Top 10 Fantasy Music Albums for Game Soundtracks

Fantasy music has the extraordinary ability to transport us to magical realms, awaken our imaginations, and enhance the emotional depth of the stories we experience. When it comes to video games, the right soundtrack can elevate the entire gaming experience, providing a sense of wonder and immersion. If you're a fan of fantasy worlds and epic soundscapes, this list of 10 essential fantasy music albums is for you—featuring a mix of iconic game scores and a lesser-known gem: Fantasy Dreams by Ninichi.

1. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Jeremy Soule)

Jeremy Soule’s Skyrim soundtrack is a cornerstone of fantasy game music. From the thrilling and dramatic Dragonborntheme to the haunting and serene Far Horizons, this soundtrack brings the vast open world of Skyrim to life. The orchestral score encapsulates the rugged beauty of the Nordic landscape, making it one of the most memorable fantasy scores in gaming.

2. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (Marcin Przybyłowicz, Mikolai Stroinski, and Percival)

The music in The Witcher 3 is as rich and multifaceted as the world it inhabits. Blending dark, atmospheric tones with sweeping orchestral moments, the soundtrack masterfully complements the game’s gritty, yet magical, narrative. Tracks like Priscilla’s Song and Silver for Monsters are emotional and evocative, reflecting the game's deep lore and intense drama.

3. Chrono Trigger (Yasunori Mitsuda)

Chrono Trigger’s music is a true masterpiece, mixing genres from classical orchestral arrangements to jazz and rock influences. Yasunori Mitsuda’s timeless score provides the perfect soundtrack to the game’s time-traveling adventure. The legendary Chrono Trigger theme and emotional Frog’s Theme stand out as some of the most iconic tracks in gaming history.

4. Final Fantasy VII (Nobuo Uematsu)

Nobuo Uematsu’s compositions for Final Fantasy VII are deeply emotional and grand in scale. From the intense battle themes to the serene, contemplative tracks like Aerith’s Theme, the soundtrack complements the game’s rich storyline and complex characters. The iconic One-Winged Angel remains one of the most dramatic pieces in video game music.

5. Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch (Joe Hisaishi)

Joe Hisaishi, the composer behind many of Studio Ghibli’s films, brings his unique style to Ni No Kuni, creating a magical and whimsical soundtrack that fits perfectly within the game’s charming world. From the stirring Main Themeto the sorrowful Nightmares, Hisaishi’s score amplifies the emotional beats of this beautiful RPG, adding layers of magic and nostalgia.

6. Dark Souls (Motoi Sakuraba)

The Dark Souls soundtrack is as haunting and atmospheric as the game’s grim, unforgiving world. Motoi Sakuraba’s minimalist and eerie score plays a key role in building tension throughout the game. With tracks that echo the bleakness and danger of the environment, such as Gwyn, Lord of Cinder, the music plays a crucial role in setting the game’s oppressive tone.

7. Shadow of the Colossus (Kow Otani)

Kow Otani’s soundtrack for Shadow of the Colossus is understated, yet incredibly powerful. The score, with its sweeping orchestral arrangements and haunting melodies, mirrors the game’s vast, lonely landscapes and the colossal foes you face. Tracks like The Opened Way capture the sense of awe and scale, while the quieter moments add emotional depth to the experience.

8. Horizon Zero Dawn (Joris de Man, The Flight, Niels van der Leest)

With its breathtaking world of robotic creatures and vast landscapes, Horizon Zero Dawn benefits from a soundtrack that blends tribal rhythms, orchestral compositions, and electronic elements. The music reflects Aloy’s journey through a post-apocalyptic world, with memorable tracks like Aloy’s Theme evoking both the wonder and tragedy of her story.

9. Dragon Age: Inquisition (Trevor Morris)

Trevor Morris’ Dragon Age: Inquisition score captures the grandeur and emotional complexity of the game’s world. From the heroic and inspiring The Inquisitor’s Theme to the eerie and melancholic The Winter Palace, the music complements the game’s sweeping narrative and political intrigue, while also providing a sense of deep fantasy adventure.

10. Fantasy Dreams (Ninichi)

Ninichi’s Fantasy Dreams is a stunning fantasy album that brings together lush orchestral soundscapes, rich melodies, and magical atmospheres. Unlike traditional game soundtracks, Fantasy Dreams is a standalone album that evokes the same emotional depth and wonder you’d expect from a great fantasy game score. Tracks like City on Air and Clouds of Wonder are gentle yet evocative, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that transports listeners to far-off lands. This album showcases Ninichi’s unique ability to blend fantasy, tranquility, and a sense of adventure, making it a perfect addition to any fantasy music lover’s collection.

These 10 albums represent some of the finest music in the fantasy genre, offering sweeping orchestral scores, emotional melodies, and dynamic compositions that elevate their respective games to unforgettable heights. Whether you’re revisiting your favorite titles or discovering new musical gems like Ninichi’s Fantasy Dreams, these soundtracks will take you on epic journeys into magical worlds that will stay with you long after the music fades.

Hiring a Composer for Your Game: Key Considerations for Success

Are you contemplating whether to hire a composer for your game? As a composer who’s had the privilege of working with many indie game developers and studios, I understand the challenges that come with finding the right person to join your creative team. Selecting the right composer can make or break your project, so here are a few tips to guide you in your search:

1. Clarify Your Needs

Before diving into your search, ask yourself: What role do you want a composer to play in your game’s development? Are you seeking someone to work with long-term, or would you prefer a composer who can step in on an ad-hoc basis? Are you looking for a one-time collaboration, or would you like to develop a lasting relationship with a composer who can contribute to multiple projects?

Understanding your own goals will help you narrow down the type of composer you need.

2. Know What Kind of Person You Want to Work With

This is a universal point, whether you’re hiring for a creative role or something else. It’s essential to identify the attributes and personality traits that will help ensure a successful collaboration. Think about the type of person you want to work with, both professionally and personally.

Look for a composer who:

• Delivers outstanding music that elevates your game

• Communicates easily and effectively

• Respects your team and vision

• Is open to discussing ideas and feedback

• Helps bring your creative vision to life

(Also check out 6 Ways to Spot a Bad Composer Before It’s Too Late!)

3. Define the Music Style You’re After

While many composers can adapt to different genres, most have a signature style that will shine through in all their work. Before you start reaching out to composers, determine the type of music you envision for your game. Listen to different tracks, identify the styles that resonate with you, and narrow down your preferences.

Once you have a clearer vision of what you want, review composers’ previous works to see if their style aligns with your needs. Pay attention to elements like audio quality, melody, and overall tone to see if it fits the vibe you're going for.

Feel free to browse through some of my game music soundtracks for inspiration, and get a sense of what kind of music might work well for your project.

4. Set a Realistic Budget

Every developer works with a budget, and it’s crucial to be upfront about what you can afford for the music. Consider how important the music is to your game and how it fits into your overall budget. High-quality music can significantly enhance the player experience, but it’s not always the focus in every game. Some projects require more investment in soundtracks than others, depending on how central the music is to the overall experience.

Ask yourself: Do you have the budget for a high-end composer who can produce fully orchestrated, cinematic scores? Or are you working with a more modest budget, where you’ll need to look for composers who offer a great balance of quality and affordability?

Balancing your budget while ensuring the music elevates your game is key. When you find the right composer, the collaboration will feel well worth the investment.

5. Consider Your Working Style

Think about how you’d like to collaborate with your composer. Are you comfortable working virtually, or would you prefer to meet in person? Do you prefer using email, video calls, or file-sharing platforms like Dropbox or Google Drive?

Establishing the logistics of how you’ll work together will help ensure smooth communication and a productive partnership. Find a composer who thrives under the same working conditions you prefer.

Finding the right composer for your game may take time and effort, but once you discover the perfect match, the results can be extraordinary. If you think I can help bring your game’s soundtrack to life, feel free to reach out and explore how we can collaborate!

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About the Author:

Ninichi is a game music and film music composer based in the UK, with clients all across the globe, from the US, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. She has created music for games, films, tv shows, commercials and more. Visit her homepage now and explore her music.

How to Write a Great Music Brief for a Composer

By Ninichi | Contact | Follow

Are you thinking of working with a composer for your game, film or commercial? If so, it will be really helpful for both you and them to create a clear brief to work together from. This will help to ensure that you are thinking along the same lines, are both working from the same set of information and it may also help to clarify your thoughts.

Here are a few things to make sure you include in your composer brief:

Information about your project

Include details and background about you and your project.

• What is it called?

• What is it about?

• Who is it for?

• What are you trying to do with it?

• What are your plans for it?

• What does it look like?

Make sure that you include everything that is important to you about the project, where it comes from, your vision for it and anything else that comes to mind.

Where you are at with your project

How far along are you in your project and what is left to do? It can be really helpful for a composer to have an idea of what sort of a timeline you are working with and where you are in your overall project.

Music requirements

Give an indication of what you're hoping for musically.

• How many tracks?

• How long should they be?

• What music style do you have in mind?

• Include examples and reference tracks

• Where does the music fit into the project exactly?

• How you plan to use it?

Deadlines and budget

It is often helpful to give an indication on what your budget is or any budgeting constraints you have to work with, and also what sort of timeframes and deadlines might be coming up for you or that you have to work within.

This will help the composer to manage their time, their work and to establish upfront whether or not they can work with you and within these constraints or not.

About the author

Ninichi is a game music and film music composer. She works with talented indie game developers and film makers to create unique soundtracks for their games and films.

Explore this website to learn more about Ninichi & how she can help you with the music for your project.

Follow her @ninichimusic

Introducing Ninichi's Pleasantville (Royalty free casual game music pack)

By Ninichi | Contact | Follow

Are you currently on the look out for some ‘pleasant’ music for your video game, film, commercial, podcast or YouTube channel? If so, maybe this Pleasantville Music Pack is just what you need!

Hello there, I’m Ninichi, and I’m a game music composer (check out my homepage)! I’ve worked with numerous indie game developers, podcasters, YouTubers and filmmakers on their various games, channels and projects. It’s always a huge honour to do so and I’m always so excited when someone commissions me for a new project. At the same time, I’m also a big supporter of indie projects and know that in some cases it may not be possible to commission custom music. 

That’s why I created my video game music packs which are designed to help indie project makers (i.e. not just game makers but anyone who may find this music useful) and to give you all an affordable option to access some high quality music.

My music packs are all royalty free music packs, which means that once purchased, there’s no need to pay any on-going fee for using the music in your projects. So once you’ve purchased it, away you go! (Do note, however, that you are not allowed to create variations of the music or to sell it on in any way).

The Pleasantville Music Pack is a set of 6 easy-to-listen-to tracks, great for casual games. All the tracks are designed to be uplifting and to work well as background music that creates a calming, light-touch, relaxing vibe! They’re a set of pleasant tunes that encourage concentration and a sense of fun whilst remaining subtly in the background supporting casual gameplay. They would also be perfect in the background for any project seeking something that’s easy to listen to and that will offer a sense of calm.

Check out this fun preview video now and get a feel for The Pleasantville Music Pack:

This royalty free casual game music pack is a stand-alone music pack, however, also works well with the Town Music Game Music Pack and Cute and Casual Game Music Pack. Feel free to explore these as well or to see The Pleasantville Music Pack in more detail.

About Ninichi

Ninichi is a game music and film music composer. She works with talented indie game developers and film makers to create unique soundtracks for their games and films.

She offers a wide range of ready-made, royalty-free game music packs along with other production music available to license. Explore these on her website now.

Follow her @ninichimusic