Music (Pikmin 2)
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The music of Pikmin 2 accompanies every mode of the game, from themes during gameplay to scores of cutscenes and menus, in order to provide a more engaging and focally directed experience. Generally, the textural style of the music reflects either the game's new mission from Hocotate, the organic overworld of PNF-404, or the specific visual theme of a cave; by vastly varying its unique instrumentations, register, and rhythms. During gameplay, each piece of music sets the mood for the particular environment, and adapts dynamically to what tasks Pikmin are carrying out, the identity and condition of the controlled leader, and the time of day. Some tracks even adapt specifically to the actions of bosses. Between gameplay, pre-rendered cutscenes are scored with a large orchestra, and in-game cutscenes are scored with small ensembles. In general, compared with the music of the previous game, the soundtrack of Pikmin 2 is less melodically driven, and more atmospheric, although this iteration of the game contains quite a few leitmotifs, or musical gestures that become associated with characters or ideas.
The soundtrack to Pikmin 2 was composed by Hajime Wakai. It is not an official album, unlike Pikmin Worlds. All the compositions of this game consist wholly of synthesized sounds or samples attempting to mimic real instruments. Although compared with the previous game, the technology used to mimic these instruments is more advanced and can cover a wider collection and range.
Leitmotifs
These are small gestures that reappear throughout the game suggesting ideas or setting moods.
- Hocotate Motif
Menus
As with the previous game, whether or not the menu themes of this game have strong, memorable melodies depends on how often the player will likely visit the menu. However, unlike the previous game, the melodies shine right from the beginning of the theme, rather than well into it.
The main theme of the game. An oboe now shines through with the melody adapted from the figure used in the first game's main theme, and develops it briefly. After the accompaniment dies down to a glockenspiel, the track reverts to a loop of environmental noises until attraction mode is triggered or an option is selected.
Heard while selecting a save file. This is the same track used for the save game selection in Pikmin; it still has the straight-ahead rhythm and suspended 4 harmonies that complement the idea of recording and selecting data.
Heard in the 2-Player Battle menu. This wartime-esque theme has a strong melody of fourth and fifths with fanfare-like arpeggiating trumpets to promote the imminent battle. As the theme progresses, the harmony gets more intense; from soft strings and glockenspiel, to stable horn intervals, to both plus bugling trumpets.
Heard in the Challenge Mode menu. This theme actually uses the same motif as the 2-Player Battle theme, disguised under a different rhythm in the accompaniment. Eventually the theme takes on its own identity under a new chord progression, and then the marimba becomes the center instrument for a time. Overall the register is higher and the instruments smaller; even the snare drum is a small piccolo snare. The piece keeps relatively the same intensity for its duration, as this mode is not about combat, but cooperation.
Heard in the options menu. This theme is entirely synthesized, with a melody not present until late in the track on a sine-wave-like lead (since the options menu is not likely to be frequented). Instead, most of the tune is a C drone in pad strings, an arpeggiating square wave, and quick, evolving chords on a flute-like synthesizer. This structure is a bit similar to the theme of The Forest Navel, but again, nothing in this theme is as prominent or developmental.
Heard in the high scores menu. This extremely subtle theme is a jazz waltz, complete with brushed swinging drums, a walking bass line, and a celeste playing a quaint, quiet, almost childish melody. This piece is definitely passive, but still provides a pleasant ambiance to viewing high scores.
Heard in the bonus menu of cinemas. This is a simple playful waltz played on steam calliope, an instrument that was usually reserved for circus acts or riverboats but could sometimes find itself at a theatre in the early 20th century. Eventually joined by accordion, electric bass, and a simple bass drum and snare kit, the tune becomes a sort of polka waltz. However, this polka section was probably not considered likely to be heard; not much time is spent in the Bonuses menu.
Heard in the area selection menu. This strong theme is a re-elaboration of the motifs in the main theme, mostly performed on flute. Booming contrast between the low basses, harmonies in mid-range horns and strings, and high flutes and celeste makes this one of the most orchestral loops in the game, which also earned it and the area selection theme in the first game an orchestral arrangement and performance in the "Symphonic Legends" orchestral game music concert.
Heard in the Piklopedia or treasure hoard. This quiet theme in 5/8 time signature has a low melody on fretless bass, enhancing its subtlety. As the theme goes on, the bass gets more ornamental in its style, but the piece mainly stays at one intensity level, so as not to distract from the articles to be read. This theme also contains instances of the "cymbalesque" synthesized instrument from the first game, used as complements to the harmony.
Heard after the Hocotate ship blasts off for the night and the results of the day are posted. This is the same end of day theme used in Pikmin, along with a similar background cutscene and menu. Once again, the natural environment below has been left temporarily, and as such the instrumentation changes to more synthetic pads, leads, and percussion. The piece works well as a theme to communicating with Hocotate.
Heard after a geyser is used to exit a cave. Militaristic snare drum is combined with cinematic strings and treasure-associated synthesizers to demonstrate that a mission is most certainly complete. It can either function as a celebration of victory if many treasures were salvaged, or an ironically didactic tune if the mission was aborted or if many Pikmin were lost. If the cave is completed in this menu, and the player waits for 3 minutes and 50 seconds, Totaka's song will be played in C. This only happens in the GameCube version of Pikmin 2.
Heard after 10000 Pokos have been collected. This quiet theme on celeste and pad strings is a reprise of the day results theme, as though contemplating the final day's results. Again, as this is music for viewing statistics, it has little intensity to it and mostly stays out of the way of the menu.
Heard after the story is complete. This theme begins as a regal fanfare not unlike the theme heard when the S.S. Dolphin is completely rebuilt, again signaling the end of the game. Then, as the final statistics are on screen, the fanfare dies down and resolves to the same quiet tune from the debt completion menu.
Cutscenes
The cutscenes have widely different purposes and contexts, and so their scores have many different types of instruments and moods. The pre-rendered story cinemas of the game have a Hollywood-style sampled orchestra to score them, albeit not always using the full orchestra. In-game cutscenes have smaller ensembles with more specific or esoteric sounds to capture more specific moods and to subtly control the efficacy and meaning of the Hocotate ship's monologues.
Heard during the attraction mode if the main menu is left idle long enough. Very different from the first game's attraction mode theme, this theme is simply African drums and percussion along with a modal melody on a flute and a Pikmin making small noises to the beat. The entire track has a low pass filter, probably so as not to distract from the video. But the high register of the melody and Pikmin's voice convey the scale of the pre-rendered cutscenes very well.
Heard when a new game is begun, or occasionally during attraction mode.
Areas
The Valley of Repose
The Awakening Wood
The Perplexing Pool
The Wistful Wild
Caves
Bosses
2-Player Battle
Minor jingles
Group Move & Monologue
Obstacle overcome
Pellet Posy flower