Welcome back! It’s been a while. This piece has been in the works for, oh, nearly a year now? You see, I do an article every year regarding my “favorite songs of E3,” that is to say: the licensed music that scores the new game trailers of E3, er, the Summer of Gaming. But with so many digital gaming showcases these days, I could never decide when to stop listening for awesome songs. So! I thought it would be fun to, instead, do a jam-packed article this year, full of songs and trailers from all throughout 2023. To top it all off, I even included some of the best original soundtracks heard in the background of trailers, meaning I didn’t really have anyone to credit for them, unfortunately. Guess you’ll have to play the games to find out more! But right now… how about we listen to some music, huh?

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“Death Don’t Have No Mercy” by Reverend Gary Davis –
South of Midnight Official Trailer (Xbox Games Showcase 2023)

There’s something so gloomy about this piece. The raw guitar plucking, the wailing nature of Davis’s vocals, and the drums when they kick in at the end. This song combines southern bayou aesthetic with a thrilling dose of action, just as the trailer for South of Midnight does. I knew as soon as I saw this game that it would be something special, and using songs like this to accompany such a gem makes for quite a memorable experience. I hope music like this is prevalent in the full game, as that would just intensify the down home country feel of this mysterious twilight world.

“Beyond the Waves” by Tamara Jokic –
Highwater Cinematic Trailer (Future Games Show Summer Showcase 2023)

I talked about Highwater in this article last year, though that song was a bit more dismal. This year, Highwater brought out a live performance – in Spanish, I believe – to really highlight the lonely emptiness of the game’s tone. Huh, I guess they were both pretty damn somber. Anyway, while I can’t exactly grasp what Highwater‘s gameplay is like, I know enough about its soundtrack to have me intrigued. I was a huge fan of Submerged back in the day, and that post-apocalyptic flooded world concept. If this game can deliver a captivating story amongst this world and its music, I’m all in!

“War Pigs” by T-Pain – Asgard’s Wrath 2 Official Gameplay Reveal Trailer

If you haven’t heard T-Pain’s rendition of “War Pigs,” you must be living under a rock. This song has been used quite a few places since it was first released, and even Ozzy himself tweeted about how great it is! T-Pain has worked for years to prove he’s more than just “the autotune guy,” and he’s got an incredible set of pipes. The raspy anger in his voice while delivering these classic ominous lyrics perfectly sets the tone for Asgard’s Wrath 2, and it got me hyped to take down some gods in virtual reality. I think that’s what the game is about. I never did play the first one.

“The Whisper” by Beícoli – Laika: Aged Through Blood Re-Reveal Trailer

As you’ll find with some of the games on this list, Laika: Aged Through Blood is already available to play. This is lucky for you reading this, because I had to wait some time to finally stream this song. It’s part of the game’s original soundtrack, but I was able to find out the song from its trailer ahead of time, adding to the game’s hype factor. I love the western feel and the haunting harmonies; the perfect song for Laika‘s Mad Max-esque landscape. I hope I get to play Laika soon and experience even more of this incredible soundtrack, but hey, the demo was fantastic!

“We Can Be Heroes” by Hortator – Ember Knights Release Date Trailer (PC Gaming Show 2023)

True, this song didn’t have much to offer in this trailer. It’s basically just repeating the title over and over amid some booming orchestral sounds. But there’s no denying it kicks ass, and it got me sucked right into the gameplay of this top-down roguelite. The pixel art style also caught my attention, as do the vibrant colors. Damn, I was pretty excited for this, huh? Thankfully, the game is available now, so perhaps I’ll finally check it out! I doubt the original soundtrack boasts such exciting tunes, but that’s what trailer music is for, right? Draws you right in and gets you excited!

“Show You How It’s Done” by DayOne/Peter Verdell – The Crew Motorfest: Launch Gameplay Trailer (Opening Night Live)

Ubisoft is no stranger to these lists. They tend to use some of the coolest licensed songs in the best way. Couple this track record with the high-octane visuals of a brand new racing game like The Crew Motorfest, and chances are you’re in for a pretty rad song. Motorfest has released quite a few trailers, it seems, and every one of them has some energetic tune in the background. Very EDM-heavy, full of bassy beats and rap vocals. I don’t believe that every trailer uses this specific song, but I recall being compelled by the sights onscreen here, thanks to “Show You How It’s Done.”

“Swing (ft. Benji)“ by EARTHGANG – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Digital Deluxe Trailer

Let’s face it, Spider-Man 2 is an awesome game. Zipping around the city and kicking the crap out of criminals truly never gets old. What makes it even more enticing is the myriad of suits you can unlock in-game. But when you’ve checked out all those suits, you might want to look into the DLC, which offers up some unique and crazy styles that add loads of flair to the Spider-Men’s aesthetic! So how would you advertise these suits, one might ask? Well, couple a butt-kicking montage with an upbeat, energetic hip hop track and you’ve got yourself an incredibly attractive showcase of these new threads!

“Burn It Down” by Gee Smiff – The Red Selene Official Trailer (Realms Deep 2023)

The Red Selene was a surprise from start to finish. Not only is it a side-scrolling survival horror metroidvania – which threw me off guard completely – its trailer was set to a pseudo-heavy metal rap song. I don’t even know how to describe the tune, let alone the game in question. Honestly, the game looks pretty cool, blending the isolation and darkness of horror classics with the exploration and variety of modern metroidvanias. If I had some balls to handle spooky stuff, I might even give The Red Selene a chance! But for now, I’ll stick with the badass song used in its trailer. Gives me something to work out to.

“All Bad Things” by Patrick Cunningham – Undead West Official Reveal Trailer (Realms Deep 2023)

Oh, how I loved this one. You see, Undead West looks like a standard top-down roguelite dungeon crawler. Nothing too special, save for its black and white color scheme and western setting. But what captivated me here was the song in its trailer! Realms Deep didn’t have a ton to offer me in terms of excitement, but as I scrolled through it I heard this song and stopped in my tracks. Yes, maybe it should have been backing something more exciting and tense, but the cowboy feel of the music and this vocalist got me fired up to give Undead West a shot! (No pun intended)

“ZENIT” by ONUKA – KEMURI Official Teaser Trailer (The Game Awards 2023)

Y’all remember Ikumi Nakamura, right? She was the little lady from Tango Gameworks that stole the hearts of gamers everywhere, thanks to The Game Awards. Well, she returned this year with her own original IP, KEMURI, and while very little is known about it still, the music it brought with the trailer was absolute fire. Set against an Asian market backdrop and presumably our protagonist freerunning through the streets, this frantic beat plays as KEMURA‘s vibrant colors lit up the screen. I really hope the game focuses on parkour in its finished form, as this whole vibe really stuck with me, and damn it, I want more!

“The Pioneers” by Bloc Party/M83 – The First Descendant Official Reveal Trailer (The Game Awards 2023)

I’ve had my eye on The First Descendant for quite some time. It’s one of those games that randomly drops trailers to remind you it’s coming, but none of them really get the point across. I always get a Metal Gear Solid vibe from it, focusing on its wide cast of characters and the dystopian world they live in. Anyway, this trailer from The Game Awards introduced some giant mechanical titan beings and some cinematic flight sequences, all the while an ominous, haunting tune by Bloc Party played in the background. I’ve been riding the hype train for The First Descendant since it was announced, but this song just fueled my fire!

“Hunger of the Pine” by alt-J – Light No Fire Announcement Trailer

It’s no secret that Light No Fire is my most anticipated game on the horizon. As a huge fan of Hello Games, I was absolutely blown away by this brand new venture they revealed at The Game Awards. Breathtaking in scope, this fantasy RPG seems destined for greatness, and what better way to usher in something so grand than with the wondrous voice of alt-J? This song helped set the tone for all the mystery and intrigue of Light No Fire‘s world. I cannot wait to delve deep into this fantastical realm, and if we keep getting trailers with music like this, I’ll never stop tuning in!

“Throw It Down” by Dominique Young Unique – The Finals Launch Trailer

I can’t believe I haven’t even tried The Finals yet. It looks like a really cool online shooter with a ton of destruction, and when it released, there was a surprising amount of people eating it up! But alas, all I’ve really seen of the game was this trailer, and along with it came a pretty kick-ass song. It perfectly suits the high-octane action of he gameplay being displayed, and really helped to hype me up for The Finals. I’m sure the game is a ton of fun when you’re in the thick of it, and having some energetic music to shoot to always helps!

“Red Marley’s Our Ship” by Filippo Beck Peccoz – Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew Release Date Trailer

Okay, this one’s a little goofy, I know. But that hasn’t stopped me before, just look at the songs that have made it on here for Sea of Thieves! I forget which game showcase it was that included Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew, but it certainly stood out, being a novelty song and all. I believe the lyrics describe the protagonists: a pirate crew aboard their ship, Red Marley (presumably). I really don’t know much about this game except it came out to lackluster sales and the studio unfortunately went under. But hey, they sure made a catchy little ditty before it all fell apart!

“We Prayed For Summer” by Malukah/Jason Graves – No Rest for the Wicked Official Reveal Trailer

I was hesitant about putting this one on the list, at first. I remember the first time I heard it, I thought “yikes, that’s a very whiny song for something that looks so high profile. But then as I watched it again, I realized it actually fits with the overall tone perfectly. No Rest for the Wicked looks as grandiose as it is dreary. There’s something ominous and frightening about this immense medieval world. I’m both frightened and intrigued by everything shown. For that kind of footage, one needs a song as chilling and anthemic as this to really feel what the game is going for. It succeeds in every way, so it made the list.

Various Songs – VR Skater Gameplay Trailer (Future Games Show Summer Showcase 2023)

I know, this makes 16 trailers on the list and that’s… unorthodox, but it’s a good one to bridge the gap between licensed songs and original soundtracks! VR Skater, available now, had a trailer at the Future Games Show which featured quite a few songs off its original soundtrack. These ranged from more hip-hoppy beats like “Oh My” by Prop Dylan to “Worse Than Death” by The Anti-Queens, a pop punk anthem that fits the musical mold of the “skater scene.” I look forward to hearing more original songs like these in-game, as I’m sure they add to the skating experience and enhance the VR gameplay. Getting real-life bands to write original songs for games is tight!

BONUS: Original Soundtracks

Reveil

I remember the first time I heard a Reveil trailer, and I was absolutely blown away by the backing track. Then came another trailer, complete with yet another fantastic song! I sat there stunned, watching locales reminiscent of The Talos Principle mixed with Amnesia, listening to these Billie Eilish-type vocals and wondering why the combo worked so perfectly. Something about the mysterious and downright terrifying visuals blended so effortlessly with a whispery voice and dubstep-style synths. I came away wondering what Reveil could be, all the while committing these sights to memory and anticipating any more news we’d get in the future. Thankfully, the game should release soon, complete with this original soundtrack of mystifying bangers.

Fretless

When I first saw the trailer for Fretless, I had no idea who the mastermind behind it was. Apparently, this game is a partnership between Ritual Studios and YouTuber Rob Scallon, a multi-instrumentalist who got famous from heavy metal guitar covers. The dude is really talented, and having him behind the wheel of a pixel-art rhythm game sounds like a brilliant concept. If the music in this trailer is anything to go by, Scallon has some beautiful tricks up his sleeve in the music department. I love a good rhythm game – as I’m sure you know by now – so I’ve certainly got my eye, and ears, on this one.

Odinfall

We love a good twin-stick shooter. I feel like there have been quite a few on this list, but it’s been a big list and I can’t remember everything. Anyway, Odinfall is yet another twin-stick shooter, and if this trailer is anything to go by, it’s set to some pretty heavy tunes! I do hope they include music like this in the full game, as we’ve all seen how fun running-and-gunning is with metal music (thank you, Doom!) I personally can’t wait to try out Odinfall, as it looks like a damn fun little indie full of frantic twin-stick action.

Moving Out 2

Being the savior of couch co-op that I am, it blows me away that I’ve yet to play the first Moving Out yet. But here we are, living in a world where two of these games exist, with jaunty little tunes like this, and I’m dragging my feet! The game looks like it would be absolute chaos in the best way, taking inspiration from games like Overcooked! and Human Fall Flat to make the silliest cooperative furniture-moving party game. Perhaps this article will finally get me to jump on it; I think Moving Out is on game pass right now…

Beastieball

Beastieball caught my eye instantly, being from the developers of modern classics Chicory: A Colorful Tale and Wandersong. Their new game combines the lovable art and exploration of Pokémon (and basically all the turn-based mechanics, too) with the unique gameplay of volleyball! I can’t wait to take these little animal dudes out on the battlefield and hit the courts with ’em! We’ve seen a few trailers so far, but this one showcases some incredibly upbeat action music that I hope provides insight into the game’s overall soundtrack. I’m sure it’ll be very chiptune-heavy to go with the aesthetic, so they seem to be on the right track!

Frogsong

I hate frogs. I hate them so much. Which is a real shame for Mr. Indie Games, because there are just so many indies out there that find frogs utterly adorable. These little hopping monsters are in every genre; they’re inescapable! Frogsong may be the worst culprit of this trend, as it displays an entire world of frogs! Living and doing things in the wilderness together, perish the thought! Unfortunately, I must admit the art style is rather cute, and the music really drew me into the game as it is also extremely cute. I hate admitting this… but I may be a little excited for Frogsong. Okay, moving on!

Wizard with a Gun

We meet again, old friend! Wizard with a Gun is no stranger to this list, appearing way back in 2021 with a song made exclusively for the game’s soundtrack! As it turns out, Ryan Ike created a whole slew of these western-infused tunes, making the perfect ambiance for exploring this roguelike world. I personally have yet to try out Devolver’s latest gem (okay, very nearly the latest), but I hear it’s pretty dang good! Hell, with a soundtrack like this, I bet it definitely hits the mark! Get it? Hits the mark… like a bullseye… because he’s got a gun. Wizard with a Gun. Oh boy.

Stray Gods

Stray Gods has been out for some time now, and boy, is it a good time! It’s a narrative experience – what we at VGU call a Telltale-like – and it’s also a musical! But not with just any music, this is a soundtrack made by the Austin Wintory, of Journey and Assassin’s Creed Syndicate fame (among countless others)! The dude is prolific and the cast is out of this world! Troy Baker, Laura Bailey, Felicia Day, Khary Payton… the list goes on! I highly suggest checking this game out if you’re a musical fan, a Telltale fan, or even just a Greek god fan. There’s something for everyone here, and the soundtrack is gold!

Lost Records

We here at VGU are some of the biggest DON’T NOD fans in the world. From Life is Strange to Twin Mirror, we’ve covered it all and Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is no different! We cannot wait for this game to bless us with its presence, or at the very least, share some more news on what’s happening in this world with these new characters! But for now, we just know our protagonists are in some kind of band in their presumably small town, and the song adorning this trailer comes from their catalogue of original songs. I’m so excited to hear more, see more, and learn more about Lost Records soon!

Resistor

Resistor has been on my radar since it was first announced. A narrative-driven adventure about a girl hungry for revenge on the competitive racing circuit in a desert world? What could be cooler than that? How about the fact that it’s kind of a rhythm game as well, and it heavily leans on its original soundtrack in its gameplay? What a genuinely unique concept, and the fact that it’s focused on story makes me so excited for all this world has to offer. From the music to the customization to the rich narrative, Resistor is set to be quite a wild ride.

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So that’s that! Another year of awesome music in the books, thanks to the editors of video game trailers. It’s heroes like them that keep the hype trains rolling, and keep the industry on its feet! Did any music catch your eye during last year’s showcases? How about what we’ve seen so far in 2024? Let us know in the comments and stay tuned to VGU for more music in video games!

(Also, how do we like the name “Trailer Tunes” for this annual feature? I thought of it on a whim but if you have any suggestions, please let me know!)