A look at how Pyre's soundtrack uses medieval bardic tradition to create a legacy that will be remembered long into the future.
Game Score Fanfare is a show that celebrates music in video games. Music is so often overlooked in games because that's all part of its job: to move you without you even noticing. I want to explore and share the unique ways games can use music and how it intersects with game design and story. I'll be shining a light on the games and people who have taken the medium of video game music seriously and pushed its limits to create one of the most diverse genres of music that we have.
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I frequently post on Twitter.
/ mittopotahis
My Patreon Page:
/ gamescorefanfare
Thank you to PointZ3RO for letting me borrow some footage from his Metroid Prime 3: Corruption video. Buckle up for this one, you're in for a ride.
• Metroid Prime 3: Corru...
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All music in this video is from Pyre and was composed by Darren Korb. Tracks used in order of appearance:
In The Flame (feat. Ashley Barrett)
Downside Ballad
Surviving Exile
Knights of the Sea
Thrash Pack
Dread Design
Life Sentence
The Old Ways
Glorious Tradition
Vagrant Song
Never to Return (feat. Ashley Barrett)
Bound Together
Dirty Deal
You can buy the Pyre Original Soundtrack directly from the Supergiant Games website.
store.supergiantgames.com/pro...
If you don't recognise a track, it could be an acoustic version from the bonus White Lute album, which comes with the download of the Original Soundtrack, or can be found on Supergiant's KZhead channel here:
• Pyre Original Soundtra...
I also use multiple variations of the song Never To Return, which can all be found on the Black Mandolin bonus album, also included with the Original Soundtrack and can be found on Supergiant's KZhead channel here:
• Pyre Original Soundtra...
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Games shown in this video, in order of appearance:
Bastion (2011)
Transistor (2014)
Pyre (2017)
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (2007)
Final Fantasy IV (1991)
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One of the very very cool things about Never to Return that I don't think you mentioned is that, while the song is in English, most of the characters speak only Sahrian, the ficticious language of the Sahr Empire. This means that, to your triumvirate, the song is incomprehensible and otherworldly, almost like how a latin hymn would be to us. I believe I read that in an interview somewhere. Regardless, excellent work!
Perhaps it’ll be translated for them 😊
Very like a latin hymn, because English canonically existed as a language before Sahrian, and when you meet him, Volfred actually speaks telepathically to you in English, not Sharian, once, to prove to you that he's a Reader like you
I don’t remember much unfortunately, but I always thought English was verbal and written, while Sahr was strictly verbal. Thus, being able to read meant you learned an old language. I could be totally off, again, it’s been a while lol
@@braxtonwalden8365 Yeah. There’s no written Sahrian, only spoken.
Oh man, I was so damn close to tears the first time I heard "my" version of Bound Together. The game doesn't even make you feel guilty if you failed to get somebody out but I was still sad. :D
I still have to hold back my tears whenever I hear it...and I felt so bad for separating Tae (aka the Moon-Touched Girl) and T'izo :(
Besides, it would've been a bit of a dick move to guilt the player for their choices, considering there isn't a "perfect ending" ;)
Finally, someone who is bringing to justice the underrated masterpiece that is Supergiant Games' music.
I know you had quite the nightmare creating this video, but let it be said that this was absolutely worth the trouble. It was wonderful. My only dissapointment is that I cannot share it to others yet because it's still in early access as of writing! :P
Thank you Calliope! I'm very pleased that you enjoyed it. :)
No probs! Now you can relax and not have to think about it for a while. :D
Also I love the detail that on the title screen they're burning books as if you had some collection that was being destroyed before being cast into the downside
Apart from all the other fantastic songs in the game, Bound Together actually blew my mind and moved me to tears at the same time. As I realized that the lyrics is actually matching up my exact choices in-game, it occured to me the sheer number of variations Darren and Ashley must have recorded for this reflective conclusion!
While I like their work in Bastion and Transistor, this is simply another level. Rarely do studios outdo themselves with each game. This must be in incredibly hard video to make. Great job, man!
you should see hades now, its like they improve indefinitely
To be completely honest, I had zero interest in playing this game before watching this video. I didn't think the game looked bad or anything, but just not really something I cared about enough to actually consider spending the time and money on. But you easily sold me on it with this. Thank you so much!
+lowryder259 I love this comment, thank you! If all I achieve is getting a couple people to play the game, then I couldn't be happier! Hope you do buy it, definitely worth the money.
The first trailer was what sold me on this game, honestly. But not what it told of the plot. Not what I saw in the art. It was when I heard the music pick up, and that second verse of "in the flame" just grabbed my heart and never let go.
I didn't even *know* about this until you posted it. Thanks!
@@LawnPygmy So? did you play it?
One thing i noticed with the music: The harpsichord is heavily featured in 2 songs (maybe a 3rd but i can't quite remember the connection so ill ignore it for now). "Life Sentence" (menu song) showing how the corrupt rulers of the commonwealth burned all the literature, and "Grand Ceremony" (Manley's Theme) who was directly associated with with said rulers. Story connection through the game's music.
+I Saw A Bear Yes! I was going to mention this but it ended up getting cut. Manley wanted to be a bureaucrat in the Commonwealth, so he shares the same instrumentation that represents the Commonwealth. So cool!
yeah, the harpsichord seems like the theme for the highbrow commonwealth.
Goodness, I wish I could get the "orb in possession" and "near the pyre" versions of the battle themes. The Withdrawn and Essence with the beats and clapping cut in gave me chills.
This is lovely. I never actively notice these things when playing the game as music is an aspect I usually overlook, (aside from getting a song stuck in my head of course,) so it's nice to have things like the dynamic score pointed out to me. This also gives me something to show to friends, as "visual novel/fantasy sports game" is a tough pitch. (Heck, I'm not sure I would've played it myself had it not been for my complete trust in Supergiant to make something amazing.)
+Basil Schuman we all overlook music, it's kinda it's point to blend in a lot of the time! I wouldn't have played it too if it weren't for Supergiant. Only they could've pulled such a thing off though!
I just want to say that this video is a masterpiece. Having never played the game I know it too is a masterpiece because of how you presented it. I'll wager Supergiant Games has no better advocate than your videos.
Mike you are WAAAAAY too nice! Nothing near a masterpiece by any means, but I'll take the compliment regardless. Thank you. 😅
Amazing video. Pyre is just an absolute masterpiece IMO. It's incredible how much work Supergiant puts into their games with such a small team.
Thank you for this video. Pyre is absolutely brilliant and by far the most underrated of all of Supergiant's works, often dismissed for it's unconventional gameplay, but you did a great job exploring just one aspect of how incredible it is, and for that I am eternally grateful.
Yes, this video was worth the wait, it was amazing, thanks! Also am I the only one who gets shivers whenever Pyre's songs play?
+Annadess B I can assure you with 100% confidence: no, you are not.
Man such a shame this game didn't sell WAY more, i freaking loved everything about it.
Excellent video, loved it. Pyre is one of the best games this year, and Supergiant is by far my favorite studio.
+Shyrias Mine too. Wasn't sure if they could top Transistor, but they may have just done so!
yeah, phenomenal game! every part of it functions beautifully together and elevates the experience higher and higher
Wow! Darren Korb is such a great composer, I just adore all of his soundtracks, but this is just insane what he and the team did with this one. Genius. And also, great video, thanks for this!!! :)
Ah... I finished the game last month and while other Supergiant games interest me in art first and music next, this one is music first. I am not a fan of sports and sport games, that is why it took me so long to buy it. Then when I play it, regardless some frustration at first, I was pumped to keep going because the songs feel like compelled me to. Leitmotif is one of my favourite technique to hear, especially when they are a theme of a certain group or a single hero. For me, they make the hero have more personality and impact. Old games have a lot of leitmotif, albeit that they are mostly based on budgets. Nowaday games, the musics more diverse, but too diverse they felt detached to the game itself.
Having been a long time fan of Supergiant and having recently played Pyre myself, I thoroughly enjoyed this video. I was genuinely surprised at how many little things I totally missed, like the intsruments changing for the main three's theme. I didn't think it possible, but I hold Darren Korb in even higher regard now than I did before. I've watched a few other videos of yours too, and I've really enjoyed them also. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the music in Shovel Knight (and its expansions) and in Persona 5; those are the most memorable soundtracks I can't think of (that you've not already covered), and I'd be interested to see what insight you can glean from them.
I love pyre's music. I listen to the multiple ost's for the game, thanks for the amazing supergiant games videos as always
The music really is one of their best aspects!
Matthew, thank you so much for this video. Pyre is one of the best and most emotional games I've ever played. The music is a massive part of that and your video encapsulates why. Take care of yourself, and be proud of your work. I'm looking forward to whatever your next video may be, but only when you're ready to make it.
Oh I'm so ready to get to the next one. I don't feel burned out making videos, just burned out with this one particular video, hahaha. I'm glad I could accurately explain how the game made you feel. I agree, it's a very emotional game and the writing is just superb. Playing through a second time has made me appreciate it in a whole new light too. It's really a fantastic game.
0:23 THAT BUILDUP AND DROP THO
Just watching this and hearing some of the music from Pyre, especially the credits them, got me all emotional. Supergiant's emphasis on music creates such a unique bond between the game and the players, and Pyre is a game that I will always remember because of it.
hey no joke every time i watch this video i get really emotional because pyre is, like, my favorite game. and hearing such a wonderful analysis of the impact music has in the game's universe is really rad!! but the end is always what gets me. bound together already makes me cry whenever i hear it and listening to everything you have to say regarding the bard's song is just. really cool. what im trying to say is that this is a great video and thank you. i like coming back to watch it every so often
This game was so damn good!
Im so in love with Supergiant's music and art its gorgeous and I still listen to the OST of the games
They're an unfairly talented bunch.
What a beautiful experience this game was
Pyre, oh Pyre... the music of this game never fails to bring tears to my eyes. I've played it back when it came out, and the story of purgatory and redemption was something that I could relate to a bit too much at the time, as I was going through extremely bad depression. The game helped me cling on to hope and the message of redeeming yourself. Now this video randomly pops into my KZhead queue... reminding me of the beautiful music and showing me new things to appreciate it for. While Hades has better gameplay, Pyre is the emotional masterpiece of our time... and here I sit, barely holding back tears, thankful I'm working from home today. Thank you.
Bound together makes me cry everytime
Very beautifully crafted video, I am so glad I have found this analysis of Pyre's music. Amazing game, and so are the people who liked it!
Your sound editing on this does the source material SUCH credit. Bravo for fine work.
Love the editing. Lots of work put in I’m sure, to end up being very enjoyable.
I love music in games, especially SuperGiant's music. This made me appreciate it on a whole other level. Thanks for making this!
+Quest Log I'm pleased I could do this for you!
This is a wonderful video. I almost started getting teary eyed near the end? Oh my goodness.
Absolutely incredible video. Really well done. This retroactively made my experience with Pyre that much more significant to me and I will be thinking about this during my new game +
+Samir Jain I'm so pleased I could do that for you! Thank you! 😀
The OST is a masterpiece. My favorite songs are In The Flame, Never to Return and Bound together
This video is really good. I never heard about this game before, but go straight to steam and buy this game after watching this.
What a beautiful analysis. Darren Korb is so damn talented and I hope he keeps making games at Supergiant.
Loving this content as I prepare to write my first ever music for my video game. Wish there were more videos to watch! Keep it up 💯
oh my goodness, this was an excellently crafted video! what a treat! you never seem to disappoint!
+Mattie Honda thank you Mattie! You're the real treat tho.
Your video is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING THIS!!!!!!!!!! And I CAN'T BELIEVE I never noticed 5:00!!! Holy cow!! Supergiant Games is LITERALLY THE BEST!!!!!!!!!! Thank you thank you thank you thank you for this MARVELOUS VIDEO!!!!!!!!
I just found my new favorite KZhead channel. Good stuff. I’m gonna binge your entire library now.
HI there ! Just wanted to say that I recently finished the game and all of the things you said in this greatly made video, I really agree!! You've said it really well and caught some great details (for example for the credits) so thanks a lot for this video ! :)
I want to cry every time Bound Together comes up in my playlist. My favorite triumvirate theme has to be Knights of the Sea, too good to pass up.
+Lucerina Henzia love that one. My favourite is probably The Accusers' theme, Path to Glory. Probably because it is the most Transistory! Just love those breakbeats.
It kinda is now that you said it, I could imagine Path to Glory in Transistor with the right instruments. And now I'm imagining Red humming along to it.
Hi! I just discovered your videos today and I'm really enjoying them! Thanks for all your hard work putting them together and sharing them!
YESSSS I was literally watching the transistor vid yesterday and wondered when this was coming! Thank you so much!
+DarshUK Gaming what timing!
Incredible video. Subscribed. Love this game and the quality of the video did the game justice. Thank you 😊
Good job pointing out those details. Makes me appreciate their music on an entirely new level. I too want to listen to my own Bound Together version. Game may have tons of replayability but I've let my very first playthrough rest with me. I want my version of the story sticks with me for awhile, party because of that song. Listening Bound Together the first time is a very strong moment. Pyre's ending is not only the end of the story's writings. The visuals, music, and lyrics all come together to form a full stop.
Love your channel. I look a lot in videogames score, the power of BSO!
I was impressed with Bastion/Transistor video, but this is it. You've got a new patreon
So glad about Pyre. I heard nothing about this game since it released, so I was afraid it didn't turn out good. Glad to see Supergiant still knows their stuff!
I was hoping to see this after watching your video on Bastion and Transistor, and this far exceeded my wildest hopes.
Love your channel, recently found it and really appreciate the detailed analysis you’ve put into You’re not alone and Undertale from FFIX and Undertale respectively as those are both awesomely poignant pieces of music from those games for me. FFIX especially as it’s probably the game that’s been the most impactful on my life growing up. Keep up the great work and look forward to more too!! Do you have any plans to look into the music of Spyro at all? It’s another impactful game but in a different way and though it doesn’t tackle as deep themes as Undertale or FF the music is definitely awesome.
Darren is such a badass dude. I really appreciate him and his work. Listen to it still almost daily.
I think the whole work was worth it. Just take care of yourself the videos can wait but not ur health. And I really loved the editing in this one :D . All the fleeting impressions I had while playing the game so well compromised. Thank you for that ^.^.
Thanks for looking out for me. I appreciate you.
Absolutely fantastic, Mathew! All your hard work was worth it, the video turned out great. I've not played Pyre, but you did a great job dissecting the way the soundtrack weaves together to portray theme and make each player's experience with the game a personal one.
Thanks Draz! Appreciate it. :D
Nice video! Love Darren's music, especially the songs featuring Ashley!
+Spirited Awaaay They just work so well together.
Great video!
I bought the game, then immediately the soundtrack. Listened to it for months already. But now I realize that if I want more of the soundtrack, I have to play the game again. Maybe I’ll aim rites for the way I wanna discover the music again :) Thanks much for the video!
Im so glad I found this channel
Youre content is on its way to be stuff of legends alright!
oh nice work syncing up the lips at 0:46
There is one more thing that I personally think really interesting you didn't touch on. At one point (pretty late in the game) Tariq plays 'In the Flame' which is pretty much the Nightwing's theme song, which also always plays at the beginning and a little in the background of the liberation rites, showing that it is your Band of Exiles fighting another, by having the two Triumvirate's themes fight too. Otherwise it's a really great video, showed me many things that I didn't even notice myself!
+desiredEquilibrium I didn't mention it because I didn't notice it. Nice pick-up, i'll keep an ear out for it next time!
Whooaaaaa I didn't notice that, that's so cool
Hey I love you videos, haven't played Pyre but this video made me check it out, but have you considered doing a video on the Music in Kingdom Hearts? The orchestral pieces are some of the best I've seen in videogames, and they really know how to set a mood within their games using the music.
Pyre was so amazing!
I think HeavyEyed Mitchell Cramer THE gamer turned me on to you, and I gotta say this might very well be my favorite video on Pyre. Did a great job of capturing what a unique story and game it is and it all coincides with the music. SUB'D
Thanks heaps Perry, glad to have you round!
I'm a bit sad that Pyre was overshadowed by both Hades and Transistor. Both excellent games, but Pyre is something special.
I am so glad I subscribed to you early on, your videos keep on being amazing!
+Tjalle aww I'm glad that you think so, thank you! 😊
Nice breakdown. I had heard Darren talk about the work that went into the dynamic music in Pyre, but I'm no good at unpicking polyphonies and hadn't noticed a lot of the sleight-of-stem.
+guiltriple Thanks! I don't think I'm very good at it either, listening to lots of interviews and paying careful attention for me this far.
Fascinating channel! What about Age of Empires music? C ya!
WOW, I am speechless. I want to be able to give you a million likes myself.
just going to give this bit of "criticism" i guess... You missed an opportunity for a great logo/title animation at 0:59 Would have been cool to let the song finish and have something introducing the video or your channel there... Just something that caught my eye.. Really liking the content so far and looking forward to more in the future.
ooooooooo yeah that would've been cool! But I kinda slipped the logo in by using the old video in the intro. 😉
Stop making me add to my "games I need to play" list! I can't afford it!
no, I refuse.
Hope he makes a video on Hades.
0:12 12:00 Awsome game
I bought Pyre and started to play it, but I could never really get a hold of the "combat system" for the rites, there was just some sort of disconnect for me as I was playing and I was just never very good at it. So I put it aside, thinking it pretty and enjoying the world but never really sure if I'd ever go back and continue playing it. But now watching this, it makes me want to try again, because I'm curious about what I'll get at the end! So thanks for making this video!
I know that's kinda late (3 months) but you can always play on Easy mode, there's no problem on playing games for fun and the story if you skip part of the challenge
Yeah I second what Darv said, nothing wrong with playing it on Easy. Once you get a hang of it, it's actually a lot of fun. Pyre is one of my favorite games this gen and you should definitely give it another shot.
Wandersong also does this, but differently. It's quite good. Not as good as this, but it's quite good.
So subtle, yet so ingenious. My favourite dev studio from now on, all the effort didn't go unnoticed. SG games' new title, Hades, is playable already, Darren did it again. Imagine mixing ethnic motives with rock, like in PoP: Warrior Within, and make the music responsive and dynamic like in Doom (2016). This is what you get in Hades.
Also - Dusa.
@@GrimmerPl and Artemis!
I know it's far from topical, but I would love it if you covered Cave Story.
Great Video man, You should check out Nier Automata the shit that games does with music during ending E is still one of the most powerful gaming moments I have ever had
+Dust223 I reaaaaally want to play it!
The soundtrack version of that ending theme also does some really special things that add a lot of extra meaning to it. Listening to the soundtrack version after completing the game is another powerful experience, and I choke up every time I hear it.
Dang you have good taste in games.
game of 2017.
You're amazing
You're thinking troubadour or Minstrel. Bards were Celtic poet-musician who served a religious roles. Hence why RPG bards have a magical aspect. And Tariq is called the Lone Minstrel.
What do you think about making a video about soundtrack in Portal series? The second game has some gameplay elements with their own music inside. I'd gladly will watch it.
I'm happy. Suberb video.
YEAH
This tastes like Mark Brown.
Can you make one on hades too? This video is so great i want to see on hades too😊
I don't know why Pyre and Supergiant Games doesn't garner the same attention as Skyrim and Bethesda or any other game/developer out there. Pyre is an example of how next-generation storytelling might be done!
AAAAAAAAHHHHHH I'M NOT NOTTICED THAT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT VERSION I HAVE :(
So... Does this Mean that Pichu will be A Good Boi if he chooses to NOT Hit anyone in Smash? I think I've made some Pretty Good Decisions! :3
INSTANT SUBSCRIBE
We don't deserve supergiant games
I don't know... I mean... it's very well done, but... lyrics and pop instrumentation in a fantasy game soundtrack? Something about that seems off to me. Like listening to a CD while playing a game. Maybe it's just me and my obsession with 90s romplers.
Nick Wallette Have you played the game? Because it can definitely sound off, but it suites the experience so well. And an experience you can only have by playing.
wjat
Not doing a video on NieR: Automata's soundtrack would be an insult to modern video game music ;)
+Damien Wells I want to, bit think I might have to go back and play the first Nier as well.
Game Score Fanfare YESSSSS It's honestly so worth it and even though the soundtrack of the first game doesn't live up to Automata (imo) it's still something to behold