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00:00Welcome to Mojo Plays, and today we're highlighting soundtracks that bring our solo gaming experiences
00:12to life.
00:18But before we get into it, we publish new content all week long, so be sure to subscribe
00:23and ring the bell to get notified about our latest videos.
00:26Super Mario Galaxy
00:36Nintendo never skimps on, well, anything when it comes to Mario, and that goes doubly for
00:42the music.
00:43For Super Mario Galaxy, a symphony orchestra was used for the first time, which ended up
00:48making all the difference.
00:50In every one of its pristine levels, Mahito Yokota and the absolute treasure that is Koji
00:55Kondo delivered tracks that completely encapsulated the wonder of space.
01:01The score jumps from momentous grandeur to quiet awe and everything in between, with
01:07every single note bringing delight as Mario explores the deep unknown.
01:12It never loses that fun, bouncy quality that Mario's music is known for, either, being
01:17an excellent bridge between the past and the future.
01:26Grim Fandango
01:35If you haven't played the classic PC adventure Grim Fandango, boy, are you missing out.
01:41The tale of corruption and greed in the afterlife is paired with wonderful writing and humor,
01:47as well as a dynamite soundtrack from Peter McConnell.
01:50Because the game and its themes are so heavily inspired by Hispanic culture and seedy noir
01:56stories, the music not only follows suit, but uplifts everything else.
02:01There are blaring horns and woodwinds throughout that punctuate Manny Calavera's descent
02:06in the Land of the Dead.
02:08But crucially, just as there are many powerful, energetic big band tracks, there are also
02:14quiet pieces of tension as the layers of the story are pulled back.
02:27Shadow of the Colossus
02:34There are many elements of Shadow of the Colossus that have made it stand the test of time.
02:40Kawatani's score is just as vital a piece of the puzzle as everything else.
02:45Every colossi that you must hunt down comes with music that impresses the importance of
02:50the situation.
02:51And somehow, Otani managed to inject every piece with awe, suspense, beauty, and sadness.
02:59It's honestly one of the most dynamic orchestral scores of any video game.
03:03Not only was it cinematic in a period where the argument for games as art was beginning
03:08to materialize, but it helped turn every fight into a standout moment.
03:13The music is partially why this game is so beloved to this day.
03:27Hades
03:37Aaron Korb is a powerhouse of talent.
03:40In addition to voicing Zagreus, the main character of Hades, he also composed its purebred awesome
03:47soundtrack.
03:48Korb used traditional Greek instruments, fitting with the mythology that developer Supergiant
03:53Games was adapting, but he blended them with heavy metal distortion to match the addictive,
03:59quick-paced gameplay.
04:01It doesn't matter who you're fighting against.
04:03The music fills you with energy and makes you want to keep brawling.
04:07In a game built on dying repeatedly, that's the best you could hope for.
04:11Plus, each piece is so fantastic that you never get sick of it, no matter how many times
04:17you attempt to escape the underworld.
04:28God of War
04:40Just as Darren Korb used traditional Greek instruments in his score for Hades, Bear McCreary
04:45studied Viking folk music and utilized Nordic instruments for his score on God of War.
04:51Needless to say, that effort paid off.
04:54Sure, it was still cinematic, with passionate string arrangements to give it that grander
04:59feel, but McCreary's use of culturally appropriate instruments, as well as vocals,
05:04made the music much stronger.
05:07More importantly, this was a score that fully fit with Kratos' new position in life.
05:12It held moments of heartache and regret, as well as a new leitmotif for Kratos that was
05:18at times foreboding and at others heroic and redemptive.
05:30Celeste
05:38There are plenty of indie soundtracks inspired by retro stylings of old, but few manage to
05:43pack as much heart into them as Celeste.
05:47As Madeline continues to climb the mystical mountain, Lena Raine's score captivates
05:52you, making you feel the palpable sense of tension in the main character's struggle
05:57while also being infectiously catchy.
06:00It pairs remarkably well with her journey, not only in a sense of level design, but at
06:05what point she is narratively.
06:07Raine's score captures the wide range of emotions that come with Madeline's trek.
06:13At some points it's hopeful, at others it's completely despondent, and when it
06:18reaches its climax, it encompasses a grand perseverance.
06:22That's on top of just having some great synth-heavy hooks.
06:34The Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker
06:43Since it is a series renowned for its music, there had to be an entry from Zelda somewhere
06:48on here.
06:49Personally, I'm going with The Wind Waker.
06:52I feel I'm not alone here though, since there are multiple fan favorite themes that
06:56players still celebrate today.
06:59From the cherished Dragon Roost Island theme to the grandiose music that accompanies the
07:04Great Sea, every piece of music here is genuinely fantastic.
07:09Games mainstay Koji Kondo worked with Toru Minegishi, Kenta Nagata, and Hajime Wakai
07:15to create a new era for the franchise's music.
07:18Certain Celtic inspirations lend a playful jauntiness to their tunes, ensuring they stay
07:23playing on a loop in your head.
07:26The music encompasses the joy of exploration and adventure, from the high seas to the deepest,
07:32darkest of dungeons.
07:39Undertale Another retro-inspired tour de force, the music
07:48for Undertale is one in a long list of elements that the game is celebrated for.
07:53Toby Fox may have taken inspiration from 16-bit classics, but his music transcends what came
07:59before it.
08:00While the themes for each area are certainly memorable, the soundtrack's true strengths
08:05lie in combat.
08:07The writing and mechanics are definitely unique, but the music that accompanies each character
08:11and enemy makes them stick in your mind just as strongly, if not more so.
08:16Whether you're fighting the tragic Asriel, the hilarious Papyrus, the steadfast Asgore,
08:22or Muffet with her pet spider muffin, you can be sure you'll be distracted by an absolute
08:29banger.
08:35Red Dead Redemption 2
08:47Man, 2018 was a fantastic year for games, and their soundtracks.
08:53On top of the sweeping epicness of God of War and the heartfelt, nostalgia-induced Celeste,
08:59we got Red Dead Redemption 2.
09:01Woody Jackson returned from the first game and delivered a score that wholly immersed
09:06us in the Old West, showing an adeptness for instruments of the time period.
09:11Through every chase across the landscape and every tense firefight, we felt we had been
09:15transported into an old Hollywood Western.
09:18Plus, it's pretty cool knowing that certain tracks adapt to match your decisions throughout
09:23the story.
09:24That's not to mention a collection of vocal tracks produced by Daniel Lanois that featured
09:28collaborations with the likes of Willie Nelson and Josh Holm of Queens of the Stone Age.
09:40Persona 5
09:42I'm responsible for this case, yet I'm not even being allowed an interrogation?
09:46Everything about Persona 5 is dripping in cool, and nowhere is that more true than with
09:52its music.
09:53Influenced by acid jazz and rock, composer Shoji Meguro delivered a soundtrack so unbelievably
09:59stylish, fans have been gushing about it ever since.
10:03This is evident even in its instrumental tracks, but the reason it is still so popular is because
10:09of Lin Inaizumi, who lends her vocals to multiple songs.
10:14These are the best of the best, as her silky smooth voice perfectly pairs with each composition.
10:21Whether you're running errands around Tokyo, bringing down corrupt adults, or fighting
10:25a literal god, every moment in Persona 5 is enhanced by its music.
10:32Of course, there are plenty of excellent single-player soundtracks out there, so head
10:43to the comments and let us know what games you think have the best tunes.