Reviews for Infinite Dungeon 1 & 2 (1f1n1ty Remix)

[Maverickmode]

Dude, what you've done here is incredible!
I was a huge fan of the mystery dungeon series, but I have yet to buy a 3ds, so I haven't gotten to play GTI. I'm glad to hear from this that the music is as inventive and atmospheric as from the previous games (Those games, musically speaking, are actually a huge inspiration to me). I wish I'd heard the original to have more context into what you've changed here, but since you didn't compose the music, I'm only going to review your production technique etc.

First off, I love just how spread out over the stereo spectrum this is, right from the get go. It really envelopes the listener, draws them into the track and fills them with a sense of wonder. At about 0:24, I was afraid it was going to turn into a generic dubstep remix, but it went right back into that same chill groove. A musical bait and switch, and one that works really nicely! I'd say that maybe the kick/snare is a little too heavy here, but that's just a matter of taste.
At 0:39, I LOOOVE the way you mixed this counter-line on synth harp. Both it and the melody are beautiful, and because of your mixing choices I'm able to not only focus on both lines at once, but appreciate the way they interact with one another.
Great job on the smooth tempo change at 1:03! To my taste, the lead synth is just a little too grating. Don't get me wrong, I love that square wave sound, but I might have added the tiniest bit of low pass on it. Just a minor nitpick, though, and it doesn't both me very much at all until 1:22. There, you should at the very least turn the volume down a little.
Transition at 1:28 is quite nice.
At 1:59, your choice to use a subtle electric bass-esque synth (it may actually be an electric bass for all I know lol) really pays off. It's a decision that truly marks this as something made by a mature producer, and I truly appreciate it.
2:20 or thereabouts, I very much enjoy the tone of the pad you have playing in and out of the background. This section shows a clear understanding of volume modulation and the ability to manage multiple textures at once (something I'm still working on haha).
Just a general note, the drum fills that you create in various areas are a really nice touch. I also love, love, love your use of the percussion toys you mentioned at the bottom of your description.
The return to the original groove/melody at around 2:40 (albeit modulated to a different key) is so satisfying, not only because of the transition, but because you took the time to create subtle differences between this and the beginning. It's familiar, but there's a lot of new stuff to listen for too. Again, this kind of thing is truly the mark of a mature, developed, well-practiced electronic composer.
The piano at 4:09 melts my heart. It sounds like you recorded it live (again, for all I know, you very well might have). Just gorgeous.
This review has gotten really long, and filled with a lot of gushing. What can I say? This is a superbly arranged, beautifully mixed, expertly produced remix.
Aside from my couple minor nitpicks, this is pretty much perfect.
Really well done.

Onefin responds:

Hey, thanks for the lengthy review! Glad you liked it!

The new MD games, Gates to Infinity and Super Mystery Dungeon, have superb, if not better, soundtracks than the previous entries! They take lots of inspiration from electronic sounds and styles, too, mixing them perfectly with orchestral and ethnic influences. It's super cool!

I always liked to spread out the stereo a bunch ever since NoisySundae told me how. <3

A little heavy on the kick and snare, huh? I used impact sounds, so that's probably why. The "kick" is a lower impact and the "snare" is a higher impact.

I'm really happy with how the electric harp turned out, with every harmony being satisfying and lovely. Didn't really think much about the interaction between the lines, though - I guess that was just an instinctual thing! :P

The tempo doesn't actually change there lul

Yeah, the lead is a bit jarring. I noticed that only after I uploaded the finished work, when I was listening to it on a phone and realized that that part at 1:22 is unbearably screechy. Welp

That's a boobass at 1:59! I use boobass a ton for some reason :P

The pad was a preset that I added in and it just somehow perfectly meshed with what was already there so I kept it in. A lot of the nuances in this piece can really be boiled down to accidental, unconscious edits. :3

One of the things I really focus on with my music is never writing the same thing twice! If I have to repeat a line, I always add something new to listen for. It's become a characteristic of my music for some I've spoken with.

The piano is actually sampler-based! Totally awesome, though, that you thought it was actually played! Tells me I did my job well.

Again, thanks for reviewing, and in such detail! I really appreciate it! :D

[Kazamy]

Nice Christmas Remix! Perfect for a snowy village background music on a RPG, all the instruments are with the right volume. At 1:16 the transition from the higth note to a low note sounds a little strange, but not so much. R2R n.n

Onefin responds:

Thanks for reviewing! That melody line is pretty much directly from the original, so that's how it was written.

[XTheNewgrounder]

Super chilling, and amazing as always!

Onefin responds:

Thanks man! You could say the winter chills possessed this track :)