It's a public holiday here in the UK today, so I've had the day off work and the wife has had some friends over. Social anxiety permitting, I spent a little time with them, a little napping anxiously and a lot of time playing Atelier Shallie, which I'll publish the first article about over on MoeGamer tomorrow!
I've been impressed with Atelier Shallie so far. It's recognisably Atelier, but there's also a fair amount that feels significantly different to what has come before, even in the Dusk series. Probably most notable is Hayato Asano taking a lead role on the soundtrack, as he has a very distinctive sound to his work — anyone who has spent any time with Blue Reflection or Nights of Azure will attest to this.
Rather delightfully, since I absolutely adore both of those soundtracks, Atelier Shallie's score sounds like a mix of both Blue Reflection and Nights of Azure at various times — or perhaps it's more accurate to say that Blue Reflection and Nights of Azure sound like Atelier Shallie, given their respective release dates.
One of my favourite things about Asano's work is what I've come to think of as "Phantasy Star piano"; I believe I make this association because it sounds a bit like the plinkyplonky ethereal piano in Phantasy Star Online's forest zone. Listen to this… then listen to this and you'll maybe see what I mean. (Listen to this for good measure while you're on.) It certainly gives Atelier Shallie a very distinctive feel to it that I like a great deal, so I'm looking forward to the eventual "Music of Atelier" article on this one.
Anyway, 'tis late so I should get some sleep. Got some recording to do this weekend, and plenty more alchemy to get done as well! Hope you have a great Easter weekend, regardless of whether or not you'll be stuffing yourself with chocolate, and take good care of yourselves!
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