Offbeat and daring music in games 2025 — most on sale now

For all the twin woes of the gaming and music worlds, last year saw even more imaginative explorations of music and games. Steam has extended sales on some items and third party sites have codes from a recent sale; Epic Game Store’s sale runs through January 8. And there’s a lot of winter ahead, so let’s dive in.

Despelote’s soundscape transports you to Ecuador and childhood football magic

As part of CDM’s year-end coverage, I’m rounding up some of the best music and sound design in games. There’s nowhere better to start than Despelote, a beautifully designed and directed game that will move you by putting you in the shoes of a kid in 2001 Quito, Ecuador. It’s a master study in weaving sound and music in a way that both triggers sense memories and transports you inside a life experience.

Peter Kirn - December 22, 2025

How to run Bitwig Studio on the Steam Deck gaming console

You’d be hard-pressed to build a better handheld-sized computer. Artist nbor has turned his Steam Deck gaming handheld from Valve into a compact step-sequencing powerhouse, and he shares the script and tips you need if you want to do the same.

Peter Kirn - December 11, 2025

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