10 Video Games That Didn't Deserve Their Amazing Soundtracks

Composer(s): Charles Deenen.

Lord of the Rings – the classic trilogy of books – has been adapted countless times, including into one of the greatest trilogies of movies ever made, as well as a handful of decent games. The movies – directed by Peter Jackson, and scored by Howard Shore – are modern classics (not counting the hobbit), their soundtracks perfectly complementing the scope and personality of the universe, so much so that the music is virtually inseparable from the story.

Interplay Entertainment – the publisher behind such classics as Baldur’s Gate, Fallout and Planescape: Torment – attempted to adapt the trilogy into a series of role-playing games, beginning with the first book in the series. The result was a tremendous disappointment, a laughably easy yet surprisingly confusing mess, comprised largely of fetch quests and indistinguishable objectives, bewildering puzzles (and not in a good way), and terrible A.I.

With that being said, the soundtrack certainly stood out – and while the game is mostly forgotten – the music continues to be enjoyed, moderately. In fairness, it has been eclipsed somewhat by that of the films, but if you’re looking for something with the same charm (albeit in 16-bit) then look no further.