There seems to be a whole genre of music emerging from the buoyant market
for computer games. As computer sound systems have become more capable so
games and other programmes have taken up the challenge. Not so long ago I
reviewed a specially written sound track for a PC game themed around The
Lost World (Jurassic Park II). This one is the latest generation of the
Zork games which have been around for a long time. In fact the original Zork
must have been very primitive indeed by today’s standards. It is however
a classic game by all accounts.
I have not seen the present game but the music is not half bad. It is produced
electonically using sampled sound although this was not immediately apparent
to me such is the quality of synthesised sounds these days. Beal (whose
collection of music for movie trailers left me feelingly decidedly depressed)
here turns in a score which oozes sly humour. Pompous marches strut across
the scene. Tribute is paid to John Williams’ adventure scores - principally
Indiana Jones. This score is a frolic through fantasy land. The music
might just as easily suit a Terry Pratchett fantasy; just the right combination
of dumb-monster humour and sword and sorcery. Worth hearing if you get a
chance. The disc I have is marked ‘for promotional
use only’.
Reviewer
Rob Barnett
Music from the CCD-Interactive Adventure
composed and performed by John Beal 
