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Ken Hisuag

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Everything posted by Ken Hisuag

  1. Finally, the results! Thank you everyone for participating! I will be back later for post-tournament comments and discussion.
  2. For someone like me, base price of Hollow Knight is lower than deserved (a "steal," as they say). But for you, difficult to be sure of; I can say that Celeste was my favorite game before Hollow Knight, so if you enjoyed that game then that may be indicative. Have you played a metroidvania before, and if so did you enjoy it or not? ? Honestly, your enthusiasm for the series (not to mention the amazing music) has done a lot to make me interested in trying it out. I bought Generations Ultimate for the switch, but I haven't had time to actually try it yet. On a side note, a Youtuber I follow recently did a video essay on the series which I found to be entertainingly informative: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DMyw3uz4Ys I've never played Pokemon, and I'm not too motivated to do so at this time. If more comes of the open world from Arceus . . . I probably still won't feel like playing it, but it'd be a bit more likely. Sword & Shield soundtrack is great, though!
  3. Hollow Knight. My main genre is 2D platformers, and specifically metroidvanias; I adore exploration gameplay, and 3D titles tend to feel more empty to me.
  4. Have they? I don't consider myself to be that well-informed on the "retro era," and I'm aware of some of the design choices that went into arcade games that carried over past their intended purpose, so I can understand the perspective of generally decreasing difficulty. However, the modern video game industry is MASSIVE, producing many products in multiple genres and subgenres for a variety of different audiences. Rather than believe that modern games are easier, I'm inclined to assume (I acknowledge it is an assumption on my part) that the industry has just gotten larger, and thus you see the variety balance out across it. Hard games still exist, though they may not make up the majority of the industry anymore. I'm also aware of how unaware I am of game outside of my sphere of familiarity, whether in genres I don't have an interest in or from smaller publishers I haven't heard of. Also, "hard" is technically a subjective term (loathe though I am to admit it), referring to the experience a person or group of persons has. There is a degree of consensus to it (thankfully, for the purposes of having a discussion), but it may be beneficial to determine what you consider to be difficult, and (more importantly) why; . . . and as entertainment [serves its] functions in different ways, what is "difficult" will mean something very different according to the situation/context. For example, a "difficult" puzzle game like Baba is You is not directly comparable to a "difficult" run-and-gun platformer like Cuphead; and you may not consider one or either of those "difficult."
  5. I covered Moss a long time ago; at the time it stood out from my other VGM experiences as being exceptionally well instrumented, and featuring an exemplary use of leitmotif. Since that time, this short soundtrack has remained just outside my "personal top ten" criteria, mostly for it's short length and limited relatability (why isn't that registering as a word?). I knew next to nothing about the game (only what my brother told me), but I had the impression that this would not affect my impression on the music. The impending release of it's sequel, Moss: Book II, was unexpected but eagerly anticipated. With this expanded collection of music, I feel comfortable now counted the franchise among my favorite collections; a greater range of tone is accomplished by additional instrumentation, and the original's prominent leitmotif is joined by a lesser but complimentary musical phrase. These compositions are not necessarily any more accomplished than those of their predecessor's, but they nonetheless spark some curiosity in me, to understand them more thoroughly, that I did not feel before.
  6. I'd normally wait till a tournament was fully closed to resume regular business, but it had been far too long at this point, and I'm anxious to get back into things. Reliance:Tone - Unfading Dream Turn down your volume for this one. If you're able, check for NicoVideo posts; the couple I found were better audio quality than this upload. Otherwise, a good start! mochiton - Peer to Peer Selection is such a bizarrely normal name for a Touhou piece, eh? This is also poor-quality audio, but I loved the contrast of jazz to the other things I was finding. I had expected this to be a difficult piece to search for (due to the name), but there's surprisingly fair representation for it. SoundOnline - Blaze of Colors EMLC is my favorite Reimu theme, so I wasn't too hesitant to use a big-name artist for it.
  7. I might come back to this later for a more personalized answer, but for now I'd offer that most characters are underdeveloped officially, regardless of representation. As for unofficial development, the fandom tends to focus on older characters post-PC-98 era; new characters will get a bit of development after initial exposure, and then usually fall off according to which ones receive more official development through the Tasofro titles (sometimes not even then; whatever happened to Doremy Sweet?). Statistically speaking, it would have to be one of the PC-98 characters, specifically a single-appearance midboss or early stage boss. So . . . Noroiko? Oh, what about Genji? Despite being a major part of the first games, I don't see many explanations offered as to the character.
  8. My methodology for this thread is primarily spontaneity, and this afternoon I had the urge to post some Masayoshi Oishi songs. Sometimes I think visuals distract from the appreciation for the music itself. Not that there isn't something to appreciate in those additional elements as well, simply something to consider.
  9. A Fracture FeatureTM this week, just 'cause. I've just about given up on getting to hear the full Critadel soundtrack; what I can find is really good, but for some reason it hasn't been released either officially or unofficially. While I wasn't motivated to plan out a feature for the rest of the soundtrack, the trailer music for Dead Estate impressed me (surprising, considering it's partly English vocal). Sonic Origins was in no way what I was hoping it would be, but at least we got a new Hyper Potions composition out of it.
  10. We now enter the final round, and the farthest a tournament has ever reached. ROUND 8: 22: Nami Haven - Rough Sea (Blacklolita Remix) A more melodic side of EDM. 23: Diao ye zong - The beautiful world A famous circle in all its glory. 24: Mōse - U.N. Owen was Her? A respectfully reflective closing.
  11. Felt like looking for Len'en arrangements today. AdeleyWolfy - Stronger and Stronger I remember coming across this one before; hopefully it's not a repost. Mono Chrome - One-Eyed Blacksmith ~ Weapons of Ametsukana Fun title. LENK64 - Casino Miki does quite a few Len'en arrangements. Boid - Present World Dance Engine Boid's art is really good, too.
  12. I would be remiss if I did not note the release of the long-expected Cuphead D.L.C., with it's generous supply of new music! As one might have guessed of a game known for its attention to detail, these fresh tunes compare more than favorably to their predecessors. In addition to the big band and jazz of the originals, a splattering of other genres have been mixed in, usually complimentary but occasionally as a sharper contrast. I've omitted some of the more unique pieces to avoid spoilers, but hopefully the spirit of the addition is still felt in these tracks.
  13. ROUND 7: 19: Water Color Melody. - M.E.P.H.I.S.T.O. Some funky flavour for our enjoyment. 20: Komeiji Records - Elegant Ice Maiden A fun little fairy arrangement, with some unique genre clash. 21: Demetori - Higan Retour ~ View of The River Styx The awe-infused epic of symphonic metal.
  14. I should have done this earlier [I always say when I don't do it earlier]. No time for lamentations, though! Studio Nenem - Astral Sword Dance -Glory- This is an alternate version of the arrangement DF posted a couple weeks ago, officially released exactly a year after its predecessor. I hesitate to use the term "remastered," but the concept comes to mind. Hachimitsu-Lemon - Disappearing Queen In contrast, a different remix of a different final boss by a different person. I'm not used to hearing vocal remixes from Hachimitsu-Lemon, but it sounds alright. ESQUARIA - Disappearing Queen -Luon Remix- The actual contrast of the same piece in a different style by a different person. I found these two at the same time!
  15. Missed my post on Saturday, so y'all getting something minor today instead. Shibayan Records - Tiny Little Adiantum This was mentioned in the chatbox, and despite discussion implying fair familiarity, I had never heard of it. So here it is now! asi14 - Lunar Clock ~ Luna Dial An unusual combination of fighting game style (7.5) and PC-98. I'm not always sure whether such specification are part of the title or not . . . Miki Hiroyuki - Memory of the Road I'm still technically in tournament mode, so a few Len'en remixes shouldn't be out of place.
  16. Digging deeper into unfamiliar territory (for me), I pulled out the soundtrack for Willow (the game not the movie). Typically, the older the chiptune, the less likely I am to be impressed by it; having been spoiled by the likes of the Follin brothers or Eric W. Brown, it's sometimes harder for me to appreciate the less complex arrangements that limited hardware instigated at the time. Despite this, the objective aspect of musical quality is worth striving to discern, lest worthwhile experiences be missed. In this case, I appreciated the effort put forth by the composers to make the most of their simpler compositions. For more atmospheric pieces, drawn out notes inflicted with tremolo sets the tone very well, while more active pieces can employ a baroque style to capture the desired mood. The fight themes are more typical for chiptune, using rapid movement to simulate energy, but are nonetheless well composed in melody. I also encountered a slight usage of leitmotif, though without context for the pieces I can't be sure of the specifics. The adjustment to mood was noteworthy, though.
  17. ROUND 6: 16: Touhou Gengaku Kyo - Demoness of the Underworld Spooky, or sad? But only for a short period; such is the way with Merry remixes. Despite my efforts, I couldn't work out a translation of this title. 17: ssbbmaster - Where is that Bustling Marketplace ~ Immemorial Marketeers Over to epic orchestra. Quite a contrast in energy, eh? 18: S.S.H. & Aether - Shanghai Scarlet Teahouse Then into epic something else. It has elements of symphonic orchestra, but I'm not willing to commit to that assessment. For now, there is no deadline for round conclusion (we may discuss that post-tournament), but I would recommend aiming to get your reviews in within a week.
  18. This is not meant as a critique of anyone’s lifestyle or moral standard; it is merely the presentation of perspective.
  19. A passive reference by SasaMisa put me on the trail of The Last Ninja, a Commodore 64 game with composers Ben Daglish and Anthony Lees. This soundtrack surprised me; my preferences in chiptune favour complex arrangement, but I rarely come across it in the retro era. Many of these tracks are composed in a progression of movements, seemingly multiple tracks transitioning one into another while retaining the features of one track. Additionally, in connection to this game is a rare instance of the composer having an opportunity to remix a chiptune piece into something resembling its instrumental inspiration. Not all (perhaps not even many) retro chiptune soundtracks were composed in enforced minimalist replication of "real" instruments, but when such is the case it's fascinating to be able to hear the comparison later on.
  20. Some assorted Zunish arrangements, with no other particular association. Pigu/pigdevil2010 - AAABBHM ~ Tales of a Ghostly Field Club Girl and Her Puppets (Album Edit) One of my favorite chiptune arrangers, though this obviously isn't an example of that. Quite a long medley, and I'm not sure it holds up all the way through, but still potentially worth sharing. Occult Miko - Mysterious Inked Inventor ~ Monochromatic Laziness A rare Len'en remix, apparently in the style of the most recent mainline game, though I haven't figured out the sound of that one yet (it can take awhile sometimes). Aka Kyuketsuki - Witch of Love Potion An even rarer non-Touhou-Zun-composistion remix, pulling out potential from unexpected places. I considered saving this for later, but it's good enough that I'd rather not hold on to it too long.
  21. Halfway through. ROUND 5: 13: Unlucky Morpheus - Feast the Night Away Suika with a friend! Lyric video available in the Vault. 14: Yukari - Palace of the Earth Spirits Climactic Heartfelt Fancy! Video's a bit loud, so I recommend turning your volume down a bit before starting, and adjusting it as needed. 15: A-One - Moondust (DJ Command Remix) Eurobeat with progression! Remember to re-adjust volume from the previous feature.
  22. I'm on a re-feature streak lately, and I feel a bit guilty for it. Sonic Origins is coming out this week, and I was intending to do a Sonic CD feature for it, but I haven't reviewed the soundtrack in a while and I ran out of time. So I figured I'd do a Sonic Mania feature instead, as it's one of my favorite soundtracks and I did say I'd come back to it eventually. Coincidentally, Tee Lopes recently did the soundtrack for Shredder's Revenge, so I'll have to check that out soon. While I'm on the subject, a shoutout to Jahn Davis, one of the best Sonic-style musicians out there and composer for the Sonic Studio project.
  23. I intend to say something on this thread. It's going to be rather disconnected because it's taking so long, but I intend it to come eventually. In the meantime, I found this video and thought it relevant (not necessarily reflective of my perspective, just relevant).
  24. Bonus: ARA - Bouhou Youyoumu - Level 4 (Captial City of Flowers in the Sky) I fixed the loop; harder than I expected, but nothing too exciting.
  25. I was going to wait till after the current tournament to post about this, but with Shionne's current project now seems the ideal time. Across the tournaments, there have been a few instances where the submitted video does not accurately represent the piece it features. By this, I mean anything from lacking a proper loop to only featuring a part of the full arrangement. We've usually reviewed entries according to their submitted presentation, but I'd like to at least note these instances (if there be no better reason, then at the very least to enable ease of retrieval in the event that original links go dead). FANTASMAUN - Lost Dream x Ghostly Band RT1, entry #12. The submission was a fifteen minute extension of the first Vanishing Dream section only; the full arrangement continued into a Phantom Ensemble remix, and ended with a blending of the two themes. I wasn't part of this tournament, so I can't speak to the impact this had at the time. LiLA'c Records - 4th Radiance RT3, entry #2. For some reason, the featured video cut off the piece almost thirty seconds early. I remember we were all rather confused about the abrupt ending, but it wasn't until much later that I found out what the problem was. I wasn't as acclimated to the genre at the time, but now I've come to appreciate the piece quite a bit. Oriens - Sealed Sword Oriens - Alice in Wonderland RT3, entry #10. Two different tracks from the same album were placed in a single video (to be fair, they do come one after the other in said album). As they are meant to be separate tracks, the first came to a full stop before the second began. For some reason we all just rolled with it at the time, but looking back I would have preferred them separate. That being said, they both feel rather short on their own. Kuroneko Lounge - Myorenji set 07 ~ Interdimensional Voyage of a Ghostly Passenger Ship RT5, entry #15. I am still unsure if this was intentional, but the submitted video only featured the crossfade demo. I'm not sure this affected reviews much, both because it was noticed and identified at the time and because of the kind of piece in question. This is the last one I remember right now, though I may come back to the subject later. There's been a couple times I've considered replacing the tournament features with their more accurate portrayals in the Vault playlist; it comes down to a question of what purpose the Vault functions, either as a record of submissions or as a themed community playlist. For now, the answer seems more obviously the former, so I'll leave it as it is. But if any of those original videos are lost, I'm likely going to replace them with these (actually, the last one is already replaced, as the original submission wasn't on Youtube to begin with).
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