The Music of Zelda's Best Ending

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  • Опубликовано: 28 июн 2024
  • ThERE I SAID IT. Tears of the Kingdom's ending sequence is unforgettable, and the music plays a huge role in making it the enormous, emotional climax that it is. Let's dive into why:
    0:00 - Overall Shape of a Musical Work
    2:08 - Ganondorf's Transformation
    7:57 - Duelling Ganondorf
    12:10 - Dragon Battle
    18:06 - Final Catch
    20:02 - Outro
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Комментарии • 577

  • @MelodicQuest
    @MelodicQuest 8 месяцев назад +759

    Big props to the developers. The ending wasn't "We stopped Ganondorf" the ending was "Zelda is safe now"

    • @crazy2542
      @crazy2542 6 месяцев назад +1

      Indeed, great pfp btw

    • @Galamoth06
      @Galamoth06 6 месяцев назад +4

      ... Isn't that the ending of most Zelda games?

    • @brycebitetti1402
      @brycebitetti1402 6 месяцев назад +38

      ​@bilbobaggins9167 Well, I'd argue that to be the case in Skyward Sword and Breath of the Wild, but I think Tears of the Kingdom is by far the best as _selling_ that emotional throughline, and I think it's mostly owed to that final fall sequence.
      Giving the player control to have them catch Zelda immediately makes the event feel so much more impactful, and in a manner that I think is a cut above most scripted, unfailable set pieces like this. Giving the player the same skydiving controls that they've used the entire game helps mask the fact that their actions are incredibly limited. Whereas the rest of the BOTW-era games are pretty sloppy at truly connecting the player to the game world through Link, I think that this moment is an overwhelming success and by far the best ending moment for the series.

    • @Galamoth06
      @Galamoth06 6 месяцев назад

      @@brycebitetti1402 I get what you mean, I just meant "Zelda is safe now" is how the vast majority of the games end. All of them except Link's Awakening, Majora's Mask, and I was going to say the Oracle games, but then I remembered she shows up and needs saving in those as well if they're linked.
      I still feel like reversing her supposedly permanent transformation at the end of TotK with very little explanation was a bit disappointing, almost kind of a rug pull. You spend all this time mulling over the repercussions of her decision and what it might mean going forward, only for it to end up not really mattering. But that's just me.

    • @YoutubePizzer
      @YoutubePizzer 4 месяца назад +4

      it’s like they took what they learned from trying to do the BOTW ending and executed it like 400x better

  • @mitwhitgaming7722
    @mitwhitgaming7722 8 месяцев назад +1231

    Dude, almost all of the music in this game had me tearing up. From the haunting theme of the abandoned Rito village, to the reveal of what happened to Zelda.

    • @HyrubatoMusic
      @HyrubatoMusic 8 месяцев назад +31

      This! I hope he'll make more videos about the soundtrack... Frozen Rito Village is incredible. The Fi's theme reference during the memory where Zelda gets the master sword ... chills

    • @Sunny-tu5ox
      @Sunny-tu5ox 8 месяцев назад +13

      The moment Zelda's Lullaby hits during the key-change in the dive sequence made me ball crying now as I watched the fckn video on it GOD this is Top 2 Games of All Time and she ISNT #2

    • @twixchexmix
      @twixchexmix 8 месяцев назад +2

      same here, the way this game and especially its music manages to tie in references from previous games while making it feel so much more than just a reference is absolutely incredible

    • @ceruleanvoice3538
      @ceruleanvoice3538 8 месяцев назад +5

      How about the inherently tragic and somber track of the Construct Factory. The melody bleeds sadness but also a quiet hope that one day it just may function again.

    • @anewhero1216
      @anewhero1216 8 месяцев назад +1

      Few things in any video game have ever left me with a lingering feeling of "Oh no, what are we gonna be able to do about that?!" than discovering what happened to Zelda lol

  • @chasingarumour
    @chasingarumour 8 месяцев назад +779

    The best part for me was descending into the Gloom Lair and the music slowly getting more intense... until you finally drop down the massive hollow and find Zelda's torch from the start of the game.

    • @noradosmith
      @noradosmith 8 месяцев назад +27

      That's possibly my favourite ever zelda piece of music. It's incredible.

    • @chasingarumour
      @chasingarumour 8 месяцев назад +2

      @@noradosmith I'd have to agree with you, it gives me chills.

    • @ANZEMusic
      @ANZEMusic 8 месяцев назад +19

      YES. I will never forget the feeling of absolute dread and morbid curiosity the music evoked the entire way down

    • @timbutler9170
      @timbutler9170 8 месяцев назад +7

      Gloom Lair decent was epic. I'll replay just that part.

    • @illuminate4
      @illuminate4 7 месяцев назад +4

      my favorite was the part where as you go underground headed toward ganondorf, the battle music when an enemy spots you gets HEAVY

  • @jastahl
    @jastahl 8 месяцев назад +567

    I also love in the final skydiving section the judicious use of single hand claps - a sound you can only produce by two hands connecting with each other. It’s a brilliant choice of instrumentation.

    • @christopherlocke
      @christopherlocke 8 месяцев назад +30

      Whoa, you just blew my mind!

    • @mickaelperrier6379
      @mickaelperrier6379 7 месяцев назад +6

      Dude. Mind blown.

    • @zeldafreak2232
      @zeldafreak2232 7 месяцев назад +6

      I choked on my sandwich reading this. No way!

    • @RmationYT
      @RmationYT 7 месяцев назад +5

      WAIT WHAT I JUST REALIZED HOLY CRAP

    • @Moderrnclassic
      @Moderrnclassic 6 месяцев назад +5

      Magnificent way of breaking it down. Thank you for sharing with us. What a revelation.

  • @elrichardo1337
    @elrichardo1337 8 месяцев назад +487

    a few things to add:
    - the choir falling out of tune as ganondorf’s boss subtitle is revealed
    - the slow burn of phase 1 eventually building to those chaotic, disjointed string/choir back and forths
    - the botw main theme being quoted in phase 2a (when the sages arrive)
    - the calamity ganon theme being quoted verbatim in phase 2b
    - the descending 3rd into ascending 5th motif (which appears all over the rest of the game) coming straight from the very end of botw
    - the entirety of gloom's approach!!!

    • @hadenplouffe3976
      @hadenplouffe3976 8 месяцев назад +18

      Additionally - the last notes of the piano arpeggios in the final phase of the Dragon battle are the first two notes of Zelda's lullaby as we've heard throughout the prior section

    • @facilityhues
      @facilityhues 4 месяца назад +2

      I love how BOTW's theme is continually referenced. It is as if to say that before you were alone, but now you don't have to be. In TOTK, Link has people in his corner, and he doesn't have to be afraid of being on his own

  • @fasanov123
    @fasanov123 8 месяцев назад +596

    FINALLY someone is talking about this. As a film and game composer, I think it was a genius way to program the music that maximizes the impact of the ending. It ties together both games perfectly and creates such an emotional and powerful moment for every player no matter how they play. They do this with the intro too and a few other sequences throughout the game. Nintendo knows how to do music!

    • @Moderrnclassic
      @Moderrnclassic 6 месяцев назад +1

      Yes. Massive Agree. Nintendo does know how to do music. 1,000,000%

  • @fatalis-quest1709
    @fatalis-quest1709 8 месяцев назад +308

    I love how they use Calamity Ganon's theme for the last portion of the Ganondorf fight. That theme, which was basically Ganon's theme in BotW, is nowhere to be found in TotK until that point. I thought they had just forgotten about it, which made me sad as I thought it was a great theme, until they suddenly blast it in your face at the peak of the fight to remind you (and especially Link) that this is the man responsible for the destruction of Hyrule 100 years before and basically everything that happened in BotW.

    • @mattsage5574
      @mattsage5574 8 месяцев назад +32

      My favorite part of that reminder is that it's not the focal point of the entire arrangement. That suggests that all of your struggles over the course of the past 2 games, 100+ in-game years, 7 real world years, was just a small portion of his time spent destroying and conquering. It feels like he's using his music to rub in just how insignificant you are.

  • @headfullofdreams6083
    @headfullofdreams6083 8 месяцев назад +69

    You know the music is good when the analysis makes you tear up

  • @nshady16
    @nshady16 8 месяцев назад +366

    It is impossible to listen to this music and not well up. It’s ‘lump in your throat’ good. What a great ending to a great game.

    • @LevelUpWellness
      @LevelUpWellness 8 месяцев назад +11

      Exactly. I knew from the moment I clicked on this video I would have some tears stream from my eyes listening. Literally has become my favorite game of all time; no contest for me at least.

    • @Nanoqtran
      @Nanoqtran 8 месяцев назад +11

      @@LevelUpWellness It's funny. I haven't even been thought the video and I'm getting the "lump in your throat" just recalling the music.

    • @LevelUpWellness
      @LevelUpWellness 8 месяцев назад

      @@Nanoqtran Sounds like a familiar experience 😜

    • @corrinflakes9659
      @corrinflakes9659 8 месяцев назад +1

      I think that’s why they called it “choked up” when getting emotional.
      Then there’s Xenoblade 3, crying and whimpering at that scene. MonolithSoft only chooses good projects (these days).

    • @NuiYabuko
      @NuiYabuko 8 месяцев назад

      ​@@corrinflakes9659 XC3 was a major disappointment to me. The premise was great, but the actual implementation left a lot to be desired.

  • @jacksonlovesnintendo
    @jacksonlovesnintendo 8 месяцев назад +214

    I will absolutely cherish Tears of the Kingdom and its beyond ethereal finale forever. I have never felt so utterly captivated by any medium before. Everything from the descent into the deepest parts of the Depths, the cooperative fights with your allies, the absolutely brilliant sword duel with Ganondorf, the mind-blowingly high-production and sheer grandiose of the dragon phase, and the emotional climax with catching Zelda. Seriously this game was crafted by masters of the gaming craft and offers an experience unlike any other.

    • @DATskorge
      @DATskorge 8 месяцев назад +18

      It's so genuinely magical. I envy my friend who is playing for the first time and totally unaware of what is coming.

    • @speedude0164
      @speedude0164 5 месяцев назад +4

      Best ending I've ever played in a video game without a doubt. I get that Tears of the Kingdom isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I'll never understand how people can say it was bad and lazy when things like this exist. Everything from the descent to Gloom's Origin to that final quest completion marker is designed with so much love and care.

    • @HungryWarden
      @HungryWarden 9 дней назад

      I especially LOVE the part where Zelda magically turns back because of the deus ex machina.

  • @OhadLutzky
    @OhadLutzky 8 месяцев назад +111

    I would argue that you omitted (perhaps for brevity) the best/worst part of the final boss: The descent. all the way from Gloom's Approach, is so incredibly menacing.

    • @sierranicholes6712
      @sierranicholes6712 8 месяцев назад +14

      i was so scared, i had to keep pausing and taking a minute to calm down. the music was just so ominous, it really felt like something horrifying was about to be waiting for me

    • @a_plastic_bag
      @a_plastic_bag 4 месяца назад +3

      Yes! The panicked violin trills (not sure what they’re called). The piano chord that strikes as you enter the Forgotten Foundation and its theme starts playing again with the reversed vocals. The chanting voices building and the reversed vocals fading away as you reach the chamber where Ganondorf was once imprisoned, now a deep chasm.
      And how, as you walk towards the ledge above Gloom’s Lair, the music builds and builds, and the reversed vocals return with urgency, sounding almost panicked. How, as you dive off the platform, the music _crescendos,_ driving home that feeling of finality, that there’s no turning back now.

  • @perriwinkleiii5361
    @perriwinkleiii5361 8 месяцев назад +73

    The entire final hour of the game is a musical peak for the series. It's unbelievable how they managed it

  • @Mystik3eb
    @Mystik3eb 8 месяцев назад +240

    This ending was so fucking incredible. You've broken down exactly how it was done through the music. Well done.
    And why does Dragondorf explode? BECAUSE IT'S AWESOME THAT'S WHY. That was the dopest explosion I've ever seen in a game. DON'T DIMINISH THAT

    • @OhNoTheFace
      @OhNoTheFace 8 месяцев назад +27

      Had a genuine "WOAH" reaction when I saw it. Guess evil is very combustible. Also IIRC every boss has exploded so far

    • @a_plastic_bag
      @a_plastic_bag 8 месяцев назад +24

      Finally, someone mentions how awesome that explosion was!
      I do like how it did the same "light bursting out of it" thing as it did with the previous bosses, as well as the blights from BOTW, leading you to expect he'd explode in a similar way. Then he turns into an orbital death ray and fucking nukes Hyrule. The camera shake too...
      And the follow up, with Link standing on the Light Dragon, Master Sword in hand, bracing against the shock wave, as the red sky fades into a brilliant blue and the camera pans out...
      I could keep going, but long story short I *love* the ending to this game.

    • @magetsalive5162
      @magetsalive5162 8 месяцев назад +7

      It's an incarnation of evil that has most definitely consumed an entire energy source _way_ bigger than its head (even if it had a container with the ability to shrink into an easily-portable and thus consumable size).
      It's an amplifier on top of a being that was already pretty powerful, and you just destroyed the containment apparatus for its amplifier. Is it any wonder all that energy suddenly went "k bye lol" in the most violent fashion possible?

    • @beeenjammmins
      @beeenjammmins 7 месяцев назад +5

      Yeah. First thing I thought was the rings around the explosive beam looked nuclear. An intense choice considering who made the game and I believe there is some symbolism implied.

    • @aegisxor
      @aegisxor 7 месяцев назад +2

      @@beeenjammmins Absolutely, I think there are allusions both to nuclear tragedies and (potentially unintentionally?) struggles around the coronavirus pandemic

  • @deivorous-3592
    @deivorous-3592 4 месяца назад +14

    Fantastic analysis!
    18:26 Another (maybe obvious) detail is how in the Main Theme part of the Final Dive, the erhu, which has been symbolically used for dragons throughout, is no longer included now that Zelda has been turned back.

  • @lulaklaw4101
    @lulaklaw4101 2 месяца назад +6

    final battle music that uses references to past songs are the best. its like your taking all your experience, memories, and friendships to stop the ultimate obstacle.

  • @Dolphinado
    @Dolphinado 8 месяцев назад +157

    I straight up gave Tears of the Kingdom a standing ovation in my living room after the ending, and all the music underscoring the whole ending sequence is a huge part of why I did. I can’t really think of many other games that gave me chills by the end like TOTK did - and your analysis goes a long way to helping me appreciate why!

    • @Nanok1d
      @Nanok1d 8 месяцев назад +9

      I gave a standing ovation too!

    • @kamikazilucas
      @kamikazilucas 8 месяцев назад +3

      i cant even remember what the music sounded like because it was all so generic, i can remember the ending to every zelda game theme but not totk

    • @AREAlhero
      @AREAlhero 8 месяцев назад

      @@kamikazilucas sounds like you have memory problems, you should get those checked out

    • @NuiYabuko
      @NuiYabuko 8 месяцев назад +7

      ​@@kamikazilucas Generic? lol

    • @redmetalpanda9051
      @redmetalpanda9051 8 месяцев назад +4

      ​@@kamikazilucasits okay. Its because they do borrow motifs from their most popular songs and because they shifted to a more atmospheric style, which is less catchy but more emotionally fitted to the game.

  • @asetto15
    @asetto15 8 месяцев назад +100

    This ending music? Masterpiece. Your analysis of the ending music? Masterpiece. Masterpieces all around. Phenomenal job. I'm not crying, you're crying, shut up.

  • @TravisMic11
    @TravisMic11 8 месяцев назад +75

    Hearing zeldas lullaby come through as your falling after zelda makes me tear up everytime. So much emotion was packed into the music in this game, especially the ending

  • @acepokemontrainer1
    @acepokemontrainer1 3 месяца назад +10

    That catch sequence, especially when the sun comes into view as Link reaches out for Zelda... pure art.

    • @HungryWarden
      @HungryWarden 9 дней назад

      I didn’t care for it that much.

  • @sanityismadness
    @sanityismadness 8 месяцев назад +40

    I am so glad you covered this. I could not stop listening to the music during the last catch sequence. Zelda's Lullaby soaring in and then the main theme crying out triumphantly... it felt like the climax of not just Tears of the Kingdom, but all of Zelda.

    • @kagunslinger767
      @kagunslinger767 8 месяцев назад +8

      "it felt like the climax of not just Tears of the Kingdom, but all of Zelda" < that's exactly how i felt it too.
      And when you've been playing and loving LoZ for 25 years now, that ending is the ultimate catharsis. Still shaking and tearing everytime I listen to it, 2 months after finishing the game. Incredible.

    • @RealCFZ
      @RealCFZ 7 месяцев назад +6

      If you think about the games. The timeline starts with Skyward Sword where Link see a vision of him and Zelda falling to the surface, they both tried to reach each other, but it was too late. And now it ends with Link and Zelda falling to the surface, but this time they finally reunited. The music does feel like a way to celebrate the franchise.

  • @JPBrooksLive
    @JPBrooksLive 8 месяцев назад +60

    I love this game so much. The music was so great- and the foreshadowing of one of the VERY FIRST trailers ending with an er-hu playing Zelda's Lullaby is one of the most emotional musical developments I've ever experienced.

  • @eneekmot
    @eneekmot 8 месяцев назад +13

    My favorite part is the *clap* in the soundtrack at the very end when you catch her. Great review, and I'm glad you mentioned the dynamic parts of the soundtrack that change based on gameplay.

  • @TheFinRainbow
    @TheFinRainbow 2 месяца назад +4

    Totk has a way to just evoke emotions like no game ive played. The slow terror of descending into ganondorf's lair, the sense of freedom while skydiving, the OH FUCK OH SHIT when the gloom hands start attacking out of nowhere while you were collecting apples for your horse. Perfection

    • @HungryWarden
      @HungryWarden 9 дней назад

      Breath of the Wild was better though.

  • @supahmonga47
    @supahmonga47 7 месяцев назад +3

    With a lot of discourse on how this game is artistically a homage to Hayao Miyazake’s universes, have folks noticed how the final boss theme and dragondorf theme could very well be nods to The Demon God theme from Mononoke and Dragon Boy theme, respectively?

  • @Zapdos0145
    @Zapdos0145 8 месяцев назад +85

    tears of the kingdom actually made me close to tears. like no jokes no puns i find that very satisfying.

    • @soonerfan4321
      @soonerfan4321 8 месяцев назад +7

      I teared up when I heard the original overworld theme. Not ashamed to admit that. Using it right there was just the master stroke of the music in this game

  • @tactical_slime4608
    @tactical_slime4608 6 месяцев назад +8

    The music engine they are using is amazing. The way the transitions only occur during specific parts of a track makes it really seamless. One intresting example in the phase 2 dragon fight, the 1st phase track plays normally until the correct time for phase 2 transition. But also sometimes if the phase 1 track is far away, it goes straight to the 2nd phase transition after a measure

  • @Majorata
    @Majorata 7 месяцев назад +3

    If it helps not take you out of it next time you see it-all the bosses created by Ganondorf's dark tear explode. And they also leak the same reddish light beams prior to the explosion. Dragodorf's explosion is much larger, and I guess maybe still a bit silly, but not out of the ordinary for TotK bosses

  • @Florent-yy3pd
    @Florent-yy3pd 8 месяцев назад +24

    18:53 What I especially love about this one is that Zelda's Lullaby is already an emotionnal motif by itself at that point, but the upper key change just brings that dose of TRIUMPH to it, it's like the music is yelling "OMG GIRL YOUR PLAN WORKED I'M SO PROUD NOW COME BACK TO US"

  • @twoworldwars4633
    @twoworldwars4633 8 месяцев назад +25

    I love the Ganondorf reveal. Every time I watch it and rewatch it, I always get a big fat smile on my face because it’s just so cool. Probably top 10 of my favorite boss fights ever

  • @noncrediblecase341
    @noncrediblecase341 8 месяцев назад +24

    I believe the ending of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will be heralded as one of the greatest video game endings of all time, and it wouldn't have come anywhere near that distinction if it wasn't for all the music.

    • @chunkymonkey7983
      @chunkymonkey7983 7 месяцев назад +4

      Facts bro. The credits alone were so amazing because of the music.

    • @HungryWarden
      @HungryWarden 9 дней назад

      It pulls a deus ex machina, which automatically makes it one of the worst endings.

  • @LevelUpWellness
    @LevelUpWellness 8 месяцев назад +36

    What an absolute treat of a video! I think I’m not alone in saying we would like more TOTK videos if possible. This game and it’s music are so moving the whole way through!

  • @Gambledore35
    @Gambledore35 8 месяцев назад +16

    Dear 8-Bit Music Theory- Guy, your wish is my command: I can´t express enough how impressed I am by your analysises. I am a teacher for music on secondary school (college) and I often use your videos in my classes and damn, you would give a fantastic teacher!! I consider myself to notice a lot of stuff, that is going on, while I listen to music, but you bring this to a whole other level. The way you transcribe the music, your didactic skills...this is top notch. And on top of that, I really become emotional, especially when you talk about the music in Zelda games. Zelda is one reason, why I began to play the piano, when I was 10 years old: the little ocarina melodies in Ocarina of time. In the meantime, I felt, that this music was special, but of course I never knew why. Your videos make me somehow connect to my younger "me", when I was 10 years old. A big thank you goes out to you!!

  • @gavinleepermusic
    @gavinleepermusic 7 месяцев назад +4

    13:43 I’d also point out that the 8th note strings ostinato here is the same one that kicks off the trailer music. The number of references to other pieces in ToTK and BoTW is truly insane!

  • @alphagators64
    @alphagators64 4 месяца назад +3

    You’re doing so well at DESCRIBING music. Statements like “The game’s main theme kicks down your door” 18:27 make me say “Yes! Yes! That’s it! THAT’S the feeling!” Well done!

  • @alinkbetweengames4328
    @alinkbetweengames4328 8 месяцев назад +8

    I bet it was extremely hard to cut this video down to 20 minutes. Honestly, it could have easily been 40 minutes, between the Army section, the cutscenes between the two bosses, all the sections of "Demon King Ganondorf" you didn't talk about, and the crazy stuff going on with the orchestration (this is one of the rare games that made me wish VGM composers published full scores like film composers). Thank you so much for your great analysis.

  • @ianlarsen3920
    @ianlarsen3920 8 месяцев назад +8

    Thank you for validating what makes this entire sequence the best climax of a Zelda game. The very final battle theme is probably my favorite track in the whole game. In fact, many of my favorite songs from the game are contained just within this climax sequence. It's very cathartic to see you cover all that content in this video. I'm so glad I'm subscribed to this channel.

  • @pilby457
    @pilby457 8 месяцев назад +12

    I love the musical redesign they made for Ganondorf. Featuring Gagaku instruments like the Sho from japanese tradition really made him feel like the oni demon they made him out to be. It's reflected in his weapon choices and the way his second form looks

  • @HyrubatoMusic
    @HyrubatoMusic 8 месяцев назад +18

    I saw this, and had a feeling what game it was going to be about. I immediatly clicked. I was waiting and hoping for a totk video! Hopefully there'll be more!

    • @phoenix9531
      @phoenix9531 8 месяцев назад +1

      I dont know if you have a different thumbnail than I do as is sometimes the case, but on mine its literally the totk scene in the thumbnail so yeah... Prett obvious.

    • @HyrubatoMusic
      @HyrubatoMusic 8 месяцев назад +5

      @@phoenix9531 Yeah it is, but I first saw the notification of the video on my phone, which doesn't show the thumbnail, just the title... I immediatly went to my laptop anticipating it'd be about totk

  • @OnlyNeedJuan
    @OnlyNeedJuan 8 месяцев назад +6

    I also wanna point out the approach to ganondorf, genuinely it might be one of my favorite "approacing the evil bad guy" pieces ever, it starts out slow, absent but very similar to the start of the game, and then just keeps on building in intensity alongside your nerves, it made my heart pound the first time around, genuinely amazing.

  • @kylebricker9505
    @kylebricker9505 8 месяцев назад +3

    The real tears of the kingdom were those the players cried during this ending

  • @caydengarvey657
    @caydengarvey657 8 месяцев назад +5

    At 15:02 after the Zeldas Lullaby repeats, the countermelody becomes the BotW theme on low brass.
    Even furthering the emotional payoff.

  • @DaenGaming
    @DaenGaming 8 месяцев назад +5

    The sages coming in at 10:35 was so beautiful, it reminded me of Ori's music

    • @thijsvos1852
      @thijsvos1852 8 месяцев назад

      It does sound simillar!

  • @fathead1616
    @fathead1616 8 месяцев назад +8

    I feel like I'm going to watch this video every month for the rest of my life. What a perfect summation of the absolute epic amazing ending to a masterpiece game.

  • @anthonybrooks291
    @anthonybrooks291 8 месяцев назад +22

    Honestly TotK had probably my favorite ending of ANY video game. The build up of tension, release, the grandiose nature, the anticipation, all fantastic! And I think the music plays a huge role in it! Thank you so much for breaking this down. I was getting emotional just listening and relieving the epic moments! It's nice hearing the music and effort everyone put into making this such a wonderful game! Can NOT wait for the game awards rendition of the music from this game!

  • @Gameboy-kl8br
    @Gameboy-kl8br 7 месяцев назад +2

    The explosion thing I felt was established with every other boss exploding throughout the game. Probably chalk that up to their weakened physical forms no longer being able to sustain the surplus of malevolent energy he infused them with. At that point as Dragondorf- which is a fantastic way of calling it- I was eagerly awaiting the moment, "Oh! Oh! Oh! Wait, will it explode too? It's really big though... good thing we're so high in the sky. Wow, everyone in Hyrule could probably-" _nuclear detonation_ "OH GOD THEY DEFINITELY SAW THAT! Ah, I hope that didn't kill anybody..."

  • @brendensmith3083
    @brendensmith3083 8 месяцев назад +7

    There are more musical theme borrowings in the final boss than the ones mentioned! Ganondorf's third phase, with the two extremely fast dissonant lines, is using the Blight theme from Breath of the Wild on the bottom. A different part of that theme is used as the melody later on.
    The second phase of the dragon fight, the Sages' entrance, Ganon's death, and the end of the epilogue all include the start of Breath of the Wild's theme. The Sages' entrance might also include the start of Silent Princess, but those notes are actually pretty similar to a part of the Tears of the Kingdom theme...

  • @DizzyEyes94
    @DizzyEyes94 8 месяцев назад +13

    I SCREAMED when I saw this in my sub box. This game gave me so much unrivalled emotional payoff in so many ways and this whole section of music really exemplifies everything they did right with Tears of the Kingdom.

    • @HungryWarden
      @HungryWarden 9 дней назад

      Which is not very many things.

  • @TheKeybladeKeeper
    @TheKeybladeKeeper 5 месяцев назад +3

    9 months later hearing the themes still bring me to tears

  • @ryanm.6536
    @ryanm.6536 Месяц назад +2

    I absolutely love how sparingly the game uses the "familiar" themes, like the original LoZ theme. It sets up a level of anticipation and catharsis that I haven't seen in any other series before. It feels like a reward, being able to hear them, and MAN do those moments have a ton of weight because of it.

  • @molgeraxproductions6671
    @molgeraxproductions6671 8 месяцев назад +2

    THANK YOU, even though you didn't talk about it, the fact you sprinkled in the different phases of "Gloom's Approach / Lair" in there as background music was so nice. I have been playing that track with all its transitions way too much this past week, because I love just the slow burning anticipation it builds. Anticipation to watching this video, perhaps, and damn was it worth it.

  • @DonJBartlett
    @DonJBartlett 8 месяцев назад +3

    Man, your ears are so refined to capture the minutiae in your transcriptions. Was in tears for the whole second half of the video, thanks for your hard work. 🙏

  • @missteriouskitty
    @missteriouskitty 8 месяцев назад +3

    I got goosebumps watching this vid - even hearing the music in snippets coupled with your voiceovers, it STILL gets me. That's how powerful this score is! Truly master class composing.
    Thanks for breaking it down like this!

  • @beeenjammmins
    @beeenjammmins 7 месяцев назад +1

    RUclips knew I beat ganon last night apparently. Great video. I think speed, like range, can add intensity at the extremes, both fast and slow

  • @shock6228
    @shock6228 8 месяцев назад +2

    This is perhaps my new favourite video out there, you explained it in so much detail and with such good extracts that I did not see the 20 minutes go by at all. This game is so fricking awesome and you definitely more than honored it. Huge congrats!

  • @gavinleepermusic
    @gavinleepermusic 7 месяцев назад +3

    Great video as always 8bit! I’d also add at 12:05 that we also hear the BoTW theme for each of the “Blight Ganons” and to my knowledge, this is the only time it’s used in the ToTK ost. They say on that one for quite awhile before finally unleashing it!

  • @A_Doguin_approaches
    @A_Doguin_approaches 8 месяцев назад +2

    Wonderful video. Always feel like I learn something from your work. That was especially true from this coverage of Tears of the Kingdom. Really appreciate the effort you put into this.

  • @liraco_mx
    @liraco_mx 7 месяцев назад +1

    "Kicks down your door" & that Patreon ending. 😂 Great analysis, editing, and writing.

  • @rchlclr
    @rchlclr Месяц назад +3

    Just beat Tears of the Kingdom last night, I have been waiting six months to be able to watch this video and I am so excited!!!!

  • @robingunnarsson6412
    @robingunnarsson6412 8 месяцев назад

    I can't believe how well reflected and well researched these videos are. Thank you!

  • @jamesisa7689
    @jamesisa7689 4 месяца назад +1

    This video was put together so well, it's safe to say I learnt something , thank you.

  • @dustinbragg1921
    @dustinbragg1921 Месяц назад +2

    That final catch track is just so great narratively. The Main Theme at the start is blaring at us that this is a time for action, you have to _do something._ *1*
    The transition to Zelda's Lullaby emphasizes why, because it's _Zelda,_ right there, _just like when you failed her before._ *2*
    And the resolution to the LoZ Series Theme denotes the difference from then. It's different because you are Link, you are _The Hero,_ and this time you are going to *save her.* And you do. *3*
    *1* -> *2* -> *3*
    It's about the _situation,_ to it's about striving for _her,_ to it's about _you_ finally redeeming your failure and triumphant.

  • @mrister24
    @mrister24 8 месяцев назад +2

    I really liked how they weaved in the arpeggiated piano of the Skydiving theme over the top of the main theme @18:37, really nice way of tying things together from your journey at the end

  • @adriansteglinski
    @adriansteglinski 8 месяцев назад

    I was WAITING for this video for sooooooo long. THANKS!

  • @guccipoochie2328
    @guccipoochie2328 8 месяцев назад

    The final battle music was so good and I was able to notice so many amazing details in the song, I’m so glad you’re sharing the music and it’s complexities with everyone, you guys did such a good job on this video!!! aaaaa

  • @manlychaan
    @manlychaan 7 месяцев назад +1

    This is the first video of yours I've seen and its incredible. Thank you RUclips algorithm, I have a new channel to binge. Keep up the great work man 💚

  • @AubriGryphon
    @AubriGryphon 8 месяцев назад +3

    I wonder if low notes are more intense because that's the range of animal growling, and while it's not immediately alarming like the sound of a baby's cry, you instinctively focus and get more alert.

  • @Brando853
    @Brando853 8 месяцев назад

    Thank you, such a brilliant video, loved it!

  • @meaansel
    @meaansel 7 месяцев назад +1

    Coming back several weeks later to say that your explanations for making a musical climax were so clear that I found myself analyzing music during a movie! Thank you for giving me more tools for understanding music I enjoy!

  • @fdkirby
    @fdkirby 8 месяцев назад

    Thanks for making this. I was waiting TOTK content from you for and you chose what I wanted the most. The ending of this game is probably one of my favorite gaming moments ever and the music played a big part of that. Last Catch is brilliant.

  • @christopherlocke
    @christopherlocke 8 месяцев назад

    That's a lot of complex transcription that went into this video! Thanks for your hard work bringing us this content

  • @napilopez
    @napilopez 8 месяцев назад

    That's why I love this channel. I'd seen a few great analyses of different tracks toward the end of the game, but you're the only one who's made a point to highlight how the entire ending sequence comes together to be so satisfying.

  • @SoggyBagelz
    @SoggyBagelz 7 месяцев назад +1

    What an awesome video. Thanks dude

  • @Gameboy-kl8br
    @Gameboy-kl8br 7 месяцев назад +1

    Every time Zelda's Lullaby came in through out the game I felt my heart being torn in half.

  • @Squall_soft
    @Squall_soft 8 месяцев назад

    Amazing video & analysis!! Thanks!!!

  • @AndreBravoBoin
    @AndreBravoBoin 8 месяцев назад +1

    This is one of the most enthusiastic videos I've seen from you! This game is a masterpiece, a game-changer in every single way. However, definitely one of the most outstanding aspects is its music. There's a lot of detail and compositional features that could easily revolutionize the way music for games is composed.

  • @PitTan
    @PitTan 8 месяцев назад

    Finally took the time to watch this video! Exceptional analysis! Thank you for letting me experience that emotional rollercoaster ending again but now with the music analysis!
    How freaking good is Zelda music 🥹🥹🥹🥹🫶

  • @elamoreno7254
    @elamoreno7254 7 месяцев назад +1

    The Final Catch is such a genius piece of music and it makes me tear up every time!!! I love how you can also hear the Skydiving theme mixed into it as well.

  • @Lyle_Plays
    @Lyle_Plays 8 месяцев назад

    Really cool video :D thank you for sharing your nerdy analysis with the world, this is helping learn quite a lot about composing!

  • @cheychc
    @cheychc 8 месяцев назад

    this was such a great videooooo thank youuuu

  • @rctfan7
    @rctfan7 8 месяцев назад +1

    I already loved this game and it's music, but your in depth breakdowns give me a much deeper appreciation of it. I thank you.

  • @pianoplayer2147
    @pianoplayer2147 8 месяцев назад

    Wow, such a great video. I can tell you or out into words how much I love the music in this game. Thank you so so much for this video.

  • @chrisg3254
    @chrisg3254 8 месяцев назад

    Thank you so much for this video!

  • @AngelofGrace96
    @AngelofGrace96 7 месяцев назад +1

    this was really great! I absolutely adored the music from the demon dragon fight, thanks for breaking down why that was!

  • @consumeproduce
    @consumeproduce 8 месяцев назад

    freaking awesome video. thank you ❤

  • @SillyMynabird
    @SillyMynabird 8 месяцев назад

    Man, even just watching this score break-down, my check felt tight. This ending was special. Great analysis; nice work!

  • @PeterNerlich
    @PeterNerlich 8 месяцев назад

    Thank you for this interesting and informative analysis! …the patreon visualisation at the end killed me 🤣

  • @KyrEsque
    @KyrEsque 6 месяцев назад +1

    I love a lot of your videos, but this one might be my favorite.

  • @VoidTheorem
    @VoidTheorem 8 месяцев назад +1

    Bro got us tearing up then hits us with the "Why does he explode?" LMAO

  • @TheJosh9494
    @TheJosh9494 7 месяцев назад +1

    Literally crying at how amazing, beautiful, parallel this music is

  • @JoshDeng
    @JoshDeng 8 месяцев назад +1

    I was really hoping someone would do a video on this and I'm so glad it was you. That final dive hit even harder when I watched @Player 5 speedrun it - all the sections came one after another. Nintendo hit it out of the park with this cinema-worthy ending.

  • @butteredcroissant7529
    @butteredcroissant7529 Месяц назад +1

    A great video for a great game. I really loved the symbolism of clapping within that final stretch. You need two hands coming together in order to make that percussive noise, and our final act just as that sound played was to grasp Zelda's hand in Link's. Brought me to tears.

  • @s.lajoie9961
    @s.lajoie9961 4 месяца назад

    Only in my 5th watch through did I notice that you made the ding for each major point change to match the point you were making. Great stuff!

  • @Ampheon181
    @Ampheon181 8 месяцев назад +1

    The music building up in intensity as you go deeper into the depths under the castle was such an incredible moment.

  • @rafaelakira1434
    @rafaelakira1434 4 месяца назад +1

    Thank you for this

  • @mariaprocner
    @mariaprocner 8 месяцев назад

    I know almost nothing about music theory and notes, but this was so fascinating 😮 your breaking down the dragon fight and last catch theme literally gave me chills and made me emotional 😭 thank you!

  • @BoinkChess-wj2ym
    @BoinkChess-wj2ym 8 месяцев назад

    Congrats on 500K! 🎉

  • @inspectorwhoreacts
    @inspectorwhoreacts 8 месяцев назад

    This is wild timing as I've been enjoying reactions to this moment and the music is just incredible.

  • @azenar1894
    @azenar1894 8 месяцев назад +1

    Been waiting for this one, i cant wait for you to talk about Mario Wonder

  • @Argonath5K
    @Argonath5K 7 месяцев назад +1

    Safe to say we all cried a little bit watching this one. Thank you so much!

  • @makzs9626
    @makzs9626 8 месяцев назад +1

    I was Waiting for someone to do something like this! As I went to the depths on the way to ganondorf all the way to the credits it was all insane music wise I was waiting for a video like this one and I was surprised that I hadn’t seen one exactly like this in the four to five months the games been out