This was better than the AC3 soundtrack, I thought (at least). I have an appreciation for Balfe and the work he’s done outside of standing in Zimmer’s shadow but when I first listened to AC3: Liberation I suddenly became stricken with amnesia and forgot about AC3′s score entirely. It’s not one of those flukes where some might be wondering “is it really that good” or “it’s just a different approach, that’s why people like it so much” and is instead a testament to effort and care taken to shape the resultant sound(s) – exactly what should be happening in the scoring world (games or otherwise).

If I were an Ubisoft exec I’d push for dumping Balfe off the franchise entirely and have Phillips on retainer to manage the musical direction of future entries in the franchise.

Anyway, not entirely certain if this is licensed (not a student of the French language) but those not interested in iTunes can purchase the soundtrack here: http://www.qobuz.com/album/assassins-creed-3-liberation-original-game-soundtrack-winifred-philips/3700551741663