PixlBit

Nintendo DS, 2011

Composer: Ian Stocker

Monster Tale is a completely overlooked gem on the DS. It’s a Metroidvania in which you explore and battle other monsters using your monster companion Chomp. Along the way, you’ll run into other kids who have their own monsters. The game was developed by DreamRift, a small independent American developer. Sadly, they only made two games. This one and Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion for 3DS (which is pretty good). Anyways, the music for this game is fantastic, full of interesting melodies, enjoyable sounds, and creative uses of instruments. All around, it’s excellent, and I’m glad to share it since no one EVER talks about this game. 

Ancient Ruins

This is the theme for the first main area of the game. I really like how adventurous it is. The strings are very fun and hopeful. The second part of the song becomes more subdued as some kind of flute plays a simple tune over and over. And I especially love the piano that plays an arpeggio that sounds mysterious before the song loops and becomes hopeful again. It’s a very well-crafted song. 

Ethanica: Demon Shuttle

This is a cool one. The strings establish a rhythm that repeats quite a bit as other instruments come in to flesh out the song. Then the song moves into another direction, but it’s still great. The rhythm changes, but the entire song commits to it and a slightly different melody plays. It’s fun to listen to for sure. There’s a short break before the song loops. Really good stuff. 

Boss Battle: Zoe and Lobster 

All the boss themes in the game are great, but perhaps this one is my favorite. It starts by sounding ominous, then some loud outbursts occur which remind me of the boss music from Super C (deep cut, I know). I love how exciting and intense this song is. It’s very video gamey, but that’s not a bad thing. It manages to walk a fine line between the low key ominous part and the outburst part. 

Zoetopia: Treehouse Grotto

This is the best song in the game (imo). It’s just so fantastic. The bouncing bass line, the choir, the organ, and the excellent theme that they all create in the process. The song conveys a sense of danger and mystery. It’s a little reminiscent of a Castlevania song, which is always a good thing. I love how it crescendoes during the second half and becomes intensified. Great stuff!  

Credits

This final song is so good. The melody that plays is so cheerful, backed up by a consistent drumbeat. You’ll notice a harp in the background, which is later replaced seamlessly by a piano. Then the strings come in with the game’s main theme (which is the theme for Ancient Ruins) and branch off into a melody/harmony duet. This is a short song as it loops after just 1’06” but it’s excellent. Really fun to listen to. 

Download this OST here