Pak Watch: Tribute

Curses n Chaos - 
Bellwood and the forest of lost souls

I got these really great looking screenshots from my old friend JPBruneau on his tumbler.  This is a game from developer Tribute Games that I can't find any information of apart from the screenshots.  I'd think it was just pixel art if the caption didn't say that they were spending time 'coding this game.'  

I really like the backgrounds, lots of cool layering.  And if you follow the link to more screenshots, take note of the spider repelling down a web, ala Zelda II.  The company website has more info.  This is the company that produced Wizorb, and another game called mercenary kings that I haven't played. 

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Crossing Souls

This is another compelling game I found in an article from the Verge.    This game has animated cinemas in a cartoon style, kids on bikes, 1980s California.  Someone called this game:  'stand by me meets far cry 4.'   I'm not sure about the second half of that statement, but love the first!   I wonder if the Goonies wouldn't have been a more apt comparison.

I definitely have a sweet spot for the 'merry band of adventurer kids' genre.  In video games, Chrono Trigger is a great example, and of course Earthbound.  Strangely enough, this game is being produced by a Spanish Developer called Fourattic (because it is four guys in an attic)  And yet it is a nostalgia game about California in the 1980s.  I don't know how this game will play, but I really like the art and the concept. 

There are only 3 days left on their kickstarter, though they have reached their initial goal. I'm certainly intrigued by this game, and I encourage everyone to give these kids money for that time machine they're building.   

MIDI Week Singles: "Temple Theme" - Zelda II (NES)

Title: Palace / Temple Theme
Game: Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
Developer: Nintendo
Release: 1987
Platform: NES/Famicom
Composer: Akito Nakatsuka 

I have payed tribute to Zelda II before on this blog-  Zelda II, the ignored stepchild of the Zelda series.  It was so formative, yet somehow not uniformly appreciated across the fandom.  For me, this game was an important part of my developing appreciation for the medium.  This was a game embraced by older members of my family, that validation resonating with me as oriented myself toward my future identity as #1 video game player in my home.

In my many hours I've played of Zelda II, I have heard the Palace theme rotate through countless times.  This song is something like one of those big singles from your childhood that triggers memories.  Songs like 'Born to Run' or 'Changes' or 'Back on the Chain Gang.'  But really, the Zelda II Palace theme is more like that particular Christmas recording my Mom always played.  The difference is the circumstances.  It is far less likely for me to run into Zelda II dungeon theme throughout my life.  I've heard those Top 40 Rock singles from my childhood a bunch of times in the intervening years.  But a lot of these video game singles not so much.  They were played on repeat for a period in my childhood, and then rarely revisited.  And then only by choice.  They weren't piped in at the mall or the bar.

I love this song.  I always think of going deep and deeper into a dungeon and not being sure if I'll make it out.  As I imagine the song- even without playing the file on my computer, I can hear different sound effects from the game:  The high-pitched, wobbly sound of Links blade striking something it can't hurt: a brick wall or the shield of an Iron Knuckle.  The low grinding sound of the Palace elevator, or the satisfying crunch of an enemy being destroyed, followed by the happy little trill of an item appearing.

-D

Themes of Final Fantasy

This post is essentially a response to Jaconian's inaugural Midi Week Singles post on the 'main theme' from Final Fantasy.  I got to thinking that the Final Fantasy series has more than enough content to pay tribute to, and I have more than enough thoughts and warm fuzzies to generate another post.  

When listening to the posted theme, two ideas entered my mind.  The first being:  wow, the tones are actually pretty grating.  While the melody is appealing, the actual sounds kind of hurt my ears.  I think perhaps the NES soundchip is better suited for quick, action themes, than for sustained notes.  That said, the theme to Mega Man 3 is one of my favorite nes songs. 

My second thought was that this is not the only song competing for the title of 'Final Fantasy Theme.'  There's also the song from the opening credits of Final Fantasy 2 (IV) and the select screen of FF3 (VI) and the opening theme of FFVII.  And that's the song I want to showcase today.   I took a minute to listen to versions of the song from the above listed games, and I realized that my favorite is definitely that from FFVI.  Take a minute, if you care to, to listen to one rotation from each of these games.  

This is the game that started a new tradition in Final Fantasy games.  At least for American gamers.  I haven't checked in with the Soundtracks to the Japanese sequels.  I'll save that for another day.  Or, you're welcome to check it out on your own.  Youtube is free, afterall.  

Here the song is called "Final Fantasy 3 Prelude."  I just love that MIDI flute!  Of course, I appreciate that FFIV introduced the song and FFVII introduced a much finer music processor.  But that little... what do you call it- grace note?  -On the flute in the FFVI theme really brings it home for me.  

Finally, FFVII, probably the most hotly anticipated Final Fantasy title for me.  By this point I was intimately familiar with the US releases of the series and knew what to expect.  I thought the designers do a good job drawing me into the game with this intro.  

Other points of note:  

FFVI does not use the 'Prelude' theme during the title sequence.  Instead, it has it's own awesome cinematic intro with haunting trailing piano.  The title theme doesn't show up until the game select screen.

FFVII was basically the *last* Final Fantasy for me. I didn't play 8 until nearly a decade later, and by that time, several other Final Fantasy games had been released.  I had completely lost touch with the series.  But the period between the release of IV(91), VI(94) and VII (97), I waited with baited breath for each game.  More than any other series, perhaps.  (Zelda and Mario being high level competitors.  )

The Final Fantasy Main Theme from Jaconian's post is probably the more iconic theme, akin to the Zelda or Mario main themes.  However, it is harder to find, peppered across the series at key moments.  Incidentally, the Final Fantasy VI version is also my favorite, because of the drums. But boy, they made you wait for it in that game!  

Watching these videos and listening to these songs has really brought me some wonderful nostalgia.  Warm Fuzzies! Everywhere!  I want to play these games again!  Or... maybe just visit them.  Videos and music do a pretty good job of that.  

-D


P.S. many thanks to Jaconian for inspiring this post.  I hope I didn't step on any of your ideas. Also thanks to coffee for providing the necessary manic energy.  

P.P.S.  This post comes on a Thursday.  Due do a changing work Schedule, Thursdays may be a more frequent posting day for me.