Last year we had a look at some soundtracks from across the ages of gaming that had stuck with us throughout the years – now we’re having a look at some of the most resonating soundtracks from more recent times that have simply made an impact on our eardrums, and lingered on long after the speakers have been switched off.
A far stretch from the 8-bit synth of old, modern games have spoiled us with fully orchestrated soundtracks, akin to Hollywood blockbusters – but better, because we’re gamers and we’re biased like that. Whether originally composed, or selected from the wealth of music already out there – there’s something about the combination of this music and the game setting they’re experienced in, that make them unforgettable.
Fallout 2
Louis Armstrong’s “Kiss to build a dream on” isn’t a ‘modern’ track by any measure, nor is it an original composition created for a game – but coupled with the post-apocalyptic setting of the Fallout universe – where time was frozen in the 50s, yet the technology extended far beyond what we can even fathom today – the track somehow strikes a different chord in my head.
The opening sequence to Fallout 2, with Armstrong’s husky voice fading into the background as the Enclave mow down a group of vault-dwellers in a flurry of bullets, is a contrasting experience that will be rooted into memory forever.
Mass Effect
When it comes to space, things obviously have to get a bit techno, with deep bass and, er, it’s all rather quite difficult to describe really. Mass Effect’s soundtrack is suitably space-age – but what makes it most memorable is the striking similarity you’d encounter when you watch Disney’s TRON: Legacy; the soundtrack of which was composed and performed by none other than Daft Punk.
And, I mean, you don’t really get more space age than Daft Punk’s awesome electro-pop-techno-synth-whatchamacallit compositions.
Dragon Age
The thing most people will probably remember about the Dragon Age Origins theme is the soothing, ethereal vocals that greet you as soon as the game has loaded up. The vocals slip away to a more progressively aggressive orchestral piece which, when you think about it, conveys pretty much exactly how the game plays out – starting off with you feeling rather safe with Duncan, before the Darkspawn see to it that the doo-doo hits the fan, setting you off on your rather turbulent adventure.
Reading too much into it? Very well – it’s here simply because it’s tough to beat out a pretty voice like that. It makes me all emotional and stuff, and *sniff* DON’T LOOK AT ME.
Rayman Origins
Words cannot even begin to describe Rayman Origin’s soundtrack – it’s actually completely and utterly ridiculous; but that’s what makes it simply awesome. The game’s music is actually created by the world – with off-beat ambiance being combined with in-game interactions like chimes from collected Lums; dropping on drums; plucking taut wires as you jump on them; or running across a flying flute snake. No, really.
The pre-composed tracks are comical, high-pitched chantings and bubblings of, presumably, the Lums themselves – or high-paced banjo plucking (which currently serves as my cellphone’s ringtone). No matter how ridiculous the soundtrack is – it’s undeniably the most charming and fun soundwaves to meet your ears in recent times.
Skyrim
Skyrim is an epic game, so it’s fitting that the first sounds you’re introduced to in the opening title sequence are just as epic. If you listen to the main theme of Skyrim and walk away not feeling like you can take on a Dragon, then you must be deaf. The theme builds up and escalates to an epic peak where the choir shouts (fittingly):
Dragonborn! Dragonborn!
by his honor is sworn
To keep evil forever at bay!
And the fiercest foes rout
when they hear triumph’s shout,
Dragonborn, for your blessing we pray!
I mean, phwoar! Not even an arrow to the knee could make it any less awesome. After listening to that track, I just want to pick up a big sword and start smashing things. Or put pots over people’s heads and stealing their stuff.
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