Music has been an essential part of gaming since the very beginning, with its 8-bit soundtracks on retro games, OST (original sound track) has progressed a lot throughout gaming history. In modern times, many games use OST as a way to help tell the story. There are tons of memorable games because of their soundtrack, but only a few can have master classes of sound design.
One of those games with an amazing OST is Devil May Cry 5. DMC5 has a memorable OST because of how it makes you feel, lets take Bury the Light for example. Virgil is usually the main villain of the game, but if you have the dlc you can play as him. Bury the Light plays during the combat section while playing as Virgil, and different parts play depending how good your combo is. When you hear that echoing sound, it immediately gets you in the mood to kick some demon ass. You see the demons rising out of the ground, and you draw your sword. You know what time it is. You take the first slash with your overpowered devilish attacks and then guitars come in. You hear the lyrics come in while you are kicking there asses, and then a few seconds later… S! Your combo has achieved great status as you are using one of your most powerful attacks, and you hear “I am the storm that is approaching”. You are that storm and your combo is at max, SSS! Your combos have gotten insane, and the music even more. At that point, you truly feel like Virgil.
Persona as a series has so many good OST’s, it’s hard to pick one. Persona 5 is a special game to me. It is even more immersive than Persona 3, which I covered in another article. What makes it so immersive, has to be the soundtrack. You have bangers like Beneath the Mask, Last Surprise, and The whims of fate. But one of them really makes me so emotional. That song is Alleycat. In persona 5 you play as a social outcast, who teams up with other people like you, exploring palaces and taking the evil out of one’s heart. As you progress throughout the story, you learn of your friends backstories, and you hear the electric piano coming in. Such a beautiful yet tragic piece, and it certainly makes you feel emotional. When you hear about your close friend’s tragic past and you hear the song, you always get a little emotional and feel even closer to them, you feel like you are right there next to them. That’s what makes the game so immersive, and that’s why Persona 5 is special to me.
Metal Gear Rising Revengeance has arguably the best OST in gaming history. It perfectly encapsulates the feeling of the battle you are in, but the OST is much deeper than just matching the mood. Its lyrics have meaning to the story. Example, When fighting on of the first bosses in the game, Blade Wolf, He is a mere war machine forced to fight for Desperado, the main villain group. Because of his advanced knowledge, he yearns for freedom and to fight as himself, not for Desperado. The OST, “I’m My Own Master now” perfectly reflects his longing for fighting for himself, and it also slaps so hard and gets you into the perfect mood. In the end of the fight, where you beat him and free him from Desperado, he learns to respect you, and is willing to fight by your side, unlike how he was fighting alongside Desperado. That is only a small part of The MGRR OST and there is so much more, and I highly recommend playing this game.
Those are some of my favorite examples of sound design in video games, and you should check out all these songs, and games. The song, Alleycat is in the “take action” section.
RELATED STORIES:
https://www.gamingpitstop.com/post/the-importance-of-sound-design-in-video-games
How Game Sound Design Enhances Player Experience and Immersion
https://blog.native-instruments.com/video-game-sound-design/
https://soundand.design/key-concepts-in-sound-design-for-film-video-games-227b96b890fd
TAKE ACTION:
