Total War -Shogun II- Original Soundtrack
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Album Title: Total War -Shogun II- Original Soundtrack |
| Record Label: Sega |
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| Catalog No.: N/A |
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| Release Date: April 11, 2011 |
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| Purchase: Download at iTunes |
Overview
In 2011, Sega’s Total War franchise revisited its roots with Total War: Shogun II, a highly acclaimed sequel to the original game in the series, set in 16th Century Japan. Jeff van Dyck returned to compose the title and offered numerous elaborations on the traditional Japanese stylings he innovated on Shogun: Total War. The soundtrack was universally praised for its authentic presentation, and the score played a large role in that. It was rewarded with a digital release shortly after the game’s release.
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Jeff van Dyck has captured the spirit of traditional Japanese music extremely well through this score. Early in the experience, listeners are treated with “Beautiful Blade”. By focusing almost entirely on the shamisen and koto, van Dyck creates a minimalistic sound. While the slow pace and soft timbres are soothing, the tonalities are suitably ambiguous and haunting. Indeed, the mood created here is just as paradoxical as the track title. While there are similar tracks on Shogun: Total War, the part-writing and performances are much more impressive here. The flutters are the 1:15 and 2:13 mark are simply breathtaking. Several tracks maintain this approach, spanning the wailing “Hichiriki” to the pensive “Bitter Cold”, each as gorgeous and scenic as the next.
Above all, van Dyck’s score is a fitting complement to the scenes. Additions such as “Deception” and “Know thy Enemy” maintain the authentic woodwind writing of the aforementioned tracks. However, their suspended phrasing and frequent interruptions ensures these are anything but soothing. Instead, they create suspense throughout the storyline and paint the perfect picture of feuding warlords. Action tracks such as “Tsunami” and “Good Death” match the action with their fast, pounding taiko parts. By incorporating increasingly complex polyrhythms, “Yoisa” intensifies from its rumbling origins into a formidable climax, while “Battle of Shinobue” exquisitely blends percussive parts with woodwind ululations. All these pieces remain astonishingly faithful to the era’s music, while shifting the mood to match the gameplay.
Several tracks maturely integrate Western elements into the experience. The title track, for instance, is a three minute cinematic experience that combines traditional woodwind soli with bolder, brassier sounds of Hollywood. “Formation” meanwhile combines passages from “Beautiful Blade” with dashes of epic orchestration, bringing continuity and momentum to the in-game experience. Less pleasing are a few additions such as “Shouri”, a traditional dance featuring a cheering crowd, or “Sonaiyo”, with its erratic pacing. These pieces are excellent underscore in context, but can be disruptive on the album release. The soundtrack concludes with “Bird of Time”, a ballad blending traditional and pop instrumentals with the spiritual voice of the composer’s wife, Angela van Dyck. It is tastefully written, beautifully performed, and, what’s more, will have plenty of mainstream pull.
Summary
Subtle, dark, and beautiful, Total War: Shogun II captures the essence of traditional Japanese music very well. While plenty of game soundtracks out there integrate Japanese instruments — Dynasty Warriors, Onimusha, and Samurai Spirits to name a few — few treat them as authentically as this score. It’s ironic that Westerner van Dyck achieved this when Japan’s own composers did not. By taking this approach, van Dyck created a soundtrack that finely complemented the serious war storyline and gameplay. The result will be too subtle for many, but will be a deep and rewarding listen for those with affinity for feudal Japan.
Do you agree with the review and score? Let us know in the comments below!
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Posted on August 1, 2012 by Chris Greening. Last modified on August 1, 2012.
About the Author
Chris Greening I've contributed to websites related to game audio since 2002. In this time, I've reviewed over a thousand albums and interviewed hundreds of musicians across the world. As the founder and webmaster of VGMO -Video Game Music Online-, I hope to create a cutting-edge, journalistic resource for all those soundtrack enthusiasts out there. In the process, I would love to further cultivate my passion for music, writing, and generally building things. Please enjoy the site and don't hesitate to say hello!
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