As
far as video game composers go, Jack Wall is the cream of the crop. Although he
studied civil engineering in college, Wall has proven to be a real talent at
composing. His scores include Unreal II: The Awakening, Splinter Cell: Pandora
Tomorrow, Jade Empire, Mass Effect, and Mass Effect II. He is also the
co-founder and conductor of the Video Games Live concert series, bringing
attention to the wealth of quality music being composed for video games. Two of
his best scores are for Myst III: Exile and Myst IV: Revelation. Wall brought
movie-quality music to the venerated series of games, even incorporating some of
Robyn Miller's themes in his score for the latter game. Both games combine the exotic
instrumentation familiar to the Myst franchise with orchestral themes and
furiously chanting choir. Wall delicately balances more atmospheric (yet still
interesting) music for exploration with rich drama, tension, and tenderness for
the cutscenes.
From 2006 to 2012, Wall had only scored the two Mass Effect games and Army of Two, and sadly did not contribute any music to Mass Effect 3. However, in 2012 Wall made a big comeback with his score for the popular Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. Trent Reznor wrote a slight main theme, but the exciting and surprisingly varied score (at least for a modern FPS) is really Wall's through and through. His score for Black Ops 3 was even better, mixing propulsive electronics, rousing orchestral anthems, and dramatic choral melodies. He also displayed his versatility by composing pastiche songs in a variety of styles, from swing and country to jazz and Calypso, for the game's zombie mode. I for one hope that this is only the start of a glorious return for this talented composer.
From 2006 to 2012, Wall had only scored the two Mass Effect games and Army of Two, and sadly did not contribute any music to Mass Effect 3. However, in 2012 Wall made a big comeback with his score for the popular Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. Trent Reznor wrote a slight main theme, but the exciting and surprisingly varied score (at least for a modern FPS) is really Wall's through and through. His score for Black Ops 3 was even better, mixing propulsive electronics, rousing orchestral anthems, and dramatic choral melodies. He also displayed his versatility by composing pastiche songs in a variety of styles, from swing and country to jazz and Calypso, for the game's zombie mode. I for one hope that this is only the start of a glorious return for this talented composer.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (theme by Trent Reznor)
Call of Duty: Black Ops 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 3
Jade Empire
Myst III: Exile**
Myst IV: Revelation
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