Video games are home of some of the best music in history, not only do you get some kick-ass soundtracks that make your experience all the better but games also have the privilege to allow music to change dynamically to certain situations. So many hype, heartbreaking, and just amazing moments happen because of the perfect music. But let’s cut to the chase, here are my top 10 video game OST’s. Only one rule and that is one game per franchise for this list.

10) NieR Automata

Now, even though this is a fairly new one I’ve got to say I have never seen such a unique soundtrack such as NieR Automata. The fact that there’s like 5 different versions of each song with vocal tracks, instrumentals, acoustic and even 8-bit. They even change dynamically according to the situation. Such a atmospheric and amazing soundtrack that one ups the original NieR’s. You can pretty much buy this game for the soundtrack alone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j8C3HBarC0

9) Metal Gear Rising Revengeance

Butt Rock. That’s the best two words to describe this games soundtrack. Horribly cringey rock music complimented by robot ninjas fighting with super katanas and explosions. Normally I don’t like the rock music that’s included in this soundtrack but I just can’t help but feel pumped up when I’m cutting up a Metal Gear Ray while listening to Rules of Nature, and that’s just the first level. And the fact that the vocals don’t kick in until you get to the hype part makes it all the better.

8) Tekken 5

Tekken 5 is one of my favorite fighting games of all time. The hours I’ve put in that game are probably in the thousands and I couldn’t have done it without that beautiful soundtrack. The content, the gameplay, the characters and the music, oh lordy the music is just so damn good. I don’t think I’ve had more amazing matches then the ones with rival characters on the stage Moonlit Wilderness, not only is the music just the most godly thing but the visuals just elevate it to another level.

7) Zone of the Enders 2: The Second Runner

Zone of the Enders 2 is probably the least overrated game of all time. I see no one talking about it at all. Coming from the brilliant mind of Hideo Kojima this mecha hack n’ slash games music is probably the best thing about it next to the fast paced and cathartic gameplay. Don’t ever miss out on this gem if you get the chance to play it, and be awestruck at its amazing music and visuals.

6) Silent Hill 3

Akira Yamaoka returns in the 3rd installment of the Silent Hill franchise, he has a way of completely understanding the setting and tone of each game and makes a soundtrack accordingly, like SH 1’s being chaotic and all about disorienting and scaring the player, to SH 2’s where it’s more melancholic and chilled out, Silent Hill 3 comes out with a soundtrack that perfectly suits the main character’s entire aesthetic teen angst with great garage rock sounding tracks and some with just amazing vocals Silent Hill 3’s soundtrack is just what is needed for a protagonist like Heather.

5) Shadow of the Colossus

Shadow of the Colossus us one of those special and unique and games that can never be made again. The fights with the giant colossi in this game are epic in scale and heartbreaking just the same after defeating them. The tracks range from lonely and haunting, dark and foreboding to grand in scale and enough to give you goosebumps everytime. This is another game where you can play it solely for the amazing soundtrack.

4) Persona 4

Persona 4 is probably my favorite JRPG ever, it’s the kind of game you can get too attached to, the characters the settings the gameplay the awesome Persona designs and the music the music is so good, a lot of jazz influence in the music and great vocals in some stand out tracks. Everytime I hear Persona 4’s music I think of the good time I had with my buddies in Inaba.

3) Kingdom Hearts 2

Kingdom Hearts 2 is a game that can always put a smile on my face, the characters and colorful atmosphere of the game is what draws me in everytime as well as the great and satisfying gameplay and the oh so confusing story but one of the highlights of these games and especially KH2 is the amazing OST’s which range from calming and somber melodies like Dearly Beloved to the grand and orchestral fight themes like Night of Fate, Kingdom Hearts 2’s soundtrack has a song for every occasion.

2) Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Okay I’m kind of cheating by putting this and Revengeance in the same list but I’m kinda not cause thats Revengeance and this is MGS4, I couldn’t not have this on my list I mean its one of my favorite games of all time. The soundtrack in this game is depressing, but in a good way, the ending of the game makes me tear up every time but I always have a smile on my face while it’s going and that’s mainly because the music in the game alway matches the tone of every scene so well, it was a huge tie between this and MGS3 but I just think I had way more emotional moments in this game because of the soundtrack of this game rather than 3. MGS 4 is the grand send off to almost every character in the MGS franchises story and I don’t think they could have done it better any other way.

1) Final Fantasy X

You can talk about how much you hate or love Final Fantasy X all you want but you cannot deny that it probably has one of the best soundtracks in any Final Fantasy game. I have fond memories of listening to the music while my brother played the hell out of it when I was little, the battle theme, the Rammstein and the main theme are just all so good. I’ve caught myself humming the main battle theme so many times it’s almost crazy. Its pretty easy to get Final Fantasy X on almost any console these days so be sure to check it out solely because of the soundtrack.

So that’s it! If you agree or disagree with this list, make sure to post down in the comments below!!