Chiptune Album Review - Souleye's "Adventure"

About a month ago, Magnus "Souleye" Pålsson released his album Adventure. If the name doesn't strike a bell, he should be well known as the composer of VVVVVV. As a short review, that should be enough reason for you to purchase it immediately, because it has more of that outstanding style of chiptune music which channels the Commodore 64 SID chip while sounding both cleaner and with more compositional depth.

Adventure isn't an album for any specific game, but rather a compilation of various works. Much of it is remixes for a rhythm game called Pulsen, which I haven't played. A number of VVVVVV's tracks appear remixed here, including one of the versions that was added especially for the 3DS port. While I'd generally prefer new music, the new arrangements are very well done, often expanding the songs, adding layers or kicking up the tempo. Some songs have changed significantly, like Pressure Cooker, and I think I might actually like this version of Predestined Fate a little more than the one in the game. It also includes the two new songs that were added to the V2.0, Paced Energy and Piercing the Sky, which aren't as well known because they're only heard in the level editor or user levels, but are still two completely excellent songs.

The rest is a handful of shorter tracks and bits that have appeared on other compilation albums. Some are original, others are arrangements, like a song from Super Meat Boy, as well as a rendition of the Zelda II battle theme, whose orchestral theme doesn't quite match the chiptune sound of the rest of the album, but is a good piece nonetheless. My favorite piece of these is Phat Flying Duck, which is from Bitejacker, and is easily as good as any of the tracks found in VVVVVV.

Reiterating what was said in the intro, if you're even remotely a fan of chiptunes, Adventure is an absolutely essential purchase. It's available in digital format on Souleye's site for $10 as a digital download, or $10 plus shipping for a CD copy. The full breakdown of tracks is available at VGMDB.