Metaphor: revantanzio It is one of the best games of 2024 and has won a host of gaming awards including Best RPG, Best Art Direction, and Best Story. But one category in which the metaphor particularly stood out was its music. The soundtrack, produced by Shoji Meguro – long-time music director a personality The series is one of the notable achievements in video game music this year, particularly the battle theme that was a huge hit. In an interview with EdgeMeguro talked about his work in metaphor The soundtrack including what went into what may be the most amazing piece of video game music ever.
Meguro, known for his work in pop and jazz production a personality The soundtrack, admit it metaphorHeavy orchestral/choral sound is not my thing a personality That’s what fans expect from him and it’s definitely outside his wheelhouse. He said in order to change gears effectively a personality to metaphorHe had to learn classical music theory all over again.
“But that’s what makes creating this score so exciting,” he said. “When I was first told Metaphor: refantasiaI’m told it will be an epic, high-fantasy RPG. Immediately I heard great orchestras playing and thought this might be an opportunity to write songs I had never written before, which excited me a lot.
In developing music for metaphorMeguro said he wanted to evoke a classic fantasy experience but feature a unique twist that he said fans have come to expect from Atlus games. This development became what Meguro called a “spiritual musical style” that defined soundtracks, especially battle music.
It was also nominated for the Game of the Year award. metaphorThe game’s music was featured during this year’s Game Awards.
If you’ve spent much time on social media for gaming this year, you’ve probably seen a lot of posts talking about it metaphorBattle music. For the battle theme it goes too difficult, With one version starting with an orchestra-backed choir singing with the kind of enthusiasm you’d expect for an encounter with Sephiroth, not something that plays during every mini-encounter in the game. Then, somehow, the song got harder with the addition of a Japanese monk chanting at a fast tempo that could rival Eminem’s. To further elevate the songs, the jingles are written in an authentic language inspired by Esperanto, a language that was invented in 1887 and designed to be used as a global secondary language.
But finding the right voice for the job wasn’t easy. “I was looking for a certain type of voice that could maintain a fast tempo while reading Esperanto-inspired scriptures,” Meguro said.
His search led him to YouTube, where browsing through demos was how he found a monk named Keisuke Honryu performing in the Nam Jazz Experiment, a music group that combines jazz with the recitation of traditional Buddhist sutras. “It was so cool, I did it straight away [Honryo] An offer he thankfully accepted and was happy to be a part of this game.
But there is a reason for that metaphorThe game’s battle music is very catchy, and it’s not just because of the musical stylings of a Japanese monk chanting in an invented language inspired by another invented language. Meguro had to reframe his thinking in developing the soundtrack, creating something truly unique that changes how players view the game.
“Game outcomes have always been considered similar to UI elements, structures that exist solely to serve the player,” Meguro said. “Although the score should capture the atmosphere of the story for the user, it is worth reminding ourselves that this music is not played directly within the world in which the characters live.”
Meguro explained that in conversations with game director Katsura Hashino, the two discussed ways to connect what the players hear to what the characters also hear.
He said the thought experiment allowed them to “approach musical composition through a different lens.” The idea was implemented in the game itself. in ‘metaphor’During business hours, the player’s friend casts a spell It allows them to hear music As they travel around the world, they inevitably get into battles.
That moment dramatically changes the context of everything ‘metaphor’Music, especially battle themes. Taking these songs from a fun-only vibe for players and turning them into something the characters experience as well, explains why the songs are as difficult as they are. Every fight for us is another event on the way to the credits, for the characters Life or death It stands to reason that the music they hear as they fight for their lives reflects that appeal.
Meguro uses metaphormusic to draw players into the game more and he is happy with how well his work is received. My battle song is called “Warriors in arms“and”Warriors in courage“It immediately resonated with the players, Inspiring memes and And even animated shorts.
“It brings me a lot of happiness because the fans respond so enthusiastically to the music metaphorMeguro said. “It’s a huge honor to get this kind of reaction.”
