RPGFan Music

RPGFan Music of the Year 2024 Editors’ Favorites: Jimmy Turner

Music of the Year 2024 Header

When I’m not headbanging to the heavy sounds of metal’s many genres, I like to let my ears relax with RPG tunes. While metal provided some bangers in 2024 (Opeth’s The Last Will and Testament and Crypt Sermon’s The Stygian Rose), role-playing games also had their fair share. Here are my three favorite RPG albums that earned consistent play in my Spotify library…

Rise of the Ronin Original Soundtrack

I knew I’d love Rise of the Ronin’s soundtrack when I discovered the game was composed by Inon Zur. I am a massive fan of Zur’s work, particularly on Dragon Age: Origins and Fallout: New Vegas. Zur’s compositions always do a great job capturing the theme and feel of each game he works on, and Rise of the Ronin is no exception. One of 2024’s most overlooked RPG gems, Ronin’s soundtrack beautifully—and at times brutally—captures the ambiance of 19th century Japan. I may never get the Jade Empire sequel I long for, but Rise of the Ronin is a worthy alternative.

Highlighted Track: “Suburbs of Yokohama”


Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord OST

I spend a fair amount of time at the table playing a range of board games and tabletop RPGs. No matter the game, putting on some ambient music has become customary to help set the mood and increase the immersion. The Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord soundtrack was the best source of new tabletop playlist additions in 2024. Every track perfectly fits any fantasy setting. Whether wandering through a peaceful village or battling a group of kobolds, every track is excellently crafted by Winifred Phillips. You don’t have to take my word for it. Phillips’ composition earned her the Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media.

Highlighted Track: “Wrath of the Wizard”


Persona 3 Reload OST

The Persona series continues to produce iconic soundtracks. Persona 3 already had a memorable soundtrack, and Persona 3 Reload takes an already good composition and enhances it, much like the game itself. Several tracks received new arrangements, and additional songs and vocals were added. P3 Reload’s soundtrack is much like when an artist releases a ‘deluxe edition’ of an already classic album.

Highlighted Track: “Color Your Night”


Jimmy Turner

Jimmy has been a fan of RPGs since the SNES era of his childhood. Now—as a father of four—he loves playing RPGs both old and new with his family and seeking validation for his love of the classics. Along with video games he likes playing board and table-top games as well. Other family time is spent watching either anime, WWE, Big Brother or Ghost Adventures, and conducting their own paranormal investigations.