Each Myst composer in the franchise used music placement very carefully. The minimalist sound is very appropriate and the haunting beauty of the age is enhanced by imitated woodwinds echoing throughout. More uru connections appear in the extremely minimalist sounding “Tahgira Ice Fields”. “Arena Reveal” was one of the earliest compositions for End of Ages as it uses the same drum pattern heard in the previous track and sounds as if it were something out of Uru. The familiar trumpet theme from Villa returns again but this time is paired with a solo female vocalist providing the chorus. A much more gentle percussion-driven cue is heard in “Laki”. Heavy percussion comes in strong at the tracks midpoint and stays about 15 seconds before being dialled out. Beginning with ambience, a solo trumpet, performed by Tim himself, plays an old Platoon-inspired military theme for the duration of the track. Only lasting just over a minute, “Villa” is a wonderful track that ends far too quickly, but contains a rich selection of moods. Still, Tim shows much originality, selecting a charming flute to take center stage as well as his trademark obsession with the Australian Didgeridoo. Riven is complimented too with the drum pattern sounding very similar to the Temple theme. Tim Larkin tips his hat to peers Jack Wall and Robyn Miller with the beginning of “Great Shaft” having the same vibrating ambience effect that the Myst III theme featured. “Beginnings – Atrus” is a very tender, almost mellow, piece of music highlighted by light percussion and a solo carrying piano making for a powerful, yet soft beginning. This cue will sound familiar to fans, as it was first heard in the Myst V: End of Ages trailer following the pan over Myst Island. The soundtrack opens with a terrific, pulse pounding frantic driving cue, “Descent”, that’s layered with lots of percussion and subtle ambience. Regardless, within the first few moments of listening to the soundtrack, I was completely won over once again by Tim Larkin’s creative musical approach. An inappropriately sized version of the guide is the only full proof way to prevent someone from cheating and, while the soundtrack this time around was offered as an audio CD, it was merely sandwiched carelessly between the making of DVD and game disc. Sadly the gift set fell just below expectations. Ubisoft put together a limited edition containing the game, a making of DVD, the full soundtrack, prima strategy guide, and a collectible lithograph. Fans would not have to wait long to get there hands on the Myst V soundtrack. With Cyan back in command of the Myst ship, Tim Larkin was the destined composer of choice for the project, replacing Jack Wall of Myst III and Myst IV. Following Uru, Cyan regained control of the Myst franchise and began preparations for the telling of the final chapter of the Myst saga. The Myst franchise is a musical patchwork of talent and, like the motion picture industry, the music torch is rarely ever carried by the same person throughout each entry.
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