ReMix: Robocop 'CPC Zone'
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- Game: Robocop (Ocean, 1988, CPC)
- ReMixer(s): Malc Jennings
- Composer(s): Jonathan Dunn
- Song(s):
- Posted: 2002-06-04, evaluated by djpretzel
Malc Jennings, who runs the excellent Amstrad CPC site CPC-Zone, is certainly doing his part to preserve this older system that many visitors may be unfamiliar with. In addition to running CPC-Zone, Malc also does some remixing, and contributes our very first Amstrad CPC ReMix, from a port of Robocop. Before I describe the mix, which is good btw, let me wax eloquent for a bit - it's guys like Malc who help make the emulation scene what it is. For every dozen sites that are dedicated to the mainstream of emulation - CPS2, N64, and next-gen in general - you're lucky if you can find one quality site representing an older system. Not that there's anything terribly wrong with the more popular face of emulation, but it's those who cherish the distant past of gaming and computing, when 64 colors was a boatload, that help keep the original buttresses of emulation intact, in this observer's opinion. If you've never heard of the Amstrad, check Malc's site out - you won't be blown away by shnazzy screenshots or redbook audio, that's for sure, but you might learn to appreciate some of the roots of where we are today.
Okay, I'm down off my soapbox now. I just thought it was cool that we got our first Amstrad mix and that it was from someone prevalent in the Amstrad scene :) This is pretty happy music for a Robocop game, considering the movies were all about major metallic booty kickin' (I only take the first seriously, myself). Up to 0'52" is pretty straight from the original, but at that point a nice house beat jumps in, then an offbeat octave bass, then some interesting guitar-ish chord pads. It's when the raveish synth at 2'35" comes in that the mix really feels full-on, and when the filter opens up then segues into a break with a staccato melody that actually sounds like some of the pentatonic stuff from the original Mystical Ninja game on SNES, things are workin'. Mix kinda takes awhile to start, but does groovy things with the original and is very enjoyable throughout. There's even sampled lo-bitrate percussion thrown in for a great nostalgic vibe. Recommended, unexpected, and cool. "Robocop!"
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the Of course, CPC Zone can benefit from more active embellishments along the way. For example, I would've liked the guitarwork from 2:10 to return at 3:54 and boost the collective energy a knob. Alternatively, it could act as a countermelodic bass, playing syncopated notes and bass runs, to actively guide the listener into the next measures (listen to 0:30-1:45 in track 2 of the GBS file to get an idea). The chiptune chirps might even try some lower-key iterations (like in track 3 of the GBS), or simply take a breather while other synths work out new combinations.
Wishful thinking, yeah. But the aforementioned "longing" emotion is potent.
- Polo on May 19, 2009
The mix itself is in some serious need of some scissors; it takes forever to progress, and even then the expansion is minimal. Normally when I review a track i'll listen 3-4 to get all the nuances down, but this one I only had to listen twice, and I think even that was overkill. Sounds are dated, but the chiptunes are cool, and if you really REALLY love the theme this one is a keeper, because you are going to hear it for 6 minutes straight.
- OA on February 19, 2008
At first, I was thinking, "this is just a chiptune cover of the original." but then it picked up! Oh did it ever pick up. It took an eternity to pick up, but man oh man it picked right up. Very happy, only complaint is that it's quite long.
Also, am I the first person to point out that this is remix 666? Funny it's the happiest track I've heard in a while on OCR.
- Jaybell on June 22, 2007
Thank you for the fun experience!
-Austin Spafford
- DarkFrog on February 14, 2006
- Kurokun1293 on February 14, 2006
This is happy and I like it. I need happy.
Because I'm not very happy.
I need to fuck.
(PS: I like this a lot)
- Master Spram on December 12, 2005
- tonguestubble on September 25, 2005
This remix is very upbeat, and has two pretty simplistic [though catchy] main chiptunes [I guess that's what you call them] accompanied mostly by a reverberating techno background.
I'd have to say that minimalism is underrated in music sometimes, and this is a good example of that. Definately worth a listen.
- Corporal Eschebone on August 21, 2004
- Oddity on July 12, 2004
"Drop IT! Dead of Alive , you're coming with me!"
go Robo.
- Streets of Rage bum on July 19, 2003
To be honest, the base tune kinda got on my nerves...even by the time the background stuff came in at 2:14 it was irritating (¿was that something new or did I always quit the loading screen to early to hear it?)
Anyhow, the samples are well chosen, although the cymbal flurry at about 3:00 didnt really work for me (and perhaps its my duff speakers talking here, but the sample didnt sound too hot)
Also at 3:00 when the other tune came in...I didnt really like the start-stop effect it had, although to my recollection, thats how the .ym sounded in the first place...
That said, at about 4:00 when everything came together, it sounded good, I liked it (though again, I didnt really like how the cymbal sounded)
And again...at 5:05, another cymbal flurry...
And it had a bit of an anticlimactic ending. Just a dead stop and the 'robocop' sample...though I dont know how you could have properly finished it, save for a fadeout (and again, if I recall, the dead stop is what the original did on the 464 when you started a game)
Despite this...it kept my head bobbing and my feet tapping throughout.
Despite the things I mentioned here, I definitley recommend everyone listen to it.
- Eccles on April 18, 2003
Robocop.
- Hobbes on October 20, 2002
- Streets of Rage bum on September 25, 2002
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~Aetherwalker
- Aetherwalker on June 23, 2002
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