How important is music in a game?

[Ando85]

I think it is highly important. Some people don't agree. But, I think music is a huge factor in defining the atmosphere and tone of part of a game. Play happy upbeat music while fighting a dreaded boss then try listening to it with some more dramatic and sinister music and you get a completely different mood.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

I agree but I think music in games isn't utilized very well for the most part. 4 times out of 5 I don't even notice game music honestly like in the Halo games, Alice Madness Returns, Bioware RPGs...I didn't know if there was music in those or not for most of my play time honestly. Then again there's also games like Silent Hill Downpour and, Last Story which give me some hope for in-game tunes.

 

[Inconspicuous Trenchcoat]

It's not essential, but it can greatly enhance the experience. Persona 3's music is the only thing keeping me going so far (I've played like... 10 hours? I dunno. I've passed the first impasse in Tarturus. Also, Tarturus can go jump off a bridge). Yeah, P3's battle music is like in the Top 10 most fitting ever--once you get over the shock of, "this is the battle music?" Star Ocean: The Second Story's music is so iconic for me that I get flashbacks to middle school whenever I hear it, the music made that RPG even better. I love Super Mario RPG's music, especially the boss music, it really gets you in the groove for a boss fight.

Most game music I never actually consider, or realize I like until I hear it much later and remember, "oh yeah, that game--that had good music I guess." Game music hasn't been something I've actively thought about until very recently. I've finally read enough of these threads to actually start paying more attention to game music and finding stuff that I like. Fusion/big band/ska/someothergenresmaybe remixes of the chemical plant theme are amazing, I have found.

 

[Able Seacat]

It's part of the package to a good game. Not that a game can't be good without it but it can definitely help the game's overall enjoyment.

For me I notice music in games more than others, for example I adore the soundtrack to Superbrothers Sword & Sworcery and it definitely helped to make that an enjoyable experience for me.

Spoiler

 

[Guffe]

Maybe in some cutscenes since it gives more feeling (like in movies) but for songs while I am playing I am usually so focused I don't hear the music. I sometimes just write "game name" and "music" to youtube to check what kind of music I've missed out on but I very seldom could name what kind of music there are in games, even after just finishing a game and you'd play me some of the songs from that game I would pretty surely not remember hearing it.

Of course if the music is "being played" it's more memorable like in Zelda with the Harp or Ocarina but if I play a fighting scene in for example TheLastStory (just finished that game that's why it's my example) I can't remeber the music, the cutscene music I do remember but not the music playing while I am playing.

 

[LITE992]

It's not essential, but it can be used well to a good effect. People remember the world 1-1 song from the first Mario game, as well as Green Hill from the first Sonic game. But it doesn't just have to be catchy background tunes. Sometimes it can help the player, like in the Left 4 Dead games, which has music cues for the special infected. I think what most people are overlooking is the emotional impact of it. In action or racing games, a fast song can provide an adrenaline rush, and this is just awesome when it's done right.

 

[w9496]

For rhythm games like Rock Band, they obviously need a great soundtrack.

I believe story-based games like Mass Effect also need great music. The music in that entire trilogy really added to the game itself.

It helps shooters as well. Gears of War wouldn't be the same without its low and tone setting music.

 

[madwarper]

IMO, music aids in setting a desired mood of a game, but is not essential for that mood to be created.

 

[Darknacht]

If it is really good can add a little to a game but as long as I can turn it off it can't take away from a game. In most games I see it as something game designers like to waste money on, but thats because turning the music off is typically one of the first things I do in a new game.

 

[Smooth Operator]

Well if the game has good environment noise then it doesn't need music, but otherwise it is desperately needed to set the tone.

Unless you are retarded like Gearbox and actually put wubwub over every fucking fight, then don't bloody bother.

 

[BreakfastMan]

Very. Really, I think people tend to understate the importance of good music to a game. It can help set and enhance the mood and atmosphere and it can help convey emotions at critical points (don't get what I am saying? Try watching the ending of ET without any music. Makes a hell of a difference, doesn't it?). Like a good visual aesthetic, it is not essential to one's enjoyment of a game, but it helps a hell of a lot and you sure as hell notice when it is crappy.

 

[DugMachine]

Won't make or break a game but it can definitely create the right atmosphere. Even lack of music and just ambiance if done right can be awesome.

WoW has my favorite music in a game. Not so much for the atmosphere but I really enjoy it.

 

[neonsword13-ops]

Persona 3 & 4 are two games that use music incredibly well.

As the tone of the game gets darker, so does the music. In terms of tone changing music, P3 outdoes P4 by a long shot.

Spoiler: Here's how the music changes throughout the game

Very beginning. Everything is happy and go-lucky.
Mid-way point. Tensions are rising and the story is getting much deeper.
You're in the last 20 or so hours in the game. The story has almost reached it's climax and it's time for the final battle.

Without music, a lot of the emotional value the games have would be gone.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

I think it's extremely important. Ever try and play a game on mute? It just isn't the same at all.

 

[II2]

If you include the total sum of soundtracks and sound design within your definition of 'music', it's vital.

It's a wholistic thing. Would Mario's death notes or the Final Fantasy victory theme carry the same weight if not positioned against the rest of the score?

It gets even more both essential and blurry in horror games where the OST is made of precussion, foley and sound effects that sound right at home with all the Boolean triggered samples.

If I needed to make the argument with a single game though... The original Fallout's - 1 and 2 - would be wholely different and less memorable beasts without Mark Morgan's sound work giving different areas their own unique atmosphere.

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I will conceed though that poorly used music and sound can be a very active and detrimental aspect to the rest of the game. Ideally, things should sound *just right* without you really thinking about the sound, actively. If you can't STOP thinking about an annoying track, it's doing it wrong.

 

[babinro]

It's as important as sound effects, graphics, and story.
Far less important than control and gameplay.

Music in gaming is timeless as well.
It lends to nostalgia much better than any other part of a game in the long run.

I have the beginning of Super Mario Bros etched into my memory not because the first 10 seconds of 1-1 were memorable, but because of the music.

I revisit games like Final Fantasy 6 solely because of the music that comes to mind on occasion. I randomly get Kefka's theme, or especially the Opera House music in my head and that's it.

Pretty much all the music in Ninja Gaiden (NES) is epic and has frequently brought me back to that game.

Half-Life 2's action music may not be as memorable as the above...but once you hear it you just can't wait to take down a Strider.

I almost never look back at a game and think 'Wow, remember when I stomped 2 Goomba's in one jump! Time to replay Mario 3!"

 

[Fraught]

Music is important to (or at least enhances the atmosphere of) any type of entertainment.

Hell, if someone could integrate headphone jacks into books and it could detect where you were, so it played music fitting to the current scenario, then even that would make a book better.

Provided the music was good enough, though. Most games don't place that big an emphasis on the music, so a lot of games either don't really have it, or it's very ambient and/or quiet.