Video game soundtracks don't get the respect they deserve. Composers and performers dedicate their time and talent to these projects, but gamers tend to focus on blowing up enemies and saving the world from militant aliens.

So let's take a moment to put gameplay aside and give music its due. Below we've selected some of the best game soundtracks available and paired them with real-world situations that make great listening environments. If you're interested in game music, these are good places to start.

Grocery shopping

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No one enjoys searching the aisles of a grocery store for bread and frozen peas, so why not put in some earbuds and zone out while you shop? One of the best soundtracks to get you through this weekly ordeal comes from the downloadable game Bastion. The Bastion soundtrack is full of beat-driven songs that mix unlikely genres into amazing sonic creations. With the aid of this music, you'll be at home with stuffed cupboards before you know it.

Exercising

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Ready to get your burn on, bro? You're gonna need some thumping, muscular tunes to help push yourself through all those reps. The Portal 2 soundtrack is full of songs that fit the bill, from the propulsive opener "Science is Fun" to the relentlessly mechanical "The Friendly Faith Plate." Just make sure you stretch afterwards.

Throwing a Party

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When your gaming buddies are coming over and you want a fun musical backdrop, try the soundtrack to The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It's catchy as all get-out, universally loved, and is guaranteed to bring joy to all festivities. If you want to liven things up further, check out Team Teamwork's Ocarina of Rhyme, an album that lays new beats and classic rap vocals over music from the game.

Repetitive Work

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When you have a repetitive task that requires little brainpower, like weeding a garden or copying data, an interesting background track can make the time fly by. The Borderlands 2 soundtrack is stuffed with music that will keep the endorphins flowing while you flip on autopilot for your brainless drudgery. The tracks "Dam Top" and "Bandit Slaughter" are stand-outs.

Studying

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Cracking open a textbook isn't the most glamorous way to spend an evening, but self improvement is always a good thing. The ideal studying soundtrack should help you push distractions out of your head so you can absorb the information in front of you. One soundtrack that does exactly that comes from the game Journey. These ethereal tunes provide a perfect backdrop to help you get your work done.

Night Driving

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When you're driving at night and you have hours to go, music can help keep you awake. The tunes in Katamari Damacy are so bizarre and bubbly that they give a bigger buzz than a jumbo mug of coffee. If that's too weird for you, try the Rayman Origins soundtrack, which is a little less bizarre but still delightfully caffeinated.

Web Browsing

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We all like to kick back and see what's new on the Internet, and the Super Mario Galaxy soundtrack offers fitting background music. It's full of exuberant tunes that match the game's intergalactic vibe, plus remixed versions of classic songs from the plumber's past. It's perfect for scanning Twitter or catching up on the latest news in the gaming world.

Falling Asleep

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The soundtrack to The Last of Us is as sparse and bleak as the game itself. With haunting acoustic guitars, minimal percussion, and morose string arrangements, this soundtrack can give you that good old post-apocalyptic feeling even on the sunniest of days. That's why it's perfect for... falling asleep? Oddly, yes. Most of the tracks are quiet, introspective, and strangely soothing. Some of the best songs to listen to while you drift off to dreamland include "The Path" and "The Quarantine Zone (20 Years Later)."

Exploring an Abandoned Hospital at Night

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What group of teenagers can resist breaking into that old decrepit building on the edge of town? You know, the one that used to imprison the criminally insane before it was shut down? When tiptoeing down the hospital’s debris-strewn hallways at midnight, no music fits the mood better than the soundtrack of Silent Hill 2. From the industrial horror of "Pyramid Head" to the grimly beautiful "Love Psalm," these songs perfectly accompany the night of terror that awaits you.

Asking for a Raise

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Sure, you could go into your boss's office to ask for a raise any day of the week, but you'll probably wind up stammering like a fool. Before heading in, try basking in the music of Dark Souls, a nigh-impossible game that's full of epic, magisterial arrangements. These songs will give even the weak-hearted the courage to get the job done. We just hope you fare better than our hero did in the game.

Those are our suggestions, but great music can be enjoyed in any number of situations. What are your favorite game soundtracks, and when do you like to listen to them? Writing essays with Deus Ex: Human Revolution? Studying to Skyrim? Share your favorite combinations below.

Chris Reed is a freelance writer and editor. You can follow him on Twitter at @_chrislreed