itch.io

Thank you so much for your kind and sincere words! I noticed that you started following me on SoundCloud, and I really appreciate it. It shows that you genuinely mean what you say, and that makes me really happy! Thanks again 🙏🏻.

Thank you so much for your detailed and genuinely interested comment! I'll try to respond to a few points in order. In the "main theme," the tremolo-style arpeggio is played on two kennel (an Estonian instrument similar to a harp). And "aleatoric" is indeed the right term to describe these particular string movements—look it up on YouTube; it's a unique technique, especially for building tension, in my opinion (I love it in certain parts of *The Lord of the Rings*... if I'm not mistaken, it's used when the fellowship is standing before the entrance to the Mines of Moria. That whole scene features aleatoric music).

For the choir library, I used EastWest's "Diamonds." I highly recommend it, especially because you can write custom words or phrases. In general, EastWest libraries are very good for choirs; there's also a newer one by Native Instruments that looks intriguing, though I haven't tried it yet.

Lastly, I really appreciate the compliments on the tracks and the soundtrack as a whole, and I'm glad to have been able to inspire you! Thanks again.

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your comment because, out of all the soundtracks I've listened to, I think yours is by far one of the best, if not the best! So thanks again. I'm glad you liked my submission 🙏🏻

thank you so much!!☺️🙏🏻

thank u so much!!🙏🏻 

I wanted to explain the story in detail because I wrote it before composing the game's music. I wanted to make sure the thought process behind the soundtrack was clear... I hope that came across well.

It makes me emotional to read such things about my soundtrack; I really appreciate it, thank you so much! I'll be happy to listen to yours later on.

Compliments! You can hear some jazz sounds mixed with the prevailing orchestra. For puzzle solving, I think it’s perfect. It has a distinct theme but also the delicacy to remain a pleasant and non-intrusive background. Really great work, well composed and orchestrated... perhaps the only drawback is that I would have made a few more tracks for different levels. That said, excellent job!!

thank u so much 🙏🏻🙏🏻☺️

Thank you so much for the compliments! I really appreciated your analysis 🙂

Beautiful harmonic progression, each chord evokes a different feeling: initially it seems melancholic, the second chord strengthens the sadness, then there's a seventh (or ninth) that lightens it, and the fourth chord gives a sense of hope. This pattern repeats and is also reflected in the various themes within the piece. From a narrative perspective, it might have been more impactful if you had developed each moment with a different track. However, the movements with the strings are very well done, especially when combined with the flutes at the end; I might have experimented a bit more with the percussion in the middle section. That said, it's a good submission, and best of luck with the contest!

Beautiful transitions of mood and how you've written the evolutions of the tracks. I think you've paid an incredible amount of attention to the timbral choices of each sound. I can perceive the uniqueness of each sound you used: they are all quite unconventional for a platform soundtrack, in my opinion, but it works incredibly well, truly excellent work! The electronic percussion in the second track is stunning (great sound design skills). Even though it moves rhythmically so much, it manages to maintain the right spaces and pauses thanks to the calm reverse pads. All these elements perfectly describe the concept of the two worlds you intended to convey in the story. Definitely one of the best productions I've heard these days (I don't think I have any points to criticize or advise you on because you clearly know what you're doing); certainly one of the best constructed in terms of sound design and timbral awareness. Exceptional work!!

As you mentioned in the description, it really reminds me of the relaxed music from ABZU, but with a different arrangement: sometimes more synthetic, sometimes more orchestral. It's a good mix between an ABZU and a platform game with more chiptune music. If you truly composed this only with stock plugins, you did a great job because it sounds good. The changes in mood are also interesting: from more relaxed to really "intense" parts like "Abyssal Nightmare," which has a very unique rhythmic progression due to the timbral choice. Many of the percussive sounds are reminiscent of some underground productions. They are interesting, but I might have blended them a bit with some more typical orchestral low percussion for more punch. Overall, great work 👍🏼 🙂

I think the last track is my favorite: the spaciousness is beautiful, it breathes a lot, and musically, it sounds really good.

Thank you so much for the kind words🙏🏻

Yes, I know, unfortunately, "Gates of Thalassia" is the track I managed to edit the least due to lack of time😔

(Scrivo in inglese per sicurezza ma penso tu sia italiano😬)

Great job! Your compositions are beautiful and musically well-executed: both in terms of writing and mockup. Keep studying music because you have a talent for melodies and know how to write them. Keep up the good work. The three tracks are very coherent with each other. The intro is very nice, featuring both slower moments and more dynamic ones, especially with the rhythm made by pizzicatos: it reminds me a lot of a film score structure, but it fits well for an intro theme. Perhaps I would have included a more tense moment in the game for an even more dynamic piece, but otherwise, excellent work, well done!

The sound of the Korg at the beginning is magnificent, and the transition from the initial chill moment to a darker, more distorted one, culminating in the entry of all instruments, is very well done! A truly beautiful intro. It seems like you created several short tracks and grouped them into one piece; it would be interesting if you could develop and separate them into different tracks, contextualizing their significance within the game. Excellent writing and sound design overall!

The story idea is strange, but I love it! The music fits perfectly for a game like this. The retro sound translates the website concept very well. Well-composed, great sound design, and properly mixed. A great submission in my opinion!

I love these sounds that blend retro and minimal styles. The melodic construction gives the impression of an infinite scale of sounds, and the continuous addition of elements, one after another without ever leaving, contributes to the concept's depth. Personally, I would have added even more background elements, like arpeggios and other electronic noises. It works well with the chosen artwork. Personally, I think you've done a great job; it's dreamy and relaxing!

thank you so much, i appreciate it!

thank u so much!!☺️🙏🏻

The choir library I used is hollywood choirs from EastWest Sounds

Thank you! Seeing the taikos in "Gates of Thalassia" as someone knocking on the door is an interesting interpretation. I hadn't thought of that, but it's a great representation.

Thank you so much, coming from you, it means even more 🙏🏻

Thank you so much for the feedback! Of course, I need to create more, as the game is still incomplete. Given only a week, I preferred to focus on fewer pieces but with more attention to detail, aiming to represent the key moments of the game for now. Naturally, for the game to be complete, it will need 15-20 tracks.

Regarding the loops, I understand what you're saying: the only two loopable tracks are "Whispers of Thalassia" and "The Final Boss Song" because they are indeed the only ones intended for gameplay scenes rather than cutscenes. Nonetheless, thank you for the feedback and for taking the time to watch the YouTube video🙏🏻

Wow, those percussions (including the effects) transport you to another dimension. Everything is so dreamy and relaxing. The second track enhances this sensation even more with the addition of typical orchestral instruments mixed with excellent use of sound design: background details, ethereal pads, perfectly executed arpeggios (including a very balanced and clean mix free of annoying resonances). The theme of the abyss, in some ways, reminds me of a game in the style of ABZU: calm and exploratory, with similar background music, it would be perfect (I might have improved the ending with a harmonic closure rather than just fading out). Perhaps you could have added a track that set a different mood within the storyline; I would have been curious to see how you would have tied the originality of the OST to a less static scene. Nonetheless, beyond that, it's truly a great piece of work that deserves praise! Well done.

The first things that really stood out to me were the frequent modulations, which are very interesting. They tend to make everything more mystical and mysterious. The arrangements are beautiful, with the sax in the first track and the constant feeling of an arpeggiated loop in both pieces. Additionally, it’s clear that these tracks were specifically designed for video game levels; I can easily imagine them within a game. Their "dreamy" sound helps to relax and transport the player to another dimension during a level. I think you did an excellent job. Unfortunately you only wrote two tracks, as I would have loved to hear more.

Let me start by saying: Beautiful artwork. The orchestration of "Bright Lights Kept us up" is truly stunning: the piano harmony is very relaxing, and the solo violin sounds truly melancholic. From the story you described, I expected a completely different soundtrack, but what you composed was not only unexpected but also very coherent. It's lovely how the piano is almost always the foundation, with other solo instruments carrying the theme on top. The fourth track is essential for changing the mood and is well-suited for a platform game. Without it, the OST would have been too static, so great choice. Everything is well-written, well-mixed, and the timbral choices are spot on. A fantastic job, well done, and good luck!

Wow, incredible. I didn't expect that! Truly, congratulations!

Of course, I respect your opinion and find it reasonable! Best of luck in the contest.

It’s incredible how you managed to write so much music!!! The tracks aren’t even poorly written, so that’s impressive. What I’m curious about is why you chose to write so much music rather than focusing on fewer tracks and refining them in detail. I’m interested in understanding more about the influence you might have drawn from the story. It’s an ambitious project that definitely deserves a hat tip for the time you’ve dedicated to it!

The first horror soundtrack I’ve heard from the Jam. The intro is quite unusual for a horror, creating a contrasting effect that could enhance the sense of horror when paired with the right scenes. The drones are very fitting; I would try to add more variations. Overall, the ambient idea is well-chosen and well-executed. If I had to find something to improve, it would be to add a memorable musical theme on top that sticks more, but the ambient sounds are spot on!

Halfway between relaxing and unsettling, straight out of Brian Eno's world but a bit darker. A unique project!

Wow, the rhythm in the intro when the drums come in is beautiful… totally unexpected and funky. The sound design is also very interesting with those almost dissonant sounds. Did you use the MicroFreak? It’s definitely a nice instrument! And your submission is one of the most unique electronic OSTs I’ve heard.

Wow, the intro is both melancholic and romantic at the same time. It’s very, very beautiful, combining warmth and coldness thanks to a well-constructed orchestration; the strings move and sound great. The switch to the second track is also very well executed: the rhythm and mood change, and it feels like you’re diving right into the heart of the story.

This is very interesting! It somewhat reminds me of *The Witcher* at certain moments (including the TV series). The instruments typical of medieval culture sound really good (may I ask which libraries you used?). I truly love the folkloric sounds! Another strong point is the significant difference between the tracks, while still maintaining a sense of coherence among them. The second track, so ethereal, is unexpected after the folkloric intro. It fits well, describing different moods without making you feel like you're being transported to another world or story. The mix is very balanced, and the orchestrations are excellently executed. Well done!

The intro is beautiful and moving! I can really feel the game’s title in it. The strings are executed very well, and the piano has that touch of melancholy it needed. As an intro, it works perfectly. Overall, all the music fits very well with the type of game you envisioned, both for cutscenes and exploration scenes. The arrangements are very nice, and the way you orchestrated with a small ensemble of brass and woodwinds (in the second track) has a dual effect: comedic yet relaxing. The third track has a completely different orchestration but strongly conveys the “hero” you described. The comedic themes are clumsy and very interesting (reminiscent of *Fantozzi*, a famous Italian cinema cult). Well done, great job—I say this with complete sincerity!

As someone else already mentioned, it gave me strong Animal Crossing vibes. A very cute and interesting project: the interplay between the strings and piano is beautiful, and the use of pizzicatos is excellent (although I might make the string sound a bit more prominent). Great job, well done🫡🙂.

The story idea is really original, I like it! The music is well executed and exactly what you’d expect to find in a game like this. It could easily be a published game. The orchestrations are beautiful: there are platform game sounds mixed with jazz, orchestra, and synth elements. Truly an interesting project, great job! I wish you the best of luck in the contest.

Piano themes are always the most difficult because it’s easy for them to sound cliché, even more so if they are minimal. However, that’s not the case with yours… really well executed, and at some points, it reminded me of the world of Johann Johannsson. Personally, I would have added some background elements (even simple modulated noise) to reinforce the atmosphere and pay more attention to details.

The video where you described the story scene by scene is great; it makes the music more evocative.

Maybe I would have orchestrated the second track differently with some pizzicato, because its writing was very interesting. "Morning Shrine Visit" is one of my favorites: the combination of soft piano and harp is very relaxing, fits well within the overall OST, and is perfect for the type of game you have in mind.

Certainly, extra points for the level of detail with which you described the story and the music, and also for the amount of music you composed (18 minutes is a lot for just one week!). Overall, I think it's a great piece of work.

The ambient idea is interesting, minimal but a good starting point to develop further. I would suggest trying to lower the piano velocity in the first track so that it sounds softer, and pay attention to the reverb tails (not sure if you used CC64 for the sustain, but make sure the reverb of one chord doesn’t overlap with the next). The use of the piano in the last track is interesting, turning it into a sort of synth-drone, but I would have used a bit less reverb, or rather: put the reverb in parallel so you have a clean track that combines with one with a lot of reverb. This way, you’ll hear both the ambient effect you want to achieve and have the sensation that the piano is closer to you. I hope these tips are helpful🙂🤞🏼.

It's 6 in the morning, I'm on a ship and I feel like I'm flying. The arpeggio reminds me a lot of the beginning of an Italian song ("La canzone nostra" by Blanco), yet I think it's very fitting for the type of game you envisioned. You created a very interesting mix of retro, electronic, and chiptune... is that an accordion in the second track? Your work is very interesting, and a couple more tracks would have been perfect.

Beautiful electronic sound design: I love those minimal sine wave arpeggios, really beautiful. Perhaps I would have brought the drums of the first track a bit more forward in the mix (personal opinion). All three tracks fit perfectly with the descriptions you provided and are really well thought out as background music for a video game.