From 'Silent Hill' to 'Assassin's Creed': Video Games That Borrow from Classical Music

It's not just in opera houses or concert halls where Bach, Chopin, or Mozart make an appearance. Some of the most popular video games of the past three decades have borrowed directly from the classical repertoire, weaving symphonies, piano études, and orchestral masterpieces into everything from puzzle levels to epic battles.

For many players, their first encounter with classical music wasn't in school. It was on a console.

Civilization: A Symphony of Strategy

Few franchises embrace classical music as passionately as Sid Meier's Civilization. Each age of humanity is scored with timeless works from the canon. In Civilization IV and V, Bach's Brandenburg Concertos, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, and Mozart's Eine kleine Nachtmusik turn hours of map-building into a guided tour through music history.

Eternal Sonata: Chopin Becomes the Hero

Some games do more than borrow. They dedicate their story to a composer. Eternal Sonata, a Japanese RPG, takes place inside the dreamworld of Frédéric Chopin as he nears death. Its soundtrack blends original music with faithful performances of Chopin's Nocturnes, Études, and Polonaises. It's as if a biography has been transformed into a playable concerto.

Lemmings: Classical Tunes in 16-Bit

The 1991 puzzle classic Lemmings is beloved for its quirky concept, but its soundtrack stands out too. Gamers guiding the tiny green-haired creatures often did so to playful chiptune versions of Grieg's In the Hall of the Mountain King or Mozart's Turkish March. These cheerful adaptations introduced timeless melodies to kids who might never have set foot in a music class.

BioShock Infinite: Chopin in the Clouds

Set in a surreal alternate America, BioShock Infinite mixes gospel, barbershop quartets, and 19th-century Romantic piano. Chopin's Minute Waltz floats through the game, underscoring its dreamlike and unsettling atmosphere. It's a striking reminder of how classical music can add layers of depth and drama to storytelling.

Tetris: Falling Blocks, Falling for Tchaikovsky

The Tetris theme is instantly recognizable, based on the Russian folk tune Korobeiniki. But over the years, versions of the game have included pieces like Tchaikovsky's Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. In its own way, Tetris made millions of players hum along to a piece of The Nutcracker without realizing it.

Hidden Echoes: Silent Hill, Halo, Assassin's Creed

Even franchises known for their original scores pay tribute to the classics. Akira Yamaoka's moody Silent Hill 2 soundtrack echoes Erik Satie's Gymnopédies, while Halo's grand choral arrangements recall Carl Orff's Carmina Burana. In Assassin's Creed II, Mozart's music drifts through the streets of Renaissance Italy, bringing historical authenticity and atmosphere.

Classical music in video games proves the genre's staying power, showing how centuries-old works still inspire awe, tension, and emotion. By placing Bach next to battle scenes or Chopin in fantasy worlds, video games keep these masterpieces alive for new generations.