Mega Man 7 - Dr. Wily Stage 1 (Famitracker VRC6)

[@magnetdood9738]

Felt like writing this up, so I will! So why do I like this song so much? Simple- I think it's absolutely perfect for Mega Man's character moment at this point in the series. In the context of the Classic Series at large, Mega Man 7 takes place only six months after the events of 6. Rock got six months of rest before Wily put the entire world in danger again. And there's a personal edge to this one, too- Wily nearly killed Rock's family when Bass infiltrated and destroyed the lab, which happens right before he arrives at the castle. (I know Archie implies that happens during MM3, but the game didn't show it, so IMO this is the first time.) This song illustrates Rock's decision from the moment he arrives at the entrance to the place- he is going to kill Wily. The government can't stop him, and he gets more cruel with each attempt at world domination, so he's going to end it now. And the song, better than anything, shows that inner struggle he has with his humanity. It still sounds heroic as he tries to justify it for the good of the world, but there's an undeniable tension and tragedy that does not get resolved. He realizes the consequences of what he's about to do- even Light maintains an unshakeable faith that *somewhere* within Wily is a redeemable person. Rock doesn't, not after so many failures. He's given up here, which, compared to his character prior, is extremely shocking. Rock was made by Light to bring humans and robots closer together- the entire goal was to make a robot that walks and talks and thinks like we do. And ironically, he gets the closest to achieving that goal here, where Mega Man is wrestling with his emotions, where all he can see is red, where his spirit as a peace-loving upholder of justice has been tested one time too many. Him saying he's "more than a robot" shows that, just like us, he's fallible. He can emulate the human experience better than any robot has before because he can tap into the worst side we have. Light's desire to create a robot that feels like we do is achieved through the worst emotion possible: rage. I know Mega Man 7 probably got artificially grim just to catch up to Mega Man X, but for a brief moment, it comes together here. The consequences of Rock's decision here are *gigantic*, and the song does so well in showcasing the fight raging within himself. Sadly, this doesn't persist throughout the castle's other themes- none of them manage to keep the emotional weight there (especially not the second stage, which is far too funky for its own good). And the series as a whole never gets back to this point, either. MM&B and MM9 ask some important questions about a robot's free will and mortality respectively, but the later games are either too clumsy or safe with their storytelling to get back here. But right here? They nailed it. There were consequences in bringing Mega Man closer to X's darker themes, and they recognized that with this song. It's honestly why 7 is one of my favorite games in the series. Thanks for reading, if you did. I really like Mega Man and wish it wasn't written by Capcom ;_;

[@Ghosty_Dosty]

"And I wish it wasn't written by Capcom" Em...why???

[@magnetdood9738]

@@Ghosty_Dosty Capcom knows how to make pretty good games! Capcom does *not* know how to take advantage of the narrative potential within them. Once you start to put their series together into timelines, there's so many holes and so much crap in them that they're an exercise in frustration. The Classic series is largely exempt from this because the story is relatively simple (although they miss out on a lot of cool things they COULD have done), but stuff like the MMX series, Bionic Commando, Phoenix Wright... their extended narratives are incredibly sloppy. It's especially damning in X's case since one of their main points of emphasis was to make the series darker and more impactful than Classic- that doesn't mean making the stories more and more grim by the time you get to X4. Moments like this theme feel more like lucky accidents when you compare it to Capcom's entire bodies of work.

[@protoman-blues]

Dude, your comment is so SPOT ON, I feel exactly the same, and also that´s why all the bulding up to this point (where this tune comes in) is so deep and emotional... man... gives me the chills.... also Amazing job you did here, great homage!

[@SonicSlicer]

@@magnetdood9738 If you get down to the nuts and bolts (ha) of it, it sort of spills over into RM8...if Rock had pulled the trigger on Wily, then whatever corrupted Wily further in RM8 would have taken Rock over in theory. Wily's ambition became so much more intense with the "Evil Energy" and its' influence, so it isn't too much of a stretch to say that it would have ended Rock as we know him, I mean, look at what it did to Forte. Forte embraced the Evil Energy, and once you beat him in game, he pushed himself so hard that once the energy ran out...Forte was visibly damaged,he actually looked to be in pain.

[@davidthecommenter]

reading this comment always gives me chills, holy shit

[@supper_e1823]

I must say, this hits different on a Friday morning

[@TonyTheTGR]

Most understated Wily theme ever

[@AverageJoeMama]

I’m more of a Walk the Invisible guy myself

[@FoogleFox]

No joke, I was literally thinking the other day, “I wish Magnet Dude would remix wily 1 mm7 in vrc6” and now you bless my notifications with this. I’m truly thankful, this is easily one of my favourite Wily themes in the whole series!

[@kirbybaker-the-alch]

holy WOW, you did my favorite wily theme in the whole series serious justice, this is magnificent, it keeps all the perfect mood and atmosphere of the original! I applauded you greatly sir!

[@flmafrank1726]

It feels so dreadful in the best way possible!!! This absolutely rocks Dood!

[@DanielPage]

Brilliant rendition of this song, it's one of my favourites.

[@supermarilink]

Such a great song, and this arrangement does it justice. Awesome work.

[@derrickmetras3816]

This is amazing! Awesome work! Also, this is my favorite Mega Man VII song too.

[@Latoso-h8t]

This is EPIC

[@OVNI-i6b]

You actually nailed perfectly, and also aded more soul to this, man you've done a lit' masterpiece, well done dude, keep going, you're doing Great! Aaaaand i actually know you from 8bdm, (name's The OVNI... yep hehe a.a)

[@Reyn_the_Insane]

oh oh yeah that's good

[@randomguyontheinternet7940]

Gotta love it.

[@SparkyMK3]

Awesome remix! :)

[@joshuamartin5085]

A shame you haven’t been around for awhile. I would’ve loved to have seen your take on the Mega Man X tracks and a few more of the Mega Man 7 titles. You capture the nostalgic factor well of these titles and remain faithful to their sound

[@magnetdood9738]

boo Hey, I'm not dead yet! Just currently pursuing other creative outlests. :) Famitracker's always been one of those things I gotta be "in the groove" for. I'll come back to it sooner or later!

[@jayonagame]

This ones my least favorite wily stage theme from 7 but you made it sound pretty good for Konami VRC6! :D

[@jayonagame]

I actually prefer this over the original

[@magnetdood9738]

@@jayonagame To be honest, MM7's soundfront doesn't do this song many favors. The guitars sound super badass, but it sounds too empty. Really glad you enjoy it though!

[@jayonagame]

@@magnetdood9738 Yeh yeh, its the instrumentation that makes it not much a thriller for me in all honestly Though the song itself is pretty good

[@ErenYeager-oi6hu]

Literally one of the best songs in the series imo. Funny how polar opposite opinions can be.

[@playerx19game]

Epic song 😎😎😎

[@groovingood]

Man, I like Terminal montage

[@retropixel1272]

is there a chance for a NSF Download?

[@megamanrulesall]

Have you heard the Beta/Prototype version of this song in the Rockman 7 Beta Rom going around?

[@Ghosty_Dosty]

Hey this is so sick! Do you upload your work anywhere else than KZbin? Just a question.

[@magnetdood9738]

oops I missed this I used to upload on Soundcloud, but Soundcloud kinda sucks. Feel like it's harder to get recognized there, and I don't like the upload limits. KZbin is the only place I put stuff up on right now.

[@adrianpalacios9624]

hay pero que sabroso

[@xnailsx4742]

I dont mean to get religious on anyone, not in the slightest but I feel Dr. Light is playing the role of God and Mega Man plays the role of Jesus, trying to unite people and bring peace, tons of examples in alot of the games portray this same... message, at least to me one example is Jakobs orbital elevator, (or jacobs ladder) from the vision in the Bible where Jacob in a vision sees angels ascending and descending a ladder straight to heaven, tons of examples make me believe that Megaman is actually Jesus and Dr. Light is God, :) still love your rendition of this classic, by far one of my favorite works, I cant remember where else but they also portray the tower of Babel of the Bible in the book of Genesis, I dont recall where but I know its in the megaman series :) love love loveeee megaman, and God bless any and all of you, keep magaman alive we adore him :)