Topic: Castlevania Lords of Shadow Mirror Of Fate HD

[Intersection]

Mirror of Fate is a lesson in what this series is capable of, retracing its steps.

Yup. Mirror of Fate is a true lesson in how deeply this series is capable of disappointing.
I mean, I thought I'd already learned mine after Judgment, which in itself was admittedly far worse. But it seems I hadn't -- somehow, MoF managed to top it off. I don't believe any Castlevania game has let me down more than this one.

Do I hear "Ghostly theatre" in the theatre area? Am I having metroidvania withdrawals? Am I hallucinating?

Well, that certainly doesn't surprise me. After all, it's the only thing Mirror of Fate has ever managed to achieve -- it would sharpen those nagging pangs of regret one might feel for the solidity of those reliable Metroidvania outings. You know -- those games that were actually good?

And, uh... music? Did someone actually say 'music'? In Mirror of Fate? Really? Well, that's remarkable...
I mean, what music? Where could you possibly have found music? Was there a place I didn't look? I tried, you know; I really did. But I didn't hear any; honestly, I didn't. Well, not unless I strained my ears -- but even then, the funny sounds I heard couldn't possibly have been part of any actual form of music... could they?
Although I have heard that MS is about to release a MoF soundtrack. So I guess some music must have been added along with the HD version. Yes, that's the most plausible explanation.

[EstebanT]

And, uh... music? Did someone actually say 'music'? In Mirror of Fate? Really? Well, that's remarkable...
I mean, what music? Where could you possibly have found music? Was there a place I didn't look? I tried, you know; I really did. But I didn't hear any; honestly, I didn't. Well, not unless I strained my ears -- but even then, the funny sounds I heard couldn't possibly have been part of any actual form of music... could they?
Although I have heard that MS is about to release a MoF soundtrack. So I guess some music must have been added along with the HD version. Yes, that's the most plausible explanation.

I think I might be misunderstanding what you're trying to say... Are you saying just because you don't like a certain kind of music it isn't music?

[Intersection]

I think I might be misunderstanding what you're trying to say... Are you saying just because you don't like a certain kind of music it isn't music?

Just a way of saying that Mirror of Fate's music was particularly nondescript.

Though I think I'll try to restrain myself from posting like this in the future. I certainly don't intend to ruin any of your fun. In case I'm voicing my opinions a little too vehemently, my apologies for any misunderstandings, damages caused, etc, etc.

[EstebanT]

Its no problem man, I thought the mirror of fate soundtrack was actually alright. Better than LOS. But have played enough Castlevania to know an "alright" Castlevania soundtrack doesn't cut it.

[Flame]

Problem with MoF is it had very little music. It manages to impressively have LESS music than LoS did.

[EstebanT]

Problem with MoF is it had very little music. It manages to impressively have LESS music than LoS did.

I see, What do you think about what is there?

[e105beta]

Problem with MoF is it had very little music. It manages to impressively have LESS music than LoS did.

Yeah, but "Reaver" is the best song ever.

IMO, of course.

[EstebanT]

Yeah, but "Reaver" is the best song ever.

IMO, of course.

I personally loved "Theatre"... even before i noticed the very subtle "Ghostly Theatre" bits.

[shelverton.]

That will forever be my biggest problem with LoS and MoF; They took the one thing that was NEVER broken in Castlevania - the music - and "fixed" it. The more I think about it the more absurd it becomes.

"The catchy music was always praised in Castlevania, and arguably one of the most defining and memorable things about the entire franchise. So let's get rid of it completely! Yes, that's an excellent idea!"

Not that the new music is bad, but I can't even tell most of it apart. Does MoF have two tracks or twentytwo? I have absolutely no idea.

[Ahasverus]

Mirror of Fate has more melodic music than LoS and LoS2 will have even more, I'm sure you all know the main theme already

[EstebanT]

Draculs theme is excellent. But going back to mirror of fate, didn't Oscar araujo remix "final confrontation" for the last battle? Why not dance of illusions? Or The vampires stomach? A toccata into blood soaked darkness? Dark night? Black banquet? Festival of servants? The colossus?

[DragonSlayr81]

That will forever be my biggest problem with LoS and MoF; They took the one thing that was NEVER broken in Castlevania - the music - and "fixed" it. The more I think about it the more absurd it becomes.

"The catchy music was always praised in Castlevania, and arguably one of the most defining and memorable things about the entire franchise. So let's get rid of it completely! Yes, that's an excellent idea!"

Not that the new music is bad, but I can't even tell most of it apart. Does MoF have two tracks or twentytwo? I have absolutely no idea.

But isn't that the whole thing about reboots? Change EVERYTHING, even the things that worked(hell, even if those things are a big reason the franchise is interesting or popular). That happens in WAY to many movies, actually. The whole dropping of what made a franchise unique because who ever gets the reins thinks "they know better". I'm still fuckin' pissed over what happened with my beloved A Nightmare on Elm Street series because of that asshat music video director...

[Lumi Kløvstad]

MoF's music is a huge disappointment to me. It's only ever barely there, and not in the ambient way it hung back in the N64 games. The N64 games used the music's quietness and simplicity to hammer home the desolation of everything. It's sort of grim, ghostly music even, something I'd have expected from a survival horror game at times, and it lends a neat creepy vibe to everything.

In MoF, the ambient music could be totally absent and it would change nothing. The game would not be improved or damaged either way. It's that uninvolved.

What should have been done is Castlevania 4 music redone for Simon, SOTN music (even some of the more ambient stuff like "Lost Paintings" or "Crystal Teardrops" would have worked GREAT with the air that the rest of the game provides) for Alucard, and Castlevania 3 and Curse of Darkness stuff for Trevor. The tracks could be well picked and expertly recrafted for the tone of MoF. I guess I understand it since it was a throwaway handheld title, but I just feel that was a missed opportunity.

[Intersection]

Mirror of Fate has more melodic music than LoS

Melodic? Mirror of Fate's music, melodic? Is that some kind of a joke? There isn't a single melodic line in the entire MoF soundtrack. As it's stands, monopolized by score upon interminable score of those muted, brooding, aimless string harmonies -- which I'd actually have enjoyed had they not completely saturated the entire game.
Unless, of course, you take into account the game's abominably repetitive battle tracks --
Castlevania: - Lord of Shadow - Mirror of Fate - Combats/Bosses Themes ☿ HD ☿
Listen to all 42 excruciating minutes of it. Then tell me how melodic MoF's soundtrack is.

I can understand Araujo was going for atmosphere, and I can tell by some of his music that he's a talented composer; but that doesn't change the fact that Mirror of Fate's soundtrack (and LoS's by extension) was abysmally poor.
Damn it! The first time Castlevania was ever blessed a true orchestra, and it has to bring about the worst music in the series' history. I simply can't understand it.

Do you want more "ambient", "atmospheric" music? Listen to this: (incidentally my favorite LoI piece)
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence Music- Dark Palace of Water
Listen to this:
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence Music: Ghostly Theatre
Heck, even listen to this:
Dracula Battle: Super Castlevania 4 Music

What in heavens was so wrong with CV music -- so wrong that MS felt compelled to change it? What tragic inanity on their part pushed Konami towards such an idiotic move? What... How.........
*sigh*

[e105beta]

Melodic? Mirror of Fate's music, melodic? Is that some kind of a joke? There isn't a single melodic line in the entire MoF soundtrack. As it's stands, monopolized by score upon interminable score of those muted, brooding, aimless string harmonies -- which I'd actually have enjoyed had they not completely saturated the entire game.

I know you're enjoying overreacting, but you're confusing melody with tune because all music has melodic by definition. I think what he was getting at was that MoF's soundtrack was far better at sounding distinct from song to song, which I'd have to agree with.

EDIT: Now if all you mean by "melodic" is that everything else in the music is subordinate to the melody line, well, ok, but then who cares? MoF music has a strong emphasis on harmony and rhythm, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a melody, and it still has more emphasis on the melody than the LoS soundtrack.

Unless, of course, you take into account the game's abominably repetitive battle tracks --
Castlevania: - Lord of Shadow - Mirror of Fate - Combats/Bosses Themes ☿ HD ☿
Listen to all 42 excruciating minutes of it. Then tell me how melodic MoF's soundtrack is.

Could you clarify exactly what you mean by "repetitive"? I ask because one of your counterpoints is the Super CVIV Dracula Battle Theme which is also pretty darn "repetitive".

I can understand Araujo was going for atmosphere, and I can tell by some of his music that he's a talented composer; but that doesn't change the fact that Mirror of Fate's soundtrack (and LoS's by extension) was abysmally poor.
Damn it! The first time Castlevania was ever blessed a true orchestra, and it has to bring about the worst music in the series' history. I simply can't understand it.

And yet I'm pretty sure LoS is the only Castlevania game with a soundtrack that has won an award.