Fez's Multidimensional Soundtrack

Fez is an adorable indie puzzle platform game that will switches between 2D and 3D perspective in order to maneuver around the environment. The main character, Gomez, must travel around the world and collect golden cubes and cube fragments to restore order in the universe. The game has risen to critical acclaim from many different video game news outlets and has been ported to a variety of systems including PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 and 4. 

Fez's soundtrack was created by Richard Vreeland otherwise known as Disasterpeace. Disasterpeace used soft synth pads and reverb for the soundtrack to create a 80's synth vibe. He would also use bit-crushing and tap warping effect on the music to create the idea of space and time breaking during the gameplay. Disasterpeace was quoted by Kotaku saying he worked on this game at night for 13 to 14 months. After this Disasterpeace would go on to compose other games like The Floor Is Jelly and Hyper Light Drifter and the horror movie It Follows.

Fez's soundtrack much like other great video game original soundtracks are based on being super cinematic and react to players movements and location. The music on this soundtrack is very atmospheric and well fits the game vast environments and incredible artwork. I will be talking about two songs that truly show the level of atmosphere and feeling the soundtrack can make people feel. The songs are "Adventure" and "Glitch."

"Adventure" is the first song you will hear when you start into the game and it is this cheer little tune that fits how the game opens to this colorful, bright and quirky game. As you 2D platform around as Gomez in his world this music will accompany you. This song perfectly goes with the idea of not necessarily standing out in the moment as this great song, but works as a whole with what is happening on the screen to create a cinematic moment.

"Glitch" is the perfect example of what I mention previously about a song that has been distorted on purpose to invigorate the idea of time and space breaking down all around you when you are playing. This sounds in this song just sound off in slight ways, seems like parts are missing and like it skips like a vinyl record. It can sound slightly creepy and make you uneasy at times when it moves when cheery calm music to skipping and off sounding music.

I have supported Disasterpeace's music since this game came out and am excited to hear what he did for his next soundtrack for Hyper Light Drifter. If you really love the sound of synth you can find the soundtrack either on YouTube or buy it from his BandCamp page as well.