Music of Mass Effect 3

Mass Effect 3 is an action role-playing video game developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts. It was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on March 6, 2012, and for Wii U on November 18, 2012. The music of the game was composed by several composers, including Clint Mansell, Christopher Lennertz, Cris Velasco, Sam Hulick, and Sascha Dikiciyan.

Composition

In a casual interview with The Quietus on the 9 February 2011, composer Clint Mansell stated "I'm doing a video game this year actually. Mass Effect 3."[1] While not dismissing the statement, via a reciprocation of the story on GameInformer on the 10th, Electronic Arts responded: "EA doesn't have any details to announce at this time in regards to Mass Effect 3's composer."[2]

Via Twitter on the 10 February 2011, Wall of Sound inc. in-house composer Jack Wall, responsible for the music to both previous instalments of the Mass Effect franchise, confirmed having no involvement with the production of Mass Effect 3. A peripheral statement concluded that he will "not [be] returning to score the final game" due to undetailed and "complicated" reasons. Wall also used positive connotations in mention of Mansell.[3]

On 19 December 2011, BioWare announced the full lineup of Mass Effect 3 composers, including Clint Mansell, Christopher Lennertz, Cris Velasco, Sam Hulick, and Sascha Dikiciyan.[4] After an accidental leak during the demo, fans discovered that the soundtrack would feature a Faunts song entitled Das Malefitz. This marks the second time the band's music has been featured in a Mass Effect game.

Albums

Original Videogame Score

Mass Effect 3: Original Videogame Score
Soundtrack album by Clint Mansell, Sam Hulick, Christopher Lennertz, Cris Velasco, Sascha Dikiciyan, and Faunts
Released March 5, 2012
Genre Video game soundtrack
Length 68:05

Mass Effect 3: Original Videogame Score is the main soundtrack album of Mass Effect 3, containing a selection of music from the game. It was initially available only through purchase of the Mass Effect 3 N7 Collector's Edition or Digital Deluxe Edition, though it became available on the iTunes Store on April 24, 2012.


Extended Cut

Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut
Soundtrack album by Clint Mansell and Sam Hulick
Released July 6, 2012
Genre Video game soundtrack
Length 16:53

Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut contains additional music composed by Sam Hulick. The soundtrack was released for free on BioWare Social Network on July 6, 2012.[5]


Reception

Mass Effect 3 '​s score was chosen by Kotaku as one of the best video game music of 2012.[6]

References