Mass Effect - Soundtrack Vital to Success

Pixel Gate takes us back to Mass Effect's beautiful, evocative soundtrack, and believes it was vital to the success of the sci-fi epic.

Mass Effect is still a game I have a huge soft spot for. When ever I’m asked about my favourite RPGS, its name is never far from my thoughts. There’s a number of reasons to why I treasure Mass Effect. I could talk about the story, the epic space drama set among the backdrop of mystery. I can talk about how effective the dialogue system was at making me feel in control of the conversation. Perhaps I could spend time gushing on about the fantastic cast of characters.

In truth, it’s the music of Mass Effect that has remained with me. Often overlooked, the soundtrack is the main thing I remember time after time. Cut scenes can tell a story, dialogue can fill in the gaps but the music is what placed me into the universe.

There’s a strange lull to each piece of music featured. It’s familiar in nature, yet alien in sound. Mysteries waves of sound tied directly into classical methods. Bioware seemed fully aware of the sounds that graced their game. The game never leered over the music, far from it. Each planet and ship became a stage for unique sounds.

Mass Effect’s main theme conveys everything the game has to offer. It builds up into such a bizarre sound. Explosions of exploration roar, but that alien sound is always there, as is the mystery. Dramatic spikes kick in, breaking away from the pace of the intro. The theme perfectly mirrors the main plot of the game, a rarity in most games.

The Normandy’s deck echoes with yet another brilliant piece. Dark and brooding, laced with electronic sounds. Perfectly crafted to fit the exploration planed. It’s the little things that add up to the powerful affects. Little touches of wonder mixed with dangerous sounds, reflecting how each mission could lead to danger.

As the game progresses, the music changes with it. The relaxing sounds and mysterious sounds soon become aggressive. With the dangers unmasking, the soundtrack no longer needs to hide. Robotic chimes hiss at the player, sharp beats prod and poke reminding of the hazards ahead. Shifts in sound are natural, hand in hand with events of the game. Almost like the ink colouring the outlines of picture.

If there’s one section that represents just how important Mass Effect’s music is, it’s the Citadel. Each section has a unique sound. Initial areas are accompanied by dazzling sounds of wonder. I clearly remember sitting back and looking at the screen in awe. Such an realised environment filled with imagery. The music made this a moment in video games I would not, could not, forget. From the Wards to the Presidium, they all host sounds that make hairs stand on end.

Depending on decisions made in game, the end credit track has varying levels of relevance. The lyrics feel perfect for the games focus on choice and consequence. Regardless of how the player walked their path, characters met harm. By the time the credits hit, and the scale of situation is made clear to the player, the closing track is perfect.

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Music is IMO always the very important part of a game.

Now thats an intresting topic. I definitely agree with that sentiment. Music score in Mass Effect series was really memorable.

One of my favourites pieces: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk8gVWOy7uo

Without doubt. ME's soundtrack is absolutely superb, and the whole "vibe" the 1st 2 games nail is just amazing.

Agreed, I still use the galaxy map music for my ringtone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqavTDR0mso

I'm in bizarre world, I expected you all to be negative but you pleasantly surprised me

I agree that it had an awesome sound track.

Originally Posted by Hurion
Agreed, I still use the galaxy map music for my ringtone.





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqavTDR0mso

Just wonderful I'm playing ME2 now, and a great touch was the brief return of the ME1 screen theme tune when (SPOILER) you meet one of you're human team-mates again.

The first 2 games really were something special.

I can't say which Ost I liked more. First was more calm, sense of mystery, exploration, "holy shit I really am in space", second was more diverse, but all together more thrilling, especially when it comes to end mission.
I think first one stood out a bit more.

All the music in the world won't help if they don't get back to a true open world, deep rpg experience. They need to leave out the Ubisoftification from DAI as well.

Originally Posted by jpnole
All the music in the world won't help if they don't get back to a true open world, deep rpg experience. They need to leave out the Ubisoftification from DAI as well.

BioWare's earlier games weren't "open world" by any means, but they were still great RPG experiences, unlike the recent ones. Other than that I'm fully with you, but the term "open world" should be deleted from your post.

Great soundtrack. Very atmospheric. I sometimes turn music off in long games because of repitition (and often ambient effects are better for atmosphere!) but this one stayed on throughout.

Best game soundtrack ever, ME1-3. Absolutely love it.

The original Mass Effect is, and will always be my favorite of the series. It was just so charming and unique. And it had by far the most coherent story. And I loved the music for sure. I still remember the ending song-that was VERY powerful.

Originally Posted by Hurion
Agreed, I still use the galaxy map music for my ringtone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqavTDR0mso

Its still one of my bathtub tracks

Music and sound is a part of what can make the game media fantastic for immersion.

Both first and last Deus Ex had some memorable tunes as well

C

Music holds no value for me in games. I usually turn it down, turn ambient to 90 and dialogue to 100.

Originally Posted by sakichop
Music holds no value for me in games. I usually turn it down, turn ambient to 90 and dialogue to 100.

You're obviously entitled to do as you choose but… this makes me sad.

Monkey Island without its title theme - unthinkable !

And in Indiana Jones And The Fate Of Atlantis music was also an important tool to "set the setting / mood" …