OST of the Month: Quake
Although I've usually been all over anything iD Software has made, I've only very recently gotten into Quake. However, it's quickly become one of my favorite games to play. The level design features both industrial and gothic elements, along with a variety of terrifying enemies. It's a little bit more of a challenge than the simple point-and-shoot style that its predecessors Wolfenstein and Doom had to offer.
One thing to note is that there are TONS of Nine Inch Nails references. This should come as no surprise to anyone that's even heard of the game. I knew Trent Reznor was involved in the OST's production before I ever got a glimpse of what Quake looked like.
The soundtrack, much like the game, is primal and moody. Unlike the game, but as a proper game OST should, the songs feature much repetition, not becoming too intrusive, but providing a strong, steady beat as you fight your way through the four worlds.
My favorite tracks:
Life- This track features a beat reminiscent of a heartbeat, with low, creepy overtones.
Falling- Tones are slightly higher this time, but without a strong, steady beat to support it, it definitely feels like you're being held in a perpetual free-fall.
Aftermath- Right away, this track holds a feeling of potential finality, coming in much stronger than most of the tracks on the OST. It seems to punctuate each (virtual) step forward that you take.
Theme- Besides sounding badass, there was something else about this track that made me stop and listen to it. There is a very specific type of scream that can be heard in a much different NIN track- The Downward Spiral (around 2:31 for reference). I find it odd that Reznor would put a reference to that song into a game that is all about a player's victory- not their self-defeat. Perhaps there is something about Quake's plot that I am missing- it's definitely not a Cry of Fear type scenario. I could be overreading (listening?) this- the screaming in question still sounded very cool and very primal, fitting Quake to a t.