Zia's Corner, Ep.55 - FTL (Faster than Light), MilkyWay

Simply sharing videogame music, just listen...and enjoy.

Out of all the tracks present in FTL, I would have to say that this one was probably the most impressive for me, while most of the music from FTL is simply amazing, Ben Prunty did a terrific job, this one just stuck in my head for some reason.

If you don't know it already, Faster than Light is a beautiful and very strategic spaceship simulator (kinda), you control the crew inside your ship and managing the amount of speed and time you dedicate to exploration is key to survive in this game, trust me when I say that the hardest modes are tough, really tough... oh and it has permadeath... sooo good luck with that.
If you want to get into the game right now you're still in time, the community that plays it is huge and a really expansive update (advanced edition) also came out, so be sure to check it out if it sounds like your cup of tea.

Support the devs:
Official Website: Link
Steam Page: Link
FTL Bandcamp (Ben Prunty): Link

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Zia's Corner, Ep.54 - Spelunky HD, Mines B

Simply sharing videogame music, just listen...and enjoy.

Ever dreamed of being Indiana Jones? Well, Spelunky might be the game you're looking for then, save damsels in distress and explore tons of exciting places while at the same time dodging dangerous traps.
Spelunky is a game that started out in 2009 as a freeware title and then made its way into several different platforms including the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 with an HD version, not bad for a small game that started out free of charge.
The track that we feature today is from the HD version of the game and is probably everyone's favorite, while extremely short, I think it transmits a sense of mystery and adventure that suits Spelunky perfectly.

Support the devs:
-Official Website: Link
-Steam Page: Link
-Spelunky Bandcamp (Eirik Suhrke): Link

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Zia's Corner, Ep.53 - System Shock 2, Engineering

Simply sharing videogame music, just listen...and enjoy.

System Shock 2 has become over the years more and more a classic with a huge following, successors like Bioshock had maybe a bigger success when it comes to making money, still the second System Shock is still considered by many the best game in the "series".
While the game's graphics may be a bit outdated by today standards, it is still a decent looking game that "oozes" atmosphere and tension, the enemies in particular are extremely well designed, fitting nicely into the whole cyberpunk aesthetic.
System Shock 2 was designed by the infamous Ken Levine who also worked on Bioshock 1 and Infinite, he recently announced his intention to go back to smaller projects, what this means to the "Shock" franchise we still don't know, hopefully the studio that gets the chance to develop the next entry in this amazing series will be able to do a good job.

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Zia's Corner, Ep.52 - A Valley Without Wind, Title Theme

Simply sharing videogame music, just listen...and enjoy.

A Valley Without Wind is a true gem that unfortunately didn't got the attention it deserved back when it was released. While it's not a game for everyone - the steep learning curve and peculiar art style will make sure of that - it is a very rewarding experience for those that have the patience and will to master its controls and learn its deepest secrets. Exploration is key to conquer the world of Environ, stick with it and you will find a truly unique (randomly generated) non-linear world that will challenge you (and kill you) time and time again.

This was the first title from Arcen Games that I had the chance to play, it surprised me and makes me want to keep on playing, discovering bit by bit what other awesome "things" inhabit the strange world of Environ.

It goes without saying that I'm currently planning on playing the sequel, A Valley Without Wind 2. (fortunately Steam offers a decently priced package with both games)

Support the devs:
-Developer Website: Link
-Steam Page: Link

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Zia's Corner, Ep.51 - Guacamelee, Desierto Caliente

Simply sharing videogame music, just listen...and enjoy.

Entry number 51 of our little musical corner is a weird one, it mixes and matches different types of cultures, gaming references, a nonsensical plot and probably one of my favorite soundtracks ever. Somehow at the end of the day, Guacamelee combines everything just perfectly and is able to deliver us an amazing experience that will certainly be remembered for many years to come. If you like a challenge and games that provide the means for you to explore a vast number of well designed levels and stages, then Guacamelee is probably something that you will want to play as soon as possible.

Aside from everything that I already mentioned, Guacamelee also has some of the most satisfying combat mechanics to ever grace a platformer, the amazing combos that you can pull off by using all sorts of wrestling moves will make you feel like a true "badass". In my opinion Guacamelee combat surpasses even the granddaddies of this specific genre known as Metroidvania, that is probably the biggest and best compliment that I can give to Guacamelee.

The (probably insane) minds behind Guacamelee are known as DrinkBox Studios, an independent Toronto-based video game developer that in the past has concocted other crazy ideas such as a Blob eating the whole world, now that's something that will never happen irl (probably).

Support the devs:
-Developer website: Link
-Steam page: Link
-DrinkBox Studios Bandcamp: Link
-Guacamelee is also in the new Humble Bundle, get it while it lasts: Link

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Zia's Corner, Ep.50 - Broken Age, March in the Clouds

Simply sharing videogame music, just listen...and enjoy.

Broken Age is a great example of how useful Kickstarter can be, a well-known developer like Double Fine used it in order to avoid any sort of restrictions or limitations imposed by publishers. This way they were able to make the game that they really wanted to. Once again the legendary Tim Schafer did an amazing job and brought us a super stylized and charming world.
The game is a traditional point and click adventure were you control two characters, Vella and Shay, that live in two completely different worlds, still they have something in common, routine.
Only Act 1 has been released so far, hopefully we won't have to wait long for the next installment to arrive.

Support the devs:
Developer Website: Link
Steam Page: Link
Double Fine Bandcamp: Link

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Zia's Corner, Ep.49 - Dear Esther, This Godforsaken Aerial

Simply sharing videogame music, just listen...and enjoy.

It's hard to describe and talk about Dear Esther as a simple game, it's more of an experience, an interactive book that will make you think and cause your mind to wander while you become one with the beautiful scenery and touching narrative.
Lending aid to the breath-taking visuals is a perfectly composed soundtrack that will sweep you off your feet and augment every moment that you spend immersed in the world of Dear Esther. Jessica Curry, the composer, showed all her skill and talent, this stunning experience would certainly not be the same without her incredible effort.
Dear Esther may be the ultimate proof that video-games can indeed become art, especially when developed by talented, passionate and dedicated developers like The Chinese Room.

Support the devs:
Developer Website: Link
Steam Page: Link
Jessica Curry Bandcamp: Link

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Zia's Corner, Ep.48 - Gunpoint, Melancholia

Simply sharing videogame music, just listen...and enjoy.

Gunpoint was probably one of the best indie titles of last year, with unique and interesting gameplay mechanics this is one experience that you do not want to miss.
This is a game where you can use your imagination to do what you think is best in each stage, kinda like what most triple A titles promise nowadays but in Gunpoint this different routes, paths and options are all actually viable.
Regarding the soundtrack I just love the warm and very stylized sounds, contributing greatly to the game's atmosphere. This track in particular is a bit on the short side but I personally love it.

Support the devs:
Steam Page: Link
Gunpoint Bandcamp: Link

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Zia's Corner, Ep.47 - The Banner Saga, Of Our Bones, The Hills

Simply sharing videogame music, just listen...and enjoy.

Continuing with our epic quest to support indie game developers this time we bring you the soundtrack of a game that probably deserved a bit more attention, The Banner Saga.
This unique looking turn-based RPG was created by Stoic Studio, a recently founded game developer studio that while small, has a ton of experience. You can actually check out the "history" of their members right here: Link

Anyway be sure to check out The Banner Saga if you get a chance, I'm sure you will not regret it.

Stoic Studio Website: Link

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Zia's Corner, Ep.46 - Hearthstone, Don't Let Your Guard Down

Simply sharing videogame music, just listen...and enjoy.

To celebrate the recent developments that happened in the Hearthstone world I decided to share the track that among them all is the one that stands out for me!
Enjoy and hopefully I will see you in the Arena! :)

If you need more information regarding the Hearthstone Open Beta be sure to check out NRLB article on it: Link

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Zia's Corner, Ep.45 - Max Payne 3, Tears

Simply sharing videogame music, just listen...and enjoy.

LYRICS

Love save us once

We'll fall from where we crawled

Love save us once

Beware what you want

Trust us now

It's time to let me go

Give up on us

Follow what you want

Trust us now

It's time to let me go

Give up

Give our soul away

Now you will go

Save us once

We'll never let go

Where we crawled

The memories are wrong

Save us once

We'll never wake up

What you thought you want

Trust us now

It's time to let me go

Give up for now

Follow what you want

Trust us now it's time to let me go

Give up

Give our soul away

Remember with love

It's time to let me never let go

Follow in your memories alone

It's time to let me never let go

We die alone

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Zia's Corner, Ep.44 - Sonic Adventure, Open Your Heart

Simply sharing videogame music, just listen...and enjoy.

Thunder, rain, and lightning

Danger, water rising

Clamor, sirens wailing

It's such a bad sign

Shadows of dark creatures

Steel clouds floating in the air

People run for shelter

What's gonna happen to us

All the steps we take; all the moves we make; all the pain at stake

I see the chaos for everyone; who are we; what can we do

You and I are same in the way that we have our own styles that we won't change

Yours is filled with evil and mine's not there is no way I can lose

Chorus

Can't hold on much longer; but I will never let go

I know it's a one way track; tell me now how long this will last

I'm not gonna think this way; nor will I count on others

Close my eyes and feel it burn; now I see what I've gotta do

Open your heart, it's gonna be all right

Ancient city blazing

Shadows keep attacking

Little children crying

Confusion, hopeless anger

I don't know what it can be but you drive me crazy

All your cunning tricks make me sick; you won't have it your own way

Repeat Chorus

Open your heart and you will see

Instrumental

If it won't stop, there will be no future for us

Its heart is tied down by all the hate; gotta set him free

I know it's a one way track; tell me now how long this will last

Close my eyes and feel it burn; now I see what I've gotta do

Gotta open your heart dude

Repeat Chorus

Open your heart, it's gonna be all right, yeah

Open your heart

Open your heart

Yeah

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Zia's Corner, Ep.43 - Sleeping Dogs, Sleepwalking

Simply sharing videogame music, just listen...and enjoy.

Sleeping Dogs is one of the best sandbox games ever made, it embraces exactly what a sandbox game should be, fun! Unfortunately it flew under the radar for many gamers, let's hope that it did well enough to grant it a sequel.
Borrowing a few elements from games like Just Cause or Grand Theft Auto, Sleeping Dogs never loses its identity. The melee combat system for example is amazing and super satisfying, particularly the finishing moves. Driving sections are fast and super responsive, making even the usually boring random checkpoint races feel a treat to complete. The gun-play on the other hand is a bit lacking, fortunately weapons are not used as much in Sleeping Dogs as in other sandbox games.
If you don't know or haven't played Sleeping Dogs yet you should definitely check it out, especially if you enjoy sandbox games, it was released last year (2012) so you should find it pretty cheap.

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Zia's Corner, Ep.42 - F.3.A.R., Mother

Simply sharing videogame music, just listen...and enjoy.

Mother

Tell your children not to walk my way

Tell your children not to hear my words

What they mean

What they say

Mother

Mother

Can you keep them in the dark for life

Can you hide them from the waiting world

Oh mother

Father

Gonna take your daughter out tonight

Gonna show her my world

Oh father

Not about to see your light

But if you want to find hell with me

I can show you what it's like

Till you're bleeding

Not about to see your light

And if you want to find hell with me

I can show you what it's

Mother

Tell your children not to hold my hand

Tell your children not to understand

Oh mother

Father

Do you want to bang heads with me

Do you want to feel everything

Oh father

Not about to see your light

And if you want to find hell with me

I can show you what it's like

Till you're bleeding

Not about to see your light

And if you want to find hell with me

I can show you what it's

Yeah

Not about to see your light

But if you want to find hell with me

I can show you what it's like

Till you're bleeding

Not about to see your light

And if you want to find hell with me

I can show you what it's like

Whoa

Mother

Yeah

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Zia's Corner, Ep.41 - Spec Ops The Line, Bad Vibrations

Simply sharing videogame music, just listen...and enjoy.

One-Two-Three-Four

Can you tell a wish from a spell?

A hug from a lie?

They both make you feel so gone

We warned you from harm again

You're beating hearts again

We made love in June,

I heard it from you

You were my best friend

You used my name

Hit hard with harm,

She loves to off you then yawn

Never disarm, you know she loves to be drawn

You're leaching hard friend

I'm feeling down again

We made love with few,

I took it from you

You were my worst friend,

I felt that way

Braiding her hair,

You can tell her from here

Drink her last tear,

Yeah, you die for your dear

Bad vibes around her,

She's eating hearts again

We made love in June,

I heard it from you

You were my best friend

You used my name

(Inside, ouutside)

(Inside, ouutside)

(Inside, ouutside)

(Inside, ouutside)

(Inside, ouutside)

(Inside, ouutside)

(Inside, ouutside)

(Inside, ouutside)

(Inside, ouutside)

(Inside, ouutside)

(Inside, ouutside)

(Inside, ouutside)

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Zia's Corner, Ep.40 - God Hand, Gene's Rock-A-Bye

Simply sharing videogame music, just listen...and enjoy.

God Hand is one of those very weird and quirky games that at times appear in our life, it's basically a beat'em up on steroids with tons and tons of moves for you to use, just don't think for a second that this is going to be a walk in the park, God Hand is one of the hardest games I've played in recent years and it still kicks my ass to this day. Yes, I still didn't finish it!
The game was created by Shinji Mikami, the mind behind Resident Evil, its biggest flaw was probably the release date, it came out 2006/2007, a time where the PS2 total dominance started to fade. Fortunately it got re-released a few years down the road for the PS3 as a downloadable title, the sad thing is that when that re-release saw the light of day, the development studio behind God Hand had already been shut down by Capcom, I guess they needed to save money to bring us the AMAZING Resident Evil Operation Racoon City...oh wait!
Anyway, I urge you to check this masterpiece out!

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Zia's Corner, Ep.39 - Fighting Vipers, Sundance Kids

Simply sharing videogame music, just listen...and enjoy.

Fighting Vipers was originally released as an arcade game back in 1995, it only saw the daylight in the ill-fated Sega Saturn in 1996 and it blew me away when I first played it. 

An amazing soundtrack, great visuals and a few original ideas make this one of my favorite fighting games of all time. 

When compared to other fighting games from that era, Fighting Vipers distinguished itself by giving players a few cool new moves and options. For starters most of the fights took place in closed arenas that allowed you to combo your opponent into a wall time and time again. Secondly all of the characters had some type of armor that could be broken off, if that happened the character would start taking a lot more damage so it was something to always watch out for.

Finally the soundtrack from this Sega AM2 title was simply amazing, it suited the style of the game perfectly and it got you pumped to kick and punch your opponents into oblivion.

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Zia's Corner, Ep.38 - Shadows of the Damned, Take Me to Hell

Simply sharing videogame music, just listen...and enjoy.

LYRICS

 

Your face, this place
Look around, what do you see?
Your timing is off, there's no future here.
The love you fight through the pain, never wrong
Your purpose is clear but your destiny ends here.

Your face, this place,
Turn around, walk away
This moment is mine and forever mine.
Your heart, my heart
Bleed as one for the love
In the end I know i'll be mourning you.

Love to love or loving the kill
These moments we choose
Remember the thrill that drives you...

...MAD!

Hold on, not here, let go, you will
You love the thrill, the hunt, the kill.


Love to love or loving the kill
These moments we choose
Remember the thrill that drives you...

...MAD!

You're mine this time, I win, you lose
This day will choose for life not love
You're mine this time, I win, you lose
This day will choose for life not love
Forever.

Limits are made to be broken, like ones we always see,
I'm cast into a river, a river of broken dreams,
And leaving fear behind me, I turn away no more,
I come to claim the title, of the one that wanted love no more.

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Zia's Corner, Ep.37 - MadWorld, Let's Go!

Simply sharing videogame music, just listen...and enjoy.

(Let's go!!)

[VERSE 1:]

Yeah, yeah, he that beast.

Spit that fire. Kill that beat.

Pull that smoke, then breathe that heat.

DJ's gone put that on repeat.

Grind time, I hurt that street.

This is work, there ain't no sleep.

Push until your body weak.

If you don't win, then you don't eat.

Yeah my crew don't know defeat.

All we know is how to beat

The brakes off of anybody out there trying to stop the cheese.

Shit nobody's stopping me.

These lames try to cop a plea

and I'mma put this mic thru their face for trying to mock me, B.

[HOOK:]

(Let's go!!)

Until we falling out, breaking the law.

We out of control, we down to roll.

If y'all want to get it up, then let me know

And we can put it on blast each other. (Go!!)

[x2]

[VERSE 2:]

(Let's go!!)

They say they cant believe

The way the boy emcees.

I bring them in by the millions,

So now I'm elite.

And every time I speak,

Them haters rest in peace.

I re-enforce my spot

As the commander and chief.

I…I bring that fire and pain.

That motivation after death to still continue the game.

The reason that nobody else could ever sit in my lane.

The spark that turns a normal man into one insane.

[HOOK]

This for my people on the edge-

It ain't no reason why you shouldn't be jumping off that ledge.

(Let's go!!)

[VERSE 1]

[HOOK]

(Let's go.)

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Zia's Corner, Ep.36 - Deadly Premonition, Life is Beautiful

Simply sharing videogame music, just listen...and enjoy.

A game that is completely over the top, weird and as quirky as they come! It was definitely one of the most unique experiences I've had on my Xbox 360, with clear influences from television shows like Twin Peaks and movies like Blue Velvet, Deadly Premonition is a game I can't really recommend to everyone, but if you would like to try out something completely different and don't mind a few bugs and shortcomings, then go right ahead, you're going to love this game.
Regarding this track, it's incredibly simple and upbeat, I think that the title "Life is Beautiful" really suits it, enjoy!

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