Summary
What makes a great game? Is it the gameplay, the graphics, or the story? The answer could be said to be a combination of all of these factors, and this would include the music score andsound effects.
Many game development studios spend a small fortune on having a compelling soundtrack created by professional musicians, as well as investing heavily in creating suitable sound effects and music that fit with the game. The very best games have multiple versions of a soundtrack that will be triggered based on theactions of the playerand what is happening in the game world, in a dynamic way.
Horizon Zero Dawnis an exquisitely crafted open-world game, with the player filling the shoes of Aloy, a young lady investigating the mysteries of the past, and attempting to save a world fromrobotic enemies. With its post-apocalyptic setting, the game makes great use of a dark and foreboding soundtrack at times.
However, the soundtrack is fully dynamic and does, at times, change to a gentle, melodic backdrop. When the player is exploring, for example, the soundtrack is much more ambient. But when the action starts, the tempo increases and the music becomes much more dramatic. Overall, the game does a good job of using the soundtrack to support the evolving game world.
Asaction RPGsgo,Nier: Automatadoes a fantastic job of tackling deep philosophical questions, such as the need for an identity, and finding a place in the world. The soundtrack in this game is incredible. It was composed by Keiichi Okabe and changes dynamically to suit events taking place in the world.
The score is emotional and plays a big part in setting the scene and vibe during gameplay. The music doesn’t just change dynamically, it changes volume as well, sometimes a subtle backdrop, and then other times, pushing to the fore to add urgency and immersion.
Red Dead Redemption 2likely needs no introduction; it is widely renowned as one of the masterpieces of the open-world sandbox genre. The music score was composed by Woody Jackson and often follows the Wild West theme very closely. However, there are also times that it doesn’t, switching to music that is more appropriate for the actions the player is performing.
The music that is played as the player rides their horse across the plains is entirely different from the music heard when a gunfight is taking place. Player choice can also impact the score. For example, if the player commits a crime, the soundtrack becomes darker and more foreboding, and some NPC interactions can trigger a score change as well.
Noted as being one of the bestopen-world role-playing games,The Witcher 3: Wild Huntscreams quality from character creation to the endgame. One of the most engaging aspects of the gameplay is the way that the music score changes to complement the current activity the player is involved in.
This is never more apparent than when the player, in their role as Geralt, enters combat. When combat is initiated, the soundtrack changes, and the tempo is increased. As the combat becomes more difficult and dangerous, the music becomes more intense. Overall, this adaptive music backdrop goes a long way to making the game as good as it is.
There can be no doubt that, visually,Journeyis a fantastic-looking game. As the player works through their epic desert journey, the soundtrack changes, depending on what is going on around the player. Indeed, few games have such a high-quality soundtrack asJourney, as it was created by the award-winning composer, Austin Wintory.
The music changes dynamically, based on several factors, not just combat. There are also audible clues when a player is close to uncovering a secret and when the player completes certain actions. Overall, the soundtrack is a vital part of the storytelling inJourney.
BioShock Infinitewas released a decade and a half ago, and it is still a very playable game today. Part of the reason for the game standing up so well after so many years is the amazing soundtrack that was composed by Garry Schymen, renowned for his work on major TV shows and movies, as well as games.
The soundtrack changes dynamically to support the storytelling and help drive the narrative. As the player interacts with the world around them, the sound alters to fit the current activity. For example, the soundtrack becomes calmer during a section of narrative, and ramps up again when the player enters combat. Overall,BioShock Infiniteis one of those games that capitalizes on dynamically driven music well.
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Painhas a soundtrack that was composed by Ludvig Forssell, who also worked on the amazing soundtrack forDeath Stranding. This excellent score reacts dynamically to player actions and also changes in the environment.
One thing that the dynamic soundtrack inMetal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Paindoes very well is convey a feeling of peril and riskwhen the player is using stealth. Few games do stealth well, let alone accompany stealth mechanics with a fitting soundtrack. There are also dynamically created audible clues to let a player know whether they are working toward a successful resolution to their actions.
Dead Space, despite being an older title, is a fantastic example of how a dynamic soundtrack can add to the playing experience. This is an often tense game, with the player taking on the role of Isaac Clarke as they explore an abandoned space station to uncover its secrets.
The soundtrack forDead Spacewas composed by Jason Graves, who also worked on other well-known titles such asTomb RaiderandFar Cry Primal. As the player’s perceived peril increases, the soundtrack changes dynamically to build tension and suspense. It fits perfectly with the atmosphere of the often creepy space station as well. Arguably,Dead Spacewould never have been so well-received without this dynamic backdrop to the gameplay.
