In this weekly feature, I recommend game soundtracks. I share a few of my favorite tracks, talk about why everyone should listen to the soundtrack, and a little bit about the composer. This week's choice is Detroit: Become Human by Quantic Dream.
THE STATS
Name: Detroit: Become Human
Developer: Quantic Dream
Publisher: Quantic Dream
Release Date: June 18, 2020
Genres: Action, adventure
Sound Designers: Philip Sheppard, Nima Fakhrara, John Paesano
MY FAVORITE TRACKS
(The full list of tracks are linked by playlist below... and I highly recommend some good headphones to best enjoy all of the subtle elements of the music!)Dark Night (Kara) - Philip Sheppard(Length: 5:12) This is a variation of Kara's main theme, and as the title of it suggests it has darker elements. All of the tension is captured brilliantly by the various instruments and rhythms -- and I even like the horror-like string elements at 1:14.Fly on Foot (Kara) - Philip Sheppard(Length: 3:33) Movement. That's the focus of this track, and the strings do it a great justice!Something You've Never Seen Before (Markus) - John Paesano(Length: 3:14) This track is just beautiful from start to finish -- despite the ominous tones of the last minute. The composition and gut-feel of the track really resonates!Time to Take Action (Markus) - John Paesano(Length: 5:33) This track doesn't really start until 1:28, so I'll look the other way if you skip ahead. At that point, it unleashes a great beat and some Avengers-like epic symphony tones before then passing through a dark valley, coming out at 4:42 with something almost celestial. (Awe. The word is most likely awe.)Connor Main Theme (Connor) - Nima Fakhrara(Length: 8:55) Connor is the first android you experience in the game, and he is playing the role of a negotiator in a hostage situation since the hostage-taker is a family's android. This track definitely has the feel of dire stakes, futuristic struggles, and the strain that comes from being an android in a human world. I can hear elements reminiscent of Portal 2, Blade Runner, Furi, and the classical greats!
You can listen to the complete playlist here:
WHY DO I RECOMMEND IT?
I've been following the development of this game longer than I thought. Something like 9 years ago a friend showed me an animated video called "Kara" by Quantic Dream. They were showing off their stuff for "a new PS3 title." Turns out, it was for this game, Detroit: Become Human. The quality of the game varies, depending on who you ask -- as well as the batting average of Quantic Dream. But my focus here is on the soundtrack.
So, what do I think of the soundtrack?
This soundtrack is SOLID. There's a little bit of something for everyone. The original tracks have gorgeously full symphonic sound, conveying the spectrum of emotions within the game. I did not include any of the licensed tracks, but they are at the end of the playlist link above (and worth listening to!).
THE COMPOSERS
Philip Sheppard: Primarily a cellist, he's also composed for film and television as well as the Olympics.
Nima Fakhrara: With a focus on film composition, he has had a hand in projects like Bee Movie all the way to Resident Evil Revelations 2.
John Paesano: A bit more familiar to the games scene, he won a BAFTA for Best music in a video game for his work in Marvel's Spider-Man: Mile Morales. His other works include the Maze Runner series, Mass Effect: Andromeda, and the miniseries Marvel's The Defenders.
If you like what you heard here, you can purchase the soundtrack on Amazon or Apple Music!
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