How Shadow of the Colossus' Music Works

Рет қаралды 43,292

Күн бұрын

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@henrique88t 5 ай бұрын

One of those videos that when you see on your feed your eyes pop out and you cancel all you appointments to watch it asap.

@tss3393 5 ай бұрын

Straight up calling into work for this one.

@jacobramos6408 5 ай бұрын

Real

@comfortable.and.furious 5 ай бұрын

Exactly what I did

@yungmentalproblems 5 ай бұрын

I waited 3 days cause I got shig to do

@dropdedgothish 5 ай бұрын

@@tss3393 honestly imma just be late, missed my bus any how. (shrug)

@jasonblalock4429 5 ай бұрын

It's funny, hiring a kaiju movie composer to write music for a giant monster game must have seemed so obvious... but even then, Kow Otani really knocked it out of the park.

@Bozeman42 5 ай бұрын

This game, as a whole, is truly art.

@Stand00Alone97 5 ай бұрын

It's a medium defining game. One of the best ever made.

@andyghkfilm2287 5 ай бұрын

4:20 the thing is, the jaws theme is a “big thing lurking” theme, and the reverse is a “small thing lurking” theme. You say it conveys there’s there something terrible lurking in the darkness-that’s Wander. We’re inside the Collossus’s house, stalking it

@colin5227 Ай бұрын

That's really important

@karlgustav9960 23 күн бұрын

I always thought of it as the “calling” theme, it is calling the player toward a goal. When wander wistles “calls” for Agro (his horse) he also uses a similar half tone step coming from the top. This motif is also heard in the bonus track “swift horse” that plays as a screensaver if you don’t touch the controls for a while.

@WanArk86 5 ай бұрын

When the music "The Opened Way" started to creep in, I can really feel that emotion of "I just need a bit more push" welling up.

@AManChoosesASlaveObeys 5 ай бұрын

And the music is that push. Absolutely fantastic!

@TheTubePoweredOne 5 ай бұрын

Fun fact: Kow Otani has composed for two of Japan's big G franchises. He's done both Godzilla _and_ Gundam music.

@TheTubePoweredOne 5 ай бұрын

For anyone who's interested, the Godzilla film he did was "Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack," and the Gundam series he worked on was Gundam Wing (along with the sequel OVA, Endless Waltz) as its sole composer. He also did several Gamera films, which is arguably one of the other big G franchises of Japan, but I figured that was less recognizable to people who weren't already kaiju fans or MST3K fans.

@devinco1 5 ай бұрын

@@TheTubePoweredOne I realized last year that he composed Gundam Wing and was surprised by how many people around me were just unfazed.

@detectivedewitt9536 5 ай бұрын

Bro's a specialist when it comes to making music to big creatures on camera

@ElleRoni 4 ай бұрын

My friend you missed Gamera

@TheTubePoweredOne 4 ай бұрын

@@ElleRoni I made an addendum mentioning Gamera in the first reply :P

@KINGOFPIZZA92 5 ай бұрын

finally someone who talks about one of the most important elements of the auditory experience of this game: SILENCE.

@ThatRedHusky 5 ай бұрын

The thing I absolutely adore about the music is that when you're getting the upper hand on the Colossi, it switches to that triumphant mode but definitely not a complete victory tune. It literally feels like it's saying "Listen, you're succeeding but this is NOT over."

@cryoshakespeare4465 5 ай бұрын

So much of my childhood was spent listening to this kind of music, that nowadays, despite having a good ear, I have a hard time telling if something is out of key, just because I am so used to chromatic embellishments being a beautiful part of dissonance in music that it just feels natural and right to me. Freaking love this game, thanks for covering it!

@jelyse14 4 ай бұрын

I remembered going through this entire soundtrack noting that "reverse Jaws" motif in every single track I could find it in

@akemifo 5 ай бұрын

I think it is important mention that after resolving to the tonic (11:57) the rest of the track with that reverse Jaws motif is not revealed until the very end of the game. Great video as always!

@nepesilva2284 5 ай бұрын

It’s impossible for me not to tear up every time I hear the music that plays after you kill a Colossus. It’s so beautiful, haunting and filled with immense melancholy, like I just committed an unspeakable sin for my own gain and ultimately, my own demise. This game is something else.

@n7sorcerer419 5 ай бұрын

It’s hard to compare video games over so many years but I don’t see any other game reaching the level of love and respect I have for this game anytime soon. As you said, it doesn’t do *a lot* but what it does, it absolutely does to perfection. And when I say perfection, I literally mean it is perfect at what it does.

@Khyrberos 5 ай бұрын

The timing on this is unreal. I have wanted to play this game for over a decade but never got around to it... Until a month or so ago when I realized I could get it on my PS4. Played it with my kids & beat it a few weeks ago; a powerful experience. And now this! Excellent.

@Dancinglemon 5 ай бұрын

This game is literally a masterpiece. It may not be a game that suits everyone but it’s so deliberately crafted and beautifully unique that I still think about it 10 or so years after playing it for the first time. I’ve never played a game that’s so melancholic and even listening to you talk about it gets me super hyped to play it again even though it’s a really sad game. God I love it lol

@Dinuial 5 ай бұрын

That run of "silence" before the music kicks in might make for an interesting video, and there would probably be a lot of good examples from games. The only one in film I can think of is Hitchcock's The Birds. Most people think it's unscored because the only traditional music in it is the children's song but every caw, scratch, and wing flap were carefully composed from synthesized samples and basically amounts to of hell of an avant-garde score. Might not be a good fit for 8-bit, but someone has to be set up for a serious essay on composed foley and soundscapes as score.

@StarTropicsKing 5 ай бұрын

Shadow of the Colossus is easily my favorite non-Nintendo video game soundtrack! It just checks all the boxes for a masterpiece collection of tracks, almost making it a movie-like quality from the golden era of film.

@aviserig 4 ай бұрын

And people say I'm crazy for having this as my favorite soundtrack of all time.

@DallasCrane 5 ай бұрын

14:00 the pan flutes are a nice touch for the llama colossus. Very Peruvian. The Phrygian mode of the soundtrack also leans Spanish, which no doubt comes from the developer’s initial goal of making SOTC a sequel to ICO (TICO).

@cjwatso 5 ай бұрын

I hadn’t realized how good the voicing is until now. That part where the melody is passed down before the bird colossus is so elegant for a video game. It kinda reminds me of the soundtrack to Journey. Thanks for your great analysis videos!

@GreasyDaddy 5 ай бұрын

Everything about this game just moves me every single time.

@Kazamuki 5 ай бұрын

I've never hit the like button so fast! This soundtrack is one of my top favorites and I love to see your breakdown of how it works! So cool.

@Gorilogro 5 ай бұрын

I've seen an increasing amount of SotC content recently. As a big fan of this game, I'm extremely happy.

@Zephyros500 5 ай бұрын

Genuinely sad to see this video end, I wanted more. MORE.

@rasmusn.e.m1064 5 ай бұрын

It says a lot that I've only heard this soundtrack once before because I watched a playthrough, and it was still instantly recognisable to me.

@Lunar_Leit 5 ай бұрын

some of the must underrated music in gaming

@alexzaze1407 5 ай бұрын

I always loved to think that the feeling that a game's OST gives you represents what the protagonist is feeling at that moment.

@ArchivistShepard 5 ай бұрын

I can never follow along with the terminology and aspects of composition, but I have long since appreciated you being able to break how these tracks accomplish what they're gunning for. Appreciate your work, and always appreciate more Shadow of the Colossus in my life! 🎉

@0mni42 5 ай бұрын

17:15 The end of Revived Power will always be one of my most magical gaming moments, because the first time I played the game, I delivered the finishing blow on the bearded Colossus at exactly the end of the music, so it didn't loop back afterwards. Just a perfect little piece of audiovisual storytelling.

@spencerstone7696 5 ай бұрын

My favorite OST of all time. The scope, and feelings this score puts you through. I literally just started last month diving into the chords and progression as I'm putting together sheet music of my own. Thanks for creating and sharing this!

@lanceuppercut6168 14 күн бұрын

Always loved the game having dynamic music and changing depending on what phase you were in. The change marking your progress, and if you fall off it reverts to the previous phase and having you work your way back up.

@ArcherKet 5 ай бұрын

The music that plays when you are able to start climbing the colossus's back is called "The Opened Way" and it's one of a couple of tracks I listen to all the time as it's a favorite of mine.

@Sector_VII 5 ай бұрын

Once again, incredible video! I'm so glad you did an analysis on Shadow. The "reverse-Jaws" phrasing is perfect for what the music does in that particular part. One thing I've alway loved about this game is how the music tells the story! Going from a somber and ominous tone, to a grandiose and exhilaration feeling in the music is just pure perfection 🤌 WELL DONE!

@Resewnio 5 ай бұрын

Damn dude, it's been more than a decade since I listened to this games tracks, and I still remembered that sixth session from the first colossus by heart. And even then I still freaking cried when it came out under your analysis. Such a powerful musical moment.

@PatrickGann 5 ай бұрын

One of your best videos to date!! Loved the breakdown here, and the "reverse Jaws" motif you've identified. The two big swells (I forget track titles, but one is the minor scale climb and the other is the triumphant D major bit) are two of the peak pieces of music. Thank you so much for making this one, 8bit!

@sVieira151 5 ай бұрын

Yesss i need more videos on this music. Its interesting because my favourite tracks in the OST are the quieter, not battle tracks that are only played at very specific points. My favourite OST of all time by far imo. Its also interesting hoe that reverse jaws motif is originally introduced by the flutes in the prologue/intro cinemantic piece "To the Ancient Land", which makes it even more unsettling when you hear it the first time getting close to the first colossus.

@Cah00ts 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for covering this soundtrack! This is one of my absolute favorites, so it was great to see your analysis applied to it.

@ReticentXS 5 ай бұрын

This game was such an epic classic. The score accentuated the amazing experience. Thanks for your analysis. Always appreciate your videos when they come out.

@Absquatula 5 ай бұрын

I just replayed this game for a friend to watch and still, many years and consoles removed, that soundtrack still moves me to tears. Many games can generate a strong connection between the player and the controller and, my god, the R1 button was being pressed as hard as Wander held on for dear life.

@bleachelf 5 ай бұрын

I'd forgotten this game's music, but the moment the 'turning the tide' part came up I distinctly remember how that felt. :O Great video!!

@roffie 5 ай бұрын

This video made me cry and I laughed so hard that I cried at 5:45 "nothing but a sword and a very cool poncho" 😂 Thank you 8-bit music theory for covering a game that means so much to me!!

@zacharywong483 5 ай бұрын

Incredibly professional and informative video, as always! Terrific work!

@techdeth 5 ай бұрын

20 feet bro that thing bigger than 20 feet!! 😂😂😂 amazing video for an amazing game bud❤

@XxImaFunGuyxX 5 ай бұрын

Thank you for doing a deep dive on this masterful piece of work. One of my favorite OST's in a video game.

@BraedonHovinghoff-dt6hp 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for all the vids❤! They've brought many feelings of nostalgia and joy...

@hippyhobo6285 5 ай бұрын

Quite a coincidence that this video was uploaded today, as I had just purchased the game digitally for my PS3 yesterday. I am quite excited to experience the music alongside it's gameplay, and see how the use of composition compliments the gameplay and storyline.

@emberwickart 5 ай бұрын

i really appreciate you making these videos

@cloudkitt 5 ай бұрын

Absolutely adore this soundtrack, thanks for the analysis as always :)

@BlueDragon407 5 ай бұрын

Thank you thank you thank you! I've been hoping for an analysis of SotC's music from this channel for YEARS!

@jonathanrobinson8926 5 ай бұрын

My all-time favorite video game. Been waiting so long for this. 🤩

@blar2112 5 ай бұрын

i had to rewatch the video 5 times becasue i was getting lost on the score every time. SotC is such a masterpiece, thanks for the analysis.

@superhoop4358 5 ай бұрын

I was just listening to the sound track the other day for inspiration! The Last Guardian would also be an incredible soundtrack to do a video on. Different composer but similar goals are achieved.

@TechMetalRules 5 ай бұрын

I've been waitin' for this one!

@roienn777 5 ай бұрын

Oh man I have waited for this

@deepstaria0868 5 ай бұрын

hands down the best video game soundtrack of all time, nothing can change my mind.

@rodrigoff7456 5 ай бұрын

It always brings tears to my eyes. Such masterpiece

@BeanzimusPrime 5 ай бұрын

This is the video I’ve been waiting for since the dawn of 8bitmusictheory ❤️ incredible work breaking it all down for us!!

@TheNormalUniverse 5 ай бұрын

wow really awesome breakdown, thank you

@gabymaymo8482 18 күн бұрын

Always though that the main theme of the game "to ancient lands" , wish is surprinsingly not in this video, is simulating a cry from a music perspective. For expamle from 0:50 to 1:15 , you can hear flutes and violins emulating a cry.And thats the secret of being so sad for some moments.

@AtomizedSound 5 ай бұрын

Now you are speaking my language. Fantastic game with many good memories of when I first played it when it came out. I’ve met Kow Otani too and he is a humble and amazing composer.

@8bitMusicTheory 5 ай бұрын

From the short interview I found with Kow Otani he seems like such a thoughtful and humble guy, very cool that you got to meet him!

@bizzy5439 5 ай бұрын

Well done, one of the greatest games ever made and my favorite video game OST ever

@nunchukGun 5 ай бұрын

I love this soundtrack. I listen to it when I'm working a lot

@CommodoreBlubbers 5 ай бұрын

Ive waited 18 years for this video. Immediate watch. This soundtrack defies all the tropes expected from game music at the time and elevates the game to a legendary level. edit: Woulda killed for an analysis of "Prayer". Gonna have to make my first patreon purchase ever for those transcriptions.

@michaelmarshall7725 5 ай бұрын

My grandmother loved this game! If I couldn't come over to play it with her, she would bully the shit out of me lmao

@iscarvalho 5 ай бұрын

For me, the masterpiece of video game music. Ko Otani made a soundtrack that completes the game, and tells a story using only emotions, without words. Absolutely incredible. SOtC wouldn't be the same without this soundtrack.

@simondanielssonmusic 5 ай бұрын

The soundtrack to this game reminds me of the Princess Monoke soundtrack in a a lot of ways. The colossus battle music has similar orchestral elements and flourishes as "The Demon God".

@ElyotGrant 5 ай бұрын

There are so many interesting things about this game's soundtrack! One of the tracks (titled "The Final Battle") wasn't used for its planned purpose. The final fight of the game ended up being quite slow and sad, and the track used for it seems like it wasn't even intended to be loop or be battle music at all. The looped tracks all end awkwardly on the 4th beat of the bar because the orchestra was never recorded playing a looped version of the track, since all of the loops were added in post. A number of other tracks are chopped up and used very differently in the game compared to how they're presented in the OST. Some short bits of longer tracks are used as stingers when introducing colossi or different environments of the game. One of the bosses (phalanx) actually used 3 tracks for the fight.

@SimplyDad 5 ай бұрын

the soundtrack to SotC was way ahead of its time i feel like ppl take it and the game for granted

@indyfan9845 5 ай бұрын

It would be so cool for an orchestra to live-accompany someone playing one of the fights in this game.

@Ars_Fabula_TTRPG 5 ай бұрын

Easily my favorite OST, it never gets old.

@andredelacerdasantos4439 5 ай бұрын

Perhaps the most beautiful episode yet

@YoshinoYosh 5 ай бұрын

I just got my sixth tattoo, the Colossus Sigil, last week and it’s almost fully healed. Blessed be the algorithm, long may it nourish us

@TrypKingsley 5 ай бұрын

I'm currently writing a fiction podcast including tons of thematic elements found in the story of this game. I'll be scoring it myself, and without a doubt, if anything is going to light a fire in me to learn music theory, this game is it.

@richardmaia8732 5 ай бұрын

YEAHHHH, The opened way was the First music that I ever analize it ! In my first composition lesson

@Babelfish112 4 ай бұрын

No game has reached the emotional heights of playing SoTC for the first time. Truly an eternal masterpiece

@AubriGryphon 5 ай бұрын

Revived Power is one of my favorite video game tracks of all time.

@MajorStupido 5 ай бұрын

Should have also talked about the intro or outro pieces ♥️

@sVieira151 5 ай бұрын

That choir swell in the Prologue piece gives me goosebumps every time

@DanielDugovic 5 ай бұрын

I wonder... it seems this soundtrack alternates between ambiently following voice-leading rules and deliberately breaking them, in order to maximize dissonance or tension.

@THEKHAYYYAM 2 ай бұрын

amazing work

@MrTrotta2010 4 ай бұрын

man, I love this game.. one of the best ever!

@umukzusgelos4834 5 ай бұрын

I have nothing witty or clever to say; t´was sublime to watch

@Stirfry_Gaming 4 ай бұрын

9:56 Damn dude didn’t need to drop that absolute banger right before the volume comes up on the music

@CrookedCreatureTV 5 ай бұрын

I wish someone doing an in depth Shadow of the Colossus music thing would pick Messenger from Behind because that's one of the tracks I most wanna hear about from someone who actually understands music.

@galadrielpokracki8153 4 ай бұрын

SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUS MUSIC ANALYZATION?!?! LET’S GOOOOOOOO

@MatheusRobis 5 ай бұрын

I WILL BE WATCHING

@Byron418 5 ай бұрын

Great video, great soundtrack

@beegbomba 5 ай бұрын

Beautiful.

@4dhumaninstrumentality789 5 ай бұрын

Shadow of the Colossus Protag: ………… Colossus: What’s up with this boss music???

@Vergilonastackoflawnchairs 4 ай бұрын

What you broke down in the beginning, is JUST grotesque figures (first battle theme) and it's good, but I want to hear your take on the Dirge's theme, and "A Violent Encounter" Thennn, Argus's theme "Guardian of Castle Ruins" and Malus's "Demise of Ritual"

@hedorahh 5 ай бұрын

"Revived Power/蘇る力" - the word is "purpose".

@evilduck1000 2 ай бұрын

I've always loved this game's soundtrack (and the game itself). I just couldn't really articulate beyond much more than "it sounds great". I honestly think SotC has potentially the best OST of any game ever, especially The Opened Way.