Next top 10: • Top 10 Sonic Fire Leve... In this video, I talk about my favorite pieces of music that take place in the final levels of various Sonic the Hedgehog games.
I interpret the GUN base music a little differently. The music to me suggests a much more casual tone, in my opinion. it's not loud and bombastic, it's not dark or creepy - it's laid back and strangely relaxing. Given it's the true villain final level, I think it's actually much more representative of Shadow being VERY content with his choices. He knows he's evil, and he doesn't care. He knows he's serving Black Doom, and he doesn't care. The stage has relaxed music because he's not stressed. He knows what he's going to do, and more importantly, he knows no one can stop him.
hehehe... the "Nothing can stop me now because I don't care anymore" version. The whole soundtrack of that game takes a lot of cues from late 80s- mid 90s industrial metal -- I always hear shades of Ministry, "The Process"- era Skinny Puppy and of course Nine Inch Nails whenever I listen to it -- so it does make sense that the most destructive path Shadow can take in the game could end musically on a note of apathy instead of rage. Apathy is definitely the feeling I get from it. I don't know if it's the synth part, the drum beats, or something else, but something in the background of the track has this lingering sense of clashing and being wrong, while the rest of the instruments carry on playing around it as though whatever it is doesn't matter. I think it gives the song a dreamlike quality, but very specifically of the moments just before the dream turns into a nightmare.
That’s a good way to interpret it I also interpret it as GUN’s confidence being the lowest it has ever been as Shadow, the one they’ve tried so hard to get rid of in the entire game (assuming you’re playing the evil route) has now infiltrated the one place they could call a safe haven. As a last ditch effort they go all out with their artillery because they know if Shadow succeeds and destroys the rest of them, the human race and by extension the world will be doomed forever.
This except Shadow isn't actually serving Black Doom, he is serving Gerald and goes back to his SA2 mentality, it's shown in the cutscene before the level. That's why you can also betray Black Doom in that level. Shadow at that point just doesn't care about taking a side, he is blinded by revenge.
@@iregretsomeofmypreviouscom3284 I personallyused to think that part's just the writers not knowing what a morality system is, but that's actually a really interesting theory.
One final level theme I think is often overlooked is the theme for Night Palace, "Unawakening Float" from Sonic and the Secret Rings. It is incredibly grand and does a fantastic job at conveying the urgentness of Sonic's situation because he's literally moments away from death at this point of the game's story. It's truly phenomenal and sometimes I'm sad that when fans talk about music from that game, they don't bring it up.
Its such a great track. Then again so is most of those games soundtrack. But I agree that Unawaken Float does describe the stage of Sonic at this point in the story near perfectly.
My personal favorite will ALWAYS be final fortress. The way this song just feels so grand and dark, the game is telling you “it’s all come to this. Will you have to courage and strength to take down eggman, or will you perish in the storm?” It’s such a badass theme that I don’t think this game has ever replicated since then
Scrap Brain Zone is a super underrated one to me. It's genuinely unnerving and fits finally properly going up against Robotnik. It's very intimidating while also being a banger
I feel Scrap Brain also portrays a loss of innocence. Sonic is just a kid in the first game, and this is his first real challenge. His first “final showdown”. There’s a sense of doubt and even hopelessness in the climax.
End Of The World from 06 is one of my favorites because I think it’s quite unique in a cool way. It’s a song conveying the doom of the world while it’s also many songs that make up one like Crisis City and Kingdom Valley. Not only that, the parts that play for each character can reflect their feelings on Sonic’s death. I think it’s amazing!
I think the thing about 06's music is that it's doing everything it can to sound not just like it's been recorded by a real orchestra -- doesn't have to try very hard on that front since that's exactly what it was -- but like it's being played live during gameplay. And there's so many tricks it pulls out to try and create that feeling. I'm pretty sure a lot of the guitar parts were single-tracked instead of being recorded separately for the left and right channels -- a few songs sound to me like guitars were still double-tracked but I can only think of two where it stands out. There's only the bare minimum of mastering or even compression -- mostly relying on the game's mix to set the volume level instead. Most synthesizers that are used sound like they were fed through an amplifier and recorded with a microphone, instead of being directly wired into the sound board. And I hear almost no post-processing effects on anything, even the reverb sounds like a concert hall's natural atmosphere because that's probably exactly what it is. Everything is as natural as they could make it. I'd imagine all the performers were in the concert hall at the same time, even people who might not have been part of the orchestra itself, so that the tracks could each be recorded in one go with minimal overdubs. Feedback must have been a hell of an issue. :D So the '06 soundtrack's got that captivating feeling of being there with the music that's so hard to duplicate in a studio. And it probably feels like a live performance simply because it is one.
I was under the impression only a couple songs were recorded with real strings on that soundtrack. I thought the rest were sampled (definitely solaris 2 was). That said the arrangements are so good that it's hard to notice or mind.
While not technically the _very final level,_ Sky Sanctuary definitely gives off some serious "it's now or never" vibes that gave me chills as a kid and still gives me chills today. It's both triumphant and urgent at the same time, and it gives off a climactic energy that feels so _earned_ after your long journey. It's probably one of my favorite video game tracks of all time.
Good list. I was expecting Eggmanland, Death Egg from S3&K, and Scrap Brain Zone from Sonic 1 (Master System version, not the Sega Genesis one) to make on this list. I love Mortar Canyon and specially Aquatic Base Level 2 which is the best composition in this list imo. For Final Egg I personally like "Mechanical Resonance" more than "Crank the Heat up!".
Yea my top 10 is 10. Egg rocket sonic advanced 9. Metallic madness bad future sonic cd 8. Chaos angel sonic advanced 3 7. Metallic destroyer tripple trouble 6. Lava shelter shadow the hedgehog 5. Mechanical resonance sa1 4. Cannons core all tracks sa2 3. Terminal velocity colours ultimate 2. Eggman land both variations 1. Night palace secret rings My list is definitive 100%
Death Egg Zone from Sonic and Knuckles. With the difference in taking the space station on from the outside, the deep, bass-heavy techno/industrial sound really gets you pumped for the longest and hardest level in the game.
I prefer doomsday zone. The destiny of an entire island is on your hands... you got the power, but not for long... you must do it quickly, otherwise... your gonna fail.
that's right, don't be fail about that. but you got the chaos emerald except with Master Emerald and got about Super emeralds and you will became the Hyper Sonic and don't be failed and losing to your rings your form was really out to losing the rings but don't lose it.
@@rodrigog4briel and then If he's failed to his videogame his rings to collecting all of them then to against those Egg Missile and Egg Bomber and save the motherfucking Master Emerald You crazy fool I'm just gonna motherfucking saying anything nigga, Damn!
If I had to choose my favorite final level track, I'd go with both versions of Dead Line from Sonic Rush. Sonic's version is funky and upbeat. It makes you want to dance and groove. The sounds also compliment the space and technological background. The Blazy mix sounds majestic with its strings(?) It invokes Blaze's grace, and it sounds motivating by being smooth, contested with Sonic's version being motivated just be being energetic. It's not tense, but it's stylish and damn groovy.
You always are really good at explaining yourself, and this is no exception. Even with so many sonic games being disliked, I still admire the music. Like, even though watching the game grumps play some of these games, and seeing arin bash them, but danny love them, they both laugh and kinda make fun that this song was in the game. Like when they played Sonic Adventure and they sung the ending song for tails and sonics play-through.
Don't know if you've ever heard it but the music that plays during the cutscene into the level of sonic and the black knight in avolon, that music right their invokes a powerful sense of power, sorrow, and very fitting for a duel between knights
I love these types vids that you make from time to time! As you said yourself, when a top 10 comes from the heart, it can be one of your (and my) favorite types of content! But now I'm left wanting to know what your favorite Sonic Boss Themes are, because boy does this series have good boss themes! Personal Favorite: "Crazy Robo" E-101r's Theme
Man, this video helps remind me how much I'd love a Sonic Advance Remastered collection. Imagine all that amazing music in crystal crisp quality. Having the same levels with more screen space would be great too.
Personally, I would’ve chosen Night Palace (Unawakening Float) from Secret Rings as my #1. Even if Secret Rings wasn’t the best game, this song and the rest of the soundtrack for that matter were incredible. The song perfectly portrays 3 things. The feeling of night time, the sense of urgency, and the sense of finality. The way the instrumental starts pretty calm and then explodes into an intense arrangement guitars and drums truly makes you feel like you’ve come to the end of this journey in the world of the Arabian Nights before speeding off to stop Erazor Djinn, and the rest of the song carries this feeling along with the sense of urgency that you’re in a hurry (In the game’s case, it’s so Sonic doesn’t die from the flame of judgement). You can really feel this when the song has the change in tempo around the middle mark, representing Sonic picking up the pace. This was always so awesome and satisfying to hear as Sonic is speeding through the palace in-game. Finally, the song keeps that same feeling of night that the unleashed night stages have with it’s arrangement of drums. Final egg however is awesome so I totally respect your choice. Great list man! :)
Secret Rings came out a full year before Unleashed though so really the Night Stages took inspiration from Night Palace! Personally I'm hoping Secret Rings gets the 06 Treatment as bad as it turned out gameplay wise. Project Secret Rings (or Wild Fire) fixing the gameplay & letting you play as Alibaba, Sinbad, & even giving more characters Arabian Night Counterparts would be epic. Night Palace was awesome Aesthetically even if a few Fire Souls were a pain to get & lets not forget the impossible mission for beating Erazor Djinn beneath a certain level that was a mistake to have with no ability to lower your level.
@@WaterKirby1994 Project Wild Fire would be awesome! I’d love for ChaosX to pick up the project after he’s finished with P-06, and I think it’d be the perfect game to do next, with Secret Rings being the next game released after 06. I think really he could do it because I recall him showing off something for Black Knight on twitter around the time the Shadow update came out, so maybe he could do both Storybook games. They would take years to get completed but I think they’d be really cool to see.
@@Kingnorm04 Agreed & you know that Blaze has official sketches where she wears clothing that would fit the world of the Arabian Nights. I wonder who she would have been from those stories? That said Secret Rings Party Game mode made the game worth getting for Wii. As for the Storybook Games it would be awesome if they made a comeback better than before. Maybe then we would be able to get Sonic & the Argonauts?
the revelation of titanic monarch being that you're not climbing a launch base but rather a the platform for a giant the size of the death egg and in act 2 you're traveling through it is just so chilling
wow, watching this is really opening my eyes to the music, and it really makes me wana play the games again but this time soak in and appreciate the music more!
Underrated video for sure. You explain these tracks in a way where I feel like I missed the opportunites to express, listen and appriciate these tracks on a whole new level. There's a certain feeling or high humans reach listening to music, and Sonic's games always seem to hit this mark and you sir hit the mark in explanation. Great video
A big part of why Final Egg has such a non- foreboding feel is that, in the context of the game, Eggman has already lost. Chaos is beaten, the Egg Carrier has been brought down, and even Eggman's contingency plan to nuke Station Square failed. There's nothing left to stop at this point. You've got Eggman cornered, and all that's left is to give him one last beatdown to cap off your victory over his evil
Now that's how you make a top 10 video. It shows that it's made by someone who cares about the topic at hand. Your descriptions were very thought provoking and I smiled at almost every pick you had while waiting to hear what you would say about it.
definitely would like to toss an honorable mention to death egg mk.ii act 1 from sonic 4 episode 2 - it's simply perfect at putting you on edge, intimidating you, and pushing you forward. like with mortar canyon it's a validation of the synth style where it usually doesn't fit, as well
I think the coolest part about all this, is that your descriptions almost seem like what they were going for when thinking about it, considering how deliberate the composition of Sonic music is, what with the lyrics of the character songs in the Adventure era (even if some of those lyrics were uhhh...). But Believe in Myself, It Doesn't Matter, etc. they all have intent behind them and they set out to do one thing, so I'd like to think those same ideas went into these tracks, and if your descriptions are anything to go by, I'd say you definitely nailed the purposes, and I couldn't agree more with a lot of these, great video
Gotta love amount of work these videos take, keep it up man! I'm engrossed in the way you handle the wording. It's also extremely clear that you understand music theory and the interpretation of the music's tone. So good!
I caught myself yellin in agreement to some of the songs you picked. I love how mortar canyon was mentioned as I feel that song embodies the feeling of desperation. Everytime i listen to it, it feels like something so difficult and alarming is on the horizon and every helping hand is needed. Something about the way it just...sounds like everyone's giving it their all. It's one of my favorites for sure. And i don't think I've ever heard such an interpretation as the one for Final Fortress. I absolutely Love the way you worded it. Also for anyone reading this, aside from this lovely creator here whom I'm definitely subscribing to, are there any other sonic TH-camrs that talk mostly positive about the series? I super super crave more people just talking about cool things from the games or comics like this.
Normally I go into these Top 10 lists with a degree of indifference- because so many of them can be kind of predictable. I know, personal opinions and all but it is fun to see something new. And this list was so much fun-- plenty of unexpected picks like Mortar Canyon, underrated pieces like GUN Fortress, themes like the Advance titles that get overlooked. Doesn't hurt that Final Fortress made it here either because that's my personal #1. Also your descriptions are well thought out and easily the best part of the video. I hope to see more of these lists, great work!
metallic madness (JP) from CD is criminally underrated, it creates a hell of a lot of emotion and really sets up what the ending of the game will be, with both futures representing either triumph and happiness or absolute hopelessness. even the past is intense, and probably is the best version out of all of them
Final levels? You guys keep forgetting about Forces. The way they put the synth, piano, violins, and bass guitar was spectacular and the drums aren't forgettable
We arent gonna mention the final level for Sonic in Sonic Adventure 2? They went full blown badass, giving you sheer determination to give out one final push for Sonic to go through obstacles and defeat the final threat. The music is really short, but so does the stage. Although technically, the music is longer but repeats the sounds differently, but I still call it short since its mostly repeated. But thats more likely intentional anyways given how short Sonic’s stage is. Likely was there in case the player intentionally idle on that stage.
Metallic madness bad future (japan) Unlike all the songs mentioned in this vid this one gives the message of "You've already lost" and the lyrics explain it
I love all your Sonic videos, I often put them all on loop to relax as you break down everything wonderfully, and while you may not see this comment, I personally have a few suggestions for other Sonic content you could do, especially after the massive Frontiers review and breakdown or the cyberspace music and level rankings, I'd like to see some about other Sonic games, like top music in Sonic Unleashed as an example, just a random thought, mine is Jungle Joyride Night personally, very haunting yet blissful, and while there are others more bombastic and awesome to listen to, I always gravitate towards JJN for it beauty. It also helps me sleep lmao. But if you did see this and read through all of it, thanks for taking the time to read and I hope you have an awesome day!
For the shadow one, there's lots of interpretations, some say it's about it being a point of no return, my interpretation is that the calmness of it demonstrates how morally cold he's become and how clinically and unflinchingly he does black doom's bidding.
My personal favorite has got to be With Me from Sonic and the Black Knight because it has a deep message behind the song. The song can be seen through the perspectives of both Sonic and Merlina as it basically explains the main message of the game, which is that everything comes to an end sooner or later and that we have to enjoy life with the time we have. It also talks about Merlina becoming the villain against Sonic and his ideals while also being about Sonic becoming the villain against Merlina and her ideals, all while we hear Sonic and Merlina talking it out during battle. If you played through the game and its story, got to the final boss and actually listen to this song as you fight, it hits so different and has a lot more impact than just some hype final boss theme. That’s just my take, since I didn’t see it at all in this video.
From the classics, I'd like to add Scrap Brain Zone and the US version of Metallic Madness' Good future. Both are very good in their own ways. Great video btw
With how Sonic Frontier's OST is shaping up so far, really hoping we have another contender for best final stage music with that OST (Or Final Area? Depends on how the story shapes out)
Glad you mentioned GUN Fortress and Chaos Angel. 3 more that come to mind for me is Deadline Zone(Sonic Rush), Night Palace(Secret Rings) and Egg Rocket ( Sonic Advance).
Titanic Monarch has to be my personal favorite one. Otherwise as far as final level/dungeon music goes I'll forever be a fan of Xenoblade Chronicles, Ys and Legend of Heroes. The first Xenoblade Chronicles definitely has my favorite with "The End Lies Ahead" with me having a thing for orchestral pieces. For Ys that would be "Beyond the Beginning" from Ys Origin being that its a remix of the main theme that pumps you up with hopeful adrenaline. Legend of Heroes has too many good ones to make a decision though, I'd practically pick them all but namely but I'd at least give credits to "To the Future" as being worthy of a saga's finale.
I think a heavily underrated final level song is Panic Puppet from both versions of Sonic 3D. Panic Puppet Act 2 (Genesis) especially! It invokes a sense of “there’s no going back now, saving Flicky Island is all in your hands! You have to stop Eggman once and for all!”
holy shit yeah i was looking for this, panic puppet act 2 (the genesis one at least, I havent heard the saturn one) is fucking incredible, easily one of my favorite final level songs ever
Good list, especially ending with Final Fortress and Egg and including Chaos Angel. Somehow I'd have fit at least one of Scrap Brain (8 bit, and 16) Sky Base Act II and Scrambled Egg into there
YAS!! Sonic Advance 3's Whole final zone soundtrack is so amazing to me from the map theme to the level themes! Ugh so good! I wish they released the advance trilogy on switch
Surpisingly, my favourite Sonic final level themes come from a fan game, it is Egg Rock Act 1 and 2 from Sonic Robo Blast 2: it JAMS and makes you feel that you are near eggman, you must DESTROY this Battle Station before it causes even more damage (because the egg rock, mwell a thing that uses the energy from the egg rock, destroyed an entire mountain leaving the ruins to look like eggman) it has an elecrtonic feel that suits egg rock and its mechanics like low gravity, gravity change or outer space sections, it is a MASTERPEICE.
Great stuff, I like what you said for Aquatic Base. I'm surprised though that you had little to nothing to say about version 3 of Cannon's Core, not even a mention.
5:38 Gun Fortress Is To This Day One Of My Favorite Levels In The Series. Especially At The Beginning, Fully Charge The Dark Gage, Grab The Gatling From Big Foot And Let It Rip. I Did It Dozens Of Times While Completing The Library On My PS2 Version Of The Game And It Still Hasn't Gotten Old.
I personally think the Final Zone theme from sonic 1 was probably one of the most intense final themes. It really made you feel like a lot was on the line.
I was just like "Sonic Adventure is a MUST for final level" and I am happy that it is number 1. "Crank the Heat Up" will always be one of my all time favorite sonic themes in the entire series.
Sky base zone from sonic 1 8 bit has an amazing theme, especially for a master system game. Despite being short, it has a great feeling of panic and needing to stop eggman quickly.
“Nothing has been as climactic for me as reaching the finale”
Ah yes, this climax is made of climax
Ah yes, this attempt at a joke is a joke
@@thefastcommenter7774 I was gonna diss your comment but couldn't think of words good enough for it
@@jellymatsuryuka6853 this failed attempt of a diss is a failed attempt
This made me laugh for no reason.
@@LegoLoco7 this laugh seems to be made of laugh.
Sonic unleashed has also a legendary sound track in the final boss fight
edit : thanks for the likes 👍
Yeah
Even the final boss & stage is hard as balls
@@multifandomfangirl9664 yeah
Endless possibilities
@@lostfire4556 yeah
I see it i see it now it’s always been inside of me the possibilities are never endless
I interpret the GUN base music a little differently. The music to me suggests a much more casual tone, in my opinion. it's not loud and bombastic, it's not dark or creepy - it's laid back and strangely relaxing.
Given it's the true villain final level, I think it's actually much more representative of Shadow being VERY content with his choices. He knows he's evil, and he doesn't care. He knows he's serving Black Doom, and he doesn't care.
The stage has relaxed music because he's not stressed.
He knows what he's going to do, and more importantly, he knows no one can stop him.
hehehe... the "Nothing can stop me now because I don't care anymore" version.
The whole soundtrack of that game takes a lot of cues from late 80s- mid 90s industrial metal -- I always hear shades of Ministry, "The Process"- era Skinny Puppy and of course Nine Inch Nails whenever I listen to it -- so it does make sense that the most destructive path Shadow can take in the game could end musically on a note of apathy instead of rage.
Apathy is definitely the feeling I get from it. I don't know if it's the synth part, the drum beats, or something else, but something in the background of the track has this lingering sense of clashing and being wrong, while the rest of the instruments carry on playing around it as though whatever it is doesn't matter.
I think it gives the song a dreamlike quality, but very specifically of the moments just before the dream turns into a nightmare.
That’s a good way to interpret it
I also interpret it as GUN’s confidence being the lowest it has ever been as Shadow, the one they’ve tried so hard to get rid of in the entire game (assuming you’re playing the evil route) has now infiltrated the one place they could call a safe haven.
As a last ditch effort they go all out with their artillery because they know if Shadow succeeds and destroys the rest of them, the human race and by extension the world will be doomed forever.
This except Shadow isn't actually serving Black Doom, he is serving Gerald and goes back to his SA2 mentality, it's shown in the cutscene before the level. That's why you can also betray Black Doom in that level. Shadow at that point just doesn't care about taking a side, he is blinded by revenge.
@@iregretsomeofmypreviouscom3284 I personallyused to think that part's just the writers not knowing what a morality system is, but that's actually a really interesting theory.
I was hoping Eggmanland was on this list because man it is good
Me too like it's a sin it's not on this list absolute sin
Eggmanland being long is really the problem like REAAAALLY long but it's actually challenging in a good way.
At least the egg dragoon theme made it
One final level theme I think is often overlooked is the theme for Night Palace, "Unawakening Float" from Sonic and the Secret Rings. It is incredibly grand and does a fantastic job at conveying the urgentness of Sonic's situation because he's literally moments away from death at this point of the game's story. It's truly phenomenal and sometimes I'm sad that when fans talk about music from that game, they don't bring it up.
One of my favorite sonic OSTs for sure
Its such a great track.
Then again so is most of those games soundtrack.
But I agree that Unawaken Float does describe the stage of Sonic at this point in the story near perfectly.
Yes omg so good
Omg the drop though at 2:04 is the best in the series in that song. That song also in my opinion is the best in the whole game. It's freaking amazing
Mustard float away!
My personal favorite will ALWAYS be final fortress. The way this song just feels so grand and dark, the game is telling you “it’s all come to this. Will you have to courage and strength to take down eggman, or will you perish in the storm?” It’s such a badass theme that I don’t think this game has ever replicated since then
Scrap Brain Zone is a super underrated one to me. It's genuinely unnerving and fits finally properly going up against Robotnik. It's very intimidating while also being a banger
I feel Scrap Brain also portrays a loss of innocence. Sonic is just a kid in the first game, and this is his first real challenge. His first “final showdown”. There’s a sense of doubt and even hopelessness in the climax.
And, in my opinion, the PAL "version" is even better; slowing the track down a bit makes it even more ominous and intimidating.
@@GatorOne-in7hk damn that brings a whole different light onto it, that's sad as hell
@@EuroMIX2 ooh i'll have to listen!!
Yeah
dude ur like truegreen with ur descriptions , i love it , u should do more of these
I want to, got plenty of them planned.
@Lappy and night
End Of The World from 06 is one of my favorites because I think it’s quite unique in a cool way. It’s a song conveying the doom of the world while it’s also many songs that make up one like Crisis City and Kingdom Valley. Not only that, the parts that play for each character can reflect their feelings on Sonic’s death. I think it’s amazing!
Finally! Somebody to give Terminal Velocity the love it deserves.
I think the thing about 06's music is that it's doing everything it can to sound not just like it's been recorded by a real orchestra -- doesn't have to try very hard on that front since that's exactly what it was -- but like it's being played live during gameplay. And there's so many tricks it pulls out to try and create that feeling. I'm pretty sure a lot of the guitar parts were single-tracked instead of being recorded separately for the left and right channels -- a few songs sound to me like guitars were still double-tracked but I can only think of two where it stands out. There's only the bare minimum of mastering or even compression -- mostly relying on the game's mix to set the volume level instead. Most synthesizers that are used sound like they were fed through an amplifier and recorded with a microphone, instead of being directly wired into the sound board. And I hear almost no post-processing effects on anything, even the reverb sounds like a concert hall's natural atmosphere because that's probably exactly what it is. Everything is as natural as they could make it.
I'd imagine all the performers were in the concert hall at the same time, even people who might not have been part of the orchestra itself, so that the tracks could each be recorded in one go with minimal overdubs. Feedback must have been a hell of an issue. :D
So the '06 soundtrack's got that captivating feeling of being there with the music that's so hard to duplicate in a studio. And it probably feels like a live performance simply because it is one.
I was under the impression only a couple songs were recorded with real strings on that soundtrack. I thought the rest were sampled (definitely solaris 2 was). That said the arrangements are so good that it's hard to notice or mind.
Mortar Canyon to me is an underrated track and if you wear headphones, it is actually beautiful
Frrr
Yeah it's my favorite song in the game and I wish the level was longer
@@party11440 same
Oh shit... This was a year ago?
While not technically the _very final level,_ Sky Sanctuary definitely gives off some serious "it's now or never" vibes that gave me chills as a kid and still gives me chills today. It's both triumphant and urgent at the same time, and it gives off a climactic energy that feels so _earned_ after your long journey. It's probably one of my favorite video game tracks of all time.
I love how you can bring so much meaning out of what seems like just a simple track, keep it up with the good work!
Good list. I was expecting Eggmanland, Death Egg from S3&K, and Scrap Brain Zone from Sonic 1 (Master System version, not the Sega Genesis one) to make on this list. I love Mortar Canyon and specially Aquatic Base Level 2 which is the best composition in this list imo. For Final Egg I personally like "Mechanical Resonance" more than "Crank the Heat up!".
Top 10 just wasn't enough if you ask me. We needed this to be a Top 20 or more really!
Sky Base Act II is like the original Final Fortress
You’re a person with taste
Yea my top 10 is
10. Egg rocket sonic advanced
9. Metallic madness bad future sonic cd
8. Chaos angel sonic advanced 3
7. Metallic destroyer tripple trouble
6. Lava shelter shadow the hedgehog
5. Mechanical resonance sa1
4. Cannons core all tracks sa2
3. Terminal velocity colours ultimate
2. Eggman land both variations
1. Night palace secret rings
My list is definitive 100%
Where's unawakening float from sonic and the secret rings???? Like bro have you even listened to it???
Death Egg Zone from Sonic and Knuckles. With the difference in taking the space station on from the outside, the deep, bass-heavy techno/industrial sound really gets you pumped for the longest and hardest level in the game.
that Sonic 3 and Knuckles Death Egg Zone while against Great Eggman Robo an Final Boss theme is Big Arms.
I prefer doomsday zone. The destiny of an entire island is on your hands... you got the power, but not for long... you must do it quickly, otherwise... your gonna fail.
that's right, don't be fail about that. but you got the chaos emerald except with Master Emerald and got about Super emeralds and you will became the Hyper Sonic and don't be failed and losing to your rings your form was really out to losing the rings but don't lose it.
@@soapmactavish912 bruh i mean you got the power(hyper sonic) but not for long(ring duration) your gonna fail(you will run out of rings)
@@rodrigog4briel and then If he's failed to his videogame his rings to collecting all of them then to against those Egg Missile and Egg Bomber and save the motherfucking Master Emerald You crazy fool I'm just gonna motherfucking saying anything nigga, Damn!
So glad to see Chaos Angel here. I can confidently say it’s my fav 2D Sonic level, if not my fav zone overall
If I had to choose my favorite final level track, I'd go with both versions of Dead Line from Sonic Rush. Sonic's version is funky and upbeat. It makes you want to dance and groove. The sounds also compliment the space and technological background. The Blazy mix sounds majestic with its strings(?) It invokes Blaze's grace, and it sounds motivating by being smooth, contested with Sonic's version being motivated just be being energetic. It's not tense, but it's stylish and damn groovy.
Blaze’s story’s Dead Line is a true final level. For Sonic, it’s just a normal level
Oh yea those are so good man he needs to redo this list honestly
honestly i love Sonic Adventure’s soundtrack so much. it’s probably one of my favorite game soundtracks to this day
What would be your top 10 sonic sound tracks
You always are really good at explaining yourself, and this is no exception. Even with so many sonic games being disliked, I still admire the music. Like, even though watching the game grumps play some of these games, and seeing arin bash them, but danny love them, they both laugh and kinda make fun that this song was in the game. Like when they played Sonic Adventure and they sung the ending song for tails and sonics play-through.
Not everyone enjoys ur sonic vids but I rlly like to hear ur thoughts on them :)
Thanks!
Don't know if you've ever heard it but the music that plays during the cutscene into the level of sonic and the black knight in avolon, that music right their invokes a powerful sense of power, sorrow, and very fitting for a duel between knights
I love these types vids that you make from time to time! As you said yourself, when a top 10 comes from the heart, it can be one of your (and my) favorite types of content! But now I'm left wanting to know what your favorite Sonic Boss Themes are, because boy does this series have good boss themes!
Personal Favorite: "Crazy Robo" E-101r's Theme
There are a lot of good ones.
Man, this video helps remind me how much I'd love a Sonic Advance Remastered collection. Imagine all that amazing music in crystal crisp quality. Having the same levels with more screen space would be great too.
Very glad you chose Aquatic Base on this list
Personally, I would’ve chosen Night Palace (Unawakening Float) from Secret Rings as my #1. Even if Secret Rings wasn’t the best game, this song and the rest of the soundtrack for that matter were incredible.
The song perfectly portrays 3 things. The feeling of night time, the sense of urgency, and the sense of finality.
The way the instrumental starts pretty calm and then explodes into an intense arrangement guitars and drums truly makes you feel like you’ve come to the end of this journey in the world of the Arabian Nights before speeding off to stop Erazor Djinn, and the rest of the song carries this feeling along with the sense of urgency that you’re in a hurry (In the game’s case, it’s so Sonic doesn’t die from the flame of judgement). You can really feel this when the song has the change in tempo around the middle mark, representing Sonic picking up the pace. This was always so awesome and satisfying to hear as Sonic is speeding through the palace in-game. Finally, the song keeps that same feeling of night that the unleashed night stages have with it’s arrangement of drums.
Final egg however is awesome so I totally respect your choice. Great list man! :)
Secret Rings came out a full year before Unleashed though so really the Night Stages took inspiration from Night Palace! Personally I'm hoping Secret Rings gets the 06 Treatment as bad as it turned out gameplay wise. Project Secret Rings (or Wild Fire) fixing the gameplay & letting you play as Alibaba, Sinbad, & even giving more characters Arabian Night Counterparts would be epic. Night Palace was awesome Aesthetically even if a few Fire Souls were a pain to get & lets not forget the impossible mission for beating Erazor Djinn beneath a certain level that was a mistake to have with no ability to lower your level.
@@WaterKirby1994 Project Wild Fire would be awesome! I’d love for ChaosX to pick up the project after he’s finished with P-06, and I think it’d be the perfect game to do next, with Secret Rings being the next game released after 06. I think really he could do it because I recall him showing off something for Black Knight on twitter around the time the Shadow update came out, so maybe he could do both Storybook games. They would take years to get completed but I think they’d be really cool to see.
@@Kingnorm04 Agreed & you know that Blaze has official sketches where she wears clothing that would fit the world of the Arabian Nights. I wonder who she would have been from those stories? That said Secret Rings Party Game mode made the game worth getting for Wii.
As for the Storybook Games it would be awesome if they made a comeback better than before. Maybe then we would be able to get Sonic & the Argonauts?
Totally agree
Dude I was just about to comment this exact comment I LOVE THAT TRACK
the revelation of titanic monarch being that you're not climbing a launch base but rather a the platform for a giant the size of the death egg and in act 2 you're traveling through it is just so chilling
wow, watching this is really opening my eyes to the music, and it really makes me wana play the games again but this time soak in and appreciate the music more!
Awesome!
Underrated video for sure. You explain these tracks in a way where I feel like I missed the opportunites to express, listen and appriciate these tracks on a whole new level. There's a certain feeling or high humans reach listening to music, and Sonic's games always seem to hit this mark and you sir hit the mark in explanation. Great video
A big part of why Final Egg has such a non- foreboding feel is that, in the context of the game, Eggman has already lost. Chaos is beaten, the Egg Carrier has been brought down, and even Eggman's contingency plan to nuke Station Square failed. There's nothing left to stop at this point. You've got Eggman cornered, and all that's left is to give him one last beatdown to cap off your victory over his evil
Great list man, Aquatic Base is really underrated imo
I'm really happy you made this! I find your taste in music to be great.
Now that's how you make a top 10 video. It shows that it's made by someone who cares about the topic at hand. Your descriptions were very thought provoking and I smiled at almost every pick you had while waiting to hear what you would say about it.
definitely would like to toss an honorable mention to death egg mk.ii act 1 from sonic 4 episode 2 - it's simply perfect at putting you on edge, intimidating you, and pushing you forward. like with mortar canyon it's a validation of the synth style where it usually doesn't fit, as well
I think the coolest part about all this, is that your descriptions almost seem like what they were going for when thinking about it, considering how deliberate the composition of Sonic music is, what with the lyrics of the character songs in the Adventure era (even if some of those lyrics were uhhh...). But Believe in Myself, It Doesn't Matter, etc. they all have intent behind them and they set out to do one thing, so I'd like to think those same ideas went into these tracks, and if your descriptions are anything to go by, I'd say you definitely nailed the purposes, and I couldn't agree more with a lot of these, great video
Gotta love amount of work these videos take, keep it up man!
I'm engrossed in the way you handle the wording. It's also extremely clear that you understand music theory and the interpretation of the music's tone.
So good!
I caught myself yellin in agreement to some of the songs you picked. I love how mortar canyon was mentioned as I feel that song embodies the feeling of desperation. Everytime i listen to it, it feels like something so difficult and alarming is on the horizon and every helping hand is needed. Something about the way it just...sounds like everyone's giving it their all. It's one of my favorites for sure. And i don't think I've ever heard such an interpretation as the one for Final Fortress. I absolutely Love the way you worded it.
Also for anyone reading this, aside from this lovely creator here whom I'm definitely subscribing to, are there any other sonic TH-camrs that talk mostly positive about the series? I super super crave more people just talking about cool things from the games or comics like this.
I like how this man does know how to represent the feelings for the music
There's a horn or something in Mortar Canyon that almost sounds like an Air Raid Siren for like half a second and it nearly gave me chills
Normally I go into these Top 10 lists with a degree of indifference- because so many of them can be kind of predictable. I know, personal opinions and all but it is fun to see something new. And this list was so much fun-- plenty of unexpected picks like Mortar Canyon, underrated pieces like GUN Fortress, themes like the Advance titles that get overlooked. Doesn't hurt that Final Fortress made it here either because that's my personal #1.
Also your descriptions are well thought out and easily the best part of the video. I hope to see more of these lists, great work!
I enjoy you making this type of vid, respect it
Sonic heroes has the best soundtrack in my opinion, i hear every soundtrack of that games and its such a pleasure hearing all of them
It's a marvelous ost
i really enjoyed this video! can't believe i'm only finding it now. if you ever consider doing a format like this again i'd love to see it
I love these sonic videos you do
they're so entertaining to watch
Great list with passion. You cant include all, i still miss the final level from sonic and knuckles. Keep the good work
Never clicked off of realmhub as fast as this.
metallic madness (JP) from CD is criminally underrated, it creates a hell of a lot of emotion and really sets up what the ending of the game will be, with both futures representing either triumph and happiness or absolute hopelessness. even the past is intense, and probably is the best version out of all of them
I was WAITING for Final Fortress! Glad it made the list lol!
Sonic Heroes and Sonic 2006 definitely had the best ones in the series by far!
Final levels? You guys keep forgetting about Forces. The way they put the synth, piano, violins, and bass guitar was spectacular and the drums aren't forgettable
We arent gonna mention the final level for Sonic in Sonic Adventure 2?
They went full blown badass, giving you sheer determination to give out one final push for Sonic to go through obstacles and defeat the final threat.
The music is really short, but so does the stage. Although technically, the music is longer but repeats the sounds differently, but I still call it short since its mostly repeated.
But thats more likely intentional anyways given how short Sonic’s stage is. Likely was there in case the player intentionally idle on that stage.
Metallic madness bad future (japan)
Unlike all the songs mentioned in this vid this one gives the message of "You've already lost" and the lyrics explain it
these picks are VERY good, man, i love these
also, crimson carnival/eggmanland (both day and night) are superb
I loved listening to you describe all of these. It made me imagine myself being there instead of Sonic.
I love all your Sonic videos, I often put them all on loop to relax as you break down everything wonderfully, and while you may not see this comment, I personally have a few suggestions for other Sonic content you could do, especially after the massive Frontiers review and breakdown or the cyberspace music and level rankings, I'd like to see some about other Sonic games, like top music in Sonic Unleashed as an example, just a random thought, mine is Jungle Joyride Night personally, very haunting yet blissful, and while there are others more bombastic and awesome to listen to, I always gravitate towards JJN for it beauty. It also helps me sleep lmao. But if you did see this and read through all of it, thanks for taking the time to read and I hope you have an awesome day!
CAN YOU FEEL THE SUNSHINE?
For the shadow one, there's lots of interpretations, some say it's about it being a point of no return, my interpretation is that the calmness of it demonstrates how morally cold he's become and how clinically and unflinchingly he does black doom's bidding.
My personal favorite has got to be With Me from Sonic and the Black Knight because it has a deep message behind the song. The song can be seen through the perspectives of both Sonic and Merlina as it basically explains the main message of the game, which is that everything comes to an end sooner or later and that we have to enjoy life with the time we have. It also talks about Merlina becoming the villain against Sonic and his ideals while also being about Sonic becoming the villain against Merlina and her ideals, all while we hear Sonic and Merlina talking it out during battle. If you played through the game and its story, got to the final boss and actually listen to this song as you fight, it hits so different and has a lot more impact than just some hype final boss theme. That’s just my take, since I didn’t see it at all in this video.
Nice essay, but this is a final level themes top 10, not a final boss themes top 10
@@howisthis8849 unawakening float should have been on here it's criminal that it isn't. It's one of the best songs in the series period
So glad Final Fortress placed so (deservedly) high on this list, though I'm honestly floored Eggmanland didn't make the list.
Glad to see some love for Egg Utopia, Chaos Angel and GUN Fortress
Three of my favorites (Terminal Velocity act 1, Chaos Angel act 3, and Mortar Canyon) in a row makes me feel happy!
From the classics, I'd like to add Scrap Brain Zone and the US version of Metallic Madness' Good future. Both are very good in their own ways. Great video btw
Eggmanland and Night Palace also have some of my favorite themes and are worth a shoutout
Great vid on my top 3 sonic games final battle OST (then ones i played) i loved open your heart from SA1
With how Sonic Frontier's OST is shaping up so far, really hoping we have another contender for best final stage music with that OST (Or Final Area? Depends on how the story shapes out)
Great video man. I still love top 10 videos. It’s a shame they fell off.
This was Very Intense.
This made me realize why I like SoNiC music all over again.
Glad you mentioned GUN Fortress and Chaos Angel. 3 more that come to mind for me is Deadline Zone(Sonic Rush), Night Palace(Secret Rings) and Egg Rocket ( Sonic Advance).
What i like about Chaos Angel is that the samples from Duel of Fates of The Phantom Menace adds a level of foreboding to the stages.
I’m glad I looked in my subscriptions
I'm so glad you mentioned the Advance series songs, they get no love it's criminal
The mortar canyon song gives me flashbacks of s ranking every sonic forces level
Great pick for #1
Uffff my friend I love your video!. I totally agree with your top 10. Regards!
Titanic Monarch has to be my personal favorite one.
Otherwise as far as final level/dungeon music goes I'll forever be a fan of Xenoblade Chronicles, Ys and Legend of Heroes.
The first Xenoblade Chronicles definitely has my favorite with "The End Lies Ahead" with me having a thing for orchestral pieces.
For Ys that would be "Beyond the Beginning" from Ys Origin being that its a remix of the main theme that pumps you up with hopeful adrenaline.
Legend of Heroes has too many good ones to make a decision though, I'd practically pick them all but namely but I'd at least give credits to "To the Future" as being worthy of a saga's finale.
I think a heavily underrated final level song is Panic Puppet from both versions of Sonic 3D. Panic Puppet Act 2 (Genesis) especially! It invokes a sense of “there’s no going back now, saving Flicky Island is all in your hands! You have to stop Eggman once and for all!”
holy shit yeah i was looking for this, panic puppet act 2 (the genesis one at least, I havent heard the saturn one) is fucking incredible, easily one of my favorite final level songs ever
Egg Utopia Is such an underrated classic always here for the advance trilogy appreciation 🙌
No Eggmanland? Aww. But still interesting picks, and I love the words you use to give them themes.
Pretty solid list
Unawakening float and eggmanland are some of my favorite final level themes in a sonic game
The Ticking sound of the timers during "Cooperation for Cannon's Core" adds to it
Good list, especially ending with Final Fortress and Egg and including Chaos Angel. Somehow I'd have fit at least one of Scrap Brain (8 bit, and 16) Sky Base Act II and Scrambled Egg into there
Honestly, the Forces soundtracks are pretty good in my opinion (especially Null Space)
youre one of the reasons i started playing sonic games but dont get to excited i said only one of the reasons
finally egg utopia got some love (especially act 2)
The best is Egg Reverie for me, it's awesome especially the guitar part
Wow, I didn't expect GUN Fortress to appear on a list like this, but I am all for it... it probably would've been even higher on my list!
This video opening with Egg Utopia just unlocked so many memories of simpler times, omg
YAS!! Sonic Advance 3's Whole final zone soundtrack is so amazing to me from the map theme to the level themes! Ugh so good! I wish they released the advance trilogy on switch
Surpisingly, my favourite Sonic final level themes come from a fan game, it is Egg Rock Act 1 and 2 from Sonic Robo Blast 2: it JAMS and makes you feel that you are near eggman, you must DESTROY this Battle Station before it causes even more damage (because the egg rock, mwell a thing that uses the energy from the egg rock, destroyed an entire mountain leaving the ruins to look like eggman) it has an elecrtonic feel that suits egg rock and its mechanics like low gravity, gravity change or outer space sections, it is a MASTERPEICE.
Great stuff, I like what you said for Aquatic Base. I'm surprised though that you had little to nothing to say about version 3 of Cannon's Core, not even a mention.
BRO YOU'RE AWESOME
5:38 Gun Fortress Is To This Day One Of My Favorite Levels In The Series.
Especially At The Beginning, Fully Charge The Dark Gage, Grab The Gatling From Big Foot And Let It Rip.
I Did It Dozens Of Times While Completing The Library On My PS2 Version Of The Game And It Still Hasn't Gotten Old.
I can't believe this dude didn't include Sonic Unleashed Final Boss Theme, Endless Possibility Orchestra version.
I personally think the Final Zone theme from sonic 1 was probably one of the most intense final themes. It really made you feel like a lot was on the line.
Am so glade to not be the only to say final egg level 2 track is the best sonic final level track, like it so GOOD
im febreeze
Shout outs to unleashed sounding chilling and super good in both versions, and sonic and the secret rings being amazing.
Bickuribox making a top 10? This is the end of days. :^)
Nicely done
I was just like "Sonic Adventure is a MUST for final level" and I am happy that it is number 1. "Crank the Heat Up" will always be one of my all time favorite sonic themes in the entire series.
Sky base zone from sonic 1 8 bit has an amazing theme, especially for a master system game. Despite being short, it has a great feeling of panic and needing to stop eggman quickly.