I had relatively high hopes for the music in games of last year, but it ended up being a bit disappointing. Which, I suppose, is par for the course for 2020. But some remasters and re-releases have sweetened the deal, while the rest of the games that I have played since the last time I did this sort of post have improved the situation even further. As a result, I did get to enjoy some nice memorable videogame tunes during this past year.
As usual, I’m only talking about games I’ve played myself, so some titles will be left out until I do (and if I do) play them. As such, while Assassin’s Creed Valhalla soundtrack does seem like a dream come true mixing two of my favorite AC composers work in one game, I won’t be able to tell more until I eventually play the game myself. Similarly, Cyberpunk 2077 music (both score and licensed) seems at least interesting, but as usual I do not play story driven titles with planned DLCs (that will be part of the main story world) until those are out. Which, in case of Cyberpunk 2077, might be especially beneficial, as maybe by the time those are out, the game won’t be as buggy as it currently is. I can also mention Spelunky 2, which has a pretty nice soundtrack, but it’s not a game I ever want to play.
There were some games that I did play that are worth mentioning. Yakuza: Like a Dragon music is okay, but isn’t among the greatest in the series. Control (in its Ultimate Edition) has some nice tacks, but overall doesn’t feel that memorable. Resident Evil 3 (2020) had some nice music… which was a poor rearrangement of the wonderful tracks from the original 1999 game, while having nothing to stand out on its own.
Anyway, let’s get to it and list games with soundtracks that are definitely worthy checking out.
NEW GAMES RELEASED IN 2020:
Trials of Mana (2020) by Hiroki Kikuta: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn5GoyW165I
Mafia: Definitive Edition by Jesse Harlin: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1421480/Mafia_Definitive_Edition_Soundtrack/
Paradise Killer by Barry “Epoch” Topping: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1384780/Paradise_Killer_Soundtrack/
Undermine by Wesley Slover: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1364590/UnderMine_Original_Soundtrack/
Creaks by Hidden Orchestra: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1352940/Creaks_Soundtrack__Art_Book/
DOOM Eternal by Mick Gordon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aam9VvzFuI0 (this is a fan remix of the release, trying to improve on the situation with the official soundtrack that was released after Mick Gordon and Bethesda cut partnership)
RE-RELEASES/COMPLETE VERSION RELEASES OF 2020:
Doom 64 by Aubrey Hodges: https://aubreyhodges.bandcamp.com/album/doom-64-official-soundtrack
Persona 4 Golden by Shoji Meguro and Atsushi Kitajoh: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL125UDD1MkhTqNmH42icIiUJ5Sq60TSPj
Halo, Halo 2, Halo 3: ODST by Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmniAM8FXVE
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy by Masakazu Sugimori, Naoto Tanaka and Noriyuki Iwadare: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1032760/Phoenix_Wright_Ace_Attorney_Trilogy__Turnabout_Tunes/ (unfortunately, not a complete soundtrack)
STUFF FROM OTHER YEARS I’VE PLAYED SINCE LAST TIME
WHAT THE GOLF? by Sune Køter Kølster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQl9VWIHzNQ
AMID EVIL by Andrew Hulshult: https://andrewhulshult.bandcamp.com/album/amid-evil-original-game-soundtrack
Borderlands 3 by Michael McCann, Jesper Kyd, Finishing Move Inc. and Raison Varner: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLasqSXwCIDXeCUhE_9toVP6KcNhSa2mWF
SteamWorld Dig 2 by El Huervo and Pelle Cahndlerby: https://store.steampowered.com/app/718690/SteamWorld_Dig_2_OST_Feat_El_Huervo/
Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus by Guillaume David: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1236640/Warhammer_40000_Mechanicus__Complete_Original_Soundtrack/
Armikrog. by Terry Scott Taylor: https://danielamosboots.bandcamp.com/album/the-music-of-armikrog
Vampyr by Olivier Deriviere: https://olivierderiviere.bandcamp.com/album/vampyr
And here we have it. To be frank, the soundtracks that I loved the absolute most of the above were for Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus and SteamWorld Dig 2 from 2018 and 2017 accordingly, so that’s telling how much awesome stuff I might be missing out every time I do these roundups if I don’t play a certain game the year it gets released. Either way, definitely give these soundtracks a listen.