A myth has neither the beginning, nor the end. It connects with other myths like a web of events woven by Moirai, Greek personifications of destiny. And, even though Asterigos: Curse Of The Stars doesn’t follow real history like the Assassin’s Creed series, its music is like a web of myths suspended in its own space. For the game itself this space is a bit of Ancient Greece and a bit of Roman Empire, dipped not only in the world of myths, but also colourful fantasy. However the music wanders much further, in a more mature and serious way. Into sadness and darkness. These paths are lonely at times, but also busy.
The music for Asterigos goes way beyond the simplified world of the game.
WeiFan Chang gathered a fair orchestra that waves like the sea. Sometimes it hits with waves (Smite with massive brasses), only to burrow itself in an intimate bay a few moments later (like in a lullaby Vegabond) or flow with the river. And this way the whole album flows with tides. From Matriarch Of The Woods where tremolo playing on strings resembles sinister Die Walküre: Ride of the Valkyries by Wagner. The entire immensity of an orchestra is there. And then it softens again, like in A Moment Of Peace, where the piano slowly spins its story in a perfect balance between major and minor scales, between sadness and joy.
This dynamic is a collection of different myths. Woven together, but different. The piano sounds like it refers to the best Asian soundtracks, for Final Fantasy or Chrono Trigger (Golden Olive). It connects with snippets of a fairy tale and the world of elves (Nostalgia). Melody and texture are the kings here, so the song First Game is quite surprising. The main scene light spots the rhythm which has a company – subtle electronics.
The piano sounds like it refers to the best Asian soundtracks.
It’s not the end of surprises. All of the sudden the orchestra leaves. And Percival Schuttenbach, known from The Witcher 3, comes into a little room. They’re here to reinterpret some songs in completely different arrangements. The soft piano is replaced with metallic strings of the guitar and long vocalises. This combination of dark forest apparitions and mythology resembles the soundtrack for Hades (especially Song Of Harpy). The music for Asterigos goes way beyond the simplified world of the game. It’s mature, multilayered and woven intricately. WeiFan Chang would have been a good Moira.
