Had no idea you have a musical background.
Why on earth do you like Gaga then? (I'm just taking the piss.)
I started playing piano when I was...six or seven maybe? So I can read music and understand classical composition fairly well. Dabbled in an assortment of instruments and musical tools since, including a good stint in percussion, namely during my teens in typical garage bands. Never explored professionally. Music is something I'm trying to get back into after letting it drift from the last couple of years. Life drifted in other directions and I lost my mojo. Plus I had no space for my drumkit.
I've let Gaga go. I'm a Poppy man now.
How bad is it? Just generic game level of poor sound design, or is it actively trying to do something more and failing?
I don't really pay attention to that loathe as I am to admit it. The only game that comes to mind where they tried to do something interesting with sound is Sound Shapes, which I love.
And that disclaimer is unnecessary! They're clearly trying to make an artistic game, so it deserves to be held to a higher artistic standard. If you make a game about exploring or combat or dancing or whatever, it should at least be good at that part if nothing else.
It's just generic, in design rather than presentation. In presentation it's incredibly beautiful, abstract, and unique. The soundtrack is gorgeous, dancing too, and the aesthetically abstract and distorted environments are crazy stimulating. There's an interesting, creative story being told, too. And for those reasons I don't think it's bad.
But it's an example, at least for me, where form and function are at odds. In function it's a platformer built on standard game systems that provide little in the ways of unique integration. Jump on platforms. Tip to across thin beams. Rappel down ladders and ropes/strings. That's fine, but it's also all the game has going for it. So instead of dance being interwoven and explored as a game system, "dance" is just an animated function to activate a shield that less you pass through barriers. Beautifully animated motion and dance as you rappel down ribbons looks great, as does the ballet-like motions across thin beams, but it still serves no purpose. And is incredible as the soundtrack is, there's no cohesion with the game's dance motions. Each piece of the puzzle is organic, but the whole isn't.
I feel this was a missed opportunity for the soundtrack to resonate with the player's dance functions, in that the controlled motion and interaction with the world synchronised with the backing soundtrack. And for the interaction of dance to serve a purpose beyond simply being a fancy way to present tired old platforming mechanics.
....what have i done with my life
