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True Light's itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Creativity | #58 | 4.029 | 4.029 |
| Composition | #62 | 4.048 | 4.048 |
| Overall | #82 | 3.913 | 3.913 |
| Impression | #102 | 3.837 | 3.837 |
| Quality | #136 | 3.827 | 3.827 |
| Correlation to theme | #148 | 3.827 | 3.827 |
Ranked from 104 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
Judge feedback
Judge feedback is anonymous.
- From the get-go, I was delighted to hear multiple independent lines in your writing-- it is a perfect example of how great production really begins with great, multi-layered writing. The samples used here are obviously limited, but *it doesn't matter* when the material in those lines is strong-- this is the secret to that older RPG sound, which 100% had to rely on great musical material to elevate the music beyond its technical limitations. If you are whistling the melody to yourself later, the music was successful irrespective of the technical sophistication of the samples or MIDI banks used. Listening to this, I think you definitely understand that. I wanted to start with that because I think the approach of constructing a tapestry of beautiful independent lines here is uniquely impressive, so I don't want the following critique to overshadow that or "scare you away" from continuing it in the future: I did sometimes feel that polyphonic sections were a bit too dense to follow on the first listen-- I think thinning these out a little bit might help with the "aural legibility" overall, especially on the first track. Given that we are working in a limited genre (games), legibility is really important, especially considering our music is often having to accompany a dense soundscape of FX and gameplay. I loved how you used pizz strings and harp to keep the textures varied and interesting throughout. The track "Real" had a tremendously haunting quality that I thought showcased your skills quite nicely. Beautiful work, keep writing!
Description
Submission of the OST Composition Jam #7
Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi0-gPNpRb63mNVNhrtP-wuB5kFKCJx93
Runtime: 6:56 / Software: Reaper
[True light] is inspired by indie horror JRPGs (rpgmaker styled games) like Ib, Mad father, The witch's house.
I focused on working from the melody. You can find in all the tracks a 5-note melodic entity that starts hidden among other melodic lines and eventually, It has more presence along the whole OST. This is the way I see the "inside my world" theme in music. Although each track is a stage of different moments of the character, you will find consistency in terms of instrumentation, maintaining the same dark color palette.
A doll, a servant in a mansion, only follows the orders of a voice in her head without resisting. A call prompts her to go to the forbidden zone and it's here where we must accompany her to remember her past and recover her will...
This is her story, that of a world that existed, her world, that still lives confined within herself. With each step she will gain strength and this inner world will be the light that will guide her path and escape from an imposed destiny.
Has she always been a doll?
I decided not to be specific about the story since I don't want to influence the listener's experience.
Take this as a quickly wrapped gift (I didn't have enough time to develop the arrangement and mixing a little more)
Thanks to Lone Rabbit for this space that gives us the opportunity to share and grow with others.
Thanks to Agulachin for the inspirational cover art https://www.instagram.com/agulachinart/
Theme
Link(s) of the submission on streaming services
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi0-gPNpRb63mNVNhrtP-wuB5kFKCJx93
Number of tracks5
Genre
Soundtrack use permission
Any project
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Comments
nicely done, mostly peaceful melodies... with something sinister in the background... good work.
DanQ! Thank you for taking the time to listen and for leaving me your feedback, I value it a lot!!!
These tracks fit the horror aesthetic really well, I love it! I personally love horror themed games and OSTs so I find this really interesting. The songs are also really well made, overall just some really great work!
That's all I have to say really, have a great day and gl on the ratings! :DD
I've enjoyed this experience so much, it's good that you find my work interesting, I really appreciate it!! I also love horror genre but this time I went for a melodic approach and not so much sound design. Have a great day too and good luck!!!!
The soundtrack has a nice balance of tension and playfulness, love the cover art too !
Lappytop, thank you so much! What you tell me means a lot to me!! I can't wait to improve my arrangements by studying your work♥
Wow, totally love the orchestration and the thrilling and intriguing ambience of mystery and horror! The music keeps the listener in suspense. This OST reminded me of the music from the Over the Garden Wall TV series, I definitely see your tracks in a similar TV series and would definitely play a game with your OST because the vibe is awesome!! :)
You are leaving me a review with very nice words. Very kind and I thank you very much. Another person here recommended me the same TV show, I haven't watched it yet but I sure will. I know it will be a great inspiration for me!
Very cool! The JRPG influence is definitely showing! Wonderful job combining that light, quaint orchestral with a foreboding and ominous vibe. Beautiful orchestration and compositions! Awesome job!
Ohhh many thanks! I liked the word "foreboding", I feel that it's very appropriate for "Crossroads" . For now I will continue working with a small ensemble,with minimalist style.
Thanks again!
Great work! I really love each track flows together and tells a story. Lights Out was definitely a highlight for me because of how unnerving it was, in a good way :)
I have to tell you...that was my intention with "Lights off" haha, that's why the track is in the middle, it's good that you felt that way.
Thank (NoThanks XD) you for your words and for taking the time to listen!!
Really awesome, and fits the spooky horror vibe very well.
Devilmee! Thanks a lot!! I value your support
4s across except quality at 5. Kudos for small tracks that feel connected and unified! Close Your Eyes was my favorite
Thank you EVER so much!! I wanted to be able to tell an entire story and show specific moments of the character.
OOOO I like this. This feels very different to all other submissions & definitely in a good way! I'd love to play a game with this soundtrack on top. It'd be an unnerving experience but slowly as time goes on, it becomes positive & relieving. Fantastic work :D
I really liked reading your comment, it makes me very happy and encourages me♥
One day, if I continue to grow my knowledge and practice, I gonna compose a quality OST and SFX for a good game. Thank you for your comment!!
This is a lovely and mysterious soundtrack. I feel the charm of Ib especially in these tracks. I love horror inspred soundtracks a lot and they will always have a special place in my heart. My favorite track was "Lights Out", it was quite spooky, made me shiver me timbers. The changes in tone and the consistency in composition really make the soundtrack nice and cohesive. Great work!
Thank you very much for your words and it's good that you enjoy those types of soundtracks. For me it is an interesting genre and I want to continue working on it from the orchestration and incorporate sound design.
Nice, soothing, but sometimes spooky soundtrack. I really liked Lights off, you obviously spent a lot of time on it. You really nailed the mood you described with this OST. Great job!
Yes, it was like that, everything took me a long time, I even thought for a moment that I wouldn't make it in time.
It's great that you think that music matches the mood. Many thanks!
wow, these tracks really paint a picture in my mind, fantastic work. i think they go perfectly with your description and the cover art. really look forward to any future work you do!
Thank you for your encouraging words and valuing the music and the concept in general!!!
I don't know if you've ever seen the Cartoon Network show Over the Garden Wall, but I immediately thought of that show while listening to your music. Over the Garden Wall is one of my favorite TV shows and the music is fantastic, so that is a huge compliment. The orchestration and arranging is creative and very well done.
The first two tracks are seemingly friendly, but there's something unsettling just beneath the surface. In Lights Off it sounded like you used some non-standard bowing techniques on an upright bass to get those creepy low rumblings and string sounds, and it sound great! Very spooky.
One thing I noticed, especially in the song Crossroads, is that a lot of the instruments stay at the same volume throughout the song. If you change the Velocity on the notes a little bit it will sound more like a live recording than MIDI.
Overall this is a very creative and well made submission. Great work!
ohhh I know the show, it has been recommended to me but I haven't seen it yet. I will definitely watch it.
Thank you very much for the compliments and I will take into account the advice you give me to improve, I appreciate it very much
woah this one has some of the most character of any submission ive listened to. I really feel the connection between the image and the mystery/jauntiness of the OST
Beautiful words, thank you very much! The truth is I'm very grateful to the artist. I think I was able to achieve a good balance between art, story and music. And of course I managed to show in the music the different moments that the character has to go through.
Nice sense of direction! You developed the material well across the tracks and you clearly have a good ear for musical payoff. Some of the VSTs you’re using sound fantastic like those pizzicato strings, and especially the bowed strings in Lights Off where very beautiful. Nice work!
I really appreciate your good comments, they are very motivating. And it's good that you value Light Off, I worked on the track especially. Thanks!!!
Oh! I really like the atmosphere. Your OSTs really transport me into some good old RPG horror games. You did a great job! ❤
Wooow I'm very happy. Thank you for taking the time to listen and for your words.
Love this! Fantastic sonic approach. Compositional choices are fluid and original. I think it could benefit from some emotional swells and declines here and there, but that in no way takes away from the incredible work you've done here. I really appreciate the clarity of your recording as well. The reverb and instrument choices mesh very well together. Nicely done!
Many Thanks!! your comment is very positive. Any type of advice that helps me improve is very important to me, so I especially thank you for your suggestion, I will take it into account!
Really unique OST, I found it really interesting that you went with a horror game. I really liked when in Crossroads at 1:25 the strings fully come in and there's a little choir/vocal sound, it's such a shame that it ends so shortly after it, because I felt that the track would really benefit if you continued that idea, but it was great nonetheless. I also really enjoyed Real (no pun intended). The overall atmosphere was awesome and it was a great listen
I chose the horror genre, but I didn't think of it as the type of horror with constant tension and jumpscares, I wanted specific moments during the story and that is what I have tried to show.
For me this is an adventure with a horror component and the discovery of the character's world
I appreciate your comment about Crossroads and will keep it in mind in case I compose something similar. Thanks a lot!!!!
Oooooh... The mystery... the ATMOSPHERE! Very well done and each song, while their own, continued to reveal the whole picture of the game, whilst staying true to the theme. You also had a very clever use of a leitmotif in hiding it, yet making it (even almost subconsciously) obvious! (which is very good!)
Lights Off was my personal favorite from your submissions, and I was thoroughly SPOOKED!
Great job and so far yours was one of my favorites that I listened to!
It's nice to read that it is one of your favorite OSTs, it's something very encouraging for me♥
Thanks for the review and especially your comment about the use of the leitmotiv.
I really like how you used the motif of 5 throughout your tracks. The strings and guitar complement each other very well. My favorite track is "Crossroads".
Thank you very much for listening to the whole ost and for your review!!
I think you're talking about the harp, I didn't use guitar in the composition, they are similar sounds
Yep it was the harp!