Dwelling of Duels: Free Month (2025-03)

It’s been a while, DoD! I’m sorry I haven’t been able to post reviews on every month, but the dust has finally settled for me in real life.

Just in case you bump into this lacking context, remember that Dwelling of Duels is a monthly video game music competition, where artists compete anonymously (hence the “anon” credit in each track). The community attends a listening party and has about 3 days to vote in order to determine a ranking for the entries. Each month has a particular theme, often dedicated to a specific franchise, composer or concept.

February however, saw the first “free” month of the year, where any VGM was eligible to cover. As such, we got a galore of amazing tracks that you can listen to right here. And in case you’re curious, these are Mega Mixtape‘s official reviews and custom “awards” for all the entries.

Blast Corps – Give Me Some Time(to get moving)

What a perfect song to start a month (and a listening party). I wonder if anon was counting on the fact that no one submitted a track from a game that starts with “A” or “B”. Maybe they figured it’d be “oops, all Chrono”? Anyway, this isn’t something I’d expect from a game called Blast Corps. It’s epic yes, but also calming and somewhat silly. It’s not something I’d listen to outside of DoD‘s context, though.

Celeste – Dopequeer

Those distorted guitars grabbed Makoto‘s attention right from the start. This is the sort of gloom she enjoys, those long and chonky riffs. The punk-styled singing only adds to the enjoyment, she says it reminds her of Bauhaus. This was an easy pick for her this month, without even knowing it was a Celeste track (which she always seems to love). Fuck.

Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross – The real trigger was the friends we made along the way

The way this entry got swapped with the next one in the listening party made perfect sense. We all sighed along anon there. However, this entry stands on it’s own two feet, and it’s an excellent way to represent Chrono (the birthday boy). Melancholic, epic and well executed, loved this arrangement!

Chrono Trigger – It’s About Time

I wish I could give you the “Toma Chango tu Banana” award, anon. But alas, we’re not in Wise Month anymore. You worked hard for that gold, you totally deserve it. This is what Pink Floyd would have sounded like if they were instead a jazz band, through and through. Top marks all around, congrats to you and your collaborators.

Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes II – Fairweather Spaceman

I love the guitar and bass here (although it might be just a tad loud at times), as well as the drum samples and “soniquesque” synths. Such a retro sounding track, with lots of cool ideas. I’m not familiar with the source at all, though.

Dragon Warrior, Dragon Warrior 3 – Dragon Quest Is So Sad

The hiss in the flute recording is the only thing holding this track back. However, I’m extremely grateful to anon for covering “Heavenly Flight”. That shit inevitably brings a tear to my eye, I hope someone plays that at my funeral. So yeah, I agree, Dragon Quest is sad.

F-Zero X – Blue level

As well executed as this “Big Blue” cover is, its shitpost energy is off the charts. And it’s practically the only shitpost in the main entries, so it sticks out like a sore thumb for me. Perhaps it’s just that the mainstream song this mashes up saw so much playtime throughout the 00’s, that I grew absolutely sick of it. In any case, do take my bias with a grain of salt, anon.

Final Fantasy 7 – Joe Nova’s Meteor Crater

Oldschool DoD style in a Final Fantasy 7 song? Where has this anon been? The times, they are a-changin’. Anyway, I get that the reverb in vocals and overall low quality might be a conscious choice to emulate the specific style. So maybe this is shitpost #2? Hard to tell, and I better not make any more assumptions.

Fire Emblem Fates – Lost in Thoughts… and Time… and Direction… You know, I Think I’m Just Lost (All Alone)

Nice to see this source get coverage! I like the vocals and the arrangement has some really interesting ideas. However, the playing and overall quality seem a bit lacking to my untrained ear. I think I enjoyed the organ and brass the most, but I wasn’t a fan of the drums.

Getter Love!!: Chō Renai Party Game Tanjō – A Quick Nap For Makoto

Probably the deepest of cuts this month, and lovely as can be. Heartfelt and enjoyable throughout. Albums when, anon?

Golden Axe Warrior – Phantasy Cafe

Lots of reverb! I like what the percussion is doing, but I think it’s drowned at times. Still, an enjoying and easy going take. Not familiar with the source at all, but I’d bet this takes it in a new and acoustic direction.

Hades – Good Riddance

I will never get tired of this anon’s voice! The guitar playing sounds a bit green, but not bad at all. It might seem like a 1:1 cover, but I enjoy the rawness of the performance.

Jusant – Ebb

This track is something else. I know of Jusant, but I have never played it or listened to its soundtrack. Yet, this entry has hit hard for me. Initially, it reminded me of Roadwarden‘s minimalistic soundtrack by Nick Roder, which was one of my favorites from 2022. But it quickly turns into a much more lush and epic journey, with the use of multiple instruments. It builds up and pays off like no other track I’ve heard this year. Thank you anon, you’ve made my days better. This has Mega Mixtape‘s undisputed gold this month.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe – Bonkers!

My boy anon keeps manifesting medal worthy solo entries out of thin air, and in record time too. It’s like he said: “here’s all the different synths I can muster, take them all in this epic flurry of inspiration and PROG. Also, you’d like a side order? Here, take some amazing new sampled percussion that I came up with today, because it fucking RULES”.

Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past – Overture to Salvation

This is exactly how this source should be played, always, haha. I don’t know if it was anon’s intention, but the violin really takes me back to the Link’s Awakening rearranged soundtrack for the switch.

Legend of Zelda – Leyenda und Labyrinth

This entry is definitely groundbreaking! Why has no one done this before? As I mentioned in the listening party, anon has probably listened to “La Negra Tomasa” by Caifanes. I get that impression from the last half in particular. But a latin and cumbia inspired take on two of the franchise’s most iconic themes seems like a missed opportunity by the last 2+ decades of VGM.

Luigi’s Mansion – Boos on the Loose (Luigi’s Mansion Main Theme)

Did Louie Zong joing DoD? Is Luigologi getting released soon? Amazing arrangement and improvisation! I loved the guitar plucking that almost sounds like the coin sound effect from the Mario series. Impressive work emulating this style anon, you are very talented in your instrument(s).

Mega Man X – Stormblind

Finally, some friggin Mega Man X representation after, how many months it’s been? 10 LONG MONTHS. Thank you anon, this one definitely proves that there’s always room for new ideas in a Storm Eagle cover. Loved the arrangement and playing, I’m so sad I ran out spots in my top picks.

MegaRace – In Memoriam

This is another metal track I can get behind! Who needs to know the source when the music is this good? My only complaint is the fadeout ending, everything else is top notch. Despite knowing who anon is, my guess is he collabed with someone.

Might and Magic 3 – The Fountainhead, the Fool, the Horse, and the Blacksmith

Folk entries have been on the raise, and I can definitely get behind that. I love the accordion, we need more accordion. All the performances sound good and natural to my untrained ear, and I love the change of pace in the second half.

Outer Wilds – Once More, Into the Storm

This feels like the perfect track to come home to after a hard and arduous day. Definitely mimir material, even if it gets intense at times. An incredible journey with excellent performances all around. Medal worthy, if you ask me.

Pokemon Emerald – Littlerock Town

A decent attempt at a metal version of a pretty tame source. Overall sound quality could use some improvement, particularly in clarity and presence. Also, a tad to short for my taste, could have used more solos or improvisation, instead of just looping through the track.

Radiant Historia – Affectionate Moment

Are we getting more pianist participants? Anon delivers another excellent candidate for my mimir playlist. Lovely rendition, short and sweet. I hope anon continues to enter DoD going forward.

River City Ransom – Thanks Again, Roxy

I doubt the voices are directly from a game, so extra points for the voice acting. I’m familiar with the games, but I lack in-depth knowledge of the characters, so it kinda goes over my head. Without the voiced intro, the track actually feels short. The blend of metal and chiptune is interesting, but once again, I think its quality is not quite there yet.

Runescape – Cooked By The Book

What a wild ride this is, it’s all the genres in one track it seems. We’ve got folk, cumbia, metal, you name it. Reminds me of my homie TheManPF and his versatility. However, I thinks tracks kinda overstays it’s welcome and at times feels more like an experiment than cohesive concept. Transitions are just ok, and perhaps I lack context from the source to fully get where this is coming from, but I can tell this could be hard pill to swallow for some folks. Don’t get me wrong, I loved how it incorporates so many styles and sounds. But I think the most solid segment is the proggy and metal one we get at the end.

Skies of Arcadia – Those Kids in Horteka Are Screwing Around With the GD-ROM Again

Anon provided context regarding the voice samples, so I can get that out of the way. I wasn’t a big fan of the execution, but the arrangement is interesting enough. I think that a synth-heavy arrangement is transformative enough, since the source is originally much more folk oriented.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Chemical Plant Zone but it’s a Sonic Adventure 2 Action Stage

I’m not quite at the point of saturation with this source, so I welcome any well executed or interesting covers. This one has it’s own flare, but remains pretty straight forward. Still, it’s an enjoyable take. The synth in particular is right up my alley.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – El erizo del río

Great sound design and performance all around. Anon brings their best game with this Spanish-sounding take on a classic. I like that you settled for a single source with this. Also, superb singing! I’m hoping we hear more from this vocalist in the future. Can I get a copy of the lyrics anon?

Spiritfarer – And Guide You Through

Lovely performance in this duet of piano and clarinet (I think?). I’m somewhat familiar with this game, but I have yet to play it. However, I do know there’s an inherent melancholy to it, so this entry feels appropriate.

Suikoden 2 – Winds of Change

I love the sound design here, as well as the rainstick or whatever that subtle percussion is. Woodwind performances are delightful and really enjoyable. Suikoden music still eludes me to this day, but this would be breathtaking to see live.

Transistor – Spine of the Disco

I was not prepared to hear my favorite Ashley Barret song with a male singer! I love that the arrangement went for a very different vibe, and I love the distorted guitar. The vocalist seems to have had a hard time with some of the notes, but I wouldn’t be 100% sure. After all, I’m no expert.

U.N. Squadron – Helicopter Vaporization Feel Good Tune of the Year

As I mentioned in the listening party, I’m only familiar with this track because of Ian Cowell‘s “MagicIan” album. It a great source, but I don’t feel that this particular version brings much to the table. The performance is great though, specially the drums. The guitar improvisations is ok, but it sounds at odds witch such a structured and upbeat source. Does that make any sense?

UFO 50 – Beware the Forest Mooncats

Such a sexy track! I wish I was back at the beach sipping piña coladas and listening to this entry. Sounds like anon improvised quite a bit over the source, which I love. But I might be wrong.

Warframe – We All Kinda Suck Actually…Together

I simply cannot believe this anon’s vocal range. Give us a whole a cappella album, I’m begging you! Such a clean recording and amazing use of layering. It friggin sounds like your voice is coming from inside my brain.

X-Men: Children of the Atom – Tentacle Blues

Holy hell! This sounds like it belongs in a CPS-2 board, and it even manages to sound like the pioneer spatial audio tech QSound. This rips, shreds, fucks, and all other superlatives I cannot think of. I’m not familiar with the source at all, but for a while there, it sounded like Chrono Trigger. Is it just me?

If it’s dark, gloomy or jazzy, you can count on her vote.

1. Ebb (Jusant)
2. It’s About Time (Chrono Trigger)
3. Dopequeer (Celeste)

No criteria here, just my absolute favorites.

1. Ebb (Jusant)
2. Bonkers! (Kirby Triple Deluxe)
3. Tentacle Blues (X-Men: Children of the Atom)

🇲🇽 “Anon, hermano, ya eres Mexicano” Awards

Cumbia and Latin rhythms in my DoD??? A huevo!

1. El erizo del río (Sonic the Hedgehog 2)
2. Leyenda Und Labyrinth (The Legend of Zelda)
3. Cooked By The Book (Runescape)

🎻 “Del Bit a la Orquesta” Awards

Kind of an inside joke, but chamber music and orchestral renditions are always a joy.

1. Overture to Salvation (The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past)
2. Winds of Change (Suikoden 2)
3. Dragon Quest Is So Sad (Dragon Warrior 1 & 3)

💤 “Three Mimir” Awards

The mimir meta is strong in DoD. I know we’ll get a dedicated month someday.

1. Once More, Into the Storm (Outer Wilds)
2. A Quick Nap For Makoto (Getter Love!!)
3. Affectionate Moment (Radiant Historia)

🪕 “The Free Folk” Awards

There’s also the folk meta, which deserves recognition. Bluegrass month when?

1. We All Kinda Suck Actually… Together (Warframe)
2. The Fountainhead, the Fool, The Horse and the Blacksmith (Might and Magic 3)
3. Boos on the Loose (Luigi’s Mansion)

🤘 “In with the new, out with the shred” Awards

The metal meta is dead. Long live the new metal meta.

1. Stormblind (Mega Man X)
2. In Memoriam (MegaRace)
3. The real trigger was the friends we made along the way (Chrono Trigger)