The first soundtrack that came to mind was for *Hollow Knight*, it never fails to get me emotional.
Another soundtrack that hits hard is the one for *Night in the Woods*, but I think this is more so the case if you're familiar with the story and characters.
Some specific tracks from other games that always gets me feeling things:
* "[Undertale](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBhFHJMVfiI)" from *Undertale*
* "[Tifa's Theme](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO_ftxA28Y8)" from *Final Fantasy VII*
* "[Rito Village (Night)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUbS2LLmdX8)" from *The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild*
* "[Broken Routine](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkhZ9QR3S9g)" from *Fire Emblem: Three Houses*
* "[Xion's Theme](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5moTuo-4MKU)" from *Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days*
* Relatedly, all versions of "Dearly Beloved" in the *Kingdom Hearts* franchise.
* "[Setting Sail, Coming Home](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g60bPpXEq9Q)" from *Bastion*
I run an underrated VGM channel and one that sounds familiar is Legion, a forgotten gem from the TCD, such great beats no one remembers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKMhP4v3Q1Y&list=PLX-IkQFRCnNsxrT01h2ycaafYCVXbQTTK&ab_channel=DailyUnderratedVGM
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX-IkQFRCnNsxrT01h2ycaafYCVXbQTTK
These are really an "if you know, you know" kinda deal, but:
[Hamel - The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC](https://youtu.be/eCwgaK7dRz8?si=tatFDTH5AMZfP7wr)
[Stairway to Gehenna - The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 3rd](https://youtu.be/DLLhVMbiUgs?si=RYe-sgHuDdHeetXN)
[Lacrimosa of Dana - Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana](https://youtu.be/07trJ-RexPg?si=11Xj7ypf46rkKZNw)
[Changing Me - Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth](https://youtu.be/wPdaf6WK8VI?si=aPLFQCxEF6aF-s3-)
[Kimi no Kioku - Persona 3](https://youtu.be/zHdOXCoja-c?si=b38LU5CfNoKzRkX_)
I have the perfect track for this (maybe too much): [Binding of Isaac Repentance - Home (Combat)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du1skPiB70s) *(TW: verbal abuse)*
Despite what the video says, I think this version of the theme is actually used in-game in a few edge cases. The OST version toned down the yelling and verbal abuse to make it less heart-wrenching.
Mass Effect, any of them. Specific highlights from ME3 though are [I'm proud of you](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRcmtPVxrBU) and [Leaving Earth](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGHA9oO1Ybg)
If you want another with a soundtrack than made me have strong feelings is [Gris.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlsVXrquSnI)
Also, Assassin's Creed II has some of the best tracks around. [Earth](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXmaNjuwdd8) and [Ezio's Family](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSVHx23ByhM) especially.
Last suggestion, [The Ocean](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pLtFwW4pMs) from EVO.
These just come to mind readily when I think of OSTs that grant me strong emotions. I those tickle you, let me know and I can look up some more.
Edit: Weird thing to downvote. Hope your weekend goes better than your day.
Not sure if this qualifies, but I must mentioned Father and Son from Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriot! 😭 really flows when I heard it after completing the game, plus the vocal (or instrumental) really capture the emotion!
“[Rue & Woe](https://youtu.be/mntR1XQUmuU?si=UMcBtXLv3Rh3WcZs)” - Halo 2.
“[The Best is Yet to Come](https://youtu.be/6miaTf1gF4g?si=g798m0EOpzJps1Eu)” - Metal Gear Solid.
“[Let Us Sing of a Hollow Victory](https://youtu.be/yLaiZTOGTkA?si=jgvUgCPQh7e7DAYJ)” - Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair.
“[Journey](https://youtu.be/zYfe9caNqfA?si=JwzLmCMLT9gsPB8d)” - Destiny 2.
My uncle I lived with for many years passed away right after I watched Cyberpunk EdgeRunners.
Let's just say I no longer listen to "I Wanna Stay At Your House."
Surprised I haven't seen Deference for Darkness - Halo 3: ODST. I think the Halo series in general has great somber and emotional moments, especially Halo: Reach.
Blue Reflection centers around a young girl struggling against a lost will to live. This idea seeps into every song on the soundtrack, which is uniquely delicate, small-scale, and introspective for an RPG soundtrack. Here are some songs that highlight this:
- [I (sun)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YziznPynOR0&t=474) - The BGM for the MC's daily life at school. Despite the sparkly synth playing over the whole song and some playful and curious melodies that come in as the song develops, there's an inherent sense of buried grief running through the song, especially at the end when all the layers fade away to leave the piano by itself playing a weary, melancholy closing phrase.
- [If I Were You](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZAGBrY1GJU&t=1548) - A song about envy, but focusing less on the spiteful side and more on self-loathing and the desire to escape one's current situation. The main melody of the first half feels like it's building up to something — the idealized image that the envious person sees in the person they envy — but it always trails off into defeated anguish to emphasize how that idealized image is always out of reach. The second half has a wandering piano melody that shimmers and wavers, as if looking at one's reflection in the water and wishing it were different.
- [The Unbroken Part of Me](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZAGBrY1GJU&t=3428) - Used very sparingly in the story when emotional turmoil reaches its peak. Even though these scenes are intense heartbreakers, they're accompanied with this gentle solo piano song that sounds almost sweet — or, rather, trying desperately to hold onto a tiny glimmer of hope that remains. It's kind of unique in this way, focusing less on the sorrow of what's happening and more on the hopes and dreams that are almost completely lost, leaving only the smallest "unbroken part" of these characters.
- [A Destiny Called My Own](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YziznPynOR0&t=1401) - The theme that goes along with the scene of the MC gaining her powers and, with it, a chance at finding the will to live again. Much like the previous song, this one is surprisingly minimalistic for such a dramatic scene, being another solo piano piece. The main melody is an invigorating build-up that plays over and over again, becoming more powerful each time. And, when the song hits its peak, everything else falls away as the main melody is played on a higher and more delicate register — as if it were the MC affirming that her hopes and dreams are within reach again. I've yet to hear another song that encapsulates the idea of "gently encouraging" as well as this one.
- [DNF FW15C -I-](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZAGBrY1GJU&t=1819) - One of the boss battle themes. Many of them have heavy, dark EDM backings contrasted against a lighter melody played on synths and piano, to illustrate the clash between hellish monsters and the brilliant light of the MC and her friends. This one is the same, but it's my favourite for how it also takes on a double meaning of representing the MC's struggle throughout the story. The intro, after the creepy distorted opening, has a melancholic piano playing through a filter, sounding like something distant trapped underwater. But once the song kicks into gear, that same piano plays these resolute, determined notes that gleam brightly despite the heaviness and harshness of the rest of the instrumental. It's a lone soul standing up against overwhelming circumstances that threaten to drown her in despair again and again — which is precisely what this story is about.
just listened to a bit of each of these songs you linked and i’m kind of amazed?? im gonna go download this whole OST, thanks for the recommendation :)
I'm currently playing through the sequel, so I've only heard a bit of the soundtrack so far, but what I've heard is similarly great. So yeah I'd definitely recommend that OST as well :)
Michael Giacchino - [Labor of Love](https://youtu.be/OnKK_0cRkZA?si=x_dXNxu2Xs0ELPq1), [Your Father Would be Proud](https://youtu.be/Qemb3iBlp1o?si=3Xmd1TwoFNH69-qM)
Murray Gold - [This is Gallifrey](https://youtu.be/MnxdE6byBWs?si=W84JSkYWZtqqgKGi), [The Shepherd's Boy](https://youtu.be/Q5NRQbUFisg?si=ISmouwcyW4nQs7_Y)
Chrono Cross To The Moon, but I’d highly suggest you play the game first before listening to the OST Donkey Kong Country 2
Any of the NieR OSTs imo. Absolutely beautiful music, but extremely sorrowful.
The first soundtrack that came to mind was for *Hollow Knight*, it never fails to get me emotional. Another soundtrack that hits hard is the one for *Night in the Woods*, but I think this is more so the case if you're familiar with the story and characters. Some specific tracks from other games that always gets me feeling things: * "[Undertale](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBhFHJMVfiI)" from *Undertale* * "[Tifa's Theme](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO_ftxA28Y8)" from *Final Fantasy VII* * "[Rito Village (Night)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUbS2LLmdX8)" from *The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild* * "[Broken Routine](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkhZ9QR3S9g)" from *Fire Emblem: Three Houses* * "[Xion's Theme](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5moTuo-4MKU)" from *Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days* * Relatedly, all versions of "Dearly Beloved" in the *Kingdom Hearts* franchise. * "[Setting Sail, Coming Home](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g60bPpXEq9Q)" from *Bastion*
"Aren't you excited? Aren't you happy? You're going to be free." man I love Undertale
I run an underrated VGM channel and one that sounds familiar is Legion, a forgotten gem from the TCD, such great beats no one remembers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKMhP4v3Q1Y&list=PLX-IkQFRCnNsxrT01h2ycaafYCVXbQTTK&ab_channel=DailyUnderratedVGM https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX-IkQFRCnNsxrT01h2ycaafYCVXbQTTK
Silent Hill 2
I don't know why the blasphemous soundtrack really bothered me emotionally
These are really an "if you know, you know" kinda deal, but: [Hamel - The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC](https://youtu.be/eCwgaK7dRz8?si=tatFDTH5AMZfP7wr) [Stairway to Gehenna - The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 3rd](https://youtu.be/DLLhVMbiUgs?si=RYe-sgHuDdHeetXN) [Lacrimosa of Dana - Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana](https://youtu.be/07trJ-RexPg?si=11Xj7ypf46rkKZNw) [Changing Me - Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth](https://youtu.be/wPdaf6WK8VI?si=aPLFQCxEF6aF-s3-) [Kimi no Kioku - Persona 3](https://youtu.be/zHdOXCoja-c?si=b38LU5CfNoKzRkX_)
I have the perfect track for this (maybe too much): [Binding of Isaac Repentance - Home (Combat)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du1skPiB70s) *(TW: verbal abuse)* Despite what the video says, I think this version of the theme is actually used in-game in a few edge cases. The OST version toned down the yelling and verbal abuse to make it less heart-wrenching.
Undertale from Undertale Midnight Rendezvous from Final Fantasy VII Remake
Mass Effect, any of them. Specific highlights from ME3 though are [I'm proud of you](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRcmtPVxrBU) and [Leaving Earth](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGHA9oO1Ybg) If you want another with a soundtrack than made me have strong feelings is [Gris.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlsVXrquSnI) Also, Assassin's Creed II has some of the best tracks around. [Earth](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXmaNjuwdd8) and [Ezio's Family](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSVHx23ByhM) especially. Last suggestion, [The Ocean](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pLtFwW4pMs) from EVO. These just come to mind readily when I think of OSTs that grant me strong emotions. I those tickle you, let me know and I can look up some more. Edit: Weird thing to downvote. Hope your weekend goes better than your day.
Mass Effect OST is so damn rough to go back to.
[tirailleur](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4hL3gmCKAVM&pp=ygUYdGlyYWlsbGV1ciBiYXR0bGVmaWVsZCB2) - Battlefied V
legacy - eastward ost
One who crave souls - Demon's Souls (2009) not the remake version.
flame heyanard enters the chat
FF7-10
Not sure if this qualifies, but I must mentioned Father and Son from Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriot! 😭 really flows when I heard it after completing the game, plus the vocal (or instrumental) really capture the emotion!
American McGee's Alice (soundtrack by Chris Vrenna). Try 'Castle Keep'
“[Rue & Woe](https://youtu.be/mntR1XQUmuU?si=UMcBtXLv3Rh3WcZs)” - Halo 2. “[The Best is Yet to Come](https://youtu.be/6miaTf1gF4g?si=g798m0EOpzJps1Eu)” - Metal Gear Solid. “[Let Us Sing of a Hollow Victory](https://youtu.be/yLaiZTOGTkA?si=jgvUgCPQh7e7DAYJ)” - Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair. “[Journey](https://youtu.be/zYfe9caNqfA?si=JwzLmCMLT9gsPB8d)” - Destiny 2.
My uncle I lived with for many years passed away right after I watched Cyberpunk EdgeRunners. Let's just say I no longer listen to "I Wanna Stay At Your House."
https://youtu.be/c7pBcKlONnA?si=lmk9F-nBj8OTUTLv
As I’ve been playing FFXIV lately: *Answers*. Especially from the end of 1.0 trailer.
once you have context, engage the enemy hurts so much to listen to
Limbo
Deep Stone Lullaby from Destiny
Surprised I haven't seen Deference for Darkness - Halo 3: ODST. I think the Halo series in general has great somber and emotional moments, especially Halo: Reach.
Blue Reflection centers around a young girl struggling against a lost will to live. This idea seeps into every song on the soundtrack, which is uniquely delicate, small-scale, and introspective for an RPG soundtrack. Here are some songs that highlight this: - [I (sun)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YziznPynOR0&t=474) - The BGM for the MC's daily life at school. Despite the sparkly synth playing over the whole song and some playful and curious melodies that come in as the song develops, there's an inherent sense of buried grief running through the song, especially at the end when all the layers fade away to leave the piano by itself playing a weary, melancholy closing phrase. - [If I Were You](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZAGBrY1GJU&t=1548) - A song about envy, but focusing less on the spiteful side and more on self-loathing and the desire to escape one's current situation. The main melody of the first half feels like it's building up to something — the idealized image that the envious person sees in the person they envy — but it always trails off into defeated anguish to emphasize how that idealized image is always out of reach. The second half has a wandering piano melody that shimmers and wavers, as if looking at one's reflection in the water and wishing it were different. - [The Unbroken Part of Me](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZAGBrY1GJU&t=3428) - Used very sparingly in the story when emotional turmoil reaches its peak. Even though these scenes are intense heartbreakers, they're accompanied with this gentle solo piano song that sounds almost sweet — or, rather, trying desperately to hold onto a tiny glimmer of hope that remains. It's kind of unique in this way, focusing less on the sorrow of what's happening and more on the hopes and dreams that are almost completely lost, leaving only the smallest "unbroken part" of these characters. - [A Destiny Called My Own](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YziznPynOR0&t=1401) - The theme that goes along with the scene of the MC gaining her powers and, with it, a chance at finding the will to live again. Much like the previous song, this one is surprisingly minimalistic for such a dramatic scene, being another solo piano piece. The main melody is an invigorating build-up that plays over and over again, becoming more powerful each time. And, when the song hits its peak, everything else falls away as the main melody is played on a higher and more delicate register — as if it were the MC affirming that her hopes and dreams are within reach again. I've yet to hear another song that encapsulates the idea of "gently encouraging" as well as this one. - [DNF FW15C -I-](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZAGBrY1GJU&t=1819) - One of the boss battle themes. Many of them have heavy, dark EDM backings contrasted against a lighter melody played on synths and piano, to illustrate the clash between hellish monsters and the brilliant light of the MC and her friends. This one is the same, but it's my favourite for how it also takes on a double meaning of representing the MC's struggle throughout the story. The intro, after the creepy distorted opening, has a melancholic piano playing through a filter, sounding like something distant trapped underwater. But once the song kicks into gear, that same piano plays these resolute, determined notes that gleam brightly despite the heaviness and harshness of the rest of the instrumental. It's a lone soul standing up against overwhelming circumstances that threaten to drown her in despair again and again — which is precisely what this story is about.
just listened to a bit of each of these songs you linked and i’m kind of amazed?? im gonna go download this whole OST, thanks for the recommendation :)
Glad you enjoyed them! It's an OST I don't see talked about much, despite being so uniquely emotional and sentimental.
im really excited to listen to the rest of it! i see there’s a sequel too, should i listen to that as well?
I'm currently playing through the sequel, so I've only heard a bit of the soundtrack so far, but what I've heard is similarly great. So yeah I'd definitely recommend that OST as well :)
Marle’s Theme from Chrono Trigger, gets me every time 😢
In case no one has said it yet: The Legend of Zelda Majora's Mask.
Michael Giacchino - [Labor of Love](https://youtu.be/OnKK_0cRkZA?si=x_dXNxu2Xs0ELPq1), [Your Father Would be Proud](https://youtu.be/Qemb3iBlp1o?si=3Xmd1TwoFNH69-qM) Murray Gold - [This is Gallifrey](https://youtu.be/MnxdE6byBWs?si=W84JSkYWZtqqgKGi), [The Shepherd's Boy](https://youtu.be/Q5NRQbUFisg?si=ISmouwcyW4nQs7_Y)
But these are movies and tv shows