5. Dead Space
Track: Dead Space Theme – Jason Graves
Building tension and unease is the sole purpose of a horror soundtrack, along with the borderline out-of-tune string bleating as death takes pursuit. Dead Space’s soundtrack captures the perpetual fear of being stranded on a derelict starship with a horribly murderous, reanimated crew, and makes you cack yourself in the process. The game’s ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ rendition is also utterly terrifying.
4. Final Fantasy VII
Track: One-Winged Angel – Nobuo Uematsu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7wJ8pE2qKU
A wealth of excellence can be drawn like magic from the Final Fantasy series, but there is one piece known of by even those unfamiliar with the games – that was also featured in Advent Children. The final boss battle in Final Fantasy VII carried with it music that was, like the series itself; distinctive and vastly ahead of its time.
3. Ace Combat Zero
Track: Zero – Junichi Nakasuru, Hiroshi Okubo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGjwXI0n5-I
It’s clear immediately that a great deal of effort goes into the soundtracks for the Ace Combat series (Ace Combat 5 has 90 original tracks), but Ace Combat Zero, despite being the shortest tracklist, is by far the most unique. Choral epic mixed with electronic music, but with a strong flamenco flair. It works brilliantly, and makes for an unforgettable final battle.
2. Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3
Track: Hell March 1 – From First To Last
Sometimes borderline comedic (but in a good way), the soundtrack to Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3 isn’t far off what a comic book might sound like. Unique to each in game faction, it’s varied, interesting and awesome, but never takes itself too seriously. Plus, it features From First To Last, the metalcore outfit which once featured Skrillex on lead vocals.
1. Ori and the Blind Forest
Track: Light of Nibel – Gareth Coker, Aeralie Brighton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN_LvY97Rco&list=RDkN_LvY97Rco
For such an under-the-radar indie title, the soundtrack to Ori and the Blind Forest is utterly beautiful. It’s the kind of thing you’d hear in a nightclub for Unicorns. For a fantasy platformer set in an enchanted forest, it toys with the player’s emotions effortlessly and is arguably the biggest contributor to the game’s overall character and aesthetic excellence.
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