ChainDive (2003, PS2)

Game info: GameFAQs, HG101
Listening: Bandcamp, CD-R, emulated audio

Info

I’ve known of this game for years after Yuji Takenouchi (TECHNOuchi) posted a remix of the first stage theme, “Movin’ On,” on SoundCloud a good while back, but I had no idea what kind of game it was until now. I always assumed it was a racing game or an FPS, but actually it’s a 2D grapple platformer??? Wild.

Until last month, the only actual release of this soundtrack had been on a very limited supply 2 CD-R album burned by TECHNOuchi himself and sold only at Tokyo Game Music Show, so it’s basically impossible to acquire unless you want to spend [checks exchange rate] literally over 600 USD on an auction. But somewhat luckily for the rest of us, a couple of week ago he posted the whole original soundtrack on Bandcamp, though without the ability to purchase so all you can do is just listen to some 128 kbps MP3s. I’m vaguely curious if there happens to be some Copyright Business going on with this soundtrack. But anyway. UPDATE: You can buy this now!

The soundtrack’s good stuff! Turn of the century VGM EDM is the name of the game here, with some pretty crunchy audio quality that definitely enhances the experience. If you like synth riffs, transposing chords, and breakbeats, then you’re sure to find something you’ll love. TECHNOuchi has a penchant for odd time (particularly 7) that largely isn’t on display here, but a number of the tracks have a rhythmic intricacy/polymetric(-esque) feel in the synth layers that’s cool, so he’s still flexing a bit in that respect.

I’m not particularly familiar with Hideyuki Eto, but his contributions are good too; most of them are in a harder style in TECHNOuchi’s and feature heavier drums. Not too long after this game, he’d go on to From Software and write some music for Armored Core games that sounds exactly the same as his tracks here.

Recommended tracks:

  • Dark Storm from Beyond” (Takenouchi) is a cool cacophony, and I like the big pitch-bending synths that come in later

  • Decline of the City” (Eto) is half rave and half chill chords

  • Hidden Ruins” (Eto) is by far Eto’s least ugly track and has that tense, mysterious feeling

  • Sky Painter” (Takenouchi) has a prominent 4-3-3-3-3 riff that’s not technically polymetric but still gives it that kind of interaction with the other synth layers

  • Ruins of Tranquility” (Takenouchi) is probably the prettiest track in the game, with plenty of syncopated rhythms

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