Pixel Project Radio: A Video Game Podcast

(00:00:00) When The End Comes, We Won't Disappear | Nine Sols (Ep. 181)

(00:01:19) The Fantastic OST

(00:18:39) Story Discussion Begins

(00:20:24) An Exceptionally Brief Intro to Taoism

(00:37:41) In Medias Res

(01:00:16) A Rough Timeline

(01:20:29) Ending Discussion

Thank you all for listening.

Relevant Links
8bitmusictheory on Nine Sols
TV Obsessive article
YouTube Dev Interview
"Behind the Music"
Into Indie Games article

Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to pixelprojectradio@gmail.com! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!

Please consider supporting the show on Patreon! You can also click here to join the free Discord server or connect with the show on Bluesky and Instagram!

"Every parry is a conversation. What are you trying to tell me, Yi?"

This week begins the conversation around Nine Sols, a "Taopunk" 2024 release from Red Candle Games. Part Metroidvania and part Souls-like, Nine Sols challenges players not just mechanically but intellectually, weaving the dichotomy of science and spirituality throughout a tale of revenge quest. Co-host Erik (Pages of Play) joins for both part I and part II; this episode covers our general thoughts, development history, mechanics, and art style. Oh, and of course...can't forget about discussions on difficulty and "getting gud!" Hope you love the show today. Please enjoy!

Relevant Links
TV Obsessive article
YouTube Dev Interview
"Behind the Music"
Into Indie Games article

Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to pixelprojectradio@gmail.com! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!

(00:00:00) Intro and Background

(00:25:06) A (Very) Brief Introduction to Mitsuda's Sound

(00:48:32) Selected Works: Chrono Trigger

(01:22:23) Selected Works: Chrono Cross

(01:49:35) Selected Works: Shadow Hearts 2

(02:00:56) Selected Works: Sea of Stars (Brief)

(02:02:54) Selected Works: Mario Party (Brief)

(02:08:49) Non-Game Music

(02:18:54) Wrapping Up

Please consider supporting the show on Patreon! You can also click here to join the free Discord server or connect with the show on Bluesky and Instagram!

Yasunori Mitsuda is a name that hardly needs an introduction to those steeped in JRPGs—but both his catalogue and his tastes are broader than you might expect. Nick (Friday Night Gamecast) co-hosts as we give an introduction (an admittedly very broad introduction) to his works and style. Although many of our favorites were left out, there is discussion aplenty. We talk two major works, a few lesser-known titles, non-game music, music theory analysis, and much more. Hope you love the show today. Please enjoy!

Referenced Links
2000 Interview, Shmuplations 
2003 Interview, Shmuplations 
Square Enix Music interview, 20005

Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to pixelprojectradio@gmail.com! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!

(00:00:00) Intro and Overview

(00:12:55) Development

(00:21:26) Art: Pixar by Any Other Name

(00:43:31) Mechanics: Platforming, Rot Fellers, and More

(00:55:33) Combat: Dark Souls?

(01:14:31) Gamelan and Kena's Musical Inspirations

(01:26:03) A Brief Narrative Discussion

Please consider supporting the show on Patreon! You can also click here to join the free Discord server or connect with the show on Bluesky and Instagram!

This week, co-host Jake (Pre-Order Bonus Podcast) joins to discuss Kena: Bridge of Spirits! Kena made waves as a Souls-like with a deceptive face—"Disney meets Dark Souls," it's been called. A journey through the lands sees the titular Kena rounding up the almost-actionably-Pixar Rot to aid her in guiding wayward spirits home. But is Kena more than a series of homages and influences? Join us as we discuss the narrative, character writing, composition process, combat philosophy, and much more. Hope you love the show today. Please enjoy!

Relevant Links:
Dev interview 2020, Gameinformer
Gamelan from the Center for World Music
Live Gamelan performance
The short film "Terrible Fate"

Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to pixelprojectradio@gmail.com! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!

Please consider supporting the show on Patreon! You can also click here to join the free Discord server or connect with the show on Bluesky and Instagram!

It's a bonus episode all about some of my favorites in the gaming realm! I like these sorts of episodes from time to time and thought this would be a nice breather. Please enjoy!

Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to pixelprojectradio@gmail.com! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!