ReMix: Chrono Trigger 'Ruined World (Eternal Derelict)'
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- Game: Chrono Trigger (Square, 1995, SNES)
- ReMixer(s): Children of the Monkey Machine
- Composer(s): Nobuo Uematsu, Noriko Matsueda, Yasunori Mitsuda
- Song(s): 'A Desolate World'
- Posted: 2002-04-23, evaluated by djpretzel
In a word: epic. You certainly can't dance to it (unless you're on something I'm not), but Cotmm's latest opus is almost seven minutes of gradually evolving soundscape, with superbly transporting effects that make you feel like you're watching a movie and the lead character is discovering something immense and ominous. Beginning and ending with rain, thunder, and chimes jangling in the wind, the bulk of the mix features beautiful string swells that cover the melody with patience and great deliberation and restraint. This mix is very zen, which is a cheesy adjective to throw around lightly, but truly you can zone out and go somewhere else listening to this. If you're looking for a beat, you won't find it here, nor will you find intricately composed, ornate instrumental arrangement. This is more like Asian calligraphy - minimalist, but what's there has been paid great attention to and reveals subtleties within itself. Nice, interpretive work. Recommended.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the I've never written a review on this site before, but I felt that
this piece deserved the effort. I originally downloaded it years
ago, probably when it was first released.
Initially, I didn't like it, as I was in the mood for something with more of a melody or beat. However, at some point later I listened to it when in more of a downer mood, and found that it fit perfectly. Since then, this piece has become my favourite on the site, and over the years since then I've probably listened to it hundreds of times.
This one isn't for when you want to dance or feel badass or whatnot. This one is when you just want to sit or lay back quietly, close your eyes and think on life, or when you're feeling down and want a score to reflect your mood.
I want to thank Children Of The Monkey Machine for this piece. It has helped me through some hard times.
- Koncur on October 2, 2011
Initially, I didn't like it, as I was in the mood for something with more of a melody or beat. However, at some point later I listened to it when in more of a downer mood, and found that it fit perfectly. Since then, this piece has become my favourite on the site, and over the years since then I've probably listened to it hundreds of times.
This one isn't for when you want to dance or feel badass or whatnot. This one is when you just want to sit or lay back quietly, close your eyes and think on life, or when you're feeling down and want a score to reflect your mood.
I want to thank Children Of The Monkey Machine for this piece. It has helped me through some hard times.
- Koncur on October 2, 2011
I love COTTM's work so I supposed this review isn't going to be
very helpful to anyone who doesn't like his style, BUT for those
that do, go ahead and download it now. I think it is a brilliant
track. It builds upon that simple, haunting melody (which I found
to be quite effective in-game) by adding the proper ambient
effects. It never really progresses in the traditional musical
sense until almost six minutes in, but it is quite an enjoyable
listen. Just shut your eyes and listen to the intricate details of
the sound scape.
- SubNormal J3 on March 20, 2011
- SubNormal J3 on March 20, 2011
Hey, I was just letting Shuffle go through my OC Remix folder, and
this came on. It somehow inspired me to make a video, so I opened
Sony Vegas, and after about an hour of picture and clip hunting and
track motioning, I pumped out this and threw it up on YouTube. I
guess it falls under the definition of a 'music video' but I'd
refrain for actually calling it one. I'unno. Just watch if you
want.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imbeM6jtf18
Do see description, please.
- Silver Skree on September 7, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imbeM6jtf18
Do see description, please.
- Silver Skree on September 7, 2010
I'm actually surprised to find that I really love this one. It
might have a lot to do with a very strong familiarity with the
original, and this enhances it significantly. I'm not sure i'd be
as smitten if I hadn't played through the game 20+ times though.
- OA on January 28, 2010
- OA on January 28, 2010
bladiator;417045 wrote: So far in my race to 1000, this is easily the worst remix so far.
Yes it evolves, yes it creates a scene of imagery. But it evolves just about as fast as prehistoric man from a protozoa, and it conjures up imagery of me sitting long and hard on the crapper in a meditative state.
If this is such an obscure song that THIS was well thought out upgrade to it, then I never want to hear the original song. If this is a piece that sounds like it comes straight from an epic moment in a movie, then I need the movie to accompany this because I can't get enjoyment out of this alone. Sometimes music that is part of a movie soundtrack only belongs with a movie and cannot standalone. I feel that this is one of those pieces.
CotMM for the most part is higher on the food chain than this regarding his remixes.
To be fair, there really isn't much to the original... they sound quite similar, with CotMM's having more depth, of course but the fact remains. It's not really a song at all... it's more a mishmash of sounds that create the feel of a dystopian future. It is a strange mix to listen to if you're not familiar with the source tune and the scenes it accompanies, but if you do know it, you see how it fits.
- Darth Magus on July 25, 2009
I suppose it helps to know the context of this song in the game
(e.g. the review preceding this one), but this song perfectly
accomodates the scene in Chrono Trigger. this piece is so sad and
it incorporates No Hope into it fairly well. I definitely like this
better than Children of the Monkey Machine's similar mix for Silent
Hill (maybe that's because i've never played it, though). Although
hardly a song, this piece is epic
- a_d on December 8, 2008
- a_d on December 8, 2008
So far in my race to 1000, this is easily the worst remix so
far.
Yes it evolves, yes it creates a scene of imagery. But it evolves just about as fast as prehistoric man from a protozoa, and it conjures up imagery of me sitting long and hard on the crapper in a meditative state.
If this is such an obscure song that THIS was well thought out upgrade to it, then I never want to hear the original song. If this is a piece that sounds like it comes straight from an epic moment in a movie, then I need the movie to accompany this because I can't get enjoyment out of this alone. Sometimes music that is part of a movie soundtrack only belongs with a movie and cannot standalone. I feel that this is one of those pieces.
CotMM for the most part is higher on the food chain than this regarding his remixes.
- bladiator on June 12, 2008
Yes it evolves, yes it creates a scene of imagery. But it evolves just about as fast as prehistoric man from a protozoa, and it conjures up imagery of me sitting long and hard on the crapper in a meditative state.
If this is such an obscure song that THIS was well thought out upgrade to it, then I never want to hear the original song. If this is a piece that sounds like it comes straight from an epic moment in a movie, then I need the movie to accompany this because I can't get enjoyment out of this alone. Sometimes music that is part of a movie soundtrack only belongs with a movie and cannot standalone. I feel that this is one of those pieces.
CotMM for the most part is higher on the food chain than this regarding his remixes.
- bladiator on June 12, 2008
Very evocative. I like the storm sounds in the back. Epic could be
used to describe it.
- DragonFireKai on March 13, 2007
- DragonFireKai on March 13, 2007
This is my favorite piece of work on this site. It's also one of
the first OCRs I ever downloaded. Whether that colors my perception
or not doesn't really matter- this remix is the the video game
remixing scene's answer to legendary and powerful works like Adagio
for Strings. Like Adagio for Strings, it is (if not the most) one
of the most emotionally evocative pieces in its class. Absolutely
stunning.
But I bet I'd be shutting my speakers off pretty fast if someone came in my dorm and it happened to be playing.
- DaltontheSultan on November 15, 2006
But I bet I'd be shutting my speakers off pretty fast if someone came in my dorm and it happened to be playing.
- DaltontheSultan on November 15, 2006
Wow. :) Good job with this. I don't know how but this song
completely holds my attention for every freakin second. If you've
listened to the Flaming Lips this is like one of their
non-vocal/atmospheric tracks that are thrown in each album, which I
tend to like. So kudos for that, and kudos big time for taking such
a simple song and making such a simple ReMix that can grab
attention and heartstrings like beggin' strips to dogs. This is
pretty mindblowing stuff.
- Blake on June 11, 2006
- Blake on June 11, 2006
This is great study, bath, driving at night after intense shit, or
feeling a bit emo music.
I do enjoy how Cotmm's pieces attempt to carry the essence of the situations they are describing in the music.
- Bobwillis on March 27, 2006
I do enjoy how Cotmm's pieces attempt to carry the essence of the situations they are describing in the music.
- Bobwillis on March 27, 2006
Beautiful track, top 10 favourite song ever. This is Aphex Twin
quality!
- Dionyseus on October 16, 2005
- Dionyseus on October 16, 2005
The song is 6:40 long for a good reason ,it's a wonderful emotive
stretched-out version of Ruined World (the original could almost
bring tears to your eyes). I miss the bells in this one ..although
they do show up faintly in the beginning.
Otherwise ,no complaints. CotMM's far best remix :)
- RimFrost the Tourianist on September 26, 2005
Otherwise ,no complaints. CotMM's far best remix :)
- RimFrost the Tourianist on September 26, 2005
This is totally different for being CotMM, no beats at all and
there are lovely strings that pierces through the depressive mood
this hole song engulfs.
I get very poetic when I hear beautiful stuff, so I guess this one really is one of them. It doesn´t get very melodic, but come to think of it, "Ruined World" didn´t really have one, it was just a bell beating randomly with the wind blowing at the side. But at the end, you CAN hear a melody, "The Day The World Revived".
Very different of you, CotMM, and very good.
- Bummerdude on September 26, 2005
I get very poetic when I hear beautiful stuff, so I guess this one really is one of them. It doesn´t get very melodic, but come to think of it, "Ruined World" didn´t really have one, it was just a bell beating randomly with the wind blowing at the side. But at the end, you CAN hear a melody, "The Day The World Revived".
Very different of you, CotMM, and very good.
- Bummerdude on September 26, 2005
