Gaming music has a unique attribute: it's designed for DOING things. Rather than necessarily evoking an emotion in a moment, it encourages an action.
Near the beginning of Doom 2016, the Doom Slayer puts on his armor and enters an elevator. The director of the gone-to-hell Mars research base, Samuel Hayden, hails Doom Slayer on the elevator communication panel.
Hayden explains what they were trying to accomplish in tapping into the Judeo-Christian afterlife for clean burning argent energy and a remix of original Doom E1M1 level song At Doom's Gate begins funneling in a bass line as the Doom Slayer cracks his knuckles so hard the screen shakes.
Samuel Hayden says the hell incursion was worth the risk and Doom Slayer hauls off and decks the monitor. The screen cuts, to Bethesda Presents... then when DOOM flashes up, the bassy, heavy At Doom's Gate kicks off in earnest.
At the top of the elevator, the song comes to a percussive end, perfectly timed with the Doom Slayer pumping the action on his shotgun.
I have never seen such a stark statement of intent and I still get chills not just during that moment of the game, but even just listening to the song, the moment plays in my head to the same effect.
SO, what gaming music still gives YOU chills?
Your answers will go into Comment Corner for the Just Community podcast on the topic in the near future!
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