The Dig

Considered by some as the adventure game that was "overlooked and lacking in any innovation", Lucasarts' "The Dig" was still an enjoyable point-and-click adventure. The music is unarguably enjoyable.

The Dig revolves around the adventures of three astronauts, mystically transported to another universe. After excavating an asteroid bound for Earth head on, the asteroid is accidentally "activated" and becomes a transport, sweeping the three space explorers far from the Milky Way universe faster than you can say "Sojourner".

The music perfectly complements the game. It's surreal and very soothing. "Mission to the Asteroid", weighing in as the heftiest track at nearly ten minutes, prepares the listener for an adventure which is both engaging and spiritual to the mind. Even for those who have not played the game, the soundtrack itself tells a story of exploration and discovery (and for those who have not played the game, The Dig soundtrack consists of a demo disc in addition to the soundtrack CD). "The Ancient City" is an example of this "discovery" element. As the song approaches its second minute, the orchestra conveys a feeling of hardship and struggle. Soon, the track moves into a motif related to that of overcoming the odds. For me, this track was very moving.

The tracks in The Dig (notably "Underwater Cavern") can be easily categorized as "ambient" music. Not the electronic ambient, of course, but that which is more traditional, orchestral, and appeasing. Despite the game's age, the music itself is always reminiscient of something new and inspiring, innovative and fresh.

The Dig was actually a story conceived by Steven Spielberg. It never made it to the big screen because it was thought, at the time, that production costs would be too expensive. Even though you won't get a theater experience in the game, one could argue that the music itself is theatrical and worthy of being in a motion picture soundtrack. If you enjoy surreal, orchestral music, this is a soundtrack that you simply cannot miss.