Norihiko Hibino Meets Ron Burgundy On XBLA/PSN… Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 (Review)

One of Capcom’s latest forays into the world of retro-style downloadable content features some of the downright funkiest music we’ve heard in ages. And it comes from our pal, Norihiko Hibino!

There’s a touch of Hibino’s old Metal Gear Solid espionage-friendly tunes on this shortie-but-goodie. But Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 is no Metal Gear Solid in terms of gameplay. The developer, Backbone Entertainment, created a familiar top-down shooter (like the other games in the Commando series).

How this type of gameplay manages to involve a soundtrack that sounds like it’s performed by Will Ferrell’s fictional character Ron Burgundy (from the film Anchorman) is beyond my comprehension. But if you’re ready for some funky, dirty, almost industrial jazz (complete with jazz flute!), then take the jump to read our full review of the Commando 3 soundtrack.

Starting with the tracklist:

01 Den of Wolves
02 Bullets for Breakfast
03 Sneak Attack
04 Light ’em Up
05 Gutteral Scream
06 Sly Foxes
07 Guns Blazing

You might think “well this isn’t much of a soundtrack, at only 7 tracks!” … But at 35 minutes, you realize that each song has a lot of substance to it. And despite the game being an XBLA/PSN download that focuses on retro gameplay mechanics, the soundtrack is anything but “retro.” On here, you’ll find plenty of live instrumental performances, and some of the most lifelike synth that Hibino has ever used in a game. It’s top-notch audio, that’s for sure.

Hibino, and the rest of the GEM Impact crew, spared nothing to make sure having another album added to their discography would only help to maintain their excellent track record. Each song has a solid theme that is developed further and further as the piece continues on. And every piece features that signature jazz flute, as well as some incredible guitar and piano performances. The percussion loops are also fantastic, and every song maintains a steady tempo to help you “keep your head in the game,” so to speak.

But outside the context of the game, the music still functions quite well. Seriously, these seven songs are on par with some of Hibino’s most memorable arranged soundtracks, though for obviously different reasons. Whereas the Sekaiju no MeiQ Piano & Strings album was designed for a soft, acoustic chamber music setting, Hibino goes to the other extreme with this set of music. But if you’ve found that you enjoy the work of Hibino and GEM Impact, I doubt you’ll be let down by this album either.

Originally, the only way you’d hear these songs was by downloading the game via XBLA or PSN. But thanks to Sumthing Else Music Works, you’ll be able to listen to this little “gem” (get it, get it?!) any time you please. Also available via iTunes is GEM Impact’s work on 1942: Joint Strike, which we reviewed many months ago. For VGM fans looking for something fresh and original, I would say that this is a great place to start. And for the avid Hibino/GEM Impact fans out there, you owe it to yourself to ensure that this album comes into your collection as well. I don’t want to sound like a salesman, or like a broken record, but I definitely give the Commando 3 soundtrack full recommendations.