10 Best JRPG Soundtracks Worth Listening to Right Now

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I often listen to video game soundtracks even after I’ve finished playing the games, especially when I’m working or doing tasks that don’t need a lot of focus.

Video game soundtracks, especially those from role-playing games (JRPGs), often have a unique ability to provide background atmosphere for long periods without being distracting. The best ones are simply excellent music even when you’re not playing the game. Here are ten JRPG soundtracks that have remained consistently popular and enjoyable.

10. Suikoden

Miki Higashino


Mobygames

When composing the music for Suikoden, Miki Higashino intentionally gave each region a unique sound, mirroring the culture of that location within the game. This was a bold move for a game of that time and budget, and she succeeded beautifully. As you move between areas, it truly feels like you’re visiting different places, not just progressing on a map.

Many fans consider her work on Suikoden II to be her best, and it was the last project she completed with Konami before moving on. Personally, I still prefer the music from the original Suikoden. It has a certain energy and simplicity that the sequel, despite being fantastic, lost a little bit of. It’s also interesting to note that she later worked with Yasunori Mitsuda on the soundtrack for Tsukiyo ni Saraba – a collaboration that feels natural when you hear it.

9. NieR Replicant/Gestalt

Keiichi Okabe, Kakeru Ishihama, Keigo Hoashi, Takafumi Nishimura


Mobygames

I’ve been singing all my life, including many years in choirs, and the music from NieR is one of the few game soundtracks that truly touches me on a deep emotional level. Remarkably, about 90% of the music features vocals – a huge commitment for a video game. The singer, Emi Evans, created something truly unique and special for this soundtrack – unlike anything else I’ve heard in gaming.

The songs aren’t sung in any actual language. Instead, the artist, Evans, created a unique “chaotic language” by mixing bits of English, French, Gaelic, Japanese, German, Welsh, Hungarian, and Latin, and then imagining how those words might sound after centuries of change. The idea was to create a feeling without the listener understanding the words themselves. And it’s effective – the music evokes emotions that are surprisingly difficult to describe, especially because it doesn’t rely on familiar lyrics. The music’s emotional power comes entirely from its tone, and that tone is truly exceptional.

8. SaGa Frontier 2

Masashi Hamauzu


Square Enix

Masashi Hamauzu is a remarkably talented game composer, and the soundtrack for SaGa Frontier 2 perfectly showcases his skill. The expansive 76-track score, spread across three discs, draws heavily from Eastern European influences – the use of German track titles isn’t just for show, it’s a key part of the soundtrack’s cultural foundation. Hamauzu masterfully creates a melancholic, atmospheric, and classically-inspired sound that few composers can match.

Many people see him as a composer who sticks to familiar patterns, but I believe that doesn’t fully appreciate how intentionally he uses and then subtly changes recurring musical themes – known as leitmotifs – often venturing into more innovative and free-form areas. This approach is consistent throughout his work, including his band Imeruat, the album Vielen Dank, and his piano compositions played by Benyamin Nuss. If you discover his music through SaGa Frontier 2, you’ll find a wealth of other interesting pieces to explore.

7. Chrono Cross

Yasunori Mitsuda


Square Enix

The soundtrack to Chrono Cross is legendary among JRPG fans, and even after many years, it deserves the praise. Composer Yasunori Mitsuda created a massive score with 67 tracks across three discs, and it’s surprisingly hard to find a single song that doesn’t stand out. The music is incredibly diverse – from Celtic folk and jazz to ambient and orchestral pieces – but it all blends together seamlessly to create a truly immersive and complete world.

I particularly love the track “Guldove ~Home World~”, which appears a bit later in the game. Its complex bridge always reminds me of the powerful magic available in the Element Shop. The way the game presents two versions of each theme – an ‘Another World’ version before the ‘Home World’ version – is really well done. It’s a soundtrack where even familiar melodies feel fresh and new.

6. Octopath Traveler

Yasunori Nishiki


Square Enix

Yasunori Nishiki, the composer for Octopath Traveler, aimed to create a soundtrack that felt both familiar and fresh. He struggled with the main theme, rewriting it multiple times and even questioning if he was up to the task, almost leading him to abandon the project.

The album’s success comes from Nishiki prioritizing strong, catchy melodies, and using orchestration to enhance them, rather than the other way around. Creating the character themes was the biggest challenge – he aimed for each one to be instantly memorable, and for the most part, he achieved that. He’s particularly proud of “Ophilia, the Cleric,” as he believes it beautifully captures both her gentle nature and her sacredness.

The boss music, especially tracks like “Decisive Battle I” and the Galdera themes, is noticeably more intense than the rest of the game’s music. Using area themes instead of individual character themes for the final battles was a smart move, making the ending satisfying even for players who didn’t collect all the characters. It’s this kind of careful design that makes the soundtrack truly stand out and become unforgettable.

5. Final Fantasy X

Nobuo Uematsu, Masashi Hamauzu, Junya Nakano


Final Fantasy Wiki

Final Fantasy X marked the first time Nobuo Uematsu collaborated with other composers on a main Final Fantasy title. Masashi Hamauzu and Junya Nakano were selected because, despite having distinct musical styles from Uematsu, they could still work well with his compositions. Surprisingly, this unusual combination resulted in a soundtrack that feels cohesive and unified.

Uematsu composed “Zanarkand” even before the game’s development started, initially as a piece for a friend who played the flute. He held onto it because it felt too melancholic to use right away, but it eventually became perfect for the game’s atmosphere. Knowing its origins makes the song even more impactful. The entire soundtrack feels this way – like the melodies already existed, waiting to be discovered for the game. It was difficult not to include the soundtrack from X-2, especially because of the song “Eternity: Memory of Lightwaves,” but I believe this album is overall stronger and I still feel confident in that assessment.

4. Kingdom Hearts

Yoko Shimomura


Kingdom Hearts Wiki / Square Enix

Certain songs become strongly linked to specific periods in our lives, and for many who grew up with the original Kingdom Hearts, “Dearly Beloved” is one of those songs. Composer Yoko Shimomura deliberately created the game’s music to enhance the gameplay experience, aiming for a supportive rather than overpowering sound. The result is a soundtrack that subtly builds up in our memories, often without us even realizing how deeply it affects us.

As a huge Kingdom Hearts fan, I always think about the music, and Hikaru Utada’s songs are just unforgettable. She did both the Japanese and English versions of the main themes – “Hikari” and “Passion,” plus “Simple and Clean” and “Sanctuary” for international audiences – and they still sound amazing. Apparently, director Tetsuya Nomura specifically wanted her to do them, believing her music would connect with people no matter what language they spoke, and he was totally right! Those songs feel just as essential to the games as Yoko Shimomura’s work, and they’ve really defined the series’ musical style for years.

3. Star Ocean: Till the End of Time

Motoi Sakuraba


YouTube via PlayStation

Motoi Sakuraba’s first soundtrack for Star Ocean: Till the End of Time was unique for its time, featuring a real orchestra that gave it a richer, more emotional sound than many other game scores of that era. While the second volume uses more synthesizers and sounds different, the quality of the first volume alone makes the entire soundtrack worth listening to.

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Interestingly, the composer behind the Dark Souls soundtrack is also Sakuraba. Though the two games have very different moods, fans have noticed a similar approach to creating atmosphere and emotional impact. Once you know this, it’s fascinating to revisit both games and listen to the music with a new perspective.

2. Lost Odyssey

Nobuo Uematsu


YouTube via NeoGamer – The Video Game Archive

Lost Odyssey is a fantastic JRPG that didn’t get the attention it deserved, likely because it was only available on the Xbox 360. The game starts with a stunning cinematic that flows directly into the gameplay – it’s one of the best introductions I’ve ever seen. And the music, composed by Uematsu, is some of his finest work since leaving Square.

“A Sign of Hope” is a memorable track, and rightfully so. It powerfully blends feelings of hardship and despair with a glimmer of optimism. A beautiful piano arrangement by Shiro Hamaguchi, performed by Benyamin Nuss, is also available and highly recommended. Even if you don’t play the game, the soundtrack is well worth listening to.

1. Triangle Strategy

Akira Senju


Nintendo

Triangle Strategy boasts fantastic tactical battles and a beautiful art style. However, its story is a bit of a mixed bag. While it tries to feel epic, the plot is fairly predictable, relies heavily on telling rather than showing, and has some illogical moments. Most choices don’t have a significant impact, except for the final one. Thankfully, the game’s music is absolutely perfect.

Akira Senju, a graduate of the Tokyo University of the Arts (where his final project was one of only eight ever added to the university’s collection), is a composer for various media, including film, TV, animation, and opera. His work on the game Triangle Strategy is right at home with these other projects. The music is rich, emotionally complex, and powerfully enhances the game’s drama – sometimes even exceeding what’s happening on screen. It’s undoubtedly the highlight of the game and stands on its own as an excellent listening experience.

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2026-05-16 23:41