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Clockwork Arma's itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Impression | #13 | 4.200 | 4.200 |
| Creativity | #19 | 4.150 | 4.150 |
| Composition | #19 | 4.200 | 4.200 |
| Overall | #22 | 4.040 | 4.040 |
| Quality | #32 | 4.150 | 4.150 |
| Correlation to theme | #75 | 3.500 | 3.500 |
Ranked from 20 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
Description
YOU CAN LISTEN TO IT HERE:
https://soundcloud.com/poard/sets/clockwork-arma
My submission's decently short at only 6 tracks. I had planned more, but didn't finish all of it in time! (So I'm pretending the "lore" reason for that is because maybe I'm showing one session rather than the whole game, hence the ending song titled, "quitting so soon?") Anyway, I didn't really stick to one genre for this soundtrack — it ranges a lot, from smooth jazz to atonal metal or something.
As for the game, it's somewhat based off of a game I'm already coding as a silly side-hobby thing where you're a tank, but you can beat things up hack-n-slash style. One of those, "it takes itself seriously, that's why it's funny" things. I imagined the setting would be on a clockwork planet like in the game Spiral Knights, and there would be a constant looming threat that would eventually arrive if you run out of time.
As for what the songs represent, "okay, let's begin" is sort of just one of those songs that play when you're about to begin the game, maybe it's a loading screen thing.
"Your Room" is for when you wake up in you're room and you... can prepare to play the game!
"A Little Over a Week" is supposed to be one of those level songs. It's supposed to be relatively optimistic since the player has enough time.
"you can rest for now, but the clock keeps ticking" is a song for an intermission or something. Maybe you got the game paused, but the clock still ticks down!
"YOU'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME" is for when the player is, well, running out of time and getting desperate! The song ends off very abruptly, maybe having lost whatever they were doing.
"quitting so soon?" is for when the player quits their game session.
Message from the artist:
I usually try to limit myself to mostly chiptune, but I wanted to branch out for this one! (This is my third submission to an OST Composing Jam)
Fun fact, the cover art is just using some of the models I made for my little tank game
Another fun fact, the super jpg compressed tank drawings I used on Soundcloud are just placeholder images for when I didn't make the 3d model yet!
Theme:
How does it fit the theme?
I essentially went with a "running out of time" concept, where the music gets more desperate as time progresses. This feels silly, but I felt like I related to that theme since like, well, I didn't have a lot of time for this competition, so I only managed to finish the songs after getting desperate like the way I was trying to convey in the music!
Link(s) of the submission on streaming services
https://soundcloud.com/poard/sets/clockwork-arma
Soundtrack use permission
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Comments
Nice variety of styles and Retro feeling... nice work.
oooh that jazz is so smooth I could surf on it! The "metal" elements were really super well blended with the atmosphere of the whole soundtrack and really added that edge the project needed I think. Really good composition also, those chops and breaks in "You're running out of time", with those little half steps seventh chords + that metal climax = absolute banger. Amazing job overall!!
Okay, Let’s Begin: This is a really cool opening and sets the tone for a mechanical heavy-duty type of vibe which works for a tank game. The jazzy melody reminds me of De Blob’s jazzy soundtrack and adds a layer to what you have that adds some optimism as if you are closer to setting forth on your quest.
Your Room: This vibe is so chill yet suspenseful at the same time. Your jazzy synth/organ chords are very well-selected and evoke a lot of emotion, especially when you introduce the non-diatonic minor chord. I really like the sound you created here.
A Little Over a Week: This is a really fun theme and I think it would absolutely go along with a tank game very well since it has the intensity, but it keeps going and never has a point where the energy fades.
You Can Rest For Now, but the Clock Keeps Ticking: The harmony that you use is the perfect way that you are telling the player that things are okay while at the same time including warnings and hints that they may be wasting time. I love it!
You’re Running Out of Time: The production of this song makes it my favorite out of your whole OST. The chopped production really gives the sense that we are close to being done and that there is a sense of urgency. I really admire how you are able to weave so many samples into your composition so seamlessly.
Quitting So Soon?: This sounds like a N64 Pilot Wings song and just hits differently. I like the polyrhythm of the 3 over 4 and think that this helps glue this piece together with the others using the theme.
Overall: This eclectic OST surprised me at every corner and in the end I am extremely impressed with what you were able to produce. I wish you the best of luck continuing your game project! Great work and thank you for sharing!
I was curious about this as I loved your previous submission (OST comp jam 5 - first one I heard from you)
I really liked the style of this Ost overall! Sexy grooves and beautifully catchy old school instruments. It is always very creative and refreshing. I think you stand out with your approach and it's a good thing that it seems to be recurrent! I'm happy I could discover more of your work, thanks and well done :)
So this is practically the epitome of
"This weird obscure game has a fire soundtrack for no apparent reason."
Your submission is epic. Love all the musics you made for the theme.
Had to post it somewhere :
F#ck man, I love the drums, based submission ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Wow, this is awesome! I love the drum and bass sound, and the production really sells it! I already really liked it before you gave the lore and explanation, but i love it even more now!
Really cool! I love it!
Damn, these are probably the sickest drums I've heard so far. I think tracks 2, 3, and 5 are all bangers but I gotta say "A Little Over a Week" is my favorite. Also, "Your Room" gives me some persona 3 vibes. I also think all the songs fit their roles pretty well (as in what they're supposed to represent)
I'm also relistening to A Little Over a Week for like the 9th time as I write this, it slaps so hard just thought I'd emphasize that a little more.
Good stuff!
Yeah! this is what you need. Especially A Little Over a Week Bomb, guitar+synth+drums really good
I can see you put the effort into the music, not the submission page :D not to worry, these tracks speak for themselves. Superb work, I'm only 35 albums into the submission queue but already this is one of the top 2-3 I've heard, so much personality in the work! Very jealous
Hey, can you reply to this when you've finished your page? I'd like to rerate your submission when you do!
But for now, this is really good!
It's all done now!