Video games have always been my favorite form of entertainment media. Besides all the fun, more and more games provide incredible storytelling and interesting characters...

But! Games no longer have to be only fun in a classical sense. Today, they can be compelling with heart-wrenching or warming stories, which has a high impact, because you as the player are taking part in the narrative.

Spellbinding music is another thing, which fills many games. For me, many musical scores are so good, that I listen to them “outside” of the game. Here I will list just a couple of my favorites that might make your day (even more) epic or fantastical! More will come, if you all dig it!

The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

In 2002 Bethesda accomplished a first person RPG way ahead of its time, if you ask me. Elder Scrolls was already an established franchise, and you may be more familiar with the series through Skyrim. In my opinion, Morrowind did some things better. The world was enthralling and quite unsettling at times, in a way most games are not. The puzzles felt more advanced, and you had to chat with the surrounding characters to find hints, that could help you solve mysteries.

And… The music. It was the first time I had heard such an incredible orchestral score in a game. It fit perfectly with the enigmatic world and the large-scale harsh landscapes.

If you have played Skyrim or Oblivion, you will recognize, where their main themes came from. If you have not played Elder Scrolls or maybe no action/role-playing games at all, you might still be able to visualize a fantasy setting through the music.

The Legend of Zelda

I would be remiss not to mention The Legend of Zelda. A series that have captivated fans since the mid 80’s, is today one of the most beloved fantasy adventure games - and with good reason. The series have always been at the forefront of introducing new forms of world building and game design ideas, but for me, the best thing is the music. Besides being instantly recognizable, the score is filled with beautiful motives playing over each other sometimes in a whimsical manner. Other times it brings your thoughts to fearless battles.
Some of my favorite musical themes in the series is from the GameCube classic Wind Waker (which I did not get to play ‘till the Wii U HD release). I especially love the ocean theme. When you are sailing The Great Sea, you can almost feel the waves through the notes.

I urge anyone to listen to The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Special Orchestra, where many of the best themes are played in a live medley. You will hear a bit of the Wind Waker score among other melodies. If nothing else, the music will likely inspire you to think big!

Banner image source:
Gaga Symphony Orchestra live at Palazzo Zuckermann, Carlo Alberto Cazzuffi, Wikipedia (adapted).

Thanks for reading! If you like these game music recommendations, consider an upvote and resteem! What are some of your favorite game soundtracks?