Lurker > azuarc

Final Fantasy VII
Hades

Round 1: (6 points)
Kirby (Super Star Ultra), (Bacaroo?), (Tomadachi Life), Xenoblade Chronicles X, (Snowboard Kids 2), (Arzette), Castlevania: (Dawn of Sorrow), (REPO), (M.M.P.R. SNES), Action 52

Round 2: (21 points)
(Mario Party Super Stars), Final Fantasy VII, Spider-Man PS2, Pizza
Super Mario (RPG), Donkey Kong 64, (Earthbound), (Groups of Five)
(Cuphead), (SMTVV), Guitar Hero 3, The Devil

Patreon Round: (16 points)
(Wave Race 64), Final Fantasy XIII, (Sonic Lost World), (Castlevania: OoE), (Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire), Super Mario Galaxy, (Kirby's Epic Yarn), Ori & Will of the Wisps, Hollow Knight, (Metroid Fusion), (Heroes of Might & Magic 4), Star Fox 64, (Tetris Attack), Mario Kart 8, (Sonic Colors), (Sonic Adventure 2), (LoZ: Majora's Mask), (Sekiro), (EVO: Search for Eden), (Dark Cloud 2), LoZ: Link's Awakening, (Final Fantasy XIV), Octopath Traveler 2, (Banjo-Tooie), Sonic the Hedgehog

Round 3: (22 points)
LoZ: Link to the Past - Kakariko Village, Final Fantasy VIII - Fisherman's Horizon, (Sonic Adventure - Station Square), Persona 4 - (Inaba), F-Zero - Port Town, (Alundra - Inowa), (Kingdom Hearts 2 - Twilight Town), Okami - (Kamiki Village), (Metroid Prime 3 - Sky Town), (rip Mystical Ninja)

Round 4: (16 points)
Revolver Ocelot, (Michael DeSantis), (Wizpig), (Sully), (Giovanni), Sergeant Johnson, Wheatley, The King of All Cosmos, (Lloyd & Colette), (Palutena)

Round 5: (31 points)
Star Fox 64 - Zoness, Castlevania: SotN - Wandering Ghosts, (Bomberman 64 - Green Garden), Diablo - Tristram, Kirby's (Dreamland 3 - Grassland 3)

Before & After: (14 points)
(Rocket League of Legends), (DeltaRuneScape), Paper Mario: The Origami King's Quest 6 - have to question whether to give myself credit on any of these or not, so I'm claiming one

116 points

I thought Wooper was just an rwlh thing.

FFDragon posted...

azuarc doesn't like recent repeats

if I didn't say something, everyone would have just given me "Smells Like Teen Spirit" from yesterday, even though this is the culmination of a string of topics.

I guess most of the people said what they wanted to in discord? idk

I spent part of yesterday listening to the Atelier Resleriana soundtrack. Nothing I'm going to nominate, but quite a few songs I heard that I could picture in the bracket.

Hated on more than it deserved. It deserved some hate -- it had Vanille in it, after all -- but people went overboard.

7/10

MZero posted...

I was always under the impression that it was meant to be the first thing that comes to mind but I could be wrong

When I first started these, I was hoping everyone would give a response that hadn't been given before, but it very quickly became established that everyone went with first thought, so that's become the norm.

There is no right or wrong, though.

Unless, like, you didn't say Smells Like Teen Spirit yesterday...

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/e/e318f4c4.png
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/5/5b7996fd.png

Recent top results:
Day 599: Smells Like Teen Spirit (70%)
Day 598: Never Gonna Give You Up (18%)
Day 597: Tastes Like Chicken (60%)
Day 596: Feels Like The First Time (23%)
Day 595: Looks Like Rain (29%)
Day 594: Sounds Like a Plan (19%)
Day 593: Virtual Boy (29%)
Day 592: Dragon Warrior (33%)
Day 591: Hammer Bro (14%)
Day 590: Pinball Wizard (30%)
Day 589: The Killing Joke (24%)
Day 588: Against All Odds (38%)
Day 587: How are you? (64%)
Day 586: That's the Spirit! (19%)
Day 585: Lunar Silver Star Story (33%)

Past results:
https://board8.fandom.com/wiki/Fill_in_the_Blank_(Series%29

My response: Quick Like Bunnies, followed by Moves Like Jagger

#1. Grandia II - FIGHT!! Ver. 1
https://youtu.be/FQvWkL4n6ag
Nominated by: hbthebattle

Scores: 4 + 4 + 5 + 5 + 4 + 5 + 4 + 4 + 5 = 40

Comments:
Isquen: This is one that I've heard before, but for some reason Grandia 2's soundtrack never stays in the leaky sieve that is my memory. It's... certainly a 90s JRPG battle theme.
pyresword: Like this more than most RPG battle themes. Definitely feels like a song that's trying to get me hyped up and I really like the guitar. Very nice use of articulation also.
haste: Iwadare! One of his better battle themes, for sure. Has those classic Iwadare "punches".
bebr117: whoa, this is great! maybe the best "formulaic standard battle theme" I've heard.
Fluttershy: First Listen: Why did Grandia II have such triumphant sounding battle themes anyway? And why do I want to describe this song as, quote, "a certified banger"? I think I may love this song and it's rocking out against the darkness flavor. Somehow reminds me of Transformers, I can oddly picture a montage of Autobots absolutely trashing the Decepticons to this music. [Second Listen: Awesome. Proof that truly radical battle themes do exist. Unfortunate that it wound up in a Block featuring a song I love even more, as there are very few songs I enjoy more than this one in the entire contest.] (92/100)
uf8: So before anyone reads much into my 5 rating here, I do want to say that to be honest, as far as prospective grandia ii noms go, I think I might still slightly prefer Fight ver 4 (which was in the last reverse ranking) to this... (i think i definitely rated that one lower than i should've) But, I do also really like this one. It's honestly kind of stellar. 7.85/10
rwlh: [8.5] Iwadare isn't my favorite vgm composer but I've always loved this one; hell of a pull!
dowolf: This is a 90's fight theme all right! Thankfully, I like 90's fight themes. Nothing extraordinary, but it features a lot of instruments used in fun and epic ways.
ArkOfTurus: It's been ages since I've played Grandia 2, and I didn't remember the battle theme very well aside from vague memories of liking it, but this is doing a good job of making me want to replay it. I also don't think I've ever heard the whole song, which is a shame, because I like it more the more it goes on. 8.5/10

#2. What a Mario World - title [SPC700]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WcN2PouR08
Nominated by: tazzyboyishere

Scores: 5 + 5 + 2 + 5 + 5 + 4 + 5 + 4 + 3 = 38

Comments:
hb: banger
WW: 8/10.
Fluttershy: First Listen: Given the game & song title, I've been really looking forward to hearing what this is. And... I don't know what this is still. Is this a remix of some pop song? I swear this feels incredibly familiar, like something I've heard on the radio dozens of times. I love it either way. Considering people keep saying it sounds like a variety of different songs, I'm guessing this is an original song that just feels like mainstream pop music? Impressive. [Second Listen: I kinda love this one. Definitely a highlight of the topic.] {Third Listen: Me: Describes this as a highlight of the topic. Also Me: Gives this a personal score of under 90 points. I'm going to be fixing that now... not that it truly matters as this was already the highest scoring song in its Block, but I feel better knowing that I'm on record as loving this song.} (93.1/100)
uf8: Is this an arrangement of like, an 80s or 90s pop song? Maybe Japanese. I have no idea, but it absolutely fits that vibe to a T. 7.55/10
rwlh: [8] I used this as the opening song in a vgmgg, that's how much I like it :)
dowolf: Interesting jazz ditty. It definitely wants a vocal line, but it does work pretty well for what it is.
failgirlema: fun funky stuff, uses snes sounds in a cool way that means i don't actually dislike them! woo

#3. (T-2) Beyond Good and Evil 20th Anniversary - Home Sweet Home
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8-Y6nrMEdg
Nominated by: GavsEvans123

Scores: 5 + 2 + 5 + 5 + 1 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 38

Comments:
Disillusion: Writeups later
FL81: Lovely nondescript background music
KCF: A bit unfair since I was the person who got the original version first in the contest. I think that they added a percussion instrument or two, and that is a really nice touch.
WW: 9/10.
Fluttershy: First Listen: It's nice, but I feel that I'm missing something... seems like the type of song that should spark an emotional resonance, but I'm not getting any specific feelings or emotions from it. I suppose it feels vaguely like riding in a gondola through a hostile city, but I have the distinct impression that isn't anywhere close to what the song wants to convey. Unless the title "Home Sweet Home" is ironic. Which it could be! ...Hmm... yes, I suppose this song would feel appropriate for drifting through a city that was once your home, but has now been taken over by some fascist empire. Not a favorite fantasy, but I suppose this song is conveying something. [Second Listen: There's something almost haunting about the intro to this song. I feel like I'm very close to getting really into it, but I never manage to form an emotional connection with this. Doesn't help that the second half feels more exploratory and less haunting, driving the song away from what I was almost getting into. I'm sure this is a great song, it's just one that I can't quite appreciate for some reason.] (53.94/100)
uf8: Feels a bit cheap to bring this one in since obviously i do like the song (i took it to r4 in my favourites bracket last time it was in, and if it hadn't been in the same section as Morning Bell, it most likely would've made my A bracket finals). But also, I'm not sure if there's anything in this version I like more than the original, so... It's awkward. Obviously they're very similar so I'm not exactly in a position to deduct much from what I'd rate the original. 8.45/10
rwlh: [8.5] I would rate this probably the exact same as the original, very good song
dowolf: I love this game. It might be my favorite Zelda! But I can't recall if this is at all different from the original version. A shame. I do like the contrast between the name and the tension and unease of the song. It makes me think that something is going to happen to my home, that if I don't do something now I am going to lose it forever. So it's a simple piece, and I know I've ratted on so many pieces for being simple but this one makes me feel very strongly and that is a mark of a good simple piece to me. I also love when all the layers briefly come together around 1:50. It feels like a mental breaking point. As in, someone's mental is breaking.
NFUN: yeah i knew this was getting the 5 before opening the first link

#4. Yurucamp - Have a Nice Day! - Loch to Tabibito
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf8jdJ4Dgwk
Nominated by: UF8

Scores: 5 + 2 + 4 + 4 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 37

Comments:
PaulG235: Sounds like great music to listen to while outdoors traveling in the middle of the evening. Also something that would be neat listening to on a summer evening in Animal Crossing.
Bitto : It's alright. I tend to not like these sort of melodies, but it picks up around the end.
maple_violet: I personally don't think people should be encouraged to camp during winter, but I will take this space to recommend that people watch the laid back camp movie - anyway this song sounds very yuru camp
WW: 7.5/10
golden009: very good! i think it loses steam a bit when it tries to up the intensity but i love simple guitar/vocal stuff and this delivers
Gavs: This song isnt what I was expecting from what looks like an anime idol game at all. I was expecting an energetic pop soundtrack, but this instead goes for a guitar and soft singing. It makes for a nice change of pace.
rwlh: [9] bam, pow, right in the feels; a wonderfully wistful song; would consider supporting in vgmc
"dowolf: This song is so warm. I am snuggling up with someone I love under a starlit sky as we sip on mugs of coffee by the fire. It says ""this is right and it's okay to believe it will last."" It feels like there's a slow but steady growth of confidence in that as the song goes on. I love it. But do I love it enough to blow up the spreadsheet? ...Mayyyyyybe.

A light drizzle leaves just the perfect
Trace of humidity
The stars linger as dawn breaks, and the birds chirp
In chorus with footsteps on branches

There's no one to be found at the water's edge
Just you and me

Light shines across the sky
The wind singing to the horizon
I lean back and feel against my skin
That there you are

Oh kind traveler, here you arrived
And the seasons turned
No matter the hour, I knew you be here
Ever unchanging

My dream from long ago is coming true
Can you see it happening?

Joy blossomed on your face and you burst into a smile
As if we're on exactly the same page

Filled with love
Hey... Eternally

Light shines across the sky
The wind singing to the horizon
A moment to engrave on my heart, where it can shine
Together with all the days to come

Filled with love
Hey...
You restore my heart

(thank you for nomming this. i sort of needed this song right now)"
Chaeix: Parts of the melody in this really give me 'Heaven' by Bryan Adam vibes - which is a very good thing. These are some of the best vocals I've heard in any block so far - quite relaxing and they add to the song a lot. The background strings are also excellent.

#5. (T-4) Fragile Dreams ~Farewell Ruins of the Moon~ - A Dedication to... Everyone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FayByO8BhWM
Nominated by: pyresword

Scores: 4 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 3 + 5 + 2 + 5 + 3 = 37

Comments:
Plasman: It's a sad RPG song alright! But outside of the starting lead being very weak worrying me, this did end up hitting relatively well. These always would be helped by context, of course, and this one doesn't do a ton special, but, at the same time, it does do it well.
maple_violet: really love this sort of thing
lem: [C+] Oh yeah, I've heard of this song before. I like this style of emotional piano and strings. Though the difference between a song in that style that I really love and one that I don't feel all that strongly about isn't something that's easy to describe for me. I kind of just know it when I see it (or hear it). This song's unfortunately more in the latter category, but I do generally like songs like this.
Fluttershy: First Listen: I describe way too many songs as wistful, but this is very much "wistful gazing" music. Perfect for sitting on a seaside cliff and just staring off into the distance for hours. Very melancholic. I like it. The song does lighten up a bit at the end, presumably so that you can reminisce about old friends & loved ones. Quite a nice effect. [Second Listen: I like this one quite a bit, yes.] (67.55/100)
uf8: Okay uhh... Condolences to the rest of this block already. I adore this game. I adore this song. That's all I can really say honestly. To the many (perhaps i could even say... Everyone) out there who have probably not given it a shot, please do! Side note though, just by the way, obviously this is the one song from this game that's made it in before, and I do want to say that there's a lot of other stuff from this game I'd very likely support too. Anyone interested in nomming Hikari? Or even Silver-haired Girl perhaps? I'd love to see them get a chance too. 8.7/10
rwlh: [5.5] sadvnpiano.mp3
dowolf: A true VGMC classic. ...Wait, this is an ARPG? I always assumed this was a VN! Anyways, The wail of the high licks at e.g. 1:50 are etched into my soul. I love how the flute is almost afraid to come join in, before having a solo of its own. And then the final 30 seconds are absolutely gorgeous.
NFUN: Very pretty, and pretty boring. Has occasional moments that rise high, like the sweet flute at :53

#6. DDRMAX - So Deep (Perfect Sphere Remix) (Full Version)
https://youtu.be/ctMlP1B61Po
Nominated by: Isquen

Scores: 5 + 4 + 3 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 3 + 1 + 5 = 36

Comments:
tazzy: A
hb: I feel like a lot of the songs in this block are similar trancey bangers. Cool.
KCF: I'm sure that I would be total garbage actually playing this, but this is a nice tune to DDR to
failgirlema: beautifully produced trance
golden009: i tend to be somewhat down on, like, straight-up trance, even though i really like more melodic/progressive electronic music with trance vibes. this is much more the former than the latter; i don't want to say it suffers for it because it's still pretty good and has a lot of energy to it, but i'm not crazy about it
uf8: I hadn't heard of it prior to then, but this one came up for the SUPER-C lists, and while it wasn't one of my picks, I really liked this one. As far as trance goes, this has a lot of the same qualities I like in songs from artists like DEKU. I'd absolutely LOVE to see it make the field. Kinda wish this was the funny Megamix cut with vocals though, I loved them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwDunkQfuEI 8.3/10
Johnbobb: takes until around the 4 minute mark to really get going, but I can appreciate at least that it did finally get going
dowolf: The bass drum gives me a headache right out of the gate, which is not a good sign. That track length is a worse sign, because we're one minute in and it hasn't earned even that first minute. See you in seven I guess.
Chaeix: This seems like it would be a terrible song to DDR to. It only even started to stray from the basic intro beat at 1:20. What are you even dancing to? The only people I can see dancing to this are high on MDMA at a music festival which is just bobbing up and down. Anyways it's actually quite nice to listen to but I wouldn't write home about it. I'd just write a writeup in a vgmc ranking block. Second half >>>>>> first half, biggest complaint is length.

#7. (T-6) LittleBigPlanet - Tapha Niang
https://youtu.be/W8oVHyfkYzc?si=PgWFINRwGL-t6Kmo
Nominated by: -Chaos-Zero-

Scores: 4 + 5 + 4 + 4 + 3 + 5 + 5 + 1 + 5 = 36

Comments:
PaulG235: I think this would sound much better without most of the vocals except for the group singing bits (such as around 1:35). The climax is excellent.
KCF: I got LBP for free from the infamous PSN outage, and while it has been almost 15 years since I played it, I'm ashamed that I don't remember this song at all. Fantastic!
Fluttershy: First Listen: Pretty sure I've never heard a song performed in Wolof before, so that's nice. I'll also do us all a favor and just try to avoid acknowledging the controversies that led to this being a banned song as best as I can... though it's difficult as I find the lyrics a bit too spiritual and religious for my blood & if I can't talk about what the lyrics are/why they're religious, then there's very little left for me to say here apart from vague pleasantries about how it's nice to hear something from a culture I don't have much exposure to. [Second Listen: Nothing I want to add to this one.] {Third Listen: Giving this song another shot, I feel like I was a smidge too harsh on it. It's... well, it's still not quite something I'd say I like, it's at least a bit closer to being something I like than I gave it credit for. I'm going to bump this one's personal score up a fraction of a point, which is just enough to switch things around so this gets 3 actual points at the Ranking instead of 2. The change to experience something from another culture is more appealing than the song I originally had above this.} (54.6/100)
uf8: Okay this is just a really cool song to see here. 8.15/10
Johnbobb: I really love the LBP soundtracks. I wouldn't say that this is one of the better songs on the original, but it is still a lot of fun. Great layered instrumentals and vocals
dowolf: How on earth is an orchestra symmetrical? I suppose an orchestra that just has an accoustic guitar could pretty easily symmetricize. Okay now we're getting some other stuff. Was not expecting vocals! There's definitely a lot of stuff here. I think it repeats each of those things a bit too much. I tend to get bored of a section by the time it leaves. The rhythm being consistent and simple for so much of it probably doesn't help. The swap to double time feels very unnatural to me, especially since the vocals feel like the same speed. And then for the last 30 seconds everyone just plays what they want? You know, I kinda like that
PunishedJeezy: Really like this. Apparently the song is about a hippopotamus being murdered. Sad!

#8. ELLIA - Timeshift
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO7yVbpax7o
Nominated by: JONA

Scores: 1 + 5 + 5 + 2 + 5 + 3 + 5 + 4 + 5 = 35

Comments:
tazzy: D
Bitto: Really good instrumentation and melody. I like the "trap" sound in the first few seconds and the "filling up a water bottle" sound at about a minute in.
WW: 7.8/10
Fluttershy: First Listen: Oooh~, this song is quite nice. It starts off quite... not exactly relaxing, but like "aimlessly hanging out in a nice city", rather peaceful and easygoing. It then picks up and takes on a "running through a forest while playing with friends" vibe that I am really into. I really, really like this song. [Second Listen: "Really, really like" feels a bit too soft for how much I enjoy this. I'm going to upgrade my opinion to "love". It just speaks to a childhood that I never had, very playful and fun & I love it. Talk about saving the best for last, as this is literally the last song on my list, ...(Well, "saving the second best for last" to be technical as there's one other song I love more, but still.)] (98.3/100)
uf8: I legitimately only remembered ELLIA was even an active rhythm game shortly after noms started, thanks to it getting a song from memex (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geElL0nPvv0). So I guess you could say I'm in a bit of a honeymoon phase with it right now. The fact that I'm acknowledging that does make it awkward to avoid any bias. But I suppose, even if it wasn't, good rhythmgame song is just good. Shame actually that there's a lot of songs around the same level in this block, i was pretty confident it'd get at least a 4 from me. 7.8/10
rwlh: [8] apart from the fun with mixed meter, this is a pretty standard nekomata master esque track (but fortunately for you I love that style loool)
dowolf: The art is weird. I don't understand boobbelts. Are they comfy? Do they help? Genuinely curious. Anyways this is like .5 ham flute, and also has some fun Asian plucky string instruments that I like. It does drag a bit though; I think I might have preferred the 2 minute mix to this.
azuarc: Sounds increasingly like it's from a Bemani game as it goes on. Really hits some DJ Totto vibes at a couple points.

#9. (T-8) Shinsetsu Shiawase Usagi 2 - Credits
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HBK-RcDmKM
Nominated by: FL81

Scores: 4 + 5 + 4 + 5 + 3 + 5 + 5 + 1 + 3 = 35

Comments:
Disillusion: This goes into that "mysterious and wistful" territory that songs of this era seem to be a dime a dozen in. That's not a bad thing though! I'm digging the ambience in this one, it's real smooth yet slightly exciting at the same time, I'm definitely immersed as I listen to this.
Plasman: Very chill, almost subdued to a fault, and lounge...y. Kinda gives me Uncharted Waters vibes which is somewhat ironic given how clearly different the contexts are. I think I'd love either a bit more injection of energy or a less repetitive base if they were going to keep doing things between them, but I was impressed by some of the things it did, and it's got that vibe I do like for lower energy songs like this.
ArkOfTurus: Relaxing, and builds upon its melody enough to be engaging, too. Good stuff. 8/10
tgs2: [B+] Lovely. If I could whistle, I would totally whistle along with the song at around the 2:27 mark.
Fluttershy: First Listen: Chill music. I like the whistling that comes in near the middle, though the rest of the song is fairly nice as well. I kinda like it. [Second Listen: I feel like this song has to be way too chill for what the game actually is, but I'm trying to not let that influence me. Unfortunately, I still don't get any vibes from it other than "chill" and "I really like that whistling which reminds me of Wild ARMs or other wild west themed things" which isn't really conducive to a good write up or a good score.] {Third Listen: Well, I'm far more into these chill vibes than I was before, which is throwing everything way off. I'd say I like this song today... and wow, that is some good whistling. Alright, moving this up to official "I like this" territory and shuffling the list around so this gets an extra Ranking points.} (63/100)
uf8: A very entrancing song. I don't think I'd expect this particular flavour of 90s soundtrack to do that well in a contest setting even now (maybe one or two wins but that'd surely be it at best) but I'd definitely still say it'd be a welcome addition to this year's field. 7.8/10
rwlh: [7.5] so smooth; reminds me of Snatcher, another PCECD soundtrack
dowolf: "The True Tales of the Happy Rabbit 2: An Invitation to Euphoria." A perfectly wholesome title if I've ever heard one. I did not expect whistling! Honestly this doesn't feel like a credits song, it feels like a "i am sad because of all the PERFECTLY WHOLESOME things the protagonist did to me" song. I wonder, sometimes, if the authors of PERFECTLY WHOLESOME scenes judge their readers. I certainly did on occasion, translating them.

#10. (T-8) Atelier Resleriana - Whereabouts of Life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPnQvh1q0XY
Nominated by: dowolf

Scores: 5 + 4 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 5 + 2 + 5 + 2 = 35

Comments:
PaulG235: Amazing, especially the chorus. I am honestly struggling to find words to describe how good this is.
hb: You know I really think this would have been better if it was Whereabouts of Light instead, smh
maple_violet: really lovely, the title reminds me too much of the whereabouts of light
tgs2: [B+] Easily the best "anime" song out of all the ones I have listened to.
Fluttershy: First Listen: Very solid anime music. Doesn't make me think of anything specific, but I quite enjoy listening to it. [Second Listen: I feel somewhat bad for the position this song wound up in. Its Block features two songs I love, two songs I aggressively dislike, and this song. It functionally gets three points by default. It would be incredibly difficult for a song to overtake the current top two since I love them so much, and it would be incredibly difficult for a song to flop worse than the other two. I do like this song! Enough that it would win several Blocks! But here, it really doesn't matter and I can't find anythingI wish to say about the song itself, so....?] (64.19/100)
uf8: This one might as well be an honorary nom from me I suppose, considering I was the one to share this song with who I'm certain is the nominator here. Resleriana v good, and I hope it gets the chance to prove that. 8.2/10
rwlh: [6.5] very Big Song, mostly lands but doesn't really impress beyond that; kind of exhausting after a while
Chaeix: This song sounds like an anime OP if an anime OP was almost 4 minutes long. I can imagine different characters being flashed across the screen during the whisper-y part at ~50 seconds. I would say it is well above average as far as OP-sounding songs go. I really dig the instrumentals and the vocals add to the song for the most part. There are a couple moments where the vocals are so high that they almost sound off-key but that's a minor complaint.
PunishedJeezy: This is nice, I like the vocals. Reminds me very vaguely of the Nier Automata soundtrack.

#11. Legend of Mana - Song of Mana
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzUPoFwlm24
Nominated by: White_Wing

Scores: 4 + 5 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 4 + 4 + 3 + 2 = 34

Comments:
Bitto: One of those melodies that is instantly familiar and likable.
bebr117: basically tied with The Fight, I could go either way
Fluttershy: First Listen: Pretty neat hearing a song in Swedish. I wish it left more of an impression, but I generally liked what I heard and didn't have complaints about it. [Second Listen: I feel like I should love this song as it's pretty, nostalgic (I love Legend of Mana), and unique... but... somehow my reaction remains very subdued in spite of having only positive things to say about the song.] (59.33/100)
uf8: This feels like an incredibly rude thing to say here, but this song makes me want to nominate music from other games, particularly ps1-era Summon Night soundtracks. I realise that's a weird way of phrasing what is actually a compliment here, but it's my honest feelings. 8/10
rwlh: [7.5] nice pastoral vibes
Chaeix: Oh this is very pleasant. The vocals mesh really well with the instrumentals and make it feel quite cohesive. It's got a nice melody, however I feel like it stays a bit samey throughout - it doesn't really have peaks and valleys is maybe the right way to describe it since 'one-note' is a literally incorrect way to describe music.
azuarc: It's no Title Theme, but it's okay.

#12. (T-11) Nine Sols - Nine Sols
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo_-vr1FwJ0
Nominated by: TheArkOfTurus

Scores: 2 + 5 + 3 + 5 + 5 + 2 + 4 + 5 + 3 = 34

Comments:
handsomeboy: 5.5/10
Plasman: An entire vocal rock song is NOT something I realized this had in its wheelhouse. Super powerful and with its own unique charm, kinda messed up to be starting with this. The scream I'll admit jumpscared me, but not the first song I've liked with a completely random scream in it. Ironically this gives me big Neural Divergence vibes, a 2024 song I plan on nominating for this upcoming VGMC. Would love to see both there! And yes, I do mean I'd support this.
KCF: Not my pick of song from this game, but it has its moments
lem: [B+] This is really cool! I like this vocalist and the drums and guitar are really good too.
Fluttershy: First Listen: Beautiful and emotional while masterfully blending multiple languages together, this song is a true standout and I love it. [Second Listen: This song is actually making me tempted to buy the game and I know nothing about Nine Sols. Very, very impressive. I would not be surprised if this wound up being my absolute favorite song in the contest.] (97/100)
uf8: I feel like the rest of the taiwanese gaming scene has really stepped up since Red Candle Games put themselves on the map. Which I guess you can tell is code for "i expected more from this song, since i haven't really followed them since Detention, and there's a lot of other songs from taiwanese games in the last couple of years that I'd rather see in the contest than this". Which is unfortunate. It's fine, just not really my thing, and there's definitely other songs even similar to this one which I like a lot more too. 6.4/10
rwlh: [8] cool song, I like how the singer shifts tone along with the music; that growl at 2:45 always makes me sit up and pay attention
dowofl: Immediately (well, once the song starts in earnest) it reminds me of Homestuck. I did not expect lyrics! What language is this? Mandarin? The singer's voice is beautiful, whatever she's working in. The piano in the background is killing it. The taps after the first chorus are so ominous and then screamo? I was not expecting that in something so chill but somehow it works. The ending doesn't feel great to me, I would've loved something a bit more capstonic, but still, I loved the song overal
NFUN: music

#13. (T-11) Zen Puzzle Garden - Mizuumi no Tera
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdIiMKnryVU
Nominated by: rwlh

Scores: 3 + 3 + 5 + 3 + 5 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 3 = 34

Comments:
handsomeboy: 6/10
Bitto: Nice melody, but a bit too easy to leave in the background.
maple_violet: I was going to say that this game made me nostalgic for the era of flash gaming but this appears to actually be from an IOS game, which I suppose makes more sense
WW: 8/10.
Fluttershy: First Listen: Mostly fantastic. I'm not a fan of the clapping or the way it bounces between my ears, but the parts without the clapping are incredibly strong. The song somehow finds a sweet spot between "inspirational" and "relaxing" that I wouldn't have thought existed, but it works incredibly well and actually makes me feel motivated. ...Not sure how I feel about the water sounds towards the end of the track though. I usually love water, but this feels "goopy" somehow. What an odd note to end the song on. [Second Listen: I suppose this song opens with the oddly goopy water and I just didn't notice it the first time. Either way, I think I kinda love this song? It is a bit long and I really do not care for the claps or the way those claps are used, but the rest of the song is strong enough that it's not even close to being a deal breaker.] (82.74/100)
Gavs: This was more lively than I was expecting, but still pleasant to listen to. There are recurring themes, but they get switched up every now and then to avoid too much repetition.
Johnbobb: Very chill, very zen (ha get it), kinda feels like it'd be a deep sea diving song in Dave the Diver or something. I love the little twang it does; I think without that it'd be much less memorable. It loses me a little at around the bridge when it starts getting much quieter but overall pleasant
dowolf: "Lake Temple" does not feel quite right for the name, but I'm no zen master. Surprisingly catchy. Not sure what else to say, but I've enjoyed it.
DanKirby: Pleasant enough. Could maybe do without that one instrument, though.

#14. (T-11) Shovel Knight Dig - Thermal Vent (Secret Fountain)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7vJZsnMGSA
Nominated by: KCF0107

Scores: 1 + 5 + 3 + 5 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = 34

Comments:
Snake: It's alright, like a lot of platformer music it's focused on the repetition and making something you can concentrate to, and it really does that well. But it also feels generic and doesn't evoke any particular type of atmosphere for me.
hb: jake kaufman once again doesn't miss
ArkOfTurus: Solid song. I don't really have much to say about it, but I do like it. 7.5/10
JONA: Jake Kaufman good
Fluttershy: First Listen: Pretty nifty little tune. Feels like I'm walking through a cavern lined with lots of glowing gemstones. [Second Listen: Feels kinda like a rhythm game soundtrack with the crystals and gems in the background flashing different colors in time with the beat. It's not something I'm really all that into, but it's a fairly nifty effect and I kinda like it.] {Third Listen: Actually this is a pretty snazzy groove. I think I'd say that I undervalued this a bit... moving it up to "I like this" status instead of only "kinda like" & flipping an actual Ranking around to give this an extra point.} (63/100)
uf8: Oh damn I'm so glad we're seeing this make a comeback after BOST22. I really liked this soundtrack, in all of its unapologetically PC-98-inspired glory. Feel pretty confident saying this is my favourite virt soundtrack, and this song nails it. 8/10
Johnbobb: kinda can't help but bop along to this one
dowolf: Honestly even while I can feel the Megamen influences, this feels like a Genesis sonic tune to me more than anything else. I love how the different synths trade off the melody. There's this constant feeling of moving forwards and down to me, listening to this. It might be one of my favorite things I've heard from Shovel Knight over all the years?
waveshine2001: Shovel Knight has always had really good chiptune, and this one is no exception. 7.5/10

#15. (T-11) Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links - Celina Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWDlbxnQQCI
Nominated by: GavsEvans123

Scores: 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 4 + 4 + 5 + 4 + 3 = 34

Comments:
Chaos-Zero: Good BGM. Nice power guitar plays well off the plinky plonk to create a soft victory feeling. It's victorious and full but not overbearing.
Bitto: First few seconds do a lot of heavy lifting for getting you excited, but doesn't have the gravitas the first few seconds promise. It's still a very enjoyable melody with good instrumentation.
maple_violet: straightforward
tgs2: [B] A little long-winded, but overall a good theme song.
Fluttershy: First Listen: I haven't watched YGO in so long that I have no idea who Celina is, but she has a nifty theme. Confident, magical, and youthful. I suspect I'd like the character based on this theme alone, which is a pretty good sign for the song's quality. Well done. [Second Listen: Very fun song that does a good job of conveying some personality for its subject. Again, I have no idea if any of the feelings I'm picking up from the song are appropriate for the character, but it still paints a solid picture of *someone* that I'd be very interested in learning more about and I don't factor context into things anyway.] (75.09/100)
uf8: Duel Links is kind of fighting an uphill battle tbh, considering how many other animegame cardgame mobilegame originalsoundtracks are, to be honest, just kind of better than it now. Duel Master Play's seems poised for another vgmc run considering how clearly well-liked its recent BOST set was. Master Duel still has stuff to edge it out too. Even Pokemon TCG Pocket has some viable options I feel. So it's nice to get a reminder here that it really still has good stuff in its own right. 7.35/10
rwlh: [8] this will probably do well in vgmc
dowolf: This feels like an absurd blend of Sailor Moon and a dance party. If that makes sense. I love the jacket, but I wish they hadn't drawn her eyes quite so soft. I wish I sensed more determination, more willpower, from her gaze. That would match the song better, I think. That said, this is a music contest, and I think the song does strike that balance between femininity and power really well.
waveshine2001: A bit long (can't tell if it loops), but it was pretty catchy. Neat piece! 7.3/10

#16. (T-11) The Last V8 - In-game Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3RuleVLZrw
Nominated by: dowolf

Scores: 1 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 5 + 4 + 5 + 4 + 3 = 34

Comments:
tazzy: C
pyresword: Ron Hubbard always a treat. If anything maybe this one is a bit too repetitive, but mostly it's just a great jam. The way the soundfont is used to make percussion-sounding parts is very typical Ron Hubbard and is also very great sounding. Again no surprise.
ArkOfTurus: I have a real soft spot for SID chip music when done well. This was certainly done well. Fun stuff. 8.5/10
Fluttershy: First Listen: Oh hey, I complained on a write up somewhere that I wanted to hear more C64 music! How delightfully coincidental. But I kinda wish this was the original version of the song... this cleaned up, high quality version kinda misses the point for me. The harsher, low quality sound is what defines the C64, so if you clean it up and modernize it, it's... well... I wouldn't say this is a "bad" version of the track, but it feels -wrong- and is worth fewer points than it otherwise would have gotten. [Second Listen: ...Of course, the competition in this Block was so weak that it cruises to the full five points by default. Whatever.] (59.26/100)
uf8: I didn't expect V8 to mean literally that kind of V8 lol. Anyway, it's c64 music, which considering it's here, pretty much means it's nigh guaranteed to be a masterpiece. And go figure, it is. I will say though, I can see why of the various Rob Hubbard classics out there, it's one I'm pretty sure I've never even heard of before though. The big advantage a lot of the go-to c64 noms out there have is their length, so this one clocking in at just 2:23 is a bit unfortunate. 7.6/10
rwlh: [8.5] Hubbard is one of the all-time greats for a reason
Chaeix: Pretty cool I guess? I like the... refrain? is that the word in instrumental music for the 'chorus'? but not some of the background beeps and boops.
NFUN: Very standard good C64 music. Which is good!

#17. (T-11) Hive Jump - Fungal Jungle (Mushroom Caverns)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl68Ipej6i8
Nominated by: Chaeix

Scores: 5 + 4 + 2 + 5 + 5 + 2 + 4 + 5 + 2 = 34

Comments:
Isquen: In the land of modern chiptune, I have beef if something doesn't sound "authentic." I struggle to put my finger on it, but this one succeeds, sounding like a Game Boy Megaman with extra steps (complimentary.)
FL81: I kinda like this crusty drum sample. Reminds me a bit of VVVVVV music.
maple_violet: what about this conveys mushrooms, is this meant to be mario-inspired somehow
bebr117: my fave from this set by far
Fluttershy: First Listen: A very well placed song in its Block, as I was in need of something high energy to wake me up. This feels like something out of a game inspired by Mega Man X--not the actual X series, as it's too bombastic to really fit in properly and seems like it belongs in an even faster paced title, but so well suited for that type of run-n-gun platforming that "high speed Mega Man X" sounds appropriate. *looks up the game* More Contra and other actual run 'n gun game inspired than I expected, but it is very fast paced gunning with some platforming involved, so hey! For once, I was actually somewhat correct about where a song should play. [Second Listen: Very fast-paced, with a retro chiptune aesthetic that I'm quite drawn to. I kinda love this song, even if I don't get anything specific from it other than a gameplay genre.] (84.15/100)
uf8: I think a good number of b8ers are fans of this game and its soundtrack, but to be honest my only exposure has been through that one other song that was previously in vgmc. quickly checking now... yeah, i think i do like this one more as it turns out. it's pretty solid, though not the kind of retraux i think i'd support. 7/10
rwlh: [7] fun!
dowolf: I like the beep boops more than the rhythm. Actually I think I love the beep boops. This would be an insta-support if it weren't for the fact that I really don't like the rhythm! But yeah, everything else is a brilliant example of modern retro vgm. I love the random extra 16th notes in the bridge before we get to the chorus. It makes the song feel so alive -- like, literally that feels like the sort of flare you'd expect in a live performance, not a recording.
waveshine2001: It's good. I like the backing percussion especially. Not a big fan of the "instrument" used in the melody, however. Still a solid piece overall. 7/10

#18. Zone of the Enders - KISS ME SUNLIGHTS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgs3qTeQM0A
Nominated by: NFUN

Scores: 1 + 5 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 5 + 5 + 4 + 1 = 33

Comments:
Isquen: ZoE, on the other hand... I'm of two minds of. On the one hand, it's early '00s Konami and would normally be all for me, but something about the vocals in this song put me off a little bit. It doesn't help its strong competition thus far in this block. Would probably rate it higher if I didn't already have two 5's with two songs to go.
Bitto : Oh man, I listened to this long ago and loved it immediately. Haven't heard this in a long time. The backing instruments do a lot to warm me over, but I also like the vocals a lot. It also helps that the melody is a bit unusual; it makes the song memorable.
maple_violet: ethereal
failgirlema: wow
Fluttershy: First Listen: I feel like it's been a long time since I heard this one since I haven't played ZOE since it was new. I'm surprised how well I remember this song after so many years. Still hauntingly beautiful and familiar after an eternity and I'm really glad to be hearing this again. [Second Listen: I love this song and didn't realize how much I missed it until now. Thanks for bringing it back to my attention.] (90.14/100)
uf8: Picking out vgmc classics for something like this is always weird to me, since you can pretty much already tell how people would react to them. Granted in its case, we're talking about a song that got thrown straight into Decisive Battle with Saruin in r1 and got absolutely ruined a decade ago, so honestly you know what fair enough. The good news is i was one of its fans, so... Yeah, i'd love to see it back. 8.6/10
rwlh: [9] I know you; a pretty high 9; would consider supporting for vgmc
dowolf: With the number of times I've referenced Beyond the Bounds in the past little while, it is almost surreal to encounter this classic instead. KISS ME SUNLIGHTS is much lower energy, almost mystical. I don't love the vocalist's voice that much, though the combination of her very clear but heavily accented enunciation absolutely does add to the otherworldliness.
azuarc: Very PS2 RPG. Haven't heard this song in ages. Would much rather listen to Beyond the Bounds. Drew the short straw in terms of block placements, though. Doesn't deserve a 1.

#19. (T-18) Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst - Entry into the Crater ~ Part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixj4ONl_fU0
Nominated by: NFUN

Scores: 4 + 2 + 5 + 5 + 4 + 5 + 3 + 3 + 2 = 33

Comments:
Snake: A deceptively complex track. Featuring crisp kicks, snappy snares, and a pulsing bassline, I think what really makes the track for me is the pulsating ambience placed unassumingly in the background. So immersive.
Plasman: An interesting sort of technological but cramped feel. It definitely is weird with its melodies, to the point where I will definitely not remember them after, but it also has a weird/cool enough vibe that I still enjoy listening to it. Definitely not a kind of song that will ever get top marks from me, but I did like it!
haste: Pretty good chance I'd support this one. Finally, an abundance of nice harmonies! super evocative. Good mix of hi-tech with atmosphere (well, that describes most pso music). I like the synth at :40. I like the subdued drums (rather than an edm beat), so I can focus on the good stuff without distractions.0
tgs2: [A] 10 seconds in and all my neurons were already activated. Amazing song.
Fluttershy: First Listen: Ohh, now this is the good stuff. It's very mysterious while also being far more... "active" than mysterious music usually is. This isn't a slow build to a mystery, this is a mystery in a very hostile & alien world. Dark, twisted, intimidating, and intoxicatingly irresistible. This might not be my absolute favorite song in the contest, but I'd be shocked if this wasn't in the top ten... [Second Listen: Still a great song. Unfortunately for it, one of the few songs I like more also wound up in its Block, which is limiting how many points I can give it. Alas, poor twisted alien realm, destined to be a victim of the ruleset.] (82/100)
uf8: I suppose I can't hide the fact that I just picked this section mainly to boost the rating for this PSO song lol. I mean can you blame me? 8.1/10
rwlh: [6.5] grew on me a little after two listens
dowolf: I can only assume the crater houses a military complex of the industrial variety. There's definitely some not-entirely-ethical research going on in these labs. Hopefully I'm right about all of that, or else this song is definitely evoking the wrong thoughts. But it's evoking those thoughts really well!
azuarc: Not exactly what I expected from PSO, even if the soundfont is definitely PSO. The percussion gives off vibes of being in some kind of industrial setting, either a town or an old derelict ironworks or something. Unfortunately, this is a very competitive block.

#20. (T-18) Music & Beat - NineTales
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIf_gvm8ACs
Nominated by: JONA

Scores: 2 + 5 + 1 + 3 + 5 + 5 + 3 + 5 + 4 = 33

Comments:
Snake: Definitely fast and rhythmically complex, though it's lacking a certain something I can't put my finger on. Doesn't quite fully reach memorable status for me.
FL81: Best Pokmon song since Ekans Desert. Such a good song hiding behind a game with such a banal title! I especially love the violin sections, just wish this song was a little bit longer. Whoa, re-listening to this and I'm just now noticing how heavy those drums are about halfway through this.
maple_violet: :shrug: doesn't leave much of an impression on me
tgs2: [B] Ending the song that suddenly should be a crime. I was really getting into it when it abruptly stopped! >:(
Fluttershy: First Listen: Ooh, this is another good song! It makes me want to fly around as a pixie! That's new. I'm not sure why I'm getting those vibes from this song, but I thankfully don't need to understand *why* I so strongly enjoy a song or go on wild imaginative fantasies. Here, it is enough for me to like something and to give it a lot of points as a result. [Second Listen: Simply wonderous and one of the absolute best songs to ever be nominated for one of these.] (98/100)
uf8: I know nothing about the O2Jam series but is music & beat a game of its own or is this just an o2jam song? Not really a serious question here, I don't really care about the answer. Anyway, huh, this is actually really cool. A bit celtic and also reminded me of fire emblem. 7.95/10
rwlh: [7] cute song
dowolf: Ooh wow. I love this, how it moves around, it's so much fun. Very nice instrument variety too.
azuarc: Establishes a decent groove, but ends before I feel like it actually does anything with it.

#21. (T-18) Beat Wars Escalation Heroines - Atlach_nachaHuge battle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuZCBYnk56s
Nominated by: JONA

Scores: 4 + 4 + 2 + 5 + 4 + 5 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 33

Comments:
tazzy: C
FL81: Pretty solid, think I used the original song in a guessing game once. This oddball selection of instruments is wack, but it's fun. Alicesoft needs more VGMC representation.
KCF: Lots of different styles and genres mixed in there. I'm glad that I listened to it once, but it seems like the kind of song that the Law of Diminishing Returns would strike quickly and harshly
tgs2: [B] Solid stuff all around.
Fluttershy: First Listen: I always read this title as "Beast Wars" and get disappointed. Not that any of the Beast Wars games had good music, though "Kill Dinobot" was halfway decent and I don't dislike the PSX version of the Transmetals OST. ...But I digress more than usual. This is a good song! I was quite worried this was going to be another "blegh, I don't like battle themes" write up since the title has battle in it, but this is a fun bop which doesn't seem battle related at all. I like it. [Second Listen: Feels like anime intro music with magical girls flying through the air. Which works for me, I like anime & magical girls. I think I'm going to bump this one's personal score up a bit and say that I really like this song. (I suppose the intro and outro feel more like town music for a JRPG set in the present day like Persona than an anime intro, but I also really like those vibes!)] (74/100)
Gavs: Sounds nice and relaxing to start before it soon livens up and sounds really cheerful. A song to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step. Slows down again to calm down towards the end.
rwlh: [7] I like the original version of this so I was happy to listen to this arrangement
dowolf: I have no idea what to make of this. Interesting, though! Parts feel like they would love a vocalist, while others are just jam parties on the dance floor.
"Chaeix: me: can we get falcom music?
mom: we have falcom music at home
falcon music at home: *this*
me: wait is that zunpet, wtf"

#22. (T-18) Tekken Mobile - The National Museum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPY5Q9pdE6Y
Nominated by: golden009

Scores: 4 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 4 + 4 = 33

Comments:
PaulG235: I adore the Tekken soundtracks and this is another really strong entry for the series, especially for a mobile game track. Just a tad too short to give it top of the block honors.
pyresword: Not really my preferred style of music and the part after the drop sounds a bit wishy-washy to me. It's reasonably good overall though. No major complaints.
ArkOfTurus: Solid trance music, but didn't particularly stand out to me. Still enjoyed it, though. 7.5/10
WW: 7/10. Rather impressive for a mobile game
Fluttershy: First Listen: Well, the good news for this track is that we've definitely found what's getting five points in this group and it's not especially close. I don't often go for songs with this type of pulsing beat, but I think it works well here. I'm not really getting "Tekken" or "museum" vibes from this, but this is totally awesome club music whose only weakness is being too short. I know two and a half minutes isn't especially short, but I really wanted this track to keep going. [Second Listen: This song is a full two tiers above everything else in its Block, absolutely trashing the competition with ease. This actually gets me hyped up; hyped up to do what, I am unsure, but I am hyped all the same.] {87/100}
uf8: It's unfair how good Tekken music is. Why is even the mobile game ost this good???? 8.3/10
rwlh: [8] this really grew on me. at first I wasn't into it but then I listened to it two more times and I really felt the groove
dowolf: I love riding the Tekkenmobile to work. Which is just a giant fist floating in midair. You're welcome. Wow this goes hard. I love the breakdown around 50, with the mystic choir sneaking in. I love how quickly this darts from idea to idea, not lingering on something like so many electronic pieces do. I just looked at the track title and I am extremely confused you are not allowed to be this loud in a museum!!!
failgirlema: banger. not much more to say, like the little baroque melodic bits

#23. (T-18) Ace Combat: Assault Horizon - Shall Defend
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PseSGiek5-M
Nominated by: Chaeix

Scores: 5 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 1 + 5 + 2 + 5 + 3 = 33

Comments:
tazzy: B
hb: More like Shall Be Given the Five
KCF: Ace Combat music always sounds like they are excellent in-context, but I have bounced from each game that I've played
WW: 6.6/10. Not a fan of the genre, but I do appreciate how the melody flows - from brief peaceful periods of quiet, like a plane approaching target, to tense fighting
Fluttershy: First Listen: I imagine this song is appropriate in context as it is giving me some strong military combat vibes. If only I could force myself to care about military combat... the drum tapping feels like a marching cadence and I do not want to picture marching to war, thank you. To be fair, there are more energetic sections to the song... but then I'm not a fan of those either. Not quite my least favorite song of the contest, but a very hard miss for me. [Second Listen: Okay, the first thirty seconds of the song are fairly nice. They're properly sad, like "look at all the desolation caused by war" sad, which I can get behind. Then we get all AMPED UP FOR BATTLE and the song quickly loses everything I liked about it. Then that blasted marching... oy. So much marching... definitely not a song I'm capable of enjoying.] (24/100)
Gavs: Very intimidating opening on this song, which builds up the tension before the main part of the song begins. This section sounds more intense than the intro, driving you to complete your mission. The early intimidation factor remains, thanks to a mix of harsh instruments.
rwlh: [6.5] I like the military style drums
dowolf: Like the good book says, gotta stay fly. This feels like it's on the heels of a devestating loss, and we can't afford to lose again. The main melody in the intro feels like a phoneix, in that way. I thought for a second the sound at around 2:00 was going to be an air raid siren, but I like what they did instead. Very cool track!
azuarc: It's no Gotta Stay Fly or White Devil. Feels like it went heavy just for the sake of being heavy.

#24. (T-18) Ecco the Dolphin (Sega CD) - The Marble Sea
https://youtu.be/PEiroXceWtU?si=_P03UTegNuNQtXW5
Nominated by: -Chaos-Zero-

Scores: 2 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 4 + 3 + 4 + 5 = 33

Comments:
hb: Very moody vibes based, so I actually liked this quite a bit.
KCF: Not among my favorite Ecco songs, this is still a good one
lem: [C] Interesting atmosphere to this song! It has this mix of exploration but something foreboding as well.
Fluttershy: First Listen: Last Reverse Ranking, Ecco's Title Theme was my number one favorite track of the entire ranking, so I've been looking forward to hearing more of its soundtrack. This doesn't quite hit the emotional highs of "Title Screen (Aqua Vistas)", but I am still very much a sucker for this type of all encompassing aquatic ambiance. So... not something I love, but I definitely really like this and I'm glad I got to hear it. [Second Listen: The opening is very intense as you make your way through an underwater cavern, the song opening up as you make your way towards the ruins of a lost city. Beautiful and dangerous. But while this should be something that I love, I find that it's only something that I really like... I'm not sure why. I love the instruments, I love the sound quality, I love the ambiance, but I feel like I never get as attached to this song as I need to in order to raise the score.] (78.9/100)
uf8: I kinda wish there wasn't so much good Ecco music. There's some stuff from some of the way more obscure side entries that I'd really like to see make it in, but also stuff like this is still around too, and still honestly kind of deserves a chance before them. Kinda criminal The Machine remains the only ecco song to actually make it in... 7.85
Johnbobb: More chill vibes, but maybe too chill? Not a whole lot going on here but I do like the deeper background tones, which give the impression of whale calls or something similar. It gets more interesting as it goes on, but ultimately I feel more inclined to listen to it while falling asleep than while gaming
dowolf: A very evocative piece, I feel like I'm exploring the ocean depths. I don't know if it's something I'd listen to on its own, but it seems perfect for the game.
DanKirby: I've always enjoyed the Ecco soundtracks no matter what form they're in.

#25. Mega Man X: Corrupted - Opening Stage (X)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWSgze_kQuU
Nominated by: tazzyboyishere

Scores: 3 + 5 + 5 + 3 + 3 + 2 + 5 + 5 + 1 = 32

Comments:
FL81: Yeah, it's pretty safe to say I'd support this if nominated. I actually think MMXC has a better soundtrack than Dominic Ninmark's newer stuff. MMX is pretty much *the* series to get me interested in VGM (music in general but that's a longer story). Always nice to see fan projects for this franchise.
KCF: I'm normally mild on MMX stuff, but Ninmark is such a great composer
tgs2: [C] Yep. That's MMX music alright. Fine enough.
Fluttershy: First Listen: Not a bad MMX style tune, but I feel the main X series has plenty of songs I'd take over this one. I'm not really getting anything from it other than "running" which... like... yeah, it sounds like MMX, and it is conveying a sense of speed, but... I don't know, I'm just not really into it, as much as I love giving shout outs to music from fan games. [Second Listen: Can't find anything else I want to say on this.] (54.69/100)
uf8: Yeah, listening to this, I see why this guy went on to work on Gravity Circuit. He definitely gets MMX music. 7/10
rwlh: [7] love the snes mmx style; melody isn't that great but the total package is nice
Chaeix: Oh hey I actually really like this one.
azuarc: Triumphant upbeat energy. Somehow I went from considering this for the 5 in this block to assigning it a 1, which says loads about this set of songs, and is definitely not a condemnation of the song itself.

#26. (T-25) R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 - Movin' in Circles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt2s8_ym6qg
Nominated by: rwlh

Scores: 5 + 5 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 2 + 5 + 1 + 5 = 32

Comments:
Disillusion: Moving to the beat, moving to the beat~
Bitto: Really smooth song. I love this sort of song's aesthetics. Really enjoyable sound and kept my interest the whole way through. Probably my favorite discovery so far.
KCF: A strong start but then it doesn't evolve or change things up
WW: 7/10.
Fluttershy: First Listen: Ooh, this song has a surprisingly strong start. The singer is vaguely reminiscent of TJ Davis and, while I usually detest repeating lyrics, it's actually working for me here? Just a very solid song that invokes nostalgic memories (...of another racing game's soundtrack by a different singer, but nostalgic memories none-the-less) and has a good groove to it. I really like this one. [Second Listen: Pulsing and repetitive music done right. One of the best examples of its genre and something that I really enjoy. Would probably get the full five points at most other Blocks.) (73.8/100)
uf8: R4 good. Actually hecked up it's this low in this block's ranking. 7.3/10
Johnbobb: This really wasn't the best section imo; like this is a good song but I admittedly feel odd giving it a 5. It's in line with SF2 character select music on Sonic R music, but not quite as good or memorable. But definitely fun.
dowolf: I don't love the whole "in case you forgot in the last five seconds, you're playing Ridge Racer" vibe. It's also much more repetitive than I'd prefer. I don't like the techno loops in general, but the vocals makes it really obvious to me just how much we're, well, moving in circles.
NFUN: RIDGE RACER TYPE 4, creating a nu wave in the racing scene. Powering beyond RIDGE and RAGER RACER, high-speed control and advanced dynamics accelerate the rush of a first class victory. The culmination of performance and style provide the ultimate advantage in the race for entertainment

#27. (T-25) Pizza Tower - Tombstone Arizona (Wasteyard)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBabiUURxOY
Nominated by: paulg235

Scores: 1 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 5 + 2 + 5 + 2 + 5 = 32

Comments:
Isquen: I thought this was Pizza Tower, not The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth. This style music is usually my thing, but it didn't take for some reason for me. About average, which sadly makes it the lower end of the block.
Bitto: Both atmospheric and cool to listen to. I enjoy how the melody evolves over time but still has the grand overtone from the beginning as the background melody.
maple_violet: very un-pizza tower, would have preferred more chaos. is this sampling sim city 4 (oasis)?????
Fluttershy: First Listen: A bit of a slow start that led me to expect a more environmental track--with the gunshots, I thought we were doing a "how it feels to slowly bleed to death in the desert" gimmick, but then the song gets really groovy. And then there's a ghostly organ and more gunshots. Before more grooving. I... suppose the effect is "being shot in the desert, having some wild hallucinations as you bleed out, surveying the ongoing battle as you become a ghost, and then ascending to Heaven. The song ends as the camera pans down to show the true level of death and violence, a rainstorm blanketing the field of corpses". Neat! [Second Listen: A thrilling music journey that continually reinvents itself, yet somehow all of the sections are great. Typically, I find myself feeling like, "oh, I wish this song focused more on [part I liked]" but I like all of this! Actually, "like" feels a bit too weak of a term... I'm pretty sure I love this track, actually! ....I'm sure in context the end is supposed to be sizzling sounds like pizza instead of rain, but let me have my fun.] (92.204/100)
uf8: This to me is the kind of song that people will say is good, but when it comes down to comparing it to other songs, kind of falls short because it's strengths aren't really what people would actually look for. Maybe a bit of a brutal way to put it, but like... yeah. This is castlevania meets silent hill, but how many people actually want that? 6.7/10
rwlh: [7.5] compelling! I am compelled by this song
dowolf: The gunshot SFX are a cute touch for the opening, and I like the chimes a lot. The song itself isn't especially my thing, mostly just relying on a suave guitar that doesn't super appeal to me.
failgirlema: i like the creepiness of it, perhaps i'd like it a bit more if it were emphasised even more throughout but the pizza tower style to it still has to stay a bit. also simcity sample?????

#28. (T-25) Street Fighter IV - Theme of Zangief (SF4 Arrange)
https://youtu.be/KnnbLMCZAXc
Nominated by: Isquen

Scores: 4 + 5 + 4 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 4 + 5 + 4 = 32

Comments:
PaulG235: One of my favorite renditions of the Zangief theme. The jazz really adds to the track's flavor.
hotdogturtle: Knowing that this was probably a recurring theme in the series, I looked up some older versions for comparison. And I think that this arrangement really works in its favor.
maple_violet: I'm not sure whether saxophone really matches my conception of zangief's character
tgs2: [C+] A lot of sax here, and sax can sometimes be a big miss with me. It wasn't here.
Fluttershy: First Listen: I don't think this type of jazz suits Zangief in the least, but thankfully, context doesn't really matter to me. That being said, this... isn't really a type of jazz that I enjoy anyway... [Second Listen: Not my genre, but I almost kinda like it?] (54.3001/100)
uf8: Maybe it's a bit unfair to say this, but since it was only a couple of blocks ago for me, I find myself wanting to compare this one to MvC2 Factory Stage. And well... This one just doesn't have the same kind of sauce it had. Still very good though, so absolutely don't take this 1 rating the wrong way. 7.1/10
rwlh: [7.5] unexpectedly jazzy? legit did not expect this
dowolf: An extremely happy theme. This does appeal to me, but I wish Zangief's theme felt at least remotely Russian. I'd expect this to be the theme of a South American character long before I'd expect the other side of the world. That minor note asside, it's absolutely fun.
DanKirby: A really fun arrangement of a classic. That sax sounds a little goofy, but I suppose it suits the overall feel of the track.

#29. (T-25) Lobotomy Corporation - Insignia Decay
https://youtu.be/1UqulZhMy5c
Nominated by: Isquen

Scores: 2 + 4 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 32

Comments:
tazzy: C
pyresword: Great spooky ambient song. I like the mellow part a bit better than the hectic part, but both are good. This style of slow piano/keyboard on top of the long creepy synth held notes is an effect that very cool to me.
lem: [C] Takes a little bit to get going, but it's pretty neat when it does! Second Warning was more in line with my tastes than this song, but it's definitely not bad.
golden009: breakcore-ish stuff has a relatively high floor for me but this never really got beyond that, unfortunately; the long intro was rough and didn't feel justified relative to the rest of the song, and the lack of melodic content afterwards bothered me
uf8: A non-Mili pick from this game huh. It's cool, but not really my thing and I wouldn't call it a standout at all. 6.1/10
Johnbobb: hell yeah I feel like I should be fighting the Mishima Zaibatsu to this
dowolf: project moon stuff disturbs me sometimes. And by sometimes I mean always. Not the music insomuch as the setting. Though maybe this is something like Heart of Darkness being way too "obviously" over the top and unrealistic but don't forget joseph conrad was there and the king of Belgium must pay. Feels like an awkward question to just ask the first Korean I see on the street, though. Anyways this starts off slow but very, very quickly becomes crazy. This does come across as the "and the corporate overloads must pay" part of that analogy. I'm not sure if the image put that thought into my head, or it's mine, but either way we are surely busting down the walls now.
NFUN: Great buildup and solid breakcore. Given all of the tension it created, and even the continuing choir and even screams in the main section, it feels like it should go much harder than it does. There's some sense of restraint that makes it feel as though it isn't committing, and this is a genre that usually benefits a lot from going all out, or at least being shameless

#30. Touhou Mystia's Izakaya - Even Gods Love Our Town
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtBTCj_CO0A
Nominated by: UF8

Scores: 5 + 4 + 1 + 3 + 4 + 4 + 3 + 5 + 2 = 31

Comments:
Isquen: What started as a wistful melody that was a bit less intense than Okami's Reset ~ Thank You took its own turn into something graceful and almost soporific (respectfully!) I really enjoyed this one the whole way through! I will, however, wag my finger at the nominator. You know what you did.
hb: I mean, it's The Gensokyo The Gods Loved, a song I'm pretty fond of, in a new form. Not exciting but I liked it.
KCF: The song itself doesn't make much of an impression on me, but I was pleasantly surprised that Touhou did stuff like this. I have heard so many songs from god who knows how many different games through my 15+ years here, but they all seemed to be one of 2-3 types of songs.
WW: 6/10.
Fluttershy: First Listen: Soft, tranquil night music with hints of a bubbling stream nearby. Certainly the type of ambiance that I've given lots of praise to in the past. Also has some elements of a town theme, feeling like a quaint forest village with only a few people living there. Secluded and out of the way. Which is also nice, but... I don't find it as soothing as I'd like and the song is a bit on the long side. I don't really dislike it or anything, and I appreciate that it's trying to do things I usually love, but it's not quite working for me. [Second Listen: I should really love this song as it's doing a lot of things that I typically love, but somehow, it never quite "clicks" for me. Perhaps it's the sound effects holding it back. Like that jingling/clacking sound around 1:30 that I find rather... annoying which makes it hard to enjoy. Or the scratching, sweeping sounds that follow that section. While there is a beautiful ambiance to this track, it does keep getting interrupted. ...Though even that explanation doesn't feel quite satisfactory, as it's not as though I'm into the rest of the song either. I don't know. It should be a big hit with me, but it just isn't.] {Third Listen: Going back over all the songs I ranked, I feel like I was too harsh on this one. Or, perhaps more accurately, I'm just more in the mood to visit a quaint forest village this afternoon. Going to drastically rearrange this Block--this song is going from 1 point up to 4 & shuffling a bunch of other songs down as a result.} (56.39/100)
Gavs: With a soundtrack as soothing as this, its no wonder even gods love our town! The gentle piano combined with the violin offers a slight melancholy vibe, as if this time of relaxation is fleeting and must be cherished while we can.
rwlh: [7] really lovely but a little too freeform for me
Chaeix: This is... Touhou??? It's so... not busy and is actually a lovely listen. The melody is great, and the strings/piano/plucky things work well together. Slows down a bit after first 2 minutes, the melody is carrying it through this slower section. I am now at the 3 minute mark and I am beginning to wonder if it will pick up. I hope it does because I really do enjoy the melody and I see a lot of potential here. I am now at 4 minutes and I sure hope the song does more with the next 3.5 minutes because wow this is a long song. I am now at 5 minutes and I feel like I'm being edged. It almost feels like it's about to drop into Oriental Memory of Forgathering Dream every time it slows down but then it just continues pleasantly. Anyways this song is nice but it's really long and doesn't do enough with the length. Despite all of this, it still manages to be the best of its block.
NFUN: I forgot this was playing for a while

#31. (T-30) Albert Odyssey: Legend of Eldean - Main Theme 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7wIu0aDk5Q
Nominated by: rwlh

Scores: 2 + 3 + 5 + 5 + 1 + 3 + 2 + 5 + 5 = 31

Comments:
Isquen: So this block has had puzzle game groove, puzzle game upbeat funk, glitchy fight music with brass elements, and now what sounds like a string-heavy overworld-at-night theme. Easily a standout block, and it makes it all the harder to give this one a "merely average" in comparison.
hb: very relaxing
jcgamer: Never heard of this game, but what a great rpg/adventure track this is. The strings and flutes compliment each other very well. I love that little chime descent bit that opens into some wonderful violin. I have added it to my playlist for the forest stage of this board game I made a while back, that's basically highly-simplifed D&D. Very good.
WW: 9/10.
Fluttershy: First Listen: Reasonably nice JRPG music. Feels like walking alongside a clear lake near the starting town. [Second Listen: I'm afraid this never inspires a reaction stronger than "reasonably nice". I don't mind listening to it, but it's not making much of an impression on me.] (52.8/100)
Gavs: Has a bit of a melancholy sound to it at the start for a main theme, as if its emphasising the end of the protagonists ordinary life before they set out on their quest. I like the flute and tinkling sounds in the background.
Johnbobb: pretty typical RPG world music, but wait, at 0:35, who are you? spent the rest of the song waiting for that high to come back
dowolf: Simple, but I like how the melody shifts between the violin and flute. It's definitely a 90's RPG theme song, but I like that sort of mystique.
Chaeix: I really needed a palate cleanser after 2 bad songs in a row, and this is just lovely. The strings are rich and the woodwinds are delightful. One of the better songs from all the blocks I've listened to. I like it how it kind of straddles the line between ambience and... not-ambience?

#32. (T-30) Celeste - Golden Ridge (Golden Feather Mix)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgDYV_IbPuo
Nominated by: maple_violet

Scores: 5 + 2 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 5 + 3 + 2 = 31

Comments:
Snake: Absolutely incredible. The perfect mix of off-putting atmosphere mixed with a strange nostalgic calmness, lo-fi beats combining with ethereal synths to create a track that's hazy and unhurried. Warm, wistful, and deceptively calming for a track tied to such a brutal level.
KCF: I have loved this song since I played Celeste in 2018 or 2019
JONA: Celeste good
Fluttershy: First Listen: I absolutely loved this song when I was playing Celeste. The stage was so difficult, but the low tones were so soothing that they gave me the courage to push on. I don't think I could have finished the game without this song inspiring me. I actually nominated this somewhere in the past, though I don't know when or where. But... it has the misfortune of being something that I've listened to so many times that it doesn't have as much of an effect on me as it used to. I have the tendency to play songs I love on endless loops until I get sick of them and I completely drained everything from this song a few years ago. I still really like it, but while it would have been an easy 100/100 perfect song a few years ago, now it's probably fallen down to the 70 point tier. Still, definitely a beautiful song that was briefly one of my favorite songs of all time. [Second Listen: Perhaps I should have requested golden009 cover this Block as well, considering my long history with this track. But then I'm greedy and wanted to rank everything I possibly could, so here we are. Anyway, I have nothing left to add. This was one of my favorite songs ever, then I listened to it a hundred times or so, and now I just can't connect with it as strongly as I once did. I'll always really like it and always appreciate that it gave me the fortitude to experience such a great game without giving up, but my days of loving it are well in the past.] (71/100)
uf8: A solid celeste song, but I don't like celeste songs, so that can only get you so far. The trap-ish beats+snaps that are there for parts of it on also aren't hugely my thing (i realise this seems pretty hypocritical considering how easily a certain song I've nommed in the past comes to mind from a certain cereal-related game, but that was more like an indie band thing than edm, y'know). 6.7/10
rwlh: [8.5] yessss this song is great
Chaeix: I like the ambience that this is going for but the 'fade in, then fade out' part of the rhythm really detracts. Maybe it's because I was nauseous when I was listening to it and it made me more nauseous. It's like a budget chiptune 'discolor' from umineko. It's also too long and very repetitive.
NFUN: I'm just not a huge fan of the genre, sorry

#33. (T-30) Deep Night Detective - Chapter One - Deep Night Nightmare
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDLcLB6YNXU
Nominated by: KCF0107

Scores: 5 + 5 + 2 + 4 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 4 + 1 = 31

Comments:
PaulG235: Am really into the jazzy noir theme in this one. Probably one of those tracks that sounds even better when playing.
pyresword: Not even this sick beat can manage to be as cool as the dude in the video image. Not for lack of trying though.
maple_violet: it's just fine
lem: [C] Pretty interesting song! I vaguely get the sense that I want more out of this song, but I do like what it brings. There's a cool sound to it, and there's some neat rhythmic changes throughout too.
Fluttershy: First Listen: Groovier than expected for a deep nightmare. I kinda like it, but I'm not picking up anything from it... just a groovy tune that I kinda like. [Second Listen: Actually, the buzzing kinda instrument in the back is vaguely reminding me of the Lavos Core theme from Chrono Trigger. ...Now I want to drop everything and listen to that. *does so* Ohh yeah, I totally should have just nominated Chrono Trigger music instead of sharing more obscure picks. ...Where was I? Right, right, Deep Night Nightmare. Reminding me of songs I enjoy is helping me get into this. It's got this "noir battle theme" aesthetic to it, like a detective on the trail of a cult with some hints of an ancient evil watching from the darkness. My opinion on this song has gone way up since the First Listen, I'd say I like this now.] (64/100)
Gavs: This song has a fun jazzy noir vibe to it. It sounds a bit like something that would play in Ace Attorney when youre breaking through contradictions and starting to make a suspect sweat.
Johnbobb: has kind of an ace attorney meets toby fox vibe, and I don't really know how to explain that. It's alright; I dug the horn sections but I don't think it'll stick with me
dowolf: That opening was incredible; I was getting serious Tempei Sato vibes. And when the saxomophone comes back in, I get those vibes again. But unlike Sato, the composer here is content to stop at one thing at a time. That makes me a little sad, but it does do its single things really well.
Chaeix: This is okay but just not quite my style of song. It only gets a 1 here because it's in a remarkably strong block of songs.

#34. (T-30) THE FINALS - A Step to the Big Stage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWvS1ManNxA
Nominated by: JONA

Scores: 5 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 4 = 31

Comments:
Isquen: Not sure what I was expecting, but electro dance with some woodwinds thrown in wasn't it.
hotdogturtle: Good instrumentation that started off sounding like something that I should like, but the composition goes nowhere and does nothing.
KCF: I last played this in the spring of 2024, so I hadn't heard of this. This is on par with some of the better initial songs from the game (S2 music still the best though)
WW: 8.5/10.
Fluttershy: First Listen: Not what I was expecting after the intro. It opens with such deep, heavy, BWOOM-ing notes that I was expecting a very emotionally intense song... but then the song brightens up considerably and is downright happy for the majority of its runtime. I wouldn't say I have anything against happy songs, but I need to listen to this again after recalibrating my expectations. [Second Listen: Those opening tones still make me think we're going in a very dramatic direction, so it's rather jarring when the song completely abandons that around 40 seconds in. It's not quite "dance a jig" music, but... perhaps "dance a jig music overlayed on top of a sci-fi shooter aesthetic" would be a way of describing the vibes I'm getting. I kinda like the end result, but I'm still not fully sold on what it's doing.] (55.793/100)
uf8: For a game with such a memorable title, i'm surprised this is the first time I'm hearing of it whatsoever. Anyway I'm sure I'm not going to be the only one to mention it, but I love the YMO influence. I don't think I really like it that much outside of the rather coy references though. 7.15/10
rwlh: [6] fine enough
dowolf: Interesting, but I'm struggling more than a bit to put this into words.
Chaeix: Kinda fun? Not bad, not great, but fun. I think adding the harpischord-y sounds to the EDM vibe of it detracted a bit.

#35. (T-30) TRASH - FUCK ME
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVVkMA_4U8s
Nominated by: failgirlema

Scores: 3 + 5 + 5 + 1 + 4 + 4 + 2 + 4 + 3 = 31

Comments:
FL81: This FUCKin' slaps
KCF: If everyone involved in the vocal songs from Persona games were in a band together, this would come from their debut album
WW: 3/10. Feels like there's a context behind this song I'm missing. That said, the rap part dragged this one down, it goes just too fast for me to follow even with lyrics. I do like the transition from rap to chorus, though
Fluttershy: First Listen: Why the heck does this song go so hard? I feel like this is supposed to be terrible considering the endless repetition of FUCK ME and the ridiculous intro, but if it that's what they were going for, they failed and accidentally made a good song. I'm baffled by this. [Second Listen: Rap, jpop, and shitposting fuse together into something that has no right to be as good as it is.] (84/100)
uf8: It feels like I'm being assailed by an assortment of different mobs. I'm not sure if that's better or worse than the actual context in the game, but either way, I'm on board. 8.1/10
rwlh: [7] fun song but I get the feeling I'd get sick of it if I heard it too many times
dowolf: LANGUAGE! This feels derivative, which I mean those samples certainly happened, but also it reminds me of some 90's anime themes and fake nostalgia is fun. I dunno. It's growing on me! i kinda want to translate the lyrics now, which says something.
Chaeix: No part of this song makes sense to me and no part of me understands why I like it so much. Would have probably scored higher in a different block.

#36. (T-30) Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo - Crime Busting with a Smile!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcEMl7hdOmU
Nominated by: Chaeix

Scores: 2 + 4 + 2 + 4 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 4 = 31

Comments:
Disillusion: Nice "modern cop" groove here, it reminds me a lot of Zenigata's theme from the Lupin III series. I can picture this being the theme for Detective Gumshoe or some new character in the Ace Attorney series, the energy is pretty similiar to me.
FL81: You know what mystery VNs really need more of? Soundtracks comprising '70s detective show themes.
haste: The orchestration of this one is pretty satisfying. Kinda odd when the spanish trumpet seems to get mixed with the funk style... Not bad, though! Anything that resonates with me here.... um, the keyboards are kinda nice? And it's Dorian a lot of the time, yay!
lem: [C] Pretty solid all around! I like the funky style to this song, with the electric guitar parts being my favorite.
Fluttershy: First Listen: The opening theme for a lighthearted detective show. Not quite goofy enough to be considered a comedy, but optimistic and with a good amount of humor all the same. Star is a rugged man with scruffy brown hair and a classic car--fairly old and a bit rundown, but still relatively cool looking like our hero himself. [Second Listen: I keep picturing the main character as somehow being halfway between Detective Gumshoe and a young David Hasselhoff in terms of appearance. ...This is not relevant to anything, but did create the illusion of this write up being longer than it actually is. More seriously, I really dig the feeling this song gives off, even if I'm sure it has absolutely nothing to do with the actual game.] {Third Listen: This song already had the full five points in its Block, but I still feel like I had it ranked too low under its personal score. I kinda love my ridiculous 70s Detective Hasselshoe fantasy & had to listen to this again. ...Actually, if I'm willing to drop everything I need to be doing to listen to this song and ramble about how much I enjoy it, I think I'd say that I love this song. Again, this has no impact on any scoring metric that actually matters, but I'd like to think the nominator may be happy that I'm raising this song two full tiers on my personal score/ranking list anyway.} (91.37/100)
uf8: This is the quintessential modern japanese crime soap opera theme. Which sounds a bit underwhelming when it's such a word salad to classify, but to be clear, I really like this. I'm so glad this game got to make an impact despite the nonexistent marketing, and, frankly, it really not being suited for western audiences. Side note, I feel like if this were to make the field, I'd like to see this go up against a Yakuza song just for fun. 7.8/10
rwlh: [4.5] fine I guess
dowofl: Very 80's crime drama-y. Not my thing, but it evokes the era really well.
azuarc: Solid 70s/porn music vibes. I don't think this game is either, but one does not need to be from the 70s or porn to establish the good mood of that style.

#37. (T-30) CryMachina - HelloShatteredCradleWorld
https://youtu.be/X2zV3qF7rRU?si=Lrs8o2lmJJqfGQ-w
Nominated by: bebr117

Scores: 4 + 5 + 4 + 1 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 5 + 5 = 31

Comments:
Isquen: Ye gods, how am I going to rank this block. This song could've easily fallen into the trappings of every "I'm in the future and everyone's a CYBORG" sci-fi sound and instead it's a quiet, almost mysterious one with vocals that are there to accentuate the ambience instead of detract or overpower (I'm staring daggers at you, Ar Tonelico.)
Bitto: Really pretty song with the right instrumentation and vocals to suit it. Really pleasant listen all the way through.
WW: 6/10.
Fluttershy: First Listen: I can't make out a single line in this song, but I like it. It feels sad; not overwhelmingly so (unfortunately), but sad music often plays well for me and this is no exception. [Second Listen: I can't even tell if this is English or not. Part of it sounds like "never met the [???]", but I could be hearing things. Anyway, without any idea what's being sang here, the song has rely entirely on its vibes... and I feel sad, vaguely wistful, like gazing out the window at a world that you can never be part of. The song feels a bit too short and never makes me feel as sad as I want it to, but the feelings are interesting enough to let it take first place in its Block by default.] (59.84/100)
uf8: Certainly an interesting and unexpected pick from Crymachina here (which I also have to mention the capitalisation on, which is also pretty interesting and unexpected lol). I like the vibe, but I wanted to be more moved by it, since there's only so much that one part in the last minute can help carry it. 7/10
rwlh: [6] nothing to say about this one
dowolf: HelloToYouToFellowSpaceBarHater no i am not going to do this the whole time. I like the bells, and I don't like the big bass drum. So much of the song feels like it's floating, fairy-like, and then that bass drum is so earthy in comparison. This feels like it wants to erupt. It finally does, but not explosively. I wish this had a second movement, rather than just adding a few more instruments. So yeah, I like what is here but it feels incomplete.
failgirlema: really cool production

#38. (T-30) Genshin Impact - Burst Into Flames
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxPCwi0O1uw
Nominated by: azuarc

Scores: 4 + 2 + 4 + 4 + 5 + 5 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 31

Comments:
Isquen: Man, I hated that boss fight where you had to push Barbarossa into sunlight so he'd burst into flames and you could smack him around with the keyblade a bit. It was especially surprising when the Land of Dragons came in with the erhu and woodwinds. Where was I going with this, again? Byte bashing?
pyresword: Great rising tension in the early parts of the song, and it has an erhu which is an automatic plus from me. Several other cool instruments as well. The climax of the song could probably hit a bit harder though. I'm giving this a 2 but am actually pretty fond of the song. It just got stuck in a strong group.
KCF: Good start, great build-up. It doesn't become anything special, but I enjoyed it
lem: [B] Very cool song! My reception of Genshin Impact songs hasn't been the greatest based on past VGMC representatives, but this is a much better song than the others from this game I've heard so far. The buildup can feel a bit same-y, but I do like the sound of it, so I don't really mind it. The climax at 2:26 is definitely cool too. If I had to put it into words, I think there's this tension (more in an emotional sense than a musical one) that the overall melody has that's really cool. Like you're approaching something awe-inspiring, or that it's approaching you. I'd be very eager to hear more Genshin Impact songs that sound like this.
Fluttershy: First Listen: This song doesn't feel fiery at all. I'm not petty enough to hold the title against the song, but I feel cheated. Anyway, this feels like a fairly nice sailing song... that or the picture of a boat has sufficiently skewed my thought processes. When it picks up towards the end, it feels like I'm being attacked by pirates. This is a pretty neat song, actually, as it is conveying an environment and letting me go on a musical adventure. Unfortunately, it's up against stiff competition in this Block, so I fear it will end up with a lower number of points than it likely deserves. [Second Listen: The intro of this song is definitely giving me vibes of something like "Pirates of the Caribbean", it's very gearing up to sail towards adventure. Then there's a good sense of sailing and then an attack by pirates, so yeah, I'm feeling good with giving this song 4 points. It's a rousing musical adventure and I'm definitely here for this.] (85/100)
uf8: This is the part where I might as well just copy the writeup I did for The Morn a Thousand Roses Brings lol. If you're reading this and that hasn't come up yet... Look forward to it I guess lol. (I hope this one is higher though) 7.5/10
rwlh: [6.5] fine I guess
dowolf: Spontaneous self-combustion is never the right choice. Like all Genshin combat themes, it takes way too long to actually start, but eventually it does get pretty sick. I love the big chord just before 2:00, and again at 3:15.
Chaeix: I really dig all of the components of this song but the way they add up feels like it's missing something? It's not that I don't enjoy it because I do, but I'm just surprised that I don't enjoy it more given it seems to tick all the boxes for what I'd normally love.

About to get started with the final reveals!

Chrono Trigger
Super Mario Odyssey
Final Fantasy IX
Super Mario Galaxy 2

Okay, fine. Say it.

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Recent top results:
Day 598: Never Gonna Give You Up (18%)
Day 597: Tastes Like Chicken (60%)
Day 596: Feels Like The First Time (23%)
Day 595: Looks Like Rain (29%)
Day 594: Sounds Like a Plan (19%)
Day 593: Virtual Boy (29%)
Day 592: Dragon Warrior (33%)
Day 591: Hammer Bro (14%)
Day 590: Pinball Wizard (30%)
Day 589: The Killing Joke (24%)
Day 588: Against All Odds (38%)
Day 587: How are you? (64%)
Day 586: That's the Spirit! (19%)
Day 585: Lunar Silver Star Story (33%)

Past results:
https://board8.fandom.com/wiki/Fill_in_the_Blank_(Series%29

My response: Nirvana

Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations
Final Fantasy X
Super Metroid
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