Last year I did a series of posts about classic video game music that’s perfect for the night of fright, and since you guys enjoyed that, I thought I’d bring back some favorite tracks from that series:
Castlevania Symphony of the Night – “Abandoned Pit” (1997)
Developed as an action roleplaying game for consoles, Castlevania Symphony of the Night focuses on the story of Dracula’s son Alucard, and his struggle to destroy his father. This slow and hypnotic composition proceeds in a stately triple meter while creatures of the night weave their voices into the serenade.
Resident Evil Code: Veronica – “The Suspended Doll” (2000)
As the fourth game in the Resident Evil series, this game had players fighting mutated monsters on a prison island, all set to grim music such as the track below. At times this track may make you think of John Carpenter’s theme to the movie Halloween, while other moments take on a bit of gothic grandeur with the introduction of a cathedral organ.
Arcanum – “Dungeons” (2001)
There’s nothing like a slimy dungeon to invoke those feelings of horror that are so complimentary to the Halloween season. Fortunately, the Arcanum roleplaying game has multiple dungeons, some crawling with the undead. This track, written entirely for string quartet, captures the mood in a horrifically elegant way.
Evil Dead: Hail to the King – “Menu Screen Music” (2000)
Sometimes, only a strong dose of demonic Latin will make a Halloween music experience complete. This track delivers. Evil Dead: Hail to the King continues the survival horror adventures of Ash Williams, the star of the Evil Dead franchise in video games and on the silver screen.
Xenogears – “Omen” (1998)
Dungeons are great for finding creepy music for Halloween. Luckily, a lot of roleplaying games have creepy dungeons. This track was written for dungeon-exploring in the Xenogears sci-fi roleplaying game. The track features a constant low suspense tone, with harp and bells weaving a hypnotic pattern while metallic impacts punctuate the gloom.
I hope everybody has a delightfully frightful Halloween!! And if you have a favorite Halloween tune from a classic video game, please let me know in the comments – I’d love to hear it!
