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By the time we reach the version PV, the focus shifts to Nikki's perspective, bringing the world closer and making it more personal. The music reflects distinct emotions—joy, tension, and resolve.
Our aim was for the music to guide stylists naturally from the grand, overarching world into the everyday experiences of Version 2.0—making the journey relaxed, cheerful, and yet still full of excitement. At the same time, we wanted stylists to immediately sense that "Version 2.0 is a brand-new world with a brand-new story."
Put simply:
Then, at 1:51, we introduced deep, chant-like vocals in the style of sacred hymns. To amplify the scene's solemnity, we layered a male basso profundo choir with ritualistic spoken recitations. The result is a commanding, almost overwhelming soundscape that conveys a sense of immense, irresistible power.
At 2:21, the Divine Maiden's beaded curtain falls, marking the first full climax of the piece as the main theme gradually emerges. Centered in D and blending Dorian and Phrygian modes, this section evokes the feeling of "light emerging from darkness." By 2:55, a soaring female vocal, wild yet commanding, shatters the balance and carries this ancient chapter to its dramatic close.
Bringing this piece to life was no easy feat. From its initial concept to the final version, it underwent countless revisions—many early drafts were even abandoned—before we arrived at a result we were truly happy with. These repeated reworkings stemmed from our belief that the music must harmonize perfectly with both the visuals and the gameplay. Only then could it fully support the story and immerse stylists in the world of 2.0. Crafting a musical narrative required constant experimentation, refinement, and reconstruction. The process was challenging, but seeing the overwhelmingly positive responses from everyone made every bit of effort feel completely worthwhile.
The piece opens with a gentle piano introduction, followed by a soft, slowly unfolding female vocal. Around the 36-second mark, as the Saintess and the Divine Maiden appear on screen, one ascending a staircase while the other descends, the chorus makes its first appearance. Here, we introduced a subtle musical detail: the main melody descends while a secondary instrumental line ascends, using this crossing motion to mirror the contrast in their destinies.
The Prayer: During the prayer scene, as the line "know my fate won't change" is sung, the music slowly transitions into a chant-like form. A single violin enters, evoking the sacred moment of the Divine Maiden in prayer. Viola and cello are gradually layered in, and the music's intensity continues to rise until the Saintess collapses from exhaustion. In the aftermath, everything falls silent, leaving only the sound of a single, lingering breath.
Meteor Streak & Breaking Free: Starting at 1:36, the music begins to swell with a dense, pulsating electronic rhythm, built from a Pluck-type sound commonly used in electronic tracks. The tempo gradually climbs from 92 to 105 BPM, while the layers of notes and instrumentation grow richer and more complex. This rising intensity mirrors the characters' burning desire to break free, perfectly syncing with the energy of the visuals.
When the Divine Maiden seizes the bars and shatters her constraints, the music pauses for a heartbeat. As the scene shifts to the two of them holding hands, the main melody erupts in a powerful vocal: "I hear, true call, free heart, new god, ready to shine." The instrumentation reaches its peak here, fusing seamlessly with the on-screen emotion.
The song's overall structure came together quickly, almost like drafting a script—it was crafted to guide the listener's emotional journey from beginning to end. The verses paint the lush beauty of Itzaland, drawing listeners into this vibrant, living world. The pre-chorus shifts focus from the scenery to its inhabitants, using a playful call-and-response style to capture the Shroomlings' everyday joys in different moods. The final line bursts forth with energy—"It ain't that baffling! Let's go and find out!"—sending the emotion soaring to its peak.
All of this was decided to the music team's satisfaction before we even left the brainstorming session!
We preserved the melody's original distinctive rhythm while adding more communal low-frequency percussion in the arrangement. The melody and chords were subtly adjusted, gently tempering the pure joy to better align with the lyrics, creating an Itzaland that feels vibrant and full of life, yet carries the weight of its rich history. (A later interview with Idina, along with feedback from stylists, confirmed that we had successfully conveyed this—truly rewarding!)
Of course, we didn't forget that this was Nikki's birthday celebration, so we carefully integrated the "Happy Birthday" melody into the Sea of Stars theme. Remarkably, the two melodies share the same warmth and brightness, merging together seamlessly. As Nikki's memories with her friends gather into a giant five-pointed star, the music transitions effortlessly from the Sea of Stars theme into the birthday melody, symbolizing their heartfelt wishes. The result is tender, uplifting, and full of serenity—filling Nikki with the courage to embark on her new journey of guardianship.
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