ReMix: Perfect Dark 'Dark Conflict'
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- Game: Perfect Dark (Rare, 2000, N64)
- ReMixer(s): Psychrophyte
- Composer(s): David Clynick, Graeme Norgate, Grant Kirkhope
- Song(s): 'Alien Conflict'
- Posted: 2002-04-28, evaluated by djpretzel
Zac Brier aka Psychrophyte's initial OC offering is our first Perfect Dark ReMix. Moody, brooding minor-key choir samples interspersed with strings make up much of the mix, which crescendos into louder, more dramatic segments with timpani and a great church organ ala Castlevania. The contrast between the lighter and darker segments (hey, if this were art that'd be 'chiaroscuro') is what drives the piece, and I think Zac emphasizes that well enough. The samples are fairly high quality, with the possible exception of the crash cymbal used (could have been bigger and brighter for my tastes). Would have liked more variation and elaboration, but it certainly establishes a gothic, suspenseful mood.
Discussion: Latest 12 comments/reviews; view the This is quite an oldie for me. One of my first batch of initial
downloads many, many moons ago. Strangely, I can't say I remembered
it all that well, despite having listened to it quite a lot over
the years.
I was always a fan of the PD score (like most Rare games), so it's definitely great to explore the darker places that the music can go. I generally think that pipe organs and choirs send off a cliche of darkness and this dabbles in that sort of fake goth teenager vibe for a while, but I also think it has a strenght that isn't immediately recognisable. The samples have aged decently and the arrangement is nice and solid.
Portions are a little empty; for stylistic reasons perhaps, but holes of silence will alienate a few people, myself included.
This still gets top marks from me though for its handling. It's a rewarding concept that highlights the morose aspect of the soundtrack and really runs with it.
I hope not to forget this again.
- Marmiduke on September 23, 2009
I was always a fan of the PD score (like most Rare games), so it's definitely great to explore the darker places that the music can go. I generally think that pipe organs and choirs send off a cliche of darkness and this dabbles in that sort of fake goth teenager vibe for a while, but I also think it has a strenght that isn't immediately recognisable. The samples have aged decently and the arrangement is nice and solid.
Portions are a little empty; for stylistic reasons perhaps, but holes of silence will alienate a few people, myself included.
This still gets top marks from me though for its handling. It's a rewarding concept that highlights the morose aspect of the soundtrack and really runs with it.
I hope not to forget this again.
- Marmiduke on September 23, 2009
I really want to like this - it's incredibly dark and moody,
perfect for the level it's supposed to be for. I agree with a few
of the complaints others have posted - for one, it doesn't carry
the 'alien' sound to it. I'm not asking for theremin samples or
anything, but to me it doesn't really capture the essence of the
Skedar. It sounds more temple-like, which is perfectly reasonable
for the last level of the game, but it still lacks the...well...I
can't really describe it. It almost doesn't feel like Perfect
Dark.
Make no mistake - this is a well-written piece with decent samples and such; still, to me it misses the core of Perfect Dark. This sounds odd, but I actually feel Castlevania before Perfect Dark.
A very good song in the whole, but it doesn't capture the identity of the game for me.
- Sir_Snooze on December 23, 2008
Make no mistake - this is a well-written piece with decent samples and such; still, to me it misses the core of Perfect Dark. This sounds odd, but I actually feel Castlevania before Perfect Dark.
A very good song in the whole, but it doesn't capture the identity of the game for me.
- Sir_Snooze on December 23, 2008
This is dark, alright. The organ is a nice touch. I miss the hitech
feeling of the original though, this doesn't feel as haunting or
alien. It actually feels a lot like something from Pirates of the
Carribean... and yeah, it never really climaxes...
- Dafydd on December 23, 2008
- Dafydd on December 23, 2008
I don't really know how to take something like this... It's moody
for sure, definitely very atmospheric, but yet I still can't say
whether I like it or not. It feels like there is something missing
here, some visual that needs to be conveyed alongside it. I can't
just close my eyes here and think of what is going on with
this.
As far as music that helps reinforce an atmosphere, I think this is perfect. However, I don't really like this as a standalone per se. It's good, but like I have clumsily been trying to convey, it just doesn't "do it" for me in that sense.
- Master_Yoshi on December 11, 2008
As far as music that helps reinforce an atmosphere, I think this is perfect. However, I don't really like this as a standalone per se. It's good, but like I have clumsily been trying to convey, it just doesn't "do it" for me in that sense.
- Master_Yoshi on December 11, 2008
It's dark, it's foreboding, it's got some intense organs and
timpanis going.
It's not my cup of tea, but I can't fault the mix itself really. Lotsa foreboding though, I feel like a boss is coming up.
- Lint on December 8, 2008
It's not my cup of tea, but I can't fault the mix itself really. Lotsa foreboding though, I feel like a boss is coming up.
- Lint on December 8, 2008
Not crazy about the 'surge' in chord changes. Just too much
emphasis.
Love the dark mood of this, could fit my 'halloween mixes' easily. There really aren't enough creepy mixes on this site.
Thumbs up.
- DragonAvenger on December 16, 2007
Love the dark mood of this, could fit my 'halloween mixes' easily. There really aren't enough creepy mixes on this site.
Thumbs up.
- DragonAvenger on December 16, 2007
While the samples are so-so this is still a great arrangement. It
really sets a mood. I also like the low-passing of the choir near
the ending.
Nicely done!
- Another Soundscape on December 6, 2007
Nicely done!
- Another Soundscape on December 6, 2007
Very atmospheric, the choir sounds decent except when changing
chords, there is a little over-emphasis. The evolution of the song
is very subtle and very slow, which could certainly turn some
people off, as all of the arrangement happens over the two chords,
which makes things seem stagnant a bit, regardless of the changes
in mood.
- OA on December 19, 2006
- OA on December 19, 2006
Tacitus wrote: Instead, this music is from the "screen saver" that plays as the alternate opening cuscene...I can't remember what it's called...
Well, the name of the track that plays during the alternate opening sequence is called "Alien Conflict." The author simply removed "Alien" and replaced it with "Dark" to preserve his ReMix's mood. Thanks.
_________________________________
Understanding is useless without knowledge
- TheNewGuy03 on July 3, 2004
Very nice...the choir, the organs...it's appropriately
"Dark"...
One miner gripe though. The track remixed isn't "Dark Combat," which is the music that plays during Mr. Blonde's bonus level. Instead, this music is from the "screen saver" that plays as the alternate opening cuscene...I can't remember what it's called...
Other than that, "Perfect." Two thumbs up! :D
(ach, that's two in one post! bad Tacitus, bad!)
- Tacitus on December 13, 2003
One miner gripe though. The track remixed isn't "Dark Combat," which is the music that plays during Mr. Blonde's bonus level. Instead, this music is from the "screen saver" that plays as the alternate opening cuscene...I can't remember what it's called...
Other than that, "Perfect." Two thumbs up! :D
(ach, that's two in one post! bad Tacitus, bad!)
- Tacitus on December 13, 2003
MmmMmm Organs! At first i didn't care much for this song, it slowly
grew on me. Now i really like it. It sounds great, and the organ
sounds wonderful. Kinda erie type music, quite different, but in a
good way :)
- Dekkon on July 10, 2002
- Dekkon on July 10, 2002
Perfect Dark 'Dark Conflict'
Not bad. Choir sample could use some work, and I didn't care for the organ either. But all sample complaints aside, this was arranged very well. I especially like the more suspenseful parts, which is something few remixes around here try.
- orkybash on June 4, 2002
Not bad. Choir sample could use some work, and I didn't care for the organ either. But all sample complaints aside, this was arranged very well. I especially like the more suspenseful parts, which is something few remixes around here try.
- orkybash on June 4, 2002
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