Topic: How Much Does a Soundtrack Matter to You?

I personally think that a soundtrack in a video game is extremely important. It is one of the biggest things I remember after I play a game, and the songs (usually) get stuck in my head for weeks! However, (and this is where I contradict myself ) a game's soundtrack is usually NEVER a deciding factor for me when it comes to choosing a game. What good is a game if it sounds great if it plays like crap, right?

I have a lot of game music in my ipod. Mario Galaxy, NiGHTS, Panzer Dragoon, and a live recording of Melee's OST played by Japan philharmonic. So I'd say I agree with you. It's important but not moreso than if the game's fun. Usually listening to the music reminds you of the fun you had playing.

A good soundtrack can make a great game even better. For example, World of Goo, whose gameplay, physics, and concept are epic each in their own rights, has a soundtrack that just completes the package. Can you imagine it with a crap soundtrack?

It depends on the genre for me. To me, a shmup and an RPG have to have a solid soundtrack. It carries the mood and sets the tone. But for most other games, I can forgive a mediocre effort. But I always appreciate it when a developer goes the extra mile and creates a solid musical score. It adds so much to the overall experience.

It matters a lot more than graphics!

It matters a lot more than graphics!

No that I can't completely agree with. I still put soundtracks below visuals. Not by much, but a bit.

@Corbie: I personally prefer sound over sight since my eyesight is crap but my hearing is good. And I love music a lot, especially video game soundtracks

I say to each his own. And in truth, it's so close, it would be a tight call. I so love it when a game really shines with a solid musical effort. It's generally a nice surprise.

the soundtrack matters a lot, at least to me, in a game, how well it conveyes mood can make or break the game

I think it depends on the game. I love sound tracks though.

I think soundtrack are important because it makes the atmosphere of the game!

As long as it's emotional, atmospheric, epic, and/or mindblowing, or all four at once; music plays a GREAT factor in video games, especially Chrono Trigger and Breath of Fire 1.

The score for a video game is one of the main things that decides my purchases, actually. I am a musician first, and a gamer second, therefore, the music is often a deciding factor.

SSBB was a dream to me for its music. Quality or quantity? How bout both

Honestly, I prefer graphics over the music. Don't get me wrong, i love it when a game has a memorable soundtrack that fits perfectly with the game. Thing is, though, you can turn down the volume on a game with a crappy soundtrack but can't do a thing with crappy graphics.

I Love Soundtrack
especially those Heartwarming ones on AC:WW
whenever i listen to K.K.

i have a lot of mario and luigi music on my ipod. the final battle music in Bowsers inside story is amazing

Soundtrack is important to me. Songs usually get stuck in my head for a long time. I would hate to just play a game,with no music at all. I'd rather not play the game.

Well, a totally repetitive and lackluster soundtrack can make me quit playing a game, if a score is merely decent I don't pay to much attention to it, and keep playing, but when a developer goes the extra mile and offers us some great music on its game, playing it always becomes a better experience.