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Farewell's itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Quality | #97 | 3.979 | 3.979 |
| Overall | #111 | 3.826 | 3.826 |
| Creativity | #118 | 3.830 | 3.830 |
| Correlation to theme | #119 | 3.894 | 3.894 |
| Composition | #124 | 3.851 | 3.851 |
| Impression | #201 | 3.574 | 3.574 |
Ranked from 47 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
Description
NOTE: If you want to experience the soundtrack as a whole in one track, you can do so by visiting the last song in the YT playlist or following this link:
https://youtu.be/NuPxiSWUCww?si=j58gpGzbzSsdp-4T
The YouTube videos describe the plot of the game in their descriptions. Thanks :)
Cover art by Rylee Galilei.
Itch: https://itch.io/profile/pocahdot
FAREWELL is a 2D precision platformer game that tackles themes of maturation and grief. You play as a young girl enraptured in a strange world with a singular goal.
The Mansion represents the fear that the protagonist feels at the estate where her mother's celebration of life is being held. In an attempt to avoid this fear, she moves on to The Street. The Street represents avoidance: it is slightly faster paced, but still has a lingering sense of dread building. The Lake represents the moments of stillness we feel when looking back on fond times that we cannot get back, and coping with that loss. The Hall represents patterns of self-destruction that we engage in when trying to hold on to the past. And finally, The End represents coming to terms with our present situation and learning to cherish our memories even if they weigh heavy on the heart.
I used Logic Pro to compose, arrange, mix and master this project. I utilized vast reverbs, synths and drum machines in combination with strings and soft pianos in an attempt to shape a deeply emotional texture. I was inspired by simple, innocent melodies, and tried to explore the information hidden in them throughout the tracks. All tracks loop and have transitional fade tracks associated with them (any track titled "The ___" is a main track, while others are transitional).
Thanks for listening <3
Message from the artist
This jam really brought me out of my comfort zone and had me make more music than I have in months. For that I am so incredibly grateful :))
Theme
How does it fit the theme?
I was mostly inspired by the phrase “inside my world”. I wanted to portray the deeply personal process of working through a permanent loss by using the player character and her imagined experiences to express real feelings. While nothing is really happening, these feelings are larger than life inside her world. The image also helped to inspire my compositions by sparking the idea of including a mother-daughter relationship.
Link(s) of the submission on streaming services
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrtKYQ5BfClXW-83bT3rs6ZTfvJAssHcS&si=0zLAxJEzC2rFBNfu
Number of tracks5
Genre
Soundtrack use permission
Any non-commercial project
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Comments
The Mansion-
The shrill piano is excellent for getting across the fearful feeling you were trying to capture, along with the short, low strings that come in later on. Personally when it comes to fearful/horror music I tend to prefer a more open arrangement, so I found the groovy beat a bit distracting from the intended feeling- but for an exciting game level, I can understand the draw there.
The Street-
The vocal synth adds a nice ambience. Lots of interesting parts drawing the ear's attention. Like the little running piano motif that returns from the first piece. The crunchy bits add to a very appropriate industrial vibe.
The Lake-
Ooo, a really good shift into that stillness feeling. It definitely feels like the calm in the storm. I will say that while I found the other two a bit heavy in instrumentation, that helps this track to stand out against them, and that's a great contrast. I like how there's this build of desperation at the end to hold on to the memories, and I appreciate the sense of struggle between joy and that desperate gripping feeling. Again, I notice the downward repeating piano motif throughout. The reversing sounds at the end- perfect for the theme of looking on the past.
The Hall-
The start feels like a great climax of conflict feel after The Lake. That being said, after the beginning it sounds more understated than I would expect. I would expect it to be bigger and more devastating, probably swapping it with the energy that the first piece had. I don't get the sense of "self-destruction". I will say I notice it is very repetitive, which could represent getting stuck in a pattern, which I appreciate.
The End-
I notice the reversals and light piano from The Lake. Heartbeat, clearly representing "weigh(ing) heavy on the heart". A lot of back and forth between a bright happy sound and the more uncomfortable creepy tone. I think I wish there was more of a bittersweet vibe here, rather than creepy/unsettling. Love the little happy ending cadence that goes back into the heartbeat.
Love how you had smooth transitions between each piece. Overall there was a lot of talent and passion in all of the tracks. I was impressed with the control of harmony and dissonance. It sounded well put together and flowed well, very cohesive, which can be hard to manage within a limited timeframe. Great job!
I really appreciate you taking the time to give your honest and very warm thoughts regarding the whole soundtrack, it gives me so much to think about and take into my next projects. Thank you 😎
Your interpretation of the theme is unique and interesting! The darker scales used gave this soundtrack a different feeling and vibe. This soundtrack also reminds me a bit of Earthbound's darker soundtracks. Thanks for sharing!
YO Earthbound?? Highest praise tysm 😭🫶
The whole OST & the concept are so beautiful :3 You really nailed the emotions and states that you described! This level of detail and thoughtfulness is what I have been lamenting being unable to dedicate after discovering the jam so late and being buried with life admin >.< But I guess there's always next time!
It's really hard to pick a favourite track, but if I had to, I'd probably say The Street. I really love The Hall too though. It's all just very atmospheric and haunting in a delightfully warm way! The emotional vibes I'm getting from it remind me a little bit of Deemo :3
Omg thank you so much for your kind words :D
I haven't actually heard of Deemo so I'll have to go check it out now 😎. It's super flattering to be compared to something cool and get to discover new art :))
Love your concept, great interpretation in such adult and serious idea. Soundtrack emphasizes it well. Also, really enjoyed creative harmonization over ostinato structures!
Thank you so much! Your compliment regarding the harmonies makes me so happy :D
Good stuff. Really enjoy the production on this
Much appreciated :)
Very, very good. I loved the style so much.
Thanks so much :))
Cool use of some darker scales! Also very nice concept with the descriptions of the scenes between each of the songs. Coherent style and I like the reversed reverb sounds you use! Big fan of "The End". The use of space there was amazing and the muted heartbeat kick holds it all together
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment, I feel very seen w/that nod towards my experimentation w/darker scales LOL.
A lot of music done in such a short time, nice! Interesting dark feeling...
your harmonies are amazing!! loved the production and the expansive feeling in a lot of these tracks. the grooves throughout are a really nice touch. the concept and album art are great as well - really amazing work!!
Thanks so much for the kind and thoughtful words! I gotta show the cover artist your comment, she is gonna love it :)
I like the dark ambience of your tracks. "The Lake" has a great buildup.
Thanks so much!
Hey, good job saving the best for last, "The End" was my favourite track :). You certainly know how to compose and structure a piece well, mine usually end up being only around 1-2 minutes ^^.
Thank you so much! That one is my favorite too :)
(I write these as I listen!)
1. The Mansion - 4 stars
A chill yet spooky track. Very uneasy. Progresses very well! The more upbeat style drums were a surprise. Starting to lose its uneasiness, but still a bit of dissonance. More instruments are kicking in, still a little spooky and dissonant! The fade back to nothingness is beautiful. 4 stars overall as the dissonance could have been executed slightly better.
2. The Street - 5 stars
Strong start, lovely choir, high quality drums! Love the little rising synth, the background synth is fun as well. The subtle guitar kicking in is awesome! Piano was quite a surprise and sounds amazing with the track. That synth too! Beautiful! Love the abrupt reverse piano ending.
3. The Lake - 5 Stars
Beautiful piano intro. Definitely feels like a lake. Absolutely beautiful chords, harmony and a little bit of dissonance, executed much better than the mansion. That buildup really comes at you, it hits so emotionally. The emotional impact.. wow :)
4. The Hall - 4 Stars
Wow.. this percussion is very unique. So much to take in in this track, so many little bits and bobs to feel. Very focused on those percussive elements.
5. The End - 5 stars
Wow. What an intro.. it's already hitting emotionally. The background textures, the high piano bits, even the title.. wow. Composition is amazing. The little synth background chords are wonderful. The violins kicking in... wow!! I'm in love with this one. It's so dramatic! I so wish the chords matched the little modulation in the piano at 3:03.. oh well. What a beautiful track.
Final Rating - 5 stars
I so deeply appreciate you going through and listing out all of your thoughts as you processed the soundtrack. It is invaluable to me to hear such incredible feedback. I'm so glad that the songs resonated with you :))