[D] First Round #2 (Into the Thick of It vs. Area A (01))

Originally Posted by Buffet Overflow

I think the main reason a lot of us know it is because you hear it for about 5 years at the start of the game. It gets DRILLED into your head.

Mo0 hit it spot on, because despite its merits, I really dislike this song from overexposure. Area A (01) is a rare treat since as one who usually despises chiptunes, it gains my respect making it in the list of 5 chiptunes I've ever liked. Nice rhythms and energy, without piercing my ears, all of which are good criteria.

Originally Posted by orion_mk3

Not to nitpick, but the composer is actually Hiroki Kikuta, not Hitoshi Sakimoto.

No kidding? I sincerely believed it was Sakimoto here. I was wrong. It happens once per millenium.

Looks like I'm good clear into the next 992 years though.

Originally Posted by Rotorblade

Crash caught trying too hard?! Say it isn't so!

Rotorblade trying to be Denicalis?! Never!

'Into the Thick of It' - I always loved this theme, one of many gems in a great soundtrack. The instrumentation gets an A+, as I love when game composers completely eschew reality and say "what the f**k, let's use two harpsichords, a synth, and an electric piano...all in the same song." The melodies in both themes of this are strong as can be and it actually makes me think of magical forests filled with venomous rabites, which I suppose is a good thing.

'Area A' - This is also really good. The hissy cymbal used in the beat is a little tiresome and makes me wish they used a different hi-hat midi sound. All in all, this track is really catchy and stands with some of the best NES-era chip-tunes.

But it's not standout-ish enough to be better than Kikuta's tune. Dammit..why do the better tunes have to be paired together. I'd rather have let both of these tunes dominate some of the shittier fodder that I've been forced to vote on in other pairings. Oh well.

I have to say I'm surprised with the results. Into the Thick of It is nice, that's for sure, but it strikes me as a bit insubstantial. Compared to a kickin' chiptune like Area A, this is a fairly easy decision in the latter's favor for me.

These are both good songs. I wish I could see Area A go further, but I honestly prefer Into the Thick of It. It's close though, as the poll shows.