Amazing game, but the Soundtrack is just... bad.

[The Counter of Strikes]

Firstly, I want to say that I am extremely surprised how much I liked this game. I played a ton of Binding of Isaac and BoI: Rebirth (haven't tried Afterbirth+ yet), so I love the Roguelite genre.
I got this game on GoG, and have been playing it since. The difficulty is perfectly balanced (very challenging, while slowly getting further and further, both from items found/unlocked, and from raw skill being refined through practice/failed attempts).

However, the soundtrack is just so underwhelming... I would say that the soundtrack is the worst part of this game, sadly. Yes, musical taste is extremely subjective, but there is not one piece that stands out. Composers like Danny Baranowsky (Isaac, Necrodancer), and Jake Kaufman (Shovel Knight, Shantae, also Necrodancer as a remix of Danny's stuff) both create pieces that match the theme of the game, but also have extremely memorable tunes.

Perhaps Gungeon wanted a more... subtle approach, but even still, the music in this game doesn't do a great job of setting the mood. Some pieces aren't bad, but other times, the music is awkwardly playing something that's just way out of place. Games like Hollow Knight did "subtle" right on point. The music sets the mood perfectly, and the more epic boss fights match accordingly.

Hopefully the devs end up getting an "alternate OST", since this game really deserves a fitting soundtrack. This is the equivalent of the original SNES Yoshi's Island having music composed by the legendary Koji Kondo (an amazing game, with amazing music to match), versus the DS Yoshi's Island having some random composers, where the music was actually so bad, it made the game worse... almost like watching a movie you love with the music cut out of it -- it's just not the same.

EDIT: Just to add, this game was published by Devolver Digital... Considering Hotline Miami's 1 and 2 both have amazing soundtracks, hopefully they can "update" the music over time since clearly they know where to find the talent.

[Liy4b-Derg]

Perhaps it's just your taste. I respect your opinion, but I found this game's music good. There was a time when I kept loading that 1-hour long YouTube video just to listen to the awesome soundtrack, especially the battle music of each chambers.

Usually the songs in games are the ones that easily get stuck in my head, and I'm pretty damn sure that this game's songs won't be stuck in mine if I find it bad.

[dawggybone]

Personally, I disagree, the theme (In my opinion) is a mastapiece. But opinions are opinions and I'm not gonna bash someone for having a different one.

[Helly]

IMO, the music fits, but it's nothing amazing. I would agree that it's the worst part of the game, but that's only because the rest of the game is so good, and not because the music has any shortfalls. It's just not a style of music I'm that into.

And, yes, while compared to other rougelites out there with incredible music, like Crypt, FTL, or any of the newer ones I've not gotten to paying yet, makes EtG look bad, that's only because those have had amazing soundtracks, and not because EtG has bad music in its own right.

[FreddyTheMonkey]

I completely agree. I think I'm not playing with the game's OST on at least since 100 hours ago. I just put on a record and play SFXs only.

I think the game would benefit immensely from a more memorable soundtrack. The one it has is not terrible, but definitely bland and forgettable. Pretty much the only flaw in the game for me.

[eyoSenn]

Starting music is awsome, ambience is pretty Nice, but the Floor level soundtracks blend together in my head and the boss fight tune is a Shame for the wide variety of bosses you fight. At least they Should change it for each floor

[DeeVeeTree]

woah B the second floor music is litty what u mean

I'm not sorry.