ReMix: Mechwarrior 2: 31st Century Combat 'Wawoow! TrainingExercises'

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Game: Mechwarrior 2: 31st Century Combat (Activision, 1995, WIN)
ReMixer(s): lasombra
Composer(s): Jeehun Hwang
Song(s):
Posted: 2002-07-20, evaluated by djpretzel

As his first submission, lasombra gives us our first Mechwarrior 2 ReMix (Though Peeples' excellent Mech2: Mercs piece remains our first from the series). This definitely fits in with some of our more "schizophrenic" mixes here at OCR, as it's almost equal parts ambient, rock, soundtrack, and techno. Starting with effects and minimal pads, the first minute or so is essentially a tone-setting intro (in a novel it'd be "character development"), until a more substantive melody and very saucy acoustic drums come in circa 1'10", followed by a great synth bass of sorts that's very funky and well-programmed (kinda hafta hear it - sounds like some of the modulation you can get with FM synthesis). Then at 2'35", things go AWOL abruptly, and in comes guitar shredding power chords, an upbeat, shuffling drum pattern, and a lot more mojo in general. String pads come back in and the mix exits on some effects and an appropo "shutting down" sample. As a side note, I actually read some of the Battletech books way back when - really dug the whole thing with the Clans, and always rooted for them (and against the Inner Sphere) - I visited the Battletech center in Chicago when I was like ten, and LOVED the "Legend of the Jade Phoenix" books by Robert Thurston. If you ain't read Way of the Clans, you're missing out. It's not Ender's Game, but I liked it quite a bit. Anyway, this is a charismatic mix that clearly shows a willingness to try some interesting concepts - bold, dynamic stuff from lasombra, with a good combination of styles.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 12 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.

It's quite an atmospheric source to go for, so I kind of expected something calm to go for here. What I wasn't expecting though was over a minute's worth of intro before going into any form of music, and even then it had its quirky moments with still being intersped with sound effects during the setting.
I admit the guitar entrance at 2:40 was pretty cool in concept - gives in a more determined edge towards the writing, though it seems as if the automation is all over the place in regards to the instrument presence (noted mostly when the strings came in).
All in all, it sounds like a cool concept, but has weak execution even when measured up to other mixes of its time. Still not too bad though considering the ideas thrown in :)

- Rexy on December 4, 2011

The arrangement here is kinda strange. You have this electronic bit that goes on for a little, and then it completely shifts gears. I'm not sure if I'm a real big fan of that, as both parts felt underdeveloped IMO.

- Bahamut on September 30, 2009

wow. when listening to the voice clips at the beginning, thought the guy said "now you wouldn't think about setting me up the bomb, would you?" Pretty sure that's not what he said, but if it was then an internets to you, sir.
The string synths were pretty good throughout, and I liked how you used the bass to interrupt them and go on to the next segment. good mix, sir.

- justinj212 on January 20, 2009

The guitar section could have used some leads, perhaps some chord changes too. It went a bit too static there. The whole piece is structured like a story, but when the action part starts you sort of have to imagine the action happening, instead of it happening in the music. Otherwise a fairly cool and good-sounding track. MW2: Mercs rocks!! :)
--Eino

- evktalo on December 11, 2008

Very atmospheric, which works well with the piece. Panning at 1:30 is very cool sounding. Around 2:30 sounds like you're about to fight some sort of boss, then cue rock.
At 3:00 everything sounds like it's faded in the background a bit too much for the strings to reenter. It's very sudden, I'm not crazy about it.
Overall, lots of good things going for it, but I couldn't keep focused. Worth a listen, and some nice work, just not a fan.

- DragonAvenger on August 31, 2008

Wow, great style. Not much flow to speak of, but some very cool individual sections. The programming on that bass at 1:30 is insane, it sounds like it's leaving trails across the soundfield, burrowing into your ear. Cool drums, cool guitar, and all the static effects generate a lot of tension. It sounds like the full audio to some sci-fi action movie, not just the soundtrack.

- Palpable on December 12, 2007

I like it, it's all bouncy and machineish or something. My favorite part is definitely the second half, though. The distorted bass things PFFWOMPH through my subwoofer, and the strings/brass add a neat atmosphere to it all. Good work, sir.

- ph0sphorousgobu on December 25, 2006

There are some great ideas in this mix, most notably the middle but the flow is really choppy, making it sound like two different songs, complete with actual breaks inbetween songs. I have to say I much prefered the second half with the rock and filtered strings over the voice samples in the first half.
interesting, but not my cuppa.

- OA on December 17, 2006

I have MW2 so this gives me good feelings hearing the training stuff all over again, thank you for this mix. ALL PEOPLE MUST DL THIS SONG :twisted:

- FreedomForTheMasses on December 18, 2003

Very very nice. This reminds me of driving my mech and shoving a few ppcs up on those inner sphere scum.

- Killer_Man_ on January 11, 2003

This whole piece has a "closing credits of a space action flick" feel to it. The voice samples do bring me back to the hours I spent making those Inner Sphere afterbirths eat hot LRM 20's from the next ridge over.
Very very professional. When the bass line kicks in at 1:52, I'm just nodding my head and driving my Mech again, because my I'm gonna kill for the honor of the Clans, baby. The voice samples/radio noises are extremely effective at drawing you in.
I really do like the "transmission breaking up/overdrive rock" around the 2:30 mark. That's a nice, nice touch, and it continues all the way to the end. You know a mix from the Clock is gold when it makes you want to play the game in question right the hell now.
A bunch of the stuff in the package, and it never gets away from him, because of the orchestral lead tying the thing together like a pretty ribbon. Well, actually a pretty grimy, 200 yard long ribbon tied around my Timber Wolf PPC variant. Have A Nice Day.
Now I want to go blow something up. Excellent work. "Now you wouldn't even think of upsetting me in my home, would you."
8.5/10.

- Zandar The Weeble on July 21, 2002

Mechwarrior 2 'Wawoow! Training Exercises'
Just excellent. A small spooky tinge, very nice strings ('cept for the heavy distortion in that one part, but it's safe to assume that was intentional and in that case, nice effect) and a kick ass guitar. As far as I'm concerned, this mix is going to be my favorite new pick for probably a month unless of course McVaffe or DJ Pretzel come out with something new and kick ass. Excellent work lasombra, and since this piece comes so close to my birthday (July 21st), I'll consider it a gift.

- Ginnsu on July 20, 2002