Chorusis a very unique game that can change the way games in general use musical elements. Creators wanted to make a video game version of a musical experience as if players were playing through a Broadway show. This resulted in a truly unique take on gameplay in general, and people are examining how the creators managed to pull this off.
RELATED:The Best Games On PlayStation Now (November 2021)
Today, more and more games include music that moves the story along, becoming a pivotal part of the experience. Some games, likeSkyrim, use music to flesh out the story more. These are more akin to soundtracks, composed to bring the player closer to the story. Other games, likeSword of Symphony,BPM, orPistol Whipuse music to guide the gameplay along. But in a world where music was in the background or a part of the gameplay, how doesChorus -a game that uses music to tell the storyandcarry the gameplay - change the way games interact with music?
5What Is An Interactive Musical?
Chorususes the element of stage performance toconvey the story. People who love musicals know, that singing is needed when emotions are too complex to put into words, and dancing is needed when there are simply no words to describe the experience. But how does this help video games?
The game tells the story of murder, chaos, romance, and even Gods. These are all subjects that are sometimes hard to put into words. Especially when these are entangled with human nature, and they must express their emotions and feelings in the middle of chaos. Here, musicality is used to move the story along, and show emotions even better than scenes revolving around a dialogue.
4How To Seamlessly Embed Music Into Video Games?
The wayChorusdoes it: it downright states “this is a musical”. The protagonist, Grace is given a Muse’s power, after she dies in Grace’s apartment. She is then brought to the family of the Muse, a hidden mythological society who call themselves “CHORUS”. Grace must prove her innocence in the death of the Muse using her songs.
RELATED:The Best Action & Adventure Games Of 2020, Ranked (According To Metacritic)
The feelings revolving around death, loss, grief, fear, and uncertainty are some of the best materials for musical pieces. This is whatChorususes to bring music into the limelight in the gameplay. Creators used games like theDragon Ageseries, andLife is Strangeto bring the best out of the composition. The writer ofChorus, David Gaider is one of the most talented video game writers in the world today, so it’s not surprising he wants to make his mark a gameplay style that is just surfacing.
3How To Plan Action Around Music?
In an interview, managing director Liam Esler was asked: What comes first? The music, or the action? In his answer, he explained how they built the structure forChorus, and how they managed to build action sequences around music. He said that they break down each decision or action into the emotional journey happening, that way they can pinpoint the pivotal points of the scene and therefore the song. Only after this does the scene reach the lyricist.
This further proves that music is in touch with our emotions. It not only emotionally reaches players in the end, but to create musical numbers, creators have to break it down to the emotions to make it more compelling for players in the future.
2What Should Players Expect From A Musical Journey?
As said before, this particular genre is yet to be fully explored by video games. This means that players don’t quite know what to expect from the gameplay, and why they should be excited about this change. Music, like any medium that excites our basic senses, can make a huge impact on player experience. It can make or break a game. The same goes with colors, and touch (reflected by the new DualSense controller for instance).
RELATED:The Top RPGS With The Best Soundtracks
The highlighting of any of these factors can make gameplay feel incredibly different. Like the waythe music ofSkyrimmakes the world more interesting, or the wayLife is Strange: True Colorsemphasizes the visual aspects of storytelling. By highlighting musicality, creators have access to certain emotional triggers that were not yet explored by video games. By knowing how to take advantage of these triggers, games can become even more compelling and interesting, making the experience more lasting.
1Is There A Future For Musical Video Games?
While no one can say for certain what the future holds for similar musical video games, the genre is undoubtedly getting more and more attention. The fact that big names in the industry are now involved in something that was almost only explored bylow-budget indie gamecreators is a huge positive. There’s no telling if musicals will be a thing in the gaming industry.
But one thing is for sure. Creators are unlocking new ways to get in touch with players on a more emotional level. Including their senses, and heightening those can be a gateway drug and lead to smarter, more inclusive, masterfully engineered games. So even if musicals won’t be the new trend in the video game industry,Chorusis a loud and clear sign thatthe use of musicin the video game industry is being explored, and will be used much more consciously in the future.
