Justin Bell - Interview

[DexGames]

Some of you maybe didn't saw this, I personaly just found out about this video a few days ago.

It's a great, almost 2hrs video, of Justin touching on his approach on Music & Sound Design.

 

There are quite a lot of informations regarding his work for Pillars Of Eternity II : Deadfire.

In case you're a Music Lover, in general & loved the Music from the 1st Game, this is for you.

 

Hope you enjoy :

 

[MaxQuest]

In case you're a Music Lover, in general & loved the Music from the 1st Game, this is for you.

I liked the exploration music. But still feel that combat music needs more variety. I probably heard it too often. You know how it happens with the song you have listened to much. 

[injurai]

I adore the Pillars OST, one of my favorites of all time.

 

I like the battle music too, but yeah give us some variety. Having a single battle theme is a problem that a lot of rpgs suffer from. I'd hope Deadfire get's it's own theme, and then maybe we'll have two dedicated battle themes that could get assigned to various regions or settings.

 

Ideally I'd want maybe 4-5 which are thematically based, and then within those themes there is dynamic blending and such. Maybe different movements in the song based on your parties health or how deep into a dungeon you are.

[Wormerine]

What he said about making PoE2 music more "reactive" might help a lot. Quite a few good gaming soundtracks tend to be better fit to what is happening on screen. PoE1 was quite static, the track was playing and that was about that. I think that is why it got old quicker than it should have.

[DexGames]

I adore the Pillars OST, one of my favorites of all time.

 

I like the battle music too, but yeah give us some variety. Having a single battle theme is a problem that a lot of rpgs suffer from. I'd hope Deadfire get's it's own theme, and then maybe we'll have two dedicated battle themes that could get assigned to various regions or settings.

 

Ideally I'd want maybe 4-5 which are thematically based, and then within those themes there is dynamic blending and such. Maybe different movements in the song based on your parties health or how deep into a dungeon you are.

 

Yep, Justin talks about pretty much all of your concerns. Nonetheless, there was already 5 Combat Themes in the 1st Pillars, I don't know if he's going to do much more. You can find them here (Combat A/B/C/D/E) : https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0w2QA7IXPn7g2Bu3IQ2vt2MTLfJbGEpg

 

One thing I wanna touch on, is that they didn't use an extended version of this Theme, even against big bosses or epic battles :

You know, that part between 0:27 & 1:20

 

First, the whole instrumental part is awesome, but moreover, the addition of a Choir makes it sound so F**cking Epic !

 

Another exemple we all remember since the 90s (for some of us ), is "One Winged Angel" from FFVII. That theme was musically genius, but the Choir made it so epic & so memorable. (Aside to Battle Themes : Mention to "Liberi Fatali" from FFVIII Intro)

 

 

Anyway, the OST of Pillars Of Eternity was great, no doubt about that, and I have to say it but....

Main Theme is the BEST :

 

When Pillars Of Eternity came out, I remember staring at the Login Screen for 20min  before playing & listen to this Beautiful Piece Of Music repeat itself.

Good Times, Hope for the Best in Deadfire.