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`|....|' `|..'|. `|..' .||..|' .||. `|... `|..||. .|| \\.
~~~~~~"Resident Evil: Outbreak" Soundtrack Guide~~~~~~~
This guide may not be reproduced under any circumstances
except for personal, private use. It cannot be published
on any web site or otherwise distributed publicly without
advanced written permission from the authors. Use of this
guide on any other web site or as part of any public display
is strictly prohibited, and is a direct violation of copyright.
Author's Note:
This FAQ is all about the soundtrack to the 2004 CAPCOM game
"Resident Evil: Outbreak". I will go in to detail about
the tracks, the names, and any other information people
may have about the background music used in this game. All
opinions stated are my own and are only meant to give the
reader an idea about the piece.
With that explained, let's move on, shall we?
-------- Table of Contents! --------
-[1] Introduction
-[2] Soundtrack Information
-[3] Track Listing
-[4] Track by Track Commentary
-[5] FAQs
-[6] Credits
[1] ======== Introduction ========
Resident Evil: Outbreak was CAPCOM's first foray into an online
Resident Evil. When it was released in 2003, critics had mixed
opinions, making it one of the most underrated
Resident Evil games to be released. The features of the game
made most people turn away. Instead of headset and keyboard
support in game, an ad-libbing system was used, making some people
confused and disappointed. The first game was eventually
re-released in a bonus pack along with Resident Evil: Code
Veronica and Resident Evil 4 for the PlayStation 2.
A sequel was eventually released and it was taken poorly
causing CAPCOM to ultimately and eventually shut down the
online servers in 2007 (Outbreak File #2 USA) and 2008 (Outbreak USA).
Instead of the game featuring the main characters we all know and
love, it introduced us to eight new survivors and took place
in the familiar setting of Raccoon City. Offline, the game fell short
of the main games and their stories, but online it could become fun
and unpredictable.
The soundtrack is probably one of the strong points of the game, in
my opinion. The main theme was composed by Akihiko Matsumoto and was
the most beautiful "made-for-game" theme I had ever heard in a
good long time. I also found other tracks in the game to be
memorable and fun, and so, without further ado, I will proceed
on to the actual guide.
[2] ======== Soundtrack Information ========
~Biohazard: Outbreak (Original Soundtrack)~
Soundtrack by Akihiko Matsumoto, Tetsuya Shibata,
Etsuko Yoneda, Mitsuhiko Takano, Kento Hasegawa, Masato Koda
Released: February 25, 2004
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 59:11
Label: King Records
Track Number: 31 Tracks
* Track 8, "Into the Unknown", is an arrangement of
"The Underground Laboratory" from the
Biohazard 2 Soundtrack composed by Masami Ueda,
Shusaku Uchiyama, and Shun Nishigaki.
* Tracks 1, 7, 11, 15, 25~27, and 29 were composed by Akihiko Matsumoto
* Tracks 2, 3, 16, 21, 24, 28, and 30 were composed by Tetsuya Shibata
* Tracks 4, 5, 9, 12, 13, 17, 24, and 31 were composed by Etsuko Yoneda
* Tracks 6, 8, and 10 were composed by Mitsuhiko Takano
* Tracks 14, 18, 22, and 23 were composed by Kento Hasegawa
* Tracks 19 and 20 were composed by Masato Koda
[3] ======== Track Listing ========
There are 31 tracks on the RE: Outbreak Original Soundtrack.
---Biohazard Outbreak Original Soundtrack----
1. "Biohazard Outbreak Main Title Theme"
2. "Character Select"
3. "Happy Hour Jam Session"
4. "The Plague Cometh"
5. "Split Seconds"
6. "Boom! You're Dead!"
7. "Distant Future"
8. "Into the Unknown"
9. "Freezer Burn"
10. "One Big Mutha"
11. "The Unpleasant Train"
12. "No Rest for the Wicked"
13. "Here, There, Everywhere"
14. "Despair"
15. "The Waterway of Darkness"
16. "Result Screen"
17. "The Fire Within"
18. "Hell on Earth"
19. "Laying it on the Line"
20. "Of Wisdoms, Truths, and Tyrants"
21. "The Torment of Time"
22. "Thanatos is Born"
23. "Thanatos Revisited"
24. "3rd Time's the Charm"
25. "Biohazard Outbreak (Reprise)"
26. "The Extermination"
27. "The Resident Evil Outbreak~Staff Roll"
28. "The Big Picture"
29. "Umbrella"
30. "So Many Options"
31. "Gallery Screen"
[4] ======== Track by Track Commentary ========
Here I will explain what I think of each song and in what level/scene/instance
it was used.
(1) "Resident Evil: Outbreak Main Title Theme"
As heard in: The opening movie clip before you start the first level.
Length: 3:28
Composer: Akihiko Matsumoto
Thoughts: Well, let's see. This is the track that inspired me
to write this guide. When I first picked up the game back in
2004, I had rented it after hearing about the short offline play. After
picking my character and bracing myself for what I had heard was
catastrophe, I was greeted by one of the most beautiful and
haunting songs accompanied by a movie clip worthy of any Resident Evil name.
This track starts off almost mysteriously as
you hear what seems to be thunder or quiet explosions in
the background. It then picks up to a violin
which stays throughout the piece to make the flutes and
many other strings seem so sad and emotional.
My favorite track out of the whole soundtrack.
Best parts: 0:55-1:34, I especially like when it starts to
pick up and take an even stronger pace at 1:48. The
ending reminds me of a spiral that can either lead
to hope or despair.
(2) "Character Select"
As heard in: The Character Select, Level
Select, and Difficulty Select screens.
Length: 1:34
Composer: Tetsuya Shibata
Thoughts: This track is very creepy. It reminds me of
Silent Hill in a way. An echoing melody places
over a piano that tunes in every so often. After a
while, a low violin starts to give in to make
it sound as if this is the survivor's chance to
escape and to live on.
I think it fits with the selections
screen and tends to remind me of tunnels
underneath the undead city.
(3) "Happy Hour Jam Session"
As heard in: Heard briefly in the opening scene
to "Outbreak". It is cut off when your selected
character hears the reporter on the television set.
Length: 2:03
Composer: Tetsuya Shibata
Thoughts: This song is just goofy and pretty much supposed
to sound like butt-rock in an average
sleezy bar. It is only used from 0:35 to 0:53 in the
movie clip. The track combines a guitar with
some rock organ and drums. It's not exactly something
you'd want to hear the whole thing of...
unless you're into that kind of thing.
(4) "The Plague Cometh"
As heard in: This is the music you hear as you
explore the upstairs of J's Bar and also the streets
and alleyways before and after riding in the van
near the end of "Outbreak".
Length: 1:53
Composer: Etsuko Yoneda
Thoughts: This track has very little to it but also
sounds like it's saying "you're safe... for now".
Strange noises and some echo chime in from time to
time. A low violin or bass plays, making the whole
track seem foreboding. It kind of reminds me of the
theme that played in RE3 when you were running from
Nemesis and you knew he was around... but couldn't see him.
(5) "Split Seconds"
As heard in: This is the music that plays when someone triggers
the roof timer in "Outbreak".
Length: 2:22
Composer: Etsuko Yoneda
Thoughts: This song does a very good idea of making
the whole escape off the roof and into the
streets urgent while still keeping the sad and
mysterious tone of the game. It does a good job of
being soft, yet it compels you to run. I like when
the piano starts to tap in, making it seem
hopeless if you're taking too long.
(6) "Boom! You're dead!"
As heard in: This is heard when you are on Main Street at
the end of the "Outbreak" level.
Length: 0:56
Composer: Mitsuhiko Takano
Thoughts: For being as short as this track is, it
brings the point across that it's one of those
"hurry-and-do-it" melodies. Being that the objective
in this part of the game is to gather parts
of a detonator and to blow up a horde of zombies
swarming the streets, I think it does a good job.
Although, I do think it could be stronger and less
repetitive if the scene was longer, the
amount of time it takes to gather the parts and actually blow up
the street makes this work just fine.
(7) "Distant Future"
As heard in: This is the song that plays when
you finish "Outbreak".
Length: 2:14
Composer: Akihiko Matsumoto
Thoughts: This piece starts off with a distant
police siren in the beginning and a piano, playing
an altered version of the main theme. As the
track goes on, it gets stronger and eviler sounding
with some guitar even backing up at the very end.
It helps with the whole scene of the character
knowing they survived but that they still have a
long way to go. I like this piece a lot. In fact,
this is probably in my top five favorite songs from
this soundtrack. I think it could fit in a
movie because it's just that good. I'll stop
brown nosing Akihiko Matsumoto now.
(8) "Into the Unknown"
As heard in: The 6th and 7th floor of the
laboratory in "Below Freezing Point".
Oh and Resident Evil 2, too. ;)
Length: 1:47
Composer: Mitsuhiko Takano (Originally composed
by Masami Ueda, Shusaku Uchiyama, and Shun Nishigaki.)
Thoughts: This was a real piece of nostalgia for
me. This is actually a remix (if you can really call
it that) of the original lab song from Resident Evil 2.
Although you can only hear this song on two
floors of the level, it was really a treat for me,
considering that "Below Freezing Point" was a
nod to the layout of RE2's laboratory. This song is
haunting and yet it also gives you that sense
that what they were doing in the labs was wrong and
that machines are still on, even with everyone dead.
(9) "Freezer Burn"
As heard in: This plays after you activate the
BF4 Lift in the laboratory in "Below Freezing Point".
Length: 1:51
Composer: Etsuko Yoneda
Thoughts: This is probably the best song out of
those "hurry-and-do-it" songs. It has a strong piano and
synth melody that tells you that if you don't
run, you'll be in deep and grave danger.
(10) "One Big Mutha'"
As heard in: This plays as you face off with the
boss in "Below Freezing POint".
Length: 1:17
Composer: Mitsuhiko Takano
Thoughts: Eh, this is another "hurry-and-do-it"
songs. Out of all of these kinds of songs on this
soundtrack, this song really isn't all that memorable.
It repeats the same violin and synth rhythm
and over again. It sounds a bit creepy but it's kind
of weak when compared to "Freezer Burn".
(11) "The Unpleasant Train"
As heard in: The ending video of "Below Freezing Point".
Length: 2:46
Composer: Akihiko Matsumoto
Thoughts: This track starts off a little bit too
strong, making the track seem angry and cheap.
But then the song really picks up and does a great
rendition of the credits music that is backed up
by a strong chorus and a heavy bass line. The end
has an epic violin and heroic sounding drum
and synth beat in the background.
Too bad they only used the very first couple
of seconds of the song in the whole game. It's the
worst part of the song in my opinion. :(
(12) "No Rest for the Wicked"
As heard in: All throughout the upper floors
of the hospital in "The Hive".
Length: 2:12
Composer: Etsuko Yoneda
Thoughts: This song is almost kind of bittersweet.
In some cases, it sounds a little too weak
to match up with the ambience of the earlier levels.
The piano is a nice touch but when you're
getting attacked by something, the track just
doesn't fit.
(13) "Here, There, Everywhere"
As heard in: The part in "The Hive" when the
Leechman is first introduced.
Length: 0:40
Composer: Etsuko Yoneda
Thoughts: The first thing I thought of when I
heard this was "holy crap.... leeches" because
of course, this tune is an obvious nod to Resident
Evil Zero's leech theme. The creepy noise
can actually be pretty creepy if you're playing at
night and don't expect the leechman coming.
Sadly, this song is only played once and it kind
of repeats itself over and over.
(14) "Despair"
As heard in: The very end of "The Hive" when you
face off against the boss. It was also later used
in Resident Evil: Outbreak File #2 as the Showdown theme.
Length: 1:24
Composer: Kento Hasegawa
Thoughts: This song matches with the likes
of "Boom! You're Dead!" and "Freezer Burn" but can get
kind of annoying after a while. It works for
the Leech Queen's fight mainly because you have to
run down a long tunnel and it will keep chasing you
until it's defeated.
I personally don't find this song to be one of
the better ones on here. It doesn't quite have the
same fear factor as the other songs.
(15) "The Waterway of Darkness"
As heard in: This is the song that plays in the
final cutscene of "The Hive" where your character
walks through the sewers.
Length: 1:48
Composer: Akihiko Matsumoto
Thoughts: This song is sad and is pretty similar
to "Distant Future" in terms of melody and message.
Unfortunately, where this song picks up doesn't even
make it to the game. Only about 30 seconds of the
beginning of the song are used in the game. My
favorite part is around 1:15 when it starts to get
kind of epic and doomed sounding.
(16) "Results Screen"
As heard in: This is the song that plays after
you finish a level (this includes dying) and are on the
score and results screen to view your points.
Length: 0:49
Composer: Tetsuya Shibata
Thoughts: A very sinister song that reminds me of
dying in video games and finding out that you failed.
Although this song is on a screen you get regardess
whether you live or not, it leans more to the
feeling of failure.
(17) "The Fire Within"
As heard in: Parts of "Hellfire" while you explore
the inside of the Apple Inn.
Length: 3:22
Composer: Etsuko Yoneda
Thoughts: This track is one of the creepier tunes
but it's not exactly easy to hear and the level
tends to be on the noisy side since you're always
going in and out of rooms and running into fire
crackling. Gives the feeling of something lurking but
it doesn't really fit with the level.
Not very memorable.
(18) "Hell on Earth"
As heard in: The main lobby of the Apple Inn in "Hellfire".
Length: 1:00
Composer: Kento Hasegawa
Thoughts: This song really helps the feeling of
a building that used to be a happy place to
kick back and rest but has become something else.
Can sounds quite sinister but also enigmatic.
For some reason, this track reminds me of Code
Veronica's soundtrack. Go figure.
(19) "Laying it on the Line"
As heard in: The boss fight against the Regis Licker
in "Hellfire". Also makes an appearance in
Resident Evil: Outbreak File #2 as the "timer warning"
song for the Elimination modes.
Length: 0:31
Composer: Masato Koda
Thoughts: This track is the worst of all the
"hurry-and-do-it" songs. It's not all that creepy
and it can get annoying quite fast. I suppose
you'll be too busy keeping lickers off your back to care
about getting a headache but this track could be a
bit better and more epic.
(20) "Of Wisdoms, Truths, and Tyrants"
As heard in: The main university building in "Decisions, Decisions".
Length: 1:44
Composer: Masato Koda
Thoughts: This track is great. It's mysterious
and really fits the whole feeling of being in an
empty building and feeling that something's not
right. I'm pretty sure the beginning "question roll" is
my favorite part, along with the piano with the
chorus in the background. Very haunting.
(21) "The Torment of Time"
As heard in: Plays when the timer is counting
down to the explosion of the university
in "Decisions, Decisions".
Length: 1:03
Composer: Kento Hasegawa
Thoughts: This is my favorite out of the "hurry-and-do-it"
songs. It has a violin urging you to keep
moving and a strong melody in the background that makes it
seem epic and final. It also still manages
to keep that creepy, fostered-hope kind of feeling. A piano
comes in once in a while to remind
us of the tune that was playing when we first entered the level.
(22) "Thanatos is Born"
As heard in: Everytime Thanatos appears in the same
room as you in "Decisions, Decisions".
Length: 1:33
Composer: Kento Hasegawa
Thoughts: Though this isn't a very strong boss theme,
in my opinion, it is a very memorable song.
It is the theme that warns you that Thanatos has entered
the same location as you and gives
you the feeling of being found and exposed. It has a
strong and evil sounding melody that plays over
drums and symbols while still being refined at the same time.
(23) "Thanatos Revisited"
As heard in: The first real boss battle with
Thanatos in "Decisions, Decisions".
Length: 2:11
Composer: Kento Hasegawa
Thoughts: This is a faster and more epic version
of "Thanatos is Born". It borrows many of the same
techniques but it also adds a feeling of agony and
annoyment that the characters must be feeling
by that point in the game. The chorus that comes in
every once in a while makes the tune
feel as if you know this may be the end of your character.
(24) "Third Time's the Charm"
As heard in: The last boss fight against Thanatos
in "Decisions, Decisions".
Length: 2:13
Composer: Akihiko Matsumoto
Thoughts: Once again, Matsumoto pulls off a pretty epic
track. A catchy dance beat and an angelic
chorus play while you finally take out all your anger and
hardwork on Thanatos one last time. It
also has a very creepy feeling that comes in once and a while
and sends shivers down my spine.
This is my second favorite song on the soundtrack, being one
of the best boss themes I've heard
in a video game. I couldn't wait to unlock this on the
collection screen in Outbreak.
(25) "Resident Evil Outbreak (reprise)"
As heard in: This song plays in the Regretful ending,
George + Cindy's paired ending, and
Alyssa + Yoko's paired ending.
Length: 1:55
Composer: Akihiko Matsumoto
Thoughts: This is a reprise of the main theme I love so
much, bringing this song to number 3 on
my favorite tracks from this game. This version of the
song sounds very similar to the one
we first hear at the beginning of the game but it somehow
sounds happier and is filled with
more hope. The very end of the song is quite enchanting and
lovely to listen to if you've
just finished the game. I think this song goes with the
George + Cindy ending the best.
(26) "The Extermination"
As heard in: This song plays in the Chopper Zombie
ending, Regretful ending, Hopeful ending,
Kevin + Jim's paired ending, and Mark + David's paired ending.
Length: 3:55
Composer: Akihiko Matsumoto
Thoughts: This is my 4th favorite song out of the
entire soundtrack. The beginning definitely
goes with the final destruction of the city and feels
epic and powerful. The beginning half
also works well with Mark + David's ending as they ride
the tank into the crowd of zombies.
The second half is lighter and happier, signifying that
the whole event is over and that
there is still hope waiting for the eight survivors as
they ride off into the horizon.
(27) "The Resident Evil Outbreak Staff Roll"
As heard in: This song plays during the credits of
the game.
Length: 3:44
Composer: Akihiko Matsumoto
Thoughts: It's a pretty neat song with an exotic
feeling that still makes
you feel as if the whole game isn't quite over. It
almost sounds like a "negative"
version of the main theme, staying true to the formula.
The very end starts to pick up and has a violin
playing furiously and wonderfully. This
song reminds me more of an introduction to a movie
in some parts. Over all, a good song.
(28) "The Big picture"
As heard in: This song played in the network connection
screens when you would go online.
Length: 1:39
Composer: Tetsuya Shibata
Thoughts: This is a harp version of the main theme.
Simple and yet, beautiful. It stays
true to the feelings of the original.
(29) "Umbrella"
As heard in: This song plays in the video after the
credits that shows a tower in the
ruins of Raccoon City.
Length: 2:28
Composer: Akihiko Matsumoto
Thoughts: This song starts off weary and softly, bringing
you into some feeling of something
not being right. The song then ends up getting sad and
strong, bringing back some of that
exotic feeling from the credit roll with a chorus.
(30) "So Many Options"
As heard in: This song plays on the options menu of the
game and briefly in "Decisions, Decisions"
if you use the piano as Cindy.
Length: 1:34
Composer: Tetsuya Shibata
Thoughts: A piano version of the main theme. This one
definitely has more power than the harp
version, making this a strong and yet familiar tune
that fits the options screen and reminds
you of the actual game.
(31) "Gallery Screen"
As heard in: This song plays on the collection screen
of the game when you are viewing artwork,
costumes, and other extras you have unlocked.
Length: 1:30
Composer: Etsuko Yoneda
Thoughts: This song is actually quite good for being a
song in one of the menus of the game. It
has a dark and yet very simple feel to it. The pianos
remind me of Resident Evil 2's police station
and the loss of any real protection to the city. It
almost sounds like a song that might be
used for a save room.
[5] ======== Frequently Asked Questions ========
Q. Where can I find this soundtrack?
A. You can buy this soundtrack off of the internet
or you can download it from
various sites. But only if you own it... ;)
Q. Why are most of your favorite songs composed by
Akihito Matsumoto?
A. Well, I suppose it's only natural for me to
like the songs by him because I'm a
big fan of movie soundtracks and he's an academy
award winning composer that does movie
scores. I really don't know anything else about him
aside from that.
Q. What is your Resident Evil: Outbreak screen name?
A. I had a lot but I was best known (or unknown) as Nectarine.
Q. omg ken u help bring file 2 bak by siginin my petishuns?
A. no lol
Q. How long did it take you to compile this?
A. Uh... about four hours. Yeah, I know. I have a lot of
random time to spare.
Q. What's your favorite Resident Evil game/character/location?
A. Tied between Outbreak and RE2/George Hamilton/Raccoon City.
Q. Can I use this on my site?
A. Only if you email me asking for permission first and
give me CREDIT. I don't want people getting credit for my
hard work.
[6] ======== Credits ========
Written, Compiled, Tested and Mother (j/k) Approved by
Uma Costa-Mangina aka Nectarine.
Some CD information obtained from Wikipedia.
Biohazard/Resident Evil: Outbreak (c) 2003-2004 by CAPCOM
Thanks to my friends who played this darn game with me for
countless hours. Zombiehugger, Reeves, Daily/Lott/FrozenFag ;)
And thanks most of all to YOU for reading this.
2008 (c) Uma B. C-M
