Wayforward

Chip Music, Game Music

The Mummy Demastered OST Now Out on Spotify and iTunes

October 11, 2017 | Brenna Wilkes | Comments Off on The Mummy Demastered OST Now Out on Spotify and iTunes Share this

Although you might have not been a fan of the newest revamp of The Mummy on the big screen, Wayforward has brought the title to the interactive format with The Mummy Demastered as a metroidvania-style platformer that seems to be far more appealing. Looking like a hybrid of Contra and Wayforward’s own Bloodrayne: Betrayal, the aesthetics and appeal of The Mummy Demastered certainly has it’s work cut out for it.

Recently, the game’s composer Gavin “Monomer” Allen started advertising the game’s soundtrack as available on Spotify and iTunes. Sure enough, all 16 tracks of the game’s OST is currently available to stream or preview prior to the game’s full release on October 24th.

Monomer uses a blend of synthwave and chipmusic to achieve his style within the game’s music. The result is a bit like Vangelis and John Carpenter meets the SNES, with rich chiptune variations giving a bit of ethereal synthetic vibe to the music. If you enjoy the sounds from more modern synthwave artists like Mitch Murder and Perturbator, then Monomer’s soundtrack to The Mummy Demastered will tickle your fancy.

Unfortunately, according to Allen, the soundtrack will not be releasing on Bandcamp. The Mummy Demastered will be released on October 24th for PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.
Chip Music, Game Music

Shantae Games and Soundtracks see Physical Release on October 28th

October 27, 2016 | Shawn Sackenheim | Comments Off on Shantae Games and Soundtracks see Physical Release on October 28th Share this

Limited Run Games has announced their next set of physical releases on PlayStation 4 and it’s all about Shantae. The cult classic platforming adventure series began on the Game Boy Color in 2002 and has seen two new entries in recent years with a fourth installment coming in December.

As part of the lead up to the new game, Half-Genie Hero, developer WayForward and Limited Run are releasing 5,800 physical copies of both Shantae: Risky’s Revenge – Director’s Cut ($24.99) and Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse ($29.99) on October 28th at 10am EST.

One of the hallmarks of the series has always been its music, created by Jake “virt” Kaufman, which Limited Run is also commemorating with three new CD releases. Also up for sale on October 28th will be a scant 750 copies of the soundtracks to all three current titles: Shantae, Shantae: Risky’s Revenge and Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse. The albums each cost $14.99 and will be made available in two batches at 9:45am and again at 6:00pm EST.

If this news has rekindled your Shantae passion or if you’re new to it’s music you can read much, much more about it in our previous coverage. The Risky’s Revenge and Pirate’s Curse soundtracks are also available on virt’s Bandcamp page and once, long ago, he posted the original Game Boy Color music to his blog.

Are you hype for these new disc-based copies of the games or soundtracks? Just want to reminisce about Shantaes gone by? Let us know in the comments below.
Game Music

Love Explosion! Double Dragon Neon Soundtrack Review

September 17, 2012 | Audun Sorlie | 2 Comments Share this

Lately, we’ve been seeing a trend of reboots and reimaginings in the world of entertainment. It’s as if our childhoods consisted of nothing more than mere extended product shills and action figure commercials disguised as cartoons that are being revisited to once again have the same effect on today’s young. Video games live in a fairly synced world with the movie industry, sequels and at times loosely connected remakes are always around the corner and ready for the nostalgic mind to revisit. There have been a few successes; Bionic Commando ReArmed retained its classic gameplay and sound while mixing it with new mechanics and electronic sound. Street Fighter IV brought life back into the fighting arena with balanced combat and a competent, though forgettable soundtrack with some great arrangements of the old songs we remember from SFII, and Punch Out bringing back boxing in the best of Rocky fashion.

Then there’s Double Dragon Neon. Based on the sidescrolling beat-em-up classic, the game that birthed the whole genre in 1987, Neon is both a tribute and remake by Wayforward timed with the 25th anniversary of the original, rebooting the franchises while nodding to Technos’s legendary series of Double Dragon games releases over the years. Music has always been a memorable part of the long running series, and for Neon, none other than Jake Kaufman was put to the task of bringing all the classics back, and make a few of his own.

Find out if soundtrack matches up with its inspiration after the jump. (more…)
Game Music

5 Quick Questions: Double Dragon Neon (Jake Kaufman)

September 11, 2012 | Audun Sorlie | 2 Comments Share this

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Game Music

OSV Composer of the Year Award 2011: Jake Kaufman

February 23, 2012 | Jayson Napolitano | 1 Comment Share this

While 2011 was an amazing year for game music, it seemingly came from every which direction with no single composer standing out at least in terms of quantity. Our 2010 pick came very easily, but this year was a little different as we all hunkered down to listen to each nominee’s two or three works released last year and finally came to a decision, and it’s one I’ve been waiting for a long time to write.

Hit the jump to find out why we’ve picked Jake Kaufman for our Composer of the Year 2011! (more…)
Chip Music, Game Music

Jake Kaufman’s BloodRayne: Betrayal Soundtrack Available Now

September 15, 2011 | Jayson Napolitano | 2 Comments Share this

We checked out BloodRayne: Betrayal at E3 this year where we learned about the then-secret 8-bit chiptune mode and spoiled the surprise for everyone (sorry!). The game was finally released on XBLA and PSN last week, and Jake Kaufman has released the entire score for the game (including his Symphony of the Night-inspired original score and his 8-bit remixes) on the Ubiktune label. I have to say that “Title,” “Dusk Falls,” and “Sanguine Nightmare” are truly fantastic. Some of his best work!

The entire soundtrack can be streamed from Bandcamp or purchased using a “name your own price” scheme and it’s well worth throwing a few bucks his way. Even more, Kaufman provides details regarding the soundtrack and the inclusion of the 8-bit mode on the Ubiktune page. Check it out and let us know what you think!
Game Music

E3 2011: WayForward’s BloodRayne Betrayal Scored by Jake Kaufman

June 9, 2011 | Jayson Napolitano | 4 Comments Share this

I suppose this news isn’t really a surprise to anyone, but we’ve confirmed that Jake Kaufman is responsible for the soundtrack to WayForward’s stunningly beautiful reboot of the BloodRayne franchise, BloodRayne: Betrayal. We saw the game in action and were not only impressed with the visuals, but also the side-scrolling action gameplay that we were told is inspired by games like Bayonetta and Ninja Gaiden (I confirmed that there are fortunately no falcons).

Regarding the soundtrack, Kaufman was responsible for scoring the game’s 15 stages and boss battles. Even more, we were told that Kaufman has created an alternate 8-bit version of the entire score which can be accessed by pressing a series of buttons. Knowing Jake personally and knowing that WayForward worked on Contra 4, I asked if the button sequence was the Contra code, but was told it’s not.

In any case, the game will be out soon for PSN and XBLA, and deserves some attention not only for its contradictory beauty with blood and gore, but also for its soundtrack. Majesco and WayForward are currently discussing the distribution of the soundtrack as well, so we’ll hopefully have more news on that soon.