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When Super Metroid arrived under my Christmas tree in the December of 1994, it quickly became one of my favorite games on the Super Nintendo. Like many others, I felt a bit of fear when Metroid Prime was announced as a first-person title. The previous entry had meant so much to me, and I was worried about how the change in perspective would be pulled off. It didn’t take very long for those fears to dissipate. While Prime started to impress me early on, it wasn’t until I reached Phendrana Drifts that I realized that the game had achieved something far greater than I had expected. As the snow gently fell and touched down on Samus’ visor, and that song started to play, I knew that Retro Studios had made the right decision to make the game in first-person. They had crafted a masterpiece.
If there’s one word to describe the Phendrana Drifts theme, it’s atmospheric. The theme from Phendrana Drifts perfectly evokes the snowy setting, and that was even more apparent when the game released in the winter of 2002. There’s something inherently peaceful about an area freshly covered in snow, and the start of this track captures that feeling with a slow and quiet start. However, as the track continues on, it builds to a bit of tension, as though reminding players of the dangers that still exist in the area, and throughout the rest of Tallon IV.
This month, Nintendojo will be covering some of our favorite winter-themed tracks. What are some of the tracks that you associate with snow and winter? As always, let us know in the comments below! Perhaps we’ll even devote a track of the week to it!
I have to say, I’ve really been enjoying this feature since you guys started it. I especially love that you used Aquatic Ambiance a few weeks back.
In the same vein, since you asked for a winter-themed track, I would have to say Northern Hemispheres from Donkey Kong Country. By the twenty second mark, I am already feeling soothed.
Thanks for the kind words, Toadlord! When we first started doing Track of the Week, I pretty much begged Kevin to let me handle Aquatic Ambiance and Phendrana Drifts. I have to agree with you, this feature has quickly become one of my personal favorites to read, and I think the rest of the staff will agree that it’s just as much fun to write, as well!
And perhaps we’ll end up covering that track you suggested, too!