4) Valiant Hearts: The Great War
One of the few video game soundtracks that has the power to make me tear up. Ubisoft’s Valiant Hearts: The Great War is a heartrending score awash with touching piano melodies, which helps imbue the gritty war-torn backdrop with much-needed emotional weight. It lends a welcome heartfelt authenticity to the sad and tragic proceedings found within it.
Its World War I source material is delicately handled and both its narrative and score are filled to the brim with heart, gusto and character. Unremittingly haunting and emotive, this video game soundtrack melts hearts and moistens the eyes.
3) FTL: Faster Than Light
Subset Games’ FTL: Faster Than Light is one of my favourite games of all-time. It’s a remarkable rogue-like spaceship strategy sim with a punishing, but rewarding learning curve. Ben Prunty’s magnificent sci-fi electronica score legitimately makes you feel like you’re on a voyage through the cold expanse of space. Interestingly, Prunty recorded two tracks of each song on the album — an “Explore” version and a “Battle” version. The game cross-fades between each version of the song on the fly when needed.
Opening track Space Cruise is an undisputed highlight, with lo-fi Star Trek-esque synths and echoey keys, whilst the final boss fight’s Last Stand is eerie and ominous with a ferociously catchy bass-line that demands your full attention. This is one video game soundtrack that boldly goes where no one has gone before.
