UPDATE: NieR: Replicant won the Best Score and Music Award at The Game Awards 2021!
While it can sometimes go unnoticed compared to gameplay and story, music is a crucial part of video games. Music can be used to set a mood, establish tone, or enhance the immersive experience. A lot of video game soundtracks have become iconic, whether it's the Super Mario Bros. Theme song, the first chilling notes of Final Fantasy 7's "One-Winged Angel," or the brilliant use of Pearl Jam's "Future Days" in The Last of Us 2. Music has helped create some of our favorite moments in gaming, and The Game Awards recognize outstanding music with the Best Score and Music award.
Video games often feature some of the best composers in the world, so it's only fitting that there would be a Game Award for Best Score and Music. Last year's award went to Final Fantasy 7 Remake, and rightfully so, but there were some incredible contenders. This year the competition is equally tough, with the nominees being Cyberpunk 2077, Deathloop, NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, and The Artful Escape.
Cyberpunk 2077
A year ago, a lot of fans probably anticipated Cyberpunk 2077 sweeping the 2021 Game Awards. It's no secret that CD Projekt Red's new IP had a rough launch and has continued to have a difficult year, so it didn't get nominated for nearly as many awards as people might have expected, at least before launch. However, despite all the issues with the game itself, there were few complaints with the soundtrack.
Night City is meant to be borderline overstimulating, and the music contributes to that overall feeling. There's hardly ever a moment of silence, and Cyberpunk 2077 soundtrack is intense. The mix of genres include heavy metal, techno pop, and electronica that rarely lets up. The Cyberpunk soundtrack is pretty star-studded too, with appearances from Grimes, SOPHIE, and Run the Jewels. The soundtrack plays a huge part in Cyberpunk 2077's worldbuilding and stands out as a combination of licensed and original songs.
Deathloop
Deathloop isn't a game that's known for it's music, with other aspects stealing the show, but the reason why Deathloop's score isn't front and center could partly be because it meshes with the game so well, contributing to the experience without being heavy-handed. The original soundtrack somehow manages to capture the game's unique essence perfectly. While Deathloop is most likely to win Best Action Game, it could make a bid for Best Music and Score.
Deathloop is set in the 1960s, and the art style blends the 60s effortlessly with something a little more modern. Instead of feeling dated, Deathloop feels retro in a cool way. The soundtrack does the exact same thing, mixing jazz and old-fashioned styles in a way that's fresh and new. The music helps transport the player back in time, where they can feel like an assassin in an old noir film — a very trippy noir film, that is. Compared to other nominees, the Deathloop soundtrack is more of a background element than a centerpiece, but it's remarkably catchy and does a great job of completing the experience.
NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139
NieR games are known for several different things including striking visuals and multiple cryptic endings, but the original soundtracks are always a huge hit. NieR: Automata won the Game Award for Best Score and Music in 2017, which should come as no surprise to anyone who's played it, and composer Keiichi Okabe has created another incredible score for NieR Replicant ver.1.22. Unlike other games, NieR Replicant puts a special emphasis on musical moments that almost feel transcendant.
NieR Replicant's soundtrack is similar to NieR: Automata, with ethereal vocals and soaring instrumentals that make the already stylized visuals feel much larger than life. Replicant's soundtrack also stands out as being a little slower and more dramatic compared to the other nominees, which primarily feature upbeat and energetic songs. Partially thanks to the soundtrack, NieR Replicant has no shortage of epic moments. Given the excellence of the OST combined with NieR's reputation for music, NieR Replicant is a strong contender for the award.
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
With so much of the Guardians of the Galaxy brand being reliant on Peter Quill's iconic 80s playlists, it would be concerning if the new video game wasn't nominated for the Best Music and Score award. Guardians of the Galaxy features a huge playlist with over 25 licensed songs from the 1980s, including "I Love it Loud" by KISS, "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley, and "The Final Countdown" by EUROPE.
The licensed music is comprised of some of the best songs and artist the 1980s has to offer, so it's no surprise that the soundtrack is fantastic and works perfectly in Guardians of the Galaxy. However, one of the biggest and best musical surprises came in the form of the fictional band Star-Lord. For obvious reasons, Star-Lord is one of Peter's favorite bands and it happens to have an entire album of ten songs called Space Rider. It's a fun twist on Peter Quill's music obsession and gives Guardians of the Galaxy a chance to show off some of its own original songs inspired by the unlikely band of heros.
The Artful Escape
It's always exciting to see an indie game stand out among the other AAA titles, and The Artful Escape has made an impact in 2021. One of the reasons for that is the incredible original soundtrack, which serves as the backbone for the entire game. The Artful Escape is a psychedelic and mesmerizing love letter to live music and rock 'n roll, to the point it's been described as a playable album. The memorable art style needs to be mentioned as well, but the two combine to create a one-of-a-kind audiovisual experience.
Music is at the core of The Artful Escape's story and woven into every fiber of the game. After growing up in the shadow of his uncle, a famous musician, the protagonist Francis is given the chance to go to outer space and essentially become an intergalactic rock star. Johnny Galvatron, the lead singer of Australian band The Galvatrons and the creator of the game, is sharing his love of music with the world in a very different medium, and it works. The Artful Escape could have a claim to the Game Awards' Best Score and Music.
Prediction for Best Music and Score: NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139
NieR Replicant ver.1.22 and The Artful Escape are probably the top two competing for the Best Music and Score award. Guardians of the Galaxy, Cyberpunk 2077, and Deathloop could always pull out a surprise win and all three have wonderful soundtracks, but there is something uniquely special about the music in The Artful Escape and NieR Replicant.
It's difficult to choose between them, especially because both soundtracks could not possibly be more different. Even though it feels like comparing apples to oranges, NieR Replicant ver.1.22 is the most obvious winner. It stands out among the other nominees because of the unique style and is an established series known for its brilliant music. However, while the win would be well-deserved, it would also be exciting to see The Artful Escape take the trophy as a debut indie that cherishes music so much.
The Game Awards stream live on December 9 at 5 p.m. PST / 8 p.m. EST.