Sarah Jacobson 
Playing a game with the sound turned off – for when you’re supposed to be studying, great. But the whole experience? It’s kind of ruined. With the best gaming experiences, soundtracks don’t just complement the action – they define it. The right score can turn a simple moment into something spectacular. It feels more like you’ve stepped into a blockbuster film than just switched on the console.
From bespoke orchestral masterpieces to licensed film scores, let’s take a look at the games that prove just how much music matters.
The Last of Us – A Soundtrack That Hits Hard
The Last of US is experiencing something of a new heyday, and season 2 is on the horizon, with its release set for release on 13 April 2025.
The franchise gained a squadron of fans when the hit television series was released. Since then, many players have discovered the game afresh and one of the things that always stands out is the soundtrack. And there’s a reason Gustavo Santaolalla’s score stands out. It’s quiet. It’s minimalist. And yet, somehow, it carries more emotional weight than many full orchestral renditions ever could.
Instead of bombastic, Hollywood-style themes, The Last of Us uses soft, aching guitar melodies. The music never seems to be trying to force any emotion, it just naturally washes over you. Considering the subject matter of the game’s story, that just makes everything hit a little harder. For many, this serves as a reminder that cinematic doesn’t always have to mean big. Sometimes, the best soundtracks are the ones that whisper rather than shout.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – One Theme to Rule Them All
Anyone who’s so much as picked up the controller and wandered the world of Skyrim has felt the power of its music. That opening menu alone? It gives me instant chills. Every. Single. Time.
Jeremy Soule’s Dragonborn theme is one of the most recognizable pieces of gaming music ever written. It’s bold. It’s heroic. It’s got a full choir chanting in a fictional language. What more could you want? This is the kind of masterful writing that makes you feel like a legend before you’ve even picked up a sword.
Music like this is woven into the very identity of the game. Skyrim just wouldn’t be Skyrim without it. You could strip away the incredible graphics, remove the dragons, even turn the whole thing into a text-based adventure, and that score would still make it feel like an epic.
Jurassic Park (Slot Game) – A Classic Score That Still Roars
Some soundtracks are so iconic, they transcend their original purpose. The Jurassic Park theme by John Williams is one of them. The moment you hear those sweeping strings and that grand, adventurous melody, you’re there – standing in front of the towering gates, waiting for a glimpse of a T-Rex. It’s so brilliant that the score has been on tour with an orchestra, featured in several iterations of the film, and most recently? A slot game.
Instead of what can sometimes be generic casino jingles used for online slots, this game uses the actual movie score. It channels the intense cinematic experience of watching our beloved protagonists running from raptors into the simple process of spinning some reels. Yes, Williams’ music has the power to effortlessly evoke that sense of grandeur in practically any scenario.
For me, this is a perfect example of how cinematic soundtracks can elevate even the most unexpected gaming experiences. A great score isn’t just for RPGs or action games. If it fits the theme, it works.
DOOM (2016) – Metal That Matches the Mayhem
You could say that this one’s the opposite of subtle. Mick Gordon’s DOOM soundtrack certainly drives the action along. The second you hear that deep, distorted riff kick in, your brain gets one abundantly clear message: Go. Faster. Now.
The intense album pushes you forward and keeps you moving. Adds to the blast of the shotgun. It’s chaotic, aggressive, and (just like DOOM itself) completely and utterly over the top. So few games utilize metal music that this one often gets called upon as the example. It’s one of the games that really got me interested in music scores and how impactful they can be.
Just take a minute to imagine DOOM with a gentle soundtrack. A bit of soft jazz piano tinkling in the background while you rip through a horde of demons. It just doesn’t work the same does it? This thudding, crashing metal turns what we know about cinematic storytelling on its head. But it works spectacularly well.
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