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thisbassslaps · 3 years ago

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My Favorite Video Game Levels

Here are five video game levels/areas that are memorable to me. The music, creative design, unique atmosphere and intrinsic value are all decisive factors that led to my ultimate choices.

5. Great Deer Yard Hotel

Deadly Premonition: The Director's Cut - (2013)

The Great Deer Yard Hotel is filled with interesting facts about Greenvale and its historical hotel. If you enjoy game aesthetics, you will love Deadly Premonition. All of the main locations (e.g. the Hotel, A&G Diner, Sheriff's Dept, Galaxy of Terror and Muses Gallery) are carefully decorated and should be explored at a slow pace. The Great Hotel was the point in-game where I was wholeheartedly pulled into SWERY's mysterious world. The nods to Lynch and Kubrick in the hotel were pleasing, especially the picture of Snoqualmie Falls in York's hotel room. While inspecting each room, hallway, piece of art and furniture, I enjoyed reading about specific objects and finding a few easter eggs here and there. The meeting with Polly for breakfast is my favorite cutscene. The ridiculously long dining table and the nonchalant behavior/deadpan conversation is hilarious and charming. And...what better way to finish an early morning meal than with a hot, fresh cup of coffee?!

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4. Ice Cavern

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D - (2011)

Recently, I have noticed that I enjoy the colder seasons a lot more than the warmer ones. For whatever reason, winter levels intrigue and comfort me (Ando Prime in Star Wars Ep. I Racer, Mountain Village in Majora's Mask). The Ice Cavern is my favorite winter level and one of my favorite game areas of all time. The ice cold soundtrack is what really stands out for me. The shimmering keyboard bells and gusts of wind offer the sensation of arctic serenity. Besides getting the Iron Boots, there isn't much of a need to spend too much time in this mini-dungeon, but I really enjoyed the serendipitous atmosphere and the puzzles that were a part of it. I loved the sliding block puzzle and the incorporation of the Blue Fire. I was in awe of the final room, where you meet with Sheik in order to learn the "Serenade of Water". As the serenade plays, the camera angles sweep to show the stars on the ceiling and also reveal the glistening icicles that surround you. I love the sense of peace and beauty that is offered in this area.

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3. School II

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 - (2000)

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 was one of the funnest games to play as a kid. Each new game release seemed to get better and better in some way (up until Project 8). I have some fond memories of Tony Hawk's 1-4. I primarily chose School II to take the number three spot due to the overwhelming sense of nostalgia that I feel for the level. Oftentimes, this was my "free skate" level of choice. Its career goals were nicely implemented/spread out and the secret areas were fun to engage with. In free skate, School II was a fun choice because I could spend a solid amount of time at a specific quadrant in the level, perform more "realistic" tricks (maybe a kickflip back-smith or kickflip back-lip), then move somewhere else and have just as good of a time (the Roll Call Rails and planter ledges were always a blast). It was also cool to skate a few famous skate spots within the level. These spots included the Leap of Faith, the Gonz Rail and the Carlsbad Gap. Watch out for that golf cart! Beep beep, "skate or die, dude"!

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2. Clock Town

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D - (2015)

If I could live in a video game world, I would choose to reside in Clock Town. It is a quaint, vibrant, entertaining and cordial place to live. During my first playthrough, I noticed that there is always some "goings-on" in Clock Town. I had fun walking through each building and engaging with the townsfolk. Everyone has their strict schedule, with certain tasks that Link can observe or investigate. I enjoyed following the Postman and Kafei during their daily routines. In addition to the incredibly personalized NPCs, the attention to color and set design are impressive. The Stock Pot Inn seems like a wonderful place to stay. Granny's (Anju's Grandmother's) room is beautifully decorated and the Mayor's Residence in East Clock Town is filled with endearing character. For me, the curved marketplace in West Clock Town is the most memorable area. I've had vivid dreams that take place in something similar to this bazaar strip. The Astral Observatory is one of my favorite locations as well (if it counts as a landmark in Clock Town). What I love about Clock Town, and Majora's Mask in general, is that it has an incredible fall carnival, harvest season atmosphere. There are many games that pull from traditional Halloween themes. In my opinion, MM has more of a unique autumn, crisp air, comfortably spooky art-style. If I were to be a Clock Town resident, I would prefer to be a pumpkin farmer...or a corn grower...and...I'd sell my crops before the moon drops!

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1. Angry Aztec

Donkey Kong 64 - (1999)

There is something special about the developer Rare's game design. Banjo Kazooie, Donkey Kong 64 and Conker's Bad Fur Day all have distinctive graphics, campy storylines and collectathon-driven gameplay. In regards to DK64's levels, all of them are quite memorable. Fungi Forest's day and night cycles offer an innovative twist, Gloomy Galleon is an entertaining 3D water level, and Jungle Japes is a great beginner level. When compared to Jungle Japes, Angry Aztec slightly increases the difficulty, offering more challenging puzzles, platforming and enemies. Angry Aztec takes the crown because I felt completely engrossed in the game environment. The copious amount of tasks had me on my toes for hours on end. There were two Kongs to unlock—Tiny Kong and Lanky Kong. There was also a giant dragonfly boss to defeat. The act of forward thinking was firing on all cylinders and the childish fear of being defeated was raised at a fairly high level. Diddy Kong was my favorite character, and I thought that his jetpack challenges were the coolest thing ever. The additional temples were also exciting and filled with creative content. The Arabian-inspired "Angry Aztec" music track, composed by Grant Kirkhope, is absolutely phenomenal and one that I think about and listen to in present times. As a kid, I would often daydream about DK64. During recess, I would talk to one or two of my friends about boss battle strategies, or go over ways in which to progress through a certain level. My friends and I loved this game, which makes it very special in retrospect. Thanks to Grant Kirkhope's spectacular soundtrack and Rare's love and care for the Donkey Kong franchise, I have become a lifelong Donkey Kong 64 fan.

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#picsandgifsarefromgoogleandyoutube #deadly premonition #great deer yard hotel #the legend of zelda #ocarina of time #ice cavern #tony hawk's pro skater 2 #school ii #zelda #majora's mask #clock town #donkey kong 64 #angry aztec #favorite levels #Youtube

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subjectsix · 4 years ago

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7, 8, 16, and 17 for the video games asks please?

7: A game you’ll never forget?

POKEMON MYSTERY DUNGEON EXPLORERS OF TIME/DARKNESS/SKY

little kip was up at 3am on a school night wide eyed and crying tears of Every Emotion over that game. like. jeez louis. i adore this game/these games.

8: Best soundtrack?

since I just talked about PMD I’ll leave it out, but it has an AMAZING soundtrack. Honestly, OSTs make up a massive chunk of my music library, so I could put many here, but I’m gonna put an obscure one!

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“Kip, Robots?” YES ROBOTS. This GBA soundtrack is incredible? It absolutely had a hand in shaping my tastes. The atmosphere. The vibes. Unmatched. I want more of this. Begging people to listen to this. Recommended tracks: (all of them) Outmode Area, Jack Hammer, Aunt Fanny's Gallery, and High Speed Transit!

Also Pigstep from Minecraft slaps. Siri send tweet.

16: Character you’ve hated most? From what game?

Recently Hartman from Control and Alan Wake received the brunt of my hate, but overall??? Hmm....

17: What game do you never tell people you play?

OOOO!!!! I mean, not never, but I hardly ever talk about the fact that I play Project Diva?

Hello! I play Project Diva!

It sits right next to Hitman in my library, which is amazing and perfect.

There’s also some cabinets I enjoy at arcades, but nobody ever asks abt arcade cabinets, so I guess that’s another? Not intentional, again, but ksjdfhkjsdfh I like to think I’m pretty decent at Ms Pacman. I’m NOT good at it, but I enjoy Mappy a lot!

Video game asks!

#thank you!!! ;u;#ask game #coffee talks #viridianstarlight

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vespiiqueen · 4 years ago

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List 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the ask box of the last 10 people who reblogged something from you (if you want !! 💛💖)

Wow I rambled a lot with this but i can't add cuts bc I'm on mobile rn DHSISHSJ sorry :"))))

1. Ik Ik "haha how cringe are you" of me to say, but honestly? Homestuck. Homestuck helped me in a time of need and when i so desperately wanted something to latch onto. Finally, I caved into my friends telling me to read it-- and it's been a blast!! The epilogues / hs^2 make me feel kinda sad though, because so much of what I loved about the original was yeeted through the nine circles of hell and into the trash. I love Y/ffany's (I call her Yippi tho) design, the art is really pretty at times, Harry is a major dork, I LIVE for seeing Vrissy bc honestly?? Her design is 10/10, very early 2000s emo style and I also live for that. Tavros is cute and a nerd and I think that's swell!

But in terms of story and how any of this happens, it makes me sad to see it happen. If Vriska could return as Vrissy, why not OTHER beta trolls? Where's my Eridan fish man, writers?? Give me the boy or perish by my fury.

2. Also super "haha how cringe are you" but,,, murder cats (Warriors), esp the early 2005-2015 amvs and stuff. I remember watching Flightfootwarrior's "I Will Not Bow" Scourge amv for HOurs and having no clue what was happening, but all these edgy kitties were KITTIES! It's introduced me to a lot of music I still listen to to this very day (Imagine Dragons, Young/the entirety of Hollywood Undead, Breaking Benjamin). And yknow what?? This new arc is absolute chaos, but in the good way.

I'm an "OG Fan". I prefer the first arc, The Prophecies Begin, to almost any of the other arcs. I just could never get into the other arcs-- not to say I haven't read them, I HAVE and the Fire Scene was probably one of my favorite moments beside grumpy Jaypaw, god complex Lionblaze, and fear the gods Hollypaw. I thought the build-up for it was SUPER satisfying. Gray Wing is my baby and I fully embellish in the Gray Wing is Silverpelt theory.

This new arc is definitely something new for the universe. While I didn't read aVoS (but I may do that if i can find the files for it), and so I don't know the major events of it other than what I've seen M.A.P.'s (Multi-Animator Projects, for clarification,,, bc unfortunately that term is also something disgusting). There's fucking cat possession and all the Clans questioning their belief system, yo. Shit be on fire.

Also the Imposter is 100% Ashfur, that's canon now, yeah??? Also im sorry but fuck Root x Bristle that's the dumbest shit I have ever seen. Give me Root x Shadow or face the wrath of my dragon plushies.

RiverClan is my Clan and my gov assigned warrior name is Fireshell 🌟🌟

3. As much as I hate the author,,,,, Harry Potter. It's been a major part of my life for as long as I can remember. I can never really remember why, but I've always just loved it- the movies, the books, the extra little merch that would pop up in my local Walmart. Of course my favorite character is Draco Malfoy. I could go on and on and ON about how I think his character arc was SHIT and JKR didn't have the balls to make him a confident gay man that was always implied through the text (at least, my lesbian ass thought it was implied but i may just be projecting, idk). I could ramble about Draco for HOURS and what I think his character SHOULD have been and how his parents are horrible (more specifically, Lucius bc Narcissa [?] Actually showed a few good moments), and a child should never have to pay for their parents sins.

Oh noo, Draco's a villain because he's a victim of major abuse and peer pressure? He's a villain because a literal child can be horrible and they'll always always always stay as a horrible little fiend?? Fuck that. He's a child.

Unlike manchild grease pan Snape, who was a racist piece of shit and shouldn't have became a fucking school teacher but it's okay because he was ~~~in love~~~. No, fuck you, he was a creep. James Potter n Co may have been a little posh bitch to you, Snape, but that's no fucking excuse to continue to bluntly be a little cunt all the way into adulthood. You're an adult who flatly changed your PATRONUS to imitate Lily's. You have no excuse. And Harry went and named his child after you LIKE JESUS CHRIST, DID RON'S SISTER NOT HAVE A SAY IN THE NAMES TOO?????

I also fully adore the idea that Muggles can run into Hogwarts and their patronus can 100% be a made up, fantasy creature. Imagine you learn the patronus spell and suddenly fucking ARCEUS comes from your wand. Imagine learning the spell and CHTULU (i did not spell that right but im so tired) comes from your wand-- an entire ass fucking Lovecraftian, Eldrith horror is just the embodiment of you. What if it was a fucking Homestuck character like Vriska? How fucking METAL would that be?? Hskajssowjjsjs get on it fandom.

4. Hee hee very evident by my url but Pokemon is another major thing of mine. While vespiquen isn't my favorite (that title goes to Hydreigon), it is definitely up there!

I've ALWAYS enjoyed the idea of Pokemon. You run around, training up these fight monsters and collecting them. I remember playing my sister's Ruby version on her flip-up Gameboy. I couldn't even read but I ran around catching god only knows how many of the same pokemon wherever she was. Apparently, I had fought for hours in the same area and leveled her Blaziken up to lvl 50 something and left her lvl 30s in the dust LMAO.

I got my first game when it was Pearl/Diamond. It was Pearl, and it still holds a very fond place in my heart. I could barely read, I could barely write-- I had named my Turtwig something along the lines of "MmorpHy" and my player boy "ZbsibJ". Yes I remember the names slightly. I really didn't get far-- I barely got to the first gym but I was just so happy to play it.

I eventually lost the game, as a 5 year old would do, but I can still vividly remember what was happening when the game arrived. I had just came back from the dentist and was quite tired from fighting the dentist bc I was super scared. Mom suddenly handed me a box and said it was mine-- my overseas (at that time) dad had bought me Pearl and my sister Diamond, because I lost my shit about it when he visited one time.

Well, tdlr, I played it for about five minutes while struggling to stay awake against the loopy gas they made me take. I fell asleep listening to Twinleaf Town's soundtrack. Every time I play a rom of Pearl and I get to where the player's house fades in and I hear that first tune of the song, I get a huge smile on my face and cry-- as.. Weird as it sounds.

A few years later, I had gotten Pokemon Black bc I liked Reshiram on the cover. Now, this one I could actually READ when playing, but I don't remember a lot of things about it. I probably lost this one too, as a 8/9 year old would do. I DO remember, I chose Snivy and my sister chose Tepig (hrmm there's a theme here of grass/fire goin on......) and vibing to the music. I was so amazed by the sprites moving, I just kept getting into encounters to see the sprites move (oh boy, no one tell younger 7-9 y/o me about Zelda......oh wait....)

Playing Pokemon NOW, as a 17 year old """gifted""" chick, I stil have very fond memories. I recently beat Pokemon Black again and GOD the OTS SLAPS. I fucking adore the soundtrack-- the track that plays when you battle a trainer, the low health dings being turned into a legit song that also slaps, the battle! gym leader themes-- and oh my gOd, the legendary theme is amazing? It really tells you just how glorious these pokemon are supposed to be. It's not intimidating like Groudon/Kyroge/Rayquaza's themes. It's not action packed like Palkia/Dialga's is, it's not filled with tension like Giratina/Arceus's is-- but it radiates the GLORY that the beasts portray. And I live for that. (Also, Kyurem's version is my favorite because it glitches in the beginning and that's rly cool)

P/D/P and BW/BW2's stories, imo, are some of the greatest ones. Yeahhh, US/USUM's is cool and I haven't played XY nor SwSh-- but the ones I can find memorable are PDP and BW/BW2. I love N. I love Barry. They're my sons. Ghetsis is fucking terrifying, Cyrus needs a hug. Giratina scared the piss out of me when I was younger, which was NOT helped by Giratina and The Sky Warrior.

I think my favorite movies are the gen 4 ones. The Rise of Darkrai having a tear-jerking theme for such a mysterious pokemon (i still tear up when i hear Ocarion), Giratina being spiteful is a mood and Shaymin was cute, Arceus being angry is also a mood. Yeah, Pokemon 4Ever made me cry my eyes out over Celebi, Mewtwo Returns made me again cry because Mewtwo accepting who he is, I remember how vastly different the BW movies are-

I just. I have a lot of memories with the series, even if Gamefreak and Nintendo kinda do the series dirty a lot (your top-grossing thing and you made That monstrosity for the Switch? How dare you.). It's comforting to be stressed and pull up my roms for the games and to play them. Mystery Dungeon is incredibly fun to play, Pokemon Ranger is really fun with the concept (Shadows of Almia continues to kick my ass to this very day and FUCK the Jungle Relic, I hate the Water Challenge fucking gyarados bullshit). I remember the pokemon I got for MD (I got Time, my sis got Darkness) was Mudkip, if that is any help.

I love my little fictional pixel monsters.

5. Yup, someone told tiny 7-9 y/o me about console games. The legend of Zelda. My first Zelda game was Twilight Princess on the Wii and BOY did I play the fucking SHIT out of that game.

Honestly, looking back and looking at playthroughs now-- I still love TP. Twilight Princess is still one of my top favorite Zelda games-- yes, even after playing OoT, Majora's Mask, Wind Waker, Skyward Sword, the anniversary four swords edition for the DS where you could play by yourself (Nintendo pls bring that back, I don't have friends to play it with ;-;), Phantom Hourglass- ect.

Something about Twilight Princess grabbed me by the head and yeeted me into the world. I can remember playing it for hours with little to no breaks. I, a tiny 9 y/o, had gotten the hang of the controllers and managed to get past the tutorial quite easily. And then, I was launched into the game and I wasn't stopping for NOTHING. Mom and Dad would have to force me to save and get off to go and eat dinner. THAT sucked.

I had done everything on my own up until the first temple, the forest temple. Not where/when you saved the dumb kid, but when you were saving the spirit's light. Theeeeeeennn I got stuck on the fucking Forest Temple for deadass six months straight. I'd play for hours, running around in circles, unable to figure out where to go, and because I didn't grasp the temple's purpose of being that way- I'd get angry and get off. It wasn't until dad looked up a walkthrough and talked me through what I was supposed to do that I learned how to get through temples.

I had gotten to the last little fight with Ganondorf before the Wii broke and i could no longer play. Despite the Wii being broke and we got rid of it, I was ADAMANT on keeping the game, and I kept that game for YEARS. It was an original copy out of a sealed box, and I eventually lost it when I left it accidentally at my now ex-friend's house.

She had a Wii and I went "hey I have a Wii game!" And I brought my Zelda over. Worst fucking choice of my goddamn life. Mom called me to come home and said I couldn't sleep over like the original plan was, and that was it. My ex-friend stashed my Zelda and I never saw it again. And, even if I wanted to-- I couldn't get it back, which makes me upset. We had a BAD falling out. She likely doesn't even remember it's there, or sold it to the local game junkie kid who buys ALL games.

But I still love the game. Midna was amazing, and I loved how snarky she was and she has a very cute design! The game's OST is fucking phenomenal. Midna's Desperate Hour makes me cry bc goddamn it really sells how serious that situation is. I love Hyrule Field's theme in this game. I love the Twilight Realm's song. Zant was fucking hilariously scary. Ganondorf's design in this game scared the piss out of me when I was younger.

Midna and this game's Link and Zelda are def my favorites. Yeah yeah, Sheik is cool and all I Guess but dhsushwishs Midna holds the special place in my heart. She was totally my gay awakening BUT

For other game antagonists, I adore Ghirahim-- let's go you funky little queer-coded villain. Skull Kid was great, I love the entire dynamic of him. Prankster lost soul stumbles upon Majora's Mask and the mask makes him act out due to powers-- which, I actually took very heavy inspiration from for one of my OCs. The moon falling to Hyrule was a fucking terrifying looming threat.

But the game series holds a place, and I've yet to be able to play BoTW-- although, I'm fairly certain I'll like it. The playthroughs I've watched of it are all fairly decent! I just. Gotta save up enough money to buy it haha.

Dang guess I gotta go watch a Twilight Princess playthrough again.

Honorable Mentions:

Avatar: the Last Airbender, specifically Book 3

my OCs definitely make me happy, they're my children and I'd ramble A LOT longer if given the chance WHEEZE

My friends, but I didn't add them here bc it's more fictional stuff, I presume

Baking. I love to bake cupcakes.

Painting is fun. I'm an artist and goddammit im going to use painting as an excuse to make a mess.

Fire. I rly like fire, down to a pyromaniac level. However, i hate the fires that happened to my home town, the Great Smokey Fires of 2016-- THAT pissed me off. How dare you burn mountain landscapes to the ground. Perish.

History. I'm a history nerd.

I'm also a science nerd.

But fuck math, I cannot comprehend math to save my life.

For some reason, I rly like learning how the human body works??? like did you know, organs are actually sticky when touched by a bare hand?? Did you?? How fucking cool is that.

Bakugan. I love Bakugan, esp the DS game. I love my Darkus Leonidas. Give me back the online world, you peasants-- I want my Darkus Dragonoid. (Also fuck all my friends from when I was in kindergarten- my theory that Alice was Masquerade was somewhat correct.)

#admin ace #admin ace speaks #communistvriska #inbox tag #homestuck #warrior cats #harry potter #pokemon #legend of zelda

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elpisofhope · 5 years ago

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Tagged by @disbander-of-armies, thanks my dude! :D

Are you staying home from work/school?

Nah, I’m considered essential at the store I work at. So I’m working every weekday for at least 6 hours in the morning. Kinda wish I was not working as much though.

If you are staying home, who is with you?

Me, and my mom and dad.

Are you a homebody?

OH YEAH, I’d really not be working rn but I guess it’s better than nothing

An event that you were looking forward to that got cancelled?

Nothing yet so far but I’m really hoping my trip to Los Angeles isn’t gonna be called off this summer.

What movies have you watched recently?

Uhhhhhh I don’t watch a lot of stuff or movies anymore. Last movie I saw was Onward in theaters. Kinda sorry about that tbh. :/

What music are you listening to?

Soundtracks and stuff in my likes on YouTube music. They recently uploaded the entire Danganronpa soundtrack on there and I’m HYPE.

What are you reading?

I’m reading up on life in Ancient Greece. From what they wear to what they garden. Essential stuff for when I get to writing The Utopia Project.

What are you doing for self care?

Playing Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Rescue Team DX and drawing lots for TUP. Also trying to keep up with my ask blog.

I’m gonna tag @whozitsandwhatzits, @likepetra, and @inchoatewaffle. And viewers like you. :U

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sillyfudgemonkeys · 6 years ago

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his week, Famitsu has some of the first coverage of Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth. That includes an interview with Daisuke Kanada, who directed the last game and is producer on this title.

During the interview, Kanada spoke about how Persona Q2 came to be, the music, characters, story, and the decision to include the protagonist of Persona 3 Portable. You can read our translation of the discussion below.

Denser, Livelier, and Easier to Play: PQ2!

To kick things off, why don’t we discuss a little about how PQ2 came to be?

Kanada: When the previous game was released, I was able to garner a great deal of feedback from it, thankfully. I was really happy that people enjoyed the crossover between Persona 3 and Persona 4, the chibi-style characters, and the Persona-esque mechanics and story. PQ2’s development began relatively soon after Persona 5’s development had ended; since characters from both Persona 3 and 4 appeared in the last Persona Q game, I had basically decided from the very beginning that I wanted the full Persona 5 cast to appear in the next game. On the other hand, though, a lot of players said the “horror-like” atmosphere came from the amount of difficulty spikes – and I will admit, the dungeons might have had level thresholds that were too high. This time around, though, I can assure you that we spent a great deal of time making sure that you can play through to the end of the game easily and comfortably.

All-in-all this game boasts around 28 playable characters – I suppose that’s good news to people who are already wondering what their party composition is going to look like!

Kanada: I think so, anyway. (laughs) I’ll go more into the specifics of the battle system at a later date, but for now, know that the “Sub-Persona” mechanic from the previous game is returning. Having a Sub-Persona in addition to your characters’ main Personas brings a lot of variation to the game’s battles, so the player should freely be able to switch characters in and out of their party to create all kinds of party combinations. Since the story is mainly centered on the cast of Persona 5 this time, battles will start out using the battle BGM from that game. As you gather party members from Persona 3 and 4, however, the BGM will start cycling through the battle BGM from those games as well. The player can choose to have the battle BGM be random, or they can choose to have their favorite theme play! (1)

Who is the game’s composer?

Kanada: That would be Kitajoh-san (Atsushi Kitajoh, from Atlus Sound Team), who worked on the original Persona Q. He’s made a lot of cool songs for this game, too, believe me. When working on the game’s sound design, the central keywords were “Retro,” “Pop,” and “Kitsch” (2) – we felt that the soundtrack needed some kind of flavor, though. That’s when I went to Kitajoh- san and proposed working with a “Big Band” kind of sound; he was on board with it! Not all of the soundtrack is like that, of course; the opening theme and the like, however, definitely have a fun and exciting feel to them, all while maintaining a mature and sophisticated atmosphere. The artists responsible for the series’ vocals are coming back in full-force*3, too, so the soundtrack will definitely be worth listening to!

Keeping the Main Series Close and Persona Q Closer

So, you’d say that the cast of Persona 5 is the linchpin for this game’s plot?

Kanada: Yes, but I want to go into that a little more. In this game, there’s no mechanic similar to the last game in which you chose between the Persona 3 characters’ story or the Persona 4 characters’ story at the beginning of the game. In the previous game, we had to make the scenario “versatile” so as to avoid story discrepancies between the two routes. By just focusing on the Phantom Thieves’ exploits in this game, I was able to focus on the bonds between the Persona users and refine the story as a whole to make it feel more complete. More so than the previous game, the player’s encounters with other characters are deeply tied to the story’s progression – I think it has turned out to be quite fascinating, so I hope you’re all looking forward to it!

What kind of things do you think will appeal to longtime fans of the series most?

Kanada: All things considered, I think it’ll definitely be the interactions between the characters. For instance, there could be a battle of wits between the two Detective Princes, a bond between the quick to resort to fisticuffs Ryuji and Kanji; Chie and Makoto could bond over their mutual interest in self-defense… You can even meet Akihiko from Persona 3! The list goes on and on… Either way, I’m sure you’ll have a great time interacting with them all; since this kind of crossover is a hallmark of the Persona Q series, we spent a lot of time fine-tuning it all.

While we’re talking about the characters, it was a big surprise to see the female protagonist from Persona 3 Portable!

Kanada: Although some people might have already guessed from the images on the game’s official site, rather than choosing between a male or female protagonist at the beginning of the game, both will be present! We felt a strong sense of support for the female protagonist for quite a while, so we felt that if we were to have her appear we’d have to deal with her very carefully. In P3P, the content of the Social Links and similar elements changed based on the protagonist’s gender; because something like that isn’t realistically implementable in the Persona Q games, we felt the choice wasn’t necessary. Rather, we were thinking that it’ll be more of a crossover story where both protagonists will hold their own as characters. I can’t really elaborate any more on that since it’s a pretty important part of the story, but I can say that it’s a pretty big highlight that’s unique to this game.

Can you tell us about Hikari, Nagi, and Doe, the characters that are debuting in this game?

Kanada: While the original characters in the previous game stood alongside you in battle, this game’s characters are more involved with the story. It’s hard to say much else about them at this stage…

I see… That means they must be important! When it comes to the story, will players be able to enjoy this game if they haven’t played the previous one?

Kanda: Yes! The game’s story is completely standalone, so if you’re fond of the characters from Persona 5 or have yet to play the game and are interested because of the anime, this game is for you, too! As development draws to a close, the staff is currently working on refining the game’s mechanics, so we’re all hoping that you’re looking forward to it!

Notes:

*1 – You can increase the variety of songs that play as battle BGM by 9 songs (from Persona 3, 4, and 5) as a pre-order bonus and later as DLC. For more information, visit the game’s official site at http://pq2.jp/

*2 – The word “Kitsch” in German refers to things that are an imitation, a sham, or worldly. This game uses it in the sense that Japanese fashion does, meaning colorful or original.

*3 – The artists mentioned here are as follows:

Lyn – Persona 5

Shihoko Hirata – Persona 4

Lotus Juice feat. Yumi Kawamura – Persona 3

As a bonus, below are a few character profiles:

Hikari (voiced by Misato Fukuen): A girl residing within the movie theater that the Phantom Thieves have gotten lost in. She isn’t so great with strangers, and usually has her head down, so leaving Nagi’s side would be next to impossible for her!

Nagi (voiced by Kikuko Inoue): Imprisoned together with Hikari, she serves as the movie theater’s manager. She’s equally confused as to what exactly is going on.

Doe (voiced by ???): A strange creature residing in the projection room; he puts on movies for Hikari and Nagi, but his intentions are a complete mystery. He can’t speak, but he jiggles when you touch him.

Read

(Guys, Doe jiggles. He’s perfect! ;w;)

#persona q2 #persona 5 #persona 4 #persona 3 #persona 3 portable #pq2 #If he’s a bad guy he’s the only one that’s allowed to be stan’d

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bunnyinatree · 6 years ago

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Tagging Meme

Rules: Answer 21 questions then tag 21 people who you want to get to know better

I was tagged by @aroacevaljean! (This is so exciting, thank youuu!!)

1. Nickname: I like advertising my name as Rose online, even though it’s my middle name, because I still have the fear of Internet stranger danger instilled in me from elementary school, and it feels much safer than using my first name. (Though maybe I can be a little bit bolder and ask people to call me Cam, instead!)

2. Zodiac: Taurus sun, Aries moon, and Libra rising!

3. Height: 5′3″

4. Last movie I watched: Song of the Sea (Unsurprisingly, I cried.)

5. Last thing I googled: “vituperative definition” (Spoiler alert: It means “bitter and abusive”!)

6. Favorite musician: My two favorite bands are Death Cab for Cutie (big nostalgia from my high school days) and Blind Pilot (the band I most recently discovered and fell in love with)!

7. Song stuck in my head: "Waterloo” by ABBA. (My internal soundtrack been cycling pretty nicely for the past couple days, but this was the last song that pestered me so obnoxiously, I had to listen to it on repeat.)

8. Other blogs: I have a sideblog dedicated to Pokemon Mystery Dungeon!! :D Usually, I let all my interests merge into a single blog (this one!!), but for tagging purposes, I decided to separate PMD from this blog--because if I want to see my darling leaf gecko, not just any Grovyle in my Grovyle tag will do. ;)

9. Do I get asks: Every so often. :)

10. Blogs following: 860

11. Amount of sleep: I tend to shoot for about 8 hours, if I can!

12. Lucky number: 73--and 11, to a lesser extent.

13. What I’m wearing: Floral pajama bottoms, a t-shirt, and a hoodie!

14. Dream job: Children’s / YA librarian! I would love to just Be Amongst the Books. And also, organizing fun programs for grade schoolers sounds amazing!! Coordinating Percy Jackson-themed parties and managing book clubs? Sign me the heck up!

15. Dream trip: Right now, my dream trip is going to New York to see Hadestown perform on Broadway--fingers crossed!

16. Favorite food: In general: breakfast food. More specifically: pancakes.

17. Play any instruments: I’m an amateur piano and ukulele player! (I like the term amateur not becuase I don’t want to talk up my skills because music is really something I do just because I love it!)

18. Languages: In order of fluency: English, French, and Italian.

19. Favorite songs: There are wayyyy too many songs I love--specifically from musicals--but I DO have a favorite non-musical album, and that is Blind Pilot’s 3 Rounds and a Sound. It gets me into the ultimate ready-to-complete-a-sewing-project, zen mode.

20. Random Fact: I have a small, red panda plushie, whom I got soon after successfully reading Les Mis. I decided to name them Jean--initially after Jean Prouvaire, because I was ecstatic about popular nonbinary depictions of them--but my mom insisted Jean must be for Jean Valjean (probably because that’s the only character she knew). But she must have known my heart better than I did back then, because now Jean Valjean’s place as my favorite character is so cemented in place and I cannot imagine ever being reticent to naming a stuffed animal after him.

21: Describe yourself as aesthetic things: Chamomile tea, banana-nutella crêpes, and cosmos (both the flowers and the stellar body).

I tag: @heeho, @coco-chip, @yuissamidare, @hurrchan, @marshthebogwitch, @thegrandmarsh, @raffaelllllo, @josephzeppeli, @munchllax, @it-started-to-rain if you’d like! C: And honestly, I want to spread the love as much as possible, so if anyone else wants to answer these, you can totally say I tagged you! <3

#i know when i saw this post i was already imagining my own answers so i was soooo happy when i saw i was tagged :D #this gave me the perfect reprieve after finishing my homework for the night <3 #and now i sleep #thanks again!!! <3 <3 <3 #bunny babbles #about me #long post

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somniel · 3 years ago

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Anyways I'm making a better video game playlist since the Spotify employee who was put in charge of making it has only played AAA Sony titles and Celeste

The games I have soundtracks are under the cut but feel free to suggest albums or songs I may have missed! Only stipulations are the song should be around 90 seconds or longer (no maximum). Doesn't have to be on the actual OST so it can be a remix or cover of an original song in the game instead, so even if it's not on Spotify doesn't hurt to suggest as long as it's fun to listen to outside the context of the game

Games in playlist:

Ape Escape (1, 3)

Bayonetta

Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg

The Binding of Isaac

Bomberman Hero

Border Break

Bravely Default II

Cave Story

Celeste

Child of Light

Chrono Trigger

Crash Bandicoot N Sane Trilogy

Crypt of the Necro-Dancer

Cuphead: Don't Deal With the Devil

Danganronpa (DR, SDR2, NDRV3)

Dark Cloud

Donkey Kong Country 1 + 2

Donut County

Ducktales

Endless Ocean

Final Fantasy (VII Remake, X, X-2, XIII, XIII-2, XIV)

Fire Emblem (SD, 3H)

Flower

Genshin Impact

Hades

Halo 3

Hylics 2

It Takes Two

Jet Set Radio (1 + Future)

Journey

Katamari Dance With Me

Kingdom Hearts (1, 2)

Kirby and the Crystal Shards

The Legend of Zelda (LBW, OoT)

The Legend of Heroes: Sora No Kiseki Zanmai

Life is Strange

LittleBigPlanet (1 + 2)

Lovely Planet

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime

Mario Kart 7

Minit

Mirror's Edge

Monster Hunter

NieR: Automata

Night in the Woods

NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams

No Straight Roads

Ollie King

One Step From Eden

Ori and the Blind Forest

Persona (1, 4, 5)

Pokemon (HGSS, Mystery Dungeon)

Project DIVA

Redline

Sable

Sayonara Wild Hearts

Sonic (06, SA:DX, SA2:B, Heroes, R)

Space Channel 5

Spiritfarer

Splatoon

Spyro (1, 2, 3)

Super Mario 64

Super Mario Galaxy

Super Monkey Ball (Banana Mania)

Touhou (6, 7, probably more I can't keep track)

Tower of Heaven

Transistor

Undernight: In-Birth

Undertale

VA-11 Hall-A

Wattam

We Ski

#personal #also I don't mind licensed songs #I know i included project diva since it's specifically Vocaloid #but I'm generally not including games like Rock Band/Guitar Hero on the playlist hehe #that and songs under 90 seconds are the only ones I haven't been including #and lemme tell you #some composers really only enjoy taking 50 seconds at a time to go off lmao #Also I tried to find a good song in the Spyro: A New Beginning album #and I can succinctly say there is nothing about that game that isn't trash lmao #also mine is already 2.5x longer than the official one... :/

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cnox · 5 years ago

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Rowen for Distant Mirror Zine #1.* ROWEN is a project between Cristahel and Cantrith Knox. They play a subgenre of the dark ambient / dungeon synth movement they call Mythical Electronic. They have years of experience and also operate Hollow Myths in New England. I thank them for their contribution to the first issue of Distant Mirror. First, Rowen is a collaborative effort between Canrith and Cristahel Knox - do you have specialties which you like to focus on when creating (someone runs the drums and arrangement, someone finds the melodies)?

Eve, Thanx for the interview. We both play synths, drum machines and write together. As of now, when playing live, Criss handles the synths, vocal whisperings and I play the electronic drums. Along with our visuals, fog and lighting. We are introducing more vocals on some new songs. In the studio, we also add our field recordings and percussion as part of composing. We sit and mix each song side by side.

Tell us about your musical histories before forming Rowen, because its somewhat obvious you both have experience which maybe led to the result of what Rowen is on "Ashen Spirit"!

Both of us have electronic music in our past. Cristahel with Minimal Synth and I with Darkbeat. One of the first ideas we had for Rowen was to start all over. As part of the experiment, finding ourselves and each other through making music anew. See and hear our music become it's own entity. We started developing the concept in '14, in '16 we began recording and had our first release in '18. We set out with a clear vision of what we want to do with Rowen.

Also tell us how you discovered music and what your first true love in music was... How did you come to find music that would lead you to this underworld of music culture?

Canrith: I discovered music on a radio at age 3. First, second and third grade, I would stay up nights crashing on Ritalin (due to being diagnosed as Hyperactive) watching the first ever music videos on a UHF channel in Colorado called FMTV which predated MTV by a year or two. Laurie Anderson - O Superman, Kraftwerk, Barnes & Barnes - Fish Heads videos all had a great impact on me as a kid. During that time, late 70's - early 80's, I was hooked on the music and image of both Kiss and Devo. One of the first albums I owned was AC/DC - Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap on cassette that I purchased at K-Mart. Summer '81 NYC, I saw the first video air on MTV. Later, watching another UHF channel out of Boston called V66. Heavy Metal led me to the Black Metal and the dark electronic music underground. Dark Ambient and Dark Dungeon Music have always been a particular interest of mine. Mail order distro tapes and free box extras in orders started my collection as far back as the mid 90's. In the late 90's, I got really into BM, then obsessed in '03 onward, as many UGBM labels and distros were rising on the web. We are also into Minimal, Martial, Electro, Techno, New Beat, Cosmic, Italo, 8-bit, Video Game, Soundtrack, Old School Dungeon Synth, Winter Synth and so on...

Cristahel: My first exposure to music as a child was through my grandfather, who began teaching me to play classical piano by ear at the age of four. We would sit for countless hours at his black upright Steinway as he would play Chopin, Bach, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky etc. a few measures at a time for me to memorize and string together until I had the whole piece memorized. His love and enthusiasm for music, and the time he took to develop that in me, is something I will always be grateful for. Also my cousin Sue was a few years older than me and was like some kind of magical mixtape faerie, forever bestowing masterfully crafted gems upon me filled with things like Lush, Kate Bush, Cocteau Twins, and Mazzy Star that served to mold/blow my little mind.

By my late teens it was the late 90's/early 2000's and I was immersed in a maelstrom of kraut/prog, electro, early new wave and electronic/industrial, shoe gaze. I was fortunate at the time to have a lot of friends with varied tastes and massive record collections they wanted to share with me, because back then there was like, only Napster to try and download music off this nebulous internet thing they had just invented.

I spent a lot of time not doing my homework and dancing around my room on speed and/or klonopins listening to things like Tangerine Dream, Cluster, Miss Kittin & The Hacker, Dopplereffekt, Chris and Cosey, SPK, early Human League, Slowdive, Clan of Xymox... all of which in their own ways began to inform the atmosphere of the music I create now, warped and haunted meandering electronic melodies, analog synths, string machines and rhythm boxes, pounding 303s and 808s, tape echoes, analog delays, layered sounds lost in chasms of reverb...

I moved to NY and started making music, playing shows and djing a bit (mostly playing gabber techno synth new age sets at London squat parties to kids who wanted to hear nu rave), getting into minimal synth, and beginning my love affair with collecting and recording with analog equipment.

Of course now anything you want is available immediately online, compared to how the 80’s and 90’s crowd discovered music. I’ve asked the other artists a similar question - how do you feel about the loss of mystery these days and what will happen in the future to return to that?

I feel the ability for creating mystique is greater now thanx to the internet. Almost anyone can record some music, upload it to bandcamp, make artwork, physical releases, open an online shop, start a label, etc.. If one is good at what they do, be it a hidden persona or being a face, presenting a strong sound, image and aesthetic, either way, when done right, it works. In some ways even mystery can be a gimmick.

You both are lucky to have grown up in the best time period for music. But what about movies and books people should check out?

I collect children's books, read a mess of olde and new Black Metal zines, Books about Black and Death Metal. Sexy comics about Vampiress and Faeries. Presently reading The Devil's Cradle, a hard back about The Story of Finnish Black Metal. It was a gift from Criss. Everyone should read Lords of Chaos '98 (then '03) and Lucifer Rising '99. I still need a copy of that leather bound Mortiis - Secrets Of My Kingdom book '01.

As for films, we watch obscure horror, foreign horror and documentaries.

Here are some if you have not already read or watched them;

Read: Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs ('78) James and the Giant Peach ('61) Masquerade ('79) The World of the Dark Crystal ('82) The Book of Alien ('79) Moebius - The Collected Fantasies of Jean Giraud Series ('87 - '94) Flowers in the Attic - Dollanganger Series ('79 -'86) Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo ('78) William Klein: Films, 1958-99 ('99) Wreckers of Civilisation: The Story of Coum Transmissions & Throbbing Gristle ('99)

Watch: Christiane F. ('81) Out of The Blue ('80) Deadbeat at Dawn ('88) Combat Shock ('86) Street Trash ('87) Brain Damage ('88) Zardoz ('74) Excalibur ('81) Emerald Forest ('85) Wicker Man ('73)

If atmosphere seems to be a heavy orientation for your creative drive, is your local landscape an important part of this? or is it personal experiences driving the music towards such a dark and melancholy place? something about Rowen is both light and dark.

We live on a island North East New England and seldom see others. Most of our time is spent outside, alone with the wind, the trees, on the marsh, in the mist and rain, sea side mornings, hawks at dusk and in the woods every evening. Pretty, evil and sad is what we do. We are hoping folks will also consider us in the Nature Synth category.

New England must be a very interesting place to live... what is your favorite time of year there, and what is your favorite part of the landscape there?

We love the woods, day hikes, mountain tops, swimming holes, water falls, gorges and quarries. Small towns, old houses, fields, orchards, pumpkin patches, bonfires. Train tracks, trestles, towers, castles, monuments and graveyards. I was born in October so naturally I love the fall. Hallow's Eve and all into November. Leaves turn, death comes and things change. There is nothing like a cold moonlit night in the snow. I appreciate being where we can really experience all four seasons.

Also You are so fortunate to live on an island.. That’s amazing. It’s cliche to talk about misanthropy with dark music but is this the reason for being secluded? What do you feel is the best thing for people could do with themselves in (what is in my eyes the end of the world?)

We made the decision to come here for a time of research, get to know each other, talk about our dreams, foster our ideas. Focus on only that of which we love and gives us purpose. Live away from it all. If everyone did what was the most important to them, a different world this might be.

Rowen is listed among other trees in occult literature as a tree of magical powers... Is this the reason for using the name? Is there personal beliefs at play in Rowen?

As a band we have our own ideologies, as musicians, our own theories, as artists, our own creative processes and as members, a belief system. These are shared between us and are expressed through the music, words and imagery of Rowen.

The Greeks, Norse, Celts and Druids all told mythology of the properties and significance of this mystical tree. The Greek Goddess of youth who lost her magical chalice to the demons. An eagle was sent to retrieve it. From battle, it's blood splatter on the earth grew Rowan trees. It's leaves as feathers, it's berries, the blood. The Norse myth speaks of the tree from which woman was made. And man, from a mountain ash. Saved Thor in the underworld. Runes are burned on Rowan wood. In the British Isles they tell of the folkloric tree which protects against witchcraft. The red berries of fall make up the 5 points of the Pentagram. Goes also as the Goddess or Faerie tree. The Druids used the bark and berries to dye the garments worn during lunar ceremonies black. Rowan twigs were used for divining, particularly for metals.

I had no idea the importance of Rowen to ancient people. Yes, it is true that Norse belief teaches humans were originally trees before given life and awareness by Odin, Vili and Ve. Is there any interest for you both to express your philosophy on things in the music or is this an affair of escapism and pure magic.

"The Past is not Dead, it lives on in a Woeful Drift." We are connected to our roots, our family trees, where we came from, our heritage and lands. We could only hope that our music would offer an escape. Magic is the only way.

If you could live in any time period, what time period would you live in and what would you be doing?

Canrith: I feel lucky to have been a child of the 70's and we grew up in the 80's, 90's & 00's. We were there, I wouldn't change it. I would love to live in some medieval castle in the mountains, riding a black Clydesdale, wielding a mace, reeking havoc across the land.

Cristahel: Same as Canrith but on a white Clydesdale with a halberd.

What's the most important part of the creative process for Rowen - is there a certain revelry for using old mysterious pieces of synthesizers or do you enjoy the vast possibilities of computers? There's always the game of analog vs computer in the electronic scenes, what is your thoughts on this?

For us, again, the most important part of the process is the experiment. We use all analog synthesizers, drum machines and record live. Roland, Korg, Yamaha. Same goes for our stage show. We have used and are not opposed to using digital synths on recordings and live. Casio & Yamaha synths, Simmons drums. For instance, "In Another Dream, You Were Mine" from "Ashen Spirit" was made almost entirely on a Casiotone. We record and mix on a desk top home computer.

What are you both really enjoying listening to at the moment?

Listening to cult 80's video Game music on YouTube while answering these questions.

do you have any thoughts on where this rising momentum will lead as far as the dungeon synth genre is headed, and do you feel proud of your place in that? am i wrong in assuming you both also run Hollow Myths?

We are proud of our place in DS. Though we set out to make our own mythical electronic music. And think the genre is progressing as it should. We have been very active in the scene going on six years now this November. As supporters, label, distro and band. We are most appreciative of the support we have received. And from the Black Metal Underground. Our first demo was released on pro-tape by Personnel Records, a sub-label of Seedstock Records ran by Marco Del Rio of Raspberry Bulbs aka He Who Crushes Teeth of Bone Awl. We are finishing our second release that will be out on CD & Cassette this time.

Hollow Myths, the label and distro, is the work of us two. Releases, artwork, layouts, Photography, bios, press, promo, videos, zine, jewelry, leather work, patches, we also offer clothes that we call Cryptic Raiment for After Dark. Official Dungeon Synth, Dark Ambient, Black Metal, Hollow Myths* Shirts, Long Sleeves, Hoods, Record Bags, Altar Cloths...

Correct me if I’m wrong, but Hollow Myths has had to dig deep into the underground and re-release old gems, which is like reissuing from the archives.. many people don’t really appreciate that, can you tell us about what that’s been like and if anything else like that will ever happen?

Hollow Myths* have re-released limited special versions of cult classics in a row of how I first discovered them back when. Being also from Dallas, TX, Equitant - The Great Lands Of Minas Ithil (City Of Isildur) '94 was one the first tapes I owned of the genre (and our first release from H/M* on cassette) after I found a copy of the Mournlord - Reconquering Our Kingdom Demo from '95 (SE) for a $1 in a bargain bin. These strange and very limited cassette releases helped crystallize what Dark Dungeon Music was to me. Like hearing the Caduceus - Middle Ages Demo '95 (LT) for the first time or later with the Corvus Neblus - Chapter I & II - Strahd's Possession tapes from '99 / '01 (LV). Our second re-released offering was Equimanthorn - Entrance To The Ancient Flame on cassette, another Texas born Ritual Black Ambient project with both Equitant and Proscriptor of the Mythological Occult Metal band Absu as members. After which, we made a chain of very special limited re-releases from; Gothmog, Depressive Silence, Solanum, Lunar Womb, Cain, two from Aperion, Arthur as well as Xerión with more to come. At the same time, we have introduced many new Dungeon Synth artists, some with their follow ups; Isåedor, Wyver and Wizzard to name but a few. We began in '16 and have 43 releases to date. Some mentioned above will see second pressings in the near future.

What has been your favorite release to work on this past year and what sort of artists does Hollow Myths look for?

We focus on outsider music and art and put our blood, sweat and tears into every release. Since we are primarily a physical label and distro (Tapes, CD's, Vinyl, Merch, etc.), it has been interesting to curate and mix the last three Shadowlore Compilations.

Each run over 2 hours long and feature new and exclusive songs by legions of Dungeon Synth artists from around the world. Being Digital, we offer it for Free or name your price for those who want to add it to their collections. Corresponding J-card "tape trade" layout print outs are included in the download, so one can make their own 2x cassette version. To be shared with friends, to inspire tape trading, for more reach and exposure for the artists' projects. Shadowlore Four will be released this Summer Solstice.

Other releases from last year we are very proud of: Apeiron - Stardust / A Separate Reality. Cosmic / Dark Ambient / Black Metal from Austria. '95 & '97 and featuring a never before heard hidden track from '96 titled "Dimensional Chanting" exclusive only to this release. Xerión - O Espírito Da Fraga / O Trono de Breogán. Black Metal / Dark Ambient from Spain. The first two demos from '01 & '02 with 3 new songs recorded exclusively for this release including a Windir cover. Galician Mythology and Folklore. Wyver - Tragedies of Lost Village (Demo II). Dungeon Synth / Fantasy Music follow up. (PDX) Hypogeum - S/T. Introducing outsider, Raw Black Metal from the woods of Oregon. Wizzard - The Cauldron Descent. Cryptic Dungeon Synth follow up from Sweden. Morihaus - The Empty Marches. Eccentric Dark Ambient / Dungeon Synth debut from Kentucky.

Tell us about Rowen’s plans to start touring.

We just played our first show at the Northeast Dungeon Siege MMXIX festival. Now we are working on piecing together a tour that will begin this summer in the north east coast with the plan to then head down, across the south to California, up the west coast, pacific northwest and back across the north and through the mid-west to return late fall. We recently put the word out that we are up to perform anywhere, anytime and received an overwhelming response. If we can get on tour, stay on tour, get back to Europa without haste, we would be more than pleased.

The first two shows will be outdoor camping events. Mythical Electronic, Dungeon Synth, Black Metal, Acoustic Black Metal, Death Metal, Doom, Crust, Folk, Country, . . . Both are on private land, in the forest and BYOB. Bring a tent, water, food and supplies. Crossbows and throwing knives.

Rowen Seasons of the Savage at The Sonorous Glade June 22nd Topsham, VT w/ Haxen, Sombre Arcane, Fed Ash, Gorcrow, Melkor, Black Axe, Void Bringer, Acid Roach and Wild Leek River

Rowen Woods of Gallows II August 17th West Chazy, NY w/ T.O.M.B., Worthless, Sombre Arcane, Ordeals, Malacath, Lightcrusher, Hræsvelgr, Graveren and Callous

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some-generic-customer · 7 years ago

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Behind the development of Castlevania 64 OST

Content from the oficial Japanese Soundtrack book. Translation originally posted by “Toki the translator”

Original Game Soundtrack

1. Opening - “Mark of Blood” 2. Select 3. Prologue 4. Shudder 5. Intrusion 6. Watchtower 7. Annex - “Quiet Madness” 8. The villager 9. Rose 10. Maze garden 11. A secret coffin 12. Conflict 1 13. Underground Waterway - “Deep Green Trap” 14. Underground tunnel - “Invisible Sorrow” 15. Rose’s sorrow 16. Dungeon - Main Theme 17. Malus’ accident 18. Actrise 19. Sypha 20. Planetarium 21. Unexpected encounter 22. Battle tower 23. Science Tower 24. Execution tower 25. Sorcery Tower 26. Conflict 2 - “Prison World Randup” 27. Gear 28. Dark cloud stairs 29. Conflict 3 - “Dance of Illusions” 30. Short serenity 31. Escape from Castle Tower 32. Conflict 4 - “Dimensional Rhapsody” 33. Pale Gravestone - Carry GoodEnding 34. Oath and its shadow - BadEnding 35. Reunion - Schneider GoodEnding 36. staff roll

=Bonus tracks=

37。Melodies of CastleVania 38。Invisible Sorrow 39。A night in peace and quiet

=============================

When you are in charge of a new project in this popular series there is a unique pressure that there is no other place. In addition, it is a series with a story that started with Famicom (Disk System) MSX, Arcade, PC-Engine, Mega Drive, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, PlayStation etc and the fixed fans in that music should also be many, I guess. I will not do anything that will disappoint the expectations of all those fans, and as a producer, development has begun amid pressure “will I be satisfied with this?”

I tried a careful meeting with Kimura-kun’s BGMs to make songs and themes flow through the whole story so that I could represent the color of Castlevania this time around. Overall I was determined to do so with a gothic application, so I asked Kimura-kun to embrace my audacity to say that it would be an omnipresent condiment with a percussion root added. These are BGMs used for the ‘Select Player’, Demonic Castle dungeon, credits, etc, but I could cut the timing faster than this. “This is the theme! Let’s develop this theme according to the progress of the game! "That’s all there was to say, then Kimura-kun, who is strong and responsible, has created this sound of Dorakyura. I could not record all the songs of Kimura-kun’s efforts, but there will also be several special arrangements of these songs. Please enjoy the new Castlevania sound.

KCE Kobe, sound programmer Tomoya Tomita.

==============================

Hello everyone. Kimura is in charge of the BGMs. Finally the development of "Akumajo Dracula Mokushiroku” is over.

Have not you played the game yet? For those who have previously played Dorakyura in an Arcade or a Famicom, I think they noticed that the condiment is a bit different from the traditional BGMs.

I will proceed with things so that I can match this game, and in conclusion, I think it has become a slightly different atmosphere until this date.

Please enjoy the NINTENDO 64 version of Dorakyura sound by all means. In addition, Mr. Motoari Furukawa and Mrs. Mariko Egawa sang several new and enjoyable songs in this game. As a result, the width has been adapted according to the colour, and I am grateful.

Well, let’s take a look at some songs:

• Opening: In BGM production on N64 you can not use a lot of sound at the same time, but there is also a good reason for that. The violin being played by Malus on the screen and Piano from the second half of this actually are exactly what was actually played.

•Annex: This song is from the first stage of development, I did it in the workplace, alone, during midnight. As I listened to this in the dark, the atmosphere was perfect, but gradually it became very creepy, I remember that I came home in a hurry.

• The Villager: This music fusion of Sound effects and background music is from the demo section. A lot of demos were included in the game, we made some mistakes in making these sounds as far as setting time and so on. Unfortunately it was impossible to record them all because of the limited recording time of the CD, but several scenes of the game are played this time.

• Rose: Composed by Mariko Egawa. The nature of Rose seems to be transmitted a lot.

• Underground Tunnel: This is the basic sequence of Mr. Motoharu Furukawa complemented with my Strings and Percussion. If the ability of the game is high, this is a song to which I would like to add Furukawa’s guitar performance.

• Dungeon: This is one of the most important songs. The participation of Tomita-san became a critical key with the incorporation of a sense of mystery when applied aboriginal percussions. I wonder what kind of percussion he would have used….

• Malus’ accident: The second part of this song comes out in the bad ending of Carrie-Mochi [affective adjective"餅" “rice cake”] Why would they have used it there?

• Reunion: BGM of Schneider’s good ending. Since the content of this subject would be dramatic, I tried to equalize it and make it a simple finish. Personally I liked the switching time of the camera after the line “… come back home.” So the melody will ring back there.

• Staff Roll: This recorded song is from the version for Europe. Did you see the difference with the domestic version that flowed into the game? It was the December night in the final stage of development when I was composing the second half with the orchestral ensembles. There may be a Christmas scent to some extent.

• A night in peace and quiet: In the end, it’s a quiet night. Violin and piano play in a breath while taking respite.

Thank for listening until the end!

KCE Kobe, sound designer Masahiko Kimura.

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I rarely gave opinions or requests about the BGMs during the development of “Akumajo Dracula Mokushiroku” [Castlevania 64], however I requested only one request.

“I want a beautiful violin sound.” Unlike game rules that can use CD ROM, the N64 can not easily “play” voice and music clearly. However, Konami’s action series Goemon and his talented and exciting songs with wonderful sounds do not have to note such restrictions.

Similarly in “Mokushiroku” the manifestation of sounds in both “dialogues” and “songs” should have a strong impact on this. Then came the idea of “faithfully reproducing the tone of a violin.”

According to the movement of Malus who plays the violin, I still remember the impression of the real “violin” when the beautiful timbre flowed something fleetingly (although I really wanted to combine the movement of the performance with the capture of movement …). Everyone please listen to the “violin” sound played in the game now. It’s wonderful, isn’t it?

Well, in “Mokushiroku” the battles of Reinhardt and Carrie have already concluded. However, among the vast Dracula World, there must be a great series of mysteries that have not yet been revealed.

Where is Alucard? Was Richter the last Belmont on the battlefield? Who is Johnny Morris? …

From now on, I’m looking forward to seeing the world of Castlevania evolve as now, as a fan and as a developer.

KCE Kobe Development and Planning Department, Yakushiji Takeo.

youtube

#Castlevania

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hearthedungeons · 4 years ago

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Cybard - CMLXXXIV

I hope the composer/producer of this project, who submitted it to my ask-box some months back, doesn't mind my making a slight example of his project.

This album of fantasy/mythology inspired electronic music is a fine example of why, even taking into account the more hi-fi/soundtrack influenced projects (among them Murgrind, Seregost, Lurk, DIM), not every instrumental project with historical or fantasy themes fits as dungeon synth. "But [blogger]", you may say, "Didn't you JUST say to take you out back and shoot you if you ever used the phrase "not Dungeon Synth?" Well, yes, and damn you for reading carefully. This artist clearly labels this music Dungeon synth and took great efforts to promote it in Dungeon Synth circles - but I would say that this album only occasionally delivers what I usually want from a DS album.

That's not to say that this music is ineptly made. This producer clearly knows what he is doing. The choice of sounds, with a mix of modern orchestral and folk instrument VSTs, is evocative. There are some nice arrangement/orchestration touches, especially in the balance between melody and countermelody, which are technically quite polished. I'm not a huge enough fan of the electro genres this artist seems to be primarily involved in to fully understand what's going on here production-wise, but there's definitely a little of what I would call that "synthwave wobble" in the percussion, which is a little disorienting with the clearly folk-oriented sound libraries. I especially like the syncopation of "Offshore", and there's some nice nuance to the melodic composition of "Viking Lullaby". The artist himself also uses the description "Folktronica", and to me this is a much more apt term than Dungeon Synth to convey what's going on here musically and otherwise. The drums are right up front in most of the tracks, and over the course of the album, that does become a bit monotonous, especially in places where they mask some of the other arrangement strengths. Listening to this album as a whole, you definitely hear a few of these patterns get reused from track to track. I don't think this would be as much of a problem with a traditional synthwave sound palette, and maybe it is the hybrid sound design that makes this more apparent.

I want to avoid calling things "not dungeon synth" because it leaves me with the considerable task of defining what DS is. But to me what this release doesn't deliver to me as someone evaluating DS primarily is a real sense of mystery and listener participation. There's a clear intent, via the artwork, song titles, sound design and so on, to evoke Scandinavian/Viking history. But there's no room for the listener to take a journey other than exactly what is intended by the producer, and that is ultimately one of the the things that I crave most about DS. The best parallel might be, for those of you who remember Playstation games, the difference between a pre-rendered and a real-time, in-engine background. Cybard is sparkling and full of detail, but the camera angles are fixed throughout. The nods to EDM, in the production of the drums and in some kind of house-inspired rhythms (in particular on "The Kraken") take this music too close to the modern world for me to see this album as escapist music. I must stress above all that although this is not really my thing, this album sets a target and hits it dead in the center; the attention to detail in the sound design is excellent, and the composition is overall well balanced. But I can see a lot of DS fans shaking their heads at this one.

#Cybard #CMLXXXIV #folktronica #cinematic #Bandcamp #dungeon synth #sorta

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cnox · 6 years ago

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Interview for Skaventhrone issue two. Copies on the way to Hollow Myths* soon!

S: You were recently featured on Never Stop the Madness - Black Metal Radio and had an impressive line-up of releases for the coming months. How has the exposure been?

C: Eve Skaventhrone, thanx much for this chance to further spin our web. Hails to NZ AC DS! We are psyched by the response from the NSTM - BM Radio Special and thankful to have been featured. This was a grand opportunity to get more airplay for our artists and tell a bit of what is to come from Hollow Myths*. We look forward to doing it again this winter.

S: A fellow conspirator has added that your release schedule for the year is quite evenly paced, what makes this different from your previous approach?

C: That may be a bit of misinformation because we will be like a bat out of hell yet again. Our upcoming releases have been stirring in the pot for some time, so we have had many moons to plot and plan. There will be unexpected surprises as we don’t tend to spell things out nor give away too much. So, please do keep watch. We have also put a new CD-R series into action in which we will be offering even more outsider music. And introducing new artists and their first works. We have a grip of sick releases in our trick bag already for this venture.

S: To talk about the name 'Hollow Myths'; A cynical person could read this as being lacking in substance, what are your feelings towards this?

C: When we say hollow, we mean a dark valley in the forest or hole in an old tree. Our workings should be considered as mythology or folklore that seeps and creeps out of the fog and cries out from the blackest of nights. We bring forth new legends and modern myths. “The Hollow Myth” is also a book I wrote long ago. We have shared some of this story and will be telling this tale over the years to come. The introduction came with the Bestiary Vol. One Compilation and Issue 1 of our zine is first in a series of character guides. Our antics are always subversive, so it should be obvious there is a hidden double meaning to our moniker, one-part existentialism and one-part absurdism.

S: Going back to releases; Your output last year was quite prolific and featured a wide gamut within the established DS scene; What do you look for in an artist?

C: Thank you for the fine words. We shall do the same this time around and then some. For us, it must be unique, sad and true. Unabashed, sinister and the synthesizer is key. We like to work with artists whom are free, patient and have a grasp on the big picture. Loyalty and trust is something we also look for in our creative working relationships.

S: Similarly, each of these releases has a very personalized approach. Is this something you find important to differentiate from other labels or distros?

C: We appreciate you taking notice and set out to do our own thing indeed. The music of our artists is so very personal, as it is to us, so we try and convey this with the presentation. The artwork, packaging and magical extras are all part of the experience we try to give. Sight, sound, smell and even touch. From the vintage cassettes, cases, paper, fabric and tie, to the natural accoutrements, candles, incense and wood - we want our releases to be something to have, hold and cherish. Nearly everything we create has been made by hand. There is art to hang on your wall, jewellery and badges to wear, talismans to take with you about your travels. In this, the music and ideas carry on with the you even when not listening but still in one’s heart and mind's eye.

S: I understand that yourself and your partner also have a project together. It's been described as a cutting of recording errors and artefacts from analog or older technologies.

C: Cristahel and I are Rowen. We make mythical electronic music and use analogue equipment. We record live with synths, drum machines, percussion as well as capture field recordings. We plug in, press record and play, do some mixing and then share these aural documents on our Plexus Station the evening of. We were lucky to have been picked up by Personnel Records, a division of the Black Metal label, Seedstock just after a couple of songs. They released our first demo “Ashen Spirit” on pro-tape and we are now composing a new album. An east coast wing of shows are in the talks for this summer and we are aiming on touring Europa this fall.

S: There seems to be a shift in the scene from those maintaining the traditional nostalgic approach to Dungeon Synth and those moving towards what could be considered a 'Ritual Ambience' in some cases with a stronger focus on minimalism and natural sounds; What are your thoughts to this?

C: We see it in three ways: originators, innovators and imitators. We lean more towards innovation. With experimentation comes inspiration and for us is the most interesting. Of course, we hail the founding fathers and tradition is to be respected. But, we want to hear something different and new. The ritual and ambient approach draws from magic which can manifest at the same time be happenstance. This is pure and exciting.

S: It certainly is, and it's great to see you're encouraging and creating a space for artists to do so.

C: We surely try.

S: In our search through the more historic artists on Hollow Myths, such as Apeiron, Depressive Silence, and Arthur, we get a feeling you've probably had an earlier connection with these composers. When did you first get involved with this area of the black metal underground, and these projects? And how did these interactions eventually lead to the creation of Hollow Myths?

C: In the 80's I was steeped in Heavy Metal music, having gone to countless stadium concerts for legendary acts such as Dio, W.A.S.P., etc., later to shows; Cro-Mags, Suicidal Tendencies, I could ramble on. In the early 90’s I went to a boarding school in the woods of New Hampshire and was cut off from T.V. and the goings on of counter culture. So, we made our own. Being up there, I sort of missed out on the first wave of Black Metal and The X-Files. In turn we took drugs, listened to a lot of Black Sabbath and N.W.O.B.H.M. and spent all our time in the trees. Though already a fan of Celtic Frost and much early Death Metal, it wasn’t until I came off that mountain and ended up back in the cities, did I discover some of what I had been missing. I was given a promo copy of the Gummo soundtrack and that crystalized things for me. Ever since then, I was hooked and dug as far as I could into the Black Metal and Dark Ambient Underground. I used to make a UG BM zine which led to many contacts with bands, labels, distros and made tons trades and orders along the way. Some mail correspondence comrades I have had for two decades now. I also had a dark electronic band and toured the world a few times which broadened my knowledge and network. One day it dawned on me to turn my passions and obsessions into my trade.

S: Dungeon Synth, and its surrounding genres, has a huge online presence through bandcamp, social media, and a large facebook group with over 3000 members, of which you're one of the admins. How has the online world affected the artists 'mystery' or even integrity, in your opinion? And is the responsibility of maintaining civility on the forums a burden at times?

C: I dislike speaking of the internet in printed zine interviews but understand this question cannot be ignored. There was rift a year or so ago that drove a wedge in the Dungeon Synth scene and I was made an admin of the main group to keep the peace as it were. And to save it from an impending doom that it is was facing as some sought to destroy the fortress wall that we had been building for so long. I have been manning it for the past couple of years and worked very hard to instill an ethic of friendship, honor and support. Drama, memes and off topic materials are not tolerated in the attempts to keep it focused and Dungeon - not a trash heap or place of trolls. I never intended to have this role, but it became a necessary evil. Our lands were being raided so, I stormed the castle and seized the kingdom for the preservation of all things DS. This being not unlike the mid-era BM scene where things got ugly, full of posers and rip-offs. But that’s another story. DS is now an entity of its own and I try to promote an atmosphere that is welcoming, and nurturing opposed to jaded sorts dictating how other artists and musicians should create. We are grateful to have a tight knit cast of active members with new folks everyday - things seem to carry on without any trouble. Any problems are just simply removed without much thought - forward march. As far as artists wanting to be anonymous, to each their own, I don’t see the need to hide.

S: As a collector, I'm sure you have many boxes of rarities hidden away from the public eye, what are some of your most prized and cherished?

C: This is true. Some things, I just don’t share and like to keep very close. All my collection is prized. I don’t do filler or bad condition. I obsess over the most obscure and often the overlooked and discarded. Not as much rare and pricey, rather merely special to me. Some of my favourites are looked down upon by most so, I won’t bother mentioning them here. I’m a stickler for collectability and keep it all mint. From limited 7”’s to etched and coloured LP’s, cult Cassettes to OOP CD’s. I also collect shirts, patches, badges, zines and have an extensive VHS library - mostly horror and sleaze. I am constantly buying, selling and trading. Out with the old in with the new. I only hold onto things I listen to, read, wear and watch over and over.

S: You mentioned a possible Europe tour, are there any particular destinations you're hoping to visit? Any artists you are planning to perform alongside?

C: We want to get back to Germany, then go to places we have yet to; the Scandinavian countries, all Eastern Europe and of course, New Zealand and Australia. We will play anywhere and everywhere though we will focus on night clubs, art galleries and uncommon venues. We also plan to do DJ sets, show our artwork, clothing line and spread our wings as Hollow Myths*. We hope to perform alongside old and new friends and intend to drag out some of our artists for these occasions.

S: We thank you for your time, and we're looking forward to the upcoming releases! Any parting words for our readers?

C: Art, music, nature, magic. Don't take any wooden nickels, don't play second fiddle, and don't roll over and play dead for anybody. Walk the endless corridor and shatter the Hollow Myth.

Thanx yet again. Dehails! - Canrith Knox of Rowen from Hollow Myths*

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hearthedungeons · 7 years ago

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Here’s one from the vaults, as promised. It was released in December of 2016, which in Dungeon Synth years is like a decade ago. This one stands out for being a long form track that is definitively not a part of the dungeon drone canon - one of few examples of tracks of 20+ minutes in length that stick to the more medieval fantasy template rather than veering off into psychological realms, although the tambourine at times reminds me of Loremaster which is a pivotal early work of doom-influenced DS. It’s really a phenomenal work, with tremendous patience, melodic development, excellent arrangements. Being an album length track, it also just about requires a single continuous listen in order to appreciate all of the things it does well. My suspicion is that in the internet age, some listeners are daunted by that fact.

So we start with simple harp and percussion, then we get the gradual entrance of choir, flute and strings pads. Sonically this is all standard material for dungeon synth, but what really makes this long intro section click is the balance of melody and counter melody, of foreground and background. At about the 3 minute mark, where the tonality takes a few steps off the path and introduces some more wandering melodies that take things away from being firmly rooted in a single key of A minor, one really gets the sense that there is trouble in the kingdom, perhaps madness, perhaps ego, perhaps treachery. (I don’t really know anything about Dragonlance, which is the narrative inspiration for the Verminaard project and this album, but it’s not essential if you’re willing to sit down and read the flavor text). This is not a cinematic album in which every sound that happens is representative of something going on in the story - but I think the strength of the composition makes something meaningful out of tropes that are still a part of the canon of high fantasy music. Of special note is the percussion, which is rich and layered but doesn’t really seek to emulate Summoning, nor does it fall into the trap of show-offy accents in the way that Thangorodrim does. I find the second main section to be especially nuanced in the composition - there’s a consistent low wind pedal that keeps the mysterious atmosphere even as the composition pushes toward a more epic feeling. And toward the end, when the original melodic idea rejoins the fray, it truly does feel like an organic musical conclusion to this saga, much like hearing a familiar motif return at the end of a Pink Floyd album or something.

This album doesn’t have everything - it mostly stays at about the same tempo even while it changes moods and instrumentation, and that serves to give a unified feeling, but one wonders if the underlying story couldn’t be brought across more with a more dynamic sense of tempo. But this is a pretty minor complaint to have for a track that is pretty much a success in every other way. I’ve read recently that Verminaard is choosing to no longer affiliate with the term “Dungeon Synth”. Whatever the artist’s motivations for doing so, this album stands as a high point of dungeon synth - gently experimental in tonality, though not in a way that calls attention to itself, epic in concept but not totally cinematic in execution in a way that feels like it enters the larger realm of fantasy soundtrack music. The music feels spiritually connected to Era-1 Mortiis, but without leaning so heavily on hypnotic repetition to get you through the long tracks. Give yourself 40 minutes to listen to this album with minimal distraction

#Verminaard #Lorac's Folly #Dragonlance #Dungeon Synth

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