February 28, 2024
A few things can make a game truly immersive: stunning visuals, a rich story, or an amazing soundtrack. Many would argue that game soundtracks might be the most important element. However, a good soundtrack doesn’t only serve to set the mood of the game. It can have many functions, from evoking certain emotions to signaling threats. If you’re interested in discovering how game soundtracks influence your gaming experience, keep reading.
Like in movies, soundtracks in games are an essential part of the experience. A good game soundtrack serves to connect the player to the game emotionally. This makes a game more immersive and overall enjoyable. In addition, a game’s soundtrack can serve multiple purposes. It can evoke a sense of fear and suspense in thrilling scenes. On the other hand, it can tell the player that there’s no danger ahead and that it’s time to relax. So, how exactly is music used to deepen our gaming experience?
Ambient music
There’s nothing that screams “enemies ahead” quite like a sudden change of ambient music. We’ve all experienced exploring a new area when, suddenly, the music changed. This switch in music can instantly signal to a player that there’s something ahead. Music artists usually rely on upbeat, intense songs when signaling that a threat awaits us. This concept works exceptionally well in open-world exploration games. As a great example of this principle, think of games like Subnautica. While the player traverses different areas, the music changes from calm to intense. This makes the element of surprise in new areas even more dreadful. This is because we know we’re about to encounter something frightening, even before seeing it. These songs often leave a lasting emotional impact on players. If you’ve played Subnautica, listening to any music from the OST made by Simon Chylinski can make you relive your emotions while playing the game.
Another important side of game soundtracks is worldbuilding. Once again, open-world exploration games are a great example. A dramatic, intense soundtrack can heighten feeling alone and vulnerable in an unfamiliar area. In turn, a slow and mellow soundtrack can make players feel calm and relaxed. Ambient music in games allows players to emotionally connect with what’s happening in the game. At the same time, a good soundtrack will blend seamlessly into the whole gaming experience. You won’t pay attention to it while playing, but it will send specific cues to your brain. Good ambient music is vital in creating an immersive gaming experience.
Boss fight music
It’s hard to imagine a good boss fight without some epic music. Boss music plays one of the most important roles in a boss battle. Like ambient music, boss music is designed to provoke emotions in a player. As soon as we hear the first few notes, we instantly sense that we’re about to face off against a formidable enemy. A few characteristics can be found in all good boss music. Many games feature upbeat, fast-paced boss music. This type of music can provoke a sense of tension and urgency. The fast tempo might also mimic the rise in your heart rate upon seeing a boss. This, in turn, can make your heart beat even faster. Another great technique often used in games is adding more elements to a boss theme the further you advance into the fight. So, how does this influence your gaming experience?
A prime example of this can be seen in the Vordt of the Boreal Valley boss fight in Dark Souls 3. Once you get closer to defeating the boss, the tempo rises, and more elements are added to the music. This will surely make you fumble since the change in music makes you anticipate something more challenging and scarier. The rising, often dramatic melodies automatically make the boss appear more powerful.
In conclusion, game soundtracks are a powerful tool used in games of all genres. Their role is to immerse you deeper into the game and inform you information about your surroundings. Ambient music can provoke all kinds of feelings in players. Sometimes, it can provide players with a sense of safety. Other times, it can signal that there are enemies ahead. In either case, it serves to provoke emotions in players subconsciously. This makes players connect to the game on a deeper level. In turn, it can also influence the player and his choices. Boss music, on the other hand, can be an indicator of the boss’s power. Many popular games feature dramatic, upbeat boss music. This can often provoke anxiety and tension when facing off against a boss. Since music can impact us deeply, great audio design can make demanding boss fights even harder. Overall, a great game always comes with an amazing soundtrack that leaves a lasting impression on players.