Intro
Music is an important part of a game. Without music a game would feel lifeless and empty. With music being important it is crucial that it is done right. So, to explain how important music is I am going to show how music can create an atmosphere.
Sonic The Hedgehog (2006)
One of the key parts of music is leitmotifs and there is one game that does this very well… Sonic the Hedgehog 2006. Even though this game is hated by many and is called the worst game of all time, this game has a great atmospheric soundtrack that incorporates leitmotifs incredibly. Now for any of you wondering what a leitmotif is, a leitmotif in music is a recurring segment of music that represents a character or idea, a great example of this is Dr. Eggman’s leitmotif. This leitmotif has been used in most of the games following this one but it was introduced inside of this game. Dr. Eggman’s leitmotif has now become a staple of sonic music and is one of the most recognizable leitmotifs in all of gaming. Another important leitmotif in Sonic 06 is the leitmotif of Mephiles the Dark. Mephiles is one of my favorite villains and has a leitmotif that represent them as a character. The leitmotif for Mephiles is evil sounding and mysterious sounding which represents how little we know about them. This leitmotif is heard throughout the game anytime Mephiles is there from cutscenes to boss fights and everything in between this leitmotif is everywhere. Leitmotifs can help the music have an atmosphere because it means that the song is built upon parts that have meaning and depth making the world sound more alive and real.
A Hat in Time
Another important part of creating an atmosphere through music is the energy that the music gives off. One great example of this is in the music from A Hat in Time. A Hat in Time has an expansive and diverse world with the energy of stages ranging from super cartoony like in Mafia Town to creepy like in the Subcon Forest. This game knows what the energy should be in a stage and it uses that to its advantage while keeping the music sounding very similar. A great example of this is the world of Subcon Forest. The Subcon Forest is a creepy forest filled with lots of terrifying surprises, one such surprise when you first arrive there is Snatcher. When you first enter the Subcon Forest you get caught in a trap and have your soul taken by Snatcher. The music in that section is intense and fast paced making Snatcher seem like this pure evil and villainous character, but after getting caught by Snatcher again he will begin to play his catching song but realize that its you and play his normal them which is fittingly titled “Oh, It’s You”. This song is ironic and without the first song would convince you that Snatcher is a good guy. Snatchers theme may make you forget that Snatcher is this evil person who has taken a few thousand souls. Which is where the boss fight of that chapter comes in. After you have completed all of the contracts that Snatcher gives to you Snatcher reveals that he is going to kill you and then the boss fight starts. The music to this boss is intense and fast paced and builds up this fight as this high-stake battle for life or death, as you battle to get your soul back.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Lastly, I am going to talk about a game that I think masters creating an atmosphere through music, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. In order to beat Breath of the Wild you will need to navigate your way to the source of the calamity that is threating the world, the Sanctum of Hyrule Castle. The challenge of reaching there is that it is at the peak of the castle and the castle is filled with some of the strongest enemies in the game and is covered with gloom, a substance that harms you on touch. This makes the castle a real threat but in order to truly convey this, there is a song that plays while you are in the castle, both an interior and exterior version. This song is one of the best in the game and builds the anticipation of reaching the top and beating the game. Throughout the song there are drums that make it feel like you are marching towards victory. In the background of the song there is a piano part that I feel represents the threat of the castle and calamity ganon but the rest of the song overshadows it making there be a feeling of being more powerful than the evil. During the song you can hear many leitmotifs like Zelda’s lullaby, the theme from the first Legend of Zelda game, and the main leitmotif of the game as a whole. This song is the definition of creating an atmosphere using the music.
Conclusion
Hopefully from this you will now understand the importance of music and how leitmotifs and energy can help create an atmosphere in the music.
