Phronemophobia's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Metroid Fusion "Ambient Fusion Water" [ft. Ridley Snipes & Hemopheliac]]

Always ready for more deserved love towards Metroid Fusion especially when it's this level of quality. Considering some of your other works, the comparison to Parasite Eve with your use of vocals is not only appropriate but I wonder if it was also deliberate.

HoboKa responds:

It wasn't deliberate, but it was good seeing Chimpazilla and others favor that style over realistic Legato and let the less realistic approach pass...if only the J's forgive my oldschool jank more often lawl.

[Cottonwood Ridge | 2024]

Starts off sounding like a song by Radiohead except my mind now has it being played by that one NPC in the village whose dialogue had to be altered for the American release because he was a creep. He was a weirdo. What the hell was he even doin' there? He didn't belong there.

Bertn1991 responds:

We feeble-minded Americans cannot handle such dialogue. We're so heckin' special.

[FUZZY UNTOUCHED SKIN]

I wouldn't say it is too busy for a game. It just isn't a conventional option. Throw this into a LISA fan game, for example, and it would fit in perfectly. Someone's going to create an experience that will definitely be enhanced by the inclusion of this song. Just don't forget you have it when that person goes around asking for music to include his work.

[Ms. Mabel's Ragtime Machine (Piano Arrangement) | 2023]

Sure, it lacks the original track's quacks but your expertise on the keys still guarantees to please.

[The Minor Works Vol. XV | 2023]

Over eight hours? Well, I guess I now know what I'm going to have playing in the background as I try to sleep. Thank you for ambiance, Bertn, and Merry Christmas! A merry non-Christmas, as well, just in case you read this after today.

Bertn1991 responds:

I hope it's a pleasant 8 hours! Big ol' merry post-christmastime to you. And happy 2024, dear friend.

[Super Mario RPG Jazz Battle Mashup Remix (v1.1)]

Left with the image of four guys in colorful shirts obnoxiously following Mario's party around waving their arms, stomping their feet, and jazzing their hands during every battle until Smithy and Mario agree to team up against them, instead.

[BULLET BOUNCZE - It's a boss! (loop)]

I generally dislike loops simply because they don't do so well as part of a playlist. This takes nothing away from the loop itself as it is catchy, quirky, and it would definitely work really well in a boss fight... preferably one involving bullet attacks that ricochet. Makes me think of Pizza Tower, but you've been at this before that released, so perhaps your music influenced someone on their team. Improbable but not impossible, right?

[Nimi Nama | 2023]

I can hear the frustration in this piece. The beginning sounds like a folk rock version of Stairway to Heaven only to be abruptly cut off until the end by two other major ideas taking turns being heard. How to describe it... a subtle remix of Great Fairy Mountain clashing with Tarantella or, I don't know, the background music for a mafia/Godfather type of film. The nimi nama concluding the track is definitely on point for a workn of Bertn and I would very much be upset if you were to ever remove it in a newer version.

I apologize, since I am normally not this critical of your work and this feedback admittedly sounds like something I'm typing out of my other end.

Bertn1991 responds:

Oh, no need to apologize. I totally get it. It's a bit of a disparate track and maybe doesn't quite come together in the end. Even so, I'm happy it's complete and behind me. Thanks for stopping by. The ending will never be removed, rest assured!

[Black Cherry Tart | 2023]

When I saw tags like fantasy, RPG and town theme, I figured it was something emulating a stroll through a central park or bustling town square. 45 seconds into it, however, and the song turned into the beginning of a tropical adventure. Maybe a theme song for a new Wonder Boy or Adventure Island title. I could see Master Higgins hustlin' to this beat.

[Mary's Basilisk | 2023]

This is what happens when Bertn channels his Inner HoboKa for inspiration.

Bertn1991 responds:

HoboKa is wonderfully talented fella—an inspiration for sure.