Atmosphere and Motivic Development in Hollow Knight's Soundtrack
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ก.ย. 2024
- The world of Hollow Knight feels unlike any other game world I've ever played, with a thick atmosphere that makes each area an utter joy to explore. This is in no small part due to the wonderful soundtrack to the game, composed by Christopher Larkin, and in this video I attempt to explain part of how the music aids in creating the game's atmosphere by dissecting the City of Tears, Soul Sanctum, and Soul Master themes.
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Play this game if you haven't. It's the only game I've ever been upset that I didn't pay more for it.
I've convinced 2 people to buy it, hopefully they will do the same.
It's funny, there was a feeling that I had the entire time I initially played through the game and I couldn't quite figure out what it was; it wasn't negative, but it wasn't positive either. It was a really complex feeling.
Your comment just made it abundantly clear; this was what I was feeling that entire time. Like I had ripped off the creators of the game for getting it for like 10-15 bucks on a Steam sale. Huh. Thanks friend!
Lol, I know the feeling. Totally worth at least $40
Truer words have never been said. I honestly wished I could pay $20-$30 for the main game and probably $5-$10 for each DLC Team Cherry gave us. They honestly deserve ALL OUR MONEY.
It's honestly worth 40$ to 50$ easy.
1:26 Video doesn't do it justice, btw. Most hollow knight players I know will agree with me. That section of the game. You were trapped inside of the place. You don't know where you are. Then a little bit of music enters. It is nice and pretty. You realize that there is more to that place. Then you take the elevator down and the full score hits. The rush of emotion that hit those players was powerful. No joke, that part of the game is why so many people get such a strong connection with it.
Definitely agree! Even just him talking about it developing like that in the video gave me chills lol. It doesn't matter how many times I replay the game, that part is always just so amazing and really makes you feel somewhat humbled by the majesty of everything hitting you at once.
Thanks for putting that into words! Thinking back, I think it is precisely the moment where I knew I was getting into an amazing game, but I could never quite explain people why.
I traveled through a decent amount of the map before when I stumbled in, deepnest, mantis village, etc. So finding an area so close and yet hidden (to me) made walking into the city even more breath-taking. Absolutely loved this game to death, bought it again for my switch :)
Facts
Entering the City of Tears for the first time is I think my favorite moment in all of my first Hollow Knight playthrough, and this game has quite a lot of fantastic moments so that is really saying something.
You make 12 minutes go by like 4.
Exceptional video, mate.
Oh hey...
Its you...
Wut u do here?
@@glitcherkai5074 What kind of question is this xD
Glitcher Kai it’s as if you don’t think he has a life outside of TH-cam... huh.
Hey Rusty.
ngl i giggled with joy a little when you said "So I will!!!" super looking forward to it :)
legit, im ludicrously excited
no lie i screamed
The more HK content to consume, the happier i’ll be. This game has just... wow, it’s been such an experience. I love the community too.
I was all set to be disappointed that we got a Hollow Knight analysis that ended without touching on Sealed Vessel, my favorite tune in the game by far... but then that came up and I was like "OMG YES". :D
I love the music in this game, so hyped for parts 2 and 3!!!
That "so I will" gave me the biggest goofy smile. I can't wait for the next two parts!
ME TOO!!!!! I'M SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW!!!
oh my god I have been wanting this for so long
FUCK YES MORE HOLLOW KNIGHY I CANT WAIIIIT
Yeah
Yes I'm hyped for more.
8bmt: I could talk about it for a month
Me: Please do
8bmt: SO I WIIIILLLLL
Me: HE WIIIILLLLLL
Love your enthusiasm bro. Keep it up
Sees the videos in recomendations....
well... I guess all the things I'm doing must wait
This was me at work today
A 3 part Hollow Knight music discussion?
Yes please
Chips & Cheese Very excited for parts 2&3
Needs more parts, actually
Are we talking about...
Oh yeah, we're talking about *_LEITMOTIFS_*
*Sideways wants to know your location*
top 10 times simpsons predicted the future
That was so precious. Just-
"So, I WIIIIIIIIIIIIIILL!"
8 Bit Music Theory... Hollow Knight...
*DROPS EVERYTHING TO WATCH*
"But wait there's more coming"
*EXCITEMENT INTENSIFIES*
I'm so glad you made this! You managed to cover much more than I thought would be possible in a single video, and I'm so excited for the next few in the series!!
It's interesting that you saw the Soul Sanctum's theme as solemn, sad, and regretful -- I always thought of it as more grand, self-important, and malicious, and thinking about it that way puts it in a whole new light.
Huh. Now that I think about it, it's... sort of both, isn't it?
Thought I was both bc of the mistakes, fodder, and drained bugs (you can see in the background) but also the skilled soul knights, And the powerful soulmaster give it a "it was for the greater good " vibe
Trans rights!
Some sorrowful tones and some righteous tones are pretty much inescapable with the organ.
“The combat is challenging but fair”
**cries in Watcher Knights**
*Pogo and dash for your life, child. Your life belongs to Skiilva and RNGesus now.*
Me: *tries to heal*
Watcher knights: wait, that’s illegal
You want an unfair fight? GPZ has some bs attacks
Descending dark is your best friend
tank it (use quick/, grubsong, stalwart shell, crest, and thorns)
"Dripping with atmosphere" I see what you did there
YES MORE HOLLOW NIGHT. When you said "I could do this for a month", my eyes rolled into my head and I just chanted "pleasepleaseplease"
U doo spel mitak
I let out an audible 'WHOA' when i noticed the Soul Master's battle melody bares a striking resemblance to the vocal melody of the City Of Tears! I loved Hollow Knight to death, but wasn't super wowed by the soundtrack, but after watching this I already have a deeper appreciation for the soundtrack.
The soundtrack is chock full of motifs.
The soundtrack is very effective and atmospheric, but not quite catchy.
I like your profile pic ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Ne obliviscaris ftw
Soundtrack’s epic, to be sure. And that’s using the word “epic” correctly.
The OST just keeps giving
Y'know... I need to play this game now.
everyone does!
Why aren’t you currently shirking all your responsibilities and doing just that, friend?
One of the greatest metroidvania's ever created.
so, have you played it yet? :)
I have never played this game, but GOD DAMN do I want to, now. The soundtrack hit me like a freight train of emotion.
It's really worth playing!
It's indescribable. Just . . . The most pure experience I've ever had with a video game. I can't recommend it enough
so, have you played it yet? :)
We need an update
Hyyyyyyyype !
Best Indie Game ever made, damn I'm HYPED !
Thank you so much for this !
Could've clicked faster.
3 parts. wow. chances for mention of the resting grounds is really high then
*Couldn't've
That is, unless you're saying that you could've clicked on this video much faster. In that case, I applaud you for acknowledging your personal shortcomings.
I also find it interesting how the soul sanctum theme repeats an ascending set of notes considering that while you're progressing through that area you are literally climbing up and when you get to the boss the music starts oscillating between ascending and descending since you've got no where left to climb, you've reached the top.
I definitely agree that the music is one of this game's major selling points. Not only is it beautiful, the way it rises, crechendos, and even when it remains silent, it makes the game's atmosphere all the more appealing and memorable.
I'm so glad you plan to make a few more videos about this game's music! I was thinking before you said that how interesting it would be to hear your thoughts on the Hollow Knight battle.
One of my favorite games and favorite soundtrack of all time. Thank you for covering Hollow Knight
OMG Hollow Knight, Hurray!! My husband LOVES your channel and always shows me your videos. But as a big music theory fan myself, I said I'd take you seriously once you covered Hollow Knight. Hahaha he shared me the link within minutes of it being published. Here I am at work sneakily watching the video, with a huge grin. An even GIANT grin when you mentioned So I will!
Alright I'm officially a fan of your videos now :)
I love video game soundtracks. But this one I could discuss for hours. Please PLEASE cover the following areas of the game (no spoilers):
-when you first enter and (more importantly) cutscene when you leave the Abyss. The music in that moment gave me goosebumps and tears in my eyes.
-the resting grounds
-the sealed vessel... wow... What amazing, mindblowing ambiance. It conveys all of the pain, desperation, urgency of that scene. I can't listen to it without getting emotional. Pure beauty.
Pretty please? :)
I got SO happy when I saw that you made a video on Hollow Knight, so when I got to the end I completely lost it. Thank you so much for doing these!!!! ♥️
We don't deserve Christopher Larkin
Seriously though, Hollow Knight has the best game soundtrack IMO
I love it to death but I don't know if it could top Shadow of the Colossus for me
I think I prefer Undertale’s because of its variety. But Hollow Knight’s is truly beautiful. Makes me all nostalgic even though it’s not that old and most my memories are of me getting wrecked by bosses...
Even though Hollow Knights soundtrack is REALLY good, I personally like the soundtrack of one game even more. That game would be LISA the Painful.
The soundtrack of that game is atmospheric as well, but the music is composed in such a way that makes you wonder how it manages to work this well, because it really shouldn't work as well as it does.
But comparing the soundtrack of both games is like comparing apples and oranges.
Rainworld will take the cake for me in term of atmospheric soundtrack
Do you guys know what an opinion is?
I love revisiting this little trilogy because I love Hollow Knight and your clear appreciation for it... Keep up the great work mate
THAT TWIST ENDING THO
Really the joy in your voice when you said “AND I WIIIIILLLL” was amazing and cute.
I will watch literally as many videos about Hollow Knight's soundtrack as you put out lmao. I love this game so much and the soundtrack is a huge part of why.
I really like the way that you highlighted the intervals (7 and 9) at 4:42. The 8 bit synth plus the whole 1357(9) chord arpeggiated/rolled was bright enough for my poor ears to actually place and recognize the intervals. Please do that more in the future!
My birthday was recently so I think I will consider this my birthday present. I love Hollow Knight.
Thank you! It's perfect!
Hauntingly well done video, I could listen to you talk about Hollow Knight for hou- OH HE'S MAKING MORE YESSSSS
Videos like these bring much needed attention to Hollow Knight's (and other video games') soundtrack, so thank you. The soundtrack is actually on Spotify too!
i wish i could experience this game for the first time again. nothing can compare to the feeling that hit me like a brick when i walked into the open part of city of tears, and really every time i listen to the soundtrack i tear up. same with greenpath and many other songs, im not even sure why, but i just cant describe the feeling it gives me. i only started playing in 2020, but i feel like i grew up with this game. it almost feels embarrassing to admit, but this is genuinely one of if not the best games ive ever played. its like i feel connected to it, even. hollow knight truly has my heart. :')
OH MY GOD
I love Hollow Knight, and I screamed when I saw the notification on Twitter.
I screamed again with the SO I WILL!
Thanks for analyzing this amazing Soundtrack, I'm eager to see the next videos ^^
Oh man!! Hollow Knight's soundtrack is truly stunning and the way all of its tracks mesh together and hearken back to the same melodies from earlier in the game is spectacular.
I'm so excited you're going to dig even more into it! I hope you get into Dung Defender and White Defender. White Defender is my favorite song from the whole game.
A famous Italian youtuber started the series a couple weeks ago. I fell in love with the OST and transcribed "dirthmouth". I Bought it yesterday and spent the night playing it and today you upload the video! that's absurd!!! :D
I haven't played Hollow Knight, but I'm sold on it now. These are brilliant soundtrack composing techniques. Thanks for digging in!
H-HOW DID I NOT SEE THIS EARLIER?!? Hollow Knight has been my GOTY so far (I got started on it late) and it sucked me in so deep, to see you analyzing the music brings me so much joy. Thank you so much!
I actually got choked up when you said "SO I WIIIIL"
This game means so much to me. It genuinely put tears in my eyes during my playthrough becuase I was awestruck at it's beauty at every turn. It really inspires me to create. To make others feel the raw emotion and passion that this game made me feel. I wouldn't hesitate to call it my favourite game artistically alone, but the gameplay is ridiculously satisfying, rewarding, and engaging. It's a masterpiece.
It's so incredible what can be done with music when it comes to storytelling and theme building. I hope to someday write compositions as beautiful as these and for that reason, I'm really glad that 8-bit takes such in-depth looks at pieces like these so that people like me can learn and take notes. Keep up the awesome work 8-bit Music Theory!
HOLY SHIT PARTS 2 AND 3???
fuck this channel only gets better
Loved the video. Hollow Knight has a great soundtrack. Thanks for covering
11:32 made me so excited. Love this game so much and can't wait to see more videos about its soundtrack. City of Tears and Crystal Peak are my favorite tracks but they're all sooo good.
When I was watching the video I was thinking, "Man, I could listen to this guy talk about this game forever," and I was so happy to hear you're doing more videos on it! :D
OMG, I only recently found this channel. Not only is it chock full of interesting and useful composition ideas, but you're covering the music of my favourite game of the last decade. Bliss.
Returning to the Greenpath with the Crystal Power was one of the most memorable parts of the game for me
I was "Oh well, too bad he didn't analise the Hornet battle" when the video was finishing and then BUM! 2 more episodes! Man, made me so happy. Thank you so much! Looking forward to it.
It's like the composer watched your video on how to write ambiance like David Wise!
*Sees a new 8-bit music theory video*
Me: ooh that’s good
*sees it’s about Hollow Knight*
Me: ooh that’s VERY good
*sees it analyzes City of Tears*
Me: YAAAAASSSS
*Finds out that he is doing a full month of Hollow Knight*
Me: OHHHH H*******CK YEEEAAAAHHHH
GREAT video!! Hollow knight is one of my all-time favorites. The moment the oasis heal pool theme started playing, it instantly made me feel warm and safe... what an atmospheric soundtrack all around!
YES! I've been waiting for you to finally make a video on Hollow Knight, and then there's going to be two more? Honestly, go nuts. If you wanna keep talking about the score for more than two videos, I'd be down. Even if they're not consecutive, I love this game too much to not appreciate any gratuitous gushing over the OST. c:
Can't wait to see more of this. I got Hollow Knight as a Christmas gift from a friend and fell it love with it. The gameplay, the setting and art direction, and most especially the muaic.
can you imagine how godly it would be to hear a live orchestra play the music from hollow knight, christopher larkin reALLY outdid himself, the music is incredible
Just like this channel, I randomly stumbled across the game. And wow I am glad I did. This game is very underrated, but it makes me happy that it exists and those that know about it LOVE IT.
Suuuuuper stoked to hear what you announced at the end. Right before the video was coming to an end, I was like, "I really hope I can find another channel that talks more abou-- Oh snap!"
Lookin forward to it my dude.
I want nothing more than an analysis of the stacking layers in the path of pain that would be incredible.
I am thrilled, THRILLED that you are doing this game. I could not be happier, and I cannot wait for the next few videos.
and please do talk about Hollow Knight for a month, your excitement just made me feel happy because I want to (try to) geek out this soundtrack as well
My personal favorite example of a leitmotif in Hollow Knight is the connection drawn between the themes of the vessels in the game, specifically between the Birthplace theme and the second half of Sealed Vessel. I love that someone else has such a passion for the music of games.
Man. This soundtrack really shows how complex you make make something simple sound. Just one thing in the middle and the bass and stuff on top could really change the chord. Man there is some good composers out there, no wonder it's a competitive field ahahh.
I love the electronics playing the music that you’re talking about before you show us the actual phrase
The whole time you were talking I was thinking to myself I wish he would cover all the other great parts of this soundtrack and broke into the biggest smile when you said you would :D :D :D :D :D
This game was amazing to say the absolute least!
Also, this channel gives me life.... Thanks a ton!
Up until recently I've always watched your videos yet grasped only the tip of the surface of what you're talking about.
After about a year or a bit more, and some time self-studying, with this video I have realized that I can actually kind of follow your rhythm now and I feel so happy about that.
Green Path Music is so mesmerizing. So beautiful. everything I play I just stand there to hear the music
I just listened to all your Hollow Knight videos and I could have done with 10 more. They were fascinating!
I am finishing my second playthrough in a row on this game and I completely agree that the tone is the most compelling thing about it. They give you very little to go on in regards to context and I don’t need to discuss the difficulty but damn the theme of tragedy and grief that perpetuates the game makes you want to keep playing. Thanks so much for these videos man, I really enjoyed this.
Open chords and colorful jazz chord tones help give a deeper and more sophisticated atmosphere while at the same time, keeps it free flowing. This is one of the many wonderful things I love about VGM.
“AND I WIIIIIIIIIIILL!!!”
I don’t think I’ve ever heard you yell before, you made me laugh
I was hoping you'd touch on Hollow Knight one day, and I thought you'd make it a short one about its use of leit motif but instead you made it a lengthy detailed video that delighted and interested me. Thank you for always fueling my love of video games and informing my music major studies with stuff I can follow!
The soul sanctum part gave me ptsd from making a grueling trek back their after dying to the soul master time and time again
great video
great vid! something i feel like you would like to know is that in the game the radiance and nightmare king grimm are implied to be opposites of eachother, dreams and nightmares. and there are actually musical motifs that carry from the radiance track to the nightmare king track! The fact that christopher larken has such a understanding of this world makes his soundtrack fit in perfectly with the game. plus the dissonance in the second half of nightmare king between the organ and choir is great!
im also an extra big fan of how this games soundtrack reacts to what is happening around you like in pikmin!
some of my fav tracks for how they tie into the world around them are hornet with the faster violins accentuating her elegant and fast fighting style, the mantis lords because of the very baroque like harpsichord to show what type of society they have, and the dung defender lighthearted brass and mallets showing off how goofy and lighthearted he is in contrast to the rest of the waterways. and thats just in boss fight music!
some of my fav area themes for how they tie in are the queens gardens, crystal peak and godhome!
i also adore the use of variations of the main theme for each of the vessels. the main theme for the knight on the title screen, the broken vessel theme, the sealed vessel, and the pure vessel!
i adore this game! hope this wasnt too long of a ramble!
Man I've only watched 2 videos of you but they're so good! I'm a singing student at a conservatoire and I started trying my hand at composing in lockdown and have been doing it ever since when I find some spare time. Just your analysis of Wintory's music gave me so much insight in how to approach stuff and now this, I am definitely going to spread these videos out so as to not get too much info at once but these are teaching me a lot as I am not a music theory nut myself. Thank you!!! Also I should definitely play some of these games!
SO EXCITED FOR THE SERIES
I absolutely adore Hollow Knight and Christopher Larkin's work
i’m doing a composition project based on ideas in hollow knight for my music theory class and these videos have been so helpful 🙏🙏
AH! Hollow Knight is so beautiful! So glad you covered it! Can't wait until SilkSong comes out
I've been waiting for this video from you for a while. Glad its finally happening.
Excellent video my friend. I absolutely adored this game, one of my top picks of all time. And as with all great games, the soundtrack is phenomenal! Thanks for your very interesting dive into it 8bit, I cant wait to watch the next couple! Keep it up!
Amazing video been looking for a video like this since Hollow Knight came out! Thank you looking forward to the next vids!
Holy shit. Thank you for 3 videos on this, I hope you do the Hollow Knight (boss) theme and the related tracks
Your channel is amazing! Media in general these days seems to shield audiences from complicated, technical analysis of any topic (film, music, art, history, science, etc etc) for fear of alienating even one single viewer. So I love that youtube connects creators who aren't afraid to get technical (like you!) to nerdy, detail-loving viewers (like me!). Thank you for what you do. I am working my way through every one of your videos.
Oh my god I love you dude. Thank you so much for doing a Hollow Knight video.
I'm happy we're getting more. I have played the game multiple times since release, and I listen to Larkin's OST a lot when I make the long drive between home and university. I also can't wait for Silksong!!!
I bought this game because of this video and I have to say, you've ruined my life in the best possible way.
I have never been more invested in a game in years and I'd have never given it a second glance if it wasn't for your analysis.
The beautiful tragedy. Every time I pass through the City of Tears I feel so many feelings.
I've fallen into a pit, and there's no getting out.
Can't thank you enough.
I just love Hornet's theme
Analyzed its motivic development a little bit
I feel super excited about your series
man, i know nothing about music, but this game is so freaking good that literally anything about it makes me feel all happy and nostalgic even though it's only been a few months since i finished it
Love your vids 8 bit - one unintentional side effect of your channel is finding out about games I’ve never heard of like this and Cuphead and buying them as a result. Maybe some sponsored content from game makers with discount codes or something in the future? You’ve helped drive sales for at least this customer.
Keep the great content up!!
How is this video 12 minutes long, it gives me the feeling of watching an amazing in depth hour video. Amazing!
gosh im so pumped on you doing this video. i knew it was coming eventually rofl
I was really excited to see that this video was on Hollow Knight! I really enjoyed your analysis and will look forward to the later parts ^^
Thank you so much for making this! I've been wanting episodes on Hollow Knight for so long and I can't wait for the next episodes! :D
Ima watch this right after I played the game, I promise, I won't miss out on your videos
Super stoked to see this. I think this is such a fantastic score, looking forward to the next videos!
I hadn't picked up the Soul Sanctum reused the City of Tears' main melody before, but that's a neat detail! It definitly helps the Soul Sanctum feel like part of the City despite the different atmospheres of both areas.
OH WOW! Your videos have been getting SO good! This was SO well done man! Congrats!
This game has been one of my most pleasent surprises in gaming. I knew nothing about it, got it “free” with PS Plus, tried it just to try it with no expectations, but then fell in love with it
that is one thing i love about the soundtrack for this game; the player's experience can change the entire message behind the music. when i first got to city of tears, for example, it hit me just how big and beautiful the world could be even in the darkness of the infection thanks in part to the music being so bright and maybe even cheerful at first. the town rejoiced at the freedom the last hollow knight gave in return for its own life. but as you explore the town, you see more of the infection. such a peaceful area wasnt safe even after finding a savior, and now the monuments to the heroes feel more like the graves they actually are with no one to pay respects and the few friendly adventurers you meet pointing out just how important the heroes of the past were. it is no longer hope that the hero monuments give, but fear and mourning that even they couldnt save the people. Accentuate the sadness with the symbolic eternal rain from blue lake above, and it is an amazing area to first experience. City of tears isnt the only place it happens, but it is one of the easiest to express in words.
Oh man this was excellent - I'm so ready for parts 2 and 3!! Excited to hear your takes on the development of the main theme :D
Well this is the first vid of yours I have watched, and ho boy it was a good one! Soul Sanctum is like possibly my fave track in the entire OST, and you made a video including a full breakdown of the track? Yeah I'm gonna be waiting for those next two episodes! (and also, watching your previous catalogue as well, I have rather neglected it until now)