Dungeon Themes

Descending into the Dungeons is always one of the high points in the game, therefore it should only be fitting for these places of evil to have great music. Throughout the games, this task was managed with very different approaches.

Ultima III
In Ultima III it is clear that music was still a new element. The dungeon theme is very short and hasn't much of being a music, sounding more like a random selection of noises.

Listen to the theme in its original MIDI version here:

Ultima IV
The dungeon theme of Ultima IV is much more detailed. The music this time creates anticipation, leaving a mysterious air in its wake. The main characteristics of this theme are the constant and rythmic bass strokes and its companion, a very high-pitched metal xylophone.

Listen to the theme in its original MIDI version here:

Ultima V
The dungeon theme of Ultima V, called "Halls of Doom", stays true to its name, as it makes the player really feel as if walking directly into his doom. The main characteristics of this theme is the high-pitched chorus and its companion, a dark bass instrument. On the Apple II with midi-board, this song sounds, played with an organ, even more frightening.

Listen to the theme in its original MIDI version here:

Ultima VI
The dungeon theme of Ultima VI fits the location as well. The rythmic beating of a drum creates the illusion of a heartbeat in the fear of running into a monster. It is accompanied by a dark guitar and deep pipe music.

Listen to the theme in its original MIDI version here:

Interestingly enough, this music was revamped for the SNES, and changed, making it sound interesting, especially in the later parts.
 * The SNES-Version of the music

Ultima VII
The Ultima VII dungeon music, called "Cave", is a very strange case. No real music theme can be heard in it and it mostly just consists of long passages with a continous bass.

Listen to the theme in its original MIDI version here: