Hi guys,
So I thought I'd list a few of my biggest inspirations in terms of soundtracks. I'm 23 years old now and have been gaming throughout my entire life, so I've played quite a few games. What I can conclude is that the Soundtrack of a game can make a game more than what it is. If it's really good, it can even make a technically flawed game playable and memorable.
I don't wanna do a top 10 or whatever. I don't think lists like these do the products justice, neither can I rank them. I just know what I like. :D
Bioshock: Infinite
So the most recent is Bioshock: Infinite. I like how Schyman had used conventional instruments in a very unconventional way. Some of the rhythms are particularly strange and add to the sense of estrangement that's part of the game's world. I also like the drums a lot. ''Songbird'' is a personal favorite of mine.
DMC: Devil May Cry
Next up is DMC: Devil May Cry. I love Noisia's work on this one, but I especially like the developers choice to have him compose the entire soundtrack. It's really smart. He manages to not only put together the dubstep/ drumnbass kind of music that he's known for, but he masterfully incorporates filmic elements to actually make it sound like a soundtrack. Not only that, but it fits DMC. Finally they leave behind the repetitive rock guitars and go along with the times. Mark my words, more games will follow in DMC's footsteps on this one.
Ghost Recon: Future Soldier
This OST is quite standard, with some high moments. The ambient pieces don't really stand out, but I just had to mention this soundtrack, if only just for one piece: Tom Salta - Bolivia Streets. This is pure art. Extremely well composed. It's complex, it build perfectly, it uses Spanish rhythms and harmonies. I just love it. LOVE it. :)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Just magical. The amount of music that has been composed for this game is epic in itself. There's so much in this game, all tailored to fit the players experience. And I know that a lot of developers use these terms, but they actually pulled it off. The music shifts seamlessly from one piece to another. The overall style is magical. I could just listen to most of it, without even playing the game. The amount of effort that has been put into this pays off.
So I've got 4 so far. I'll continue this at another time. Maybe make a weekly thing out of it.
Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Much love,
Ronnie Scholtes
