Opera Singer Reacts: Raphael's Final Act || Baldur's Gate 3 OST

[@jawaela]

Fun fact: Raphael's voice actor, Andrew Wincott, had never done a musical number for a role before this. He did an absolutely phenomenal job.

[@geri121]

wait what? can't believe that on how awesome it sounds...the man is a natural it seems.

[@MitchellTF]

I wonder if that's why he intones his pitches, and almost but not quite speak sings, as opposed to going FULL opera. @@geri121

[@Adoffka]

That is understandable now. You are not singing to the tune, the tune is singing for you.

[@jawaela]

The channel DanAllenGaming has the interview where he talked about this :)

[@JakkieDivinci]

Fuck yeah. He's gonna be in a Tim Burton stop action film.

[@dersylvio3088]

Having your most theatrical antagonist in baldurs gate sing his own theme in a back and forth fight against hope is just epic.

[@Delver639]

Played that fight yesterday and I had to stop playing immediately to hear the entire music, it is amazing and as theatrical as the character. At that stage of the game you can easily imagine the performance and scene in your mind. Mesmerizing when you imagine the character eloquently singing and gesturing as he does in early scenes. Kudos to Borislav Slavov, the guy is a legend!

[@HolybasilYT]

You also find a book in game where he is sketching the lyrics for the song.

[@override367]

I wish they expanded on Hope more, she's a high level cleric, she's been tortured by Raphael for a long time but hasn't lost hope, she seems like someone important and we don't get much about her@@Delver639

[@lockout6896]

Yea it brought a tear to my eye making me remember the good days of games.all story and stuff like this and nothing about graphics 😂

[@enneract9]

​@@lockout6896bg3 is a fucking miracle. This type of game isn't supposed to be possible anymore

[@doubleline7351]

The "claws" interchangeable with "clause" is genius

[@genevievec.8002]

That's probably my favorite part of the song. It's such a perfect callback to his introduction while also pointing at his devilish nature. Especially with all his interactions throughout the story being very deal based.

[@mankihonda983]

Raphael is literally just a run of the mill Manhattan lawyer.

[@ouchiedumpling2552]

He'd fit right in with Al Pacino in Devil's Advocate :D@@mankihonda983

[@Ixaglet]

What's the difference between a cat and a comma? One has claws and the end of its paws, the other is a pause at the end of a clause!

[@nothingtobeconcernedabout7477]

Which was already in Nightmare before Christmas as well

[@KitsuneVoidsinger]

Remember, this isn't just the VA singing the theme either. It's the actual character, in the fight. singing to us. The buff that appears on the adds confirms this with the buffs name. its such a beautiful touch for a beautifully done character

[@JB-ol3xo]

It can be silenced as well... Which is just such a nice touch.

[@ShadowProject01]

It reminds me of the Harpy fight where the same thing happens when they start singing and when you break their concentration. Gawd I love this game so much

[@Resomius]

what´s even more fun is that you can catch Raphael far before the actuall bossfight writing the Lyrics. He even asks you what you are thinking about them. But I personly didn´t knew that. So you can immagine my joy when I heard in the bossfight that he is singing hos own Boss Theme. What is abolutely perfect for his character.

[@neoshenlong]

​@@Resomiuswhaaaaaat? When does that happen?

[@masondeross]

@@neoshenlong Resomius might have been confusing the song lyrics with Raphael practicing reciting another poem in the graveyard that he is going to say to you as soon as he sees you there and give you a quest. I am not sure where he could have been practicing a song for you betraying him by breaking into his home which he thinks is super secure, but maybe he does in his office in Baldur's Gate? The lyrics seem a little too reliant on you being in the house of hope for him to have been writing them ahead of time...

[@MarakamiSG]

I love the “this boss fight has vocals, you’re now f*cked” trope

[@LupineShadowOmega]

Better because he sings it in character to buff his minions. XD

[@TabbyVee]

@@LupineShadowOmega Rapheal was a Bard all along.

[@KILLAMAVERICK53]

ah yes, the vibes of *small musical intro* Oooon a scale from one to-ten-my-friend, you're f*c&ed!

[@Frw0ge]

@@TabbyVee If you think about it, his character is really charismatic. Fitting for a Devil.

[@burningmedved]

The only disappointment is Raphael being nowhere near as challenging of a fight as it is Ansur or even Honour Mode Nere.

[@tevernus]

I froze completely when this track dropped and the fight opened. This was hands down my favorite fight in the entire game. The music and Raphael is absolutely top notch.

[@donkeyteethbites]

Best part was how the song was making me laugh while the fight was a flippin nailbiter I barely won.

[@monsi8161]

same m8.... it was awe inspiringly good

[@ericnewman4462]

Then you walk up to him with a devotion paladin/sorcerer (sacred weapon to counter his armor class) and 1 round him with hasted smites (on tactician). The song is incredibly atmospheric and clever though.

[@pillepolle3122]

Raphael died like in 10 Seconds but i still listened to the music.

[@monsi8161]

@@ericnewman4462 That sounds epic in a very different way. I need to try it!

[@elvengard5565]

Funfact when we meet Raphael for the first time he tell us a little story with a mouse being chased by a cat, the mouse struggle before come the claws. And you can ask him who he is in this story and will just answer ''The fox hiding and waiting for the perfect moment to make his apparition''. I find it quite funny that in his song he make a callback to this story

[@ilavain]

And in his own song he admits that he was the cat. But in reality, he was the one who thought he could outfox the real cat.

[@bobono]

not to mention he makes the same reference immediately before the fight depending on which dialogue option you choose

[@Dreagostini]

@@ilavain No, he wasn't the cat. He still is the fox. Because in the poem, it's not specified if it's the cat's claws or the fox's. It's just claws coming down.

[@ilavain]

@@Dreagostini the point of the fox is to not be in the conflict, to stand by and let them struggle. When Raphael decided to fight he already lost. He became too scared of the party and had to step in. He stopped being the fox right then.

[@Dreagostini]

@@ilavain Which implecates that a fox never fights, which is just wrong. A fox either chooses it's moments to strike or it strikes out of defense, which Raphael does in the moment. Nothing you're saying is contradicting Raphael being the fox in the story.

[@Sepaedius]

Fun fact about Raphael's piece in this: It's completely done in-character, because if you attack him with a Silence spell, *it actually cuts his lines out of this song*.

[@metalvox89]

The attention to details man

[@TheGentlemanGamerLive]

I love that he's actually just singing his own theme song, in person, while fighting you...if someone did that IRL idk if I'd laugh, or be intimidated lmao.

[@Schilani]

@@TheGentlemanGamerLive To be fair, if the gnome with a stick is doing that, it will feel a lot different compared to what you know a literal devil with his own domain is.

[@heavensdooooor4251]

No way are you fucking with me?

[@Sepaedius]

@@heavensdooooor4251 nah it shuts him tf up it's hilarious lol

[@johnschaeffer7008]

I think the most impressive thing about this song is how perfectly it captures Raphael's personality and character. Its over the top, campy, bombastic, but somehow still intimidating cruel. He describes himself as a cat and his clients as mice. Cats play with their food just like he does. And even him singing is clearly a reference to how he likes to seal many of his contracts in song form. And it just makes the entire encounter feel so freaking epic.

[@Dreagostini]

Raphael, if asked if he thinks him the cat in the story, refers to himself as the fox. Which makes sense, because in fables fox's use the shrewd cunning.

[@johnschaeffer7008]

@Dreagostini oh right right. Guess I gotta play the game again 🤷

[@bi_smth]

I think the word you're looking for is eccentric and you're absolutely right. There's hardly any other character where it would fit having them sing their own battle song without making it, well, cringe.

[@andredulac4456]

Makes sense since he is more speaking than singing, in a very theatrical way, which matches perfectly with the character and doesn't make it less charismatic by any means, quite the opposite

[@sushiroll5957]

Raphael is the fox, hiding in the shadows waiting for something to happen, even when he says “the mouse outfoxed the cat” the fox was mentioned, but is never present in the scenario.

[@cocoxcocoa]

I haven't looked it up to confirm this, but I was told that this song is actually going to be extended by the original composer because of how much people enjoy it.

[@julianswinton5355]

That would be dope. The song has over 1 million clicks already in one month. I think it will easily hit to 2 million

[@firecrow7973]

i would buy dat

[@jordansantos5123]

best news I've heard this week. I hope they really do

[@MaddSeazyn]

That would be excellent because of how it just sort of cuts off.

[@Mitzrz]

oooh! also nice toothless pfp

[@Asri_]

Absolutely House of Hope is my favorite "dungeon" in the game. The VA who did Raphael also does the song -- and had never sung before. What a way to start.

[@kohaas3195]

Everybody in our party started smiling and laughing when we heard raphael singing, even though we were about to get annihilated

[@laxxboy20]

Hold Monster. EZ. My Bard has 24 Charisma so my head canon was I just overpowered his singing voice with my own to the point of paralysis 😂 Also was hoarding Disintegrate scrolls which 1 shot the pillars.

[@randomperson8375]

@@laxxboy20 I was surprised Hold Monster from Gale worked so well. It shut him down for the whole fight and it was almost a joke with how easy it was. As for the pillars... eldritch blast consistently took them down to 1hp, so I finished them off in round 2 (I was playing warlock 2 / fighter 2 / sorcerer 8). Raphael literally did nothing in that fight. He really needs some legendary resistances or something

[@laxxboy20]

@@randomperson8375 I was also like, "Surely this doesn't work on him right?" Clicked on the spell, "Well then lmao" Defs trivializes a lot of fights when you auto crit something that can't move 😅 Not sure if the pillars have more health on higher difficulties but my first playthrough I did on Explorer just to experience the story and the pillars had 99 health. So with them taking double Force damage and Disintegrate doing 50-100 damage, even if you somehow min roll its still a guaranteed 1 shot.

[@Adoffka]

Oh, I'll be banned from youtube, but I was singing: F*******k! I will just die! I'm r*ped! Why f**ing krit? My AEnOOESs! Raaap*d!

[@ceno10101]

House of Hope is one of my favorite areas, it was interesting to see all the people there, and how they got tricked. Also, some of the best loot in the game!

[@Nomgoose]

I started my fight against Raphael and he killed two of my team outright on his first turn with a single spell only to follow it up by singing his own theme song because he's so self absorbed. I'll never forget the experience of that whole segment of my playthrough.

[@gameoverguyl2577]

I love Raphael singing his own theme, it fits his character so well. Hearing it in game is incredible, hearing it for the first time while I played made me just sit and listen instead of actually fighting anything for a few minutes

[@DennGreenIII]

It sucks that you heard this before you got there. I can't tell you how amazing it was to just be surprised by this. All game long your comrades are warning you not to screw with this guy, he's not to be taken lightly, devils are powerful and dangerous, etc. And when you eventually fight him, this song just comes out of nowhere while you look around this helpless looking battle, and it's just so perfect. I don't want to spoil any more than that, but the surprise factor made this infinitely more enjoyable, i wish you could have experienced that

[@MarcoMeatball]

I actually prefer to hear it because context doesn’t matter to me from a music perspective

[@billfred9411]

Yea hearing it firsthand was amazing. I wasn't expecting it at all. There is no hint at all that he is the type of guy that burst into song but when it happens it works so well. Credit to whoever they hired in the music department as well because they must of had a hand in the idea of getting the voice actor to work with some musicians to create his own epic boss song. The musicians are insanely good as well. I still listen to the harpy song once in a while.

[@rosary_omen]

I hadn't heard the song when I first played through and it blew me away. Raph having his own theme song that he sings is so great xD

[@TFZoia]

Remember to cast Otto's Irresistible Dance on Raphael when you fight him

[@taylordedzomb7995]

it was hilarious getting to his boss fight knowing I was going to love it because I love his character, then the music started and I genuinely said out loud, "THIS MOTHERFUCKER HAS HIS OWN THEME SONG?!" 10/10 Disney villain style boss fight.

[@LyaeusPlatform]

exactly!

[@FrickinShark]

I like how claws could be interpreted both as a direct reference to the cormyrian rhyme he shares on first introduction, but also heard as clause. Incredibly fitting for a Devil making contracts.

[@blackbox8697]

I didn't even think of that! Great catch!

[@loneirregular1280]

I think he sings " hell, hell, hell its laws"

[@FrickinShark]

@@loneirregular1280 He does, but the verse continues "Hell hell, effects and the cause, Curtain falls, but hold your applause Squirm, squirm, for now down here come the claws"

[@TimmWith2Ms]

Rafael spitting doubles 👹

[@nyrdil]

I always heard it as "Hell, hell, affect and decourse."!

[@partydeer1640]

If you cast Silence on Raphael, he stops singing. Also, in Act 2, if you stay far enough away, you can find him practicing his line delivery outside of a dungeon you go into before you arrive

[@rdgrdmedflde4710]

Dude's actually a bard and there should've had an option to challenge him to a musical off if you're also playing as a bard in the game, change my mind

[@piratekingomega3292]

@@rdgrdmedflde4710there’s a book you find near him about a bard who challenged him to a singing contest with notes made about how to do better.

[@stephaniepeters2590]

@royalminstrel I tried the silence bit, and it did not work for me. Sadly. I love the idea of that

[@TioPatacas]

Me when I lie on the internet 😈

[@partydeer1640]

@@TioPatacas it's called we spread a little misinformation

[@holokom3330]

The most impressive thing for me was hearing his: "And now down, here come the claws!" And instantly remembering how we first met, where he recites his cormyr Lullaby: "He had outfoxed the cat, And down came the claw, and that, love was that."

[@martinkoerner7010]

It’s like he knew from the offset what would happen even though it is complete up to the players choice to go down that path.

[@digitaldevil696]

There's also some fun with leaning on the 4th wall going on, "no more deals, it's over, it's Final Act..." - and we're literally in Act 3, which is the final act of the game

[@digitaldevil696]

​@@martinkoerner7010of course he did, I bet he even counted on that, but he kinda forgot that he's not the protagonist 😅

[@serialthrilliayahoo]

Also the double entendre of claws and clause, as in a legal document or contract

[@patrykszczepan]

Fun thing is, in one of the books is snippet of a story where a bard challenged Raph to rap battle and finishing words in it were "down comes the claws".

[@ChristophelusPulps]

This track comes after the best villain monologue in the game. When the battle started, I wasn't expecting anything beyond the normal combat tracks I'd gotten up until then. In MY world, in MY house, there is ORDER!

[@JannPoo]

That's really a great way to characterize how Devils work in D&D lore. They hate "chaos" a lot more than they despise "good".

[@TheAssirra]

​@JannPoo good can be manipulated very well after all. Look how Mizora messes with Wyll. Even when he thinks he escaped, she got him back very fast.

[@stephenharris8041]

In his song Raphael not only breaks the fourth wall by singing directly to the player characters, but in the first line he refers to curtains and applause which leans into the theatric musical feel of this piece, like he is standing on a stage with an audience watching.

[@k.v.7681]

Your take on the greek chorus likeness just made me realise why I felt the way I felt in the confrontation. While you face him, the song feels somewhat "detached" from what's happening in the game in the sense that I felt like Raphael was taunting ME, the player, and not my character/party. Which is genius. The character is a complete stage queen, and you truly feel like he's on a stage singing and looking you, the audience, in the eye while all the other characters around do their little dance. It gives him an appearance of power, control. How can your adventurers beat him, since he is beyond them, on the same level as you? The initial surprise then leaves place to making you, the player, feel powerful without the vicarious nature a game brings. YOU determine what happens, not to helpless npcs, but to a worthy opponent on the same plae as you.

[@gamdanyunizar7849]

He's also level 16 while maximum is level 12, I'm like is he cheating or what

[@marktaylor526]

If you silence Raphael, he stops singing in the soundtrack which to me implies that he's singing *in character*.

[@locke03]

The villains in BG3 are so charismatic & engaging and I wish I could bring myself to do an evil playthrough just so they could get more screen time. Raphael and Balthazar were particular standouts to me, with special mention for Orin, Mizora, and Kar'niss.

[@digitaldevil696]

Don't forget the lovely Auntie Ethel! But really everyone knocked it out of the park, even the minor ones, like the Thorm undead family in act 2, especially Malus

[@AaronWOfficial]

I recently finished dark urge (embracing not resisting) for my 2nd playthrough. And I just have to say, you need to bring yourself to do it. I could sit here for hours telling you how you would be cheating yourself out of an amazing experience if you don't, but I will spare you the TL;DR and simply say the following: 1. A completely new character not found in any of the other types of playthroughs becomes part of the story 2. There is a major plot twist to what the dark urge actually is, and what your characters origin is which all gets revealed early act 3 3. Parts of the game actually become more difficult if you want to be full on evil, whereas when you play as a good character you would often use diplomacy to defuse battles making them easier or sometimes completely avoiding combat altogether 4. Imagine playing baldur's gate 3, but this time its a horror movie. That is basically what it is like

[@ryandamario6595]

Orin definitely the most standout villain from me, bhaal cultist's are both terrifying and interesting to explore But Orin made it personal to me since she took Bae'zel from me, so I drop all other missions and focused on her instead Favorite part from act 3 for me hands down

[@marshallbowdrie8562]

Evil playthrough is trash, barely gives you more interactions than in a normal playthrough. After finishing the game with 150 hours it’s so obivous that act 2 and 3 were rushed.

[@AaronWOfficial]

I completely disagree with you on the game giving barely more interactions. But I will agree act 2 and 3 were rushed, act 1 felt like it offered more freedom than the rest of the game.@@marshallbowdrie8562

[@wwklnd]

I was grinning from ear to ear when I heard this. While the Nightsong theme gave me shivers all over, this epic and dramatic yet still kind of comedic in its flamboyance style is just *perfect* for Raphael's character and the overall tone of the House of Hope.

[@wwklnd]

I really need to play this for my little sister who is just a *huge* musical theater nerd. 😁

[@genevievec.8002]

I do also adore the Nightsong theme/the power. I also really like the Song of Balduran, Down by the River (naturally) and I Want To Live. So you know, all of them, but I like them for different reasons. The Nightsong part probably hit me the absolute hardest in game, but that's beyond just the song alone, though gods it's used well there.

[@brunosouza3326]

One thing that is not apparent by just listening to the song is how surprised you are, as the player, by hearing the boss sing his own theme. It's the only time it happens in the game, and it really catches you offguard.

[@devinaschenbrenner2683]

Because he IS singing. If you cast silence on him his lines stop. And you can see his mouth move. The Devil is literally singing to the characters as he kicks their ass.

[@Hagosha]

Man, the first time I heard this song in the encounter I lost my mind. It carries such a great energy. It's simultaneously desperate, epic, arrogant, fearful and hopeful (especially in-context).

[@bebop63089]

I was completely entranced by the song during the boss battle. It seemed as though Raphael was emanating his immense power, taking over the performance and asserting control. Brilliant stuff.

[@elijahcabacungan2915]

If I can choose him as my warlock patron I'd do it. No questions asked.

[@blackshard641]

Like I'm sure everyone else has said, the way that this theme sneaks up on you is incredibly well done. The goal was obviously to make you feel absolutely screwed, and boy does it ever work. The fact that it's slightly campy makes it even scarier; I've never heard a theme that better conveys that this is a guy so out of your league that he's going to make a big, fun theatrical entrance before he utterly destroys you.

[@calebjones4952]

The temple of Bhaal and the House of Hope were easily my favorite parts of the game. The music just elevates them beautifully.

[@alexhuettl1716]

The music and design work SO well together. I remember walking into House of Hope and just realizing how insanely arrogant and reckless we were being.

[@rank1132]

And both from Act 3, my fave act in the game.

[@YoungMorningkeeper]

​@@alexhuettl1716I was so tense in the house of hopes. It felt so sinister. They let you know way in advance that you fucked up

[@BigHudd1]

I love the fact that the first time you meet Raphael, he tells a story about the cat and the mouse and then the song confirms "Down come the claws". Not to mention, when he takes you to the House of Hope the first time, this song's instrumental is playing in the background

[@genevievec.8002]

Oh ho, I didn't catch the instrumental in the background the first time he takes you. I'm right about there in a new playthrough (first I've started after beating my main game) and I'll pay more attention. The first time he brings you to the house of hope is one of my favorite parts of the game. "Beg, borrow, steal. Exhaust every option until none are left. And when hope has been whittled away to the very marrow of despair, that's when you'll come knocking on my door." So theatrical.

[@bdbgh]

I love how spiteful Raphael sounds because we didn't fall for his tricks

[@nathanaelwaters2509]

Or did fall for them and swindled him out of his reward

[@lordhelmchen3154]

Hooly hell, when this song started I just stopped playing and listened for a few minutes. And my very first thought when the fight started was: "We. Are. So. F*cked." I think that was definitely one of the top three moments I had in the game so far. So badass, so frightening, so awesome. A brilliant boss theme in a brilliant setup, centered around one of the best characters in the game. Pure, absolute perfection.

[@AgentWesky]

The desperation is what it sold it me so hard - the instrumental straight up tells you that you are indeed fighting for your life, this will not be "just" an encounter. That little instrumental bit is so much more that people mostly give it credit for

[@remygallardo7364]

For as short as it is this track really hits home in so many ways. Obviously commenters have already pointed out the meta-ness of it being Raphael himself singing his own theme during his boss fight and that you're literally accompanied by Hope and that whole schtick in the storyline but what stood out to me and my GF when we got here is that it sounds like Raphael is singing to the player, not the party. He's chastising you about not taking the deals, this is the final act not just of the House of Hope but also of the game and it's time to start facing the consequences of your actions.

[@TheGazza911]

I like how you can pretty much swap "claws" with "clause" and it would still suit the song because it could mean the clause in a devil's contract

[@ewanmatheson4235]

I had NO idea this part had it's own theme. It threw me an absolute loop. In the middle of the battle getting this specific music which, I think importantly, drowns out all the usual incidental sound effects where all you hear is this music, has SUCH an immense impact. I believe the only time it happens in the whole game, really hit me how important the battle was in the context of the story that had been created. So so so cool. I'd also add, Raphael effectively talking through it makes the whole thing feel like the battle is inconsequential to him, he's quite a camp character and wildly over the top but undoubtedly dangerous. It reinforces his lines before about how he believes you to be 'insects' in the grand scheme of things. So well done.

[@sol-hunter2332]

I love how they handled raphael and his theme song, especially since Raphael is known to give his contracts in the form of a poem or song.

[@sarevokbg5062]

I’ve been waiting for your reaction to this one! This is by far the best quest in BG3 because of the music!

[@backwood007]

I have been waiting for it as well heh

[@TheFlonn]

House of hope is one of the best sequences in the game. And this song as its climax just perfect!

[@Ashurman666]

I wouldn't say Raphael is THE devil. the things he does, the contracts and all that stuff, it's just what every member of his species does. Heck the Warlock subclass The Fiend is a great example of this since it states that you get your power from a demonic patron. I suppose you could say he is the most prominent Cambion in this game. And yes Raphael is only a Cambion(Half mortal, half devil) he's not a full devil and is actually pretty low in the hellish hierarchy

[@PwnzorBob]

The Fiend subclass isn't necessarily a good example, since demons and devils are not interchangeable concepts in D&D (that is, if it specifies demons). Not sure how it is in the newest versions, but back when alignment was a thing Devils were all about being Lawful Evil, they operated on subtlety and contracts, making you agree to it all (the devil is in the details, as they say). Demons were instead operating as archetypical Chaotic Evils, being much more about slaughter and destruction. The Dark Urge is perhaps a better example of what chaotic evil interference would do to someone. Maybe the fiend subclass just says "hellish fiend" or whatever, in which case I dunno, could work I guess.

[@callumjohnston858]

From what I've been able to figure, he's the son of Mephistopheles. Which explains a fair bit about him and his power level. Significantly more powerful than your average cambion, but with a hell of an inferiority complex that leads him to take one hell of a swing with the BG3 crew.

[@Ashurman666]

@@PwnzorBob The in game description of The Fiend subclass is as follows: "Warlocks in service to fiends work towards corrupting, destructive ends - intentionally or otherwise - and receive hellish blessings in turn." BG3 doesn't make a distinction between demons and devils. Heck I don't think they ever even mention devils, just demons, Raphael himself being a Cambion. BG3 follows the 5E ruleset, I don't think alignments are ever mentioned in game either.

[@Ashurman666]

@@callumjohnston858 Where did you read this? The only mention of Mephistopheles I managed to find in game was in chapter 3 where his vaults are mentioned.

[@callumjohnston858]

@@Ashurman666 apparently it's in his ending.

[@razgrizXreborn]

Having this song pop up not only at the start of a very pivotal moment in the particular story arch, but in such a situation where it actively feels like the villain and your damsel in distress are singing to one another is an incredibly surreal moment. Most of the battle music blends into the background and doesn't come to the front as much in every other event. But here, in the House of Hope, there is the bombastic and overtop villain, larger than life, and has had his patience run out on you and not only does the level of danger finally sink in when you start to really look at what you're up against, you are then hit with the intro vocals and the first thing you hear is "Lives, all mortal lives, Expire." So you and your party of VERY mortal beings, standing in this House of Hope, are left with only that one tiny notion that Raphael scoffs at the most: Hope. Hope that you will not fail. That your mortal lives will not expire. Hope that you are more capable than you appear. Hope that you are ready.

[@archangelgabriel5316]

and its real nice when you have Hope along side of you.

[@ShadowProject01]

“Squirm Squirm for now down here come the claws.” This is a callback to the Rhyme Raphael recited to you upon your 1st meeting with him. I love when things comes full circle. This game has me charmed ❤

[@thomaslikescars]

I greatly respect how you jump straight into the video. I was prepared to skip ahead a few minutes (I'm at work and only have a few more minutes of videos) but you hopped in and didn't beat around sponsors or how i should like and subscribe

[@MarcoMeatball]

Thanks! Sometimes I have sponsors ofc but I try to not waste time

[@thomaslikescars]

@@MarcoMeatball no shame in sponsors. But it seems like every KZbin channel nowadays the first 3 minutes is unrelated to the actual video

[@gloky.]

Oh you are gonna love it in the game Marco. The piece by itself is amazing, but when you encounter it in game, it gives ever better gravitas and more feelings.

[@valenam99]

I can’t stress enough how most battle music in this game accompanies the fights in the background, but idk if it was just my game but when this theme started playing it was blasting SO LOUD that I could barely hear the sound effects of my spells going off 😂 it was so epic !

[@Haytchie]

It might seem obvious to lots of people already, but I like the usage of the word "Claws" in relation to Raphael and devils because it also sounds like the word "Clause"; like how you would describe a particular in a contract.

[@Ifyoucanreadthisgooglebroke]

And it rhymes with laws. And it fits his recurring cat and mouse thing. Just a perfect word for the job.

[@RE-jb2ke]

Clause makes so much sense in that context as well (contracts, laws etc). I initially thought that’s the word they picked until I looked up the lyrics. Maybe they intended a double meaning, which IMO makes an already brilliant song even more so.

[@thekingofnido]

a year later and this song still gives me goosebumps every time

[@TheDeluche]

Just finished this fight last night and it’s definitely in my top 10 fave boss fights! I was just in disbelief with the music and scared shitless with this fight LMAO

[@Chireiya]

I had goosebumps everywhere when that song started playing in the game, it' so good. And knowing WHO sings (both voices) just makes it even better. Raphael singing his own theme song is just perfect for his character, he's such a drama king. Also reprising the metaphor he's used even in your first meeting with the cat and mouse and the claws. Did not expect this to be the first BG3 song you cover, but I'm not complaining! Can't wait to see the other ones :D

[@Vivicakes101]

Plus he mentions that hell has laws. So it's a double entendre. Down comes the Claws, and also, as a devil, Down comes the Clause.

[@Mathilde_Moksha_333]

🤯😁😁

[@boredjerboa]

Love hearing this broken down. By far my favourite music in the game, possibly enemy game to be honest. I literally raced to turn up the music volume because I always have it down low and this just hit so perfectly I needed to hear it.

[@Geektarts]

As someone who thoroughly enjoyed this battle with this amazing musical piece, I also know essentially nothing about music and what makes a cohesive piece of work. It’s awesome to see people who are knowledgeable break down pieces like these so I can get a sense as to what I am hearing and what makes it work well.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@adameaton9953]

I hope you've made it that far in the game. That was my favorite part. I sat and listened for about 10 minutes to really enjoy the moment.

[@MikeDoesntmatter-rw5tt]

First time listening to this during his fight, I just sat and listened. In shear awe of how good it was. And even now that I’m on my second play through and got to the fight again, I still got goosebumps from it. Bg3 has some of the best music in a game to date and I will die on this hill

[@ArneBab]

The singer (chorus) tells us what they expect us to do - and what would have happened in my run if hope hadn’t called in divine intervention to give us a fighting chance ☺ Thank you for going into the background of this awesome piece!

[@parkerriggs3861]

This song and particulalry this moment in the game instills a perfect feeling of you are absolutely screwed. Up until this point with my warlock i felt powerful and most fights i could do pretty easily without having to think too much about it but this fight really made me think and strategize, well done Larian for constructing one of the most memorable boss fights in gaming.

[@yrsa7637]

Hearing this song in the moment i did it moved me too a point quite literally i had to get up out my chair and move about. Music and timing and setting for everything was just beyond any expectation i have as a gamer hearing a new piece for the first time.

[@Warhammerdude299]

I had no idea this was coming in my playthrough of BG3. But from the moment those vocals hit my jaw was on the floor. Such a fantastic song.

[@blackshard641]

We're getting out... we're getting out... wait... what was that pipe organ sound just now? Oh. Shiiii...

[@gacrazy65]

I love that they got (or let) Andrew Wincott sing this. He seems like he really had fun with it. Also I am SO glad I went my way with this fight... if I just bum rushed this guy, I'd be dead five ways over.

[@Cymricus]

The fact that they chose specifically this style for him in particular and it’s special for Raphael made it really stand out. I’m a sucker for organ music and doom, though. Also the cartoonish “here come the claws” is a throwback to the very first meeting with him. He tells you a fairy tale from another town about a cat chasing a mouse.

[@honeybunny5702]

This is my favorite song in the game BY FAR so far, nothing has hit so hard after the struggle that it was to just get there.

[@Flupperz]

Of all the songs in the game, when this one comes on, it stuck with me the most. Got chills hearing it come on with everything going on around it.

[@eliselullabee9877]

The song is fabulous, the voices (both she and him) amazing, the voice actor is incredible, the character impossibly charming (there's no way NOT to enjoy at least how absolutely dramatic and theatrical he is), your commentary is amazing and I loved watching this, and your voice is fantastic too!!

[@Fiodor_Konyhov]

In the game, at the very moment when this song starts playing, and an army of enemies falls on you, it all synergizes so magnificently that I still get goosebumps

[@D0d_]

This has to be the best moment in the entire game and I've yet to finish it. The moment this song started I knew I was in for something truly special.

[@radiomedusa]

In my trird run i went for house of hope only for this and oh god i am dying so hard but i love this encounter so much

[@Ilestun]

​@@radiomedusaYou must go to the house of hope to get the amulet at least. Also, just to let you know, Hope has the best shield of the entire game......

[@TabbyVee]

i absolutely love this song because of how the VA for Rapheal, despite doing an amazing job, showed that he's definitely not a professional singer (which he isnt) and that's reflected on the character Raphael, and it fits so well because its as though Raphael is so full of himself, he thinks he's so great, so much better, especially since its playing in his own house.

[@TheSteveSchulz]

There are so many puns and nuances, fourth-wall breaking and otherwise, that to analyze this piece would require an entire essay. It's fantastic from a musical direction standpoint, especially when you learn the full breadth of the puns he's using and have a full picture of what Raphael is like as a person. Not to mention the instrument and musical genres fit the overall religious themes of the game, no matter how fantastical and open-ended it is. To say too much would be spoilery, but this is something I would have wanted to cover in my narrative in gaming course I took years ago, had it existed then.

[@Valqrose]

All I'll say is when I came across this in game it was a complete surprise and I was grinning the whole time. Definitely one of my favorite moments.

[@fraserking4747]

Having just finished BG3 yesterday, the music for this game absolutely blew me away. Genuinely amazing work by everyone involved. Can’t wait to see you delve into more of the soundtrack!

[@bjorn-falkoandreas9472]

Never thought of the female vocalist as a Greek Choir. Because that is what her lines are. Rather obvious in retrospect. BG3 amazing direction all over the game. This track caught me totally left-field and it is amazingly unobtrusive because you will hear it looped quite a lot. It should not work in that context but it does. Every moment in that game is created, crafted and curated. This is as close as "every frame a painting" a game of that complexity has ever gotten.

[@Facepalm9]

This was masterfully executed. For more surprise moments like this one, check out Wasteland 3. It uses music to GREAT effect which has a similar impact as this track.

[@alexnieves]

This was my favorite moment in the entire game because of how out of the blue it was. It's so perfectly over the top like a Disney movie villain mixed with absolutely gorgeous vocals and instrumental. This entire section of the game and this moment specifically were so perfect. I'm amazed at how much Larian just went for it with Raphael.

[@Brettman04]

I get chills whenever i listen to this song. The occasion when this song plays in the game is one of my favorite points in the whole game. Haven't beaten the game yet but man love this song, that moment, and the rest of the music for that matter.

[@marcogenato1531]

Love this video. This was my favorite moment in the game, and this video only made me love it more. Also love seeing a true pro not being above just getting a bit giddy and expressing his enjoyment over something. Keep it up!

[@lllazyoli]

Her voice is so clear and holds on for so long. It's truly amazing. It all fits so well.

[@cosmoreverb3943]

One of the best songs in the game. When I first encountered this, I stopped and just listened to this greatness.

[@softmettle]

My eyes got a little watery in awe, when this song began in the Raphael fight, it's the only way i can describe it? Like what a beautiful and terrifying performance, amongst one of the wildest fights in the game. Really sets it up to be something epic. I always love your analysis of epic musics, and admire your knowledge.

[@keatonwastaken]

Baldurs Gate 3 is an amazing game, this scene literally made me freeze and I stood there listening to it for a while. The music and the emotions are so intense in this game, it made me cry in the ending, totally worth every minute of the 150 hours I spent on the game.

[@BobroBobrodobro]

Truly game of the decade.

[@peterbear4413]

If you listen carefully to the title screen music, you can hear the blend of 'Final Act's' background section with the melody of 'Down By The River'. And in fact, the two songs can be harmonized and interwoven. Just another level of attention to detail.

[@lauella2261]

I had no idea this song would play when I fought Raphael, I actually just stopped my game in awe to listen, probably the coolest moment in the game for me!

[@mightybison15]

Best fight in the whole game imo. In fact, its one of the most memorable gaming experiences ive had the pleasure of playing. Sublime.

[@mimirtells]

When you meet him in Act 3 in his room you can hear the organ and I was like oh boy he has a theme of his own. Buuut I did not expect him to sing his own theme. Also, throughout the game he keeps saying different versions(I think) of "down comes the claw" and even has like poem saying the same thing in his room in Baldur's Gate. So, my man was really writing his own theme song in game as well. Great analysis Marco. I missed the video by 3 weeks and was surprised this morning.

[@shane610]

I played this part in the game yesterday and it may be my favorite part in the whole game. The music and Raphael singing made it so much more fun

[@CDSAfghan]

They absolutely nailed this fight, incredible. The build up throughout my entire time in the House of Hope, we went from "we're overlevelled gods" to "we might need to call the gods for help on this one."

[@Mikaeru.Miharrion]

It gives huge impact when you actually playing the game, get involved to scenery. when we first time in coop got to that fight and Raphael and Korrilla begin singing... We jumped on our chairs, literally. And were jumping all the fight

[@DEMONITION1723]

Dopest song in the game, shocked to hear it in boss fight, no other fight had one like this.

[@shadowskill111]

I just loved how they inserted this special song into Baldur's Gate 3 because the Rafael fight is basically the games optional super boss it keeps warning you to avoid. When the song comes on and the fight starts it's meant to tell you you done messed up real bad.

[@kirthefierce]

Love your breakdown of this amazing song. Late to the bg3 world.. but I just got done with this battle in game and the soundtrack the whole entire time gave me scalp tingles and really helped immerse me into the gameplay. It made being victorious at the end all the more sweeter. Nothing like having the Devil singing his own theme song in your face the entire battle.

[@ScottEproductions]

No spoiler, but when this song kicks in, it really made me feel the weight of my actions and the consequences that I am about to face. I've never felt it to that level in any video game ever before. I was honestly just in awe of what was happening and the direction choice to come up with and put this song in. I was already in love with this game but this just put the cherry on top.

[@thevoicewithin9845]

I played this fight for the 2nd time last night. Finally saved Hope this time and let me tell you, its just as epic, if not more so, than the first time playing it! BG3 as a whole is an absolute masterpiece, but little details like these make this game leaps ahead of any other games I have played in the past 5 years or so. Larian, you did it. You did what everyone else thought was impossible. Just... Epic.

[@gnorley]

That was an incredible fight, if you fought him, you know what happens.

[@ericmichels2858]

Just hit this fight last night. Got chills when the music started. It was friggin perfect. Took me 4 tries to win and I was more than happy each time just because of this song.

[@Fairyhell]

What even more interesting is when you have Hope in your team, it feels like these 2 are duet in the song

[@jesseberg3271]

The only problem with this number was that it wasn't twice as long. It couldn't even last half the fight, before switching back to background music. For that matter, since you sort of have two stages in the fight (his minions, then him) they could have given him a second verse to sing then.

[@digitaldevil696]

More related to the gameplay than the music, but if you have enough summons (danse macabre ability helps immensely and obviously any summon abilities do as well), you can get straight to the main man though, while your expendable minions provide the distraction 😅

[@jesseberg3271]

@@digitaldevil696 ok, but I wasn't complaining about the fight taking too long, I was complaining about not having gotten a longer musical number from Raphael.

[@TheMisbegottenOphanim]

I was surprised when the music started for the boss fight, it was so damn good!

[@digitalpope]

I think I spent an hour or so picking this fight apart and the music on loop was just amazing for the experience

[@steampunkfox4932]

Fun fact for those who haven’t gotten to this part yet you can actually get the female singer as a follower who’ll help you fight Raphael

[@harrywhiteley89]

"Down come the Claws" is also a direct reference to the Cormyrian Rhyme Raphael tells the party in act 1 when he brings them into the House of Hope. I think that there is a lot of story in the song as well and would love to hear your thoughts of the song after it you hear it when it shows up in the game.

[@CreeperSlayer485]

The moment I heard the vocals, I felt like I was literally there being judged in a cathedral solidifying a sense of dread and doom. It makes you feel small, the mouse that runs from the cat that's finally been caught.