Outlast 2: Official Soundtrack (Album)
Composed by Samuel Laflamme
Outlast nearly made me pee my pants. No, really. The intensity of that game is such that I’ve never finished it. I have to be in the right mood, as I usually play games to relax, and there ain’t a damn thing about that game that’s relaxing.
The sequel, though I haven’t been able to play it yet, looks to crank everything up even higher. Bigger environments, bigger enemy variety, bigger scares. I’ve watched a lot of streaming of it, and it’s even more intense than the original.
Samuel Laflamme’s original score to the game fits this scenario perfectly. Frankly, for a game that’s entirely run-hide-die, you could get away with a minimalist score of orchestra hits when a jump scare occurs. It’s amazing, then, that this game of backwoods cultists and their murderous fervor has such an incredible score.
Laflamme’s work here fits the game like a glove. Instrumentation and themes that immediately bring to mind the American south flow throughout the orchestral body of the work. Several tracks are clearly intended to accompany chase scenes, and they are equally as frantic as the action on screen. Film and game scores should be evocative, and these tracks place an imagine in your mind of the desperate search for safety that makes up the bulk of the game.
There are quieter moments as well, the best being “you Never let me go” which is the finale of the score. I don’t know what waits at the end of the game, but the title and the gentle, melodic piece that borrows from Mozart makes me want to see it. There must be a very different feel to the finale from the crazed violence of the rest of the game.
I haven’t played Outlast 2 (review) yet, but I’ll keep listening to this score just the same. It’s that solid. I can only hope the game is as emotional and enjoyable as the music written for it.
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Samuel Laflamme - Outlast 2 Official Soundtrack Album (Music)
Categorized:Reviews
