The golden age of Indie games is all around us, and the Nintendo Switch has become the perfect platform for Indie developers to share their creations with the world. With Indie games such as Celeste being nominated for Game of the Year at the Game Awards 2018, it's clear that the AAA market is not the only venue for making high-quality games anymore.
One of the most memorable aspects of a game is often its music, and Indie game developers often compose their own projects' soundtracks to spectacular results, such as ConcernedApe's Stardew Valley. This list will showcase ten Indie games on the Nintendo Switch eShop right now that have absolutely captivating original soundtracks.
10 Milkmaid of the Milky Way
If ever there was a game nobody knew they needed, it's Milkmaid of the Milky Way. A point-and-click adventure game with dialogue written entirely in rhyme, Milkmaid of the Milky Way takes place both in 1920s Norway and in space, with Scandinavian milkmaid Ruth chasing a spacecraft that has stolen her cows.
Milkmaid of the Milky Way was created and composed by Mattis Folkestad, who worked on the project for over two years while maintaining a full-time job. If that isn't impressive enough, the soundtrack captures the wide variety of music expected from such a unique plot. Especially beautiful is the track "Erlend," which combines electric piano, strings, and music box themes.
9 Baba Is You
There was a surplus of excellent games released in 2019, and many of them had amazing soundtracks, but perhaps none were as unique and charming as Baba Is You. Nominated for Best Independent Game at The Game Awards 2019, Baba Is You is an adorable puzzle game that has a lot hiding under its cute surface. The title focuses on rule manipulation in order to solve the puzzle, the goal of which can also be manipulated, requiring some major thinking outside the box from the player.
Baba Is You was created and composed by Arvi Teikari, and its motifs and instruments suit the game's aesthetic and atmosphere perfectly. The music is light, not overwhelming the player but instead allowing space for the gears in their head to turn. This soundtrack is great for concentration and is effortlessly catchy.
8 Oxenfree
For those who love catchy songs with a serious beat they can vibe to, Oxenfree is the quintessential game. Oxenfree is a supernatural mystery game about a group of friends who unwittingly open a "ghostly rift." Composed by scntfc, the soundtrack features not only the beat-heavy tracks expected from a thriller game but also tracks that intensify the eerie ambiance, allowing for exploration and intrigue.
The songs on the soundtrack fluctuate in intensity but remain a cohesive entity that succeeds in bolstering the game's attempt in combining the dark and analog portions of the game with the bright and digital. Scntfc's utilization of both analog and digital instruments helps the aesthetic of the game flourish.
7 AER: Memories of Old
AER: Memories of Old is a beautiful platformer developed by Forgotten Key, but their work of art is certainly not forgotten. The player controls Auk, a shapeshifting woman who can transform into a bird and traverse the sky, as well as the multitude of islands and ruins present in this world. Reminiscent of other platformers such as Rime and Journey, AER: Memories of Old aims to deliver players an experience of simply existing, unbound by even gravity itself.
The music of AER brings the entire experience to another level, with composer Cajsa Larsson delivering gorgeous tracks such as "Home" and "Keeper of Dreams." This soundtrack will make the player feel boundless, and make Auk's world feel larger than life.
6 Owlboy
Games with pixel art have made a grand resurgence in recent years. Owlboy is a gem, with every screenshot bursting with vibrancy and color. Developed by D-Pad Studios, Owlboy is a platform-adventure game taking place in the land of the sky, where the main character Otus' wings are a true asset.
Many games throughout history have treated music as an afterthought, leading to truly unlistenable soundtracks. Owlboy, thankfully, does no such thing. Composer Jonathan Geer creates whimsical tracks full of string instruments and percussion that add to the charm of the world. The soundtrack also ramps up significantly during battles and other intense moments, showing Geer is capable of writing for any scenario. Particularly majestic is the track "Tropos," which has meltingly soft strings and piano.
5 Kingdom: Two Crowns
Kingdom: Two Crowns is the third installment in its series and delivers hours of invigorating gameplay as one of the best 2D Strategy/Resourcement Management games on the Nintendo Switch. Tasked with building a Kingdom from the ground up, the player plays as a hopeful monarch on their trusty steed, choosing where to spend their golden coins in order to expand their empire. The main enemy is the Greed, which exist only to covet gold, and therefore the monarch's crown.
The music is, in a word, mesmerizing, creating a sense of hope that this empire will succeed and flourish. Composed by Amos Roddy, the deft use of piano, strings, and synthesizers makes Two Crowns inspiring, mystical, and comforting, always at exactly the right moment.
4 The Messenger
The Messenger is a game whose mechanics work in tandem with its soundtrack, and luckily both are first-rate. Composed by Rainbowdragoneyes, The Messenger utilizes both 8-Bit and 16-Bit chiptune to signify stages taking place in the past or the future.
Rainbowdragoneyes does expert work on every single track, pumping up the action of a stage while delivering a catchy melody. Keeping the momentum up is an important part of action-platforming games, and The Messenger's music brings the hype.
3 Gris
Gris doesn't just have stunning art and an emotional soundtrack, but it also has a profoundly moving story. Developed by Nomada Studio, Gris is about exploring oneself and what lies within, and finding the strength to face one's pain and fear. The main character, Gris, is a girl who has lost her strength and voice, and the game encompasses her journey to reclaim herself and her resilience.
Composed by Berlinist, the soundtrack is a key element in aiding the game's emotions, so effectively conveying a complex human experience. Like its subject matter, the perfect words to describe Berlinist's work are deep, boundless, and intimate. Now that video games such as Cuphead have topped the billboard charts, perhaps games like Gris will get the recognition they deserve.
2 Hyper Light Drifter
Hyper Light Drifter is a 2D action role-playing game, but that is simply its technical classification. This is a game that so fully encompasses life and death in all its facets that it speaks to the humanity in all of us. The protagonist, the Drifter, uses long-forgotten technology in their quest through the beautifully depicted but harrowing world of the game.
Hyper Light Drifter offers no explanation of its plot or instructions, and the difficulty level is higher than most players would expect, but the experience they are rewarded with after much patience and practice is profound and well-earned.
The gorgeous soundtrack, composed by Disasterpeace and Akash Thakkar, is at times soft, compact, and other times is dangerous and compelling. The game's narrative would be sorely lacking without the storytelling its soundtrack tells. It's one of those OSTs that can be listened to over and over again, even after the game is done.
1 What Remains of Edith Finch
There are many misconceptions about video games, but perhaps none more saddening than the misconceptions about video game music. Those who don't play video games are sometimes shocked to find that game soundtracks can be sweeping orchestral works made with love and care. What Remains of Edith Finch is the perfect example to show the artistry of OSTs.
Composed by Jeff Russo (also the composer for Star Trek: Picard), the game follows the player's exploration of Orcas Island, guided by the words in Edith Finch's journal. The music is sometimes ominous, often mournful, but always touching, a perfect companion to the game's captivating story and design.