Classic Game Themes: Guild Wars 2
Jeremy Soule's score for Guild Wars 2 is an integral part of the games charm and appeal. It enhances the world of Tyria and is a character in its own right. As a player, whenever you visit one of the vast cities or travel the rolling countryside, it is Soule's music that breathes life into the finely crafted world that ArenaNet have made. Upon the games launch in 2012, the soundtrack for Guild Wars 2 was released in a four-disc box set, via Soule's own record label DirectSong. Sadly, this was a limited pressing and is now out of print. Copies now change hands for exceedingly large sums of money.
The score for Guild Wars 2 has a high production value and displays a great attention to detail. The compositional quality of each piece included on the four-disc set are musically and stylistically diverse. There are many stand-out pieces that do more than just provide ambient background atmosphere. This is game soundtrack writing of the highest calibre. It is musically literate, thoughtful and rousing. Sadly, Jeremy Soule was not involved with the soundtrack for the 2015 expansion pack, Heart of Thorns.
The track I have chosen in many ways encapsulates all the positive attributes of the soundtrack. Dawn in Shaemoor plays in the human starter zone of Queensdale and is a beautiful example of the quality of Soule's work. It has a very haunting feel to it and sets the tone for the game.
