Darth Mamdouh

I think one has to know why he's playing SF4 (or any game for that matter). If your only motivation is to win at all costs, then I guess spamming fireballs is the cheapest, least risky strategy to adopt : you stay far away from your opponent so you can't take any damage (especially if it's a non fireball-throwing character like, Zangief, E. Honda, Blanka, you name 'em...). But if you're actually in it for the FUN and the satisfaction of feeling "Wow, I'm playing pretty good today !", then I personally think spamming fireballs (or any type of similar, repetitive strategy) is boring as hell and winning in that fashion brings absolutely no enjoyment whatsoever. There's a lot more challenge and fun in actually trying to land as many different techniques as possible. As many would have guessed, I'm part of the 2nd category of players. But then again, it's not like I make a living off playing games. I do it for fun (which is, I believe, the raison d'être of games...).

Awesome work Doug ! You managed to bring very different elements (church organ, synth bass, rock drumkit, saturated guitar) and blend them in a way that actually makes a helluvalotta sense, and I think that's your greatest achievement on this piece (my humble opinion). I just got a Korg M3 and am trying to come up with my firt ever ReMix (would love it to be a CT piece as I believe it has one of the best ever game soundtracks), and listening to this work of yours both stimulates my imagination and intimidates me... Your mastery of sampling, sequencing and keyboard playing are all evident and I congratulate you on them ! Keep 'em coming !

As said by other users, I think this is a very decent shot at the Ryu theme, which is overall a rather complexe piece, especially due to the fact that many harmonic lines overlap in order to give it its character. I would peronally try toning down a few of the synth lines : if this were several musicians playing, I would think they're all trying to hog the front of the stage instead of letting each other take over in turns. The solo in the middle can also be extended just a bit, it feels a tad short in my opinion... But nevertheless, keep up the good work, this is definitely cool material that can become a great OCReMix !

Authenticity. That's what all the small imperfections remind me of : this is not a ReMix done on a computer or using synthesizers, this is an actual band playing live. And although I have great love for computer-bred pieces and admiration for their authors, I must take my hat off to Select Start for their work since live recordings are a completely different ball game, where you can't just correct a mistake in a few clicks and that every sound you hear is actually played by a musician (no sound effects, no possibility of adding up several layers of the same instrument, etc). Yes, this piece is a tad too short (the only true problem as far as I'm concerned). Yes, there are some irregularities in the flute intro's timing. Yes, the instruments aren't *perfectly* in tune. But if you were sitting at the Prancing Pony in Bree, a mug of ale in your hand, hobbits running around while a tall guy sitting in the corner eyes you from the dark depths of his hood whilst smoking his pipe, wouldn't all these slight imperfections be there too ? Don't you feel they add to the organicness of the music ? I just ordered Select Start's CD, because being in a band myself, I realize just how much even the slightest support and recognition from listeners means (and it's very reasonably priced). Looking forward to hear more from them !

Kudos to the two of you. I mean, first off, as a pianist, I gotta hand it to you Bladiator, your technique is flawless, and the expression is so goddamn touching, and the way you swoop across the keyboadr at 1:42 is... I simply can't find a word for it. Divine maybe ? But this piece of auditive sweetness wouldn't be what it is without TO's arranging the drums and bass around it and giving this beautiful body a solid skeleton and strong yet graceful muscles blends harmoniously. Hope to hear more from you two. You revived my willingness to start ReMixing myself, hoping to one day attain something close to what you guys do. Oh, and Jared Hudson is also one fine musician (totally off topic, just love the guy's work), be sure to check out his stuff, well worth it ! Keep working your magic together guys !

OK, so where do I start ? With the breathtaking, awe-inspiring church oragan opening, crushing in its feeling of hopelessness and unescapable fate ? Or maybe the "get your act together" crescendo that ensues with the picking up of the pace, the entry of the piano voice and the beginning of the percussion line ? There's also the continuous rise and fall of morale the piece inspires, as though Jared would enjoy toying with our emotions, impressively well done... Or the "divine enlightenment" feel at 2:10 that just makes you wanna throw your optical camouflage in the gutter and take on the world with your bare hands... And who could neglect the majesty of the discovery of the MGS theme at 2:52, which absolutely floored each and every person I sat down and forced to listen to this masterpiece (whether they know MGS or not), an allegory of splendour... You guys decide, I'll just say one last thing : ladies and gents, Jared Hudson, everyone remember the name. It'll one day be up there, right between John Williams, Hans Zimmer, Danny Elfman and the whole gang... Keep up the good work and good luck with everything and everything you undertake !