The soundtrack to a video game is the liver in the body of gaming. And by that I mean when it’s screwed, so is everything else. Perhaps it’s my +10 nostalgia goggles doing their thing, but I remember a day when combat themes didn’t sound exactly like one another, and accomplishment wasn’t signified by the reward, it was the little jingle you heard at the end of battle that let you breathe the long sigh of relief.

Perhaps times have changed, for better or for worse. Audio no longer seems to have a significant place in the majority of games, EA Trax is more hip and appropriate for todays generation. Who needs soft, recognisable melodies when you have hard hitting rock riffs from whatever underground rock music those hipsters appear to be listening to nowadays..

Allow me to jog your memory with something everyone will remember.

Metal Gear Solid.

You either opened it knowing full-well what it was and had been anticipating it for the longest time.
(Listen to a snippet)
Alternatively, you had no bloody clue what it meant, what it was about, and who the hell those guys were on the cover. But either way, when you first popped the disc in the top and heard the intro theme, you knew you were going this game demanded some serious attention. Every piece had it’s own sense of urgency to convey, when it was time to hide you couldn’t just see the timer had ceased counting down, you could FEEL the timer had ceased counting down. Even just the simple ! noise is an exercise in perfection, not too hard, not too soft – the ideal audio representation of an exclamation mark.

Now, don’t get me wrong. Gears of War was a brilliant game, and the sequel managed to improve on the brilliant duck ‘n’ cover shooter. But without the aid of the internet or other individuals, can you honestly tell me much of the music impacted on you? Did you find yourself humming it on a Sunday afternoon making yourself a bacon sandwich during a particularly long session of gaming? I sincerely doubt it. Sure the music still managed to create a sense of mood, but it felt more complimentary, rather than supplementary. And that is my bone to pick.

It’s not all doom and gloom however, see left. Bionic Commando Rearmed. Those who know me know how often I proclaim my love for this game. And not particularly for the gameplay, I found that pretty good, but the soundtrack blew me away. My nostalgia sense went into overdrive and to hear it remastered and intertwined with a fresh modern techno sound in such a brilliantly composed way made the experience 10 times better. In fact, I dare you personally to listen to Heat Wave and tell me that doesn’t sound perfect. Every level sounds like it should do, the Power Plant sounds dark and murky with a real heavy leaning on bass, boss music sounds fast paced and really delivers the sense of urgency. When amongst allies (which the track is also titled I might add) you know you are safe and this is reciprocated through your speakers.

But that’s enough about me, what does it for you? Does the Crashman theme bring manly tears to your eyes? Perhaps the objection theme of Pheonix Wright is the best way to lock you into a flow and forget about the real world. And how do you feel about sounds now diminished role in modern gaming?

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