 |
Would Someone Turn off That Music?
Music? Good? Bad? In different? Not suprisingly people hold many different
views on the subject of music and wether it's an enhancement or a detraction
from the game. I prefer music to be in games, as for me it sets the mood.
There's just something about firing off a nuclear missile while listening
to an Audio track where there happens to be some vocals and they are "Gentlemen,
it's a nuclear device. Time is running out". However some people will
see it differently as a great hinderance to be able to hear what is going
on on the battlefield and wether you are getting beaten mercilessly by
8 of DeeZire's Devious AI's.
Music is an element that is just undervalued in a game these days. Frank
Klepacki is the man who has written most of the music for the Command
and Conquer Series and most recently on Generals it was Bill Brown. Two
unique sounds, one great series of music scores. Music is an element that
adds to a players experience, as it sucks you into an enviroment. Think
back to Tiberian Sun and as GDI you discover the Scrin Ship for the first
time. The Music is so eery and disturbing that you almost feel like your
next to the ship so scared that the slighest creak will make you run to
mommy.
Notably as well on the Generals Game, Bill Brown has constructed an excellent
musical score and array of songs that add to each side. The U.S. Battle
Theme (The Music on the Shell Map (USA_06) ) really makes you feel like
your in command of the most powerful military in the world. The GLA music
adds to the feeling of Liberation, espically with the voice effects used
(GLA_03) that suck the player into believing that they are someone fighting
oppression that binds against them.
Music is an unparalled tool for sucking a player into a gaming environment
and wether you like it or not that's tough. It's an asset that is greatly
underused (e.g. Emporer Battle For Dune in Skirmish is one song for each
side). It's a matter of taste as to wether you like the song, but the
setting and feel it sets for the player can't be matched. Music is definately
something that can define a game down to it's core.
"We Want War! Wake Up!" ~ Hell March 2
|
 |
