Finally it is here, the long awaited 3rd game in the Diablo series. But (at least) one key person is missing from the game, and that is Matt Uelmen.
Back in september '11 I made this thread http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=269276 trying to gather some intel from the people playing the beta (I didn't have access to it). The results were gratifying to say the least, 82% (62 people) said the music was similar to the previous titles and that they were good.
I have now played 1 and a half act out of the four, and I do not agree with the people who voted in the poll. So far the music has been quite underwhelming, and a lot of them I do not take particular note to while playing. There has only been a few tracks that I would consider to be of high standard in addition to the new Tristram-style soundtracks, and that is the music played while fighting the spider queen, and the music played when you tread in watery caves. They are not spectacular like this or this, but they are pretty good.
The problem with the D3 music (so far), is that it functions much more as ambient music, and not identifiable and stylistic compositions. They set the mood in an eloquent manner, but they do not offer anything else (imo). Russel Brower (the main composer for D3) is quite a talented person, and has done lots of great work in WoW. However, allthough he's done an ok job (better than most comparing to other video games), he has not been able to follow the distinct and magnificent ability Uelmen had to make game music more like the kind of music you can listen to and enjoy even when not playing the game.
Now, as I have only played 1.5 acts, I do not know if it gets better. I would be really surprised if it does though, as the style so far has been embossed as simple and comfortable background music. It seems like it is a conscious move from Blizzard's side, to have the music be that way, and then only make it more interesting when you are fighting bosses.
My only thoughts now are of sadness over the day Matt Uelmen and Blizzard parted ways, a true loss for the Diablo franchise.
So, what do you think of the music in D3? Is it any good?
NB! I love the game, this is one of the few considerable criticisms I have towards it.
i had the same concerns like you when i heard he left. readed somewhere that the mostly ambient music style is intentional so they can drop small ''motivationparts'' into it. i noticed that quite a bit and i like it actually. also the new tristram variations are good.
but i definitely see where you come from. i love the d2 soundtrack. if you want more of that style liste ntoo torchlight music. its basically the same. (its from uelmen ofc)
On May 19 2012 06:37 Terranlover wrote: i had the same concerns like you when i heard he left. readed somewhere that the mostly ambient music style is intentional so they can drop small ''motivationparts'' into it. i noticed that quite a bit and i like it actually. also the new tristram variations are good.
If it is indeed intended then I think they have done a huge mistake. I want the music to have a real presence while I am cleaving my way through blood and gore. The tristram variations are really good, but it's something we've heard before, just slightly different, I want some new exciting tracks
but i definitely see where you come from. i love the d2 soundtrack. if you want more of that style liste ntoo torchlight music. its basically the same. (its from uelmen ofc)
I've listened to some of the Torchlight music, and while it is good, it caters towards a more light and cartoony atmosphere. It is not as dark and evil as Diablo.
Just when I thought I was out, Blizz pulled me back in..
Slurgi United States. May 21 2012 15:57. Posts 115
The Diablo I and II (especially II) had just fantastic ambience added by the music. The music really made each act feel distinct, stylistically fitting each act and area. It was brooding, it was evil, and it was just well-composed.
My main problem with the Diablo III music isn't even that it's barely "music" (rarely 'catchy' or driving; mostly arhythmic chords moving about with some random percussion), but that it doesn't really make a certain Act or area feel distinct, with the exception of the underwater caves, a few tracks early on in Act 1, and maybe a few others.
there is this one track that has a heavy drum like atmosphere. i think it plays when you fight some bosses. it really really is epic unfortunately the music was so quiet compared to the HUGH SLASH BANG SHAAZAM and insta killing of the boss that i couldnt appreciated it.
Every night i go to sleep, praying Zenex's next victim is shown mercy.
Parnage United States. May 22 2012 19:29. Posts 1817
I haven't had the chance to actually take a good listen to the soundtrack(I have it I just have not had the time to properly enjoy it). I am abit of a Game music nerd, I love gaming music from the rocking of music of Frank Klepacki to the musical ambiance of Brower and the epic feeling of Bill Browns Lineage 2 music I just love the stuff. I even have some of the old Ultima Midi's because damnit if I don't find them fun to listen to.
I do know that Russel loves the idea of creating music with hints of the original most obviously you see this in his title tracks for the Blizzard games(hints of the original's seems to be his thing) guy loves to take parts of older works and work them into new stuff and he does it pretty well.
I honestly would be kind of sad if they had tried to revamp or overly update Matt Uelemens tracks. I love his stuff I really do but if he's not doing it I don't want to hear someone else trying to be like him I want to see that persons take on the universe. From what I can remember of the game at the moment it's pretty good but yeah I really do have to just strait up listen to the soundtrack and get into it.
On May 22 2012 19:07 HadeCiao wrote: the high choir accord in the background of the ambient music in act4 creates such an epic atmosphere.
I find the music amazing
I just played through Act IV, I agree the music (in general) there was quite good. I think one has to really shit on his legs not to make something good out of that environment though
Edit: Added a poll.
Just when I thought I was out, Blizz pulled me back in..
Holytornados United States. May 24 2012 00:22. Posts 623
Not too bad, should have had more of this in the game. It is a bit monotone though, should have made a turn midway into something else, some kind of bridge. But by all means, good good
Last edit: 2012-06-04 07:42:45
Just when I thought I was out, Blizz pulled me back in..
The main theme music is good, the rest of it does it's job, makes the mood. No way saying the music is bad in this game. But there was a certain magic and stickiness to Matt Uelmen's music, that haunts even after your done with the game. I mean....think wilderness or cathedral and you instantly think of the guitar (+ rakanishu!) and drums .
I kinda wish brower had taken pre LoD style to work with.
At the start...and at 5:10, 6:30 were so awesome.
Last edit: 2012-06-04 10:07:57
udgnim United States. June 04 2012 10:28. Posts 6448
On June 04 2012 10:06 dartoo wrote: I miss tribal drums and whistles
The main theme music is good, the rest of it does it's job, makes the mood. No way saying the music is bad in this game. But there was a certain magic and stickiness to Matt Uelmen's music, that haunts even after your done with the game. I mean....think wilderness or cathedral and you instantly think of the guitar (+ rakanishu!) and drums .
I kinda wish brower had taken pre LoD style to work with.
At the start...and at 5:10, 6:30 were so awesome.
D2 music is without a doubt better than D3's
E-Sports is competitive video gaming with a spectator fan base. Do not take the word "Sports" literally.
DannyJ United States. June 04 2012 16:09. Posts 3730
On June 04 2012 10:06 dartoo wrote: I miss tribal drums and whistles
The main theme music is good, the rest of it does it's job, makes the mood. No way saying the music is bad in this game. But there was a certain magic and stickiness to Matt Uelmen's music, that haunts even after your done with the game. I mean....think wilderness or cathedral and you instantly think of the guitar (+ rakanishu!) and drums .
I kinda wish brower had taken pre LoD style to work with.
At the start...and at 5:10, 6:30 were so awesome.
D2 music is without a doubt better than D3's
The Act1 and Act2 tunes are really good, the rest I didn't really hear.
I think I'm gonna make a playlist of all the Diablo tunes since the first game and play with that.
D3 and Pho, the way to go. http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=340709
Zaqwert United States. June 05 2012 05:37. Posts 388
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