Individual Soundtrack Reviews, Scored by Working Musicians

From chiptune loops to full orchestral suites, every score gets a close listen before we hand down a verdict.

Latest Soundtrack Verdicts

Score-by-score breakdowns from our Alexandria listening panel

01

Pentiment — Quiet Triumph

A folk-instrumented score that never overplays its hand, letting hurdy-gurdy and lute textures carry the weight of a small Bavarian town's secrets.
02

Cocoon — Puzzle Mastery

Minimalist ambient layers shift with every world transition, and the restraint shown here earns this one of our highest marks for sound design integration.
03

Chrono Cross — Reprise Revisited

Yasunori Mitsuda's shifting motifs still hold up on replay; the panel debated for an hour before settling on a score that honors its ambition.
04

Hollow Knight — Silksong Prelude Tracks

Christopher Larkin's early released cues hint at heavier orchestral color than the original, and our reviewers break down what's changed and why it matters.
05

Tunic — A Score Worth Getting Lost In

Lifeformed's synth-and-strings hybrid rewards patient exploration, mirroring the game's own design; we rank the standout tracks and explain the scoring gaps.
06

Sea of Stars — Homage Done Right

A soundtrack that wears its 16-bit influences openly while still finding its own voice; our review weighs nostalgia against genuine musical craft.

No hype cycles, no clickbait — just close listening

Reviewed on Merit

Every soundtrack is judged on composition, mixing, and how the music serves the game — not on marketing buzz or release-day hype.

Musicians Behind the Panel

Our Alexandria-based reviewers read scores, play instruments, and bring formal musical training to every write-up they publish.

Full Playthrough Listens

We sit with a soundtrack across a complete playthrough before scoring it, catching thematic threads a quick sampler would miss.

Transparent Scoring Criteria

Each review breaks down its verdict across composition, variety, and mix quality, so readers see exactly how a score was reached.

Search the review archive for chiptune classics and orchestral epics alike, all scored by ear.