Phronemophobia's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Bonfire of Spirits | 2024]

Been so long since I played Secret of Mana that I wouldn't remember if this was similar or not. Aside from the adorable dragon and rough gameplay, there wasn't a lot to SoM that I found to be all that memorable.

My mind isn't really able to link the music to the thumbnail (or the general concept of it). It certain sounds like bertn work, but it also seems too, uh... man, this is gonna sound like BS... it's too focused. Minimized in its scope, I guess? It's difficult to explain. See, I can picture one, but you got me trying to imagine a multitude of spirits from this bonfire and this song doesn't really delivery on that. If there was more going on in the background (maybe a strong echoing effect of some kind), it would still have that overall effect of pertaining to a particular ghost (presumably the one we would choose to fixate upon if we ever came across such an event), but also reminding the listener that they're surrounded by several others flying about. Right now, this is more like what I'd expect to hear in a film about a person seeing their loved one's soul pass on to the other side and nothing else around them really matters at that moment.

Bertn1991 responds:

I hear ya. I suppose the scope is a bit...smol, and maybe the pictures in your head don't match the title, but that's okay. With a generous four stars, it would seem it was still a pleasant experience. Sincerely, thanks for stopping by. You're one of the good ones.

[Shrine of Opus]

It's simple, sure, but it works so well. Hope ya don't mind if I take it and put it on reserve to maybe play at the start of a stream or something. Add to ambiance while I make sure everything is working before I begin.

VELA-VE responds:

Sure thing!

[Purple Glow Safe Room]

Makes me think about the Darkwing Duck video game on the NES. I never played it so why are you making me think of that? What kind of magic is this, Scott?

ScottySee responds:

It's simple my friend: DARKWING MAGIC

[Camel Star On-Line - Office Procedures | 2024]

This sounds slightly eerie with its soulless, mechanical tune and DallE3's visual is a little unnerving, but the tune is also kind of a bop. I especially love the first 26 seconds that returns at the 00:53 mark.

Bertn1991 responds:

Why thank you. I think that's a great description. I suppose all the Camel Star tracks are a bit unnerving, but still pleasant, I hope. Anyways, thanks again. More bops to come~

[Propulsion]

The quality in your music was definitely worth the "almot" two-year wait.

Welcome back, Babas.

Babasmas responds:

Thanks !

I hope you're excited for what's coming then !

[Apple Soda | 2024]

I can clearly remember James Pond in Babes in Toyland (he was pretty much the star of the entire film) but Pond was also on the Super Nintendo? *checks online* Well now! On the Switch, too, it seems. Guess I'll wishlist that and hope it goes on sale. You provided me with a revelation alongside the tune. That's whatcha call "trapping two fish in one barrel" or something like that. I don't know. I'm not a barrel specialist... a barrelist.

Bertn1991 responds:

That must have been the original theatrical release of Babes in Toyland and not these "special editions." Give us the original cut already. It's good to know I'm not the only one who remembers James Pond. Super James Pond is not a particularly outstanding game, but I love it. I'm sure James Pond and Plok are probably great pals.

[Rock Candy | 2024]

Definitely leaning towards the "spacy" tag on this one. Relaxing, sure, but I'm stuck with the image of someone doing so out in space and all the debris floating around them is colorful like those star bits in Mario Galaxy. As usual, it has that distinct Bertn sound that I can immediately pick up on when it begins playing from my ipod shuffle at work.

Bertn1991 responds:

I do wish I had a hungry luma to spoil. Sigh, real space isn't as fun as Mario space. It takes too long to get anywhere in our boring ol' dumb ol' universe, I guess to hide the secret loading screens. You know, like when you're playing a modern video game and, uh-oh, you have to slowly inch through a tight opening into the next area. I'm on to you, game. I know what you're throwing down.

But sincerely, thank you. I'm happy to hear there's a distinct Bertn sound that people enjoy, and at work? Wowza! All the best, dear friend :D

[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.

[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.