Soundtrack Name: Gunvalkyrie Official Soundtrack
U.S. Game Name: Gunvalkyrie
Musical Genre: Techno
Original Game System: Xbox
Label: Tokyopop
Number of CD's: 1
Number of Tracks: 24
CD Length: 54 min 40 sec
Composer(s):
Teruhiko Nakagawa
Tatsuyuki Maeda
Review:
Intro:
Most people visiting this sight have likely never played "Gunvalkyrie", which
is sad because it is a fairly fun game and contains a decent soundtrack.
Fortunately, game music buffs need not miss out on this soundtrack because
Tokyopop has released it locally for a reasonable price. All in all, the CD
has mostly upbeat tracks, like you would expect from an action game, but it
also contains some excellent soft and creepy tracks that round out the listening
experience.
Highlights:
Disc 1:
Track 1: Halley's Comet
Typical intro fair, the first track is an ominous orchestral piece. The hints
of harder metalic percussion a little way in fit nicely with the strange
technology theme of the game.
Track 2: Cosmic Blast Rising
This track is mostly a nice drum beat mixed with brass and strings. An
electric guitar does some background work. I like it, although it is a
little short.
Track 3: Power, Glory and Tragedy
I think the title describes this track well. An orchestra moves through
various phases of determination, power, and trepidation.
Track 6: In the Flat Field
Now the CD launches head first into techno tracks. This track uses an
interesting series of percussion patters with alternating synth accompaniment.
High energy and fun to listen to.
Track 8: Search and Destroy
This song starts off with some heavy guitar work that continues throughout
the entire track. Other instruments join in at various times, most notably
a soothing synth wave and an additional guitar.
Track 9: Meat Biscuits
This song has one of the best titles in the history of music. Musically
it is another high energy techno track with nice percussion and synth
elements.
Track 10: Sleep Well, Tonight
After listening to this track, one thing is clear: something terrible is
about to go down. Nice and creepy.
Track 11: Killing Bedroom
This track is surprisingly mellow considering its title. More use of the
synth wave here as well as some chimes action. A guitar appears later in
the song.
Track 13: Banquet, Before Hereafter
Undoubtedly the best track on the CD. This sounds like something right
out of the "7th Guest" which was a sweet game with a sweet soundtrack.
Creepy chimes, violins, and chorus. Why does this track not cycle twice?
Track 16: Plug in Monster
Drums, synth, and organ? This is fightin' music, boy. It does a good job
of pumping the listener up.
Track 21: Megalomania
This song does an fantastic job of mixing a techno beat with orchestral
work from early tracks on this CD. Perfectly functional as a final boss
theme because it has both energy and an epic feel to it.
Track 22: Valkyrie's Barefoot - Ending
This track starts off nicely with a soft period implying a pleasing resolution
to the dark matters of the game, but then switches to a rehash of the second
track and rounds out with the brass. A fair ending.
Tracks 23 and 24: Bonus Tracks
A version of "Killing Bedroom" with some sweet guitar work and another short
track round out the CD. They are nice extras.
Other Misc:
Like the game itself, this CD is fun, but nothing really spectacular. The
packaging and liner notes are cool, especially because they are in
english and I can read them. One thing I have to mention is the "Inner
Voices" tracks scattered about the CD. They contain voice acting and other
odds and ends from the game. First, I think they should have been at the
end of the CD instead of between the music tracks. Second, their volume is
much higher than that of the music tracks, requiring a volume adjustment.
Of course, like all Tokyopop CDs, the price is right at around $15 instead
of the $25-$30 for an import CD.
Final Rating: B-
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