Let's talk about ambient music and atmosphere.

Irwin John Finster

Irwin John Finster

Sonny, I Watched the Vault Bein' Built!
I am a firm believer that the ambient music in a video game can make or break the game. I think it is as integral to the success of a game as the dialogue, writing, and gameplay. There are games which I go back to time and time again simply because of the ambient music, because that is what sets the tone and atmosphere for the entire game and therefore that is what you really remember when recalling your experience.

Now, I think Inon Zur is top-notch and when of the best composers for video game music - he did a fantastic job creating the ambiance of Fallout 3 and Fallout 4. However, I can't help but wonder what Fallout 4 could have been like if it took on a darker, more serious tone. The current ambient sound is a bit more upbeat or even "heroic" in overall feeling than, say, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. And I bring up Stalker because when those radiation storms hit in Fallout 4 or you are out in the Glowing Sea the game takes on some of the darker feeling of Stalker and it is tremendous. I cannot help but wonder if the game would have benefited from going all the way and making a much darker, grittier vision of Fallout.

Compare this soundtrack:


With this one:


I love Inon Zur's relaxing music in Fallout 4, but I also love the darker, grittier universe that Stalker created. What do you think? Would Fallout have benefited from moving in a different direction - that is, towards a darker vision similar to Stalker? Should Fallout take more atmosphere from that game?

And what other ambient soundtracks do you find remarkable? Please do share as I love atmospheric game music.
 
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I don't know, I liked a lot of the themes in Fallout 4. It sure doesn't fit in a Fallout game if we're comparing it to the older ones, but it fits the setting very well. The Colonial America themes for the Minutemen and certain Brotherhood tracks fit the feel of Boston. It also reminded me of Assassin's Creed 3, a game that I felt was criticised way too harshly. I very much enjoyed it.

The problem started with the soundtrack when certain tracks just became too similar to each other, as if they were too focused on consistency and ended up repeating themselves. Goodneighbor and Diamond City themes, I could barely tell apart. Don't even get me started on the settlement building music, or the barebones difference between all the combat tracks.

The Railroad themes was the only real change in tone and pace I experienced in the whole game. It's not a lack of grittiness, it's a lack of variety. See how every track in New Vegas has vast differences depending on your location? It doesn't return in Fallout 4. I miss being able to close my eyes and tell where I was just from the ambience.
 
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