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Aquatic Dreamscape's itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Correlation to theme | #236 | 3.617 | 3.824 |
| Composition | #422 | 3.172 | 3.353 |
| Overall | #445 | 3.183 | 3.365 |
| Quality | #469 | 3.060 | 3.235 |
| Creativity | #486 | 3.116 | 3.294 |
| Impression | #500 | 2.949 | 3.118 |
Ranked from 17 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
Description
Sarah dreams of escaping to the ocean every night. These dreams are filled with thoughts and feelings from her life. However, this underwater dreamworld has dark secrets, things Sarah wants to forget...
This soundtrack for OST Composing Jam #7 would accompany a side scrolling puzzle solving RPG in the vein of Ecco the Dolphin, with you taking control of Sarah as she explores her dreamworld. Track 1 serves as an opening theme you'd hear on the game's title screen with the other two tracks playing during your exploration.
One fun note is that track 3 is actually in a microtonal guitar tuning, just 40 cents flat of C#, the tuning for track 2. I thought this gave the song an extra eerie and uncertain feel. I was hoping to compose one even creepier track tuned in drop C to symbolize more descent but alas, the jam time got the best of me!
Created with Ableton Live 12 Suite.
Compositions, Saxophone and Guitar work by Nathan Skip
Message from the artist
This was my first time creating atmospheric and improvised guitar music with Ableton and it was a blast. I hope you enjoy Aquatic Dreamscape!
Theme
How does it fit the theme?
I interpreted the image as a girl's expansive yet foreboding underwater dreamworld. I composed the tracks thinking of what it would be like exploring a dreamlike ocean, created from the good, and bad aspects of your mind.
Link(s) of the submission on streaming services
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGcoQIwC1xAMQP1ttxg9JRAlQ0DS9TYZk
Number of tracks3
Genre
Soundtrack use permission
Any non-commercial project
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Comments
This is excellent work! The sudden change in texture at 1:00 is highly effective and the aquatic SFX really accentuate the mood. You may not know this but triple meter times (Fast 3/4 or 6/8 not sure what you were writing in) are often considered feminine in nature and supportive of female characters, very fitting for Sarah. The overall sound and graphics remind me of playing Final Fantasy on my Super Nintendo. Kudos!
Thank you! I didn't even think about that aspect when choosing my 3/4 meter but I that makes sense since it's basically a classical dance tempo , is that why it is considered more feminine?
Great use of bubble sound effects in Innocent Tides! Really enjoyed your use of textures and sounds to help reinforce your themes.
Your tracks were so calming.
"Innocent Tides" made me feel hopeful
Thank you so much ^_^
Thanks! I'm glad you felt the emotion in that track. It was my first time trying something like it!
And now, kids, it's time for great underwater stories...
Ocean of Discovery is an epic good start, good drum work and... why this topic reminded me at the very beginning of a mixture of pirate tales and army stories...
Innocent Tides is a beautiful ambient. A little playing on various musical instruments is perfectly combined with the general atmosphere... Water? In any case, it's beautiful!
Foreboding Depths - Heh... IT'S TIME FOR UNDERWATER GUITARS!
Overall, you have a very interesting soundtrack. One of the most underwater in this jam...
P.S. I like the idea for the game!
My favorite track was the Ocean of Discovery. I am partial to more energetic tracks which is why but the other 2 were very atmospheric!
The first two tracks are very chill and atmospheric, and I really like Ocean of Discover for it's "High Seas Adventure" sound as well!
Ocean of Discovery is where all of your skills really shine. Love the saxophone! Since it has a sea shanty feel, it made me think of a pirate or ship level or perhaps an above water level.
Thank you! I didn't realize how sea shanty the sax line feels until it was pointed out lol.
Was a joy to hear some live saxophone and guitar in your soundtrack! Great playing! Beautiful soundscape in the second track with the solo guitar - love the warm tone you cooked up. Likewise with the final track, I’m digging the dissonance you’re producing, super unique!!
Thank you for the kind words. This was my first time trying live guitar like this in an OST and I'm glad you enjoyed how it turned out!
The rhythm and melody in "Ocean of Discovery" scream archetypical "ocean adventure" so nice job. Second half of the song is where it really shines with the saxaphone melody and counterpoint. Also liked the bell motiff that came in every now and then (and glad it wasn't overdone).
"Innocent Tides" really steps back and lets the player's ears rest. The low horns give the song a warm tone and the reverbed strings add a sense of scale. Overall the song really invites exploration.
The dissonance from the bells in "Foreboding Depths) really does a great job to convey a creepy feeling.