2012 was a tremendous year for video game music. While history was being made with Journey‘s Grammy nomination and Halo 4‘s debut at No. 50 on the Billboard Top 200, indie composers were quietly winning our hearts with some of the most emotional and artful soundtracks to date.
Perhaps one of the best things about game music in 2012, however, was how widely available many soundtracks were. Sites like gamemusicbundle.com recently finished their fourth bundle, which features a number of indie game soundtracks for $1. Contributors willing to put down $10 or more receive even more soundtracks at an incredible value.
On the mainstream side of things, almost every major game release this year was accompanied by an official soundtrack. Though some were easier to obtain than others, the fact they even widely exist for purchase is a huge plus, and something that will hopefully continue to become more frequent as time goes on.
The following list features our staff’s nominations for the best game music of 2012, and why it deserves to be recognized. There is no particular order here – just the best game music we could come up with. So grab your favorite pair of headphones, relax, and join our celebration of video game music in the year that was.
Available: iTunes + Amazon MP3
*****
The soundtrack to the indie game Dustforce is an amazing combination of soothing melodies and pianos, interspersed with some seriously catchy beats. Who could’ve imagined that the world of an acrobatic janitor hellbent on cleaning everything would be so relaxing to listen to? This incredible soundtrack is extremely listenable outside of the game itself, and doesn’t come across as sounding too “gamey.” And at only $3.99, how could you not own one of the best soundtracks of the year? – Tyler Cameron, Managing Editor
*****
The Double Dragon Neon soundtrack is a blazing compilation of 45 tracks that pay homage to original NES chiptunes as well as 80’s artists like Simple Minds, Devo and Marvin Gaye (hence the pink neon lights in the artwork). While some might think the added vocals take the soundtrack too far in a “new direction”, isn’t that kinda the point? Best of all, the soundtrack is available for free, so why even complain? Admit it, the 80’s infused music is kind of a guilty pleasure… – Tyler Cameron, Managing Editor
*****
Highlighting what many thought was a lackluster Summer of Arcade 2012, Dust: An Elysian Tail was a beacon of light amidst the disappointment. With a refreshing art style, an intriguing, dark story and beautiful score, D: AET became not just a highlight for Summer of Arcade, but a highlight of the year. Filled with moving pianos, inspiring strings and awe-inspiring percussion, the D: AET soundtrack by HyperDuck Soundworks (Chris Geehan, Dan Byrne-McCullough and Kevin Carville) is a moving work of art that belongs in anyone’s collection of video game music. – Tyler Cameron, Managing Editor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5lMRrZZn3s
*****
Ditching the Hans Zimmer-esque, blockbuster movie sound of previous Call of Duty games, Black Ops II takes on a more futuristic sound. With Jack Wall (of Mass Effect 1 and 2 fame) on board, the soundtrack takes a very refreshing and much-needed step in a new direction. His influence definitely shows in many of the tracks, featuring his signature clean, cool synth and percussion pieces, but also includes of number action set pieces and some surprisingly Latin American-sounding tracks. Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails) continues to explore his soundtrack-scoring abilities as well, composing the excellent main theme for the game. – Tyler Cameron, Managing Editor
*****
This game and soundtrack jump on the nostalgia train to deliver an experience with 16-bit graphics and chiptunes that at first take you back to the early days of gaming. However, it only takes a short dive in to realize that this is not the game of your childhood, and this soundtrack is not just a pile of MIDIs. What sets it apart is its dreamlike quality, full of songs that a perfect to relax or meditate to despite the simple noises used to form them. They show a remarkable amount of complexity and dexterity, and the soundscape they create is unique and notable. If you want an album with a vintage sound but a modern feel, Fez is worth picking up. – Gil Almogi, Staff Writer
*****
While arguably not a “Max Payne” score, ditching the traditional strings and piano work for haunting synths, electronic sounds, heavy bass and harsh drums and sadly lacking an update to the classic Max theme, this is nevertheless a fantastic soundtrack that fits the style and setting of Max Payne 3 to perfection – while also being perfectly listenable outside of the game. – Piers Lock, Staff Writer
*****
Trine 2 is about as beautiful as they come for downloadable games. The score to Trine 2 by Ari Pulkkinen is every bit as beautiful and magical as the game itself, perfectly incapsulating it’s whimsical, high fantasy setting. The soundtrack is oozing with such personality and emotion that it almost sounds fit for a Disney film rather than a game. It is a perfect example of a game that’s made even better thanks to the amazing music accompanying it. – Tyler Cameron, Managing Editor
Available: Amazon MP3 + iTunes
The Walking Dead was certainly mentioned in a lot of Game of Year discussions around the gaming industry, though mostly for its story and player experience, not for its soundtrack. The music played a secondary role, featuring a small number of reoccurring themes for certain characters like Clementine. However, when the music did take center stage, it made that particular scene even more moving. A perfect example is the ending credits theme “Take Us Back” by Alela Diane; it’s a melancholy and dramatic emotional nail in the coffin that wraps up The Walking Dead‘s final episode. It ensures that any players will be an emotional train wreck once the credits start rolling. – Tyler Cameron, Managing Editor
Retro City Rampage
This oldschool parody of the early days of Grand Theft Auto features a fantastic soundtrack, done in 8-bit style by chiptune veterans Norrin Radd, Freaky DNA and virt. If you’ve ever missed the “good ol’ days” when game music was just bleeps and bloops, then this soundtrack will be right up your alley. It’s intense, action-packed, and full of catchy tunes that’ll get stuck in your head. – Tyler Cameron, Managing Editor
Starhawk
Do you like space? Do you like Westerns? Do you like space/Western themed things? Do you like Firefly? If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, then you need to check out the soundtrack to Starhawk. While this spiritual successor to Warhawk sort of came and went, the soundtrack is easily the best thing about it. Featuring swelling orchestral pieces, great percussion, and just the right amount of dusty, twangy-sounding guitar, this is one of Christopher Lennertz’s strongest soundtracks to date. Listening to it, you can easily tell he believed in this project, and poured his heart and soul into the music. It’s a shame the game itself wasn’t as amazing as the music. – Tyler Cameron, Managing Editor
Journey
The soundtrack to the surprise hit PSN game is also nominated for a Grammy, the first video game soundtrack ever to do so! What is wonderful about Austin’s Wintory’s beautiful score is that it is a complete journey in its own right. Each track gracefully blends into the next one, forming a story rife with adventure, curiosity, fear, and accomplishment. This is one of those albums you need to listen to in one sitting to get the full effect, especially as it builds up to the climactic, “Apotheosis,” which is arguably the most beautiful song I’ve heard this year. Follow that with the moving vocal track, “I Was Born for This,” and you have the perfect end to a perfect soundtrack. – Gil Almogi, Staff Writer
Halo 4
Few games have the legacy that Halo does, and that goes for its music as well. The Halo theme is one of the most easily recognizable in all of gaming, and to change things seems insane. Yet that’s what Neil Davidge did with the score to Halo 4, and it worked. Like any good soundtrack, Halo 4‘s enhances gameplay and makes the player feel heroic and important, like the weight of the galaxy is resting on their shoulders. Quite simply, Davidge’s work on Halo 4 is masterful, reinvigorating the series with new themes and instrumentations, and sets a new benchmark for the Halo franchise. – Tyler Cameron, Managing Editor
Papo & Yo
Brian D’Oliveira of La Hacienda Creative went out of his way to form a unique score to Papo & Yo, lodging the game’s South American roots firmly in the music. This album is arguably filled with more percussion instruments in one song than you are used to hearing in an entire CD, and the music goes out of its way to deliver a refreshing variety of sounds that break apart from the norm. As a whole, the soundtrack is something of a dance that starts off with joy and fun and ends with heartbreak, and it effectively translates the emotions of the story to the listener. This is definitely a must listen if you’re looking for something more refreshing than the status quo. – Gil Almogi, Staff Writer
Far Cry 3
FTL
Oh, FTL. I wish I could go on about you, how much I love you and how great of a game you are, but honestly, these are just the things I’ve heard about you – I’ve never actually sat down and got to know you. This makes me sad, because if you’re anything like the music, then you’re fantastic and a highlight of the year. In all seriousness though, FTL has a fantastic soundtrack that can easily be appreciated by anyone, even if they’ve never played the game before. It’s relaxing yet memorable, catchy yet unique. It’s only $5, so in other words, you have no choice. Just buy it, and enjoy. – Tyler Cameron, Managing Editor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_Njdszuix4
Borderlands 2
Shoot Many Robots
*****
Darksiders 2
Hotline Miami
One of this years most hyperbolic indie game darlings, the simple artwork and quickfire gameplay dividing opinion left, right and centre. One thing everybody can agree on however, is the excellent soundtrack. The incredibly catchy 80’s inspired songs are a delight, the only downside is they WILL get stuck in your head for days. – Piers Lock, Staff Writer
Syndicate
*****
Super Hexagon
Sure, this album is a quick-hit with only three tracks, but those tracks a pure chiptune glory. You don’t even need to have played the game to see how fun the songs are. Another perfect example of an indie soundtrack winning our hearts over. – Tyler Cameron, Managing Editor
*****
SSX
*****
Diablo 3
*****
Dear Esther
Assassin’s Creed III
After a somewhat disappointing showing with the Assassin’s Creed: Revelations soundtrack the year prior, Lorne Balfe has returned this year as the sole composer for Assassin’s Creed III. However, anyone worried he wouldn’t be able to meet the expectations of Jesper Kyd’s abilities can rest easy, the AC: III soundtrack is fantastic. Gone are any former themes and melodies of the last three games, instead they are replaced by new ones that take the series in an exciting, new direction. As the art direction of the game would suggest, much of the music has Native American and American frontier elements to it, featuring musical styles never before heard in an Assassin’s Creed game. It’s fantastic, refreshing and enhancing to the game. – Tyler Cameron, Managing Editor
Kingdom’s of Amalur: Reckoning
Lumines Electronic Symphony
*****
