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Futuristic Runaway's itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Correlation to theme | #78 | 3.667 | 3.667 |
| Creativity | #88 | 3.667 | 3.667 |
| Overall | #120 | 3.405 | 3.405 |
| Quality | #133 | 3.333 | 3.333 |
| Composition | #140 | 3.154 | 3.154 |
| Impression | #141 | 3.205 | 3.205 |
Ranked from 39 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
Description
My inspiration was taken directly from the competition's image and 'Runaway' tag, with the goal of giving it a cybernetic-edge fully awash with synths and digital sound-debris.
When my computer synth setup entirely stopped working (I've been using BUZE for ages without issue until now), I thought that my chances to compose something for the competition had died with it, but then I randomly stumbled across Waveform 11 and it turned out to be a complete godsend - everything you hear on these three tracks made use of settings from that program and my MIDI keyboard - played direct (my approach is immediate and I play/record live as a literal jam - I feel more comfortable composing in-the-moment because it's much harder to overthink, which zaps my creativity quickly).
The game that this soundtrack is from - "Futuristic Runaway" - tells the story of the character Glitch. The game itself is a modest pixel-based 2D side-scroller with a striking visual style capturing vivid shadings of pink, purple and aqua.
I've separated my recording into three 'chapters' which reflect the three distinct sections of the game.
Chapter One "Run Away" covers the Glitch's decision to pack up and leave home (after they discover a cyberwolf has decided to take residence), with a focus on stealthily finding and collecting some needed items - backpack, electrosword (their primary weapon) and food - and then heading for the front door.
Chapter Two "Lost in the Neon Forest" focuses on Glitch heading further into unknown (and increasingly unsafe) territory as they encounter sinister forest beings (neon spiders that drop from above and attack, pulsing cable-vines that electrocute when touched). Glitch is able to obtain components to upgrade their electrosword whenever they overcome an enemy. The chapter culminates in a boss-battle with a fully grown cyberwolf (similar to the one that they encountered earlier however larger and more fierce), hopefully with enough upgrades on board to emerge victorious.
Chapter Three "Safe Back Home" involves Glitch having cleared the danger of the forest and their decision to return to the safety of their home, where they discover the cyberwolf has left. But is it happily ever after ??
Credit for the cool cover image to the AI-run NightCafe Creator.
Download/play of these tracks can also be found at:
https://driveelizabeth.bandcamp.com/album/futuristic-runaway-itch-io-ost-composi...
and
https://soundcloud.com/driveelizabeth/sets/futuristic-runaway
Credit for the cool cover image to the AI-run NightCafe Creator.
Message from the artist:
Thanks for looking at my entry for itch.io's OST Composing Jam #4. It's great to be included amongst so much talent and inspiration!
Theme:
How does it fit the theme?
I've separated the recording into three 'chapters' - the first capturing the protagonist's desire to pack up and leave home, the second reflecting sinister things (neon spiders!) when they become lost and scared, and the third suggesting the relief of escape and returning to the comfort of home.
Due to the exclusive use of synthesised sounds, I wanted to shift the idea of being a runaway to a futuristic space.
Link(s) of the submission on streaming services
https://soundcloud.com/driveelizabeth/sets/futuristic-runaway
https://driveelizabeth.bandcamp.com/album/futuristic-runaway-itch-io-ost-composing-jam-4-entry
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Comments
I like the addition of a growling/noisy synth element in the second track. It adds a gritty texture and gives it a darker tone from the other tracks, which I think fits your description of the track well.
Nice job!
Huge fan of the lush synths and the looming dread in "Lost In The Neon Forest". Really great blend of texture. Great job!
Thank you! Looming dread is a good description for what I was after!
The image doesn't look really futuristic to me, but I think your soundtrack somehow fits very well to it. And I think this is very strong.
The melody is sooo beautiful and it fits great in all three tracks. I especially like the double effect on the chords and melody in the second track :)
Would love to hear more of this !!
I took the 'person alone in the forest' aspect of the image moreso than any time/period reference. That was fun creating a wall of layered runs in the second track, true!
I listened to 'Run Away'; I really feel the cool vibes of a neo-metropolis at night :) I enjoy the midi synth instrumentation and the gentle rocking groove!
Thank you - 'gentle rocking groove' is definitely a good description of that track's objective!
I like the cyberpunk vibe. Very creative take on the theme. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you. On a somewhat similar note - is 'ACpants' reflective of some kind of cleverly designed air conditioned pant system? That's totally cyberpunk!
Very nice! I love the story you came up with, and how it works with the music. Great job!
Thanks for listening!