What Remains of Edith Finch Score: Narrative Walking Sim
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Introduction
What Remains of Edith Finch (2017) by Giant Sparrow is a masterpiece of interactive storytelling, often categorized as a "walking simulator"—a genre that prioritizes narrative exploration over traditional gameplay mechanics. One of the most compelling aspects of the game is its hauntingly beautiful score, composed by Jeff Russo. The music not only enhances the emotional weight of the Finch family’s tragic tales but also serves as an invisible guide, shaping the player’s journey through the eerie, labyrinthine house. This article explores how the score elevates the game’s narrative, reinforces its themes, and immerses players in its melancholic world.
The Role of Music in a Walking Simulator
Walking simulators rely heavily on atmosphere and emotional engagement. Without combat, puzzles, or fail states, the player’s connection to the story is built through environmental details, voice acting, and—critically—music. In What Remains of Edith Finch, the score functions as an emotional compass.
Jeff Russo, known for his work on Fargo and Star Trek: Discovery, crafts a soundscape that is both delicate and foreboding. The score blends acoustic instruments (piano, strings, woodwinds) with subtle electronic textures, mirroring the game’s mix of realism and surrealism. Unlike traditional video game soundtracks that dynamically shift with player actions, Russo’s compositions are carefully synchronized with narrative beats, ensuring that each story within the Finch house resonates deeply.
Themes and Motifs in the Score
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Loss and Memory
The central theme of What Remains of Edith Finch is the inevitability of death and the way memories linger. The score reflects this through recurring motifs—gentle piano melodies that feel like half-remembered lullabies, or strings that swell with sorrow before fading into silence. In Molly Finch’s story, for instance, the music shifts from playful to eerie as her hallucinatory journey takes a dark turn, mirroring her doomed fate. -
Childhood and Innocence
Several stories focus on the Finch children, and Russo’s music underscores their innocence with light, whimsical tones. The use of music boxes and music-box-like melodies (e.g., in Gregory’s bathtub sequence) creates a bittersweet contrast between the joy of youth and the tragedy that follows. -
The House as a Living Entity
The Finch house is almost a character itself—a sprawling, creaking monument to the family’s cursed history. The score reinforces this with ambient sounds (distant whispers, creaking floorboards) woven into the music, blurring the line between diegetic sound and score.
Standout Musical Moments
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Lewis’s Story: Escapism Through Music
One of the most powerful sequences in the game is Lewis Finch’s story, where the player experiences his dissociative fantasy while monotonously working at a fish cannery. The music here is hypnotic, blending rhythmic industrial sounds with a dreamlike orchestration that grows more fantastical as Lewis retreats into his imagination. The crescendo—when his fantasy and reality collide—is devastating, underscored by a sudden, discordant shift in the score. -
Edith’s Theme: A Melancholic Anchor
The main piano theme, heard during key moments (such as the opening and ending), serves as the emotional core of the game. Its simplicity—repeating, unresolved phrases—echoes the unresolved nature of the Finch family’s curse. -
The Ending: Acceptance and Ambiguity
The final moments of the game, where Edith confronts her own fate, are accompanied by a tender yet somber reprise of her theme. The music doesn’t offer closure but instead lingers, much like the player’s thoughts after the credits roll.
Conclusion: Why the Score Matters
In What Remains of Edith Finch, the score is not just background noise—it’s a storyteller. Jeff Russo’s compositions deepen the game’s exploration of grief, memory, and legacy, ensuring that each vignette leaves an indelible mark. The music transforms the experience from a simple "walking sim" into a poignant, almost cinematic journey.
Even years after its release, the soundtrack remains a benchmark for narrative-driven games. It proves that in the right hands, video game music can be as powerful as any film score or symphony—a ghostly echo of the Finches’ lives, lingering long after the screen fades to black.
Word Count: ~750
(Note: This article can be expanded to 1500 words by delving deeper into specific tracks, comparing Russo’s work to other walking sim soundtracks, or analyzing player reactions to the music.)
