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Bastion

Gaming Music Playlist Vol.4

As a special end of year Game Music Playlist (and since we were already talking to Bastion composer Darren Korb about his music) we asked him to pick his highlights from the industry's past.

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Track: Beginner Race
From: Marble Madness
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Bastion

This piece is probably my favorite from the NES version of Marble Madness, which had a fantastic score. The was the first game I remember stopping and thinking, "Wow, this music is awesome and not like anything I've heard before!" I think this has stuck with me over the years, since that is still one of my goals with making music: Do something I've never heard before!

Track: Tristram
From: Diablo II
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This is one of the more memorable pieces from my gaming experiences, if for no other reason than the fact that I played Diablo 2 for like 10 years...

I think the aesthetic of this piece is something that informed the way I approached the music for Bastion is some regard. It was definitely an influence. The eerily effected acoustic instruments is something that goes a long way here!

Track: Night Stage
From: Plants Vs Zombies
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The music for this game is some of my favorite recent game music. I'm continually surprised by the strong associations I have with this piece. As soon as it comes on I feel the urge to harvest sun as fast as possible before I get eaten. I'm also pretty amazed that, as much as I've played this game, the music never wears on me and doesn't seem repetitive.

Track: It's Construction Time!
From: Dungeon Keeper
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This is the first game soundtrack that I listened to on purpose outside of playing the game. I took the actual CD-Rom and stuck it in my CD player and listened to this a TON. The atmosphere in this piece and all the others on this soundtrack is some of the strongest I can think of. It is gritty and exciting and dingy and all things Dungeon Keeper. It does a fantastic job of encapsulating the tone of the entire game.

Tracks: Khans of The New California & My Chrysalis Highwayman
From: Fallout 2
Listen | (California), Listen | (Highwayman)

Bastion

These pieces from Fallout 2 are my favorites from that soundtrack. They both did a wonderful job of contributing to immersion. I played Fallout 2 more times from start to finish than any other game, and these pieces have definitely been burned into my brain. When I listen back to them now, I can see how much of an influence they had on the Bastion soundtrack. They are moody, eclectic, and vaguely "frontiersy" for sure.

Track: Main Theme
From: Bionic Commando
Listen | (Original), Listen |(Rearmed)

Bastion

This was one of my favorites as a kid. I remember being really impressed by how this music used the available 8 bit synth to creat some pretty impressive arrangements. I think the remix really did a great job of respecting the original piece but bringing in some really interesting modern flare.

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Gaming Music Playlist Vol.4

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ARTICLE. Written by Gillen McAllister

We draw this year's Playlists to a close with Bastion composer Darren Korb, as he takes us through his personal game music favourites.



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