ReMix:Zelda II: The Adventure of Link "Battle of the Hylian Hero" 5:19

By Random Hero

Arranging the music of 3 songs...

"Indoors BGM", "Overworld BGM", "Title BGM"

Primary Game: Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (Nintendo , 1987, NES), music by Akito Nakatsuka

Posted 2006-06-27, evaluated by the judges panel


I've been running OC ReMix for a good while now, and one of the things that's been important in the overall site moving forward has been setting goals and (eventually!) meeting them. Converting everything from static HTML to dynamic PHP/MySQL, changing domains, establishing a judges panel, releasing torrents, and a whole host of other site-related developments have required huge amounts of time and energy, but have resulted in OCR not only persisting over the years, but also improving. One of my longest-standing goals has finally been met, as you may have read on our homepage: we've removed all pop-up advertisements from the site. We've also enabled a new HTTP mirror for the MP3s. In both cases, what enabled us to make these changes was a combination of ad banner revenue and donations from individuals. I'd like to personally thank everyone who's donated - the money goes directly towards improving the site, and the removal of pop-ups is a very tangible way that you can clearly see the effect of your contribution. Hopefully this situation will continue - we've got numerous improvements in the works, there's some amazing site projects coming up, and in general I'm personally psyched about the site's future. It should be a busy summer.

Newcomer Random Hero gives us an excellent orchestral Zelda 2 arrangement; it's definitely a tad soft on the volume side, so you're going to want to bump things up or normalize, so as to hear the fluid dynamics, thoughtful instrumentation, and detail Ryan's thrown in. The ReMixer writes:

"This song took forever, going through several revisions and style changes. I even gave up on it for a period of about a month. It took hearing John Williams’ “Battle of the Heroes” to get the creative juices flowing again. (The inspired parts are only minor though, a bit at the beginning and end). I’m happy with the result. Hope you guys enjoy."

These are all familiar themes, many of which already have orchestral or hybrid orchestral ReMixes, but RH's take is unique, melding Williamsesque elements with some more Elfmanly string runs. Andy and Shariq did both have some issues not simply with the low levels, but the arrangement itself, citing a somewhat misplaced piano (which I can see, but doesn't overly bug me), dynamic emphasis being disproportionately placed on the strings (again, legit), and repetition. I didn't feel the piece was unacceptably repetitive; rather, the original itself is a piece that does sort of beat the listener about the head with the same pattern, so perhaps some of that fault lies with the source material. JJT acknowledges some of these issues, but writes:

"This mix definetly has its flaws, but overall I think the mixer showcases a great deal of musicality and a good ear for arranging. The piano sample stuck out to me as being pretty mechanical and lo-fi. The samples, though not spectacular, are not bad enough that they distract from the musical ideas being presented -- well this isn't true 100% of the time, but after i've finished listening, i don't find myself thinking "boy that was cheesy and synthetic," I find myself thinking "wow, that was pretty creative and well done."

I'm just jealous that Ryan knew it was 'Hylian' and not 'Hyrulian' - that was never too intuitive to me. Random Hero sends in a strong first mix that shows few weaknesses and much promise, and should please Zelda fans as they eagerly await Twilight Princess.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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darkmaster987
on 2009-10-14 13:45:29

Might just be me, but I really get a James Bond vibe from this...

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OA
on 2009-05-22 11:09:07

Dramatic and exciting, this is a really well done mix. I'd have liked a little more room sound, but it's a very minor crit on something that really rocks out. Great rubato and crescendos, and the transitions were really good.

Very nice work. :-)

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Eawyne
on 2007-02-24 14:16:11

Well, if it was a song that made me register, this is definitively the one =)

I was struck at first by the very powerful and neat orchestration and then it reached 4'10 8-O juste overwhelming ^^ I then hit the "repeat" button and listened on... very very nice, touchy, just perfect ! worth 10 to me

Intend to put as ambiance "background" for a role play soon, hope my mates will fall into it to play along 8-)

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Djinn
on 2007-02-10 20:37:25

Whenever I hear this, I'm instantly filled with visions of Link locked in mortal combat with Ganon. Very powerful. Well done!

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marcsan
on 2007-01-11 15:16:27

did any one hear something very familier in the song but something want to me

make me say hello my name is link double O Z... lolll

i wonder what link would drink thats shaken not stured :P

greetings from the netherlands

ps: no i was not stoned when i listend to the song :P

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sirusd
on 2006-09-22 14:41:26

I enjoy this song a great deal. It has instantly become one of my favorites.

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Chickenwarlord
on 2006-08-24 13:53:35

A very relaxing (though not in a put you to sleep manner) version of the temple theme. It's by no means 'unexciting' or repetitive, but I found that the pacing and orchestration of this piece very relaxing.

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Random Hero
on 2006-08-23 17:42:55

Hey.

Just so you guys know the old, quiet version of the song has been replaced by a new (and I hope improved) remastered song on this site. So you should re-download if you find the original to quiet.

Thanks

Ryan

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i heart robots
on 2006-07-30 23:12:25

Great instrumental piece, sounds right out of SSB! :D

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Random Hero
on 2006-07-20 20:39:04

For all you guys who said the volume was to low (and i thought the same thing but didn't know how to fix it properly at the time) I have created a Remastered version of Battle of the Hylian Hero.

http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my/3pq5g

I will try and contact someone in charge to get the one on this site swapped with this one, if thats possible. (If you know who that is let me know! lol)

Cheers

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Zekian
on 2006-07-18 07:37:44

This is my favorite Adventure of Link remix on the site. It's fantastic. I don't know what else to say.

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pixlz
on 2006-07-14 13:46:58

i did like this. good stuff.

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lady zelda
on 2006-07-03 00:19:59

Wow, I love this! You make great use of the full orchestra here, Random Hero! I cannot get over how amazing the string section is. And you incorporate the piano very well. Yup, this really is a top notch orchestral OCR. Keep it up!

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Fozzybear
on 2006-07-02 04:02:51

I was very impressed by this mix - especially that rousing opening sequence. Does anyone know of any more music beside that John Williams piece that have something like that opening? I can't get enough of it.

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richter
on 2006-07-01 00:41:28

Great arrangement, but good god this is crazily quiet.

Sources Arranged (3 Songs)


Primary Game:
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (Nintendo , 1987, NES)
Music by Akito Nakatsuka
Songs:
"Indoors BGM"
"Overworld BGM"
"Title BGM"

Tags (3)


Genre:
Classical
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Orchestral,Piano
Additional:

File Information


Name:
Zelda_2_Battle_of_the_Hylian_Hero_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
6,312,315 bytes
MD5:
90bfdb499afd61c4bd3a3537b718e7a1
Bitrate:
155Kbps
Duration:
5:19

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