Building a Supergiant Soundtrack

[@kay_soy]

*thinks about how personal Red views her music when she is planning or taking a break *remembers how her voice was stolen with no warning on the very same night for no reason other than her own passion in such music landing her in the spotlight cRIES DEEPLY

[@rodrijopo]

great now I have to replay both games again

[@GameScoreFanfare]

hahaha, sorry! (but not really.)

[@doorslammer633]

quixoticelixer add pyre to that list.

[@FuzzyToasterMeister]

All the chills I felt when finishing Bastion just came back... Great analysis! I love what Transistor did with the music, guess I have to play it now. :)

[@princessthyemis]

IT'S AMAZING; PLAY IT!!!

[@astronomeratnight]

Same. On sale now, too. No better time.

[@sleven8013]

Same here, it just felt like finishing Bastion for the first time.

[@bxwtf]

I watched this video a couple years ago and it really stuck with me, so a year or so later when I saw they were giving away Transistor on the epic launcher I thought to myself, "Oh this is the game with the hum button, I'll install this one". I ended up not playing it till this week and today I finished it for the second time; I don't think I've ever felt sadder to finish a game, everything about Transistor was just amazing. It's only been a few days and it's already claimed it's spot as on of my most memorable and favorite games ever. After I finished I searched for HOURS to find this video again. Thank you for the introducing me to one of best games ever made! Now I'm off to start Hades...

[@handsoaphandsoap]

NieR uses this same technique of the vocals fading in and out depending on the players proximity to the vocalist, with Devola in the starting town. You can even talk to her which makes her stop singing during the conversation and you can hear her muffled vocals through the walls of the tavern as you pass by

[@Landis963]

6:00 aaaaand dammit I'm crying again.

[@SavCorp]

Yep

[@siddharthiyer7244]

Fffff I swore I wouldn't but here I am crying too

[@Ashtarte3D]

Supergiant is easily my favorite developer right now. Even if their games had a pretty set style they stick to so far with Jen Zee's art, Darren Korb's music and Greg Kasavin's writing. But what works works amazingly well. Korb does a fantastic job carrying the emotional impact of the scenes Kasavin writes and Zee's art brings the world building all together. Also still to this day I cannot hear Setting Sail, Coming Home without breaking into tears. The only other song to ever do that to me is Weight of the World from NieR:Automata.

[@sleven8013]

Bastion ending once again hits me like a brick.

[@CageyVideos]

Very interesting video. Looking forward to more.

[@GameScoreFanfare]

Thanks Cagey! Glad to have you on board. :)

[@Babelfish112]

Just subbed too, keep it up!

[@valarya]

I hope you do a video on Disasterpeace for his work on Fez and Hyper Light Drifter. Actually, I'd watch any video you make. Music in games has been a crucial part of my life and I'm very much enjoying your series.

[@GameScoreFanfare]

+valarya oooo I'd very much like to, I love Disasterpeace. It's definitely on my list for the future!

[@SuperRitz44]

@@GameScoreFanfare Still in the hope of a Disasterpeace video!

[@mainaccount3087]

So this is why the music of Supergiant Games sound so unique! You, good sir, just earned another subscriber.

[@boutypierre9855]

Very good video ! I can't wait to see what you think about Pyre's music. I noticed something really interesting about it. As you said, in Transistor, we can hear variations of the songs depending on the situation (walk, fight, turn). In Pyre they pushed the thing even further. Each Triumvirate you encounter has its musical theme. The liberation Rite has its own too (Never to Return). But the amazing thing is that this song change and is merged with the musical theme of the triumvirate you are confronting. It is partically noticeable against triumvirate with a strong theme like the Dissidents one whose heavy electric guitar which denote completely with the calm and tragic ballad which is Never to Return.

[@boutypierre9855]

And they did the thing of muting some instruments too. You can hear it when you are at the Slugmarket and you switch to your roster.

[@TheDarkEye]

I can't describe how I love the music in bastion and transistor, I'm still listening to their soundtracks on a regular basis

[@Toporshik]

Adapting soundtrack in the start of the Transistor creates an amazing moment.

[@SteltekOne]

I love it when music is made to respond dynamically in video games. The first such implementation that I remember is Lucas Arts' iMUSE system, which would handle switching between songs and song variations in their adventure games (e.g. when you walked from one room to another, the system wouldn't just stop one song and play another, but it would locate a beat in the current song to play a transition that would seamlessly lead into the next piece.)

[@GameScoreFanfare]

Yeah, iMUSE was really cool for its time and obviously very influential. The first example I can think of with dynamic music is Super Mario World. When you jump on Yoshi, bongos are added to the song.

[@willle4007]

Really cool! Learned a lot of things I never even noticed. Not many game essayists talk about music so i'm looking forward to the next one.

[@GameScoreFanfare]

That's exactly what I thought, there's not a lot out there about game music that isn't music theory. I'm glad you learned something. :)

[@codekhalil6437]

What a great job by you and Supergiant. Thank you for bringing to light the efforts that go into a soundtrack/score. I will be picking up Transistor because of this vid

[@Orange-qc6ub]

I know this is from 4 years ago...but this was awesome to hear.

[@stoffelthedestroyer3741]

So glad your debut video is about Supergiant Games Bastion and Transistor. Perfect start for such a game music focused channel.

[@bruthaflex]

Outstanding work! Not only did you give an extensive, accurate insight to the making of these games and soundtrack, but you brought this game dev to light in a time when AA developers are doing everything they can to suck the life and soul out of the industry. I will definitely check out these games.

[@tomaspalazzi]

Loving your videos, specially the insides in the interactive part of the music!

[@anthonytonev1357]

"I hope that other game developers take NOTES from Supergiant Games" - I see what you did there.

[@qorter14]

I literally bought all of SuperGiant's games after hearing the soundtracks. I love them so much. I appreciate this video a lot.

[@Christo2k]

Stumbled upon this after finishing "In The Flame" from Pyre - excellent, interesting analysis, looking forward to what you produce in the future!

[@midasmagnezone4282]

hi I read the captions. I love when video creators put captions in their videos, it makes videos so much more accessible for people who need them and don't alike. one thing regarding captions I may suggest: make the captions disappear when the caption text is not actually being said in the video. there are very helpful subtitling guides online that can help as well. thank you so much for your great work.

[@spoilthatsong2544]

Awesome analysis. Really makes me want to replay these games and experience the amazing music again.

[@GameScoreFanfare]

Thanks! That's all I ever wanted to achieve really. :)

[@murilovalimbiasi3956]

Beautiful video. Transistor is one of my top 20 games of all time. There is something really magical in there. Specially the music.

[@Vashetrockner]

On point on the video! Really good. The only thing i missed was the concept of the Final Battle in Transistor, where the boss music in his Turn-mode focuses on the bass(line). The cool thing there is, that the music is overall pretty tens, but isolated, there are some really good-vibe basslines.

[@nerdytech7287]

I never seen this channel till today. and I am a big fan on indie games and music. and I cant believe a jem like this channel existed. now I wonder what else I have missed.

[@kenkune55]

These analysis videos are great! Played bastion ages ago but you just sold me on transistor

[@GameScoreFanfare]

+kenkune55 I'm glad, it's one of my favourite games!

[@Whimzy74]

The song "Sandbox" is my go to calm down song. I have listened to it over 400 times. Darren Korb is amazing.

[@warumawaru]

Amazing video. Thank you so so much for making it, I cant explain to you how happy I am to find it, even after so long since the games were launched.

[@stratoge]

It feels weird that this is your first video uploaded on this channel. I've been subscribed since undertale but Transistor is one of my favorite games! You definitely deserve a lot more subscribers at this point.

[@robinwong6555]

Your videos are so inspiring that it's inspired me to start developing my own music rather than planning on hiring others to depend on them solely. I have a very strange musical background that isn't very reliable to be honest, but your videos have helped me build a bit of confident and gain more appreciation for the music I've heard in so many beautiful games

[@HeavyEyed]

Super awesome video man! I always loved how integrated the soundtrack was to these games and this was a great breakdown on why.

[@GameScoreFanfare]

+HeavyEyed ahhhh thanks Mitch! Your videos are definitely part of my inspiration, especially love your ones on embracing limitations and the hi-bit era. So this means a lot!

[@ChubbsRN]

Bastion's ending left me somewhat speechless as well. I got goosebumps from Setting Sail, Coming Home. There's something about the tonality of that song that emotionally resonates with you.

[@ricecooker7037]

Darren Korb is really an insanely good musician.

[@jozkovanco]

very nicely covered, subscribed, can't wait for another video :)

[@GameScoreFanfare]

Thanks! You won't have to for long.

[@justinao7620]

Great content, man! Really looking forward to more stuff from you! Keep it up!

[@jocloud31]

Very fantastic! Can't wait to see what you've got coming next.

[@GameScoreFanfare]

You're too nice!

[@jocloud31]

Not even! It helps that these are two of my favorite modern game soundtracks :)

[@GameScoreFanfare]

Mine too, if you couldn't already tell!

[@EduardoYukio]

I cried with the emotions that the final music of Bastion brings to me, omg, such a fantastic soundtrack! So much feels! And your analysis resonates with it in a perfect way, thank you for reminding me how awesome that game is!

[@NevRmind182]

Very interesting breakdown, I'm excited for what you do next in this series. One title I'm looking forward to specifically for its adaptive soundtrack is Them's Fighting Herds, a fighter which also involved the composer in its earliest stages and aims to score every match with different instruments depending on the chosen characters.

[@GameScoreFanfare]

Oh man, that DOES sound interesting. Thanks for putting it on my radar. :)

[@shadowjmg2]

I just wish you had mention the part in bastion where rucks hums build that wall. Just rewatching that scene chills me to this day.

[@Inkeyes00]

Love the graphics on the transistor part on the end!

[@foreverzero15x6]

I think a better example for Transistor's music would've been the area where the song water wall was played. It was of those many moments where the music just flowed so perfectly from out of combat in combat and turn phase

[@GameScoreFanfare]

+Calvin Webster I think it almost was, but I used Water Wall as an example of Old World Electronic Post Rock, and I didn't want to double up.

[@Lefsler]

Your channel is just amazing

[@rpesel]

2018 here. Another great sound track of SGG....

[@Little1Cave]

And with one video, you earned yourself a subscriber... ^-^ I can't WAIT to see what more you create!!

[@GameScoreFanfare]

Wait no more. ;)

[@princessthyemis]

WHAAAAT I never made the connection about "Mother, I'm Here" being connected to the goddess! WHOA! And I've played it 5 times now! :O 0_0

[@GameScoreFanfare]

There's always cool new things to find! :)

[@TifasKnight]

I listen to video game scores almost every day and this is so very fascinating!

[@ProfKisuto]

Great job! Looking forward to more videos!

[@GameScoreFanfare]

Thank you! Hopefully it will only be two weeks before you have more. :)

[@Msdimwitted]

Oh shit, this is fantastic stuff! You have a subscription, here's to hoping you get more views! Might I suggest in the future covering Martin O'donnel's work in Halo 1, 2, 3, and ODST and Reach? While all part of the same series, the difference and feel of the original trilogy, ODST, and Reach are astounding...while still being recognizable for their own merits. I read somewhere that Martins philosophy for the first iterations of the themes were using instruments to represent different aspects and emotions to the songs. You also have a lot of those delicious leitmotifs

[@GameScoreFanfare]

+Ms Dimwitt thanks! Best way for it to get more views is to share it around! ;) I will definitely consider Halo, but it will take me a LOT of research because I'm really not that familiar with the series outside of multiplayer nights at friends. I've never owned an Xbox. But with enough time invested i might be able to. :)

[@danmorrison7182]

Great analysis, have subscribed!

[@GameScoreFanfare]

Cheers! Looking forward to having you around. :)

[@chino01animation]

Thank you for creating this. I hope you also make a video about the Night in The Woods in the future.

[@GameScoreFanfare]

+chino01animation I am SO KEEN to play Night In The Woods, however I've been a bit busy with this whole thing, haha. I'm in love with the track Longest Night.

[@chino01animation]

The sound effects in the game is also brilliant. Looking forward to hear your thoughts on it.

[@will_wmgc]

Subscribed, I fucking love channel like these that mix music and games, plus it's the first time I hear so much about the music of those two games, and it's brilliant. Thanks for remind me of how good they are :D

[@GameScoreFanfare]

They're popular soundtracks, but even then super under-rated! Glad to have you round!

[@subprogram32]

I just started watching this channel, and my gosh I will be so hype if or when a Pyre video comes out. :D

[@GameScoreFanfare]

+subprogram32 it's coming next!

[@subprogram32]

Holy shit yissssssssssss!!!!

[@GabasGameDev]

Nice work! Congrats!

[@GameScoreFanfare]

Thank you!

[@Chris-xr6jg]

Wow, great video. I actually learned alot from this video. I'm even more impressed by these soundtracks than I was before.

[@android19willpwn]

I love these soundtracks so much

[@matterpie]

Happy anniversary!

[@marcelo01286]

The most memorable games that I record, are specific because of the songs. Funny how it works. One that come in to mind is the Command & Conquer series (before bought by the devil), which had an incredible soundtrack also (Red March). And the SNES RPG era... man those songs are so beautiful for a 16 bits console.

[@dtmuffinman]

SUCH a great video, instant sub.

[@sjsamphex]

Would really love to see you revist this with Pyre. The mechanics of the ending song are incredible

[@GameScoreFanfare]

Soon, hopefully!

[@FPSedin]

Mechanics of the liberation rites are also incredible

[@annadess]

I love your videos, hope you will gift us with a video of Pyre's soundtrack in the future!

[@savegalkissy]

yessss someone analyzing transister's music thank you!

[@XOXOcel]

Supergiant Games is awesome for putting so much heart into their music. Can't wait for Pyre!

[@TotalTimoTime]

Great games, great soundtracks but most importantly great video! Keep it up :) P.S.: Mark Brown (GameMakers Toolkit) sent me

[@GameScoreFanfare]

+TotalTimoTime thanks! Mark is a gem.

[@lynnlo]

I typically don't like games with lyrics, but just is on a new level.

[@Smokecall]

Your breakdown is up there with Mark Brown with how you breakdown concepts

[@GameScoreFanfare]

This is a massive compliment, thank you!

[@snappycaster]

I'm like the biggest darren korb fanboy ever. I love this. (also you should do a pyre video now :) )

[@GameScoreFanfare]

I already have!

[@snappycaster]

Oh I see that now!

[@LiontamerVGF]

Great job, Mathew! :-)

[@LoLzWatsUsay]

Amazing, I love Darren Korb!!

[@GameScoreFanfare]

What a man!

[@hamzamotara4304]

OHSHIT! I didn't realize that there were spoilers in this!

[@Arturoperezp]

Pyre turned out great!

[@GameScoreFanfare]

That it did! Their best yet.

[@PossiblyIrregardless]

Subbed instantly after I watched this. Please keep these going! Have you got any topics lined up for your next episodes?

[@GameScoreFanfare]

+PossiblyIrregardless I already have two more scripted out and dozens of ideas but only a couple good ones. New video in a fortnight. ;)

[@PossiblyIrregardless]

Game Score Fanfare I'm looking forward to them! Maybe put Bloodborne on your list if you haven't already? No pressure (actually lots of pressure).

[@vanishing-point]

Awesome games, awesome devs, awesome video.

[@GameScoreFanfare]

Thanks! I'll take one guess where you got your channel name from, haha.

[@smilingmushroom32]

What!? I finished the game and never knew there was a button for humming.

[@altalena9139]

Great video! Instant sub! I don't think thin build that call was about the Ura though... The Rippling Walls weren't built to keep the Ura out, they were built to keep wild beasts out... And besides, the Ura did dig up the Tazal Terminals, they just resided in them. It's true that the Ura out of the Terminals live in burrows, but I still don't think Build That Wall was about the Ura though...

[@GameScoreFanfare]

I was basing that off what Darren Korb said himself. Refer to his GDC talk, from 15:43. :) Link is in the description.

[@tonygarcia2255]

YESSSSS. DARREN KORB IS AN IMMENSE INSPIRATION OF MINE

[@elmoo88]

Have you been playing Hades by SuperGiant already? I know it's officially in early access, but the game is pretty polished, especially when it comes to music. I love how for Hades they stay true to their earlier approach to music. The most interesting bit coming from two NPC's called Orpheus and Eurydice, drawing straight from original Greek mythos, making a nice side story about love and loss, and I love how the main character can "connect" them trough a piece of music. Would love to see you doing a new video on SuperGiant :)

[@GameScoreFanfare]

Yeah I played it back when they only had the first two areas out. And I really enjoyed it! I'm looking forward to carving out some time to see what's been updated in the past year or so.

[@Phartonium]

Very interesting and nicely done, keep it up ! :D I suscribed :)

[@GameScoreFanfare]

Thanks, Phart! :)

[@nickwallette6201]

These games need physical releases. Now, please.

[@mononoke721]

Frankly the music is better in these games than the games themselves, though you do a good job of outlining how well said music is integrated into the games.

[@Dentson]

The soundtrack for Pyre is nothing short from AMAZING, just sayin.

[@dandundun]

I'm watching a video about the music damn it, you don't have to get me emotionally involved! || _ ||

[@Scifiguy11th]

This is so great. Could you do an episode on Earthbound?

[@GameScoreFanfare]

+Attention Deficet Hyperactive Director I would LOVE to! One day. :) Also, I am super excited for Goths.

[@toddmichaeljohnson7139]

The man is a genius 👏🏻

[@Justagamerhere1]

"I cant wait how that turns out". I will spoil Pyre: it has another song that puts a lump in your throat like the last two.

[@redtaileddolphin1875]

Great now I have to play bastion

[@maandator]

you should do a video for Pyre !!!

[@ElementGuns12]

best soundtracks of all time (not in a specified order) transitor life​ is strange shadow of the colossus

[@FPSedin]

You got work to do now with Pyre :D

[@GameScoreFanfare]

+FPSedin it's coming!

[@FPSedin]

Can't wait, really appreciate your work.

[@hemangchauhan2864]

Another game I think if when comes to adaptive (or "transitioning") soundtrack, is Metal Gear Rising Revengeance. This can convert pointless gameplay sequences like QTEs into an epic event, and elevated boss fights from great to Godlike.

[@GameScoreFanfare]

I've heard Revengeance does some really interesting stuff with music, I'm keen to give it a play!

[@BagOfKnives]

Great video, Theres a few people I know who play games with the sound off. Which I think is a great lose.

[@GameScoreFanfare]

+Bag Of Knives totally! I can barely turn the music off even in online games like overwatch. I just want it to be a sort of pure experience.

[@bleed2blue1]

great video about great games Spoilers and own thoughts For me the songs in Bastion Build that Wall and Mother im here are more tied to the singing persons For me Build that wall was more a caelondian lullaby especialy for kid. Work to build that Wall and this city and defend. Yes nothing is forever but then someone will build it anew. It is song by Zia a kind Ura Girl that lives with her father in Caelondia because her father betrayed the Ura. I dont think her father would tell her to destroy all of her enemys more he wanted to say whatever happen you could build always a new city For me is Mother im here a Song about Zulfs loneliness in Caelondia and a promise to come one day home back to his Mother

[@guiltriple]

Hm, is it confirmed either in-game or out-of-game that Zulf's song is about Micia?

[@GameScoreFanfare]

+guiltriple as I showed when talking about it, the description of Micia's idol calls her the Lorn Mother and says she "gave away her heart and bears the star of Caelondia in its stead." The lyrics of the song reference this "I see your star / You left it burning for me / Mother, I'm Here"

[@guiltriple]

I see -- only that, then? Because the rest of the song lyrics don't make a lot of sense as a "Caelondian theme" kind of thing IMO -- unless it's meant to be taken ironically/subverted, of course!

[@subprogram32]

If I remember right, I think Zulf was brought up in Caelondia wasn't he? It would make sense that he would know the songs of that country and find them relatable, even though it's not his familial culture.

[@guiltriple]

Nope, he moved to Caelondia later in life.

[@basilschuman7159]

So... Pyre video when?

[@GameScoreFanfare]

+Basil Schuman I'm working on it! Soooooon.

[@LordMarlle]

The ending song isn't sung in unison, it's harmonious. Unison is using the same pitch across different voices :)

[@GameScoreFanfare]

+Bob Slartibarti I'm not a smart person, I just used a word.

[@dtmuffinman]

If only this video came out after Pyre did!

[@subprogram32]

That just means we get two videos about Supergiant instead of one. ;)

[@mistrdevine]

I’m a HUGE fan of Darren Korb and Supergiant games, but I find it odd that the weakest of their soundtracks in my opinion, Transistor, is the one game that stars a musician as the main character. I wish the transistor soundtrack was a bit stronger.

[@gustavoadolfoguardado9101]

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