ReMix: Pokémon Red Version 'Abandoned Battlefield'
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- Game: Pokémon Red Version (Nintendo, 1996, GB)
- ReMixer(s): pu_freak
- Composer(s): Junichi Masuda
- Song(s): 'Pokémon Gym'
- Posted: 2011-09-04, evaluated by the judges
A hearty welcome & congrats to newcomer pu_freak, aka Pieter van Os, who brings us a PokeRed arrangement that was originally intended as a bonus track on Missingno. They ended up deciding not to do bonus tracks, but Pieter still has a regular track on that album PLUS this mix, which is an excellent blend of solo classical piano and some accompanying orchestral and cinematic instrumentation. It's dramatic, at times beautiful, and I like the way piano remains the focus but certain elements move in and out of the soundscape. pu_freak lays down the rather interesting concept:
"I really wanted this theme to be on the album, because it's been in nearly every Pokémon game and everybody knows this theme. The theme just before you challenge the gym leader, wondering if you're strong enough to be able to defeat the gym leader or perhaps if you should've trained some more. When you're challenged by all of the gym's 'normal' trainers when you can already see the gym leader standing in the distance. But, instead of trying to create an epic, heroic version of the theme, I wanted to create an empty, creepy version of it. Like you came back to the gym twenty years later, only discovering that it has been abandoned for several years. It's all in decay now, you see (and hear) things you seem to recognize, but it's all more distorted than it was in your memory.
I tried to use this by having a very empty lead most of the time, backed up by choirs and strings and of course, by using mainly minor chords instead of the usual major ones. At the end, I give a small hint of the original theme with a music box, but then end with a minor chord."
Judges struggled with this one a bit because the production basically isn't up to par with the (lovely) arrangement - levels are low in general, and there's some muddiness to the piano that makes the overall EQ a little drowsy. While there's no question Pieter has some work to do on EQ & production in general, the presiding sentiment was that arrangement was strong enough to compensate, and I think I agree. Were this a more upbeat & energetic genre, the lack of highs and edge on the piano would have hurt it a lot more. Given that it's a creepy, deliberate, nostalgic, and slower orchestral/instrumental piece, the impact is more or less mitigated. Vinnie sums it up:
"Excellent arrangement. This has a perfect balance of source and original material, sadness and sprightliness, minimalism and weight. If this arrangement wasn't so good, I'd be pushing for another version because the low-end is a little crowded, the piano could be brighter, and the overall volume should be bumped. As is, none of these are major issues that really stop the emotion from getting across. I'm cool with this going up on the front page."
Ditto. Here's hoping pu_freak takes the feedback & runs with it, because I definitely want to hear more arrangements like this in the future, done further justice by improved execution!
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the sirociper;826707 wrote: I'm confused, pu_freak has been around for over 2 years and has at least 9 mixes under his belt. How is he a newcomer??
This is my first official OC remix, so I'm a newcomer as OC ReMixer. All of the other mixes were on projects, but weren't good enough to be posted as solo mixes.
- pu_freak on December 9, 2011
- sirociper on December 9, 2011
- Bahamut on December 7, 2011
- Martin Penwald on November 1, 2011
- Riku Masamune on September 6, 2011
But now it is out, and it's good! Great even. Nicely done, pu_freak.
- The Damned on September 5, 2011
champ the hippie;806032 wrote: finishing off with the "sad reflection of the happy memories" (shift at 3:58)!!! excellent work
It's more like - your last pokemon is poisoned, and no matter what, it'll faint the next turn. Your opponent is almost at full HP. You beg for a crit - which doesn't come. Nice try, but you KNOW the game is over. The ending gives some sense of impotence...
- chubas on September 5, 2011
BlackRazgriz;806033 wrote: Excellent piece pu_freak. I would say that the tone of the piece does not match the title of the piece. When I think of Abandoned, the sound of the wind's howl in the desert comes to mind. This is a pleasent piece indeed, but I don't feel a sense of abandonment coming from it. Then again, that's just me :smile:
I disagree, I think the title fits perfectly! This is a really nice, emotional piece of music.
- Kuolema on September 5, 2011
I'm not too excited by the intro, seems a little out of place, but it doesn't ruin the piece in any way for me. The arrangement is beautiful, and it creates a story, makes you remember all those moments with the pokemon you spent so much time raising, the things the game stands for. And what I like best about this arrangement, and what I look for most in ANY arrangement, is that it takes a familiar piece of music and makes you think of it in a completely new way. The next time I enter a gym in a pokemon game I will remember this track.
- aeolus on September 5, 2011
- Nonamer on September 4, 2011
- BlackRazgriz on September 4, 2011
- champ the hippie on September 4, 2011
The arrangement here really is spot on. It's so very departed from the heroic, self-satisfied gym theme. It's just brilliantly done.
- Nearly on September 4, 2011
Great work!
- Chris | Amaterasu on September 4, 2011
