Music is adored throughout the world and lends itself to an array of different entertainment options, be it film and television, but also video game soundtracks. A variety of creations are remembered purely for the soundtrack or some of the music featured throughout a show or a television series. The same applies to video games, with numerous iconic soundtracks recorded over the years.
Video game music can play its part in the success or failure of a video game. Back in the day, computer games had limited audio ability, with most games offering the odd strange noise or weird beeping sound. Now, whether you’re playing the Nintendo Switch or visiting the home of the best casino games in the UK – slotsheaven.com, games are filled with an array of sound effects and theme music which helps elevate the all-round gaming experience dramatically. Soundtracks for games have certainly evolved over the last few decades. Some video game soundtracks are memorable, while others aren’t.
With several iconic video game soundtracks over the years, here’s a look back at some of the most memorable tracks.
Streets Of Rage 2
The Streets of Rage games are truly iconic in their own right, but so too is the soundtrack behind the games. Available on the Sega Genesis, the soundtrack for Streets Of Rage 2 features techno and breakbeat-influenced compositions from Yuzo Koshiro, which truly serves as the perfect accompaniment to what is a classic game. When people think of Streets of Rage 2, the soundtrack certainly springs to mind also.
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Doom
Another classic game with a dedicated and loyal community of followers, the music in Doom isn’t bad either, although we aren’t sure if it would make this 75-year-old DJ’s playlist. Robert Prince’s soundtrack for Doom is said to have shaped video game soundtracks of the future. The heavy metal and punk styled track went beautifully well with the chaos of Doom and helped give the game the additional aggression and rage that was needed. Without the soundtrack, Doom wouldn’t be the same.
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The Last Of Us
Released in 2013 on the PS3, The Last Of Us was a post-apocalyptic zombie classic, featuring a soundtrack that took to it to an even higher level. Thanks to composer Gustavo Santaolalla, the game’s mood and emotional developments go perfectly with the subtle yet highly effective musical subtlety in this truly memorable game.
You can tell composer Akira Yamaoka was clearly a huge fan of British electro-pop and German industrial music if you’ve ever played Silent Hill. The survival horror was a truly epic game to play at the time of its release in 1999, with the music being a key cog in the game’s horrifying and spooky wheel. It’s a brilliant game with a stunning soundtrack.
Final Fantasy VI
The Final Fantasy franchise has a dedicated and loyal following after registering tremendous success since its inception. The music on the games has been well received too, with the soundtrack for Final Fantasy VI regarded as being one of the best. The music throughout is fantastic in truth, with opera classics and dramatic beats as you fight bosses, all contributing towards what is a memorable game.
Journey
Journey is the first-ever video game to have its soundtrack nominated for a Grammy Award so that we couldn’t leave it out really, could we? Composed by Austin Wintory, the music in Journey perfectly matches the game as players immerse themselves in a truly unique gaming experience. The music actually took three years to be made too, which sums up just how much importance was placed on it.
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Passengers urged to ‘plan ahead’ as Manchester Piccadilly prepares to close for nine days next week
Emily Sergeant
Passengers are being urged to ‘plan ahead’ as Manchester Piccadilly prepares to close for nine full days from next weekend.
In case you hadn’t heard, it was announced last November that Manchester Piccadilly train was going to have to shut in February 2026 for what is described as being a ‘once-in-a-generation upgrade’… and now, we are less than two weeks away before that officially becomes a reality and very few train services run in or out of the station.
Network Rail is investing £7.9m into the major upgrade at Manchester Piccadilly station – with the main points of action being to improve tracks, points, and signalling systems on the southern approach to Manchester Piccadilly station.
Teams are due to replace 11 sets of points, renew timber sleepers with modern, concrete equivalents, and alsobring lineside equipment ‘bang up to date’ across six lines to improve future journeys for passengers and freight.
Investment in this apparent ‘critical stretch’ of track has been long awaited, as any issues with the ageing infrastructure can disrupt all trains running in and out of Manchester.
Passengers are being urged to ‘plan ahead’ as Manchester Piccadilly prepares to close for nine days next week / Credit: Network Rail
The nine-day closure, although expected to cause commuting chaos, is tipped to ultimately deliver ‘better and more reliable journeys’ for passengers in the long run.
The main work takes place over nine days during February half term, from Saturday 14 through to Sunday 22 February 2026.
And what does this mean for anyone travelling exactly? Well, the scale of the work spanning all main lines means no trains from the south and east of the city will run into Manchester Piccadilly for the full nine days, while trains from the north will also be heavily impacted, as will direct connections to Manchester Airport station.
There will be a limited service westbound from Platforms 13 and 14.
⚠️ Major changes to services this February half term ⚠️
🛠️ We're upgrading the Piccadilly corridor.
📆 From 14-22 February there will be no trains from platforms 1-12. A limited service will terminate at platforms 13&14.
The train shed (Platforms 1-12) will also close for the full nine days, but Manchester Piccadilly station’s concourse will remain open to the public.
“During this time, we are advising passengers to travel light, allow extra time for their journey, and be prepared to queue, as stations and rail replacement services are expected to be very busy,” National Rail said in its statement issued ahead of the closure next week.
“We have worked with train operators, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Manchester City Council to develop an alternative travel plan during the closure, to keep passengers moving smoothly to their destination.”
You can plan your journey on the Northern Rail website here.
Featured Image – Network Rail
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Work begins on new £500m ‘culture hub’ with a cinema and performance spaces in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Work is finally beginning on a new £500 million culture hub in Manchester.
The first phase of plans to transform Wythenshawe Civic has entered an exciting new chapter, with Manchester City Council and placemaker Muse officially commencing construction of the new Culture Hub – which is tipped to provide a ‘major boost’ for budding artists, and creative groups and organisations in the area.
The hub is set to include space for food and drink on the ground floor, while the first floor is home to a mix of artist studio spaces and flexible areas for workshops, exhibitions, classes, and community events.
Locals can also expect a brand-new 40-seater cinema, which has been included following feedback given during a public consultation, and 200-seater performance space for a diverse range of performances.
Everything from dance and drama, to music and modern art will fill the performance spaces once the hub opens.
Expected to be completed in 2027, the Culture Hub sits within the first phase of a wider plan to ‘refresh’ Wythenshawe Civic, and will come to life thanks to £20 million of funding from the UK Government and a further £11.9 million from the Council.
What Wythenshawe Civic Centre looks like currently, before being transformed / Credit: Wikipedia Commons
“Listening to local people over the last year and more, we know that Wythenshawe residents want more from their town centre – more things to do, opportunities to spend time in Civic and night time attractions that give the area a lift and attract visitors,” explained Cllr Bev Craig, who is the leader of Manchester City Council.
“This is the drive behind the Culture Hub – a place for local people with an interest in the arts to take part in creative activities, see a show, or enjoy the cinema space, right in the heart of their community.
“This is another exciting chapter in the transformation of Wythenshawe town centre.”
Joe Stockton, Development Director at Muse, called the construction of the new Culture Hub an ‘exciting moment’ for Wythenshawe.
He added: “Our aim is to create a space for the town’s talented artists and creatives to come together and give them the facilities and the space they’ve asked for, to put on amazing shows, live performances, and workshops.
“It’s all part of the wider plan to create opportunities for residents, new homes and jobs, as well as a thriving high street for people to spend time in.”
Andy Kinsey -
17th February 2021 
