Musical Dissonance In Video Games
As I have said in posts in the past, music is especially important to me. I listen to it while I write just about everything. It sets my mood when I am thinking. And as the context of the title of this post already hints at, it serves as queues for me when playing a video game.
I recognize themes of characters and listen for alternate versions. Music usually will give away a plot twist if you listen carefully. For example, even though its obvious that Seymour in Final Fantasy 10 is evil, his theme confirms it for those hopeful that hes just a creepy guy. In the very similar plot wise, Tales of Symphonia, you as a player know that stuff just hit the fan when you reach the Tower of Salvation and the first two boss fights have a theme you have never heard before, and then a third boss fight happens, that has another theme that has not been heard before that point.
For your listening pleasure, the songs are listed below.
Seymour’s Theme
Beat the Angel
It Can Waver and Fight
Now that I have pointed out some songs that perfectly do what they are intended, lets talk about ones that don’t. Many dungeons or boss fights have music, that just seems… wrong. Or worse, music is used in a place where it is incorrect. For example, Final Fantasy 13 has a boss theme that is established for Summon Bosses which are all puzzle fights. Then randomly, about halfway through the game, a non boss fight, uses the theme. It caused me to be confused and concerned. I know I was not alone either. The song made me feel one way and then was used for a completely different one.
An offender that bothered me so much, that it deserves its own paragraph is Saturos and Menardi’s Theme in Golden Sun. Considering that my original World of Warcraft Character is named Saturos, in homage of this game, this theme is very important to me. Now, as for the theme itself, it perfectly fits the duo. And every time, the song plays, a thrashing is imminent. Or at least a really difficult boss fight is coming up. Unfortunately, this song also plays when a bunch of thieves appear to cause trouble. And while a thrashing does happen, its to them, not to you. Even worse, in the second game, the theme plays while a giant wave is coming your way. Yes a thrashing does happen. Yes your party gets separated, but still, this is not proper use of the song.
Here are the two songs I outlined:
There is another type of dissonance that upsets me beyond any other. And that is when the Final Boss Music does not fit the situation at all. A lot of JRPGs have fallen prey to this as of late. Perhaps this is a cultural dissonance as well. Japan does not like dark fiction the same as America does. There is a possibility of this being the problem.
Fire Emblem Awakening is one of the greatest offenders of this. While the final Boss Level theme is an incredible music and worth a listen, it does not fit the mood of the last fight. A final boss should not have a theme of renewal and hope. It should have a feeling of dread and loss of hope. The player should feel mentally exhausted, not vigorous. Its really bothersome, because the preparation music before the fight, sets the mood way better, than the level music itself. And worst of all, Fire Emblem Fates has not seemed to learn this either. The final Levels in all three routes just like in Awakening invokes the wrong emotions. Ironically, in all the cases, the levels right before the end, play the proper music.
So that’s a lot to listen to: I will be listing all the songs I mentioned right below.
Id Purpose
The Life Force Here Shall Renew Me
End of All (All three Versions)
Far Away
Glory/Ruin
Well I think that is enough ranting for one day. I have said my piece. I hope you enjoyed the read as well as discovered some really good music.