The Importance of Music in Video Games

Managing Editor Ethan Miller

Music is a tool. It can be used to control emotion and establish the tone of a scene, much like in a film. This isn’t very different in video games, but the soundtrack has to be much more versatile than a film. Atmosphere is a far greater function for music to serve than simple communication of information. In films, the tone is dictated by a director, so where, when, and how the music plays is fairly straightforward. In games, the tone is dictated by the player, so the music has to be tailored to multiple different situations.

Creating an immersive fiction in which to set the narrative is a key duty for any developer looking to create a popular and acclaimed video game, and music is a huge part of achieving this immersion. Exploring the Great Ocean in the Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker feels drastically different than sailing the ocean in Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, for example, in part thanks to the music. The Wind Waker’s soundtrack is mainly upbeat and adventurous, with the Great Sea theme feeling fun and spectacular. Black Flag’s on the other hand is more atmospheric and somber, making sailing feel much more realistic.

Music can also help enrich a cutscene or even something as normally mundane as a title screen. The Last of Us title screen features a bleak image, with the music reflecting that, but hidden in the guitar is a hopeful melody, not unlike the overall themes of the game itself. Super Mario World uses its title screen as a showcase to what kind of new ideas it brings to the table. Right at the get-go, we are introduced to new ideas. Carrying and throwing shells, Yoshi, and new enemy types. It’s fresh yet familiar, featuring an all new main theme.

Music is good for characterisation, as well. Octopath Traveler focuses on the journey of eight characters and each have distinctive themes that fit their personalities. For instance, Tressa the Merchant and Alfyn the Apothecary both come from smaller towns and their themes uses the Harmonica and Saxophone, both instruments less associated with the upper-class and art music in general, so their use in the small town characters work really well. Cyrus' theme is a Vienna Waltz which is a fast waltz that was popular among the upper Italian class. As a professor who taught royalty, the Vienna Waltz is definitely a representation of his social class as well as his personality. Character themes play in pivotal moments right before bosses and they have smooth transitions into the fights for an epic feel.

Music is very important to making RPG battles interesting. In Final Fantasy VII, for example, the turn based battle system without the music would be very boring. With the added battle theme, however, the battles feel exciting, when at their most basic level, it’s just a few characters taking turns swinging at each other. This rings true with most RPGs, Persona 5 being another prime example.

While not everyone pays much attention to music in the games they are playing, but it subconsciously affects how we view said games. Without the soundtracks, a lot of the pizzaz that iconic games are known for is lost. Rhythm games wouldn’t even exist, which as an entire genre is huge.