If there’s one thing that I am unapologetically a fan of when it comes to Marathon, it’s the game’s approach to music. An electronic tracklist is nothing new in video games, of course, but this mix of aggressive high-tempo tunes and haunting vocals had me hooked the moment I first heard a song from the game’s trailers. It turns out I’m not alone.
Because even though the game isn’t out yet – and only a small slice of the overall playlist has been released to the public – remixes are already out there and taking Marathon’s ethereal aura in interesting directions. Producers are taking something good and putting their own spin on it; a good omen if ever there was one (especially for a game that’s not even out yet).
One such producer, who goes by Datreya online, caused my ears to perk up with their Timeleach remix. “I think anyone who’s interested in, or has briefly seen anything about Marathon, notices two things: first is the game’s visual style, and second is its music,” Datreya told Eurogamer.
The reason why Marathon, rather than other games in the zeitgeist right now, appeals to Datreya is because it has a distinct approach to score-making that the producer feels isn’t really present elsewhere. He came to Marathon blind, first being introduced by the game after being invited to score a lore video for the upcoming release by other designer Michael Veselovsky and YouTuber JaketheAlright.
“The soundtracks that Bungie showed us are distinguished by memorable leitmotifs, which, in my opinion, are usually not that prevalent in game music overall,” Datreya states. “It was these leitmotifs that inspired me to make a remix, in fact. I wanted to collect the best of the original song, preserve its vibe, and add small elements that would help to further the feelings that the original invokes, as well as adding my own twist.”
“Preserving the track’s original presentation and atmosphere was key for me. Because the original sound is what’s most appealing, I was very careful when manipulating the sound. I didn’t touch much of the first half, and it was essentially a rearrangement of the original. Then came various small touches where I wanted to speed things up a bit and add something new without overpowering the original motifs, including some synth pads and leads.
“Approaching the second half, I wanted to add something unexpected, something completely new, while still staying true to the theme. As I approached the turning point in the track, I started playing with the rhythm, distorting it slightly and the track became more glitchy, which increased the intensity. Then there’s the drop itself: heavy, bassy, immersive. Something that I felt was missing and something you don’t expect to hear.”
It’s worth noting that the Marathon community has been incredibly appreciative of such works like Datreya’s Timeleach remix, spurring him on to continue future projects around the game. “This game and its community have given me a lot as a musician. It’s also opened up new avenues for my musical development and I really enjoy working in this direction. So yes, I think you’ll hear a lot more of my work inspired by this game.”
The truth is that video game soundtracks, like their aesthetics or their stories, can act as viable kindling for other’s own spins and iterations, spurring on a wave of creativity in the sphere surrounding the core experience.
Marathon, as a game, may have been good with a regular ol’ sci-fi soundtrack. But taking that leap towards something bold and vastly different from other big releases coming around right now acts as a magnet for these interesting community projects. It’s why I, for one, am keen to hear more.
Given the turbulent development Bungie has had with the game to date, it’s assuring and invigorating to see at least one part of the fledgling community seemingly take off, weeks before the final product comes to our PCs and consoles. Bungie needed a win, really, and seeing a healthy, excited community magnetised to the game’s soundtrack (something Bungie has always put significant effort into, from Halo to Destiny) shows that this studio is still capable of getting people excited when it needs to.
