Rock genres pair incredibly well with all types of activities, from professional sports to cruising down the highway with the windows down. Thanks to its upbeat tempo and fearless spirit, rock music has become a soundtrack to tons of different pastimes—and gaming is no exception.
In fact, even back in the arcade era of gaming, many soundtracks included rock music and rock-inspired soundtracks. Some groups even had their own games. In 1982, Atari and Journey teamed up together to release Journey Escape, a scrolling space adventure. Today, the realm of rock and gaming is incredibly diversified.
Not only has rock music influenced brand-new innovations in gaming, including Rock Band and Guitar Hero, but the genre has also been associated with some of the most beloved soundtracks in the industry. Let’s dive into the world of rock and metal-adjacent games, counting down some of the most memorable projects ever released.
Power of Thor
This popular game can be found on platforms that specialize in online slots and other casino games. It takes players into the rockstar world of the Norse god Thor, a being who has been covered extensively in rock music. From Led Zeppelin to Bathory to Manowar, Viking themes have been around for decades and have helped foster new subgenres, including death metal and black metal.
In this game, players get a front-row seat as the God of Thunder travels the countryside and disperses his blessings with blasts of lightning. The reels feature plenty of familiar symbols, from Thor’s Hammer to iron-clad Vikings.
Brütal Legend
Above, we mentioned kinetic gaming hits like Rock Band and Guitar Hero. Both put the power of making music straight into the hands of players. But for real rock fans, the true hit is Brütal Legend. Instead of handing players plastic instruments, this hit takes them into a world inspired by heavy metal album covers. The main character is also inspired by Jack Black, a solid if comedic, presence in the world of rock.
To advance in the game, players must boost their skills using weapons like a battle ax and an electric guitar. They’ll also have a hot rod to help them navigate a dystopian future and take down supernatural beings.
Valfaris
If you don’t follow indie games, then you may have missed this 2019 indie release. Valfaris is a space opera that includes a stellar soundtrack from Celtic Frost’s Curt Victor Bryant. The heavy metal songs are the perfect background to give players the energy and strength to take down planet after planet of hostile forces.
In fact, the gameplay is half of what makes this hit so great for rock fans. Players must navigate as a powerful mutant to take down legions of demons with his trusty flamethrower. Coupled with unique 2D graphics, Valfarisis a highly memorable and worthwhile heavy metal romp.
Twisted Metal
Nothing says heavy metal like vehicular combat and demolition derbies. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, multiple Twisted Metal releases included heavy metal and rock soundtracks that made cruising around in death mobiles particularly enjoyable. In fact, it’s even become a topic for the TV show.
But not every soundtrack hit the mark. One of the best releases in of music was Twisted Metal 3, which included enough Rob Zombie to please any rock fan. Others prefer the hits on Twisted Metal 2, which was composed entirely by Chuck E. Meyer.
DOOM
To round off this list, let’s head back to the most metal video game of all time—in both spirit and soundtrack. While Atari and Journey produced one of the first dual rock band-game releases back in 1982, it was 1993’s original DOOM release that broke the mold and set a new standard.
First, because DOOM’s entire premise offered something metal fans could sink their teeth into—a hardcore approach to horror-shooter games and an endless stream of enemies to take down. Second, DOOM’s soundtrack perfectly ed that gameplay, offering the perfect musical force to take down legions of undead invaders.
Header image by Thibault Trillet
