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Awaken, Dark Knight's itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Correlation to Theme | #4 | 4.294 | 4.294 |
| Overall | #17 | 3.482 | 3.482 |
| Execution | #20 | 3.294 | 3.294 |
| Composing Quality | #21 | 3.294 | 3.294 |
| Overall Uniqeuness | #23 | 3.353 | 3.353 |
| Listenability | #24 | 3.176 | 3.176 |
Ranked from 17 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
Link to Streaming Service
https://soundcloud.com/pica-mechanicus/awaken-dark-knight?si=e200a0c26a7740098a7fd7ae20fe5fdc&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
Description
First part gives us somewhat unsettling background for exploring locations like Death Palace, or Tomb of the Ancients. There's a constant tug-of-war between creepy and nostalgic vibe, that will keep you on your toes.
Technically, theme can simply progress layerwise with the player, the deeper you go (like in the recording), but layers can be mostly mixed-and-matched as needed.
Second part is full on "messed around and found out" moment. You stumbled upon the Death Knight's resting place and disturbed his slumber. Now you have to face the consequences.
I don't see it as a "boss battle music", arrangement is too busy for that and would tire the player out quickly. It's rather music for a cutscene right before the battle. Imagine dusty bones coming together, filling you with increasing sense of dread, untill the Death Knight in his final form stands before you, right on the final cadence of the piece.
Screenshot of DAW
Screenshot provided in the project files
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Comments
This makes me picture a dark 2D platformer
Not sure if it was intentional, but harpsichords as instruments have no volume control - they're all the same volume. This has strengths and weaknesses - often the Harpsichord plays a sort of percussive roll, almost like it's a gentle form of percussion. It was cool hearing that instrument in it.
I think the mix ended up a little narrow, not really filling the space. But, it also still works. It would definitely work in a game.
Nicely done!
Thanks!
Mix is surely something I need to work on quite a bit more. I have some experience mixing 3pc bands and such, but especially for the more "soundtrackish" ensembles I still have a lot to learn.
Nice instrument choice if you want to go classic creepy, what better for spooktober. Very classical, the drums caught me off guard I was expecting some sort of change but I was imagining something more classical but instead you went for a more modern touch. Good job.
Thanks.
Drums were introduced to make the whole thing seam "heavier", like for the villan introduction. Timpani or something of sorts woudn't have enough impact imho. Maybe some huge taiko would work, but modern drumset seemed like a safe option.
I hope that it surprised you in a somewhat positive way :)
Yes a surprise to be sure but a welcomed one :)
Harpsichord and Pipe Organ? Those are tough instruments to work with, Nice job!!
do you happen to be a keyboardist?
Thank you :)
Yes they are, especially that organ and harpsichord are like night and day when it comes to the playing approach. Working with both can be tricky.
I play (or have played) quite a few instruments, but I'm not actually a good keys player - I barely know the basics. That being said, I take your question as a huge compliment :D
I can hear the intention very clearly in your track! My most favorite bit of the track was the riser at 1:02, very fitting impact!
Thanks :)
Full diclosure: those risers were actually a small cheatcode to help me tie everything together and mask imperfections. However, they also needed to somehow add to the composition. Good to hear that they did their job (both :P ).
That sounds great! I can picture it fitting into a cutscene.
Thanks, glad you liked it :)
Nice, I think you nailed the intention you were going for. The first half definitely feels like an atmospheric exploration track that would go well with different settings. The last half as well sounds like it would go great with a bad guy introduction and maybe they break down their master plan while the music builds and they both hit their final form by the end. Really cool 👍🏽
Thank you, good to know that I've managed to stay on the target :)
Where. You. Got. This. Photo. With. Funny. Skeleton!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
And no kidding - it's very beautiful! Especially when the drums at the end make the track cool! (I love drums :>)
Ordinary musical instruments on the verge of synthesizers, interesting melodic turns.... I like it!
Good job)
(It's a random plastic skull wrapped in a towel... and a bajillion filters later, here we are...)
"I love drums :>" - ah, I see you're a fox of culture, wonderful :D
Thanks a lot!