Summary
A good title theme in a video game can make a good game even better, and doing so will provide players with an even further obligation to sit through the title screen before they click the start button and dive straight into the story.
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Many critically acclaimed titles have incredibly meaningful themes packed full of various emotions, and the careful curation of themes from games that are many years old has made them hold their immense cultural and nostalgic value even now.
10Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley’stheme is an amalgamation of sweetness and serenity, culminating together to make a theme that is warm and tranquil. It perfectly portrays the intensity ofStardew Valleythrough this theme, indicative of a relaxing game that players shouldn’t take too seriously.
It is further illustrative of the sweet and simple duties that the player must undertake on their grandfathers precious farmland, making the player feel reminiscent of a bygone era that they never experienced. As players raise crops, catch fish, build budding relationships with the townspeople, and fight monsters in the mines, the theme serves as a unifying thread, weaving it all together into a harmonious melody that players will never forget.
9The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
As a piano playsOcarina of Time’sopening notes, Link elegantly rides across Hyrule Field on Epona. Fans will have watched in awe at the first visuals the game would have presented to them, and the scene is one that is deeply ingrained into the minds of millions of fans - even 25 years later.
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Being one of the most critically acclaimed titles of all time, it is fitting to have a score worthy of such a title, and the theme cleverly captures a sense of wonder and beauty with its soft, soothing melody played on an Ocarina, allowing players to feel excited about the adventures that await them all across Hyrule.
8Dark Souls 3
Beginning immediately with an intense singing choir, the title embodiesDark Soulsin all its glory. It encapsulates feelings of dread, fear, and enigma, all of which the player must embrace to unravel the many mysteries of the land.
As the theme gradually develops more pace, players can understand the kind of story and gameplay that they are in for, as they will soon be immersed in a rich, unguided adventure in a place that isguaranteed to bring every player to their knees.
7Fallout 3
Fallout 3’stitular theme is the perfect embodiment of isolation in a post-nuclear world, and players can grasp the notion of its fallen state, as well as the uncertainty of its future, inFallout 3’s title’s opening moments.
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The theme further explores ideas of heroism and courage as it progresses with various orchestral instruments, and Fallout 3’s theme cleverly portrays the mood of the game, symbolic of survivorswho look to repair the world and its peopleto a state of previous civilization in any way they can.
6Halo
For a franchise that has been around since the early 2000s, it has seen immense success through the years asone of the most iconic games ever made, and it’s still leading the front for Microsoft and Xbox to this day.
From the momentHalo’stitle theme begins, players feel like they are involved in something greater than themselves. The iconicHalochoir bears immense nostalgia for many and is welcomed with open arms to millions of pop culture memes that keep bringing fans back to the games. The theme inspires players with feelings of courage and determination, idealistic traits from designers and developers that encourage players to never give up and to finish the fight.
5Call Of Duty: Black Ops 2
The title theme forBlack Ops 2is a highly nostalgic track that lets many fans close their eyes, and return to the once glorious days of the game. Composed by the ridiculously talented Trent Reznor, he cleverly portrays an array of emotions in a carefully curated track,capturing the adrenaline of battlewhilst simultaneously portraying the various struggles that the main characters have to face during the events of the game.
Players understand the notion that the theme is building up to something great, but are left in the dark as it gradually builds. For players that have completed the story, this gradual build has an incredibly dark payoff and is a brilliant twist that many would have never seen coming.
4Super Smash Bros: Melee
Renowned for its ultra-fun,couch multiplayer gameplay, there are few games that can ignite a room full of friends with passion quite likeSuper Smash Bros: Melee.This theme in particular is unique in its clever design, and as players hear this competitive, upbeat tune, they will feel ahunger for battle, eager to get one over on their friends.
Through the theme, players get a sense that they are jumping into an experience that they will never forget, as the cultural impact and sense of nostalgia it provides for new and older players alike, has allowed Melee to even have competitive success today.
3Divinity: Original Sin 2
Divinity: Original Sin 2’s title track is one that evokes a sense of adventure. The theme gradually transforms into a piece that accurately portrays the heroism and courage of thecharacter, enticing players to playDivinity: Original Sin 2and get invested in its story.
The orchestral choir that sings as the theme lifts evokes a sense of holiness, a divine presence linked to many characters in the game. The emotional impact of the theme culminates into one that many players can listen to time and time again without ever getting bored.
2The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
TheSkyrimtheme is one of the most iconic soundtracks ever made, and its longevity 12 years after its release shows no signs of slowing down. Players will instantly experience a feeling of euphoria pumping through their veins as the low drum beatand chanting voices build up to something great.
The anticipation as the music climbs feeds into a compelling mystery that players will soon explore. The music perfectly encapsulates an adventure through a fantastical land, and it holds the players' attention for its entirety, pulling them in with intrigue as they ready themselves for one of the many thrilling lands of Tamriel.
1The Last Of Us
With a perfect instrumental theme, Gustavo Santaolalla left no crumbs when he created this masterpiece forThe Last of Us. The theme is played almost entirely on a ronroco, an instrument similar to a guitar, and it delivers every step of the way, captivating audiences with a track that resonates deeply with listeners.
The theme isexpertlycrafted in accordancewith the hard-hitting narrative of the game, curated in a way that allows players to really understand the various emotions Joel and Ellie experience as they traverse through every kind of danger imaginable in such a brutal world. It also evokes a feeling of hope, one that players must cling to in the effort that they can guide their protagonists through the adversity that stands in their path.
