Yagami Iori

Let me start by saying this, The Panzer Dragoon series is one of the most underrated series ever created, and underrated in every aspect- gameplay, graphics, music, story... the works. The games have done something that very few games nowadays do.. Have an atmosphere and feel distinctly their own. Few series have been able to retain that individuality- and Orta is one of those games This remix is something that can't be taken lightly. Even small details could make or break this song. When I saw this posted in the W.I.P. board, I about cried- at first because someone was ACTUALLY giving the game some much deserved credit, then because I realized that the smallest mistake could simply ruin it, utterly. Fortunately, my worries were for naught. SGX and MC really pulled out all the stops on this one, and it shows crystal clear. From beginning to end this piece has the Panzer Dragoon series literally oozing from it. The epic sweep, the voice samples... I can close my eyes and picture the Dragon taking flight- weaving in and out of enemy fire, and taking on the genetic weapons and massive Imperial warships that made the series so memorable. More Than A Weapon delivers superbly, mixing the fast paced techno while judiciously maintaining the atmosphere of Orta. The only real qualm I have with this song is that it seems to start rather suddenly- but this is a pittance when compared to how incredible the song is as a whole, an insignificant foible that is forgotten seconds after. SGX... MC... You two are simply amazing! An impressive piece in any way, shape, or form. OCR is all the better for including it. -Yagami Iori aka Archangel Tavin

With a name like Matsuri Madness, I was expecting a psychotic, hyper, and extremely loud mix. Imagine my surprise to find that the 'madness' was instead in the form of a slow and calm delusion.. The steady and laxidaisical drum in the background supported by the original tune. The oddly echoing voice samples as they drift in and out of the conciousness of the song, the slow build into each new sample... all these things draw you into the overall remix itself. Sit down and relax. Close your eyes and listen to the beat and the voices... You can slowly feel the delusion take over... feel yourself being pulled into the world of Shenmue...

This remix is very well done, but in all honesty it's also one that I think cannot be fully appreciated unless you've not only seen the movie DUNE, but also played the game Rez, itself. For those of you who don't know, in the game (a shooter on rails a la Panzer Dragoon), each shot you fire and each shot that lands, as well as each enemy you lock on to produces a musical note or a beat. Mr. 44 has (unbelievably) managed to reproduce this effect using the samples from the movie. Use of such a tactic, such as the sample 'kill her' used as a musical note, in my opinion is an ingenious approach to a game that easily could have ended up as difficult to remix as Mario Paint, a game with no real actual base melody. In my opinion, it's a real treat for anyone who loves good music, and a must have for anyone who ever enjoyed the game.