4 Video Games that Pulled Iconic Artists for Their Soundtracks

Video game soundtracks are important tools in storytelling. However, they have to be done in certain ways that don’t take players out of the game. The music needs to be atmospheric but not boring, exciting but not overwhelming, and narratively relevant but in a way that doesn’t give the whole game away. The right balance is crucial, and sometimes it takes an iconic artist stepping in to elevate a track. Here are four video game soundtracks that pulled in amazing artists to create a story-rich soundtrack.

Red Dead Redemption 2

The 2018 gun-slinging, coach-robbing, narratively rich prequel to the video game Red Dead Redemption from 2010 featured an aesthetically appropriate soundtrack that called upon banjo master Rhiannon Giddens for a couple of tracks. She performed on “Mountain Hymn” and “Mountain Banjo,” taking vocals on the former and banjo on the latter.

“Mountain Hymn” is used in the interim between the prologue of the game’s story and chapter one, where your band of outlaws travels from the snowy mountains to their new campsite. It’s a beautiful tune that captures the melancholy life of the fading gunslinger. It’s even more emotional when you take into account the evolving story of the game’s main character, Arthur Morgan.

Fallout 4

Actress and singer Lynda Carter provided the voice for the character Magnolia in the video game Fallout 4. She’s a singer at The Third Rail in the town of Goodneighbor. Carter performed a handful of her songs that can be heard in the background of the gameplay. “I’m The One You’re Looking For” and “Good Neighbor” are slow and sultry jazz tunes. These bolster Magnolia’s characterization as the down and out lounge singer in a seedy bar.

Carter’s vocals are gorgeous and warm, and she takes on the character well. She embodies the world of Fallout in songs like “Good Neighbor,” where she croons, I’m a little short of caps / but I’m a good, good neighbor. Bottle caps being, of course, the preferred post-apocalyptic currency.

Destiny

The soundtrack to the first-person shooter Destiny from 2017 is a 44-track instrumental behemoth by composers Martin O’Donnell, Michael Salvatori, C Paul Johnson, and Skye Lewin. Additionally, Paul McCartney assisted on the tracks and had major creative input. The soundtrack was recorded at Abbey Road Studios, and O’Donnell—who was the long-time composer for the Halo franchise—collaborated with McCartney for two years on the soundtrack. They traded ideas, samples, and demos back and forth during those years.

The final product of those years is spacey, delightfully orchestral, and atmospheric in a way all good video game soundtracks should be. It shouldn’t take you out of gameplay, but immerse you deeper into the story and imagery. Destiny‘s soundtrack does that with incredible skill.

God of War Ragnarok

Bear McCreary composed the soundtrack for the 2022 video game God of War Ragnarok, and while most of it is instrumental, there are multiple tracks that tapped Faroese singer Eivør. McCreary also composed the 2018 God of War soundtrack, and pulled from some of his original themes for the sequel. The first soundtrack featured Eivør on some tracks as well. However, as the sequel deals with Norse gods, there are some different influences this time around.

Hozier also features on the track “Blood Upon the Snow,” which builds upon the game’s narrative in the lyrics backed by McCreary’s instrumentals. It’s a powerful track that taps into Hozier’s dramatic vocals to create a sense of the game’s aesthetic.

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