soundtrack of the first game is calm and invokes different emotions that complement the character's dialogue delivery. Every chapter ends with a beautiful song that assures the player everything will be alright at the end no matter how bad the situation gets.

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5) Assassin's Creed 2

Assassin's Creed 2 was the foundation for what was about to come (Image via Ubisoft)

Assassin's Creed 2's Ezio theme was so revolutionary that it became the franchise's main soundtrack. Every game released after that featured a different iteration of the theme. Alongside from Ezio's, the entire soundtrack was revolutionary and perfectly captured the setting of Italy.

The game features high-octane scores for chase sequences, soothing music for calm cutscenes, and calming background tunes that make the exploration exciting. Cities like Florence and Venice particularly take advantage of the music as it perfectly fits the setting and immerses the player in the time period.

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6) Grand Theft Auto Vice City

Vice City had a great soundtrack (Image via Rockstar Games)

Grand Theft Auto is a franchise that always featured classic licensed songs for its soundtracks. This tradition has been present in every GTA and is expected to be in Grand Theft Auto 6 as well. While every game in this franchise features banger soundtracks, the most memorable entry is Vice City as it has licensed songs from the 1980s.

This perfectly adds to the setting and matches the vibe of Vice City. There is no better feeling than starting the game and hearing Michael Jackson's Billie Jean when you first enter a car in the game that sets the mood.

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7) Astro Bot

Astro Bot is a PlayStation 5 game (Image via PlayStation)

Astro Bot is PlayStation's new mascot and has received his first standalone game. This action-adventure platformer is a masterpiece thanks to its vibrant visuals and sound design. Every level features a unique theme that goes along with the stage you are playing. This adds to the character of the level as the music also features lyrics that are fun to nod along to.

Every song in the game is upbeat and accompanies the game's aesthetic and adventure. There is no dull moment with the game having music for every situation, whether you are fixing a PlayStation part, pulling items from the Gatcha machine, or just exploring Crash Site.