Sucker Punch’s upcoming PlayStation 4 exclusive inFAMOUS: Second Son stinks of teen spirit. The Seattle-based open world adventure has clearly been inspired by grunge culture, from the nature of Delsin Rowe’s clothing right through to the inclusion of famous venue the Crocodile Cafe, which has been painstakingly remodelled in the game. However, while the studio’s taken the opportunity to license a number of its hometown’s most iconic landmarks, it hasn’t been quite as successful in the soundtrack department.
“I would have loved to have had an entire montage in there: Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains – you could go through the list, right?” brand development director Ken Schramm told us as part of a recent interview. “Then you've also got these young cats like Mudhoney and all of that stuff. It gets expensive, and we've got to be choosy.”
Despite its budget not extending to a laundry list of licensed tracks, the developer has attempted to sprinkle in a few hits as part of the imminent release’s build-up. “We put Dead Sarah in our first initial trailer doing a Nirvana song, and we've got Mudhoney doing 'Touch Me' [in the new commercial],” Schramm continued. “So that's where we used those.”
The audio that is in the game has been handled by Sony’s internal team, and the developer ensures us that it’s all inspired by many of the abovementioned artists. “We put Sonic Boom Records in the game for a reason,” Schramm exclaimed. “Look at Delsin's outfit for God's sake. We’re very proud of the soundtrack, but actual bands would have got pricey.” Are you a little disappointed that you’re not going to need your air guitar for the sandbox escapade? Grow your hair in the comments section below.
Comments 10
I must say, the initial trailer with the Nirvana track was incredible and hyped the game up for me even more. It just suits the mood of this game brilliantly. Bit sad to see they won't be including original tracks, but it is very expensive so fair play I guess.
I would have loved a grunge soundtrack, but if it would have been too expensive, then I guess it can't be helped.
As long as the soundtrack suits the game and manages to capture the same feel of the grunge music that's inspired it, I think it should be quite good.
I'd expect there to be the game's orchestral/instrumental soundtrack with in-game radios which could play 10-12 real Seattle-born songs. Exactly like Fallout
P.s. He's clearly a hipster and not grunge...
Oh sweet Jesus, thank my lucky stars! Otherwise I would have to play the whole game on Mute. I've had my fill of ear-assaulting crap music from the Devil May Cry series...
Pearl jam - red dot. Perfect for mashing up into gameplay. They should perhaps have offered a special edition with grunge tracks etc, DLC? Too late I suppose if its not day 1. I think quite a few people would have liked some Seattle tunes but never mind, were only your consumers.
I can understand why there is no official music in-game like Nirvana etc, but a original orchestral or people hired to do game sound tracks are amazing at what thay do.
I've just been watching some streaming Metal Gear Solid Ground Zeroes on my PS4, it looks excellent after 1 minute I had to rip myself off it as I don't want to spoil anything. But who he is lucky to get the game early.
@banacheck I have to agree entirely on the idea that a composed soundtrack is a far more engrossing audio to have while playing games. I don't want to listen to someone groaning/roaring/shouting/moaning about **** while I am superheroing it all over Seattle. I want a soundtrack as encapsulating as the track titled "The Beast" from Infamous 2's soundtrack. Or the main theme for Bulletstorm, utter magic.
Grunge to me as a genre is exactly what Indie is today. It turned out to be a sham and died accordingly alongside MTV. Totally with @Axel210 here.
I would have loved a grunge soundtrack too but when I think about memorable game soundtracks it's always original music like FF7, Zelda ocarina of time ect
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