Wednesday, November 19, 2014

MIDI Week Singles: "Fight Theme" - Dragon Warrior - (NES)


Title: Fight
Game: Dragon Warrior
Developer: Enix
Release: 1986
Platform: NES/Famicom
Composer: Koichi Sugiyama
Arrangement: Takenori Yamamori



I've really been on a Dragon Warrior kick lately, so why not share this singular musical track from the first Dragon Warrior?

To the unbiased ear, the early NES sounds from DW may be somewhat grating, really not the best MIDI, and the compositions, in general, may not seem like anything to write home about.  However, each song has a special place in my heart, and none more so than the battle theme.  I love it because it leads me to ask:  "What the heck is going on with this theme?"  It's so odd!  So delightfully strange.  It's only the bridge at the end that sort of ties the thing together.   

Instead of using speed and heavy rhythm to generate excitement and create a sense of danger, the composer chooses to use a bizarre melody.  And it works, the much calmer sounds of the overworld map are very relaxing by comparison.  So yeah, big kudos to Koichi Sugiyama and Takenori Yamamori for this unequaled track among video game battle music.  

-D


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