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Sharp In Head's itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Creativity | #160 | 3.750 | 3.750 |
| Correlation to theme | #271 | 3.550 | 3.550 |
| Impression | #327 | 3.300 | 3.300 |
| Overall | #349 | 3.340 | 3.340 |
| Composition | #435 | 3.150 | 3.150 |
| Quality | #515 | 2.950 | 2.950 |
Ranked from 20 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
Description
"Sharp in Head" is an OST for a non-existent video game, created for OST Composing Jam 7. The game is a 16-bit platformer about an aging man coming to terms with onset mental health issues and dementia. Each level explores a different aspect of his psyche as he struggles to find portions of his identify in cloudy, overstimulating cerebral landscapes.
The album reflects my own struggles after seeing my grandfather suffer greatly from Alzheimers and trying to accept the possibility that I might end like he did. The album is permeated with genre shifts, unexpected rhythms, and strange tones to express a perception of reality lost in small bits, one strange thought at a time. It spans multiple genres just as the protagonist's inner life spans many moods and perspectives.
Despite the dark premise, I did attempt to inject some joy and hope into it, as I must continue to live and find fun where I can, and dance from time to time.
I created the album with Deflemask. The music is compatible with authentic Sega Genesis/Mega Drive hardware. The runtime is 28 minutes, 7 seconds.
Theme
Link(s) of the submission on streaming services
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQWBbpRkgtR3I_MDCXj7uM9utNWbgTr3r
Number of tracks10
Genre
Soundtrack use permission
Any project
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Comments
A concept very far from the usual. Concept that you have worked very deeply on your music and that is very remarkable!
I think you have done an interesting exploration of sounds in terms of combination. Very particular in my opinion. I really liked the end result, I can see it clearly in the game you describe.
GREAT WORK!!!!!
Thanks a lot!
oh... I LOVE LONG SOUNDTRACKS!!1!
Title - I was scared 0_0. A creepy melody that sets the tone for the entire subsequent soundtrack...
Peccant Nostalgia - It sounds like... a theme for the castle?! And, God, I love this percussion and reverse sound)
Disco Farm Is Like That... First of all: IT'S A GREAT BASS TUNE. Secondly, it reminded me of the Segovian game about Aladdin. Third: UIIIIII
Obscure Parade Of Names - Hey, I like these sound-lowering bands!
The Boneyard - I STILL LOVE THE POOL. And some of the sounds are like someone is hitting the bones)
Body Beats Is Good... this track sounds "broken", which makes it creepy... I like it!
No Kind Of Silence - I love this abruptly interrupted chorus and percussion) The track itself, despite the harsh chorus, sounds... Nice?
Boss 1 - Oh... I feel like this boss is a little sad
End Boss - Hey, this boss is already funny!
Credits - Yoohoo! It's time for a cool bass and a broken piano. So also a sharp chorus along with cool drums! (You probably decided to finish me off with all my favorite techniques of your soundtrack)
Overall, you have an exciting soundtrack that is perfect for games on older consoles.
Oh, wait... is it compatible with Sega Genesis?! Cool!
P.S. Interesting fact: your soundtrack was on the list of those I really wanted to listen to)
Thanks! I appreciate the very detailed feedback :)
A really well worked, complete project. All the sounds blend nicely and gives a connection across all tracks. I do think, though this is probably a design choice based on your 16-bit ideas, that there can be a lack of low end in some tracks. Adding some low-freq, gritty bass can add some more tension in boss fights. Great work!
Thanks! I appreciate the feedback.
I really connected with your theme, and your commitment to that authentic SEGA sound was spot on and brilliant. Nice work!
Thank you!
Devastating theming, you do such a good job portraying your fears throughout the album. Thank you so much!
Much appreciated!
I really appreciate the premise of this game - having also watched as two of my grandparents suffered with Alzheimer's, it really struck a chord. Let's hope they eventually find some sort of cure for such an awful disease...
The music itself is great, too - it definitely sounds authentic, and all of the oddness you included really works to give the songs a sense of confusion. Being compatible with real Mega Drive hardware is a bonus!
Excellent job overall!
Thank you!
As a huge fan of the retro 8-bit sound, you nailed it! And I appreciate your personal story you've tied in with it. Major respect. Great melodies and excited to hear more of your work!
Thank you!
I really enjoyed the percussions here but I felt like the tracks in the latter half could use more singable/recognizable melodies and repetitions for the songs to feel grounded. The first half however lacks these issues and was a joy to listen to. Level 1 and 4 was a good balance between grounded notes and certain spices here and there.
Thanks for the feedback!
Its so cool when people make music using the limitations of a specific console it brings out so much creativity!
My favorite track was Disco Farm because it was one of the more fun songs which is more my style when listening to music!
Much appreciated!
Same, loved Disco Farm!
Ugh, the intro bass synth on the title theme really scratches an itch! This whole album sounds like an authentic send-up to the sega genesis in all the right ways, even down to the composition style itself.
The boss 1 theme timing makes my head hurt!
I appreciate the feedback! sorry about the headache :(
Really neat, really old school. Reminds me a bit of Donkey Kong mines
Thanks!
Love the commitment to that FM Sega sound! I thought I was going to hear the Sega Jingle for a second there! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks!