ReMix: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 'Dark Shores of Hyrule'
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- Game: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo, 1998, N64)
- ReMixer(s): Jonah-B
- Composer(s): Koji Kondo
- Song(s): 'Title Theme'
- Posted: 2011-07-26, evaluated by the judges
Minimalist, transporting debut Zelda 64 title theme mix from newcomer Jonah-B, timed particularly well for those who recently purchased the 3DS version of OoT. Acoustic & electric guitar anchor the arrangement, but there are lots of softer accompanying parts & FX that really create a very specific atmosphere. It's not COMPLETELY mellow or relaxed - there's definitely dynamic variations and parts that are more strained or darker - but the overall aesthetic really achieves the feeling of being alone on a vast shore, staring out at the sea, with perhaps a combination of longing & uncertainty. The artist writes:
"This marks my first video game remix! I don't know what exactly made me choose this particular piece. I think it was the combination of beauty and simplicity in the original. Its such a relaxing song, which is right up my alley. Nothing like sitting in a dimly lit room and recording a nice relaxing song.
My version doesn't deviate a whole lot from the structure of the original. Its still a short and simple song. The main change is in the choice of instruments. Inspired by Steve Pordon's Mystic Forest mix (also on OC ReMix), I decided to go with a soft acoustic guitar playing the chord progression and an opposing distorted electric guitar for the lead. I'm pleased with the way it turned out. The primary choice of software for this piece (and most of my other compositions as well) was Sony Acid Pro for live recording and Reason with Rewire for just about everything else. The guitars were recorded with a Pod X3. I hope everyone enjoys it!!"
The relatively conservative intro didn't escape the judges' attention, to be sure, but compensating factors included the diversions from source after the first minute, and the overall change in tone - the original piece was more sedate, pastoral even, whereas Jonah's darkened things up, modified the tempo & pacing, and imbued the whole mix with tons of atmosphere. Vinnie writes:
"Not an easy call. The arrangement started very conservatively and only started doing something different from the source at the one-minute mark. But the feel is a lot different, a lot more stark and dream-like and it feels very personalized on that front. Even though the mix was pretty simple and the playing wasn't dead-on, neither seemed to hurt the piece; it almost enhanced the concept. It was reminiscent of this mix in that way. The little background textures were good."
Agreed; Jonah could have diverged a bit more, and I'd like to see him try that next time, but as not only a first OC ReMix, but a first video game mix of ANY kind, this is a great, promising meditation on a classic theme, and it makes up in ambiance & atmosphere what it might lack in arrangement.
Discussion: Latest 14 comments/reviews; view the May the Force be with you.
- Sarad_Thamia on March 2, 2012
The fact that it feels very slightly out of tune is even more moving.
The lead guitar is contrasting, providing a nice melody line for the ReMix.
The waves that play throughout give an excellent feel of relaxation.
The ReMix is a great one to wake up to in the mornings. It makes me feel calm.
- Tuberz McGee on December 25, 2011
- Bahamut on December 15, 2011
Part of it was namely because it's hard to do anything with the Ocarina of Time title music because of its blandness, and part of it seemed to be down to the basic production behind it; I recall the recording still having that trace of hiss, which seems to bring it down in regards to a clean level, not to mention the awkward dynamic shaping during the buildup and a rather straightforward arrangement outside from the nice solo work past the 1 minute mark.
But getting away from the criticisms there, the resemblance to Steve Pordon's work is there, and the soundscape work managed to capture a more ethereal take on the source material. It has that pretty approach, it works, and I appreciate it at face value for what it is.
Don't be too discouraged with the feedback; while I do indeed see more that could be done, I really hope that you'd come back for more. From what I'm seeing here, this is still a promising debut :)
- Rexy on December 1, 2011
WesternZypher;798320 wrote: Relaxing, ambient, peaceful. At the edge of a vast sea, staring from a lonely shore, perhaps just after dusk, describes it perfectly.
This is pretty spot-on, though I'd add "melancholic" to the list of adjectives.
Guitar has a nice sound to it.
- Martin Penwald on August 24, 2011
- eshman on August 7, 2011
Thanks everyone!
- Jonah-B on July 28, 2011
could be my speakers, but I feel like the acoustic guitar might be overly compressed? that's just after two listens though
great work regardless :D
- chthonic on July 28, 2011
It's also quite short, not unlike the original, which I guess makes sense given the relative simplicity of the source. In any case, I'm digging it!
Edit: I also just realized what soundtrack this really reminds me of, [URL="http://store.steampowered.com/app/99700/?snr=1_4_4__13"]NightSky[/URL]! This could totally randomly come on in the middle of that game and fit right in!
- ZealPath on July 26, 2011
- Bacon Boy on July 26, 2011
- WesternZypher on July 26, 2011
