Now that 2024 is quickly coming to an end, that means this year’sGame Awardsceremony is nearly here, and it’s primed to be an exciting time given the year in gaming it has been. Of course, theGame of the Year awardis the top prize to be earned at 2024’s Game Awards, but that shouldn’t subtract from the value of other awards, including the award for Best Score and Music.
There are five nominees up for Best Score and Music at the 2024Game Awards, each of which are more than worthy of their nomination. Ultimately, the decision will come down to the ability of a score to not only capture the heart of the game it serves but also to deliver something unique and memorable that effortlessly rings in the ears of players even when the game isn’t running.
2024 Best Score and Music Nominees
Astro Bot
Astro Bot’s score is almost essential to the list of nominees for Best Score and Music in 2024, as it is as fun asAstro Bot’s gameplay and as cute as Astro Bot himself. For the most part,Astro Bot’s score is electronic, upbeat, and happy, effectively matching the tone of the game. Some of the tracks are even humorous to listen to, like the track onAstro Bot’sGod of Warlevelwhere Kratos can be heard saying “boy” during a break at one point in the song. LikeMetaphor: ReFantazio, which is also up for Best Score and Music,Astro Botis a Game of the Year nominee. However, that doesn’t necessarily guarantee it Best Score and Music, especially considering how repetitiveAstro Bot’s music can be, to the point that the music blends in with the game a bit too much at times.
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Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthis the second game in theFinal Fantasy 7 Remaketrilogy and is an improvement upon its predecessor in numerous ways, including its soundtrack. Arguably,Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s soundtrack is one of gaming’s best in recent memory, thanks to its variety and unwillingness to stick to a specific motif. Whether players aretraipsing around the Gold Sauceror out exploring the wilderness of Junon, the score that plays during these moments is excellent, makingFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirtha strong and worthy contender for Best Score and Music in 2024’s Game Awards.
WHERE TO PLAY
Discover a vibrant and vast world in this standalone entry in the Final Fantasy VII remake project. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second entry in the Final Fantasy VII remake project, which retells the story of the genre-redefining RPG across three distinct games. Iconic heroes Cloud, Barret, Tifa, Aerith and Red XIII have escaped from the dystopian city Midgar and are now in pursuit of Sephiroth, the vengeful swordsman from Cloud’s past who was thought to be dead. This new adventure can be enjoyed by all players, even those who have yet to play Final Fantasy VII Remake or the PlayStation original. Expect a new standard of cinematic storytelling, fast-paced combat and rich exploration across a vast world.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Metaphor: ReFantaziomay not be onPersona’s levelwhen it comes to music, but it certainly has some memorable tracks. One track, in particular, isMetaphor: ReFantazio’s battle theme song, which is as epic as it is frantic. Apart from that,Metaphor: ReFantazioeffectively realizes its fantasy world in its arrangement of music that sounds like a blend ofFinal FantasyandFire Emblem, with that signature Atlus flair on it.Metaphor: ReFantaziois up for Game of the Year in 2024, but that may not necessarily help it win Best Score and Music. However, it could certainly put up a fight, given its originality and the fact that it’s coming from a brand-new IP.
From the creative minds behind Persona 3, 4, and 5 comes Metaphor: ReFantazio, a unique fantasy world, where your protagonist will journey alongside his fairy companion, Gallica, to lift the curse from the kingdom’s lost prince.Control your destiny, face your fears, and awaken magical Archetype powers that lie dormant in your heart. By awakening to an Archetype, you will unlock the power to channel and combine the abilities of unique job classes. Strengthen your bonds and build your party to take down powerful foes and discover the kingdom’s true nature.
Silent Hill 2
TheSilent Hill 2remake is on the list of nominees for Best Score and Music for a reason, as it manages to capture the essence of the original game’s score and produces something for modern audiences to remember long after they’ve completed the game and moved on.Silent Hill 2’s score breathes new life into the original soundtrack while simultaneously managing to maintain its bone-chilling abilities. The score may be considered more mellow and mysterious than anything else, but that doesn’t stop it from giving off some of the most haunting vibes ever present in a horror game’s soundtrack. In short,Silent Hill 2is more than deservingof a nomination for Best Score and Music in 2024.
Investigating a letter from his late wife, James returns to where they made so many memories - Silent Hill. What he finds is a ghost town, prowled by disturbing monsters and cloaked in deep fog. Confront the monsters, solve puzzles, and search for traces of your wife in this remake of SILENT HILL 2.High-end Graphics and SoundWith ray tracing and other cutting-edge technical enhancements, the world of SILENT HILL and its unsettling ambiance is even realer than before.And with the inclusion of new, immersive soundscapes, you’ll feel like you’re standing in the thick of it.Larger EnvironmentsExplore locations and buildings that were once inaccessible, or are newly added in the remake. Enjoy the same acclaimed story, even while you experience the town of Silent Hill with fresh eyes across an expanded map.Over-the-shoulder CameraThe remake moves from the original’s fixed-camera viewpoints to an over-the-shoulder perspective, putting you closer to what James sees, for a more thrilling, more immersive experience as you explore the town and come face-to-face with monsters.Evolved Combat GameplayFamiliar weapons like the steel pipe and handgun make their return, but now with an updated combat system. Avoid attacks with carefully timed dodges, aim down sights, and more, making monster encounters more engaging and nerve-wracking than ever.
Stellar Blade
Shift Up’sStellar Bladeis more than deserving of a nomination for 2024’s Best Score and Music award, and has been deemed by many to be one of the better gaming soundtracks of the year. Its music is very much akin to the music of Square Enix’sNieR: Automata, which makes sense consideringStellar Blade’s game director has immense respect forNieR: Automata’s — so much so, thatStellar Bladerecently released DLC in collaboration withNieR: Automata. The game’s mix of electronic, pop, and sometimes what could be comparable to soothing elevator music, makes for an upbeat yet smooth ride throughStellar Blade’s post-apocalyptic world.
WhereStellar Blade’s soundtrack may ultimately fall short in its race to win the Best Score and Music award for 2024 is in its repetitiveness. WhenStellar Blade’s demowas released before its official launch, the music sounded like it would have some decent variety as the game progressed. However, it turned out that almost every track beyond the music in the demo sounded similar.
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Final Prediction
When it comes to the Best Score and Music award for 2024,Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthmay have the other nominees beaten already. For one thing,Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s soundtrack specializes in diversity, unlike some of the other nominees for Best Score and Music, likeAstro BotandStellar Blade. Despite being a remake and reprising all the originalFinal Fantasy 7’s musicas well, there is a range here that the other nominees just can’t quite reach in their selection. This is not even accounting for the nostalgia that the soundtrack inevitably brings longtime fans either, which can be enough to sway any jury.
Final Fantasy 7 Remakealso won Best Score and Music in 2020, thereby reinforcing the case forFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthto win in 2024 — and it could even be argued thatFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s soundtrack is a significant improvement over its predecessor’s.Final Fantasy 7 Rebirtheven has a special track for a side questinvolving an adorable dog that is extremely catchy. All in all,Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthlooks primed to take home the award for Best Score and Music this year, with its biggest competitor arguably beingMetaphor: ReFantazio.
