by Supergiant Games
It’s not just that this soundtrack stands as a magnificent album on its own, enjoyable even without the context of the game—it’s that it achieves this while being an integral part of Transistor’s story and gameplay mechanics.
Tracks from the soundtrack play constantly in the background, but they’re more than just atmospheric music—the player can pause Red at any moment to have her hum along to the tune. This is the only sound she can produce after her voice was stolen, and only the player controls whether she takes that moment. In fact, one can complete the game without ever pausing to hum. This feature is not essential for the game’s progress, but it gives Red a small moment of agency she’d otherwise lost. You are the one to “give” it to her.
Moreover, the soundtrack isn’t composed solely of instrumental pieces. Darren Korb is already a unique musician and composer, but it’s his collaboration with singer Ashley Barrett—the voice of Red—that makes the album truly shine. The lyrics are tailored to the game’s setting, representing songs that Red composed before the in-game events. Although Red never speaks a word during the game, her presence is felt through these songs, which help the player get to know her on a deeper level. The soundtrack isn’t just background music—it’s an integral part of the story.
It’s rare for a game soundtrack to thrive outside its original context, yet Transistor’s does so effortlessly. Darren Korb and Ashley Barrett even performed these songs live for fans, further proving their standalone appeal. These shows typically feature additional tracks composed and performed for other Supergiant Games titles, but the ones from Transistor hit differently, at least for me, because of their direct connection to the game’s story; to Red’s voice.
by Supergiant Games
This isn’t a game review. Transistor is 11 years old, and its soundtrack has been studied, analyzed, and reviewed by many. Yet, it remains so special that it still deserves to be noted, even after more than a decade.
For example, it still feels important to note how seamlessly the soundtrack shifts between the real-time phase of combat and the turn-based phase. Transistor’s combat system is quite unique, combining fast-paced real-time action with a rechargeable time-stop that allows the player to plan and execute moves at hyper-speed. While combat music plays as Red evades The Process (the robots who have taken over Cloudbank), the moment you activate Turn mode, the music continues—but it becomes faded, fragmented, and bass-heavy like a heartbeat. It’s as if the world itself is holding its breath along with you, waiting to see your plan unfold. I have no idea how Supergiant Games engineers achieved this, but it’s an incredible fusion of sound and gameplay mechanics.
This fusion isn’t limited to gameplay—Transistor’s soundtrack itself blends genres in a way few scores do. I wouldn’t call it electronic jazz just as I wouldn’t call it post-rock or trip-hop, yet somehow it’s all of those and more. That blend feels like the perfect musical mirror for Transistor: the game is both futuristic sci-fi with robots and impossible technology, and nostalgic noir that I can only describe as 1920s-core.
Despite this genre mash‑up, there’s a constant thread running through the soundtrack: it mirrors Red’s emotional journey. At first, you hear confusion and melancholy, reflecting her loss; then comes determination and drive, echoing her mission to reclaim everything stolen from her (and that’s far more than just her voice); finally, it culminates in a tear‑jerking finale that captures the story’s bittersweet close. When “Paper Boats” began, I literally had tears rolling down my face—it’s a rare kind of storytelling where a song isn’t just accompaniment, but a moment unto itself. And then that five‑second post‑credits scene got me weeping like Niagara Falls.
by Supergiant Games
Transistor’s soundtrack isn’t just the best I’ve heard in a game—it’s the one that stayed with me the longest. I’ve revisited it more times than I can count, and every time, it brings back not just the game’s story, but the feelings I had playing it. It reminds me that a game doesn’t need explosions or high drama to make you cry. We talk a lot about what makes a game great: mechanics, graphics, narrative. But sometimes greatness is when all of those things are elevated by music that tells the story in its own way. That’s why I keep listening to Transistor’s soundtrack, even years later. That’s why, for me, this is the best soundtrack in gaming.
Maybe you’ve played Transistor, maybe you haven’t. But if you ever want to feel what it’s like for music to carry the soul of a story—to hum its way into your chest and settle there—just press play. You’ll understand.
