Music is the great equalizer. It can make or break a movie. It can be an emotional catalyst. It can also enhance gaming. No matter what genre you play in, there is a soundtrack that will fit. The right music can heighten drama or suspense in your campaign or make a battle seem incredibly intense or heroic. Granted, it can be distracting for some people and you certainly don't want to over do it, but if your group agrees, by all means, crank it up!
Fantasy is the easiest, as most modern soundtracks carry a generic moving orchestration that can be applied to any setting. Lately, the fantasy genre has been gaining momentum in the theaters offering more specific music geared towards that kind of adventurous feeling. Lord of the Rings is the obvious choice, as this is the classic that inspired EVERYTHING. This is a necessarily dark and powerful dirge that can be quite heavy, so make sure that is the kind of feel you want in your game. Other selections include First Knight, Gladiator, Braveheart, Willow, Cutthroat Island, Clash of the Titans, and my personal favorite, Conan. For a more historical approach, try one of the many Celtic compilations or some middle eastern belly dance music. These tunes can be quite lively and add great atmosphere in a city setting. And lets not forget to include the increasingly awesome soundtracks available on most computer games these days. Many of these CD-ROMS will play right out of your stereo and offer a high quality of music. Warlords, Heroes of Might and Magic and Ancient Empires come to mind.
For scifi fans, no game would be complete without John Williams' Star Wars blaring in the background. Or for a mellower touch, try Star Trek or Babylon 5. I was stunned by the utter coolness of the soundtracks that accompany the Mechwarrior games. Heck, I listen to these even when I'm not gaming!
Believe it or not, you can actually find stuff to go along with post apocalyptic games, as well as more modern and cyber-punk genres. Aliens and Terminator are good dark offerings, as well as Blade and the Replacement Killers. Speed, The Rock and Goldeneye are action packed and fast paced, but for the truly obscure and esoteric, try the X-files or Glenn Danzig's Black Aria.
If pulpy Old West or Victorian adventure games are more your taste, there's plenty to hear there too. Indiana Jones is about as heroic as you can get, with the Mummy not far behind. Dracula and Jurassic Park also work here, with LucasArts game Outlaws topping the campy western charts.
These are just a few humble suggestions, as there are many more wonderful tunes to enhance your gaming experience. But no matter what your game, there is a sound to go along with it. Whether you are a player or GM, soundtracks can help set the mood and keep you there.
