We’re listing the ten best Soundtracks of the Decade. These are the ten PlayStation scores released over the past decade that we believe left the biggest impression on our sonic palettes. Whether it’s Journey's Grammy nominated masterpiece or Destiny’s 8 movement symphony, these are the soundtracks that hit the best notes across the last ten incredible years of gaming. Head here to see the complete series.
Despite the many hitches in development for Tequila Works' RiME – frequent delays as well as being dropped from PlayStation exclusivity – finding its way out the door, the end result actually turned out to be pretty good. Certainly better than was expected given it’s rocky road to release. But ultimately what we got was an engaging puzzle with beautiful, vibrant visuals, and one of the best soundtracks of the entire decade.
Composer David García Díaz made a score that evokes just as much beauty as the environments the melodies are set to. Balancing an air of mystery with heart aching beauty, the score packed far more of an emotional punch than we ever expected it would have. From the game’s very first trailer we were in love with the music, and that mindset would carry forward through every little tidbit about the game that trickled out.
Many of the melodies build off one another as you progress through the game, creating interconnected themes that you get to witness change and distort. The further into the game you go, the more ominous the set-pieces get, and the music gets darker with you, but never completely leaving optimism behind. Awe gives way to sadness in short order. There’s always a light in the darkness, and the music serves as that light on more than one occasion. Nowhere is this better exemplified than on track 'Alone in the Light'.
At the end of the day, the soundtrack that we got is one that did an extraordinary job of making us feel. Whether paired with the game or listened to in isolation, the music is wonderful that it’s been able to bring a tear to the eye on multiple occasions. Even now, three years later, we still get goose bumps when we listen.
Did you play RiME? Do you agree with us that the soundtrack is something special? Let us know how you feel in the comments.
Comments 14
I didn't like Rime, but the music was nice. I don't think it even comes to close to Persona 5 level though. 😉
Yes. Absolutely yes. Nailed it. Should be higher!
In dialogue-free games like this, the soundtrack has to work overtime in carrying and conveying all of the story's emotional weight. It has to do the talking, so to speak, and RiME is a note-perfect example of saying everything right.
Every time I looked over the edge of crying, the music would walk up behind me and give me a push. Beautiful stuff.
I've only recently bought the game but the theme has been running on my ps4 for months now. It's lovely.
I'm sorry, but for soundtrack of the decade it 100% goes to Nier Automata for me, and that's saying something as the game itself I thought was good (but not as great as some who hold it in such esteem), the soundtrack on the other hand is one of the best soundtracks I've ever had the pleasure of listening to.
For example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNPZ1XSasgU
This song i must have stayed in camp to listen to several hundred times, rather than continuing with my missions, just because it was so amazing.
I really wanted to explore and play this game more but it just made me get motion sickness for some reason (Some games do. Not sure why this game did tho. Oh well)
I forgot about this gem really underrated game
Great choice. Still listen to it often, two years after I've played it.
P.S Special mention to the end credits' song. The Spanish version especially brings a tear to my eyes. https://youtu.be/_YdPnw8_7Hk
This game got ignored pretty hard but it was very worth playing.
From the little I played of it, i thought the music stood out the most.
@stevenfins Love, love, love this soundtrack!
@Kai_ I think it just got delayed one too many times, and people just kinda gave up on caring about it eventually. I liked it a lot though!
@RBMango Definitely a very different vibe from Persona at the very least haha
@RogerRoger I absolutely adore this soundtrack. One of the most emotionally powerful I've ever heard. "Alone in the Light" is one of my favorite game tracks ever!
@Carl-G From what I remember playing (I played it a launch) the Frame Rate could get pretty dicey!
@gbanas92 It reminds me of the music in ABZÛ, as well. The way it knows when to hang back, before triggering a perfectly-timed crescendo to elicit inescapable feelings... breathtaking stuff.
@RogerRoger Yes Abzu is absolutely stunning as well!!!! Speaking of which. Austin Wintory hasn't been on this list yet. I don't know about you, but I find that rather interesting...
@gbanas92 Hey, others may be fixated on NieR, but I reckon I've got a semi-accurate idea of where the top five is headed...!
@RogerRoger Yeah, at this point I feel like you get me! haha
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