# Video game music that sends chills up your spine **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 23, 2017, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-game-music-that-sends-chills-up-your-spine/789676 "2017-06-23T12:56:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Malden\_Capell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malden_capell/32/5274_2.png) [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-game-music-that-sends-chills-up-your-spine/789676/1 "2017-06-23T12:56:00Z")
As the title. (slow day at work today) When you’re feeling in the mood to be emotionally moved by music in a video game, do you have favourites? Right now I’m loving the rendition of ‘Prelude’ in [Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqjtm5m1r54). It’s a short, repetitive tune, but it electrifies me every time it repeats. I’ve also discovered ‘The Last Chapter’ from [Tales of the Abyss](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqjtm5m1r54), which sounds awesome. There’s the [Xenoblade Chronicles](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OxpAqDc4JE) Opening theme And finally one from my childhood, the credits theme to Terranigma on the SNES. And I’ve found [this stirring arrangement](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtLErFa256A). Of course, for many the emotions stirred by the songs are bound up with the experiences and stories surrounding them, but I hope they are still nice to listen to nevertheless. Feel free to post your own 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrogance_ex_machina/32/192_2.png) [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrogance_Ex_Machina)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-game-music-that-sends-chills-up-your-spine/789676/2 "2017-06-23T13:18:42Z")
The Darkest Dungeon’s music (and the whole sound design with the narrator and the sound effects) stands out from the bunch of games I’ve been playing recently. Every boss has their own music ([here is Siren’s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d8JWq0N-r4)) and every dungeon’s music changes according to your light level, getting grimmer, more haunting and more urgent as your torch sputters and light dims. Best sound design in any game I’ve ever played, really. And I’ve been playing games for 30 years. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-game-music-that-sends-chills-up-your-spine/789676/3 "2017-06-23T14:03:34Z")
NES Ultima: Quest of the Avatar (I think that was IV in the United States). In the inn in Brittania, there’s a bard you can talk to who says “We have been waiting such a very long time”, and then the background music changes to [the song he’s playing for you](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4zIvKv70SM). ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-game-music-that-sends-chills-up-your-spine/789676/4 "2017-06-23T14:12:14Z")
It’s a simple pleasure, but Minecraft has added some really nice background music recently. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-game-music-that-sends-chills-up-your-spine/789676/5 "2017-06-23T14:38:43Z")
The [Katamari Damacy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_the_Katamari_Damacy_series) series had music so awesome they released a soundtrack. _Gauntlet: Dark Legacy_ on the PS2 had a level called the Desecrated Temple where the music was an EDM version of monks chanting that was really cool to play at loud volumes. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-game-music-that-sends-chills-up-your-spine/789676/6 "2017-06-23T14:50:07Z")
Do [Simple and Clean](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UigzN-4JR14) and [Sanctuary](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im5tc4fcg5w) count? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-game-music-that-sends-chills-up-your-spine/789676/7 "2017-06-23T14:51:01Z")
Lots of people seem to dislike **Mass Effect 3** , particularly its ending - but I love it, and one huge reason for that is [this piece of music](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLxv_g_zQkY). Stick around to the end. (The Mass Effect series has some great music in general - check out [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXCM0lZxh4U), and [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVSsJzSK-H8)). ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-game-music-that-sends-chills-up-your-spine/789676/8 "2017-06-23T15:08:26Z")
From Eternal Darkness: I wouldn’t really call this music but it’s really spooky: There’s also some music they play when you start going insane that’s quite creepy as well. The music they use in Shadowman when he’s going though the “kindergarten” is creepy as well. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-game-music-that-sends-chills-up-your-spine/789676/9 "2017-06-23T15:38:32Z")
The opening chords of the Civilization Theme (Civilization, no Bloody 2,3,4,5 or 6) Pa pa paaa pa pa paaaan. (shivers) ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-game-music-that-sends-chills-up-your-spine/789676/10 "2017-06-23T15:50:28Z")
Stellaris has the best background music ever, imo. I wish I could have it playing on a loop in my real life. Its ambienty and somehow is enjoyable but doesn’t effect that part of the brain that is involved in concentration. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-game-music-that-sends-chills-up-your-spine/789676/11 "2017-06-23T16:29:45Z")
Most of [Michael Giacchino’s oeuvre](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLiRgNFvfGw). ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-game-music-that-sends-chills-up-your-spine/789676/12 "2017-06-23T16:40:27Z")
Jeremy Soule’s soundtrack for the Elder Scrolls games Morrowind, Oblivion & Skyrim – especially Morrowind – is heavenly. The SNES game Earthbound has some fantastic music; my favorite is [the final boss’s theme.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4z82byt5mA) ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-game-music-that-sends-chills-up-your-spine/789676/13 "2017-06-23T16:43:39Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > Jeremy Soule’s soundtrack for the Elder Scrolls games Morrowind, Oblivion & Skyrim – especially Morrowind – is heavenly. > > The SNES game Earthbound has some fantastic music; my favorite is [the final boss’s theme.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4z82byt5mA) +1 for the Morrowind soundtrack. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-game-music-that-sends-chills-up-your-spine/789676/14 "2017-06-23T17:49:11Z")
The three Elder Scroll Main Themes by Jeremy Soule - [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/EMao-aSeO2w/maxresdefault.jpg "The Elder Scrolls III - V Main Themes - Morrowind, Oblivion, Skyrim") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMao-aSeO2w) So many memories … ---
**Author:** ![yellow\_sausage\_bandit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yellow_sausage_bandit/32/394_2.png) [@yellow\_sausage\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellow_sausage_bandit)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-game-music-that-sends-chills-up-your-spine/789676/15 "2017-06-23T17:57:06Z")
[Streets of Rage 2 Boss fight music.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFcdQObbT8o) [The actual boss fight.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTYJI9oVk_A) ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-game-music-that-sends-chills-up-your-spine/789676/16 "2017-06-23T18:59:23Z")
It’s not musical, but Sinistar’s “Beware, I live!” still causes me to tense slightly, and I haven’t played it (or even seen an arcade version of it) for about thirty years. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-game-music-that-sends-chills-up-your-spine/789676/17 "2017-06-23T19:06:31Z")
I like the [Windmill Song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGvNVcM6AkI) from Ocarina of Time. ---
**Author:** ![awldune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@awldune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/awldune)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-game-music-that-sends-chills-up-your-spine/789676/18 "2017-06-23T20:00:17Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Stellaris has the best background music ever, imo. I wish I could have it playing on a loop in my real life. Its ambienty and somehow is enjoyable but doesn’t effect that part of the brain that is involved in concentration. This, and the rest of Andreas Waldetoft’s work (Europa Universalis, Crusader Kings) are amazing. I feel like he could be an Oscar-winning composer if he ditched Paradox for Hollywood. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-game-music-that-sends-chills-up-your-spine/789676/19 "2017-06-23T20:35:58Z")
I have the themes to Morrowwind and Arcanum (an obscure RPG from 15 years ago) on my current playlist. I enjoy both a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Scoobysnax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@Scoobysnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scoobysnax)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-game-music-that-sends-chills-up-your-spine/789676/20 "2017-06-23T22:24:40Z")
One of my favorites is the NIN background music for the original Quake game in 1996. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-game-music-that-sends-chills-up-your-spine/789676.md?page=2)