Gaming Soundtracks: The Best Music from Recent Releases

Let’s be honest: some of the time, the music of a game is as important as the gameplay itself. Just think about it — have you ever found yourself humming a song from a game hours after you’ve set down the controller? And that’s the power of a good soundtrack. And with this year’s heavy release schedule, there’s a vault filled with earworms to discover. So here’s our pick of the best gaming soundtracks from the last few months that you should add to your playlist.

Baldur’s Gate 3 – A Symphony of Epic Adventure

If you’ve been playing Baldur’s Gate 3, you know that it’s not only the story that has you hooked — it’s the music. The soundtrack, composed by the band Bohren & Der Club of Gore, carries you over through all of the emotional beats, a lovely mix of orchestral swells and atmospheric tones.

The music in Baldur’s Gate 3 just fits the Dungeons & Dragons-hued world, surrounding you with the atmosphere of a lofty fantasy novel even when you’re merely picking mushrooms in a forest. And don’t even get me started on the battle themes — like, who needs caffeine when you have this music to get you hyped?

Tears of the Kingdom – The Epic Follow-Up 

Zelda games have had their fair share of iconic soundtracks, and Tears of the Kingdom carries on that fine tradition. Incredible as the music from Breath of the Wild was, you’ll lose yourself in the sweeping orchestral scores throughout Tears of the Kingdom.

The game also features a lush soundtrack, but the vibe changes as you move through each area; soaring through the skies you’ll hear calm melodies, only to get pumped up by the intense tracks when you’re deep in a dungeon. It’s as much a road trip as a musical journey, mirroring Link’s own. And then we have the boss fight themes that were comical just by virtue of their sheer over-the-topness, because what could be more intense than charging at a huge beast with an orchestra behind it?

Starfield – A Galactic Odyssey

Space. The final frontier. And what better way to experience the depth of the universe than using the atmospheric tracks of Starfield’s soundtrack? Inon Zur has composed the music that creates both a real sense of calm serenity and a handful of super intense, dramatic moments.

The first time you take off in your spaceship, you’re accompanied by music that makes you feel like you’re in a space opera. There are even hints of Blade Runner-like synths layered in with orchestral tracks, the kind of vibe you want when you’re exploring an alien world. There’s a track for every moment — peaceful space travel and pulse-pounders when you’re about to be shot at.

Final Fantasy XVI – Epic and Emotional

The Final Fantasy games have long had legendary soundtracks, and Final Fantasy XVI is no exception. Composed by Masayoshi Soken, the score is a deeply impactful blend of visceral battle themes and poignant, emotional tracks that draw at your heartstrings.

FFXVI’s music is epic in scale, with some tracks making you feel like you can conquer mountains, other tracks make you feel a little too emotional for comfort. The battle themes? They’ll have you screaming “this is the final fantasy!” as you slay a gigantic monster. The slow, mournful songs are ideal for a moment when you’re thinking about the really awful choices you made earlier in the game.

Alan Wake 2 — A Haunting Soundtrack

Alan Wake 2 has definitive chills (the good kind). The game’s score weaves in together eerie, ambient tones and blood-pumping tracks to create a mood of suspense and mystery. The music, composed by Petri Alanko, fits the game’s psychological thriller tone splendidly.

Every ominous moment is accompanied by music that sounds as if it’s sneaking up behind you — and no, daytime won’t make you feel safe. Or the way the music shifts with the gameplay dynamically intensifies every encounter. It’s not until the very last minute that we hear a jarring music cue out of nowhere.

Hi-Fi Rush – Rhythm, Action, and Fun

Great game soundtracks are not always just epic or orchestral. Hi-Fi Rush, with its infectious and funky beats is a testament to that. Its soundtrack is filled with feel-good jams, and it’s a rhythm action game, so it’s pretty much engineered to make you want to get up and do something. The different genres in this game continue to surprise you: from rock to electronic to hip-hop.

The best part? The music is woven into the gameplay, so you’re literally fighting to the beat. And truly, there is no better way to beat up a robot than to do it while you’re jamming to some sick tunes. Plus, when the music’s this good, it’s impossible not to move — trust me, I tried.

Wrap-Up: Why Gaming Soundtracks Matter

Music is one of gaming’s unsung heroes, and this year’s releases are proof it is important to the experience. From the orchestral grandeur of Tears of the Kingdom, to the electronic beats of Hi-Fi Rush, to the haunting tones of Alan Wake 2, these soundtracks take their games to another level. So, the next time you hit the battlefield, don’t forget to pause and enjoy the sounds of the game, because behind every epic quest and sweaty battle lay a soundtrack that creates the landscape for your adventure.

Now, if you’ll forgive me, I’m going to go watch some Starfield gameplay just to hear the soundtrack again. It’s that good.