According to composer Marc Mancina’s linenotes, his goal with the Sorcery soundtrack was to create something as “creative and non-derivative” as possible. Based on a couple of listens, I’d have to say Mancina succeeded. The melodies that make up the nearly hour-long soundtrack are unlike any game soundtrack in my collection. The melodies are highly influenced by Celtic music, with a slight splash of Middle Eastern instrumentals towards the later half. Even though I haven’t played the game, I know enough about the title to at least hear how the two might work together. I definitely heard bits and pieces that suggest the game’s fantastic nature.
Unlike other soundtracks, it is very hard to tell where certain tracks may have fit into the overall package. Even the quieter songs have a slight action feel to them. That said, its nothing you’ll want to listen to if you just want to relax, but if you need something melodic and energetic to play while you work, Sorcery’s soundtrack is a good start.
Mancina’s score isn’t without problems, at least from the perspective of a soundtrack. The album works as a stand-alone collection of melodic songs, but isn’t memorable. Even without the game to distract me, several songs blended into the background of whatever I was doing at the time. I actually had to stop and force myself to listen at times just to make sure I heard everything. This may work for some listeners, but I prefer a little more “pop” to my game music.
Sorcery also lacks any sort of unifying theme. I couldn’t identify any one melody that wove itself through parts of the soundtrack. On some level this works, and isn’t needed per say, though at the same time, it’s hard to really connect the soundtrack to the game in the familiar game-to-music way. The lack of a theme likely contributes to the score being less-than-memorable.
While I wouldn’t term Sorcery as generic, it doesn’t jump out as a great example of videogame soundtracks either. Still, as instrumental music goes, it still works and would sound right at home in a normal game soundtrack rotation if you’re looking to beef up your collection.
