Guide: PlayStation Games with Unforgettable Soundtracks

Soundtracks have been part of the identity of video games since their inception. In the era of bit sounds, when cartridge memory limited any ambition, music was already used to create atmosphere, give rhythm to levels, and reinforce key moments in the adventure. Over the decades, compositions have evolved in scale and sophistication, transforming into orchestral arrangements capable of rivaling cinema.

Today, talking about a standout game without mentioning its music seems impossible. Songs like the theme from The Last of Us, composed by Gustavo Santaolalla, or the unforgettable One-Winged Angel, by Nobuo Uematsu in Final Fantasy VII, are symbols of how music and narrative have become definitively intertwined. Even original theme songs by famous bands have entered history, such as Ludens, by Bring Me the Horizon, in Death Stranding.

With that in mind, we've compiled eight remarkable games from the PlayStation ecosystem that, in addition to their stories and gameplay, shone thanks to their soundtracks. From Bloodborne and its dark themes to Astro Bot with its vibrant beats, each title shows how music can enhance the gaming experience.

The Last of Us is a complete experience in its own right. The first title was acclaimed as one of the best of all time for its deep and well-crafted narrative, which prioritizes storytelling without getting lost in open-world trends.

Joel and Ellie's journey is complemented by a minimalist, quietly melancholic, and desolate soundtrack. Composer Gustavo Santaolalla utilizes acoustic instruments, such as the guitar, honoring his South American origins. In the second part, new tracks incorporate the banjo to represent the character Abby.

The soundtrack for The Last of Us Part II featured a collaboration with Mac Quayle for the combat scenes. His tracks maintain a sense of urgency and establish a suffocating atmosphere, accurately reflecting the tension of the gameplay. In addition to the original compositions, the game also features covers of renowned artists, most notably Future Days by Pearl Jam*, the theme song that defines the relationship between Joel and Ellie in the story.

Music was an essential part of the immersion in Horizon Zero Dawn, released in 2017. The soundtrack, composed by Joris de Man, in collaboration with the duo The Flight and other artists, combines tribal instruments, electronic and orchestral layers to bring the post-apocalyptic universe to life. The contrast between the ancestral tone and the futuristic sound translates the protagonist's encounter with a world dominated by machines and wild nature.

Tracks like Aloy's Theme and Meridian have become icons of the franchise, marking the journey of a heroine who must deal with her own identity while facing colossal challenges. The music doesn't just accompany the scenes, but acts as an extension of the character's emotions, reinforcing the narrative impact at decisive moments.

In Horizon Forbidden West, from 2022, the soundtrack takes on new contours without losing the essence established in the first game. Composers such as Niels van der Leest and Oleksa Lozowchuk joined de Man to create an even grander experience.

Recreating one of the greatest RPGs of all time, which defined a generation of gamers, is no easy task. Square Enix accepted the challenge and delivered, in the two chapters of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, one of the most remarkable audiovisual experiences in video games of the last decade.

Beyond recreating the world and characters of the original game, deepening them with new narrative layers, the project also enhanced the acclaimed 1997 soundtrack. The remarkable work of Nobuo Uematsu was given new life, alongside new songs like Hollow, a theme performed by Yosh, vocalist of the band Survive Said The Prophet.

Famous songs from the original game were expanded and reworked. The world map song has been given a fresh twist in the Wildlands regions of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, while boss themes like J.E.N.O.V.A. and One-Winged Angel have received new versions that, without abandoning the essence that made them famous, sound more powerful than ever.

The soundtrack for God of War (2018) marked a turning point for the series into a new phase. Composed by Bear McCreary, it abandoned the purely epic tone of previous titles and brought a deeper, more emotional identity. The main theme, guided by deep male choirs and heavy percussion, blended with tracks like Memories of Mother, presents a more delicate side of Kratos, reflecting his relationship with Atreus and showing that, behind the relentless warrior, lies a father in transformation.

In the sequel, God of War Ragnarök, McCreary expands this sonic universe. The foundation established in 2018 is present, but the soundtrack explores instruments and influences from Norse mythology with greater depth. Highlights include special guest appearances, such as the singer Eivør, who reinforces the mystical and dark atmosphere, and Hozier, responsible for more introspective moments.

While most of the games mentioned so far rely on music to deepen narratives and generate emotional impact, the soundtrack of Astro Bot has an objective aligned with that of the game, voted Best of the Year in 2024: to provide pure fun through a complete experience.

The songs, composed by Kenny Young, are lively, almost danceable, and establish a fun and energetic atmosphere that perfectly complements the title's gameplay. Tracks like I am Astro Bot or Crash Site stick in the listeners' minds, even when they’re far from the controller and the colorful robot they command on the screen.

The wait for a remaster of Bloodborne may be far from over, but if there's one element of the title that will always be highlighted by fans, it's its soundtrack. This is especially true for the boss battle tracks, which players listen to repeatedly while desperately trying to dodge attacks, perform the perfect parry, and avoid seeing, for the tenth or hundredth time, the infamous "You Died" on the screen.

Composed by a talented team that includes Cris Velasco, Yuka Kitamura, and Ryan Amon, among others, Bloodborne delivers the perfect blend of epic choruses and a Gothic-Victorian atmosphere. The result establishes the ideal link between the tension of the confrontations and the game's aesthetics, with supreme moments in tracks like Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower and Orphan of Kos.

Ghost of Tsushima is a feast that blends aesthetic and presentational beauty with intuitive yet challenging gameplay. Following the story of Jin Sakai as he faces the dilemma between saving his people and maintaining his honor makes the journey captivating, even when the only sound is ambient: the leaves under the protagonist's feet, the trotting of the horse, or the distant whisper of a fox.

Ilan Eshkeri and Shigeru Umebayashi did an exemplary job. When the songs begin, even in minimalist tones—such as when Jin encounters a small enemy army—they offer an experience that integrates traditional Japanese music with orchestra in an almost perfect marriage.

The soundtrack of Death Stranding is one of the most defining elements of the experience created by Hideo Kojima. Ludvig Forssell composed dark and atmospheric pieces, which blend with more delicate arrangements to translate the protagonist's loneliness in a fragmented world. The use of music by the band Low Roar is one of the game's greatest assets: they play at key moments in the journey and function almost like a silent embrace, giving the player the feeling that, even amidst the emptiness, there’s still room for hope.

In Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Forssell expands this sound universe without losing its identity. The new soundtrack maintains the melancholic tone that marked the first game, but adds more layers of intensity, alternating between calm, almost contemplative passages, and bursts of tension that accompany the most dramatic points of the narrative. The special guest appearances also deserve mention.

The collaboration with Woodkid, for example, adds extra emotional weight, bringing new textures that make the experience even more immersive. And we can't forget the iconic Ludens, by the band Bring Me the Horizon, a song created for the game that became one of the best-known songs from the band's Post Human era.

Soundtracks add an extra layer to the act of imagining in video games. They function as a portal for players to immerse themselves in the plot, the characters, and the world in which they’re set, conveying emotions, adding urgency, and often becoming part of the fans' routine through their headphones.

The recognition of the importance of these compositions has gone beyond the screens, and video game music has gained greater prominence in live performances, bringing orchestras to stages and stadiums around the world.