StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty: Theme

There’s a lot to like about the soundtracks of both StarCraft games, and in many ways the titular Wings of Liberty theme from StarCraft II brings it all together under one banner track. This is a lengthy song that hits all sorts of different, exciting notes. It has bold, bombastic action segments, complete with blaring horns and chanting vocals. It has its quieter moments, with a soft piano and violins taking the lead. It also has some suspenseful sections, and the way it opens with the classic StarCraft menu music is just too good. Wings of Liberty has it all, and is a fittingly epic piece for an equally epic franchise.

The World Ends With You: Calling

One of my favorite things about The World Ends With You was how it absolutely nailed its setting, and its soundtrack was no small contributor to its vividly realised world. Shibuya is an eccentric setting highly in tune with pop culture and modern trends, and in that sense the game’s radical mix of J-pop and techno style tracks couldn’t be more perfect. If there’s one downside it’s that it’s hard to pick a single standout track, but Calling illustrates my point as well as any. It just sounds like the kind of thing a city of young, “hip”, culturally focused people would listen to, and goes a long way towards selling this engrossing world.

Super Metroid: Lower Norfair

Lower Norfair from Super Metroid is one of the most iconic Metroid themes. After spending hours exploring Zebes, fighting all sorts of tough foes and overcoming tricky challenges, it’s finally time to head down into the fiery depths of Norfair to confront your nemesis, Ridley. As you descend the elevator, this bold theme starts to slowly fade in. I’ve nicknamed it the “Deathmarch”, as the steady beat that drives the song seems to propel you forward through this incredibly hazardous area. It’s the perfect theme to accompany a soldier embarking on a deadly but critical mission, and helped create one of my most memorable gaming moments.

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