A large contributor to enjoyment in our video games is their musical compositions. Good soundtracks can help set a mood, accompany gameplay, and amplify emotional feeling in a story, among other things. 2017's Xbox titles did not disappoint in this regard, and there's plenty of amazing scores from this year's games that you're sure to love, but there are ten soundtracks that rise above the rest.
10. Night in the Woods
The somber and melancholy narrative told by Night in the Woods is propped up by the game's atmospheric and (mostly) calm score. The music in this game does a great job of making the player feel immersed in the main character's shoes as she struggles to find a place in the world.
9. For Honor
Ubisoft's recent fighting game For Honor offered deep mechanics and an exciting chance to be a part of warrior cultures, but an aspect of the game that often goes unappreciated is the score. Though there's not a ton of variety within the music, the bombastic percussion makes fighting enemies an extremely intense experience. There's nothing quite like the sound of blades clashing as rhythmic booms play in the background.
8. RiME
In the massive, puzzle-filled world of RiME, you'll be spending hours upon hours trying to discover the secrets of the setting. With so much time being spent thinking hard about potential puzzle solutions, RiME's peaceful and relaxing melodies act as the perfect accompaniment.
7. Mass Effect: Andromeda
Though it may have been plagued with a myriad of issues, Mass Effect: Andromeda's score was not one of them. The way the music created alien, other-worldly vibes fit perfectly with the extra-terrestrial environments the game was set in. In addition, the music helped to make the journey throughout the Andromeda galaxy feel like an adventure of exploration and discovery.
6. Sonic Mania
Sonic Mania's score strikes a perfect balance between honoring the legacy of the franchise's past while also bringing about a new musical vision for the future. The result is a blend of sound that feels familiar and fresh at the same time. Sonic is expected to deliver impressive scores, and Sonic Mania delivers on those expectations.
5. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
Killing Nazis is a tough job in a universe where they won World War II, but it's more enjoyable when you have explosive action themes blasting in your ears. Wolfenstein II understands this, and provides you with a large variety of tracks to help heighten your experience and resist the fascism of Nazi Germany.
4. Assassin's Creed: Origins
Considering the fact that Assassin's Creed: Origins is the biggest and most expansive game in the series yet, it was important that the music reflected that. Fortunately, it does this spectacularly, conveying both the beauty and the dangers of ancient Egypt's desert dunes through its tracks.
3. Destiny 2
As the past developers of the critically acclaimed Halo franchise, the gaming community had high expectations for Bungie with Destiny 2. One area in which they were undoubtedly met is in the game's music, which complements the gorgeous environments of the Destiny universe with mystical, atmospheric compositions.
2. Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove
Shovel Knight pays homage to classic platformers such as Ninja Gaiden or Castlevania not only through its art direction and gameplay design, but also in its music, as well. Featuring extremely catchy tracks that play in the background during levels, the score of the complete edition of Shovel Knight released this year is an absolute joy to listen to.
1. Life is Strange: Before the Storm
The story of Before the Storm's protagonist Chloe Price is full of sadness, confusion, anger and love all at the same time. The music that serves as the backdrop to this story somehow manages to capture all of those emotions exceptionally, rarely even missing a beat at all. It adds so much to the experience of the game, and it's one of the reasons why Before the Storm is one of my favorite games of the year.
Your thoughts
Which Xbox title do you think had the best music this year? Tell us what you think in the comments!
