ReMix: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 'BottledMetro'

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Sonic the Hedgehog 2

When it comes down to it, there are basically two things the judges panel is looking at for each ReMix: the arrangement (how the original has been augmented, mutated, modified, interpreted) and the overall sound quality of the resultant piece, to include mastering, effects, and instruments used. That's a simplification, but not overly so. As one would expect, many ReMixes tip this scale towards one direction or the other; while the ideal mix is a balance of both arrangement and sound quality, in reality there's usually one half of the dichotomy that's gotten a bit more lovin'. In the case of this Sonic 2 mix from BiTMaP, the judges all dug what he did with the arrangement, but were less than crazy about the sounds used, tossing around the phrase "general MIDI". The good news is that good arrangement - especially good, ornate arrangement - can somewhat alleviate subpar or average soundsets. As Protricity puts it: "Wow. Quite an impressive arrangement of this song. The flute-age had me from the beginning. However, I notice that a lot of the accompany brass is off key. It's not too noticeable. A few sections like at 1:08 are the obvious ones. The rest isn't so obvious. This is some real ace arrangement though. Sample quality is in the gutter, but BitMap Pulls it off quite well." - "in the gutter" might be a hyperbole, but the gist is that this arrangement works in spite of, not because of, the sounds used. Still, the parts are panned well, and everything's clean and open, and the creativity BiTMaP's put into other areas makes it all work. Nice, well-sequenced jazz/rock interpretation of Sonic 2; check it out.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
I like how the two themes are essentially braided together.
The remix plays out like one of the myriad water levels in the Sonic Genesis games:
[LIST=1]
[*]Sonic starts out running out on the water with a perfect blend of the Hydrocity and Metropolis themes.
[*]At 0:36, Sonic sinks and the Hydrocity theme starts.
[*]Sonic at 1:06 bursts to the surface and the Metropolis theme starts.
[*]Sonic goes underwater at 2:05, and it's Hydrocity again.
[*]Then from 2:34 to the end, it's the end of the level.
[/LIST]
Definitely a must download.

- 42 on December 8, 2008
Well, where to begin. Hydrocity and Metropolis Zone both has great themes, the beginning had me going for a while when I recognized what songs being played. But I'm not sure if I like the arrangement with a 100%.
The thing that sounds odd is the drums, they are simply too loud. Not that they shouldn't be, but the flutes and the rest of the samples are getting in the background and cannot be heard as good as they should be. At many moments in the remix, all you can hear is the drums playing while you hardly can hear the rest of the instruments since they are playing too low.
But this doesn't occur everywhere, there are many places in this remix where the balance is alright. But if you have the opportunity to make a remake of it, then I would be gald to listen to it.

- Bummerdude on July 17, 2006
Like djp, I like the arrangement but not the sounds. I keep listening for a solid bass foundation, but it's never really there. You know when a song drops the bass for a few measures at the end of a section before the chorus returns (often in techno)? Well, this whole song sounds like that. Generally good, but there's some half-hearted rocking happening.

- Linearity on February 20, 2005
Whoah....how did he pull it off. Combining both Metrocity Zone from Sonic 2 and Hydrocity Zone from Sonic 3. This is just a kickin-ass remix. I liked how he switched from each of the songs while keeping the rhythm and style going. Also, cool sound effects as well!!

- maplejet on December 7, 2003
Heh. This is a really great piece. Perhaps not as good as... say... "Live From the Yggdrasil", but perhaps a notch under it.
Like I said before, the flute is good. Plus, I liked the bass. A lot. And I have to agree with everyone else about '38.
/me votes "BottledMetro" up. :!: :!:

- TanisNikana on December 4, 2003
This song just makes me think of two games, Sonic The Hedgehog 2 and The Legend of the Mystical Ninja! This sounds like the two combined!!! It totally rocks my socks! LOL!

- Mahjong No OujiSama Yoshi on November 18, 2003
I didn't really care for this mix. Not really because of the instruments used, but simply because of the clashing to the two songs. HyroCity happens to be my favorite Sonic tune (Particularly Act 2) and I just don't think it goes well with the Metropolis Zone theme. (Not a favorite of mine, although I like the S2Beta version better, which I think I heard hints of in this mix)
I think I would have liked it better if this was just a straight Metropolis or HydroCity mix.

- .......... on October 17, 2003
Yes, I have to agree. The source of the song is A work. The way the two songs mix together are nice. I too would love to see it performed with a live band. This mix can go places if the author chooses to take it there.

- OverClockedCritic on September 16, 2003
Im glad to see this remix on the main page of OCR. I got this arrangement a long time ago from Bitmap. I enjoy listening to the creative work Bitmap makes. Sometimes we just have to listen past the sound fonts and focus on the music itself. I myself enjoy this mix and I think it would work very well with a live band. People add interpretation better than computers. Just remember that and let your imagination flow with the content of the music. I know that sounds very very corny but its the truth, and sometimes we forget that. Anyways Congrats

- Thesaxman on September 15, 2003
Hmm, as with most, I think it's the intro that bugs me the most. Maybe it's the drum pattern that bugs me, the volume of the drums, or that annoying scratch sample in the background. Anyway, I started enjoying this when it got cookin' at about '38. Hmm, the GM sounds...I guess those can be ignored, but like another reviewer said, the slap bass is annoying, especially when it's soloing. But besides that, I found myself enjoying this remix, and it will be going on my next CD I burn.
Kuja wrote: Needs more cowbell.

"I've got a fever, and the only cure is more cowbell!"

- Dev on September 12, 2003
Imagine my surprise when I visited OCR for the first time in a couple weeks and saw this song on the front page. I remember BitMap plugging it in a WIP thread I started for my own Hydrocity Zone remix. I don't really have a problem with the sample quality, but if BitMap were to release an updated version, I would definitely love to hear it.
-DCT

- DCT on September 12, 2003
Am I the only one who doesn't mind GM sounding samples? Those samples don't bug me a bit. There are a few off notes that an extra night or two of final checking could have fixed, but overall a great mix.

- The Listener on September 11, 2003
Quite frankly I thought the song wasn't all that bad, but I expected to hear more of the Metropolis song than the Hydrocity. I was confused at first because the drum riff was for M, but the music started doing H. Two different songs from two different games threw me off a bit.
Considering the title, I think there should be more of the Metropolis theme in there.

- Doctor Emmit Brown on September 10, 2003
Well, would you guys LIKE a resubmit? I have to tell you, I was shocked to see one of my earliest and crappiest mixes added to OCR, which came from a time when I was still JUST getting into remixing. While my methods and mastering have improved only slightly, these days I have a much better collection of sounds. If you all like, I can have a new version in the coming week.

- BitMaP on September 10, 2003
I like the idea, but I don't like the mix. I've listened to a lot of remixes where ppl have done things such as this, but I think its just that these two song conflict with each other. That and the brass ditortion or whatever sound is off key. This is pretty good, but could be better.
Jonathon Striker rates this: 6/10

- Jonathon Striker on September 6, 2003

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