Relaxing Video Game Music: 10 Best Playlists to Study & Focus

Published On: October 14, 2025

It’s tough to stay focused with so much going on in academics and at work. For example, you might try to study with music, but a pop song with catchy lyrics can break your concentration. But video game music is different. It’s designed to help you concentrate without being interrupted by sudden beats or lyrics.

This article will show you how video game music can help you focus. Using research on how sound affects the brain, we’ve created a list of the ten most relaxing video game soundtracks and break down why each one works so well for studying.

Top 10 Most Relaxing Video Game Soundtracks for Studying

This list contains the best calming video game soundtracks. For each one, you’ll find the composer’s name, a few example songs, and an explanation of why it helps you focus.

10. Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley’s soundtrack, by Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone, creates peacefulness with acoustic guitar and piano.

Try the songs “Spring (It’s a Big World Outside)” and “Cloud Country.” This music helps to relieve city stress and deadlines. It can help you rhythmically take notes with its playful, repeating melodies. Stream the entire album on Spotify. It’s perfect for long study sessions.

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9. The Legend of Zelda

Manaka Kataoka uses orchestration to layer ethereal flutes over Hyrule’s vistas. Featured tracks: “Main Theme” and “Hateno Village.” Access the playlist on YouTube. Suitable for reviews of literature from various fields.

8. Minecraft

C418’s Daniel Rosenfeld made minimalist electronica for Minecraft – Volume Alpha. Highlights: “Sweden” and “Wet Hands.” It fights creative blocks, emphasizing lonely tasks while providing pixelated peace for computer-based problem-solving.

Available on Spotify. Perfect for STEM prototyping activities.

7. Journey

Austin Wintory’s Journey is presented in symphonic waves.If you’re feeling emotionally drained, listen to “Nascence” and “Apotheosis.” This music can bring up powerful, deep feelings and its uplifting choral sound is perfect for when you’re writing reflective essays.

Listen via Spotify. Improves philosophical discussion.

6. Chrono Trigger

Harp and synth define Yasunori Mitsuda’s timeless work. Essential tracks: “Corridors of Time” and “Wind Scene.” They evoke the feeling of time’s chaos, while their time-based melodies help anchor analysis of history.

Full OST on Spotify. Suitable for theses rich in chronology.

5. Bastion

Darren Korb weaves banjo tales in Bastion Original Soundtrack. If you’re in a motivational slump, listen to “Setting Sail, Coming Home.” It leans into that feeling of being stuck but then gives you a resilient, folk-inspired boost to help you push through your drafts.

Stream on Spotify. Great for long writing sessions.

4. Persona 5

Shoji Meguro’s music has a cool, big-city sound. Major songs are “Beneath the Mask” and “Tokyo Daylight.” It helps with the stress of city life and busy commutes. The smooth jazz style is great for thinking through complex ideas.

Stream on Spotify. Good for sociology class discussions.

3. Skyrim

Jeremy Soule’s music for Skyrim is epic and powerful. Key songs like “Dragonborn” use loud horns. This music helps you push through tiredness and keep going during long, difficult tasks.

Stream on Spotify. Great for long research sessions.

2. Animal Crossing

K.K. Slider’s music is charming and fun, featuring ukulele. It helps with boring routines and fits the mood of different times and seasons.

Listen on Spotify. Good for boring office work.

1. Gris

Gris’s original soundtrack features emotive abstract art from Berlinist’s strings. “Unspoken” and “Amour.” Healing burnout fissures, it confronts muted despair with quartets that catalyze restorative revisions.

Stream on Spotify.

How to Build Your Custom Study Playlist with These Soundtracks

Start building your own custom playlist, start by gathering the soundtracks. Add the full albums to a music app like Spotify or YouTube Music.

To build a good playlist, choose slow music (around 60-80 BPM). Begin with gentle tracks from a game like Gris to ease into your work, and then use epic music from Skyrim when you need a boost of energy.

Step-by-step protocol:

Phase 1: Foundation (0–30 min): Queue serene inducers like Minecraft’s “Sweden” to prime alpha states.
Phase 2: Sustainment (30–90 min): Layer loops from Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing for homeostasis.
Phase 3: Closure (90+ min): Transition to resolutive swells in Journey for consolidation.

Use Relaxing Video Game Soundtracks in 25-minute blocks with 5-minute quiet breaks. Keep the volume low to medium (40–60 dB).For advanced customization, script via Python’s Spotipy API to automate mood-based sequencing, enhancing replicability across sessions. This method helps you focus better and makes music a tool for your brain.