“The audio is very good and is probably the best part of the game.” “The music is chilling and epic in nature, and helps drive Dante onwards as he reaches deeper into the pits of depravity”

The soundtrack to Dante’s Inferno is a work of art in itself. The score follows the darkness of Hell fittingly and enhances the overall mood of your journey.

…note-perfect and the menacing orchestral score by Garry Schyman (who also composed the music for the recently released BioShock 2 is excellent

“The game's packed with a movie-quality soundtrack”

It is the musical score written and produced by Garry Schyman and recorded by the Philharmonia Orchestra and Metro Voices Choir at Abbey Road Studios which so perfectly accompanies the action as Dante journeys through the nine circles of hell.

… There is one point where you are floating across the Styx Marshes using your ranged holy cross attacks to keep the winged beasts at bay when you reach the shoreline the music changes perfectly to the grandeur that is happening on screen as something amazing happens. I’m not going to go in to detail for fear of spoiling it for the people who are still to experience it, but suffice to say it is my favourite moment in all of gaming, where the action, graphics and importantly musical score combine in to something which blew my mind.

“The soundtrack is comprised of haunting orchestral numbers, sometimes grand and other times eerie. It fits the game perfectly.”

... some truly inspiring music.

Matt Wales
“Hell's soundscape is beautifully realised and frequently oppressive and the bombastic score does it job well.”

…the soundtrack too was a fantastic compliment to the game.

The score successfully creates the blockbuster feel when it heightens areas. Boss fights have some of the best music in the title. When the score is augmented by screaming, the title hits that “epic” mark.

There are huge orchestral scores soaring away in the background like some tragic German Opera and they all capture the tone of the game perfectly.

Rounding off the excellent presentation is a haunting score by Garry Schyman, the composer behind Bioshock and its sequel.

The musical score compliments the titanic battle scenes well, as well as the generally unsettled feeling of the whole setting. Crank this game up on a 5.1 surround sound system to truly enjoy its cinematic splendor. Soundtrack: haunting and powerful, orchestra and opera-style vocals provide additional feelings of being trapped in a place of loathing and incredible power for which one should "abandon all hope, ye who enter here"

By now I’m probably sounding like an overly critical game nerd but the one part of Dante’s Inferno that absolutely shines is the sound design, soundtrack and voice acting. We all know that EA always brings it to the table with the production values of their games but listening to the haunting score of Dante’s Inferno almost makes me think the bar has been raised for future EA games. The soundtrack perfectly captures that grand feeling as you travel through Hell and each section of course has its own theme which at times can be quite chilling due to the string heavy orchestrations, especially when you hear an almost gothic choir track start playing as you walk by a massive structure or descend into a place that you know is filled to the brim with things that want to kill you.

With a game like Dante’s Inferno it could’ve been rather easy to perhaps over-do certain themes which would’ve resulted in a bloated score but throughout the game the soundtrack never once over plays a key dramatic moment or action scenario and at times it can be rather subtle, something that you might not have expected from a game that takes place in Hell.

Finally, speaking of the sound, it is noteworthy that this is probably the most solid section of Dante's Inferno. The music is simply great…

The soundtrack is notable, thanks to the orchestral score and choral presentation.

A Fiddler’s Delight: Garry Schyman returns to score BioShock’s soundtrack and once again captures the desolate nature of the game through strong overtones of solo violin tracks. The game also features classic songs from the 1950s that provide a strange juxtaposition to the events happening in the game.

The score to Bioshock 2 was composed by Garry Schyman with the aid of a 60-piece ensemble and it certainly shows. The music is consistently fantastic throughout the course of the game, especially during the Big Sister battles. The sheer panic of those moments and many others is captured perfectly through the stunning score.

The soundtrack has been crafted by the award winning composer Garry Schyman that exemplifies and reflects a distinctive appeal that forms a hall mark of the Bioshock 2 game play exclusive sound architecture.

Rounding off the excellent presentation is a haunting score by Garry Schyman, the composer behind Bioshock and its sequel

Aside from the iconic settings and characters of Rapture, one of the strongest atmospheric features of the original BioShock was its orchestral score. Therefore, fans will be delighted to hear that the composer, Garry Schyman, has returned to work on the upcoming sequel.

“Garry Schyman, BioShock's award-winning composer also returns with another skillfully crafted score that expertly captures Rapture's distinctive aesthetic while complementing the game's stellar voice acting and ambient sound design.”

…plus a wonderfully moving orchestral score.” (Score of 9.5 out of 10 in the “sound” category)

“The music and sound effects are also fantastic. The soundtrack features an atmospheric score complemented by songs from the era, just as in the first game. The sound effects also make for some terrifying ambience and sound great. The voice acting is also nicely done.”

“The game’s sound effects are great, lending a great element to the ambience and giving Rapture a unique feel. The music also sounds very good, with score elements as well as classic music from the era.” (score of 9.0 out of 10 in the “sound” category)

“The music featured throughout the game, and even in the menus, is nothing short of staggering. It's not 'quite' what we listen to these days, but that dated and calm sense the music has doesn't half fit all too well in this beautifully battered, aged and eerie underwater city.” (score of 9.5 out of 10 in the “sound” category)

“The background music, effects, and voice acting are amazing.” (score of 4.7 out of 5 in the “music/sound FX/ Voice Acting” category)

“One of the best soundtracks I’ve heard in awhile.”

Interview with the BioShock 2’s Audio Director Michael Kamper and Creative Director Jordan Thomas

“Like I said, I cannot speak highly enough about Garry and his work. He's like the only composer I ever want to work with again because the experience of working with him was so wonderful that I can't imagine it being any better than that.” (Kamper)

“[Garry's] score just works so well. He would just play some of that stuff for us and we'd be blown away each time.” (Kamper)

“Garry Schyman shapes what's almost orchestral noise into these really creepy cues. He recorded a lot of that for BioShock 2, so I'm sure that you'll be unfelled by the music.” (Thomas)

Garry Schyman manages the trick of being creepy, beautiful and jarring all at the same time.

"Not only did you create an amazing score, you really changed my mind about the importance of music in games. I can’t imagine BioShock without you."

"But what really set the music of BioShock apart was the brilliant original score, provided by composer Garry Schyman.

Who among us can forget the shrill violins he heard upon coming face-to-face with the deranged Dr. Steinman? Or how about the symphonic grandeur of Sander Cohen’s ostentatious entrance? BioShock’s music simply struck every right note at exactly the right time, making the player feel sorrow, fear, and suspense at every turn."

"Accompanying the visuals, an erudite soundtrack by Garry Schyman fills in the immersion gap, with moody piano ballads and claustrophobic cacophonies establishing the player's mood perfectly."

"Top notch orchestral musical composition makes this game a treat for the ear as well as the eye."

"The musical score is equally impressive and offers an incredibly ambient setting in which to play."

"The fantastic musical score can't be overlooked either, as it's among the best ever heard in a video game."

"The soundtrack is worthy of a feature film. It perfectly sets the mood and creates just the right sense of awe, mystery, wonder, suspense, and terror and all the right times."

"…the soundtrack on this game is amazing, … early 20th century music, random sounds, traditional tonal tunes, and late romantic stuff. The composer, Schyman, has even used musique concrete..."

"The music is incredible"

"…intimate orchestral, aleatoric passages, virtuoso solos, masterful piano and even environmental sound design. Dark brooding strings that never ever overpowers anything but fleeting thoughts. Percussion that glibly stabs and pulsates in your gut. Violin solos that jerk at your brain, your heart, and anything you hold dear or thought was safe. It's music, and such that can be easily enjoyed outside of the game, but takes on a whole new meaning while playing."

"…eerily placed music, are all very much from the period, helping set the tone."

"Arguably even more striking than the visuals are BioShock’s music… BioShock takes other cues from the film industry. Atmospheric music is beautifully handled, alternately setting various moods and palpably evoking tension. The score is varied and high-quality throughout, but not heavy-handed enough to impinge upon the player’s sense of disbelief."

"…an amazing musical score that seems to kick it up a notch at all the right moments."

“Sound: 10 - … gorgeous soundtrack.”

"The music really enhances the game on so many levels. It can make it feel like someone is watching you from the shadows (which is probably true) or it can make you feel like you’ve just done a miraculous thing by saving a Little Sister. I cannot say how happy I was to know I didn’t have to switch out the game’s music for my hard drive music."

“The music ranges from upbeat 40's tunes such as "Beyond the Sea" to adrenaline pumping orchestral scores that perfectly suit the moments in which they are utilized.”

"…with the game’s orchestral soundtrack create a chilling atmosphere."

“…you'll get some terrific music that helps set the creepy, uncertain mood.”

"The soundtrack is wonderful as well. You will probably find yourself finding a place to hide just to hear the music."

“Great score” – “a stirring score”

“The first thing you notice about Rapture is how beautiful it is. Bioshock, running off Unreal Engine 3 technology (the same technology that brought us Gears of War) is mind-blowingly beautiful. Credit given where credit's due: it's the texture work, the lighting, the music, the water and level design that stun”

"The soundtrack on this game is amazing. The optimistic classics of the 1950s era are shoehorned in with early 20th century music, random sounds, traditional tonal tunes, and late Romantic stuff. The composer, Schyman, has even used 'musique concrete', sounds of the real world - ranging from footsteps on stone to a diseased man's breathing man (for the Big Daddy we think). Everything else in the world is equally well composed, from the catchy tunes of the vending machines to the clunky reloading of your shotgun."

“The audio is excellent, with fantastic music matching perfectly with the art deco theme of Rapture”

"Games just don’t come any better than BioShock"

"The classic music, haunting voice recordings, and sound of insanity blend to create an eerie and intimidating array of sound."