2023’s Alan Wake II is a formidable horror sport that melds mediums and tells a metatextual story about creating artwork. It’s a wondrous accomplishment of sport design. It additionally has one of many catchiest songs ever put right into a online game, memorably accompanied by a spectacular interactive efficiency. So I shouldn’t have been shocked to search out out that Night time Springs, the sport’s DLC, additionally has a tune I can’t cease listening to. However the DLC has a twist: it is a correct theme tune, and now I believe each online game wants one too.
Night time Springs is a cheeky little bit of DLC for an already meta-heavy sport. It performs out as episodes of an in-game Twilight Zone spoof written by Alan Wake himself and hosted by the mysterious Mr. Door. This provides every of the three episodes a canon rationalization whereas not requiring them to truly make sense. With no tasks to remain in step with current lore, Treatment actually lets unfastened in methods you wouldn’t anticipate even after taking part in Alan Wake 2. And because the whole DLC is a TV present, it simply is sensible for it to have a theme tune.
Merely titled “Night time Springs,” the theme is a synth-pop tune that may shortly worm its manner into your head. The lyrics speak about lots of the bizarre happenings that may happen within the present’s titular city, with examples together with getting caught in a time loop and discovering a photo voltaic system in a bowl of soup, amongst others. Every one sounds prefer it could possibly be its personal bite-sized episode, they usually all match proper alongside the tales we do play by means of.
Upon ending the primary episode, “Quantity One Fan,” the theme tune performs for the primary time and It feels so good to listen to the pop anthem play after gunning down enemies in a rose-tinted world because the psychotic (however extremely loveable) Waitress. Now I hearken to the theme tune and I take into consideration how enjoyable the DLC is. It’s only a suggestions loop of fine occasions between the tune and the sport.
Not that I wanted extra proof that issues are higher with a theme tune, however this yr’s indie journalism satire sim Occasions & Galaxy additionally has one. Spoiler alert, it guidelines. Earlier than you even construct your distinctive robo reporter within the sport, an animated intro performs set to a catchy tune. What works on this theme tune is the way it introduces you to the fundamental premise and forged of the sport. You’ll report a bunch of tales throughout quite a few beats (arts, politics, and extra) and do it alongside the employees of the titular paper. Give it a hear and take a look at to not be excited concerning the sport. I, for one, have sung the traces “House is a lonely void. We’ve obtained the entire thing coated. From the trash heaps of Aug to locations undiscovered” extra occasions than I can depend (or wish to admit).
All I’m saying is that no sport could be made worse by including a theme tune. Halo? Drop some lyrics on prime of that choral soundtrack! Pink Useless Redemption? Give me some cowboy music! Elden Ring? You’d be having a greater time if you happen to may sing a catchy tune whilst you died to the identical boss many times. So please, let’s get some extra theme songs in video video games.
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