Memorable Music in Gaming - #61

This week, we're looking at some tunes that follow the convention of being named after a character from their respective games.

Saya no Uta | PC | Song of Saya II

This is the only VN I’ve played, and boy did it leave an impact on me. The concept is deeply upsetting and surreal—putting most modern horror stories to shame.

In a previous MM article—#31, to be exact—I talked about another track, Schizophrenia, a painful auditory experience unlike any other. Song of Saya II starts off cutesy and catchy but quickly spirals into distortion and audio glitches.

Nothing ever stays sane or safe in this VN, and the soundtrack reflects that.

Saya no Uta OST- Song of Saya II

 

Yoshi's Island | SNES | Big Bowser

I haven’t heard each and every Mario soundtrack, but rarely have any gone as hard and metal as this one. The opening 15 seconds are the audio equivalent of the “It Was At This Moment He Knew... He F***ed Up” meme.

What follows next is a prog rockin’ sequence that mimics the likes of Yes and Rush.

Yoshi's Island OST - Final Boss

 

Silent Hill 2 | PS2 | Theme of Laura

The story goes that Akira Yamaoka named this track after Laura because she was the first character he saw during the game’s development. Perhaps confusingly, this is the game’s main theme.

Theme of Laura showcases the more rock-heavy side of Mr. Yamaoka. That guitar work is lovely.

Theme of Laura

 

Dark Souls II | PC | King Vendrick

A dirge fit for a fallen king. The subject in question is Vendrick—a once-great ruler now reduced to a shambling husk.

What makes this track so haunting is how it blends sorrow with mockery. The soundtrack retains his title but when you confront him, the game only labels him Vendrick—no title, no ceremony—just another lost soul. The music’s bitter irony makes you question whether you're putting him out of his misery or simply desecrating what little dignity he has left.

Dark Souls II Soundtrack - King Vendrick [HQ]

 

Breath of Fire | SNES | Sara’s Theme

Melodious. That’s the only apt descriptor for this one. Of all the tunes mentioned here, this is the gentlest and warmest.

Breath of Fire OST - Sara's theme (Extended)

Article by: Hamza

 

 

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Memorable Music in Gaming #60

Happy New Year, dear viewers! What better way to kick off the year than with a collection of fantastic minimalist compositions? Sit back, enjoy, and have a wonderful year ahead.

Mass Effect 2 | PC | Uncharted Worlds

The Mass Effect series boasts one of the best sci-fi soundtracks ever composed. If classic sci-fi novels came with their own background music, I’d imagine it sounding exactly like this.

I love the optimistic and curious nature of this track—it makes exploration feel intellectual rather than intimidating.

Uncharted Worlds

Celeste | PC | Quiet & Falling

If the real world sounded like this, I’d go out every day.

[Official] Celeste Original Soundtrack - 11 - Quiet and Falling

Siren: New Translation | PS3 |  Lament

I haven’t played this game yet, but there’s something deeply wistful and melancholic about this track. The occasional voice cracks only enhance its haunting, cerebral atmosphere.

If you told me this was from a Suicide album, I’d believe you.

Lament - Siren: New Translation OST

Silent Hill 2 | PC | White Noiz

Akira Yamaoka returns with yet another minimalistic masterpiece. Who would’ve thought a few sustained notes could send you spiraling into a stream of consciousness?

White Noiz

Mass Effect | PC | Presidium

We started this list with Mass Effect, so why not bring it full circle? Longtime Chalgyr.com readers may remember that Mr. Nick—honorable founder of the site—wrote about Presidium way back in entry #33 of this series.

I don’t have much to add except that this is yet another quintessential sci-fi music gem.

Mass Effect Soundtrack - The Presidium [Extended]

 

Article by: Hamza

 

 

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Memorable Music in Gaming #52

Synth, serene and atmospheric music always have a place in games that get your feet and body going in your seat as you navigate whatever adventure it slides into. 

Deep Fear | Sega Saturn | Surfacing

If this track, with its choir vocals, sounds oddly cinematic and atmospheric to you, I wouldn’t be surprised - for it was composed by none other than Kenji Kawai.

This is the same guy who did the soundtrack of the Ghost in the Shell anime. ‘Nuff said.

Deep Fear OST - 15 - Surfacing

 

Silent Hill 2 | PS2 | The Day of Night

Fun fact: I’m hearing impaired, which means sounds & voices of a certain decibel are what my ears can detect. Having this impairment results in popping and blocking of my hearing, so it’s always a guessing game from my colleagues whether I’m listening to them or not.

I often play this particular track at a certain volume to assess my hearing level. If I can hear the dulcet piano strokes, then I suppose it’s all right. If barely, then SPEAK UP!!

The Day Of Night 

 

Hotline Miami | PC | Hydrogen

MOON is a certified madman of the synthwave scene. His work is so unabashedly, unapologetically unhinged, and I absolutely love him for it.

Hydrogen may not have kickstarted the genre, but I believe this is one of the handful few that should be representative of the more hypnotic, foot-thumping side of the synthwave scene.

M.O.O.N. - 'Hydrogen' [Hotline Miami Soundtrack]

 

Epsilon Program Theme | PC | GTA V

It’s annoying how catchy and serene this music is. This one feels like it is coming from that pink boombox (you know the one), while you’re aimlessly wandering in the liminal backrooms.

Kifflom - Epsilon Program Theme Song

 

Valadilene Theme | PC | Syberia

I consider Syberia to be video game canon; games that are quintessential to the industry and must be played at-least once. There’s not a single weak element about this game.

The game starts off at Valadilene, which means this is the first piece of music you hear as you enter the clockpunk world of Syberia. It is at-once nostalgic and just as pretty as the cursive, handwritten logo of the game.

If the point and click adventure genre were to have an official theme, I’d choose this one.

Syberia l Valadilene Theme l Microids

Article by: Hamza 

 

 

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Memorable Music in Gaming #12

This week we have something of a rarity - each of our games comes from a different platform. They also tend to be of the retro variety (though not all). The styles are quite contrasting, from bright and playful to tense, suspenseful fare.

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