Games Where The Soundtrack is Just as Important as the Gameplay

[MisterGobbles]

I consider myself almost more of a fan of music than I am of video games as of late. Call it more of a shift of interest than anything else. Nowadays I find myself more drawn to games where the soundtrack is an integral part of the experience, which seems to be a dwindling part of the market as time goes on. Don't get me wrong - games where there is no music (such as Half-Life) are just as valid as games where music plays more of a role (the Halo series). But I just find it very rewarding when a great game is accompanied by an amazing soundtrack.

My favorite game is FEZ, for the simple reason that the gameplay, art, and music compliment each other perfectly. Both the game itself and the music are valid entities on their own - the soundtrack is one of the only soundtracks I listen to as often as my standalone albums - but when they are combined, they create a perfect, absorbing atmosphere.

So my fellow forumgoers, are there any others than think like me? And if so, what are some other games that you think exemplify this marriage of music and gameplay? And do you think their soundtracks are just as entertaining when taken as their own entities?

 

[Andy Shandy]

Any rhythm game ever. If your game doesn't have some great music to rock/sing/dance along to, you're kinda fucked.

 

[Miss G.]

The World Ends With You, Okami and Okamiden, and Kingdom Hearts (usually a lot of Square titles) are like that.

 

[XMark]

The Sega CD game "Lords of Thunder" is known primarily for its awesome guitar-shredding soundtrack, rather than for its gameplay.

 

[Glongpre]

Final Fantasy. No one gets giddy about their favourite battle system.

 

[alphamalet]

Final Fantasy. No one gets giddy about their favourite battle system.

You're kidding, right? I take it you've never talked to a Final Fantasy fan before.

OT: No games soundtrack will ever be more important than it's gameplay, but I think the ones that come closest (and I mean really close) is probably rhythm games. Even so, if the gameplay is broken it's not going to matter how good the music is behind the gameplay.

 

[wintercoat]

Fallout games. The songs played over the radio are very important to the overall atmosphere.

 

[Glongpre]

You're kidding, right? I take it you've never talked to a Final Fantasy fan before.

Sure some people will talk about their favourite but the gameplay is never the focus when talking about FF. The first thing people think about is the story and characters and by extension the music can add a lot to that element(equally to combat).
Also, there is a reason why there is a FF live orchestra. So FF is relevant to the topic I'd say.

 

[BrotherRool]

Bastion, To The Moon and Quintessence: The Blighted Venom are all hugely designed around the music. They're huge components for the story and how it's conveyed. I found the combat in Bastion so-so, but the music was absolutely exceptional and the levels were more about looking at stuff and listening to the music and narration than actually playing them.

And I just need to hear the first opening bars of 'For River' in To The Moon to have all the good feelings come gushing back.

 

[ShinyCharizard]

Almost all JRPGs. If they have a shit soundtrack then the game just won't be as memorable for me.

 

[The_Echo]

The World Ends With You, Kingdom Hearts

Yes.

These games wouldn't be anywhere near as good as they are without the soundtrack. The environments and characters sure are pretty, but it's really the music that breathes life, character and emotion into these games.

 

[Izanagi009_v1legacy]

Guilty Gear, That fighting games has great, unique and definable heavy metal sound music, honorable mention is KoF

Definably fighters, good music can really elevate the tension and adrenaline that one feels to epic heights

 

[Razentsu]

Visual Novels have very little in the way of gameplay, so, much of the Visual Novel experience is defined by other things such as plot, visuals and audio.

Music plays a large role in these games as it is the most prominent factor in setting the mood of a scene. One can learn the mood of a scene through text and visuals, but neither medium can convey emotion as quickly as music can. Most other games can get by without a good soundtrack, but visual novels would suffer severely without one. Visual Novels rely on their power to manipulate emotions to be enjoyable, and music makes up much of that power.

 

[crazyarms33]

Gotta go with the Civ games. When taking over the world its nice to have the appropriate music, particularly after a most troublesome bout with an annoying enemy.

 

[Miyenne]

Bastion, Kingdom Hearts, some Final Fantasy games, Mass Effect, and so many more. I even like Red Dead and the old Wild Arms music, they really put you in the mood of the game.

 

[Phrozenflame500]

This is a no-brainer:

Hotline Miami.

This*100

The music in Hotline Miami is simultaneously amazing and contributes to the 80s disco atmosphere the game is a love letter too.

 

[Easton Dark]

The music in FTL is pretty important to me.

Because when the game dicks you over and you want to quit, the calming music calls you back.

 

[Chungus]

Just about every JRPG ever.

The Silent Hill series. They wouldn't be the same without the wierd cacophony of industrial noises in the background.

Fatal Frame/Project Zero. Like Silent Hill, these games wouldn't be nearly as scary without the BGM.

The Grand Teft Auto series. The world wouldn't feel alive without the radio.

Last but not least, Brütal Legend. Music is integral to the plot there.