10 Breathtaking Video Game Soundtracks You Need To Hear

When it comes to making video games, hours upon hours of work is poured in by massive development teams to ensure the vision being created is as good as it can possibly be.

However, one aspect of video games that doesn't get nearly as much attention is the musical scores that bring these games to life in ways no other part of the production process can.

In addition to the wonderful voice actors who humanise the characters we meet, the teams of talented artists whose vision becomes the world we interact with, or the programmers and coders who make the game playable, the composers and musicians' roles should never be underestimated.

Much like film, music in games plays a key part in establishing the tone and atmosphere of what's in front of us. Add the wrong music into a sequence and an emotionally devastating moment could completely lose its impact just as easily as a scary moment could become comedic.

Consequently, whenever games nail their respective soundtracks, the experience of playing them can be unbelievably breathtaking.

Even removed from their game, these soundtracks are spectacular in their own right.

Not to be confused with Obsidian Entertainment's equally excellent The Outer Worlds, Outer Wilds has arguably one of the most unique and varied worlds to explore as it tasks players to piece together a mystery that's scattered across an entire solar system. Critically acclaimed and gathering its own cult following since its release, it's hard to believe it began as a student project by creator Alex Beachum.

The enticing mystery that will have players hopping from planet to planet is more than enough reason for the price of admission. However, this astronomical adventure just wouldn't be as captivating were it not for Andrew Prahlow's score. Beautifully blending minimalist folk instrumentation with sweeping electronic soundscapes designed to invoke "a piano being ripped apart in space", each of the different planets is given its own specific theme, each as fascinating as the last.

From the warm and welcoming banjo melody that colours 'Timber Hearth', the ominously chilling tone of 'Dark Bramble', and the euphoric 'The Final Voyage', there are plenty of musical delights to uncover in this soundtrack.

For a taste of what else to expect in this game, the soundtrack just might hold some answers.