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Game Music, Reviews

It’s Here: Granado Espada Renaissance OST Volume 3 (Review)

December 6, 2010 | Jayson Napolitano | 7 Comments Share this

Finally, the day we’ve all been waiting for! Well, at least some of us. The original Granado Espada soundtrack is one of my favorites of all time as you can probably tell from our Soundtrack of the Month article, but I admit I was a bit disappointed by the licensed music featured on Volume 2. Hanbit and IMC Games have fortunately corrected this with the release of the Granado Espada Renaissance Special Limited Edition Original Soundtrack Volume 3 (yes, quite a mouthful).

You saw our unboxing video last week and already know that there are two variations in the packaging, but join us as we dig into the 3-disc collection. Is it worth the wait, and will you be able to get your hands on it? Find out in our review after the jump. (more…)
Game Music, Reviews

DJMAX Portable 3 Soundtrack: The Usual Suspects With Unusual Results (Review)

November 3, 2010 | Jayson Napolitano | 4 Comments Share this

From Patrick’s positive review of DJMAX Portable 3, we already know that Korean game music maestros ESTi and Nauts are not involved with this title, but that doesn’t mean that other familiar names don’t surface. Time and time again we’ve been impressed by what Pentavision and PM Studios have been able to accomplish this series not only through their games, but through the amazing production values associated with their soundtracks.

It wasn’t too long ago that we checked out DJMAX Technika 2, and it should come as no surprise that a number of tracks from that game are found here, but there’s also an entire disc of new material from artists including NieN, Makou, Planetboom, XeoN, Mr. Funky, and my personal favorite, 3rd Coast. Most interesting of all, however, is the fact that these artists jump into genres that they’re not necessarily known for from their past work on the series.

Find out what I mean in our review after the jump. (more…)
Game Music, Reviews

I Just Got Served… By DJMax Portable 3 (Review)

October 22, 2010 | Patrick Gann | 5 Comments Share this

It’s a big season for rhythm games: DJ Hero 2 and Rock Band 3 are on the horizon. But for me, one of the most exciting titles is also the least talked about: DJMax Portable 3.

Last year I discussed at length DJMax Fever, which was a combo title of Portable 1 and 2 localized for North America. This PSP rhythm game, developed by Korean studio Pentavision, has some of the best music and most challenging rhythmic patterns you’ll find for a handheld. It’s one thing to sit around playing top 40 pop-rock hits in your living room. It’s another thing entirely to keep up with frantic techno or chill with some J-pop (and K-pop) while inputting complex combinations.

DJMP3 has a new set of songs (over 30 new tracks), a couple new modes of play, and some “hidden” difficulty. To find out what I mean by this, follow along after the jump! (more…)
Game Music

A Blast From The Past: Granado Espada Sound Department Interview

October 5, 2010 | Jayson Napolitano | 3 Comments Share this

Before you get too excited, this is not an interview with the game’s team of composers. We’ve already featured interviews with Osamu Kubota, S.F.A., and TaQ about the game, but this interview focuses on the actual sound team in Korea who coordinated the project. At the time this interview was conducted, I had listened, reviewedh, and had fallen in love with the Granado Espada soundtrack, and there were whispers that a Volume 2 album was in the works. We all know how that turned out.

With Volume 3 on the horizon, and Granado Espada being our Soundtrack of the Month, I thought it would be a good time to get this interview back online. I admit the team was rather vague on most points, but there are still a few interesting tidbits tucked away within. Oh, and in case you have no idea what “Sword of the New World” is, it’s the name that Granado Espada was released under in the West.

Hit the jump for a blast from the past! (more…)
Featured, Game Music

Soundtrack of the Month 10/2010: Granado Espada OST Volume 1

October 1, 2010 | Jayson Napolitano | 5 Comments Share this

This one has certainly been a long time coming. Granado Espada Original Sound Track Volume 1 is an interesting release for a number of reasons, and is quite special to me in that it was the first album I reviewed for Music4Games. I admit I’m using some of that writeup as my basis for this review, but it’s crazy how much has happened since 2006 that I’ve been able to expound upon!

What has happened, you ask? Well, just here on OSV, we’ve interviewed composer Osamu Kubota on two separate occasions about his work on the title, introduced fans to Korean composer Sevin, founding member of S.F.A. and former member of soundTeMP, talked to TaQ about his sole contribution to the game, uncovered the fact that all soundTeMP tracks on this album were actually written by Jinbae “ESTi” Park, and even reviewed the Granada Espada Original Sound Track Volume 2 digital release from Streamline Records. Yeah, a lot of stuff, and what better time to have Granado Espada as our soundtrack of the month than with the announcement that a proper Volume 3 is now on its way!

Hit the jump to find out why you need to hunt this one down. (more…)
Game Music, Reviews

BAR OASIS: Ultra Sexy Times From Korea (Review)

July 16, 2010 | Jayson Napolitano | 2 Comments Share this

We mentioned the iPhone/iPod Touch app BAR OASIS a few weeks back. For those who are too lazy to go check that post, it’s basically a touch and tilt story-based adventure about mixing drinks. Aside from it looking great and being an incredible deal at $0.99, it also features some amazing music composed by Mr. Nauts from Korea.

What we have here is more than 35 minutes of original music with some high production values, which is pretty amazing for a downloadable title for mobile devices. There’s everything here from upbeat jazz themes to emotional cues to ultra sexy tracks that are definitely not safe for work!

Did that last one catch your attention? Read more in our review of the BAR OASIS soundtrack after the jump. (more…)
Game Music, Reviews

DJMAX TECHNIKA 2 Signature Collection: Round Two… FIGHT! (Review)

June 25, 2010 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on DJMAX TECHNIKA 2 Signature Collection: Round Two… FIGHT! (Review) Share this

So much DJMAX lately! Let that be an indication to you that it’s good stuff. We recently posted the trailer for DJMAX Portable 3, which is due out later this year, and it was just two nights ago that we highlighted DJMAX contributor Nauts’s work on BAR OASIS. It’s a good time for game music from Korea.

You may recall us mentioning the DJMAX TECHNIKA 2 Signature Collection a couple months ago, and I’ve been looking forward to checking it out ever since I laid eyes on it. The original DJMAX TECHNIKA is not only an amazing game (I’m lucky enough to have machine at a local arcade here in San Diego), but the pop and electronic-oriented soundtrack was one of my favorites of 2008. However, after being slightly disappointed with the DJMAX Trilogy Soundtrack, I wasn’t sure what to expect.

So, does DJMAX TECHNIKA 2 do the franchise justice, or does it disappoint? Find out in our review after the jump. (more…)