Top 10 Game Soundtracks You’ll Listen to on Repeat

Hollow Knight, composed by Christopher Larkin, is a hauntingly beautiful score that pairs perfectly with the game’s somber aesthetic and deep worldbuilding. This indie masterpiece features an orchestral blend of sorrowful piano, sweeping strings, and ambient textures that echo through the ruins of Hallownest.

Each area has its own musical identity—from the tragic serenity of “City of Tears” to the foreboding dread of “Deepnest.” The soundtrack helps reinforce a feeling of solitude and wonder, enhancing the emotional tone of exploration, discovery, and inevitable loss. The music changes subtly based on player progress, creating a responsive emotional atmosphere that evolves with the narrative.

Hollow Knight’s soundtrack stands out for its ability to create immersion and emotional depth in an atmospheric platformer, offering listeners a rewarding journey even outside of the game. It’s one of the best examples of music that lingers in memory, with melodies that capture both the majesty and melancholy of its haunting world.

Shadow of the Colossus is often celebrated for its minimalist storytelling and grand, haunting beauty—and Kow Otani’s orchestral score is central to that experience. The music reflects the game’s epic battles, solemn tone, and spiritual mystery, creating an emotional soundscape that matches the colossi’s towering presence and the protagonist’s quiet desperation.

The soundtrack ranges from sweeping heroic fanfares during combat to subdued, melancholic themes in quieter moments. Tracks like “The Opened Way” and “Revived Power” drive the tension and intensity of battle, while “A Despair-Filled Farewell” and “Prayer” bring emotional gravity to moments of reflection and loss.

What makes this soundtrack stand out is its restraint. It doesn’t overwhelm the player—it guides them through moments of tension, triumph, and tragedy with a subtle touch. Shadow of the Colossus delivers one of the most emotionally resonant and artistically composed video game soundtracks, ideal for cinematic music lovers and fans of deeply introspective audio storytelling.

Undertale, developed and composed by Toby Fox, became a cult phenomenon not only for its subversive gameplay but also for its instantly recognizable and emotionally powerful soundtrack. The score draws from retro aesthetics while infusing each track with heart, humor, and deep emotional resonance.

From the chipper opening theme “Once Upon a Time” to the iconic boss track “Megalovania,” each composition serves as a direct reflection of the characters and narrative beats they support. Every song is memorable, not because of complexity, but because of its direct emotional impact and thematic connection to the story. Tracks often reappear in modified forms as emotional callbacks, adding layers of meaning for attentive listeners.

The soundtrack also manages to cover a surprising range of styles—from synth-pop to lullabies to high-energy battle music—each with its own unique personality. Undertale’s music is rich with emotional storytelling and nostalgic charm, making it one of the most versatile and addictive game scores to listen to outside the game.

Yoko Taro’s NieR: Automata isn’t just known for its philosophical narrative and creative gameplay—it also boasts one of the most breathtaking video game soundtracks ever composed. Keiichi Okabe, Keigo Hoashi, and the Monaca team crafted a score that ranges from ethereal choral arrangements to pulsating techno rhythms, creating a uniquely emotional atmosphere that transcends genre.

Tracks like “City Ruins” and “Weight of the World” are standouts, blending synthetic instrumentation with haunting vocal performances. The music shifts dynamically based on gameplay events, and many tracks have multiple versions—quiet for exploration, intense for combat, and even stripped-down renditions for storytelling beats. This adds a fluid musicality to the experience that keeps the emotional tone constantly evolving.

The soundtrack's use of constructed languages and layered harmonies creates a sense of both familiarity and alienation—perfect for a game about androids exploring lost human emotions. NieR: Automata’s music is immersive, poignant, and endlessly compelling, making it one of the most re-listenable and artistic game soundtracks ever made.

The soundtrack of Red Dead Redemption 2 is a stunning blend of Western folk, cinematic tension, and emotional balladry. Composed by Woody Jackson and featuring contributions from artists like D’Angelo and Rhiannon Giddens, this score elevates the game’s themes of freedom, regret, and transformation. It perfectly encapsulates the slow, reflective pace of the American frontier while punctuating dramatic moments with unforgettable musical cues.

Tracks like “Unshaken,” performed by D’Angelo, became instant classics, not just because of their in-game use but because they carry so much emotional weight beyond the screen. The music doesn’t overwhelm; it complements the story’s quiet despair, sudden violence, and rare moments of peace. Acoustic guitars, harmonicas, ambient strings, and percussive echoes craft a landscape as rich as the one Arthur Morgan rides through.

What makes this soundtrack so re-listenable is its mood. Red Dead Redemption 2’s soundtrack offers one of the most atmospheric, emotionally rich audio experiences in gaming, equally suited for late-night contemplation or morning drives through quiet backroads. It’s cinematic in every sense but also deeply personal—a score that resonates long after the game ends.

Chrono Trigger, composed primarily by Yasunori Mitsuda with contributions from Nobuo Uematsu, is a landmark RPG soundtrack that perfectly complements one of the most beloved games of the 16-bit era. It mixes joyful adventure themes, melancholy piano pieces, and energetic battle tracks in a way that feels organic to the story’s emotional highs and lows.

From the haunting “Corridors of Time” to the joyful “Frog’s Theme,” every track serves a purpose and enhances the moment it accompanies. The score carries you through multiple time periods and narrative arcs, always shifting tone and instrumentation to match. There’s a feeling of whimsical grandeur throughout, even in its darkest moments.

This soundtrack holds up as a listening experience decades after its release, frequently remixed, orchestrated, and covered by fans around the world. Chrono Trigger’s music stands among the greatest achievements in retro game composition, offering emotional complexity, melody, and innovation that keep listeners returning again and again.

Few soundtracks have captured the imagination of gamers as immediately as Halo: Combat Evolved. Composed by Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori, this score introduced a generation to the grandeur of sci-fi warfare through the now-iconic Gregorian chant that opens the main theme. From that first note, Halo became synonymous with epic sound design and cinematic music in gaming.

The soundtrack expertly balances moments of serene exploration with explosive combat. Tracks like “Under Cover of Night” and “Truth and Reconciliation Suite” create atmosphere, suspense, and emotional weight. The orchestration is grand and sweeping, but also intimate in how it reflects the loneliness and scale of the Master Chief’s journey.

Halo’s soundtrack is perfect for both intense focus and high-energy motivation, often used by fans during workouts, studies, or creative sessions. It holds up remarkably well as a standalone musical experience, and continues to inspire composers across the industry. The theme alone has become a cultural icon, making this one of the most unforgettable soundtracks in gaming history.

Composed by Nobuo Uematsu, the soundtrack to Final Fantasy VII is a towering achievement in game music history. It’s more than just a collection of themes—it’s a sweeping, emotionally rich symphony that captures the grandeur and intimacy of a complex narrative. From explosive battle scores to heart-wrenching motifs, this is a JRPG soundtrack you’ll return to for decades.

“Main Theme of Final Fantasy VII” sets a somber yet epic tone, while “Aerith’s Theme” is one of the most emotionally devastating pieces in any game, perfectly capturing love, loss, and purity. The mechanical, dystopian march of “Shinra Company” contrasts with the hopeful lilt of “Tifa’s Theme,” showing Uematsu’s range and storytelling skill.

Whether you’re replaying the game or simply need emotionally evocative music for writing, studying, or relaxing, this soundtrack offers variety and depth. Its remastered versions and live symphonic renditions prove how enduring and impactful the music truly is. Final Fantasy VII remains one of the most influential and replayable video game soundtracks ever created, blending fantasy, industrial, and orchestral elements into something unforgettable.

Journey is a minimalist game that tells a profound story with no dialogue—and its soundtrack by Austin Wintory is the soul of that experience. This Grammy-nominated score broke new ground for emotional video game music, showing how subtle orchestration can communicate everything from loneliness to triumph without a single word. The cello-led melodies and ambient arrangements build alongside your in-game progress, adapting to your actions with dynamic fluidity.

From the beginning desert theme to the soaring finale, each composition feels like a chapter in a spiritual voyage. The soundtrack’s pacing is perfectly matched to the player’s emotional arc, which ranges from introspective solitude to euphoric freedom. Strings swell and fade with breathtaking restraint, capturing feelings that words would only diminish.

Journey’s soundtrack is a masterclass in emotional musical storytelling, ideal for focus, meditation, or quiet reflection. Its sweeping elegance has made it a favorite for orchestral performances and ambient playlists alike. The music doesn’t just accompany the game—it defines it, making it one of the most beautifully composed video game soundtracks of all time.

Few soundtracks are as iconic and emotionally charged as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Composed by the legendary Koji Kondo, this score introduced millions of players to the power of dynamic, in-game music. With a mixture of pastoral melodies, dark dungeon themes, and heroic anthems, the soundtrack is a cornerstone in the history of gaming and remains one of the best game soundtracks for nostalgic immersion.

Each track is tied to a key moment or location in the game. The gentle tune of “Zelda’s Lullaby,” the eerie ambiance of the “Forest Temple,” and the adrenaline-pumping “Gerudo Valley” theme all contribute to a sonic world that is as much a part of the experience as the gameplay itself. The use of the ocarina to manipulate time, weather, and travel adds another layer, as the player actively participates in the music.

This soundtrack’s replay value is unmatched. Whether you’re listening for calm, motivation, or storytelling inspiration, Ocarina of Time delivers. Its melodies are deeply etched into gaming culture, often reinterpreted by orchestras, remixed by fans, and referenced in other games. It’s a timeless video game soundtrack you’ll never get tired of hearing, offering both emotional depth and musical craftsmanship.