Video Game Tunes for Adventurers
Don’t adventures ever have an end? I suppose not. Someone else always has to carry on on the story.
J.R.R. Tolkien (The Fellowship of the Ring)
Whether you’re reading an engaging book, absorbed in the lyrics of a song, or hooked on an enchanting film, there’s nothing like stepping forth in an adventure and leaving your earthly cares behind for a little while. I believe adventures are pivotal for growth and learning more about the world around us, even if we never leave the comforts of our home. When I’m playing a video game, I’m partaking in ongoing story and am a participant of its events, through both the good and the bad. To be truthful, there are many wonderful worlds that developers have created in the last several decades that have continued to entice and entertain generations of players to this day.
I think music helps bring this sense of adventure to life in a more three-dimensional manner when you’re playing through a video game. It heightens your emotions and sense of engagement with the story or quest at hand, and stays planted in your mind long after you leave it behind. There are numerous songs that I could share that I know have had this effect on me (and numerous others, if the comments on YouTube are to be believed), but I’ll be sharing five below that give me a sense of adventure whenever I listen to them. I know in this period of darkness and uncertainty that we’re facing right now, having a sense of adventure may be a remedy we can turn to to give us the strength to persevere and face the unknown. Without further ado, here are my picks down below:
1.) The Legend of Zelda (Main Theme) – Koji Kondo
The Legend of Zelda is one of Nintendo’s most famous and beloved video game franchises, arguably next to its fellow Super Mario Bros. series. Most titles of the Zelda series will have this main melody play in it in some form or another. Each new Zelda game is unique from the previous one, but all the games have these essential elements in common: Players control Link, a green-clad budding hero who is tasked to save the world and destroy the evil that threatens it, no matter its form. With each subsequent game, Zelda expands its scope and scale in its sense of adventure, with the latest entry Breath of the Wild (2017) being lauded especially for giving players a sense of freedom that older entries simply couldn’t deliver before. If you enjoy classic fairy tale stories of knights in shining armor, then The Legend of Zelda may be a series you should seriously consider exploring if you haven’t already.
2.) The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Far Horizons) – Jeremy Soule
TES V: Skyrim is one of my favorite games of all time, bar none. Back in 2011 when it was first released, I quickly became hooked exploring the realm of Skyrim…so much so that I admittedly to this day have not actually completed the main plot. There is simply too much to do and see in this game, especially with each expansion that was released. Completing the side quests and soaking in the different realms and environments Skyrim offered became more of a priority, and its music certainly helped in immersing me while playing. Never boisterous but always pleasing to my ears, Skyrim‘s soundtrack just brings the environment in the game to life with its quiet ambiance. There were many melodies I think that brought out a sense of adventure in myself, but I remember this one fondly as it gave the world I was engaging in a sense of wonder and magnificence. If you want a game that is fun to explore and engage in at your own leisure, then Skyrim would definitely be a great contender to do just that.
3.) Final Fantasy V (Main Theme) – Nobuo Uematsu
While each Final Fantasy game has a fun adventure awaiting the player, I felt that this melody out of all of the main themes for the main titles best encapsulated that sense of adventure that Final Fantasy is known for. Indeed, Final Fantasy V is known as a lighter and softer game compared to the franchise’s later entries among fans, but with enough gravitas and stake to keep loyal fans engaged. Making up for FFV‘s simpler story is its job system, giving players more flexibility to create strategies when battling monsters and enemies. If you enjoy the fantasy genre, or want to play a game that has more of a sense of humor, then Final Fantasy V would be a great entry to check out.
4.) The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (Main Theme) – Marcin Przybyłowicz
Speaking of fantasy, these last two entries also fall into that genre, and if there was one game that made me rethink all that I knew about the fantasy genre, it was The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The Witcher is definitely not a game for everyone, and I found that I wasn’t sold on it myself when I first began it. By its conclusion, however, I found that I actually had a lot to appreciate about it. Most of its core cast are three-dimensional characters that continuously subverted my expectations about them, and the environments Geralt can travel to are breathtakingly picturesque. When I hear the main title theme for the game now, I’m able to see those vast landscapes Geralt explores on his trusty steed Roach, and the colorful characters he interacts with. It’s a more intense adventure than what I’ve been used to, but one that I was gradually became more fond of the more of it I played.
5.) Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch (Main Theme) – Joe Hisaishi
If you’re a fan of Studio Ghibli at all, then you need to check out Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch at some point. Featuring original animation from the famed animation studio and an original score by longtime Studio Ghibli composer Joe Hisaishi, Ni no Kuni follows the story of a young boy who loses his mother suddenly, and travels to a magical world on a grand quest in order to save her. This role-playing game features a diverse number of locales for players to explore, along with a colorful cast of fun characters and a story that will resonate with audiences both old and young alike.
Life is not meant to be stagnant and boring, but dynamic and meaningful. We don’t know what the future holds for us, or what tomorrow will bring, but we know that God has promised us peace in times of uncertainty. On our journey, he is our guide and comforter, ready to walk with us each and every way of our own adventure. Stories help remind of these facts, and can be found in video games as well. Music is inspiring and paints a story’s atmosphere, allowing audiences to immerse themselves in the world and characters around them. What are some melodies that you find help create a sense of adventure in you? Perhaps they’re what give you courage when the road ahead seems uncertain. I hope these songs I’ve shared have helped in sharing that courage as well.
