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A jam submission

Travelling by StarsView project page

Submitted by Swifcape — 4 hours, 19 minutes before the deadline
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Travelling by Stars's itch.io page

Results

CriteriaRankScore*Raw Score
Creativity#24.4004.400
Correlation to theme#453.9003.900
Impression#583.4003.400
Overall#583.5203.520
Composition#853.1003.100
Quality#972.8002.800

Ranked from 20 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.

Description
The game is about sailing the 9 realms of the viking period and using the stars as a map. The song Navigation would be used when sailing the seas and its calm, so you're planning your route and things. The song Storm would be played during a storm that happens in the game. So its more upbeat and wild, where Navigation is more calm.

More in depth about the songs for those interested:

The songs use swedish lyrics, to feel more Nordic. Navigation was the first track I made, and sort of gave me a direction. Its rather simple, with 2 main sections, to vary it, but otherwise its pretty simple.
Storm on the other hand took way to long. I think I spent 4 days on it, and I still prefer Navigation. It has 4 (5?) sections. I thought that each section would represent the feeling of the sailors on the ship. First one is a moral boost where the sailors are cheering each other on, Second one is in the middle of the storm, ending with a finishing Electronic thing, which I wanted to represent lightning. Then there is a small break in 5/4 , to vary the melody a bit, and transition to the final section of the song. Finally theres an ending part a bit sadder, yet determind, as a morale boost for the sailors, even if its not looking bright.

GENRE:

Dont know what genre it would be classified as, but its a mix of electronic, rock and folk?



Made in Ableton Live 11 Standard

Credits:

Cover Art by Nina

External Instruments:
- Zampler RX 2.5

External Audio effects:
- Baby Audio (Magic switch, Magic dice, Baby comeback)
- Auburn Sounds (Graillon 2)

Sound effects:
- 99 Sound Effects
- Zapsplat
- mixkit

Message from the artist:
First time using my voice, chanting into a mic is way more fun than it has any right to be

Theme:

Wish upon a star
Picture theme

How does it fit the theme?
The game is about sailing the seas and using the stars as a map, so if you go towards a star sign of a wolf, the star sign goes above you and then you are at that place of the wolf. So its less wishing upon a star and more guided by a star, however the picture theme is used completely as it is sailing the seas during the viking period.

Link(s) of the submission on streaming services
Playlist of both:
https://on.soundcloud.com/hxDhu


Navigation:

https://on.soundcloud.com/jY26X

Storm:

https://on.soundcloud.com/zNGne

Soundtrack use permission

No

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Comments

Submitted(+1)

There is a lot to appreciate from the Nordic vibe you created. The live vocal recording sounds a bit muddy, but overall a nice job!

Developer

Thanks for the feedback!

Submitted(+1)

Navigation: The low vocals definitely add to the viking theme and atmosphere. The whispering along with the drums make me think of a boat sailing on the sea with many men sitting on benches rowing to the beat. I really like that you doubled the voices in octaves and with a high instrument, though I think that the bagpipe may have had a timbre that was in stark contrast with your vocal timbre which may have caused some of the “overcharged” comments listed below. This is a really cool and creative track. I’m curious to know what the Swedish lyrics mean?

Storm: I like the electric guitar doubling the vocals in this one- it definitely adds a storm energy. My favorite part is the tradeoff from the vocals and melody instrument in the middle- this was a really cool section! Thank you so much for your work on this and thank you for sharing!

Developer

Thanks so much for listening! If you're curious about lyrics:

In Navigation, the lyrics essencially say:

"The night sky shows itself, our course is the world (Yggdrasil), the stars show us the way there. (Transition) And everyone who sails with us, knows that we are free. When the wind dies, when the mead is empty, the stars show the way." with some repeats

In Storm the lyrics say:

"Here comes the storm, be prepared, Grab your axe and hold it high, some will die but none of us, (Transition) because we are men, not scared, strike us down we raise back up. We're not afraid of death, do your best its not enough (Transition) We are never going to give up, because we're not weak, even when we smell death, we dont die (Transition) And if someone falls, they go to Valhalla (x2)"

Submitted(+1)

Wow these are powerful and poetic lyrics! This adds a whole new layer to the depth of your songs. Thanks for taking the time to respond!

Submitted(+1)

Really nice atmosphere you've created, definitely a very creative entry! I think the reverb might have caused some problems especially with the lower end and overall mudiness of your tracks. Other than that this was a nice entry!

Developer

Thanks for the listen!

Submitted(+1)

I loved the inclusion of the Nordic voices, it feels super original and I think it makes this ost very memorable. In navigation, I feel you achieved a lot of the idea you set out to achieve, the orchestration is clear and adds a lot to the overall sound. I think in storm you went for something more punchy from the orchestration, but as a feedback comment, I think it might help a bit to lighten up some mid frequencies with a dynamic band and in the reverb channel clean up the bass, which becomes a bit of a problem. However, the compositional quality and originality is very remarkable, rated very possitively!

Developer

thanks for your comment and the feedback, will keep it in mind for next time!

Submitted(+1)

Wow, this is incredible! It's very original and it works well. You totally nailed the "being in the middle of the ocean" vibes. The Swedish lyrics are a good touch. In my opinion the voice is a bit too loud at certain sectors of the second track, but apart from that I really like how everything comes together. It reminds me a bit of the soundtrack from the The Witcher series, which I really enjoy. The electronic elements in the second track are just incredible. Very creative stuff, I love it!

Developer(+1)

Ha, I just rated yours, thanks for the listen, as well as the feedback!

Submitted(+1)

Easily the most unique soundtrack I've heard so far, but one that still feels very much connected to the theme!  Very impressed based on that alone.  Each of the tracks (and both of them when considered together) has great pacing and flow as well.  Good stuff!

Developer(+1)

Thanks for listening!

Submitted(+1)

it is nice to hear some pieces with vocals. Good job.

Developer

thank you!

Submitted(+1)

So nice to have vocals! Definitely puts a tone for the whole game. The tracks might feel a bit overcharged though. 

I was impressed with your creativity however, never knowing where these songs where heading! Good to be surprised! Nice job :) 

Developer

Thank you!

Submitted(+1)

Very nice! First track is my favourite of the two, awesome opener and excellent vibes

Developer(+1)

Thank you!

Submitted(+1)

What a huge sound! Love the self recorded vocals! Navigation is my favorite, it perfectly catches that Viking and sea mood with the instrumentation and chants.

Developer

thank you (:

Submitted(+1)

Whispers in the background of your second track are really atmospheric. I might be wrong but I've also heard what seems to be a lot of layering in vocals, which made them sound huge (definitely liked it). 

Your music has a lot of potential, great job!

Developer

Yeah, there are a lot of layered vocals in both tracks. Glad you liked it!!

Submitted(+2)

I really like the vibe and atmosphere you created. The tone in Storm is really cool.

I do agree that the low end of the reverb is muddying up the mix a bit, another thing to look out for is making sure the levels of the instruments are balanced. There were some moments where instruments/vocals felt like they were too loud or too quiet compared to the rest of the context.

However, the creativity is all there, I really like what you did with these tracks, awesome job!

Developer(+1)

Thank you :)

Submitted
Deleted 1 year ago
Developer(+1)

Thanks for the criticism!

Submitted(+2)

Instant  Viking feel (even before I read your description). Extra points, too for using your own voice. Creates great atmosphere. Very cool!

Developer

Glad you enjoyed!

Submitted(+1)

Wow, I love the drum kit in your track. It sounds heavy and powerful. I feel like on a ship and surrounded by vikings/ pirates.

Developer

Thank you! Thats exactly what I was going for

Submitted(+1)

Great job! I liked the vocals in your tracks and the overall nordic, chant aesthetic.

Developer

Thank you!