@001011000101101 Yeah I did and I agree with you, Limbo was a fantastic game and the art style and story was enough to create a deep and compelling atmosphere! But those are far and few between, when it comes to AAA blockbusters like Mass Effect, Uncharted, Elder Scrolls, Bioshock... music is essential! It needs to get across a specific theme and mood. Bioshock created a periodic and horror(ish) feel that worked VERY well! Likewise different games need to create different atmospheres and moods. Red Dead Redemption create a nice Western theme, it didn't need orchestral scores the odd stringed instrument playing in the background created the "lone Ranger" theme perfectly! If there was no music is would be very bland, all you would hear would be horse hooves beating the ground. Now we are all humans and therefore each to his own, Zimmer might not be your cup of tea and that is alright. I for one find his music to be great!
Ohh and Hans Zimmer is a brilliant composer! His music is so diverse and so emotional, that is why he is used a lot. Give Hans his freedom and he will create masterpieces!
@001011000101101 Mate music is there for a reason, it creates the atmosphere of the game. Just imagine playing a game and the main character dies, now there is now there is no music just silence and the guys dead body, would that move you? Say he was dicked over by someone and as a result of that he dies, what would you feel? Now with music we, as the player, feel what the devs want us to feel. Did the main character deserve to die? Was he dealt and injustice? What was the reason behind his death? Now music can tell us that! Music is vital to creating the intended emotions in a game, that is what makes music so beautiful :)!! Music tell us a story, we just need to be willing to pay attention :)!
Part 2 (To long for one post): Now look at Mass Effect 2, it was a brilliant game (My favorite to this day) but the music just let it down. I didn't feel emotionally connected to anyone, even if they died. There was just no sense of urgency when you were fighting the Collectors at the end, no romantic themes being played when you got down with Miranda. Now look at the launch trailer for ME2, now that was brilliant! The music gave off this sense of urgency, love and outright epicness! Before seeing that trailer I didn't even know about a game called Mass Effect but afterwards I went out and bought it just based off of the trailer, and music has the power to do that! That is what makes it SOOO important in a game, plus it is so wonderful to hear the great orchestral scores whilst one is busy with one's favorite pastime :)!! Once again, GREAT article!!
What a brilliant article Kevin!! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it :)! For me games have to invoke a sense of attachment for me to truly enjoy them. If we look at Uncharted 2 we can see this principal used to it's fullest. Whenever there was a solemn moment we would hear the music tone down, that would invoke an emotional reaction from the player. For example the scene where Elena gets injured by Harry Flynn's grenade, the scene and the music was so emotionally moving that I really did shed a tear. Then when you're exploring Nepal the music sets this tone of exploration yet making it seem majestic at the same time. For me, a game to be truly good has to emotionally involve the player, and music is one of the biggest catalysts to achieving this goal.
Duke_Dude's comments