If you’ve been looking for a gritty crime game to pass the time until Grand Theft Auto 6 comes out in November, might we suggest Samson: A Tyndalston Story? Developed by the industry titan Christofer Sundberg, known for acclaimed titles like Just Cause and Mad Max, this game delivers a brutal experience layered with emotional depth, all set against the chaotic backdrop of a fictional city filled with crime and vice.
In Samson, players step into the shoes of the titular character—an ex-convict recently released from prison. He’s returning home to repay a crippling debt owed to mob bosses who were behind the heist that landed him in jail. As if things couldn’t get worse, these sinister figures have kidnapped Samson’s younger sister, using her as collateral. To retrieve her safely, players must navigate the treacherous world of organized crime, generate funds quickly, and often break the law. The vibrant, unforgiving city of Tyndalston offers ample opportunities for lawbreaking, from unveiling evidence against deceitful gangsters to intimidating nightclub owners and battling rivals from various factions.
What sets Samson: A Tyndalston Story apart is its immersive original soundtrack, crafted by Jesper Kyd, the acclaimed composer behind iconic game scores such as Assassin’s Creed and Warhammer 40K Darktide. The pulsating trip-hop beats evoke the raw intensity of Nine Inch Nails and the enigmatic atmospherics of Massive Attack. Kyd’s aim was to blend sounds that capture the essence of Samson’s gritty existence and the chaos of Tyndalston.
“The music needed to have attitude to fit with the character of Samson and his flirtations with crime,” Kyd states. “It also needed to feel dirty and brutal because that’s the grim world he lives in. Whenever you play, I want you to be reminded about where he’s come from.”
The Sound of Tyndalston: A Throwback to the ’90s
Kyd’s journey with the game’s score began two years ago. As the music director, he collaborated closely with developers Liquid Swords. “For this project, there were no guidelines; everyone looked to me for ideas,” he reflects. “It was refreshing yet challenging to have so much creative freedom.”
To authentically immerse players in the ’90s setting, Kyd took a nostalgic journey through his own past. Having turned 18 in the early ’90s and subsequently entering the world of video game music, he attended various raves during that era. He recalls how the rise of dance music and innovative artists like Orbital, The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers, and Underworld opened new avenues for musical exploration.
Brooding Beats and Deep Atmosphere
Delving into the audio palette further, Kyd explored various genres, from sugary pop to grunge. However, it wasn’t until he encountered the dark and atmospheric soundscape of trip-hop that he found the ideal fit for Samson. Artists like Tricky and Earthling deeply inspire the game’s auditory identity. Kyd notes, “The music needs to sound pissed-off, with an edge of anarchy, yet also transport players back in time 30 years.”
Authenticity in Music Creation
While Kyd draws on the essence of trip-hop, he emphasizes the importance of crafting a unique sound rather than replicating existing works. Inspired by Massive Attack’s DIY ethos, he turned to vintage analog synthesizers and drum machines like the Akai MPC 2000XL and the Minimoog to create a livelier, more organic sound. “Real instruments and performance give the music an authenticity that gamers can feel,” says Kyd.
A Stand Against AI in Art
In an era where artificial intelligence increasingly permeates the realms of creativity, Kyd believes in the value of human artistry. “Today, we should strive to produce music that feels authentic, representing a real artist behind it,” he explains. His commitment to genuine sound extends to bending traditional production rules, allowing him to fuse vintage sounds with modern production techniques, resulting in a hybrid that feels fresh yet rooted in nostalgia.
“If I had the right equipment, I could create something that honors the trip-hop era while still updating it,” he reflects. This nuanced approach allows Kyd to create an emotional and immersive soundtrack that aligns seamlessly with Samson’s gritty narrative.
Future Adventures in Tyndalston
Despite similarities to franchises like Grand Theft Auto, Samson is a distinct project for Kyd and the developers. “Building this world from scratch was essential for us,” Kyd points out, revealing that Sundberg has an extensive mythology mapped out for Tyndalston. Potentially, this could lead to future projects encompassing games, films, and TV shows, with collaborations already in discussion with the studio Story Kitchen.
With Kyd continuously working on innovative projects, including a score for a historical game, he maintains a passion-driven approach. He reflects on his early days in Denmark’s underground “demoscene” filled with creative exploration, “It was about surprising people and blowing the lid off stuff. Samson: A Tyndalston Story gave me that opportunity again.”
‘Samson: A Tyndalston Story’ is out now for PC, and the soundtrack is available to stream here.
