The composer, trespassing on quasi-religious ground, is none other than Joel McNeely, whose résumé, while diverse, boasts a number of adventure and science fiction scores ( The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, Soldier, and the TV series Dark Angel). Not only is it good, but it surpasses the muddy and overly-frenetic action writing of the prequels by offering the lucky listener orchestral might and a choral tempest to rival that of Revenge of the Sith.

What is fascinating about this whole merchandising bonanza is two-fold: John Williams was not tapped for the project and the resulting score is actually good. The score itself, while drawing a freeform inspiration from the novel's set-pieces, would be edited down to accompany the player throughout the game. A long time ago, in our very own galaxy, the Powers That Be decided to authorize the creation of a multimedia premiere: an official Star Wars story, set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, shaped by a book, a computer game, and an orchestral score.

Shadow of war soundtrack