Sound

Ooooh baby…

Sure, you're not supposed to hear jack in space, but it makes for a very boring game. Now, add in the high-pitched keening sound of beam weapons, the thunderclap of missiles exploding, the myriad of rocket sounds that a volley of missiles gives away… and make them good sounds, and you've got FreeSpace 2. The voices are exactly as I like them - all business, no overacting. This will mean no sweet frills like having James Earl Jones booming in your ears (see Tiberian Sun review, coming soon to FS!), rocket sounds that a volley of missiles gives away… and make them good sounds, and you've got FreeSpace 2. The voices are exactly as I like them - all business, no overacting. This will mean no sweet frills like having James Earl Jones booming in your ears (see Tiberian Sun review, coming soon to FS!), but I'm willing to take that loss so long as it means no pompous Shakespearean going into an impossibly long death scene when he should be freezing in space. =)

Stupid beam stole my kill

I doubt its prettier after that

The Music

Why have me describe this subtle background, definitely space-opera stuff when you can check it out for yourselves! (http://www.freespace2.com/downloads.cfm#freespace2music) If you can't afford the downloads, let me give you a low down. The music tends to be dark, slow and moody, though definitely clear with its meaning. For example, in multiplayer, I hear a very subtle song, yet I can't place what it is - it never intrudes, though it always has an effect. However, other songs might vary between deep subtlety and sudden loud bursts to startle you.

A sight only a mother could love

Now that's pretty

There is a definite dark and deliberate pace to them, the kind of music you might expect in a game where the reaper is coming for someone. Revelations, definitely the more varied song of the two available for download, has someone keening with a guitar-like instrument for a long while, then it dissolves into some drumming work, building up… but never delivering on the climax. Very, very cool. Ambience, on the other hand, is very slow with a low base banging, interrupted by high pitched voice/violin sounds (I don't think any of the instruments are real, but man… are they cool :) Finally, it fades away with a protest that sounds like interrupted static (I'm sorry, I really lack the words to describe this stuff… it's too different.)