With the main criterion not to mention the same franchise or composer twice, here is the greatest music composed for video games released between 1988 and 2023: some cult classics, some lesser known. A passionate and knowledgeable selection of beautiful and varied themes among thousands of listened game soundtracks! Check each track description for more information.

The 100 Best Video Game Music

Composer: Ilan Eshkeri (The Sims 4) / Other composer on the album: Shigeru Umebayashi

This theme can be heard in the menu and at the end of the prologue. Tsushima Island is all that stands between mainland Japan and the massive Mongol invasion fleet led by Khotun Khan. Jin, a traditional samurai, is one of the last members of his clan standing after the first wave of Mongolian attackers. Determined to protect his home and people, Jin must abandon the orthodox ways of the samurai taught to him by his father, and instead utilize other methods of warfare to overcome the Mongols, earning him the moniker "The Ghost".

This is a shortened version (original track length: 2'51).

Ghost of Tsushima OST

Ghost of Tsushima OST - Jin Sakai

Composers: Joris de Man (Killzone series, Horizon series), James Marsden

Sequel to Velocity (2012), this sci-fi shoot 'em-up/platformer is better in every way, including its soundtrack (which was already great).

This is a shortened version (original track length: 4'26).

Velocity 2X OST

Velocity 2X OST - Frontier

Composer: Gerard Marino (GoW series) / Other composers on the album: Mike Reagan, Cris Velasco, Ron Fish

The best track to represent the saga and its music, with its powerful choirs that follow both rhythm and melody, making the orchestrations even more dizzying and fitting in perfectly with the epic fate of Kratos, the Spartan warlord who became a Greek god. The making of music https://youtu.be/wRyVH927yLk

This is a shortened version (original track length: 2'55).

God of War II OST

God of War II OST - Main Titles

Composer: Joe Hisaishi (Tengai Makyō II, NnK II: Revenant Kingdom, and composer of Studio Ghibli’s films) / Performer: Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

Ni no Kuni was subtitled Dominion of the Dark Djinn on Nintendo DS (2010) then Wrath of the White Witch on PS3 in enhanced version (2011).
The making of music https://youtu.be/_Bcf0X7Vlh4

Ni no Kuni OST

Ni no Kuni OST - World Map

Composer: Nathan McCree (Tomb Raider II and III)

This theme, which uses a four-note motif, can be heard in the main menu and continues to appear through the game and series. In 1996, there was not enough space and budget for live orchestra recording, so the soundtrack was produced using synthesizers. To make the choir sound realistic, McCree inserted recordings of himself breathing at the right points.

This is a shortened version (original track length: 3'16).

Tomb Raider (1996) OST

Tomb Raider (1996) OST - Main Theme

Composer & Orchestrator: Austin Wintory (Horn, Monaco, AC Syndicate, Abzû, Tooth and Tail, The Banner Saga series…) / Performers: Tina Guo (cello), Amy Tatum (flute, bass flute), Charissa Barger (harp), Rodney Wirtz (viola), Noah Gladstone (serpent), FAME'S Macedonian Symphonic Orchestra

This theme accompanies the player's ending journey to the mountain. The composer spent time experimenting and discarding many ideas; this track went through several widely varied attempts. Wintory describes the music as "a big cello concerto where you are the soloist and all the rest of the instruments represent the world around you". The best interview with Wintory https://youtu.be/iUaPHTC2TjI

This is a shortened version (original track length: 7'06).

Journey OST

Journey OST - Apotheosis

Composer: Olivier Deriviere (Obscure 1 & 2, Remember Me, AC Freedom Cry, Harold, Supernova, Get Even, Vampyr, A Plague Tale, Dying Light 2…) / Vocals: The Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices

Deriviere did not use a live orchestra but virtual instruments and samplers to create a realistic orchestral sound. The making of music https://youtu.be/17gviQ2_1YA
"I have implemented processes to ensure that the music I write is always consistent with the universe and always functional for the gameplay." Olivier Deriviere in After Bit N°19 https://youtu.be/TXSFQROOydY?t=60

Lyrics (translated from Bulgarian):

Kato v san neprobuden ––––---> As if from a deep slumber…

Sas tchii otchi nanuvam –––––-> From whose eyes do I see?
Tchii e tozi lik obretchen –––---> Who does this cursed face belong to?
Smaten glas mi se pritchuva –> I can hardly hear the vague voice calling
I otekva s vik dalechen –––––––> Like a scream echoing from afar

Kak da zarna da progledna –--> Will I ever understand?
Tachujdi obraz da pregarna ––> How to embrace
Na litseto mi smuteno –––––––-> This unknown face
Griah v nadejda da prevarna –> And turn sin into hope?

Sas sartesto mi shte diria ––––> With my heart, I’m seeking
Pat v sadbata nepoznata ––––-> A path through my uncharted fate
Niamam maitchina zakrila ––--> I have no mother land
Niamam nishto na zemiata ––-> I have nothing on this earth

Dojato namerja uteha vyv ––--> Until I have found a redemption
Noshitite –––––––––––––––––––---> In the hearth of the night
Biagam ot sebe si ––––––––––---> I run from myself
Potavat mi siedite –––––––––––-> My feet sinking

Alone in the Dark OST

Alone in the Dark (2008) OST - Who Am I?

Composer: Hans Zimmer (CoD Modern Warfare 2, Crysis 2, Honor of Kings) / Vocals: Miriam Stockley / Other composer on the album: Lorne Balfe

Interview with the composer https://youtu.be/cpsFBB2VcF0

Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure OST

Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure OST - Main Theme

Composer: Christopher Larkin (Expand, TOHU, HK: Silksong) / Viola: Timothy Cheel

This theme is only played in the "Ferocious Foes" trailer. However, a calmer and slower version can be heard in the main menu (entitled "Hollow Knight" in the OST). Ingame, "the story begins with soft piano notes, and as the player explores further, orchestral forces swell to an operatic scale" (C. Larkin), particularly when we encountered bosses, which gives rise to beautiful epic themes (like Hornet, Mantis Lords or Dung Defender). The soundtrack of the game was composed over approximately 2 years, with the piano and viola as the basis on which is grafted a virtual orchestration.
Interview with the composer https://youtu.be/cB4zw0DgVbk
To complete the music of the base game, "Gods & Nightmares" compiles excellent tracks from 4 DLCs.

This is a slightly shortened version (original track length: 1'29).

Hollow Knight OST

Hollow Knight OST - Enter Hallownest

Composer & Arranger: Yasunori Nishiki (Frontier Gate, Granblue Fantasy: Versus, FFVII Remake…)

Octopath Traveler OST

Octopath Traveler OST - Primrose, the Dancer

Composer: Yu-Peng Chen / Performer: London Philharmonic Orchestra

From the 2nd album "City of Winds and Idylls" disc 3 "Saga of the West Wind". Can be heard during the second phase of the boss fight against Andrius "Dominator of Wolves", also known as Lupus Boreas, who can be found in Wolvendom.

This is a shortened version (original track length: 4'51).

Genshin Impact OST

Genshin Impact OST - Symphony of Boreal Wind (Andrius Boss Fight)

Composer: Danny Baranowsky (The Binding of Isaac, Crypt of the Necrodancer, Cadence of Hyrule…)

Can be heard during the second chapter in its light world version (i.e. the "easy" one). Betus are enemies that look like red slimes and crawl along whatever they can reach (platforms, walls, ceilings).

This is a shortened version (original track length: 3'12).

Super Meat Boy OST

Super Meat Boy OST - Betus Blues (Chapter 2: The Hospital - Light World)

Composer: David García Díaz (Deadlight, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Arise: A Simple Story)

This is a shortened version (original track length: 3'22).

RiME OST

RiME OST - The Island

Composer: Yuka Kitamura (DS II, Bloodborne, Sekiro, Elden Ring…) / Vocals: KOKIA, Tokyo Philharmonic Chorus / Other composers on the album: Motoi Sakuraba, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Tsukasa Saitoh

Can be heard in the game menu.

This is a slightly shortened version (original track length: 2'46).

Dark Souls III OST

Dark Souls III OST - Dark Souls 3 (Main Theme)

Composer: Francisco Cerda (Gunpoint, Omen of Sorrow)

"Final Form Games, the team that developed Jamestown, asked me to create something grandiose and epic to accompany their co-op arcade adventure. Though the game is presented entirely via pixel-art graphics, they wanted to steer away from “chiptune” sounds and create something more epic: a full orchestral score, in the style of a Hollywood blockbuster." Francisco Cerda

This is a shortened version (original track length: 2'50).

Jamestown: Legend of the Lost Colony OST

Jamestown: Legend of the Lost Colony OST - Prisoner of the Badlands

Composer: Michael Hunter (GTA: San Andreas)

Can be heard during the campaign introduction and at the end credits.

This is a shortened version (original track length: 2'51).

Grand Theft Auto IV OST

Grand Theft Auto IV OST - Soviet Connection (The Theme from GTA IV)

Composer: Glenn Stafford (Warcraft I & III, The Lost Vikings 2, StarCraft I & II, World of Warcraft, Heroes of the Storm...)

This is a shortened version (original track length: 3'36).

Warcraft II OST

Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness OST - Human Battle 1

Composer: Gustaf Grefberg (Enclave, Knights of the Temple, The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay & Assault on Dark Athena, The Darkness, Payday 2, A Way Out…) / Performers: Emma Sunbring (vocals), Christopher Öhman (viola), Simon Viklund (additional instruments)

This high-pitched vocal technique is called "kulning": it comes from an ancient Scandinavian herding call.
⚠️SPOILER⚠️ After controlling both brothers together throughout the adventure, the player finds himself alone with the younger (Naiee), as Naia (the elder) was fatally injured before he died. This is where this music can be heard in the game.

This is a shortened version (original track length: 2'32).

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons OST

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons OST - Naia

Composers: Philip Sheppard / Performers: English Session Orchestra / Other composers on the album: John Paesano (for Markus), Nima Fakhrara (for Connor)

Can be heard in a scene of the beginning of the game, when the android Kara decides to disobey to her owner Todd, who is violent against his daughter Alice, and runs away with her.
Interview of Philip Sheppard https://youtu.be/Z1rDTGOQBY0
The making of music https://youtu.be/KUIUFUC5dsw

This is a shortened version (original track length: 6'54).

Detroit: Become Human OST

Detroit: Become Human OST - Kara Main Theme

Composer: Michael Giacchino (Medal of Honor series, Fracture…) / Performer: Northwest Sinfonia

This is a shortened version (original track length: 4'07).

Medal of Honor (1999) OST

Medal of Honor (1999) OST - Main Theme

Short extracts of S-tier game soundtracks

The 100 Best Video Game Music

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