Software Etc. = Hardcore? Gunvalkyrie OST

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20 May 2002, 01:47 PM
Prince Planet

Software Etc. = Hardcore? Gunvalkyrie OST

The only explanation I have is that I was warped into an alternate universe -- where everything is reversed. The story:

Throwing common sense aside, I stopped by Software Etc., the bastion of all that is mainstream (not necessarily such a bad thing, by the way). On my way out after purchasing some anime, what do I see? Software Etc. is selling the original GUNVALKYRIE OST!! A niche product spin-off of a beyond-niche game. Dimensional warp, indeed.

Anyway, for all 5 of you GUNVALKYRIE freaks, your next purchase has been identified. $14.99 gets you a whopping 24 tracks -- all of the original music, cut-scene dialogue (!?!), and 2 bonus tracks. Sweet disc graphics, and a decent insert with some typically bizarre commentary from composers Nakagawa-san and Maeda-san (who did the music for Skies of Arcadia).

The weirdest part? I didn't recall GV's tunes as being particularly memorable. My mistake, as the this disc is suprisingly good. The upbeat "orchetral-techno" tracks are incredibly reminiscent of Panzer Dragoon. Plus there is a lot of good ambient stuff, and even a few sweetly disturbing tracks (a la RE: Code Veronica). How can you not like a track entitled "Meat Biscuits"? Oh yeah, all the weird ramblings of Dr. Hebble are there for your listening pleasure.
20 May 2002, 01:51 PM
dog$

You must have walked into an alternate universe, because I can't recall the last time an OST to anything cost Y1500 or less ... unless of course you found an EverAnime/SM burn or a US "OST"...
20 May 2002, 01:52 PM
Stibbons

I have an import Michael Jackson double-CD album... does that make me hardcore?
20 May 2002, 01:58 PM
Prince Planet

Quote:

Originally posted by dog$
You must have walked into an alternate universe, because I can't recall the last time an OST to anything cost Y1500 or less ... unless of course you found an EverAnime/SM burn or a US "OST"...

I found it odd as well. However, it was not an EverAnime or Son-May burn. It was released by TokyoPop, a company with whom I'm not familiar. If it's a bootleg, it's news to me. I guarantee you that the sales"dudes" at that particular Software Etc. would have no idea either.

And Stibbons -- your import MJ CD makes you so damn hardcore, I think you're now deserving of the title "stiffcore".
20 May 2002, 02:10 PM
Josh

It is a US soundtrack. Among the other "hardcore" things you may find at your local Gamestop Inc. store:

Vivi plush doll
Official US soundtracks to many games
Fantavision

Unfortunatly, you will never again find a copy of Shaq Fu for the genesis. As all stores have been instructed to destroy their remaining copies.
20 May 2002, 02:14 PM
kabuki

Quote:

Originally posted by dog$
You must have walked into an alternate universe, because I can't recall the last time an OST to anything cost Y1500 or less ... unless of course you found an EverAnime/SM burn or a US "OST"...

Its put out by TokyoPop in the US. They've put out about a dozen or so game soundtracks here. TokyoPop is a 100% fully legit company.
www.tokyopop.com
- Kabuki
20 May 2002, 02:52 PM
dog$

Yeah, those guys.

I really liked their "official" 1-disc FFIX soundtrack, heh.
Actually I recall the day that 4 of those and 4 Parasite Eve 2 soundtracks from them shown up at Funcoland N Riverside... 2 weeks later all 8 of them were marked half off, and they still didn't budge.

And those bastards are still sending me email... I only bought one thing (well, two) off of 'em years ago.
20 May 2002, 03:11 PM
Prince Planet

Dog$ -

I guess that's what surprised me -- the GUNVALKYRIE package is actually put together nicely. Likewise, simply seeing an official OST of a considerably less-than-popular title (an XBOX title, to boot) was kind of cool.

Oh yeah, the music is good, too.
20 May 2002, 06:16 PM
EightBit

What really freaked me out about this when I bought it about a week ago, is that just a few days before I saw that this very same sound track was being released in Japan soon(22 in game tracks, 2 arranged tracks.). When I asked the employe's about it, they said that it had been in the store for about a month already. Im not used to seeing cool stuff like that released here first, if at all. Weird.

Z-roe
20 May 2002, 06:40 PM
MechDeus

I liked GunValk's music, although the opening tune (when you get the title screen) reminds me exactly of Metroid. Rather what I thought when I first powered up the game...

Hmm... now I just need the cash to buy this.
20 May 2002, 06:44 PM
EightBit

Yeah, I really love the music too, gets me in a weird mood, like Im 'bout to kick some ass or something. My friends seem to think Im crazy for that though.

Porcupines and butterflies.

Bicycles and lullabyes.

Wait, I _am_ crazy~
Z-roe
20 May 2002, 07:03 PM
Prince Planet

Quote:

Originally posted by Z-roe
Yeah, I really love the music too, gets me in a weird mood, like Im 'bout to kick some ass or something. My friends seem to think Im crazy for that though.

"The sense of fear, isolation and curiosity will overwhelm you because of the strange and mysterious views. I composed the music imagining; 'I would hear this kind of music in my head if I were in this extraordinary situation.'" - Tatsuyuki Maeda

I guess your reaction is pretty much spot on...