Alexey Zakharov and X4 soundtrack

[Sorkvild]

(maybe even reuse the old tracks or update them a bit?), much like the old games, .

Great idea. I like that. Something like Obsidian did in New Vegas - a new soundtrack with merged original themes by Mark Morgan from the classic Fallout.

My desired choice of music for X4? Less banging cinematic driven into-your-face type music. Less cheesy music.
I really hated that in Albion Prelude, where many combat tracks where mixed with newer tracks often differing in fidelity and volume. One time you got those classic electronic combat tunes and in next fight banging drums and aggressive synths. That really sucked and what i was doing every time before new gameplay - replacing them with more suitable themes to match the old ones or completely new ones in the spirit of pure electronic music.

What I would like to hear in X4? More like ambient with some sequencer driven themes. Generally slower moving and imagination evoking pieces ideal for reflection and awe on life in space. I hope X4 will feature some nicely written sector descriptions and properly matched soundtrack themes for each sector in such case.

I'm a huge fan of classic and highly atmospheric soundtrack from X2 and XBTF and I never get tired of them (well maybe sometimes ). That moment you entered the Boron sector for the first time and saw that corkscrew looking ship and heard something that sounded like Tangerine Dream
Music in older X games was doing the job done, was unique rather than generic really. To the point I became a huge fan of such music - ambient, electronic, psychill, etc.
Internet was little sucky back in 2002 in my sector, no youtube, personalized music and bam! you have a game with enchanting music you could listen for hours. Even today when I have breaks from X3, I like to listen to the soundtrack once in a while.

My suggestion if you have extra good budget get Carbon Based Lifeforms or Solar Fields (yes they do soundtracks and commissioned works, but they are big names now). Nevertheless there are many talented artists from younger generation like Stellardrone or Aythar, and their music really hits the spot as well. I'm not surprised that Rockstar Games went for the best of best - Tangerine Dream to compose GTA V soundtrack.

[Phinixa]

I love the idea of dynamic music. It always gives me the feel that everything is in movement, nothing static.

But of course, old remixes in X4 would be so awesome. Kingdoms End and the battle theme of X2(Damn I could listen hours to that when fighting mah bugs!).

[Vandragorax]

I'd also love to hear some re-imagined versions of the old X3 music, those tracks really made me feel like I was drifting through space with all the psychedelic sounds (Home of light is always a memorable one).

They should definitely be updated though as the old ones do feel very late 90's / early 2000's and probably would seem odd in a brand new game unless remastered.

However I also love the X:Rebirth soundtrack and am sure that Alexei will come up with some more amazing modern sounding tracks for X4 I know I will be shot for this but I really enjoy the Highway Music (Shrinking the Galaxy) and the track just called "Rebirth" which I believe is from the main menu.

One thing I would like is not having any Yisha jabbering into my ear all the time with annoying inane comments (I reckon the "Shut up Betty" mod was one of the most downloaded of all time lol)

[Walkop]

I think this is probably one of the most important things that we can influence with X4. Honestly, the Music in X3 is one of the best things I've heard in any game - ever - for atmosphere. It, alongside sector descriptions, gave the game such an incredible amount of character.

I'd honestly pay considerably more for the soundtrack to even be comparable to X3.

Some of the tracks were especially great, character-wise. Kingdom End. Getsu Fune. Akeela's Beacon (not a particularly amazing track, as it was used elsewhere, but it really fit the character of the sector - this sort of music was great for the unknown). X2's intro-theme battle music.

Can we make a list of tracks that we would like to see either remastered, or inspiration taken from, to poll on and present to the guys here at ES? Make it simple for them.

I'd definitely go for at least:
X2 Intro Chase Song/Battle Music
Kingdom End
Getsu Fune.

[lostProfitssssArrgh]

I don't understand all the rave about the Kingdom End track, that piece makes me want to bang my hand against the wall : sooooo much cheese . I avoid that sector like the pest because of that.

On the other hand, I agree the x3 soundtrack fits the bill really nicely. For those who haven't tried LU, there are some good tracks in there as well ('epic soundtrack' is unavailable sadly). I think my favorite is also Getsu Fune (not the same as in vanilla).

(opinion... everybody has one... that's fine as long as it doesn't stink up the room)

EDIT: I just ran through the track list to make sure that Getsu piece is Zakharov's work, it is. Two other things:
- I never realized there were that many (300+), might be due to LU and Mayhem though.
- Xenon Hub track : OMFG

But yeah, a great soundtrack is a must anywhere. For those who played PoE, the Scepter of God track also has that grunged sound used in the Getsu track mentioned above. Gives me chills every time.

FWIW, any game that has crappy music can go DIAF and will be instantly removed from my PC.

[Morkonan]

...FWIW, any game that has crappy music can go DIAF and will be instantly removed from my PC.

^--- This.

Gaming is more than just manual dexterity and feedback. It's visual, it's audible, it's emotional, at times... Any component that's just "wrong" for that game can break it.

In the X games (X3TC for me), the background music is integral to the "experience" of playing them.

[Ricemanu]

I need to push this, as it is a very important point for the X-Perience that really did suffer in Rebirth. I had to use various Space Ambient Soundtracks, including the old X music and also some Steve Roach to compensate. Just bring back the old, mysterious music! Space is supposed to be creepy, lonely, and bizarrely beautiful. Bring back that feeling.

[birdtable]

Yes... Egosoft and Zakharov have steep challenges ahead to match previous performances .... They have to combat romanticized memories of past experiences .... Tough Call.