CoN 25th Anniversary: 1997-2022
R1: #5 Corridors of Time (CT) v. #12 The Dark Messenger (FF9)
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Posted: 7th November 2017 16:55
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Corridors of Time is the overworld theme for the Kingdom of Zeal, and it brings a soothing melody and beat to the environment to match the idyllic setting in which Crono and crew find themselves upon arrival. Understandably, it shares some characteristics with Schala's Theme, another entry in these brackets.
The Dark Messenger, meanwhile, shows up in Final Fantasy IX when Kuja decides to stop playing around. It leads in with pipe organ, the true sign that something dangerous is about to go down in Final Fantasy, and follows up with what might be the most instantly-recognizable beat in the series. |
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Post #213630
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Posted: 7th November 2017 16:56
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Listen Here!
Corridors of Time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tcf_FBbIRpM The Dark Messenger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2KcpAz7bRM -------------------- "To create something great, you need the means to make a lot of really bad crap." - Kevin Kelly Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN? |
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Post #213631
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Posted: 9th November 2017 12:59
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  Posts: 524 Joined: 3/9/2002 Awards:        
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Dark Messenger is really great, but Corridors of Time is among my favorites ever. Playing CT as a kid, Zeal was the fictional place I always wanted to live in, get to know the people, etc etc. It's my favorite part of the game, and one I didn't expect. Go Zeal!
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Post #213685
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Posted: 11th November 2017 14:39
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I think I mentioned this in chat the other day, or maybe in the brackets thread, but this matchup is just brutal. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's going to have a really rough time picking in this one, and I think whichever wins might go a ways.
-------------------- "To create something great, you need the means to make a lot of really bad crap." - Kevin Kelly Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN? |
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Post #213756
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Posted: 11th November 2017 21:36
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Corridors of Time is a track that I feel has great potential...but is poorly orchestrated in its in-game version. I just don't much like the...would it be a vibraphone? I'm not sure what instrument it's supposed to be...the chimes at the beginning that form the ostinato. Actually I'm not really a fan of the instrument used to play the main melody either.
So this track actually didn't have much impact on me until I heard a couple alternate versions of it: the OC Remix "Zeal Love": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo0k-rGylRU the Chrono Trigger Resurrection version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJpp-Uj3c64 These two versions are far more beautiful, and really bring out the rich bittersweetness and very meaningful sense of "this paradise is not to last" of the original's harmonies, much better than the original does. Dark Messenger, meanwhile, was something I was introduced to by a friend. I haven't played FFIX myself, but this friend did and he was particularly intrigued by the "sweeping drums" -- what you hear at about 20 seconds into the track. I still haven't figured out how they made that sound, but it is certainly a very interesting one! The rest of the track is grand, intimidating, and stylish. (Given what I've heard of who Kuja is, it seems to fit.) The music is a teeny bit too "neat" for the jazzy/rock-and-roll sound that the figurations suggest, but it works. I know the track overlays Kuja's theme (which apparently sounds somewhat like FFV's "Intention of the Earth") over other stuff and that's also pretty cool. The transition back to the loop beginning is a little awkward at times, but, again, it works. Also amusingly, the track ends up using two different organs. I'll have to mull over this one for a bit but I think I'm leaning toward Dark Messenger as-is, but clearly Corridors of Time if I allow third-party rearrangements. This post has been edited by Glenn Magus Harvey on 11th November 2017 21:37 -------------------- current games (2024-02-19): Fairy Fencer F ADF Pokémon Perfect Crystal finished so far this year: Gato Roboto drowning, drowning New Super Mario Bros. TMNT 3: Radical Rescue tabled: Lost Ruins |
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Post #213782
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Posted: 12th November 2017 00:05
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Not such a hard one for me since Dark Messenger is one of my favourite tracks in any game. Not to say that Corridors of Time isn't up there, but an easy choice for me.
This post has been edited by Cefca on 12th November 2017 00:05 |
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Post #213787
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Posted: 12th November 2017 00:31
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Corridors of Time for me. It's a great piece within a whole collection of great pieces. The drums and keyboards give The Dark Messenger a sort of progressive/glam rock vibe, and it's not in its favor.
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Post #213788
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Posted: 12th November 2017 00:35
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FWIW, the Chrono Trigger DS remake has a slightly better version in my opinion, in that the instrumentation feels a tiny bit less rough:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOx9zz83XSI Still, though, I don't think the original track is all that strong, and while I really like the work people have done with it, I don't think that that's a valid comparison. I have to pick one or the other so I'll pick Dark Messenger. Sorry, Corridors of Time. Squenix, next time, hire the people who wanted to make Chrono Trigger Resurrection. -------------------- current games (2024-02-19): Fairy Fencer F ADF Pokémon Perfect Crystal finished so far this year: Gato Roboto drowning, drowning New Super Mario Bros. TMNT 3: Radical Rescue tabled: Lost Ruins |
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Post #213789
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Posted: 12th November 2017 00:56
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I actually feel the Resurrection version loses a lot of the exotic quality present in the original/DS versions. I also prefer the sharper chimes to the softer piano in the intro.
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Post #213791
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