For this project, I took on the challenge of redesigning the sounds for the first three minutes of the level, Temple of Xian, from the classic video game, Tomb Raider II. The original game’s soundtrack has always been a major influence on my work, and I wanted to recreate the same sense of emotion and atmosphere I felt as a child. My goal was to create a hybrid composition that blends music and foley sound effects to fully immerse the player.

I drew inspiration from Nathan McCree, the original composer. I particularly liked his ability to create space, as the music is not played constantly but instead used to evoke a specific emotion. I followed this idea in my composition, aiming to build atmosphere without overwhelming the viewer with redundant music.

Most of the foley effects were created using Alchemy in Logic Pro. I used various noise sources like “crinkle” and “hair” to create realistic sounds for footsteps and the boulder. For the footsteps, I even adjusted the pitch and EQ to match the different surfaces Lara Croft walks on, such as brick, wood, and carpet.

The Temple of Xian setting, as a lost Chinese temple, provided a rich source of cultural inspiration for the project. I chose to use an unsettling drone reminiscent of chanting monks in the background music to fit the religious and mystical tone of the level.

This project was a rewarding experience, and I’m proud of the final result. The soundscape and music effectively convey the emotions and atmosphere of the game. While creating the audio samples for gunfire and water was a challenge, the final piece is more than satisfactory.

Moving forward, I’d like to explore adding more panning automation to elements like fire, guns, and the waterfall to create an even more immersive and responsive soundscape.