Deus Ex (2000). When describing soundtracks, "ambient" is almost a dirty word; basically another way of saying "there's no real melody and it's forgettable." Composed by former tracker/demoscene musician Alexander Brandon, the Deus Ex OST takes a plasma rifle to that definition: it's utterly melodious and in no way forgettable. Soothing, ethereal, and zen-like, these tunes feels like they're straight from a future where humanity has been augmented beyond its need for simple melody. This string of irresistible earworms set the tone for cyberpunk as we know it: mashing up tense symphonic arrangements with a healthy helping of groovalicious synth. And strange as this combination may seem, the jazz meets classical meets techno soundtrack is a pitch perfect companion for the dystopian conspiracy thriller.

Resident Evil 3 Nemesis (original)

I never head much interest in videogame music (or music in general) before I played it and was amused in its haunting soundtrack that perfectly resonates the atmosphere of the ruined and abandoned Raccoon City. And the constant dread of hearing Nemesis's themes, he's nearby and he's here, keep the adrenalin going just as much as the constant lack of ammunition. And when its over you get "Staff and Credits", one of the few pieces of music so memorable they kept it in the remake (Res 2 remake drops its original ending songs). "Staff and Credits" is also one of the few tracks I have gone to YouTube just to listen to other fans covers, its popular enough alone, there's thousands out there. Its properly mostly just nostalgia given I was 10 when I first played but its still a title I will play though again just to get the satisfaction of finishing it on hard to listen to "Staff and credits".

Currently my favorite soundtrack is that of Black Book
I was awestrucked when the chamber-style and powerful
female choir in "Little Fir Tree" suddenly was heard in a playlist
I have at work... There are several tracks here that I enjoy.
Game-vice they seem a-typical... But, this music is befitting the
atmosphere in-game, and is music I otherwise would love to
listen to seperately or buy on other services or media

The SNES Drakkhen soundtrack. It's such a shame that the PC version is not blessed with the amazing, beautiful melodies, that enchant the console version.

The music has a powerfully moving, nostalgia inducing, oneiric quality to it; when I listen to the music of Drakkhen, it feels as if I am dreaming. There are so many emotions expressed with each track, conveying heroism, tragedy, glory and sorrow. And it's not just that, the sounds also pull you into whatever area you are exploring: if you are moving through the desert zone, the music actually makes you feel as if you are within a One Thousand and One Nights story; as you are traversing a forest during night time, the music feels so moody and mysterious, as if you are trying to be as careful as possible, not to attract the attention of some denizen of the night, while gazing at the beautiful night sky; just make sure you don't stare at the wrong constellation, it may swoop down and attack you (this can actually happen!)

I am grateful for all sorts of music that I have experienced during my video game career, but even after more than three decades, even after listening to masteful compositions, very few of them have touched me in the magnificent way, that the SNES Drakkhen soundtrack does, through a perfect harmony between music and gameplay; the encounters, the adventures and misadventures, that I have experienced in Drakkhen, are forever engraved in my soul, as I relive them over and over again, just by listening to the tracks. To this day, I play the soundtrack whenever I play board games and tabletop roleplaying games with my family and friends, and those of them that have heard those sounds for the first time, always tell me the same: "I love that music, where is it from?" And I answer with a smile on my face, and a distant look in my eyes.

The most memorable soundtracks for me are the World of Warcraft soundtracks up to Wrath of the Lich King and Pillars of Eternity.

I remember watching Critical Role back then and was wondering why it was so calming and familiar, then I noticed that they were playing the World of Warcraft tunes from the Elwynn Forest and The Barrens in the back ground while role playing.

In their pause they would show fan art and played Twin Elms from Pillars of Eternity.

Sneaky.

It's the beautiful "Auriel's ascension" taken from Elder scrolls IV:Oblivion, composed by Jeremy Soule. Simply wandering through Oblivion's landscape and listening to this song is pure joy. Monumental ...

Hollow Knight's soundtrack with eyes (or ears) closed.

There're a few soundtracks which are intrinsic to certain audiovisual experience and Christopher Larkin's is one of them, it's an absolute banger of emotional depth and character which makes Hallownest the world that it is and the reason why many gamers love the game to bits. Listen to 'Enter Hallownest', 'Dirtmouth', 'Hornet', 'Mantis Lords', 'Hollow Knight', etc. Impossible not to like it and even shed a tear or two. Such a masterpiece, so good!

"American McGee's Alice" (2000)
One of the best soundtrack for me. It fits perfectly the theme and spirit of the game, it even amplifies and sublimates the game.
If you listen to it separately it brings so much images and feelings in your imagination, even without knowing the game.
The balance between sounds, music and atmosphere is perfect : it is so well tuned. And I find the composition very varied and original.

In short, it's perfect if you like dark atmosphere :)


Some suggestions of other awesome soundtracks (it's really hard to put only one) :
- Command & Conquer : Red Alert 2
- All 2Ds Castlevanias
- Undertale
- Cuphead
- Henry Hatsworth (2009, on DS)

This is a tough one, there are several, and most are single tracks that are memorable.
But for one:

Bloodborne soundtrack (got the LP)

But runnerups must be:
Doom (2016) (Got the LP)
Assassins creed 2
The witcher 2
Star Craft
Heroes of Might and Magic 3

To you GOG guys, is it possible to produce a lp with all the witcher games soundtracks?

Very hard question - I guess if I had to pick 3 I'd choose:

Vigil from the first Mass Effect - always reminds me of the scene it played in which to me is one of the best moments I ever experienced in a video game (the 2nd link is a huge spoiler for anyone that hasn't played Mass Effect)

The Soundtrack of "To the Moon" - especially "For River" is also is up there with my favorites

The Intro Music from Oblivion

Honorable mention to The Gaunter o' Dimm Theme from Witcher 3

Morrowind
That game was a big part of my childhood.

Most memorable: Heroes of Might and Magic 2. I played this until the soundtrack was burned into my brain. Great game and each track oozes atmosphere. Each one of the town themes is a work of art and the winter/snow theme is sublime.

Best overall: Heroes of Might and Mag..........I kid. The best soundtrack to a video game I have played has got to be:

HOLLOW KNIGHT. Wow. Just wow.

Mechwarrior 2

The composition was outstanding and really elevated the immersion of the game. It would also play when popped into a normal CD player which was fun.

Warlords Battlecry 3

This one has only ten tracks but it's main menu theme is the most memorable. I'll never forget the feelings that overwhelmed me when I was, many years ago, entering the game and first thing was hearing this beautiful piece of music. I't's something special in that energetic rhythm, drums paired with gentle tone of flutes. My heart was beating quicker in anticipation of great battles that lie before me. Perfect melody for an fantasy RTS game, one could really feel greatness in it. Even today I get goosebumps when hearing it, and it brings memory of a great game I was enjoying very much.

It was the opening point for me, together with soundtracks from Titan Quest and HoMM 4, to start getting soundtracks and enjoying them outside of games. As a relaxation method, or providing ambient to work environment. Truly an art in it's own form. 8-)

It is really hard to choose actually. Doom soundtracks are always so good and compatible with the gameplay.
But the most memorable one for me is MAX PAYNE's soundtrack. Now i think of it, the main theme alone brings back many memories. It reflects both the story of game and characteristic of Max pretty good. All these years later, it still gets you and wakes an urge to play the masterpiece again.
I think that is the most important thing in a soundtrack. It should support the game's purpose, remind you of your time with the game and make you want to come back to it.