As someone who appreciates classical music, it’s somewhat disheartening that most new compositions today seem to originate from media like films or video games. After all, it’s these projects that still have the budget to hire full symphony orchestras, where modern classical composers often find their main opportunities. However, it’s not just classical composers who are pushing boundaries. The video game industry boasts several truly innovative artists.

Mick Gordon’s work on *Doom (2016)* was groundbreaking, and the music by Keiichi Okabe and his team for *NieR: Automata* is some of the finest they’ve ever heard. Period. It would also be remiss not to mention Nobuo Uematsu, whose work on the *Final Fantasy* series is nothing short of superlative. When it comes to retro video game music, innovation often arose from the limitations of early technology, giving birth to genres like “chiptunes.”

Perfect Music for Work or Relaxation

Unlike most music we know, video game musics are specifically designed to remain create a various mood or soundscape in the background without over riding the in-game sound. This makes them, much like popular genres such as Lo-Fi, ideal for listening to while focusing on other tasks.

Many of their written pieces have been accompanied by the *Final Fantasy* soundtrack or selections from their favorite RPGs, and much like non-video game soundtracks or classical music, one doesn’t need to be familiar with the game to appreciate the artistry of the music itself.

A Vast Range of Covers and Reinterpretations

Because video games have such a passionate fan base, it’s no surprise that musicians love to reinterpret game music. These reinterpretations can take many forms, from covers in various styles and genres to direct adaptations of the original chiptune compositions into full-band or orchestral arrangements. Video game music has inspired immense creativity, and thanks to platforms like YouTube and Spotify, there are many incredible performances by talented musicians. One standout performance includes Sam Griffen’s exceptional take on the *Super Mario 2* soundtrack.

The video game music fans offer a deep pool of creativity for those who are musicians themselves or simply interested in music. The video game music world provides a wide range of opportunities to explore.

Video Game Music Often Tells a Story

Even without knowing the game or the storyline of a game, one can easily know the narrative carried by the music. There is an impression when the storyline is sad, tragic, passionate, or dramatic. What makes the listener amazed is how the skill is able to guarantee the emotional rhythm of a story through instrumental sounds alone.

So, while they identify as a gamer, they don’t limit their appreciation of video game music to just titles they’ve experienced firsthand.

You Might Gain an Appreciation for the Medium

Even if video games aren’t of interest, listening to some of the best music the medium has to offer might provide an appreciation for the overall artistry involved in game design and creation. Video game is not just a simple entertainment; the art form involved is phenomenal and unlike any other medium. If the music alone impresses, just imagine how immersive it can be when actually playing the game.