Top 18 Atmospheric Video Game Soundtracks to Listen to on a Lazy Weekend
The weekend is here. The world outside slows to a gentle hum, the light softens, and your to-do list finally takes a backseat. It's a time for quiet moments—a warm cup of coffee, a good book, or simply staring out the window as the rain traces patterns on the glass. What ties these perfect, lazy moments together? The right soundtrack.
While we often turn to our favorite artists or curated playlists, there's an entire universe of masterfully composed music waiting to be discovered: video game soundtracks. These aren't just repetitive 8-bit loops anymore. Modern game scores are breathtaking orchestral, electronic, and ambient compositions designed to build worlds and evoke deep, lasting emotions. They are crafted specifically to create an atmosphere, making them the perfect companions for study, relaxation, or deep focus.
So, put on your comfiest headphones and settle in. We've curated a list of the 18 most atmospheric video game soundtracks that are perfect for enhancing your lazy weekend. From the snow-capped peaks of fantasy realms to the neon-drenched streets of a cyberpunk future, this is your auditory passport to other worlds.
1. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Composer: Jeremy Soule
It’s impossible to talk about atmospheric game music without mentioning Skyrim. Jeremy Soule’s score is as vast and majestic as the world it represents. It’s a masterful blend of soaring orchestral pieces, powerful Nordic choirs, and, most importantly for a lazy weekend, serene ambient tracks that play as you wander the tundra or explore a misty forest.
The music of Skyrim evokes a powerful sense of history, myth, and untamed nature. The gentle lutes of a tavern, the ethereal hum of a magical ruin, or the peaceful strings that accompany a sunrise over a mountain—each piece is designed to make you feel like you are truly there. It's a soundtrack that feels both epic and deeply personal, capturing the spirit of adventure and the quiet beauty of solitude.
- Standout Tracks: "From Past to Present," "Secunda," "The Streets of Whiterun"
- Perfect For: Reading a high-fantasy novel or planning your next big adventure.
2. Minecraft
Composer: C418 (Daniel Rosenfeld)
The Minecraft soundtrack is the audio equivalent of a warm, nostalgic hug. C418’s minimalist and melancholic piano melodies have become iconic, defining a generation's creative experiences. The music is intentionally sparse, often giving way to the game's ambient sounds of wind, water, and wildlife, which only makes its return all the more impactful.
These gentle, lo-fi synth and piano pieces are filled with a sense of quiet wonder and contemplation. There’s a beautiful sadness to some tracks and a hopeful optimism to others, mirroring the feeling of being alone in a vast, empty world that is yours to shape. It’s a masterclass in how "less is more" can create an unforgettable atmosphere.
- Standout Tracks: "Sweden," "Wet Hands," "Subwoofer Lullaby"
- Perfect For: Journaling, studying, or a quiet afternoon of creative thinking.
3. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Composers: Manaka Kataoka, Yasuaki Iwata, Hajime Wakai
While some initially found its score "empty," the genius of Breath of the Wild's soundtrack lies in its restraint. Instead of constant, sweeping orchestral themes, the music is a delicate tapestry of sparse piano motifs, natural ambience, and subtle electronic textures. It trusts the player to find beauty in the quiet moments, just as the gameplay trusts them to find their own path.
The soundtrack makes the world of Hyrule feel alive and untamed. The simple, recurring piano notes that signal a discovery, the gentle theme of a stable offering respite, or the rising tension as the sky darkens—it’s all designed to immerse you without overwhelming you. It’s a dynamic, breathing score that feels less like a background track and more like the world's own heartbeat.
- Standout Tracks: "Main Theme," "Riding (Day)," "Hateno Village"
- Perfect For: A long walk in nature or a peaceful morning with a cup of tea.
4. Journey
Composer: Austin Wintory
Austin Wintory's Grammy-nominated score for Journey is not just music; it's the game's emotional core. The soundtrack is a single, continuous piece that dynamically evolves with your progress, telling a powerful, wordless story of struggle, companionship, and transcendence. It’s a breathtaking work of art from start to finish.
Featuring a haunting cello as its primary voice, the music swells with orchestral grandeur as you slide down sand dunes and recedes to a lone flute in moments of quiet discovery. It perfectly captures the feeling of a pilgrimage through a vast, mysterious, and beautiful landscape. Listening to this soundtrack is an emotional experience in itself.
- Standout Tracks: "Nascence," "Apotheosis," "I Was Born for This"
- Perfect For: Meditation, reflection, or when you need a truly moving and cinematic listening experience.
5. Stardew Valley
Composer: ConcernedApe (Eric Barone)
The soundtrack to Stardew Valley is pure, distilled coziness. Composed entirely by the game's sole developer, Eric Barone, the music is filled with charming, memorable melodies that change with the seasons. It evokes a sense of simple living, community, and the satisfaction of watching something grow.
From the hopeful chiptune-inspired theme of "Spring (The Valley Comes Alive)" to the melancholic, reflective tones of "Winter (Nocturne of Ice)," each piece perfectly captures the mood of its season. It’s a warm, optimistic, and deeply relaxing score that feels like coming home.
- Standout Tracks: "Stardew Valley Overture," "Summer (The Sun Can Bend an Orange Sky)," "Dance of the Moonlight Jellies"
- Perfect For: Gardening, cooking, or tidying up your space on a Sunday afternoon.
6. Red Dead Redemption 2
Composer: Woody Jackson
Woody Jackson’s score for Red Dead Redemption 2 is a dusty, soulful, and deeply melancholic love letter to the dying American West. The music is an organic part of the world, blending ambient acoustic guitar, lonely fiddles, and ominous strings to create an atmosphere that is both beautiful and brutal.
The soundtrack brilliantly shifts between tense, percussive tracks during moments of conflict and gentle, reflective melodies while riding through the wilderness. The licensed vocal tracks that appear at key narrative moments add an incredible layer of emotional weight. It's a score that smells of campfire smoke and pine, capturing the loneliness and majesty of the frontier.
- Standout Tracks: "That's The Way It Is" (Daniel Lanois), "Unshaken" (D'Angelo), "American Venom"
- Perfect For: A late-night drive or simply watching the world go by from your window.
7. Hollow Knight
Composer: Christopher Larkin
Christopher Larkin’s orchestral score for Hollow Knight is hauntingly beautiful. It perfectly captures the dual atmosphere of the game's world, Hallownest: a fallen kingdom filled with both faded grandeur and profound sadness. The music is elegant, melancholic, and utterly unforgettable.
The score deftly moves between the quiet, pensive piano of "Dirtmouth" (the game’s last safe town) and the epic, sweeping strings of "City of Tears." It creates a palpable sense of history and loss, making you feel the weight of the forgotten kingdom as you explore its depths. It's a masterclass in world-building through music.
- Standout Tracks: "City of Tears," "Greenpath," "Resting Grounds"
- Perfect For: Rainy days, deep focus, and getting lost in thought.
8. Outer Wilds
Composer: Andrew Prahlow
The soundtrack to Outer Wilds is filled with a sense of homespun cosmic wonder. Andrew Prahlow’s score blends folksy acoustic guitar and banjo with ethereal synths and soaring strings, creating a unique sound that is both intimate and awe-inspiring. It’s the perfect music for exploring the final frontier.
The main theme, "Travelers," is a collaborative banjo piece played by different characters across the solar system, and hearing it come together is a magical experience. The music captures the game's central themes of curiosity, discovery, and the bittersweet beauty of endings. It’s a soundtrack that will make you feel small in the best way possible.
- Standout Tracks: "Travelers," "End Times," "14.3 Billion Years"
- Perfect For: Stargazing or contemplating life's big questions.
9. Nier: Automata
Composer: Keiichi Okabe
Keiichi Okabe's score for Nier: Automata is a transcendent masterpiece. It’s a stunning fusion of ethereal, choir-like vocals (sung in a fictional, chaotic language), heartbreaking piano melodies, and epic orchestral and electronic arrangements. As a long-time writer for Goh Ling Yong's blog, I've listened to countless soundtracks, and this one remains in a class of its own.
The music is deeply tied to the game's post-apocalyptic world and its philosophical themes of what it means to be human. Tracks dynamically shift between quiet, calm, and intense versions depending on the situation, creating a seamless and immersive experience. It's a profoundly emotional and beautifully strange soundtrack that will stay with you long after you've finished listening.
- Standout Tracks: "City Ruins (Rays of Light)," "A Beautiful Song," "Weight of the World"
- Perfect For: When you want a soundtrack that is emotionally rich, complex, and thought-provoking.
10. Cyberpunk 2077
Composers: Marcin Przybyłowicz, P. T. Adamczyk, Paul Leonard-Morgan
While its launch was rocky, Cyberpunk 2077's soundscape is an undisputed triumph. The score creates a thick, palpable atmosphere of a neon-drenched, dystopian future. It’s a mix of dark ambient synths, gritty industrial beats, and Vangelis-inspired electronic soundscapes that make Night City feel dangerously alive.
Beyond the main score, the in-game radio stations are a treasure trove of atmospheric music, from the calming synthwave of "Pacific Dreams" to the moody industrial rock of "Ritual FM." It's the perfect soundtrack for a rainy night, capturing the feeling of being a small part of a massive, overwhelming, and awe-inspiring metropolis.
- Standout Tracks: "V," "The Rebel Path," "Bells of Laguna Bend"
- Perfect For: Late-night work sessions or driving through the city after dark.
11. Gris
Composer: Berlinist
The music of Gris, composed by the Spanish band Berlinist, is as delicate, beautiful, and emotionally powerful as the game's watercolor visuals. The soundtrack is a seamless blend of serene piano, ambient textures, soaring strings, and haunting vocals that perfectly mirror the protagonist's journey through grief and healing.
The score ebbs and flows with the gameplay, building from quiet, contemplative moments to breathtaking crescendos. It’s a deeply cathartic and uplifting listening experience. This is one of those soundtracks that proves how perfectly music and art can be interwoven to create something truly special.
- Standout Tracks: "Gris, Pt. 1," "Komorebi," "In Your Hands"
- Perfect For: Creative work, mindfulness exercises, or when you need a gentle, emotional lift.
12. Firewatch
Composer: Chris Remo
Chris Remo’s soundtrack for Firewatch is the auditory equivalent of a warm, hazy summer in the Wyoming wilderness. The score is driven by gentle, lonely electric and acoustic guitars, creating a sound that feels both nostalgic and immediate. It perfectly captures the game’s themes of solitude, mystery, and human connection.
The music is used sparingly, allowing the sounds of nature—wind in the trees, a crackling fire—to build the atmosphere. When the score does come in, its gentle, searching melodies add a layer of introspection and melancholy that is incredibly effective. It’s a subtle, beautiful score for quiet moments.
- Standout Tracks: "Prologue," "Ol' Shoshone," "Stay in Your Tower and Watch"
- Perfect For: A lazy Sunday morning or unwinding after a long week.
13. Subnautica
Composer: Simon Chylinski
The atmosphere of Subnautica is a unique blend of wonder and terror, and Simon Chylinski’s electronic score is the key to it all. The music shifts from awe-inspiring, hopeful synth tracks when you're exploring a vibrant coral reef to tense, dread-filled ambient drones when you venture into the dark, unknown depths.
The soundtrack brilliantly captures the feeling of being an isolated explorer on an alien world. The upbeat, tropical-inspired electronic beats make base-building a joy, while the deep, ominous bass tones serve as a constant reminder of the dangers lurking just beyond your view. It's a masterful piece of atmospheric sound design.
- Standout Tracks: "Abandon Ship," "Tropical Eden," "Leviathan"
- Perfect For: Focused work where you want to feel both productive and slightly on-edge.
14. Death Stranding
Composer: Ludvig Forssell
Ludvig Forssell’s score for Death Stranding is as unique and atmospheric as the game itself. It’s a haunting, melancholic, and often beautiful collection of synth-heavy electronic tracks. The music creates a profound sense of isolation and desolation, perfectly matching the game’s empty, post-apocalyptic American landscape.
A key part of the game's atmosphere also comes from its licensed music, primarily from the band Low Roar. These quiet, melancholic indie-folk songs trigger at specific moments of traversal, creating breathtaking and contemplative experiences as you crest a hill to see a vast landscape unfold before you. The combination is pure, moody bliss.
- Standout Tracks: "Don't Be So Serious" (Low Roar), "BB's Theme," "Asylums for the Feeling" (Silent Poets)
- Perfect For: A gloomy, rainy day and deep, introspective thought.
15. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Composers: Marcin Przybyłowicz, Mikołaj Stroiński
The soundtrack for The Witcher 3 is a rich and vibrant tapestry of Slavic folk music and epic orchestral fantasy. While famous for its incredibly energetic combat theme, "Silver for Monsters...", its true atmospheric genius lies in the world exploration tracks. The music of Velen, Skellige, and Toussaint are characters in their own right.
From the melancholic, war-torn strings of Velen to the epic, Celtic-inspired choirs and bagpipes of the Skellige Isles, the music grounds you in the culture and mood of each region. It’s a raw, beautiful, and immersive score that makes the world feel ancient and alive. For many, including us here at the Goh Ling Yong offices, this is peak fantasy music.
- Standout Tracks: "The Fields of Ard Skellig," "Kaer Morhen," "Lullaby of Woe"
- Perfect For: A long road trip or immersing yourself in a large, world-building project.
16. Mass Effect Trilogy
Composers: Jack Wall, Sam Hulick, & more
The original Mass Effect trilogy’s soundtrack is pure, 80s-inspired synth-driven sci-fi. The composers took heavy inspiration from classic films like Blade Runner, creating a soundscape that is nostalgic, futuristic, and full of wonder. The music perfectly captures the feeling of being an explorer on the edge of known space.
The most iconic atmospheric track is undoubtedly the "Galaxy Map" theme, a piece of ambient synth music so beloved that players would leave it on for hours. But the entire score is filled with similar gems, from the pulsing electronics of the Citadel to the lonely, ethereal themes of unexplored worlds. It’s the ultimate space-faring soundtrack.
- Standout Tracks: "The Normandy," "Vigil," "Uncharted Worlds"
- Perfect For: Late-night coding, writing, or dreaming of other worlds.
17. Eastward
Composer: Joel Corelitz
Joel Corelitz's soundtrack for Eastward is a stunning achievement, blending the nostalgic warmth of 16-bit JRPG chiptunes with lush, modern synth-pop and acid jazz influences. The result is a score that is incredibly charming, emotionally resonant, and unbelievably catchy. It’s a soundtrack that radiates hope and heart.
Each town and area has a distinct musical flavor, from the cozy, laid-back vibes of Potcrock Isle to the bustling, upbeat energy of New Dam City. It’s a feel-good soundtrack that captures the quirky charm of the game's world and characters, making it a perfect companion for a cheerful, sunny weekend.
- Standout Tracks: "Eastward," "New Dam City," "Johnny's"
- Perfect For: Brightening your mood, creative brainstorming, or a weekend cleaning session.
18. Final Fantasy VII Remake
Composers: Nobuo Uematsu, Masashi Hamauzu, Mitsuto Suzuki
The Final Fantasy VII Remake soundtrack had an impossible task: to reimagine one of the most beloved scores of all time. It succeeded beyond all expectations. The composers brilliantly re-orchestrated Nobuo Uematsu's classic melodies, creating a score that is both nostalgic and breathtakingly new.
The atmospheric tracks are where the soundtrack truly shines. The downtrodden but hopeful theme of the "Sector 7 Slums," the grimy, industrial ambience of the "Mako Reactor," or the dozen different versions of the main theme that reflect the current mood—it’s a dynamic and richly detailed score. It proves that even in a world of metal and strife, there is immense beauty to be found.
- Standout Tracks: "The Prelude - Reunion," "Hollow Skies," "Under the Rotting Pizza"
- Perfect For: When you want a grand, cinematic, and emotional orchestral experience.
Your Turn to Listen
Music has the power to transform a simple, quiet moment into something truly memorable. Video game composers are masters of this art, creating entire worlds of sound designed to immerse, relax, and inspire us. These soundtracks stand on their own as incredible pieces of music, ready to become the backdrop for your next lazy weekend.
Now, we want to hear from you. What are your go-to atmospheric video game soundtracks? Did we miss a hidden gem that you think deserves a spot on this list?
Share your favorite relaxing game music in the comments below!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
Stay updated with the latest posts and insights by following on your favorite platform!