http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV0MJ4NfW1E
10. Rayman Origins – While Rayman Origins is both fun to play and beautifully animated, it’s the soundtrack that really makes the game shine. Featuring silly voices, bouncy melodies, and off-beat instruments, the OST is an incredible collection that never takes itself seriously. Every piece has its own special charm and adds substance to the player’s overall experience. From the fast-paced horns and violins in the Mystical Mountains to the smooth jazz solos in the Sea of Serendipity, Origins‘ soundtrack is happiness in its purest form. (Contributing Writer Dan McKenney)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-_g8NZr1tA
9. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Roaming around the vastness of Skyrim brings your ear close to many pieces of music, and all of them are there to set the atmosphere. Gently played harps accompany you on nighttime wanderings; subtle but beautiful when you listen for it. The Elder Scrolls has always had a reflective, almost forlorn tone to it, but the background music is simply there to ease you into the role. Most of the instrumentals are soft, atmospheric pieces, but the titular theme is something powerful. When you’re toe-to-toe with a dragon, and the brass and the Nordic chants roar up, you know that you are the Dovahkhin! (Contributing Writer Aled Morgan)
8. Assassin’s Creed II – As Ezio traverses the rooftops of Venice, a female voice begins to sing the signature Assassin’s Creed melody… softly at first, but growing to the point at which it cannot be ignored. The tone then switches to a male operatic voice, who serenades the player as he or she seeks out Ezio’s next objective. While “Dream of Venice” is but one of the many excellent pieces Jesper Kyd composed for Assassin’s Creed II, I can’t think of a better example of the soundtrack’s excellence. (Senior Editor Jason Fanelli)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgASRvG1pws&feature=relmfu
7. Journey — When Journey begins, there are no text boxes or voice overs. There’s just music and movement. In a kinetic game without speech, the music swells to bring atmosphere, tone, and intrigue. The delicate mixture of string and piano harmonies is Journey’s way of singing, much like when your character chirps his or her own melody. (Associate Editor Greg Galiffa)
6. Mass Effect 3 – Mass Effect 3 is full of tough losses and tragedy, made even more heart-wrenching by its soundtrack. Poignant piano pieces and orchestral arrangements significantly enhance the emotional moments that stick with you long after the credits roll. This is a soundtrack that carefully chooses when to come to the foreground, and it knocks it out of the park every single time. (Contributing Writer Dan McKenney)
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