10 Best Video Game Soundtracks for Getting Work Done

As someone who wears many hats (novelist, freelance writer, presenter, tutor), I find that I need music to get into a certain headspace and transition between projects. The right music helps me create, motivates me to get started on difficult tasks, and gives me energy for long to-do lists. I find that most of my writing and working music consists of video game soundtracks, and while there are so many great ones out there, I w anted to recommend a few specific soundtracks I find particularly helpful for productivity, focus, and mood-setting. For the purpose of this list, I’ve focused on albums that I particularly appreciate as a cohesive whole. Regardless of the kind of work you do, I hope you find inspiration from these fantastic soundtracks.

Anything by Jessica Curry

Dear Esther and Everyone’s Gone to the Rapture are particularly great for setting a somber, contemplative mood. Their eerie ghost-like quality really helps me get into a space to imagine, wonder, and slow down.

I also use Jessica Curry’s work specifically to get myself into a “trance-like state”. I’ve become conditioned that when “I Have Begun My Ascent” plays, I start writing, and when “Ascension” plays, it’s time to take a break. I definitely recommend these albums for hyper-focusing on creative, mentally intensive projects, as well as just to relax. If I have trouble falling asleep, I might also play Dear Esther’s soundtrack to nod off to.  

Puzzlejuice by Big Giant Circles

I love Puzzlejuice for its contemplative energy. While soundtracks like Dear Esther make me slow down to explore a new world in my writing, Puzzlejuice gives me tactical energy for solving problems (which makes sense since it’s from a puzzle game). I use Puzzlejuice largely when I have a pile of administrative work to do: a bunch of emails to answer, events to coordinate, or decisions to make, and feel a little overwhelmed. It has just the right amount of energy to help drive me to problem solve and stay motivated to get through my to-do list.

Journey of 1000 Stars by Big Giant Circles feat. Disasterpeace & Flashygoodness

Journey of 1000 Stars’ menu song is something I can loop for hours on end while at work. Like Puzzlejuice, I find it both energetic and reassuring, especially great for when I don’t have much energy but need to get the day started. I listen to this and can’t help but smile, and next thing you know I’m in the middle of my inbox, getting things done.

FTL by Ben Prunty

FTL is a go-to writing album for me. In fact, it’s my default starting point for pretty much any project. What I love about this album is its versatility and tonal range. I love the energy in the Battle songs, and the ghost-like call of the Explore songs. None of the tracks change so dramatically as to throw me out of focus, but allow my brain to go all sorts of different places while listening. I recommend FTL as an all-around great working album.

Frozen Synapse by nervous_testpilot

Frozen Synapse is my dystopian soundtrack. I listen to this for writing projects that involve heavy worldbuilding and high stakes. Frozen Synapse has a sense of loss that’s tonally similar to Dear Esther, but the energy more similar to Globulous and There Came an Echo. If Dear Esther is a leisurely stroll, and FTL an urban exploration, Frozen Synapse is a jog: it gets me caught in the fast-paced sections, and helps me think about things like plot and conflict in a story.

Piano Collections FINAL FANTASY VII

This one is an old favorite close to my heart. This was probably my first video game music CD, and it’s one I come to time and time again. A fantastic collection of some of Nobuo Uematsu’s most familiar songs arranged for the piano, this is a great album for everyday work, or background music to a dinner party, because why not?

Celeste by Lena Raine

This album is so effective at transporting me that now I can’t listen to it unless I’m working on a specific project--otherwise my mind goes into the world of that work in progress anyway, so there’s no point. I love the range of energy in this album, like FTL, and how it moves seamlessly between slow-paced and fast-paced songs. This album is one I go to when writing feels daunting and terrifying. I get into the first track, and my imagination lights on fire, making the act of writing not seem so difficult after all.

Aviary Attorney

Aviary Attorney is an unusual video game soundtrack in that it is entirely composed of classical romantic-era music. This really helps set the tone and place in time in the game, but can also be great for working. I find that classical music is some of my favorite mentally stimulating music to work to, and this album is no exception.

Aviary Attorney Soundtrack is on Steam

Night in the Woods by Alec Holokwa (particularly Vol. 1)

Night in the Woods is one of my favorite games from all ends: its storytelling, art direction, characters and worldbuilding—and all of this is tied together so beautifully with its music. This soundtrack is so incredibly thorough (three separate albums on Bandcamp, including one entirely for an in-game mini-game) and provides a range for different moods and energy levels. I particularly love to put this one on in early fall to get into the spirit of the season.

Baba is You by Arvi Teikari

Last but not least, I really cannot get enough of the Baba is You soundtrack. Another good puzzle game soundtrack, Baba is You’s simple synths help me stay on task, and my go-to for particularly daunting tasks, like editing a novel. The songs help me slow down to concentrate on finding the best solution to a problem.

Baba Is You soundstrack is on Steam

Some other great runner-up soundtracks are for FEZ, There Came an Echo, Globulous, as well as Jrazz’s remix of “Waterfall” from Undertale, Prescription for Sleep’s Stardew Valley, and Austin Wintory’s Transfiguration (though he has a range of fantastic video game music, of course). These are only a few of the albums I particularly recommend—and I know there are many more I have yet to discover!

What are your favorite albums to listen to while working? Feel free to comment below with your favorite video game thinking music recommendations!