Games with Political Soundtracks from Indie Artists

As a huge gaming fan, I’ve noticed how music is becoming a really powerful way to get important messages across in games. A lot of smaller, independent developers are teaming up with musicians to create soundtracks that aren’t afraid to tackle tough issues – things like fighting against unfair systems, the dangers of big corporations, or even what happens when we don’t take care of our planet. These games don’t just tell a story, they make you feel it, thanks to these unique and often experimental sounds. What follows is a look at some games where the music and the message are totally connected – you can’t experience one without the other!

‘Disco Elysium’ (2019)

This role-playing game, created by ZA/UM, delves into complicated political ideas through its story. The British indie band Sea Power composed the soundtrack, providing a melancholic atmosphere for the rundown city of Martinaise. Players explore the aftermath of a failed revolution and encounter various political groups, including communists, fascists, and ultraliberals. The music dynamically changes to mirror the struggles of a society grappling with its past. The game has been widely praised for its compelling writing and how effectively its music reinforces the political themes.

‘Road 96’ (2021)

Developed and published by DigixArt, this adventure game lets you experience a road trip through the made-up country of Petria. The game’s soundtrack, featuring indie artists like The Toxic Avenger, Cocoon, and Robert Parker, adds to its rebellious spirit. You play as a group of teenagers trying to escape an oppressive government. The music, a blend of electronic and folk styles, reflects the characters’ feelings of both desperation and hope as they meet people fighting for change. Ultimately, the game shows how powerfully music can shape the atmosphere of a journey through a troubled land.

‘Tonight We Riot’ (2020)

Pixel Pushers Union 512 created this action-packed game, published by Means Interactive. It’s about a worker-led rebellion against a harsh, unfair government that takes advantage of its people. The fast-paced music by Camo and Krooked perfectly matches the game’s revolutionary energy. Players complete levels by freeing workplaces and growing a movement through teamwork and direct action. The driving electronic soundtrack highlights the importance of the fight for workers’ rights and real change.

‘Norco’ (2022)

I just finished playing this really cool point-and-click adventure game called Geography of Robots, published by Raw Fury. What really grabbed me was the atmosphere – it’s set in a decaying, southern gothic Louisiana, and the music is incredible. It’s a collaboration between Gewgawly I and the metal band Thou, and it perfectly captures the feeling of this landscape being ruined by industry. The story is all about the power of oil companies and how they’re hurting the local communities and the environment. Honestly, the music and sound design do so much to build this sense of dread and mystery as you explore. It’s not just a pretty game, though – it really makes you think about how technology and big business are connected, especially down in the American South.

‘Umurangi Generation’ (2020)

Origame Digital created this photography simulator, published by Playism. Set in a future New Zealand, the game puts players in the role of a documentarian capturing the last moments before environmental disaster and military control take over. The soundtrack, composed by Thor High Heels, mixes hip hop and electronic music to create a feeling of rebellious artistry. This music enhances the game’s themes of fighting against colonialism and oppression, which are visible throughout the city landscapes. Players experience the results of political inaction through their camera, all while a powerful soundtrack embodies the spirit of youthful resistance.

‘Citizen Sleeper’ (2022)

Jump Over the Age created the story-driven RPG, which was published by Fellow Traveller on various platforms. The game features a haunting soundtrack by Amos Roddy, using atmospheric sounds to capture the loneliness of life on a chaotic space station. Players take on the role of a synthetic body controlled by a corporation, and must navigate a path to freedom and survival outside its control. The music powerfully emphasizes the game’s themes of worker exploitation and the desire for connection in a ruthless, corporate-driven world, ultimately showing how sound design can convey a struggle for identity in a future dominated by corporations.

‘Hardspace: Shipbreaker’ (2022)

I’m really into this game by Blackbird Interactive, published by Focus Entertainment. It’s a simulation where you play as a shipbreaker – basically, you tear apart old spaceships for parts. The music, composed by Ben McCullough, is fantastic; it uses a lot of acoustic guitar and really captures the feeling of hard work. You’re constantly trying to pay off a huge debt to this corporation, LYNX, and it’s not easy. What’s really cool is how the music changes as the game goes on. You start to see the workers getting fed up, and a union starts to form, and the soundtrack reflects that tension. It’s a surprisingly thoughtful game that really makes you think about things like debt, worker rights, and what it’s like to be stuck in a tough situation. The atmosphere, especially the audio, is amazing and really pulls you in.

‘Kentucky Route Zero’ (2020)

Developed by Cardboard Computer and published by Annapurna Interactive, this adventure game blends magical realism with a poignant story inspired by American labor history. Players follow a delivery driver and their friends on a journey along a hidden highway beneath Kentucky, grappling with financial hardship and the challenges of being uprooted. The game’s evocative score, composed by Ben Babbitt and featuring performances by The Bedquilt Ramblers, plays a key role in telling the story, particularly in exploring themes of lost community and the burdens of economic systems. It’s celebrated for its beautiful and thoughtful portrayal of working-class issues.

‘Neo Cab’ (2019)

Chance Agency created this immersive game, which Fellow Traveller then released to players around the globe. The game’s electronic soundtrack, composed by Obfusc, perfectly captures the feel of a futuristic city run by powerful corporations. Players take on the role of a human rideshare driver, one of the few remaining, in a world dominated by self-driving cars. The music highlights the stress and determination of those working in temporary, freelance jobs. Ultimately, the game uses its sound design to comment on how prioritizing efficiency and profit can lead to a loss of meaningful human connection.

‘The Red Strings Club’ (2018)

This cyberpunk game was created by Deconstructeam and published by Devolver Digital. It features a synth-driven soundtrack by Fingerspit that delves into the ethics of controlling people’s minds. Players control a bartender and a hacker who team up to stop a company trying to erase negative emotions. The game’s music creates a dark, noir-style atmosphere, prompting players to think about what it truly costs to have a peaceful society. Through its evocative audio, the game explores the relationship between technology and power.

‘Mutazione’ (2019)

Developed by Die Gute Fabrik and published by Akupara Games, this unique game features a dynamic soundtrack by Alessandro Coronas that adapts to the player’s choices. The story centers on a town recovering from an environmental disaster, exploring themes of community and healing. The music enhances the game’s focus on the social and political relationships within this small, isolated community, and demonstrates how sound can create a connection to both nature and shared history.

‘Hypnospace Outlaw’ (2019)

Tendershoot created this game, which simulates what the internet was like in the 1990s. No More Robots published it to positive reviews. The game’s soundtrack includes both parody songs and original music from indie artists like Jay Tholen. As a player, you take on the role of a moderator for this fictional internet service, responsible for enforcing rules and copyright laws. The music often makes fun of how digital spaces became commercialized and the strange things about early online life. Ultimately, the game offers a thought-provoking look at internet censorship and the increasing control of online spaces by private companies.

‘Paradise Killer’ (2020)

Developed by Kaizen Game Works and published by Fellow Traveller, this open-world mystery takes place on an island ruled by immortal elites who exploit their human citizens while worshipping forgotten gods. Players must investigate a mass murder, all set to a vibrant soundtrack of city pop and vaporwave composed by Barry Topping. The music’s upbeat tempo cleverly contrasts with the island’s dark undercurrents and the cruel realities of its social structure. The game delves into themes of power, justice, and the stark inequalities within this strange and surreal world.

‘Tacoma’ (2017)

This narrative adventure game, developed and published by Fullbright, takes place on a futuristic space station in 2088. The electronic soundtrack, composed by Toby Summerfield, creates a sense of loneliness and the feeling of being watched, reflecting the crew’s experience. Players investigate a conspiracy involving a major aerospace company by watching augmented reality recordings of past events. As the story unfolds through the game’s environment, the music builds suspense, revealing the corporation’s hidden political agenda. The game explores thought-provoking themes about the ethics of automation and the importance of human life in a world controlled by corporations.

‘We Are The Caretakers’ (2023)

Heart Shaped Games created a unique RPG where you manage a team dedicated to protecting the environment in an afrofuturist setting. The game’s music, composed by Theodore McArthur, combines traditional and futuristic sounds to emphasize the fight for conservation. As a player, you guide a group tasked with safeguarding endangered species from poachers and powerful corporations on a faraway planet. The soundtrack deepens the game’s message about responsibility, the challenges of managing resources, and the need for global teamwork. Ultimately, the game uses its distinctive style and sound to showcase the power of environmental activism.

Please share your favorite political video game soundtracks in the comments.

2025-12-21 23:46