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Wii Warm Up: Composure
Videogame music has come a far cry from the beeps of yesteryear, with amazing works coming from both studios and independent remixers alike. A musical score is now a critical component of game design, and the big names in gaming are some of the most forward-thinking pioneers in the musical world today.Most classic Nintendo themes have been crafted by the well-known Koji Kondo, but Nintendo's consoles have been host to dozens upon dozens of brilliant composers. So, who's your favorite? There's a ridiculous list composing for Super Smash Bros. Brawl, found here (which interestingly omits the famed Nobuo Uematsu, who already composed the game's title theme). Which names stand your hair on end?
Nintendo composer rockin' the GDC
None other than legendary Nintendo composer, who has worked on many a Mario and Zelda game, Koji Kondo is set to perform during Video Games Live! at the conclusion of this year's GDC (Game Developer's Conference). This is to take place on March 9th of this year and will be joined by video game pianist Martin Leung, as well as a full-on orcestral performance of tunes from past LucasArts titles such as Monkey Island, Outlaws and a little-known title by the name of Grim Fandango. Of course, with the promise of a keynote from Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto, this makes this year's GDC one that any Nintendo fan will hate to miss.
Portrait of Ruin painted
Today saw a huge update in news for the latest vampire-slaying title from Konami. The game takes place during World War II and features not one protagonist, but two. Jonathan Morris plays the role of the requisite vampire slayer and Charlotte Orlean plays the part of the young girl with a knack for the magical arts. Turns out all the victims of the war, whose spirits have been left to roam the Earth, seek to bring Dracula back to life, being led by a pair of vampiric sisters. What's most interesting is the duo dynamic; both characters are free for use at anytime and can even combine their powers to form team attacks to defeat over 100 different enemy types. Each character will have their own equipment and unlockable abilities. Being developed by Koji Igarashi and the development team behind Dawn of Sorrow, you can bet we'll be keeping a close eye on this one up until its release this Fall.Now, all this sounds well and good, but we really need to see this series come back from the horrific Saturday Morning cartoon art style. I really can't take any more of these androgynous characters that look like they were ripped from an episode of Yugi-Oh. Where are the inspired concepts and Victorian beauty inherent in the franchise's previous stylings such as Symphony of the Night and Super Castlevania IV? Dracula looked so menacing and evil, yet held an awkwardly graceful and beautiful presence that almost made you want him to win. What do you think of the art direction?
