Games with dynamic soundtracks
One of my favorite strengths of the medium is that games are often designed so that the world around you shifts to reflect your in-game actions. This list attempts to document some of the most notable examples of what is referred to as "adaptive/dynamic music," where the soundtrack often shifts volume, rhythm, or tone depending on what's happening at that very moment. Noodle discusses the different techniques in further detail here if you want to learn more, with some additional examples here. Suggestions welcome, I'm always looking for more great examples of this design philosophy in action!
75 Games
Shifts to another segment of the song as the player progresses through boss phases, noticeably slowing down in tempo during close quarters combat. Example with The Line
Slightly muffles the background track and substitutes the instrumentation when underwater. Similarly, the game's soundtrack consists of separate layers/instruments that fade in and out as the player moves between different segments of any given level. This entry also serves as a stand-in for Rare games on the N64, such as Banjo Tooie, Conker's Bad Fur Day, and Donkey Kong 64
Adds a slight muffling filter when ascending the tower of light to simulate being underwater. Also, players shouts are always within the scale of the backing track (adding your own notes to the music), and the final sequence times specific moments in the song with sections of the stage, withholding the track's progression until you hit the checkpoint.
Utilizes an procedural music system that functions off of "different musical building blocks, controlled by parameters inside the game."
Distorts/adds to the music depending on player's speed/momentum, and the player's progress within each puzzle. Similarly, adds extra musical effects while the player interacts with gel.
Shifts between different phases depending on player progress; anticipation, first phase/noticed by the colossi, and second phase/denouement once onto the colossi. The track can shift back into previous phases if the player ends up falling off the colossi or has to otherwise reset the situation.
There are four different layers to each track, adding a new layer to symbolize a new layer of fear. These tracks are then mixed differently depending on a variety of variables (e.g. player's distance from Necromorphs).
Adds more instruments to the mix the longer the player stays in a single stage, mirroring enemy intensification.
Known for the iMuse system to continually synchronize backing tracks with the on-screen actions seamlessly. Also a stand-in for all LucasArts games with iMuse
Adds another percussion layer to the backing track if you jump on/ride Yoshi.
Transitions to ambient versions of each backing track if you stand still long enough, and increases the tempo of the backing track while charging.
Adds more instrumental layers to the ending area song for each character that you've interacted with during your journey. That's just the tip of the iceberg regarding Outer Wilds' adaptive sound design and soundtrack
Adds additional layers to the "Dire Dire Docks" theme depending on how deeply underwater Mario is within Jolly Roger Bay.
Adds guitar/drum solos to the backing track as part of your attack and indicates which side is winning depending on the genre playing the tune (rock vs EDM)
Changes to an 8-bit version of the track when playing the hacking minigame. Also, the overworld music transitions based off of a variety of factors such as story progress and location.
The famous "low HP beep" has now been implemented as a central element into its own critical health track. Also, the Village Bridge theme adds more instruments as you talk to the various band members around the area.
Intensifies the music as the number of enemies fought at once increases. Also applies to Dragon's Dogma II
The "Guard Trouble" theme has a second version that starts playing once you begin to fight more than 8 enemies at a time
The backing track differs during chase sequences depending on whether or not the player is in high/low profile
Adds an additional track to the current BGM whenever dashing
Similar to Phantasy Star III, shifts the tone of the encounter theme depending on which side has the advantage.
Adds musical flairs to the backing track upon in-game actions such as glissandos when getting ambushed by the werewolf
Operates somewhat similarly to Dying Light 2 in how the soundtrack is affected by your actions during parkour. See this video for more details
Adds another layer of percussion whenever the player gets a chain of 5 or more successful actions. Compare the original track to its 5 chain track
Stand-in for the main series. All interactive tracks are arranged in a vertical layering system. See this blog post for a description of how specific menus in the Pod menu system are attributed to a specific layer to mix and match layers of the soundtrack.
The music changes depending on a variety of factors, such as speed, position, lap of race, section of the track, etc.
Music changes depending on what is going in the fight; for example, blocking kicks muffles the background track with a lowpass filter, combo breakers and combos activate different tracks, and the music as a whole directly syncs with combos. A short breakdown can be found here
Somewhat similar to the DOOM entries in that enemy encounters switch the melodic background track to a more intense and higher tempo track, using a slomo effect to signify when encounters end before switching back.
Escalates and deescalates backing tracks depending on the intensity of combat. Also, see the Doom Eternal description in this list for another similar example.
Removes the lead instruments whenever moving the board around in battle. Example
The game's soundtrack "uses parallel forms with three layers which are activated by various parameters and then uses a transitional technique to crossfade into the end stinger or a different piece entirely," and also swells and crescendos as you swing around the city. Also applies to Miles Morales
According to DizzySkullKid19: "the speed at which you walk in Chibi Robo changes the tempo of the music, and your walking sounds themselves are little staccato arpeggiated notes. There's also the different tools like the toothbrush, and when you use it to scrub the speed the music slows down, starts or stops depending on how fast you scrub and when you start and stop." See here for more detail.
Uses four vertical layers (exploration, tension, combat, and "variety") for various game states and special musical transition segments when the player moves from one age to the next. See this blog post by the Music Lead of AoE IV for more information.
Stand-in for the whole series; Pikmin soundtracks as a whole operate in a similar fashion. Consists of dynamic themes that shift tones and instruments used based off of the current actions of your Pikmin, the time of day, and your current health/status.
Rez's lock-on system produces a sound effect that is automatically delayed to stay in sync with the background track at all times.
Collect "plus" symbol power-ups to add more layers to the level's theme as you run along. Applies to most games in the series
Utilizes several versions of Debussy's Preludes to reflect whether the player is "plotting" or in "full chaos mode"
Popularized many of the techniques described across this list for "cinematic adaptive music".
Uses a generative music system; various player actions as well as the environment result in "every object making music"
The tanks minigame has a separate MIDI track for each enemy tank that is removed every time that specific tank is eliminated. That's just the surface of this iceberg.
Uses a dynamic sound generation tool named "pulse" to create "Soundscapes," referred to as "different reflections" and "different interpretations" of the original OST.
The player essentially creates their own version of the song within the level's parameters, with the player's action adding notes. Explained in more detail here
Another example of early generative video game music, uses a technique dubbed "Riffology" that arranges a library of musical fragments depending on what environment the player is in, with the specific arrangement differing depending on what is happening at that particular time from the player's actions
The game's difficulty adapts to how well you play in that every song has many possible alternate music bars/phrases that can show up over the course of different playthroughs. Rarely do you ever hear the same song played exactly the same.
One of the first generative music games; music notes play whenever you fire, and collected letters can change the musical instrument played.
Considered to be the "first" generative music game, the background music is modified according to an algorithm as you spread and smear "moonjuice." See it in action
31 Comments
i think dire dire docks in sm64 and mounting yoshi in smw/sms would fit
The rest of the games that use iMuse, in case you feel like noting them in the Monkey Island entry or something: https://www.mobygames.com/group/10390/sound-engine-imuse/
Im pretty sure the Spyro remakes do this if you are like charging and stuff
i feel like this phenomenon has gotten too large in general to really be documented in a backloggd list but since you are doing it i'd say DOOM 2016 and mario kart 8 are the first ones that come to mind and deserve mentions
@gruel I keep putting off the original System Shock for various reason but that might just be the best pitch anyone can give for that game.
@MisterAtlas_ Sounds good to me, added!
@DJSCheddar Thanks, I've updated the Monkey Island description to be a stand-in for the other iMuse games as well.
@Snigglegros: Yup, and I found out that the level themes transition to an ambient version if you stand still for long enough!
@MisterAtlas_ Sounds good to me, added!
@DJSCheddar Thanks, I've updated the Monkey Island description to be a stand-in for the other iMuse games as well.
@Snigglegros: Yup, and I found out that the level themes transition to an ambient version if you stand still for long enough!
No Straight Roads is my favorite example of this, it does it a lot. During boss fights there's a rock/edm meter and it changes the genre of the track to either genre depending on who has the advantage during it. There's also a button that lets you perform a guitar or drum solo depending on the character and almost every track has one, it's sick.
I'm surprised NieR Automata and Devil May Cry 5 aren't on here, they're like the prime examples of dynamic soundtracks in gaming for me! Very interesting list idea too.
As for further context, Automata changes depending on story progress, location and doing the hacking minigame (where the songs transition to an 8-Bit version), while DMC 5 adds progressively more layers to the song, depending on how well you perform in combat (based on your style rank).
I'm not even joking when I say that a game having a bit of dynamic music is enough to instantly bump it up a couple points for me in terms of my overall ranking XD
As for my own suggestion, Pokemon Black/White (and it's sequel) are absolutely filled to the BRIM with dynamic music; area music subtly changes instrumentation depending on the seasons, there are different themes in battles for if your mon is low on health and if a Gym Leader is on their final Pokemon and [Village Bridge]( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gju6j3f2xTc) has parts of the song added onto the more people you talk to; it's utterly phenomenal.
As for my own suggestion, Pokemon Black/White (and it's sequel) are absolutely filled to the BRIM with dynamic music; area music subtly changes instrumentation depending on the seasons, there are different themes in battles for if your mon is low on health and if a Gym Leader is on their final Pokemon and [Village Bridge]( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gju6j3f2xTc) has parts of the song added onto the more people you talk to; it's utterly phenomenal.
I think Metal Gear Rising has one if I'm not mistaken
Pikmin 2 and 3
Can't believe you forgot Jak II (couldn't find a video with the proper transition tho)
https://youtu.be/lVQJ9nOTgXI?si=oMM3KUG_DZ2SsbsL
https://youtu.be/mfAe_qiwoOk?si=03V1LT24Fp8MeIuO
https://youtu.be/lVQJ9nOTgXI?si=oMM3KUG_DZ2SsbsL
https://youtu.be/mfAe_qiwoOk?si=03V1LT24Fp8MeIuO
I guess since kazooie is here, tooie would also count
SMT Nocturne containd various encounter themes that shifts whether the player is on the winning, losing, or neutral state. Same goes for Phantasy Star 3, among other, sorta similar implementations.
Does the Black and White village bridge count? The area where you talk to the various band members and they add their instrument to the song?
The Bully soundtrack is awesome. There's a version for each song that changes depending on whether you're walking around or in active combat.
Some of my favorites:
Fun
Foot Stealth
Street Fight
Some of my favorites:
Fun
Foot Stealth
Street Fight
I've added all of the suggestions so far and a few more as well, thanks everyone!
Neo: The World Ends With You has a mechanic where an additional track of the song plays along with the current bgm whenever you use your dash
The blurb on Banjo-Kazooie sells it a bit short, in most of the game, there are completely separate layers/instruments that fade in and out of the song as you move between different segments of any given level, it's not just muffling underwater. Don't forget Donkey Kong 64 does the same thing too!
Dying Light 2 has a dynamic soundtrack corresponding to your proficiency in parkour. The music gets louder/more intense or softer depending on how many moves you can string together and how seamless you are.
the mario rpg remake adds another layer of percussion whenever you get a chain of 5 or more successful action commands (normal song vs its 5 chain version)
pikmin 1 and 4 are dynamic in the same way 2 and 3 are, might be a good idea to just put in 1 as a stand-in for the whole series (minus hey pikmin)
the origami king removes the lead instruments whenever you're moving the board around in battle as seen here
hollow knight's city of tears music removes most of the instruments whenever you go inside (outside vs inside). im not sure if any of the other music in the game does this
in persona 5, one of the palaces has a restaurant area where the theme is shifted into a piano arrangement (original vs restaurant). wasn't sure if this one counted, but the change with the hacking minigames in nier automata sounds similar enough to what happens here
pikmin 1 and 4 are dynamic in the same way 2 and 3 are, might be a good idea to just put in 1 as a stand-in for the whole series (minus hey pikmin)
the origami king removes the lead instruments whenever you're moving the board around in battle as seen here
hollow knight's city of tears music removes most of the instruments whenever you go inside (outside vs inside). im not sure if any of the other music in the game does this
in persona 5, one of the palaces has a restaurant area where the theme is shifted into a piano arrangement (original vs restaurant). wasn't sure if this one counted, but the change with the hacking minigames in nier automata sounds similar enough to what happens here
oh otocky is perfect for this list! dunno how i forgot to mention it
Ultrakill should also be here. Whenever a enemy encounter, a more fast-paced and frenzied version of the level's track will replace the more atmospheric and melodic track, and in encounters involving specific arenas where you can't simply skip, when an encounters ends, there is a slow-mo effect right before changing back to the melodic track.
Dragon's Dogma 1 and 2, the music gets progressively more intense the more enemies you fight (which also depends on your current level if I remember correctly).
Assassin's Creed 1 has dynamic music as well during chase scenes, depending on whether or not you're in low profile/high profile.
Little Big Planet also has dynamic music which can also be toyed with in the level editor.
Assassin's Creed 1 has dynamic music as well during chase scenes, depending on whether or not you're in low profile/high profile.
Little Big Planet also has dynamic music which can also be toyed with in the level editor.
Maybe I'm not seeing it, but I don't see Chibi Robo on the list, unless it doesn't meet all the qualifications.
I know you've played Chibi-Robo, but to specify: the speed at which you walk in Chibi Robo changes the tempo of the music, and your walking sounds themselves are little staccato arpeggiated notes. There's also the different tools like the toothbrush, and when you use it to scrub the speed the music slows down, starts or stops depending on how fast you scrub and when you start and stop. (This is probably obvious since you've played the game, just adding my justification)
Cocoon does this to a wild degree; they even have a system in place whereby the music will dynamically change the closer you get to the puzzle's solution. Austin Wintory is a terrible interviewer, but if you can struggle through his constant need to make the conversation about himself, this interview has some really interesting details about the process.
@DizzySkullKid19 I actually forgot that Chibi-Robo should be included, thanks for the reminder!
Most of the other suggestions have also been added as well, thanks everyone! I've been learning a ton in the last few days.
Most of the other suggestions have also been added as well, thanks everyone! I've been learning a ton in the last few days.
@Drax btw here's my favorite video on Chibi-robo's soundtrack btw which doubles as kind of my source (I guess Chibi-Robo's walking sounds are less arpeggios than little five or six note scales). I didn't even realize how deep the interactive soundtrack in this game goes, holy moly the dynamics and timbre of your walking notes even change based on what surface you are walking on (source 2:20 in the video).
gruel
1 month ago