Lists
Top 10 Best Original Platformer Soundtracks
I didn’t initially think there were enough games in the genre to do a “Best Original Soundtracks” for platforming-type games. Some will sneer and controller/keyboard fling at such an assertion, but in all transparency, I am wildly unacquainted. In fact, there is only one game on this entire list that I’ve actually played.
However, after submerging myself in the sounds of the platformers below, there are now nine games on this list that I am passionately driven to delve into. This is the magnetic power of a truly great video game soundtrack. I see the cover art, and suddenly my imagination fashions a gripping narrative and visceral universe intertwined within the music.
The premise of the platformer is generally uncomplicated: hop, dash, sometimes fight. What elevates games in this genre is the heart that the developer and composer pours into their artform. A dedication to enthralling environments, immersive story, and music that ties these things and the gamer together.
If you haven’t experienced any of the below soundtracks, I highly recommend diving in with eyes closed and ears prepared for the divine.
10 Psychonauts
Dirty buzz guitar, the kind that makes you scowl like a cowboy, might be one of my favorite instrumental tones of all time. The Psychonauts soundtrack screams this to grand effect, achieving memorable musical highs with a handicap of quite a few duds.
However, when this soundtrack hits, ohhhh boy does it deliver. Plodding slide guitar, throaty bass and sassy harmonica transport the listener immediately to the youthful ease of Whispering Rock Summer Camp in tracks like “Bunk Time,” “Whispering Rock,” and “Stay Out of the Moonlight.” Dangerous acrobatic hijinks involving flaming juggling pins and strategic knife throwing are perfectly scored by “The Meat Circus.” Finally, the gem of the entire soundtrack are all of the Spanish influenced tracks in Black Velvetopia, featuring guitars that either smash like Luchadors or croon like Julio Iglesias.
It’s unfortunate that so many of the other tracks fall short of these masterpieces. Still, the moments of strength carry this soundtrack to the list.
9. A Hat in Time
Collecting funky hats and glowing hourglasses forms the wacky premise of the cuteness overload platformer A Hat in Time. Composer Pascal Michael Stiefel goes so hard for this throwback-style 3D Indie game.
The styles in each area are somehow both sonically luscious and also charmingly cartoonish. The variety in this soundtrack is mindboggling: Bossa nova grooves in the “You Are Now Legally A Bird,” epic Final Fantasy-esque boss music in “Toilet of Doom, bubbly metal in “Your Contract Has Expired,” juicy drum and bass pumps in “Get Lost.” 5 hours of a high production value thrill ride that kicks so much candy-colored ass.
8. Super Castlevania IV
Fighting the hellspawn minions of legendary vampire king Dracula could have easily featured nothing but haunting church organs, but Super Castlevania IV instead delivers a thrilling soundtrack conducted by the heavy metal whip of the Van Helsing-type hero Simon Belmont.
Hair-raising boss fights turn up the anxiety with vicious synth waves interrupted by booming bass drum hits. The slicing pianos of “The Waterfalls,” pierce with a feeling of impending doom, while the riding snare hits and high voltage strings on “Bloody Tears” hit the bloodstream like 120 cc’s of bootleg holy water. Each environment, be that decrepit forest or spooky castle, were assisted mightily by the music of composers Masanori Adachi and Taro Kudo.
My only complaint is that I was a bit let down by the theme music for the similarly underwhelming final showdown between Simon and ol’ king Drac. Previous boss battle tracks or even “Room of Close Associates” more effectively fueled intensity and established life or death stakes. Still, this is a minor critique when compared to the rest of the soundtrack, which flies fast and hellaciously with the swiftness of flaming bat wings.
7. Donkey Kong Country 2
One of the best things the Donkey Kong series offered was locking up Donkey Kong and shafting him as a playable character, replacing him with the acrobatic duo Diddy and Dixie Kong. Throughout their conquest of Crocodile Isle, Diddy and Dixie hair whip, cartwheel, and rhino-dash through a diverse soundtrack of catchy tunes.
The motifs of the stages swing from Jolly Roger sea-shanties, heavy artillery marches and jungle grooves. My favorite of that last category being the jive remix of the Donkey Kong theme in “Token Tango.” One of the only hip hop-inspired jams on this list, “Funky the Main Monkey,” is reminiscent of 90’s sitcom openings which really wins me over in a special way.
For me, Donkey Kong Country 2 is a game that provides a consistently attractive soundtrack throughout. While there aren’t any standouts that I would put on repeat, David Wise was able to accomplish a rare feat among video game composers, which is create a complete soundtrack that holds the player’s attention from start to finish.
6. Blasphemous
The Blasphemous soundtrack maintains all the gloomy intensity you would expect from a game featuring blindfolded baby battles and a protagonist who fills up his helmet full of enemy blood, only to dunk their head in it like Gatorade on a victorious football coach. Soaked.
The 8 bit hacker slasher is accompanied by a gothically dynamite score composed by Carlos Viola. The environments in the game are often haunted or desecrated, traits only steeped deeper in horror by ghoulish choirs, apocalyptic drum-thumps and dire electric guitar licks. The soundtrack consistently reaches the intensity of Dark Souls encounters while evolving into an even more emotionally poleaxing rhythm.
5. Fez
Chiptunes were a hallmark of early 90’s/late 80’s video games, but the genre saw a masterful revamp in the 2012 platformer Fez. Disasterpeace successfully took the 8-bit synth sound and breathed orchestral life into it, engrossing players into a universe of beeps that soothe or smash depending on the environment. Never have I heard the form implemented so cleanly, even the crunchy static laden sounds of “Glitch” and “Nocturne” go down like honeybutter.
Still, this soundtrack excels most in its moments of weightless tranquility. Airy meditations provided by “Beacon,” “Nature,” and “Spirit” uplift my soul like a church hymnal. This is all the more necessary because some of the puzzles in this game really require some brainpower and patience, two things kept afloat by the shimmering soundtrack.
Gomez may be a blockhead, but his musical taste is on point.
4. Inmost
With the beginning rings of solitary bells, you can feel a heaviness looming, an impenetrable gloom of hopelessness that fogs the eyes and sinks the soul. Inmost features a painfully beautiful soundtrack that seldom diverges from depleting sorrow or dungeon-latched anticipation, but how sweet is the descent!
Composer Alexey Nechaev is the mastermind behind this transfixing string of tracks, dominated by stirring piano compositions, tarnished-gold string arrangements, and opera-power brass with giant drum booms. The tale of a young girl, vigilant knight, and a haunted man marching through an intertwined destiny offers little light and even less hope. Still, this is a smashing soundtrack that I’ve put on repeat, tearing opening my heart wider than cardiac surgery.
3. Celeste
Personally, the draw of mountain climbing has always been losing oneself completely in the ascent. Celeste demands hawkish focus, a laser beam of intention flicking the controller to wall cling, scrabble up, jump off and air dash to a pinhead area of safety. No room for area, complete absorption by the task at hand.
I am blindsided that composer Lena Raine was so deftly able to weave such an evocative soundtrack within this wrought iron focus. There’s fierce triumph in “Confronting Myself,” harrowing despondency in “Quiet and Falling,” the reminiscent sweetness of nostalgia in “My Dear Friends.” Piano peace is intermingled with electro-pop to great effect, a musical shout out to the 8 bit game set on a mountain that largely demands solitude and self-reflection.
The result is an album that can be listened to endlessly on repeat, for a home study session or even along your next mountaineering adventure.
2. Super Mario Galaxy
Gah, my bleeding, nostalgic heart. It hurts to elevate a game that I’ve never even played above two titles that I absolutely adored: Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine. Still, as a comprehensive work, I couldn’t abide passing Galaxy.
64 was packed with hits, including the nostalgia overloading “Title Theme,” the jazzy trumpeteering on “Super Mario 64 Main Theme,” and the heavenly, smooth-accelerating aqua-groove “Dire Dire Docks.” Sunshine paints an overarching tropical motift hroughout, but still maintains distinction within the theme of each location. Buzzing seaside ports in “Ricco Harbor” are easily distinguishable from shimmering secret coves in “Noki Bay” and the fire-dance luau that is “Pianta Village.” Of course, how could I not mention the classic “Delfino Plaza” theme.
However, Galaxy is the title that finally matches the heroic status of the red-hat Italian plumber by complimenting his odyssey with a full orchestra. Going through the Galaxy soundtrack, I felt, that Mario’s accompanying music was no longer a hodgepodge of nostalgic environmental themes, but rather a sweeping symphonic journey. Different Galaxy levels have memorable themes, (highlights including Gusty Garden and Buoy Base), but this is the first Mario platformer where each boss has their own memorable battle theme. Plus, Galaxy also features the most epic Bowser Battle score yet, one that almost matches the intensity of God of War boss battles.
1. Ori: Will of the Wisps
I initially strode into this assignment deadset on putting Ori and the Blind Forest at the top of this list. The first Ori introduced me to the concept that a masterfully produced soundtrack could motivate a deadset buying decision.
However, I decided to give composer Gareth Coker the respect to at least wade a bit in his followup soundtrack in the series for Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Which then led to me being utterly entangled and falling headfirst into this 3 hour Odyssey-level musical epic.
What solidifies this game’s placement at number one for me is how brilliantly Coker conveys a vast multitude of feeling. Intrigue, joy, crippiling loss and hard won victory are some of the emotions conveyed expertly with a full array of symphonic power and unique instrumentation.
I tremble at the idea of choosing favorites within this score because the movement in it’s entirety flows so seamlessly along. Still, the ataviostic fear of “Howl” still shakes me for hours after listening. “Mora the Spider,” makes me want to buy a battleaxe to smash things with, while the original themes incorporated within “Escaping the Sandworm,” make me tear up and fill my heart full of slicing nostalgia. “In Wonderment of Winter” is straight up Tolkein-esque in the best ways. I just can’t choose one, they’re all so impactful. Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a flawless classic. Go forth and listen reader, I beg thee!
Conclusion
One final thing to address: No Hollow Knight on this list. Now look, don’t get sour at me. I initially didn’t even think this genre would be featured, so I stuck Hollow Knight on the “Best Original Action/Adventure Soundtracks” list. For the record, it performed gloriously. Would it have beat out Ori? Eh, moot point.
Glad to be able to share my deepest, most sincere joy of listening to video game soundtracks with you, dear reader. Til’ next time!
By Emily Barnes
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Becoming an established Twitch streamer is one of the most common ambitions for people around the world, and the market is as saturated as ever. In order to keep up with the competition streamers are constantly searching for new games to play and updating their setups to improve the quality of their streams. The majority of the most viewed games on Twitch rarely change, but more recently a certain game has made a regular appearance.
Developed by Russian studio Battlestate Games, Escape from Tarkov has recently soared to the very top of the Twitch browse page, and well-known streamers are taking advantage of the game’s rise in popularity. Escape from Tarkov provides players with a huge multiplayer first-person universe with RPG and MMO elements while prioritizing realism and an intriguing story-driven gameplay.
In late 2019 the Escape from Tarkov Twitch Drops Campaign was introduced allowing ample opportunity for players to receive in-game loot for simply watching streamers play the game. First you connect your twitch profile with your in game profile, watch streamers with broadcasts marked “drops are enabled”, and after a certain amount of time spent watching you are guaranteed at least one in-game item. Escape from Tarkov was also on sale during this time, increasing the normal amount of viewers on Twitch to over 200,000, showing the massive impact this marketing strategy and promotion had on the popularity of the game. Many streamers have taken advantage of this spike in viewership by streaming the game, and one of the most important parts of streaming is using the best gear to maximize your quality. Below is a list of the top ten Escape from Tarkov streamers and their gear:
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10. Smoke
Smoke is a popular streamer boasting over 100,000 followers and averaging thousands of viewers for every broadcast. Already being primarily focused on playing first person shooters and survival games, Smoke choosing to play a title like Escape from Tarkov is not surprising at all.
Having a monitor with a crystal clear image of your games can significantly improve your game sense and skill, and Smoke is no stranger to this fact using an ASUS ROG PG279Q 27″ Gaming Monitor. A 27-inch screen provides Smoke with a large enough screen to increase game awareness completed with ASUS Ultra Low Blue Light filters that protect his eyes during those eight hour streams.
The mouse Smoke uses for gaming is the Logitech G Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse with Esports grade performance. This mouse is created to be used by esports professionals with a 16,000 DPI and an extremely lightweight design. Although more towards the pricier side of gaming mice, for a successful streamer it’s a small investment towards the bigger picture.
9. Sequisha
Sequisha is very popular with over ten million twitch channel views and a substantial following. Known for his great sense of humor and very recognizable facial hair, Sequisha mostly streams shooter and survival games, and has recently been strictly streaming Escape from Tarkov. He also has a very substantial knowledge of video games considering he attended school for Simulation and Game Development. When he’s not streaming he’s creating 3D art and developing games.
His Twitch account was created in 2011, so he has been on Twitch for almost a decade. During the years of growing his following Sequisha has invested in a professional setup that is affordable and efficient. His mouse of choice is the Logitech G502 Proteus Core Mouse. This mouse is very customizable with a variety of balancing and weight settings and custom lighting options. Paired with the Logitech G513 RGB Wired Gaming Keyboard, Sequisha’s set up has a visually appealing and colorful look with many custom options.
8. Deadlyslob
Deadlyslob is known for focusing primarily on streaming and creating content around survival shooters: PUBG, Day Z, and of course Escape from Tarkov. His Twitch and Youtube profiles both have significant followings, and he has created informative content about Escape from Tarkov. For someone new to the game, Deadlyslob’s streams are a great way to improve your own gameplay.
Deadlyslob’s gaming rig sports an extremely powerful Gigabyte AORUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Xtreme Edition GPU. This GPU is a powerhouse with the price tag to match. A Graphics Card as powerful as this one can run practically any game beautifully, and his ASUS 24-inch 144Hz Full HD FreeSync Gaming 3D Monitor is a wonderful pairing with top notch response time and resolution.
7. Sacriel
Sacriel is a lifelong gamer from the United Kingdom. He streams full time averaging thousands of viewers, and recently has heavily focused on Escape from Tarkov. Before starting to play Escape from Tarkov he logged over 3,000 hours in Day Z, showing his dedication to survival style games.
Sacriel’s gaming rig includes the NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 2080 Ti which provides gamers with a very realistic gaming experience with a 13-phase power supply. For a realistic game like Escape from Tarkov, this graphics card is a perfect part for your gaming PC. Another part of his set up is the VIRTUOSO RGB WIRELESS High-Fidelity Gaming Headset, a high quality headset that is comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.
6. Veritas
Since his first stream in early 2018, Veritas has gained over 100,000 followers. To gain such a big following in such a short amount of time is nothing short of amazing, and Veritas is known for incorporating his musical talent into his streams.
Veritas’s setup includes the Cooler Master MasterKeys MK750 Mechanical Keyboard. This keyboard features a sleek floating key design with a surrounding RGB light bar. The removable magnetic wrist rest allows for maximum comfort for his streaming 40 hours a week. As a musician, it’s not surprise Veritas’s headset is on the pricey side. The Sennheiser R185 is a top quality headset that guarantees a high quality sound experience with no struggles to hear any footsteps or in game sounds.
5. Anton
Anton is another streamer from this list that puts a lot of his focus on creating informative content. He has created quite a following across multiple social media platforms and has done so without using a webcam. He is primarily focusing on creating Escape from Tarkov content across all his profiles.
Anton uses the Logitech G502 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Mouse featuring the next-gen HERO 16k sensor allowing for maximum speed, responsiveness, and accuracy. His monitor of choice is the ASUS ROG PG279Q 27″ Gaming Monitor with a 165 Hertz refresh rate for an enticing gaming experience that is visually stunning
4. Dr. Disrespect
Dr. Disrespect is one of the most mainstream streamers on this list. Known for his iconic mullet, charisma, and a controversy or two, Dr. Disrespect has soared in popularity on the platform. It shouldn’t be shocking to anyone that Dr. Disrespect quickly took an interest in playing a game like Escape from Tarkov.
Dr. Disrespect’s setup includes the extremely affordable Razer DeathAdder Elite Gaming Mouse proving that you don’t have to break the bank to get gear that gets the job done well. Razer also manufactured Dr. Disrespect’s keyboard of choice, the Razer BlackWidow TE Chroma v2 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard.
3. Dr. Lupo
Continuing with mainstream streamers, Dr. Lupo is one of the most well-known names from Twitch. Previously known for excelling in games such as Fortnite and PUBG, Dr. Lupo has taken on Escape from Tarkov as well. Dr. Lupo is insanely skilled at most of the games he plays, and Escape from Tarkov is no exception.
Just like Smoke, number ten on this list, Dr. Lup uses the Logitech G Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse. This mouse provides users with Logitech’s most accurate sensor available. His keyboard is also created by Logitech, the Logitech G Pro Mechanical Gaming Keyboard. This keyboard was created to be used by esports athletes and provides a powerful yet quiet performance.
2. Summit1g
Summit1g has grown a following of millions of viewers. After retiring from the professional competitive CS:GO scene, Summit1g has seen massive success on Twitch. Summit1g is a variety streamer who has played many different games, and he most recently picked up Escape from Tarkov.
One of the more affordable parts of Summit’s setup is his headphones, the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700x Audiophile. Costing under $100 while maintaining a high quality sound and a unique open-air design make these headphones a great part of any setup. Summit’s monitor is the ASUS ROG Swift PG258Q Gaming Monitor that minimizes screen tearing and stuttering.
1. Pestily
The final streamer on our list is none other than Pestily. Pestily is a very honorable man having served eight years in the Australian military and for the entire year of 2020 he is giving away all of his donations and tips to the Starlight’s Children’s Foundation. The combination of an interesting backstory, mechanical skills, and work ethic have caused Pestily to rise to success playing Escape from Tarkov.
Pestily’s gaming PC includes an impressive Gigabyte AORUS GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Xtreme 11GB. This graphics card can run even the most demanding games smoothly, and is a perfect addition to a serious streamer’s rig. His headset of choice is the Corsair Virtuoso, a moderately priced headset that provides high quality sound and comfort.
Conclusion
The streamers on this list have some similarities in their setups: Top quality monitors with blue-light protection, headphones with comfortability and high audio quality, keyboards with vibrant and customizable RGB lighting, and gaming mice varying in prices but maintaining the esports athlete standard.
Streamers will always benefit from keeping up with trends and playing games that they genuinely like. Incorporating games into your stream that run campaigns like Attack On Tarkov is a great way to boost your viewer count while rewarding people for tuning in. The streamers on this list have found major success in contributing to the surge in popularity for Escape from Tarkov, and have possibly helped a title to remain popular for years to come. If your new to Escape From Tarkov, check out our Top 10 Tips for Escape from Tarkov and our guide for Top 10 Guns In Escape From Tarkov!
The masterfully-crafted melodies of my favorite video games often dissolve me in my at-home office space, floating back into these worlds I adore. Waves of nostalgia break, releasing sweet, sweet euphoria as I’m transported into the memorable battles and blooming landscapes of games past.
A truly great original soundtrack for a video game is timeless. It transcends outdated graphics and dusty game mechanics. Each score is like a save point for a moment; with a listen, loading the individual back into that space.
Some of the best soundtracks belong to RPGs, because these games more than any other strive to transport the gamer to a fleshed-out world with a strong narrative supported by vivid characters. They evoke feelings of wonder, of triumph, of loss, and this is all bolstered significantly by an imaginative background score.
Below are my top picks for the best RPG soundtracks of all time.
10. Secrets of Mana
The first of a few Square Enix additions, Secrets of Mana is the oldest pick on this list, a classic musical score by its own merits. Factor in that this game was composer Hiroki Kikuta’s first video game score, AND that he was limited greatly by the Super NES software capabilities. I put a lot of respect on this game’s soundtrack.
Within the parameters of the Super NES, Secret of Mana displays a full spectrum of emotional depth to accompany the game’s protagonist trio as they fight against the Empire. While the game itself hasn’t aged particularly well, the soundtrack is still a fantasy-laden, MIDI-driven bop. Ch-ch-check it out.
9. Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire
The classic premise of pitting wild animals against each other in battle has remained largely unchanged over the course of Pokemon’s long history. However, each iteration introduces a new region to collect all new Pokemon in, and an engaging soundtrack to liven up the adventure.
The 3rd Generation of Pokemon, Ruby and Sapphire, went particularly hard in the music, incorporating a broad list of styles that never got stale. Perhaps, I’m partial to the trumpet heavy soundtrack as a former player myself. Bops like the Lilycove City waltz, the pump-up Gym Leader battle music, and the prevailing Route 104 march keep me coming back for more.
8. Dark Souls 2
Dark Souls 2 is a standout in this list, because the game developers don’t care to coddle the player with music to carry them through their quest to kill a queen. Naught but the sound of your lonely footsteps and the roar of the monster will join you on your quest.
That is, until death is upon you. The Dark Souls 2 soundtrack is composed of epic boss music that complements the environment you’re fighting in. The Ancient Dragon fight has a loud cacophony of choral voices with interspersed bells that callout to the wingbeats of numerous dragons and the cathedral you fight before. The haunting strings of the Mytha fight really underscore the creepy movements of the beheaded snake lady who aims to smite you
Still, there are beautiful moments here, which is a divergence from the others in the series. Meditating to the sweet tune of Majula brings me great peace between getting slaughtered wrecked by every enemy imaginable.
While there isn’t a great deal of mood variety on this soundtrack, no other game scores legendary showdowns quite as well.
7. Bastion
Indie hit Bastion follows the adventures of a sharp shootin’ young buck known as “The Kid,” as he navigates a beast-infested world following the mysterious Cataclysm. There is a prevalent Western theme throughout the soundtrack, slide guitars and distorted twang that pair well with the Sam Elliot esque narration along your journey.
The addition of strong vocal tracks in any video game is a bold decision, but memorably executed on “Setting Sail, Coming Home” and “Zulf’s Theme.” Whether you’re feeling nostalgic or just need a good soundtrack to ride off in the sunset to, Bastion’s got you covered.
6. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Steel for humans, silver for monsters, and a golden soundtrack for the rest of us.
It’s no surprise to me that the rugged, monster-killing ladykiller Geralt got picked up for a television series. The Witcher 3 has it all: Lively, expansive world, sharp dialogue, but most important, a lovely cinematic soundtrack.
With the following DLCs, “Hearts of Stone” and “Blood and Wine,” the musical journey only continues along the route of tense clashes and quaint village pieces. The composer triumvirate of Marcin Przybylowicz, Mikolaj Stroinski and Percival really nailed it here. If you liked the Skyrim soundtrack, you’ll love this one.
5. Chrono Cross
Hopping back and forth between alternative universes can leave a player in a real headspin, especially when those realities tend to resemble each other. Composer Yasunori Mitsuda found inspiration within this complex game mechanic, composing a masterful soundtrack that explores this duality, evoking moods that complement two realities Serge and company bravely navigate.
What this leads to is a distinct musical experience whether you’re dashing around “Home” or “Another World.” One of the best examples of this is expressed within the two Terminas. While both have an overarching Celtic theme, Another Termina is driven by a beer swigging, bouncy Irish jig, while Home Termina retains its Irish roots in a more subdued manner, more akin to your local Renaissance Faire.
This soundtrack has also aged remarkably well. While it lacks ironclad hits to truly sweep you off your feet, the music of Chrono Cross swims along with no misses, an uplifting adventure through tropical paradise from first sip to last call.
4. Persona 5
Clearly, we’re showing a lot of love for JRPGs here. That said, Persona 5 is a breakout vibe on this list, high-octane acid-jazz with cooler coffeehouse piano to break up the action.
Bouncing between character’s mental labyrinths and exploring a cel-shaded Tokyo presents a unique opportunity for sound exploration, and Atlus delivers the goods. Even more impressive, the soundtrack is able to remain engaging and fresh throughout the nearly 4-hours album length.
While I haven’t played the game, this is one of those rarities that has me interested in picking it up solely based on the grooves, man.
3. Undertale
Undertale has received a lot of hype among indie game connoisseurs, and it’s all dead on. The low-grade graphic style that may be initially off-putting hides a game with some of the best dialogue and narrative writing.
What might be most memorable is the vibrant soundtrack is the immense mood shifts you get here. “Death By Glamour” could easily fit into your favorite DJ’s party set, while the forlorn piano in “Undertale” makes you want to weep ugly tears. Megalovania is a raucous headbanger that fits the frantic boss fight, though it should be stated here that all of the boss fights really excel at having their own signature music.
This soundtrack has also seen many different remixes, which only further memorializes the powerful effect the music has had on fans.
2. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
In almost every way, global megahit Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, is superior to any other game in the series. Almost. Musically, Morrowind gets the nod over Skyrim as one of best gaming soundtracks birthed by prolific composer Jeremy Soule.
It’s not even close. At just under an hour long, the Morrowind soundtrack triumphantly cultivates the curiosity of the mushroomed continent, the serenity of solo exploration, the bold glory of fierce overland conflict. It almost feels like one continuous piece of music, no jarring transitions or flaccid fadeouts.
While Skyrim delivers three hours of beautiful ambience with a few memorable high points, the Morrowind soundtrack is an unceasing movement of captivating, truly epic storytelling.
1. Final Fantasy IX
Lemme tell you, choosing the best soundtrack from composer Nobuo Uematsu’s catalogue throughout the Final Fantasy series is a heart-wrenching endeavor. There are some seriously strong contenders here, and all could earn a well-deserved place on this list.
FFVI is a strong soundtrack throughout the album, with many high points including Kefka’s boss theme, “Dancing Mad,” which takes a close second to “One-Winged Angel” as the series’ best boss theme. FFVII easily has the best battle music across the series, but besides that, holds another sentimental high point in the collection with the tragically beautiful “Aerith’s Theme.”
Plus, who could forget the intense intro music of FFVIII “Liberi Fatali,” or the only song in the series I would take molly before listening to and dance my face off: “The Man with the Machine Gun.”
However, as a cohesive body of work that has stood the test of time, I give the crown to FFIX. Uematsu has stated in interviews this was also his favorite soundtrack, and with this soundtracks’ string of memorable hits it’s hard to disagree.
Some of the most recognizable tunes here are the sexy “Vamo Alla Flamenco,” the summer favorite “Ukulele de Chocobo,” Kuja’s savage organ piece “Wicked Melody,” and the sweeping love song “Memories of Life.”
Conclusion
One of the toughest parts about ranking this list was discerning personal nostalgia from the musical quality of these soundtracks. While there are some on the list I haven’t played, the strengths of the scores largely speak for themselves.
Which are the best skins in Among Us?
Among Us is a fun little game that has been out since June of 2018 but only recently took the world by storm (thank you quarantine).
There is a free version of the game on mobile (both Android and Apple) and a version on Steam for PC for $4.99. Among Us has been trending on Twitch and YouTube as many famous streamers have been playing it with friends.
The premise of this game is simple; finish all of your tasks before you’re killed by the imposter or, if you’re the imposter, kill everyone before they can finish their tasks.
Like an outer space version of Clue, this game pits you against each other as you try to vote off the imposter before it’s too late.
After someone has reported a body or called an emergency meeting, the group has a chance to discuss and make their selection on who they think is the killer. Imposters can sabotage and hide in the vents as well but don’t get caught because that’ll be an immediate giveaway.
We all know that video games are made to test your skills but who doesn’t want to have a little fun with their character’s appearance as well? The ability to customize your character has long been a favorite feature among gamers and Among Us is no different.
You can change the color on your default character but even that gets a little boring eventually.
The Best Skins in Among Us
Have no fear, though, because Among Us has other ways to customize your look to make you stand out.
There are three different features that can be customized; skins, hats, and pets. It should be noted that this is purely cosmetic.
These don’t affect your gameplay but they do help to promote your online identity. So maybe that can inspire you to put all of your best skills out there.
There are a total of 15 skins available in Among Us.
Here is the list of the best skins in Among Us:
10. Military
The Military skin is your basic army green. It is free on PC and costs $1.99 on mobile.
It is also part of the Military bundle that gives you this skin along with the Military Hat. Considering you are in a cosmic battle for survival, the Military uniform is quite fitting. You’ll need to be tough to survive this; there’s no calling in the actual troops when you’re so many lightyears away from safety.
9. Captain
Though it does look a bit like a mall cop uniform, the Captain skin can still be pretty fierce.
This skin is available for $1.99 on mobile and is free on PC. It comes as part of the Captain bundle which gives you this outfit and the Captain Hat. Again, being in a fight for your life in the depths of space takes a lot of guts.
You have to display dominance and really show the imposter whose boss or blend in with the group of actual crewmates as best you can. This probably won’t be enough to trick people into thinking you’re only there to help but you never know.
8. Mechanic
The Mechanic skin is $1.99 on mobile and free on PC. It does also come as part of the Mechanic bundle, which includes the skin and the Hard Hat.
There are three maps available in this game; MIRA HQ (more on MIRA later), The Skeld (spaceship), and Polus (a planet being used as a research base). But no matter what map you play on, there’s a lot of work to be done.
Whether you’re repairing and cleaning the O2 filter at MIRA HQ, repairing the drill on Polus, or fixing the wiring on The Skeld, there’s always plenty of work to be done. So, a Mechanic outfit is pretty fitting to get your tasks done quickly before the imposter kills you all.
7. Doctor
The Doctor skin is available for free on PC and $1.99 on mobile. It comes in the Doctor bundle which also gives you the Stethoscope hat.
Being a crewmate, and a doctor would be quite beneficial to the group.
Working in the MedBay at MIRA HQ or on The Skeld, and even working in the Laboratory on Polus, takes a lot of special skill. So putting on a doctor’s uniform is bound to give you all the knowledge to complete those tasks quickly. You probably won’t be able to do much for your crewmates that have been cut in half but you’ll feel important.
On the other hand, playing as a doctor with a dirty little secret could be kind of fun too. Take inspiration from Dr. Harold Shipman and take everyone out.
6. Black Suit
The Black Suit can be purchased individually on mobile for $1.99 or as part of the Black Suit bundle that also comes with a Top Hat.
This is available for free on PC. You never know who will be watching you, so you always need to dress to impress. Get all fancied up with this Black Suit and be the star of the show on any map. Just don’t be too glamorous if you’re trying to get away with killing people.
5. MIRA Security Guard
Blend in with MIRA security for $1.99 on mobile or free on PC. It is also available in the MIRA HQ bundle. This bundle comes with three hats (MIRA Hazmat Mask, MIRA Security Cap, and Landing Headset) and three skins (MIRA Hazmat, MIRA Security, and Landing Official).
Even a simple game like Among Us has some great lore attached to it. Mira, usually written as MIRA, is a research company that has recently evacuated all of its crew for fear of imposters taking over the facility. They’ve shipped you out to get far away from the imposters but you still have plenty of tasks to complete no matter where you are. You’re also tasked with voting out the imposter before it’s too late.
No one would ever suspect a security guard, right? You’re supposed to be the protector so you’re obviously innocent. Dressing as MIRA security is a great way to fool the crew.
4. Archaeologist
The Archaeologist skin costs $1.99 on its own for all users but can also be purchased as part of the Polus Map bundle.
This bundle comes with three hats (Miner Gear Hat, Winter Gear Hat, and Archaeologist Hat) and three skins (Miner Gear, Winter Gear, and Archaeologist).
The Polus crew could definitely use some help from an archaeologist. Storing artifacts and working in the Polus Specimen Room would require special knowledge.
So get done up in your Archaeologist gear and get it done.
3. Winter Gear
Speaking of the Polus Map bundle, the Winter Gear skin is another great choice.
It costs $1.99 on its own for users of both platforms.
Wherever you are, you have to admit that this outfit is pretty stylish. This would be especially helpful on Polus, which has some absolutely ridiculous weather conditions. You can go from lava to the dead of winter in just seconds.
It’s pretty hard to complete tasks, or kill people, if you’re frozen solid so it’s best to gear up and be prepared for this frozen wasteland.
2. MIRA Hazmat
The MIRA Hazmat suit is part of the MIRA HQ bundle and costs $1.99 on its own for all users.
There’s no doubt that a hazmat team would be helpful among the crew.
You have plenty of tasks dealing with some questionable materials. There’s also been plenty of movies that remind us about the potential dangers lurking in outer space. It’s best to be prepared.
1. Astronaut
Our favorite skin is the Astronaut. It is free on PC and $1.99 on mobile.
You can also buy it as part of the Astronaut bundle which comes with the Astronaut Helmet.
Astronaut suits are pretty useful when you’re traipsing through the galaxy. You’ll fit the role of crewmate perfectly and no one could possibly suspect the person dressed as a literal astronaut.
Summary
Remember that these skins and other cosmetics have absolutely no effect on the gameplay whatsoever.
But, as we already talked about, character customization is part of your online identity. Whether playing with friends or in a public lobby, you want to look cool. Feel like part of the team with a MIRA uniform or look snazzy wearing the Black Suit and Top Hat.
Be sure to check out some of the top streamers as well. Watching streamers play is pretty fun as is and this game has been one of the top choices for many streamers lately. Watching streamers also gives you some great tips on playing Among Us. They’ll show you the best ways to finish your tasks quickly or how to get away with murder.
Streamers are also good role models for gamers of all levels. Though Among Us is pretty basic, you’re probably playing other games too. Be sure to check out the equipment the top streamers use and climb the ranks in any game you play.
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