Hello GIO. I know it has been a couple weeks since I’ve posted an SotW. Partly because- when I am writing- I’m busy writing for Plus10Damage. Next week I finally start my summer job, and I’ll be working more than my lazy behind is used to.
Getting back to Plus10Damage, you may or may not know, but I intend to one day have a career as a gaming journalist. In the meantime, it’s all about Plus 10, and I’m committed to helping the site blossom into something special.
What I’m getting at is, Song of the Week will no longer be on GIO, but it will continue to appear on Plus10Damage.com, so I encourage you to keep up with SotW and my other writings there. I’m not leaving GIO entirely, Whatcha’ Playin’ Mills? will still be around but as I mentioned I want Plus 10 to thrive and would love to see you all pay us a visit from time to time.
So without further ado, here are the last two weeks of SotW.
Last time on SotW, I brought you a piece from one of my earliest gaming memories. If you were hoping to escape the warm, illusion filled grasp of nostalgia, too bad. It’s time to take the plunge and examine one of my favorite childhood games.
In recent years ,our oddly colored hedgehog friend Sonic hasn’t seen many games fit for such a historic franchise. To be honest, I’ve yet to play Generations — which I’ve heard was pretty good — but I think it’s safe to say most recent Sonic games are not how we’d like to remember the poor guy.
Of all the Sonic the Hedgehog games, Sonic and Knuckles has to be my favorite. It was the first game that allowed you to play as Knuckles the Echidna. You could also even plug Sonic the Hedgehog 2 or 3 in the top of the cartridge and play both of games with some big twists to the gameplay.
The piece I’d like to draw your attention to this week is "Mushroom Hill Zone Act 1." While it’s not exactly the most appealing of titles, I assure you it’s one hell of a song. When I first heard "MHZA1" way back when, I thought about how strange the whole song is. There I was, playing as Sonic — no surprise there — but something was off. What was my old friend doing in a forest filled with giant mushrooms and other strange flora?
"MHZA1" strikes a certain chord oh so perfectly. It’s strange electronic funky beats felt so alien at the time, just as the world in which I found myself. It embodied the idea that the series still had fresh experiences to offer, something the newer games could learn a thing or two about.
As always, dear readers: sit back, relax, and enjoy.
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I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the latestHumble Bundle is filled with a ton of great indie games. One of those games just happens to be the focus of this week’s edition of SotW.
Hotline Miami!
With all the relatively recent news of games being "linked" to violent acts, you would think this game would be getting torn apart by the likes of the mainstream media. At face value, it seems to gratuitous violence for the sake of gratuitous violence. Yet, there's something thoroughly enjoyable and metaphysical about it. Rampaging about Miami as a hitman dressed in animal masks — who suffers from some sort of what I can only assume is a drug-induced amnesia — is strangely thrilling. With such mind-altering themes, it should come as no surprise that developerDennaton Games decided to go with some highly psychedelic music for the soundtrack.
Of all the wonderful pieces to choose from, including a couple from the resoundingly talented Jasper Byrne, I’ve decided to go with "Deep Cover" by Sun Araw.
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to cruise around the streets of 1980’s Miami in a hot pink convertible, while being under the influence of some heavy narcotics, simply play "Deep Cover." Firstly because drugs are bad and you should stay in school. Secondly because it’s pure auditory bliss.
"Deep Cover," while mostly instrumental, isn’t devoid of appropriate lyrics. The practically unintelligible and sparse vocals are perfectly thematic, and add a palpable layer of depth. For a game with a heavy focus on the fun of its gameplay, there’s an excellent and highly atmospheric soundtrack to be had, thanks to songs such as "Deep Cover."
As always, dear readers: sit back, relax, and enjoy.
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One last time, if you enjoy SotW, then pay Plus10Damage.com a visit. I typically post SotW every Friday. Say hello, comment on our stuff, and tell your friends if it so pleases you.
You can also continue to follow my ramblings on Twitter @Plus10Mills.
Thank you to everyone who has read and commented on SotW over these last several months, the support means a lot.