Ooh…I have an entire playlist of my favorite OSTs. Long term, I’d have to say One-Winged Angel, specifically the remake. Also worth mentioning:
Dark Soul 3 main theme
Feel from Lies of P
Dependent Weakling from Nier, specifically this version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePXlfGufSjk&t=0
Mass Effect 3 - Leaving Earth
Scored by the great Clint Mansell, also check out The Fountain OST.
I think this might be at a sweet spot between being a well-known track and an unexpected top choice to answer this question - Kefka’s theme is iconic.
I’d still put FF6 as my top game soundtrack, but I’ll admit it’s easily possible that’s just a consequence of me not playing many games the past couple decades.
I’m partial to Terra’s theme, but yeah, that whole OST is amazing.
Jazz Jackrabbit 2 OST Carrotus
Dearly Beloved
NieR: Automata - Weight of the World
This is at first so beautiful, and later on it just hits so hart. And listening to the other versions, japanese where the performer even cries, and chaos (a fantasy language) (video with spoilers, sadly), this is such a great piece of art. The perfect bittersweet song.
The track during the balcony scene from the first Blade Runner point-n-click adventure game. Came out in 1997. It’s Vangelis’ iconic Blade Runner Blues
Red Alert Hell March
Just one?
Portal - Self Esteem Fund by Kelly Bailey
The volumes this song speaks through it’s atmosphere is incredible. The raw emotions and feelings of isolation are better conveyed through this song than words ever can in my opinion
My scrobbles say I’ve listened to this single song for more than 9 hours over the years… I have so many emotions bottled up in this song lol
To Zanarkand just does something…
Justin E Bell - All Gods from pillars of eternity
Metal gear solid- the best is yet to come
Probably nostalgia but guild wars 1 specially prophecies ( the first / base game ) had some absolute bangers for an mmorp and specially fitted for zones.
The perfect synchronicity of the Metal song and the player character pumping their shotgun at the end of the opening sequence of DOOM (2016) when they exit the elevator towards the surface of Mars.
The soundtrack for that game was absolutely incredible. I still listen to the BFG song on Spotify all the time lol
I remember most people thought that the Metallica tune they used for the original doom was Master of Puppets but the devs said it was No Remorse, heavily tweaked of course.
I’m partial to the original Dwarf Fortress music
A classic! I do also love Simon Swerwer’s work on the official steam DF OST