Summary
Music is a key part of any video game, and the theme is perhaps the most important of all. Itsets the tone for the gameplayers are about to experience and is often the most memorable piece of music on the soundtrack. This is true throughout gaming history, way back to the very first video games.
Some of the most popular games only experience a boost in their popularity due to the genius of the soundtrack, andplayers will listen to them while they’re going about their days. These games from the 2010s have themes that are both memorable and excellent.
Red Dead Redemption 2is often called one of the best games of the 2010s, and for good reason. Everything from the quests tothe graphics are excellent, and this theme is no exception. Laden with violins, this theme takes players right back to the Wild West and sets the tone perfectly for the game and all that it entails.
The theme fromRed Dead Redemption 2is a thumping and sneaky-sounding track, perfect for the game that it represents.
Minecraft - C418, Lena Raine, & Kumi Tanioka
Minecraft
Minecraft is a game made up of blocks, creatures, and community. you may survive the night or build a work of art – the choice is all yours. But if the thought of exploring a vast new world all on your own feels overwhelming, then fear not!Minecraft has no set goal and can be played however you’d like! This is why it’s sometimes called a “sandbox game” – there are lots of things for you to do, and lots of ways that you can play. If you like being creative, then you can use the blocks to build things from your imagination. If you’re feeling brave, you can explore the world and face daring challenges. Blocks can be broken, crafted, placed to reshape the landscape, or used to build fantastical creations.Creatures can be battled or befriended, depending on how you play. The world of Minecraft allows for epic adventures, quiet meditations, and everything in between. You can even share your creations with other players, or play in community worlds!
Minecraftis a game that has seemingly been around forever. From its initial release in 2011, the game has experienced bursts of popularity that have kept players coming back. The main theme for the game, simply titled “Minecraft,” is a sleepy-sounding piano track with very few variations as the song continues, yet it never becomes boring. It is peaceful and relaxing and one of the most memorable in gaming.
TheMinecrafttheme gets players in the right mindset for being creative and surviving on the blocky plains.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimhas endured for more than ten years as one of the choice RPGs in the industry. It’s silly at timesdue to bugsand mods, but it remains an excellent fantasy RPG. The theme song helps set the tone from the moment the game is launched, with the ominous drums being the only thing players hear as the logo appears. It only becomes more dramatic as the choral singing comes in.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimhas an iconic theme song, perfect to get players in a headspace to slay dragons and help villagers.
Ori And The Blind Forestis one of themost beloved indie platforming gamesof the 2010s due to its heartfelt story and intuitive control system. The game starts in a mystical forest, which is set up perfectly by this mystical-sounding theme. The instrumentation is limited as it is piano-led with a vocalist contributing to the melody, but it still has the eerie sound necessary for the game and the darkness the forest holds.
Ori And The Blind Forestis a charming game with an even more charming theme.
Firewatchat first seems like astandard walking simulatorwith not much gameplay to speak of, but as players get further into the game, they realize there’s a lot more to it than that. The theme mirrors that experience, as it starts slow and relaxed and builds into an intense and fast-paced piece of music, with drums kicking in and the instrumentation getting more layered. This is what makes the theme so great.
TheFirewatchtheme is memorable as it covers the whole plot structure of the game in a short and innocuous piece of music.
The Last Of Ushas been tugging on players' heartstrings for ten years now, even more so with the acclaimed TV adaptation. This theme is the perfect one for the game, as it is led by a simple acoustic guitar. This suits both the story, as it takes place in an apocalyptic version of the USA, and the characters, as both Joel and Ellie have an attachment to their guitars.
The Last Of Usis acclaimed for many reasons, and the soundtrack is rightfully one of them.
Undertaleis one of the breakout indie gaming hits of the 2010s. Players have loved this game for years now, and the soundtrack has taken off just as much as the game itself. While the theme isn’t one of the big hits from the soundtrack, it’s one of the best songs in the game. It plays as the monsters ofUndertaleexplain the story of how they got stuck underground for so long, making it even more poignant and heartfelt.
Undertaleis one of those rare games where the soundtrack is just as impressive as the game itself, and this song is a key part of that.
For a game with music so entwined in the story, it should be no surprise that the theme fromNight In The Woodsis one of the best of the 2010s. The theme plods along, aided by a heavy and intense bassline, as a more whimsical yet eerie melody plays over the top. The theme matches the game perfectly, as it mixes whimsy with eerieness, and the story takes some unexpected twists.
Night In The Woodsis a game in which music plays a vital role, making this theme even better.
Telltale’s The Walking Deadis often called one of the best, if not the best, story-driven games of the 2010s. The game has many moments now considered iconic in gaming, such as the final decision and scene. The soundtrack helps tug on those heartstrings, especially the theme titled “Alive Inside.” It is melancholy and slow, and appears throughout the game and series whenever some tears are about to fall.
“Alive Inside” is a simple yet memorable theme that plays behind the game’s most tragic moments.
1Outer Wilds
Main Theme - Andrew Prahlow
Outer Wildsis a game aboutspace explorationwith a twist. Players are stuck in a time loop and can only explore for a minimal amount of time with each launch. This can get frustrating, but with a theme this beautiful, players will soon forget that. It has such a simple melody, yet it sticks with the player as they explore space and meet characters stranded on various planets, and plays a vital role in the game’s climactic moments. It’s a true traveler’s anthem, and for that reason, it is the best gaming theme of the 2010s.
Outer Wildsmay seem desolate, but this theme reminds players that all hope is not lost.
