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Polaris OST's itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Composition | #16 | 4.250 | 4.250 |
| Impression | #23 | 3.813 | 3.813 |
| Creativity | #25 | 3.875 | 3.875 |
| Overall | #28 | 3.837 | 3.837 |
| Correlation to theme | #58 | 3.750 | 3.750 |
| Quality | #61 | 3.500 | 3.500 |
Ranked from 16 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
Description
EDIT: Realized my proof video is only shown on the project page, not the submission.
Here's the proof it was made by me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IFxDKRpgmw
GENRE: Orchestral, Jazz, Retro
DAW USED: FL Studio
Polaris is an adventure/puzzle game where you play as Elle, an old adventurer searching for the Fountain of Youth. Following a lead to Polaris Isle, Elle is brought to near death from a raging storm crashing her ship on the shore. In her last breaths, she cries out, wishing for just one more day to find the fountain. Her wish is granted.
The goal of Polaris is to traverse Polaris isle to find the Fountain of Youth before the day is up.
SOUNDTRACK USAGE
Title Theme - self-explanatory
One Final Wish - used for introduction cutscene of Elle making her wish and having it granted by a star.
A Grove Less Traveled, Timelost Cavern - themes for two different overworlds
HOW EACH TRACK WAS COMPOSED:
Every instrument used was from the SoundCanvas VST, which emulates the Roland SC-88.
I started by making One Final Wish. I didn't have a particular piece of the game in mind when first making it, but it began to take shape as cutscene music. I specifically chose piano and went for a beautiful and slightly haunting melody.
I made A Grove Less Traveled next, mostly motivated by wanting a track featuring the instrument I play, the tenor sax. My idea for the modulation in the B section came from doodling around on the piano. My goal for this track was for it to paint the picture of a grove untouched for centuries, full of mystery and solemness.
Timeloss Cavern was a pretty similar story to A Grove Less Traveled. I envisioned a cavern filled with puzzles and secrets. Frankly, I don’t know how the harmony works for this one. I just rolled with what was in my head.
The title theme was just a modified version of the A section of One Final Wish.
Theme:
How does it fit the theme?
Wish upon a star - The adventurer Elle gets her final wish granted by a star.
Picture - Elle is an adventurer, travelling for years to find the coveted Fountain of Youth.
Link(s) of the submission on streaming services
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVCqOl5lQGOmrIOrfqIeggkPrCGMSwDke
Soundtrack use permission
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Comments
I love the jazzy touch you have on these pieces, these were delightful to listen to! They are composed very nicely and have a lovely vibe for each of them, one final wish is especially beautiful
Great work! :D
This is gorgeous! Great composition skills and melody writing, the emotions you managed to convey in "A Grove less traveled" are beautiful and the modulation in your B section adds so much to the atmosphere. The 5/4 time signature in "Timelost Cavern" was all super interesting and groovy yet unsettling so perfect for a puzzle area were any mistake can cost you your life. All in all great entry!
Thanks!
I really like the chords you use to set specific moods, in all of your tracks! It's enchanting and surprising, refreshing.. It was very pleasant to listen to!
Great compositions overall, thank you for sharing it :)
Thanks for listening!
Title Theme: The ocean ambience is a great backing for this track. This is a very memorable theme that I am glad comes back in later tracks.
One Final Wish: The piano arpeggios feels both spacey as well as reminiscent of the ocean waves. The choir feels heavenly as if the stars are listening and responding to Elle. The break feels very cinematic and then the final piano melody feels very soft and beautiful, but also frail. Interesting choice ending on the dissonant interval- almost as if the wish has not quite yet been granted.
A Grove Less Traveled: This would be a really fun area to explore. Your unique harmonies remind me of various areas in Tales of Symphonia. With this piece, for me, you capture a sense of sorrow, curiosity, and mystery. (I read your description after I wrote this – so nice job!)
Timelost Cavern: The jazzy influence for both of these area themes is apparent and adds a lot to the film noire type of vibe I’m getting in the emotions being portrayed. If you ever do finish this soundtrack, I would love to hear the conclusion of this interesting story! Great work and thank you for sharing!
Thank you for the detailed feedback!
Strong RPG vibes here. I absolutely love the main theme. Very catchy and you managed to reuse it throughout in creative variations. Very unique soundtrack. I love the jazz influence, too. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for listening!
This was great! The pacing through the course of the overall soundtrack felt very natural and your chord progressions and melodies are super catchy. good work!
Thank you!
A Grove Less Traveled is such a wonderful track! Great job all around as well, very lovely compositions. Nice work!
Thank you!
this soundtrack is incredible! the Roland sounds give it such a timeless feel, and i love your creative use of harmony and rhythm :) and the melodies definitely feel like an action rpg
Thanks! I love working with the SC-88, it makes a great aesthetic.
Great job!
Thanks!
'A Grove less traveled' and 'Timelost Cavern' are spectacular 👌
Definitely sounds like something from an adventure rpg.
Thank you!
Personal favorite has to be "A Grove Less Travelled", love the vibes, especially when the drums hit, and it becomes sort of jazzy. Good stuff :)
Thanks for listening!
Fantastic work! Really like the last two tracks in particular. Melodies give me Chrono Trigger vibes with the chromatic movements.
Thank you! Chrono Trigger's soundtrack is one of my favorites and one of my biggest influences.