Hidden Gems: Underrated Game Soundtracks You Need to Hear

10 November 2025

Let’s be real—when you think about your favorite video game moments, what comes to mind? That time you beat a brutal boss? Or maybe when the story hit you right in the feels? But here's a little secret: More often than not, it's the music that makes those moments unforgettable.

We all know the big hitters—Zelda’s epic overworld theme, Skyrim’s dragon-slaying chants, or anything from Final Fantasy. But there’s an entire galaxy of lesser-known soundtracks out there that are just as magical—if not more so. These tracks might not have the spotlight, but they’ve got soul, emotion, and pure audio gold waiting to be discovered.

So, if you're tired of the same overplayed game scores and you’re craving something fresh for your playlist, grab your headphones and get comfy. We're diving deep into hidden gems: underrated game soundtracks you need to hear.

Why Game Soundtracks Deserve More Love

Before we jump into the list, let’s talk about why video game soundtracks matter.

Game music does more than just play in the background—it sets the tone, builds tension, and boosts your adrenaline right when you need it. A well-crafted soundtrack can be the difference between a game feeling flat or becoming an emotional rollercoaster.

But sometimes, great games don’t get mainstream attention, and neither do their soundtracks. And that, my friend, is a tragedy.

What Makes a Soundtrack 'Underrated'?

Here’s what we mean: An underrated soundtrack isn’t necessarily from a bad or even a forgotten game. It’s just one that didn’t get the praise it deserved—maybe the game didn’t hit big numbers, or maybe the score was overshadowed by a more famous release at the time.

These are the soundtracks that flew under the radar. But trust us, they deserve a front-row seat in your playlist.

1. Transistor – Darren Korb’s Electronic Masterpiece

If you’ve ever played Bastion, you already know Darren Korb’s genius. But Transistor? It’s another level.

The soundtrack blends electronic beats with sultry vocals and trace-like melodies. You feel every beat in your bones, especially in tracks like "In Circles" and "Old Friends". The atmosphere, the tone—it’s all just perfectly in sync with the game’s cyber-noir aesthetic.

It’s haunting, it’s beautiful, and man, it's seriously slept on.

🎧 Must-listen track: "We All Become"

2. Dust: An Elysian Tail – A Fantasy Score Worthy of a Studio Ghibli Film

This indie action-RPG came and went for many, but its soundtrack? Pure orchestral bliss.

Created by Hyperduck Soundworks, the music in Dust: An Elysian Tail is emotional, cinematic, and full of adventure. It’s got that wild, wind-swept fantasy feel—like galloping through meadows on the back of a mythical beast.

A hidden treasure that could easily fit into any AAA fantasy game’s playlist.

🎧 Must-listen track: "Cirromon Caverns"

3. VA-11 HALL-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action – Chill Cyber Vibes You Didn’t Know You Needed

This one’s for all my lo-fi lovers and synthwave junkies.

VA-11 HALL-A is a visual novel-style game where you’re mixing cocktails in a dystopian future. Sounds weird? Yeah—but the soundtrack is straight-up hypnotic. Think neon haze, late-night drives, and deep conversations with AI and hackers.

It’s not just a vibe—it’s a whole mood.

🎧 Must-listen track: "Every Day is Night"

4. Child of Light – A Gentle Symphony From Another World

Crafted by Ubisoft Montreal, Child of Light is like stepping into a watercolor painting. And the soundtrack? It’s the score of a dream.

Composed by Cœur de Pirate (a Canadian indie pop artist), the piano-led pieces are whimsical, soft, and deeply emotional. If Studio Ghibli made RPGs, this is what they’d sound like.

Perfect background music for deep thinking, relaxing, or staring wistfully out of windows during rainstorms.

🎧 Must-listen track: "Pilgrims on a Long Journey"

5. Hyper Light Drifter – Ambient Soundscapes That Hit You in the Soul

This game’s got no dialogue, and it doesn’t need it. Why? Because Disasterpeace (yep, the mind behind FEZ) brings an atmospheric score so powerful it tells the story by itself.

Moody, cryptic, and kind of meditative, the music in Hyper Light Drifter brings a whole new level of emotional depth to your ears.

If ambient, synth-heavy scores are your jam, this one’s a must.

🎧 Must-listen track: "The Midnight Wood"

6. Lost Sphear – The Underdog of Tokyo RPG Factory

Square Enix’s Tokyo RPG Factory has been quietly pumping out old-school RPG gems, and Lost Sphear is one of them.

The soundtrack, composed by Tomoki Miyoshi, is criminally underrated. It's got a classical JRPG feel with sweeping orchestras that evoke emotion and nostalgia. You’ll catch echoes of Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI, but it still feels fresh and unique.

🎧 Must-listen track: "Imperial Capital Watt"

7. Nier (Gestalt/Replicant) – Before Automata, There Was This

Sure, Nier: Automata gets tons of love (and rightly so—it’s incredible). But the original Nier soundtrack? Oh wow, it’s a spiritual experience.

Composed by Keiichi Okabe, the music blends haunting vocals, unusual time signatures, and pure emotion to create a sound that’s hard to forget. It's poetic. It's tragic. It's otherworldly.

Just listen once, and you’ll understand why this deserves way more hype.

🎧 Must-listen track: "Song of the Ancients – Devola"

8. Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights – Gothic Melancholy At Its Finest

If Dark Souls had a baby with a tragic fairy tale, it would sound like Ender Lilies. This Metroidvania-style game has a beautiful, haunting, and piano-heavy soundtrack composed by Mili, a Japanese indie music group.

Every track feels like a lullaby sung in a long-forgotten language. It’s perfect for those moody, introspective nights.

🎧 Must-listen track: "Rosary of the Repose"

9. Ape Out – Jazz Meets Mayhem

This one’s... a little different.

Ape Out is a top-down action game where you play as a gorilla smashing your way to freedom. But the music? It’s a living, breathing jazz drum solo that reacts to your every move.

It’s chaotic. It’s brilliant. It’s jazz drumming on steroids. This isn't something you kick back and relax to—it's something you survive through.

🎧 Must-listen track: "Intro" (just dive into the whole album, trust us)

10. Gris – A Colorful Journey Through Sound

Last but definitely not least, Gris is a game about loss, growth, and finding yourself again. It’s minimal. It’s emotional. It’s stunningly beautiful. And the soundtrack? It mirrors every emotional beat.

Composed by Berlinist, this orchestral masterpiece is like watching a sunrise slowly unfold from total darkness. It builds gradually and hits you when you least expect it.

You don’t just listen to it—you feel it.

🎧 Must-listen track: "Menu Theme"

How to Discover More Underrated Game Soundtracks

So now that your ears are tingling and your Spotify queue's about to get a serious upgrade, you might be wondering—how can you find even more hidden gems like these?

Here are a few tips:

- Follow indie game forums and subreddits – Gamers love recommending obscure finds.
- Use Bandcamp and SoundCloud – Tons of indie composers release their full game albums there.
- Check out game dev talks (GDC) – Developers often spotlight their composers and creative process.
- YouTube compilations – Search for “Underrated video game soundtracks” and you’ll find goldmines.

Final Thoughts

Music in gaming is so much more than background noise—it’s the emotional glue that holds the experience together.

So next time you fire up a new game, take a moment to really listen. There might be a hidden melody in there that’ll stick with you forever.

And remember: Just because a game didn’t top the charts doesn’t mean its soundtrack didn’t steal some hearts.

So go ahead—plug in, press play, and discover your next favorite song in the most unexpected places.