Luvly KM wrote:mue 26 wrote:
I kind of agree with this, even though I do enjoy it as stand alone music too. I don't think it can even really be called "bad" though, it's true it had to work within the limits that game music had back then, but some of the compositions capture that certain mystique that Shenmue had (or indeed gave Shenmue that mystique it has) so very finely. It balances the tone of the game incredibly well, always hinting at the mystic, even while Ryo is trudging through the mundane streets of doubita.
Bad is an inaccurate word in this instance, but you almost prove my point. It needs the game shenmue for it to work. Out of that context it really isn't anything special.
And if anything that heightens its greatness as a soundtrack composition.
Agreed. Though I think I enjoy listening to it on it's own for precisely the reason that you don't. I enjoy sticking some of it on while I'm studying or the like, specifically because it doesn't yank your attention away from whatever it is your doing and I don't find it distracting. it's simple but yet still has a nice atmospheric feel to it. I can't really listen to most of the types of music I love while I'm working, but something like Shenmue's music (especially the "FREE" songs) goes down well.