#MAFIA 2 SOUNDTRACK FULL#
#MAFIA 2 SOUNDTRACK SERIES#

Kaleidoscope: Sakimoto and Hamauzu Works December 13 by Tien Hoang.Despite a few too many short action themes, with 48 tracks and numerous highlights, the soundtrack received the exuberant treatment it deserved here. Given its predecessor received no soundtrack release, itвЂ™s pleasing that the music for Mafia II became a major selling point of the CollectorвЂ™s Edition. The collectorвЂ™s edition soundtrack reveals he is entirely correct and the orchestra bring much colour and drama to the already accomplished compositions throughout. SummaryДЄfter recording the score for Mafia II, music producer announced that вЂњ Mafia II music just got a thousand times better, and instantly came alive in a classically powerful storytellingвЂќ. Though a little stereotyped, this jazz influence definitely adds a great sense of urban USA in the 1940s. This transforms what could have been very dull and conventional ambient themes into something quite fascinating. The sleazy jazz influence makes appearances in a number of more atmospheric additions to the score too, for example вЂњTrials and TribulationsвЂќ, вЂњThe Slaughterhouse ShuffleвЂќ, and вЂњCosa NostraвЂќ.

This combination of rhythmical thrust and timbral variety is ideal for a dangerous encounter. The acoustic bass creates an amazing rhythm for the theme, while the various orchestral discords add a good deal of drama and uncertainty. вЂњEnemy of the StateвЂќ is probably the most creative of the action themes, offering a unique blend of jazz and avant-garde elements. WhatвЂ™s more, such tracks tend to be so numerous, short, and intentionally ugly that they can clutter this 48 track release, interrupting the numerous other highlights. However, it does feel very derivative of Hollywood tradition at times and lacks the distinction of the more unique action themes. Wonderfully punctuated by the FILMharmonic, such elements really throw listeners right into the drama on tracks such as вЂњWhisky HeatвЂќ, вЂњBalls and BeansвЂќ, вЂњBeats from the EastвЂќ, and вЂњLast OrdersвЂќ. Much like the second section of the вЂњMain ThemeвЂќ, many of these tracks rely on tense string motifs and brutal brass interjections. Make no mistake, however, that this is primarily an action score and there are plenty of dynamic moments here. In this sense, it is highly reminiscent of the recently released Alan Wake score, except with a greater pastiche feel. The orchestrations and performances somehow manages to evoke a very strong sense of time and place despite its outward sparseness. Other tracks such as вЂњMisery LaneвЂќ, вЂњHide and SeekвЂќ, вЂњThe EndвЂќ, and the closing piano arrangement create a great sense of melancholy through similar approaches. Compositions such as вЂњPrologueвЂќ are almost comforting and intimate with their slow piano melodies and gentle supporting soundscapes, but something unsettling is provided by certain chord choices and gradually overpowering strings. Much of the soundtrack has an understated sense of mystery. While the individual elements of the composition are somewhat minimalistic and functional, this is by no means detrimental, since the performers make the very most of them they bring out every nuance in the introduction, provide plenty of edge and drama with the string passages, and offer a rich and uplifting tutti at the conclusion.

#MAFIA 2 SOUNDTRACK SERIES#

It thereafter takes a suitably sinister twist with a series of urgent string motifs inspired by Hollywood tradition before exposing the bittersweet and scenic central melody for the game. The composition beautifully sets the scene for the game with its nostalgic piano passages at the introduction. The вЂњMain ThemeвЂќ instantly reveals the dramatic weight that the FILMharmonic Orchestra Prague brought to Mafia II.

#MAFIA 2 SOUNDTRACK FULL#

They were so proud of the results that they included the full orchestral soundtrack with the CollectorвЂ™s Edition of the game. Featuring a mixture of licensed and original music, composers Matus Siroky and Adam Kuruc hired the talented musicians of the FILMharmonic Orchestra Prague (Monster Hunter 3, Halo Wars) to perform the orchestral compositions of the soundtrack.

While the game was met with mixed reviews compared to its predecessor, one aspect where the title clearly shined was its soundtrack. In August 2010, 2K Games released Mafia II, a crime drama set in 1940s United States.

Mafia 2 soundtrack