Bioshock
Released: August 21, 2007
Developer: 2K Boston, 2K Australia
Composer: Garry Schyman
As messed up as the world of Rapture is, I find it oddly intriguing. I feel like it would be cool to live in a city that’s completely submerged underwater. This describes how I feel about the soundtrack. It can feel relaxing yet put me on edge at the same time. Just watch the trailer to see what I mean.
I know it’s shocking (it could even give you an electro bolt), but I just played this for the first time recently. It had always intrigued me previously because I wondered “what is this game about?”. There were many things I couldn’t know about the game before playing it, and I’m glad I didn’t know them, because they’re big spoilers. If you haven’t played it yet then let’s just say that I recommend you play it because there are multiple twists that I did not see coming and really made the experience better.
On the one hand, the soundtrack is so unsettling. I mean the strings, just listen to those strings, there are SO MANY STRINGS!!! I’m torn over if I consider this a horror game. It seems like an action game to me, but the horror elements are also obvious. The fact that you are being chased by bloodthirsty brainwashed people is scary enough, but then the soundtrack does even more to put you on edge.
I honestly can’t pick only one spot, you just have to listen to the soundtrack to know what I mean. Weather or not you consider this a horror game, you have to admit that it has one of the scariest scores.
With that, there are also sad moments. You’re in this place that used to be growing but yet has now fallen to ruin. Many people have died, and the city is now full of empty houses and lost souls as shown by these tracks. This place is freaky, but you can’t help feeling sorry for them at the same time.
On the other hand, the music that isn’t the score I loved just as much. Throughout the game you hear the radio playing old-timey music. Just listen to this for a good example.
All this really added to the experience, but the part of the game that I would say had my favorite soundtrack was in Fort Frolic. This is basically entertainment central within Rapture, led by the of course maniacal Sander Cohen.
At one part he goes on a bit of a rage fit and sends a bunch of splicers to attack you, and instead of the typical fight music you get this.
I really loved this part! It stuck out to me because it was so unexpected, but just fit so well at the same time. At this point I didn’t expect to hear classical music during the game, but they like to throw the unexpected at us. As one comment on this video said, the enemies are weaker here, which is basically Cohen’s way of saying “let’s dance”.
Overall this is a great mix of soundtrack, both from the score and from the diegetic music (music that’s heard by the characters). It enhanced the music so much and has been music that I’ve enjoyed listening to while working. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
★★★★★
It’s December but I’d like to try and get at least a couple more posts in before the end of the year. Until next time, keep listening!
Video Game Harmony 
Leave a comment