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The Unsettling Music Of XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Roland Rizzo has been working with the XCOM series since the beginning. Originally in the QA department for the first X-COM title, Roland immediately fell in love with the spooky atmosphere of the game. A large part of that classic tone was created by the first game's composer, John Broomhall. Some tracks have aged better than others, but the Micropose team's work is legendary. Now Roland Rizzo is the audio lead for XCOM: Enemy Unknown and is tasked with reimagining and updating the aural tone of the original. Taking cues from the first X-COM's soundtrack and alien sound design, the audio team at Firaxis Games is creating something current yet true to the original. Check out the video below to hear examples of the aural atmosphere being created for XCOM: Enemy Unknown.

In addition, enjoy the two new exclusive screenshots in the media gallery below.

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Comments
  • Wow! I'll keep an eye on this game. Hope it captures the essence of the original.
  • In love with everything I see about this remake so far. I posted a similar comment elsewhere, but I would be ecstatic if they eventually followed the first game reboot up with a Terror From The Deep expansion.

  • с'mon, fix the screenshots

  • Nice job, Hanson! I love these looks into the development of games. I especially liked the tidbit about Sectoid voices.

  • Wow, I've never played the original, but I want to now. Those screenshots look promising.

  • Looks more and more awesomer

  • Can't wait!! Can't wait!! Can't wait!!! :D:D:D:D:D:D

  • Staff
    Sorry bout the briefly broken screenshots. That was my fault. They should be fixed now.
  • Looks promising, but the guy was pretty boring.
  • wont be playing this cuz its a strategy but i'm sure a lot of people will like it. I am still waiting for a GTA V cover

  • I love it when a game series I've never heard of sneaks up behind me and blows me away with some sort of impossible plasma bazooka. I'd never heard of XCOM until GI's replay of it, and now this is one of my most anticipated games of the (admittedly still young) year. I'm seriously tempted to track down and play a copy of the original now.
  • Wow, this guy is exciting.. On another note, I'm not a fan of how they've "updated" the Mutons. It looks way too similar to Halo.
  • I've never played XCOM, but I like what I'm seeing so far. There seems to be a real strong effort behind it.

  • Wonderful video! It really looks like this remake is capturing the same feel from the original. The audio will really help drive this feeling in too! I can't wait for more info.

  • I am getting excited about this game. It looks great so far.

  • I just love that dark, tense atmosphere of the series. It's amazing how old and dated X-COM is, but still maintains that creepines to it. Reminds me of the early Fallouts. Those titles have great soundtrack to set the mood.
  • Omg thats awesome this game is really looking awesome the sound was great, but man some of the older soundtracks where incredible the old syndicate soundtrack when I downloaded it (not wars but first syndicate) the music is really really awesome.  

    Dont make them like they use too!

    Shame that mutatan thingy is quite different even though it looked kinda funny now in the green suit when you came across them in the game it was terrifying.

  • To be honest, I'm more excited about this Xcom than the fps Xcom. Even though I've never played the first one.
  • everything i have read seems amazing. i love  how modern gaming is giving you more choices and cant wait to get this game.

  • I really like the music, it certainly fits the tone of the game.. it makes me feel empty... and alone.
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