Top 10 Indie soundtracks
In music, indie is often used as a subgenre: Indie rock, indie hip-hop, indi-ans ... predictable gag. Indie stands for 'independent', usually in relation to larger labels. Artists who don't swim in the mainstream, but in the curious tributaries that are sometimes more and sometimes less rousing. In my experience, there are three things that distinguish this category from the main genres: more creativity, more risk and mixed quality. Because not everything 'edgy' is necessarily good. But this list is not about bad. No, it's to praise the top 10 best indie game soundtracks!
For this selection, I again use the total number of tracks that I have rated with 5 stars as an indicator and note these under "5-star tracks". So it's not about the average rating of the albums, but only about which one impressed me with the most tracks. However, as this list is about indie franchises, there will hardly be any follow-ups anyway. Even if scores with lots of tracks have an advantage, this top 10 list will probably be the most meaningful in terms of the respective albums. Because where there are many good tracks, quality can be expected.
Like in my Top 10 Sci-Fi-Scores-Liste I will note that, apart from the obligatory comment that this is my personal taste, this list also reflects the current status of my ratings. I haven't heard every game soundtrack out there and if I don't know one or two insider tips, all the better! Because then I still have something to look forward to musically. So feel free to write a comment if I've overlooked a gem. I'm delighted, I really am! But now: curtain up for my secret stars of the soundtrack cosmos!
Number 10-7
I'll start my list with one of the few games that I've already written a review about: Bastion. The score of Bastion is symptomatic for the factors I mentioned at the beginning: creativity, risk, quality. Country guitar sounds and campfire songs paired with bass and electric guitars? Sounds like a daring mixture that can work. And it does so over long stretches, although the balancing act between relaxation and headbanging is not always entirely harmonious. Nevertheless, this niche score lands at number 10 on my list. And considering how many indie games there are out there, that's still a good spot.
9
Year: 2014
Composer(s): Ian Livingstone; Peter McConnell
5 star tracks: 6
There's not much that mus be said about Valiant Hearts . Even if my brother would say otherwise, it tells a very beautiful story about friendship, loss and hope in the turmoil of the First World War. And the soundtrack is just as moving, skillfully alternating between tragedy and dance, suffering and love, or struggle and hope. The piano pieces in particular ("Little Trinketry", "Broken Wing" and "Nurture") are real must-listens. But feel free to read my review about Valiant Hearts, I go a little deeper in my analysis. So much praise only for the 9th place in this list? What other highlights are there?
People who have never heared of Valley : No worries. I didn't know the game either until I saw a review video of it on YouTube. The gameplay seemed underwhelming, so did the graphics and overall it looked more like a physics demo from the 2010s. But during this test video, I heard the sentence that led me astray as often as it led me to treasure: "The game has a great soundtrack." How could I resist? And since Valley now finds itself on this list, it was well worth a listen. The score does not impress with its complexity or variety. Like in Furi , the action tracks are particularly convincing here, creating a pleasantly driving atmosphere similar to the score for the sci-fi series Battlestar Galactica .
The name Dead Cells always rings true in my head, because it was the game that we used to present alongside SpellForce: The Order of Dawn in the first episode of our "WohnGameinschaft"-series. And I still remember exactly what tester Noel's verdict was: "Crap game that's not as much fun as Dark Souls." Admittedly, it was the Early Access version, but for me it was burned. It turned out to be a pretty good game after the official release, but my opinion was set.
Since bad game doesn't necessarily mean bad soundtrack, as you can see from the Assassin’s Creed–series, I listened to the score and was surprised. I liked the mixture of driving percussion and oriental string plucking, which creates a pleasant flow and brings back memories of running passages from the early Prince of Persia-games.
Number 6-4
The soundtrack of World of Goo was one of the first indie scores that landed in my home collection at the beginning of my 'career' - and what a record it is. It's so simple, so cuddly, so happy. And then again depressing and wistful in some places, without becoming ponderous. It's like a good rom-com where you've laughed a lot and don't really want to cry, but then somehow a cascade of emotion starts to flow. To quote myself at this point: "Kyle Gabler shows an imaginable but unexpected compositional sensitivity that impresses and moves me." You can find more of these lofty words in my review of World of Goo as well as the soundtrack which can be downloaded on Gabler's homepage for free.
This game is insane. Not in the sense of insanely good, but insanely crazy. The story is simple: four knights work together to free a princess. But anyone expecting stories of brave warriors and noble battles will be disappointed by the comedic fireworks. In Castle Crashers fights with giant cats and deer with diarrhea are among the normal things. Entertaining brawling fun, accompanied by an even more entertaining soundtrack.
This was contributed by the community of the website Newgrounds beigesteuert, die in die Entwicklung des Side-Scroll-Hack-and-Slashs involviert war. Deshalb gibt es auch nicht einen Komponisten, sondern 20 mit unterschiedlichen Styles und Genres. Eine wilde Mischung von durchwachsener Qualität, die aber perfekt zu diesem irrwitzigen Couch-Koop passt. Ein paar der Tracks gibt’s übrigens auf Newground homepage. So if you want to have a listen, you are welcome to do so.
It was clear that he had to appear here. However, I was surprised to see soundtrack of Plants vs. Zombies so high up. But then again, I wasn't. After all, almost all the background songs for the different map types are great, the variations are entertaining and the credit song is a real catchy tune. And I haven't even listened to the score of Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare yet, which will certainly include a few nice tracks - I'll write it down in my to-dos. But that won't affect this list any more ... I digress. 4th place: Plants vs. ZombiesDeserved, even without the nostalgia!
Thus we enter the home stretch, where we will find 2 indie game series and a first place, which has made it to the top of the Top 10 Indie Scores as a single game.
Number 3-1
3
Ori
contains Ori and the Blind Forest (2016) | Ori and the Will of the Wisps (2020)
Year: 2016-2020
Composer(s): Gareth Coker
5 star tracks: 13
I just recently played the successor Ori and the Will of the Wisps of the great Ori and the Blind Forest and was pleased to discover that improvements have been made in all areas: The skill system is more fun, the world is varied as usual and the graphics are as pretty as ever. At the same time, the soundtrack is once again at a high level. Orchestral, touching and bombastic. A fable about a forest spirit who has to compete with greater powers, which is appropriately captured and reinforced by the music. When we face an almost overpowering enemy, we feel tiny and powerless. But when we gain the upper hand in battle, the soundtrack sounds grandiose, the orchestra monumental and the triumph is all the sweeter. A worthy third place for the two Ori-series and a definite endorsement from me.
I had just written that World of Goo was one of my first scores, while it was this indie gem that really got my collecting craze going. I loved the soundtrack to the first Trine so so much! You can imagine my devastation when I asked my piano teacher to play it with me in class and he refused, saying it sounded too much like 'Mickey Mouse music' for him. I was hurt and sad. Why should the magical sounds of this piece be worth less than Brahms or Debussy?
I eventually learned that not everyone shared my taste in music and unfortunately it wasn't until much later that I realized that wasn't a bad thing. And that I didn't have to be ashamed of my passion. That's why I think it's all the nicer that such a personal milestone has made it to number 2. Not for sentimental reasons, but because I think this fairytale music is simply beautiful. No matter whether Trine or his successor, Trine 2, the light-footedness of the score is a balm in the sometimes so bitterly serious soundtrack business. Although this applies more to the big studios, to the AAA productions, and not to the little gems that can shine without ten floodlights.
If we stick with this metaphor, there is one gem that, in my opinion, outshines all other indie scores and even puts entire series in the shade. But which indie game, which indie soundtrack could it be?
There could really only be one winner, because the Child of Light-score is pure sugar. So sweet that it makes you happy. So beautiful that it's addictive. And so intense that it erodes your teeth and leaves you crying and drooling. It is classical music and drama, like a silent opera whose voice is the orchestra. Grandiose, uplifting, devastating.
While the actual game isn't particularly challenging and its beautiful art style can't make up for the limited content, the experience is worth it for the score alone. A bull's eye that puts the fable in 'fabulous' and masterfully balances on the fine line between cheesy and artistic. You don't necessarily have to be a gamer to enjoy this acoustic masterpiece by Cœur de Pirate. But the visual input combined with the lovely story about a young princess trying to save her kingdom makes for a wonderful experience that is etched in my memory. It's simply epic, simply beautiful and a well-deserved #1 on my list of best indie scores as of August 2021!
Title | Interpret(en) | Album | |
---|---|---|---|
A Proper Story | Darren Korb | Bastion | |
Bynn the Breaker | Darren Korb | Bastion | |
From Wharf to Wilds | Darren Korb | Bastion | |
Setting Sail, Coming Home (End Theme) | Ashley Barrett; Darren Korb | Bastion | |
Terminal March | Darren Korb | Bastion | |
Broken Wing | Clinton Patrick Rusich | Valiant Hearts: The Great War | |
Dream Within Dreams | Ian Livingstone | Valiant Hearts: The Great War | |
Escape the Apocalypse | Moritz Bintig; Francisco Becker | Valiant Hearts: The Great War | |
In the Line of Fire | John Devereaux | Valiant Hearts: The Great War | |
Little Trinketry | Daniel Jacob Teper | Valiant Hearts: The Great War | |
Nurture | Stephen Mark Satterthwaite; Alex Johnson; Christopher James Allen | Valiant Hearts: The Great War | |
Escape from Astra | Aakaash Rao | Valley | |
Pandora's Heart | Aakaash Rao | Valley | |
Reflection (feat. Deryn Cullen) | Aakaash Rao | Valley | |
Restore the Balance | Aakaash Rao | Valley | |
The Wendigo | Aakaash Rao | Valley | |
Thundering Charge | Aakaash Rao | Valley | |
Valley (feat. Zefora Alderman, Deryn Cullen & Lucian Nagy) | Aakaash Rao | Valley | |
Clocktower | Yoann Laulan [Valmont de Ragondas] | Dead Cells | |
Elite Fight | Yoann Laulan [Valmont de Ragondas] | Dead Cells | |
Prisoner's Awakening | Yoann Laulan [Valmont de Ragondas] | Dead Cells | |
Prison's Rooftop | Yoann Laulan [Valmont de Ragondas] | Dead Cells | |
The Castle | Yoann Laulan [Valmont de Ragondas] | Dead Cells | |
The Temple | Yoann Laulan [Valmont de Ragondas] | Dead Cells | |
Fractured Shrines | Yoann Laulan [Valmont de Ragondas] | Dead Cells: Fatal Falls | |
Distillery | Yoann Laulan [Valmont de Ragondas] | Dead Cells: Fatal Falls | |
The Tragic Prince | Yoann Laulan [Valmont de Ragondas] | Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania | |
Best of Times | Kyle Gabler | World of Goo | |
Brave Adventurers | Kyle Gabler | World of Goo | |
Burning Man | Kyle Gabler | World of Goo | |
Jelly | Kyle Gabler | World of Goo | |
Ode to the Bridge Builder | Kyle Gabler | World of Goo | |
Rain Rain Windy Windy | Kyle Gabler | World of Goo | |
Red Carpet Extend-o-matic | Kyle Gabler | World of Goo | |
The Goo Filled Hills | Kyle Gabler | World of Goo | |
Four Brave Champions | DavidOrr | Castle Crashers | |
Techock | Waterflame | Castle Crashers | |
Dark Skies | Selcuk & Mandi | Castle Crashers | |
Till Death Do You Part | The Behemoth | Castle Crashers | |
Rage of the Champions | Selcuk & Mandi | Castle Crashers | |
Chaoz Japan | ParagonX9 | Castle Crashers | |
Archetype | Helix6 | Castle Crashers | |
Race Around the World [Bonus] | Waterflame | Castle Crashers | |
Brainiac Maniac [In-Game] | Laura Shigihara | Plants vs. Zombies | |
Cerebrawl | Laura Shigihara | Plants vs. Zombies | |
Crazy Dave [In-Game] | Laura Shigihara | Plants vs. Zombies | |
Grasswalk [In-Game] | Laura Shigihara | Plants vs. Zombies | |
Graze the Roof [In-Game] | Laura Shigihara | Plants vs. Zombies | |
Loonboon [In-Game] | Laura Shigihara | Plants vs. Zombies | |
Moongrains [In-Game] | Laura Shigihara | Plants vs. Zombies | |
Ultimate Battle | Laura Shigihara | Plants vs. Zombies | |
Watery Graves [In-Game] | Laura Shigihara | Plants vs. Zombies | |
Zombies on Your Lawn | Laura Shigihara | Plants vs. Zombies | |
Completing the Circle (feat. Rachel Mellis) | Gareth Coker | Ori and the Blind Forest [Definitive Edition] | |
Fleeing Kuro [Alternate] | Gareth Coker | Ori and the Blind Forest [Definitive Edition] | |
Kuro's Tale I: Her Rage | Gareth Coker | Ori and the Blind Forest [Definitive Edition] | |
Light of Nibel (feat. Aeralie Brighton) | Gareth Coker | Ori and the Blind Forest [Definitive Edition] | |
Restoring the Light, Facing the Dark | Gareth Coker | Ori and the Blind Forest [Definitive Edition] | |
The Spirit Tree (feat. Aeralie Brighton) | Gareth Coker | Ori and the Blind Forest [Definitive Edition] | |
Escaping a Foul Presence | Gareth Coker | Ori and the Will of the Wisps | |
Escaping the Sandworm | Gareth Coker | Ori and the Will of the Wisps | |
Howl | Gareth Coker | Ori and the Will of the Wisps | |
Mora the Spider | Gareth Coker | Ori and the Will of the Wisps | |
Shriek and Ori | Gareth Coker | Ori and the Will of the Wisps | |
The Darkness Lifted | Gareth Coker | Ori and the Will of the Wisps | |
Academy Hallways | Ari Pulkkinen | Trine | |
Crystal Caverns | Ari Pulkkinen | Trine | |
Dragon Graveyard | Ari Pulkkinen | Trine | |
Ruins of the Perished | Ari Pulkkinen | Trine | |
Tower of Sarek | Ari Pulkkinen | Trine | |
Trailer Theme | Ari Pulkkinen | Trine | |
Trine | Ari Pulkkinen | Trine | |
Goblins! | Ari Pulkkinen | Trine 2 | |
Icewarden Keep | Ari Pulkkinen | Trine 2 | |
Petrified Tree | Ari Pulkkinen | Trine 2 | |
Searock Castle | Ari Pulkkinen | Trine 2 | |
The Giant Dragon [Orchestral Version] | Ari Pulkkinen | Trine 2 | |
The Mighty Warrior Pontius | Ari Pulkkinen | Trine 2 | |
Trine 2 | Ari Pulkkinen | Trine 2 | |
Aurora's Theme | Béatrice Martin (Cœur de Pirate) | Child of Light | |
Dark Creatures | Béatrice Martin (Cœur de Pirate) | Child of Light | |
Down to a Dusty Plain | Béatrice Martin (Cœur de Pirate) | Child of Light | |
Final Breath | Béatrice Martin (Cœur de Pirate) | Child of Light | |
Hymn of Light | Béatrice Martin (Cœur de Pirate) | Child of Light | |
Jupiter's Lightning | Béatrice Martin (Cœur de Pirate) | Child of Light | |
Leave Your Castle | Béatrice Martin (Cœur de Pirate) | Child of Light | |
Magna's Heart | Béatrice Martin (Cœur de Pirate) | Child of Light | |
Metal Gleamed in the Twilight | Béatrice Martin (Cœur de Pirate) | Child of Light | |
Patches of Sky | Béatrice Martin (Cœur de Pirate) | Child of Light | |
Path of the Eclipse | Béatrice Martin (Cœur de Pirate) | Child of Light | |
Child of Light [Orchestral Version] | Béatrice Martin (Cœur de Pirate) | Child of Light [Extended Version] | |
Ever Wander Under Statues' Gaze | Béatrice Martin (Cœur de Pirate) | Child of Light [Extended Version] | |
The Horn and the Spear [Orchestral Version] | Béatrice Martin (Cœur de Pirate) | Child of Light [Extended Version] | |
With Hair Argent and Crimson [Piano and Strings Version] | Béatrice Martin (Cœur de Pirate) | Child of Light [Extended Version] |