I used to be a big music guy, but I hate most of the music coming out of today's artists. So I only have so much music to listen to when it's all from retired/dead artists. Lately over the last two years or so I started using music from video games as background music for work, and now I have a huge amount on VGM on my computer. So I thought I'd start doing blogs on pieces of VGM, either single tracks or whole game soundtracks (basically whatever I feel like).
For my first blog, the evolution of the Theme of Ryu from the Street Fighter series, and many of its versions over the last 23 years.
Street Fighter 2 (The Original)
The first version of Ryu's theme, composed by Yoko Shimomura. Yes, that's right, the woman who now works for Square Enix and works on the soundtracks for games produced by Tetsuya Nomura's team. Featured in the first versions of SF2. In Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo it got an improvement with the hardware, resulting in the best version of the Theme of Ryu to date.
Essentially this is the groundwork, the theme that would go on to see countless remixes was laid forth. The theme of a wandering warrior, determined to become stronger.
Street Fighter Alpha 3 (A Different Approach)
The first two Alpha games used remixed versions of the traditional Ryu themes, but Alpha 3 used this entirely new theme. Considering the general sound of Alpha 3's soundtrack, I don't know how they could have remixed his traditional theme without butchering it (not that it stops them now), but it's always interesting to hear something new I suppose. This theme just seems kind of bland.
Street Fighter 3 (Changing the Theme as the Character Develops)
One of the few instances where Ryu was given an entirely different theme. However, all things considered it makes sense. In the earlier games, Ryu was still learning and wanted nothing more than to be the best, while still trying to fight the Satsui no Hado, and I think his earlier and more commonly used theme reflected that. In SF3, he is more calm and has come into terms with who he his, and has overcome his dark side while still having the determination of being the best. This theme reflects that.
Street Fighter 4 (Yo Dawg We Heard You Like Techno)
Considering how much SF4 tried to call back to SF2, it made sense to bring back the classic theme. However, times have changed, and so have the people behind the soundtrack. SF4's soundtrack as a whole seems very techno driven, which isn't a bad thing, at least until they decide to butcher old themes. Until recently, I had seen this as the worst version of Ryu's classic theme.
Same Theme, Other Games
Ryu has, of course, been in many other games, and as such his theme. Heres a quick rundown of some of them.
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom - Only the Japanese version had character themes, which is a shame because it featured the best take on Ryu's theme since the ST rendition.
Marvel vs Capcom 3 - I said earlier I used to see Ryu's theme in SF4 as the worst. That was, until this theme happened. *vomits*
Capcom Fighting Jam - What's this? Ryu's classic theme, untouched? Good ideas in an Ono produced game? I still don't believe it.
Capcom vs SNK - Another original mix. This is how the SF4 team should have approached Ryu's theme to fit the general musical motif of the soundtrack
Street Figher EX3 - I should be shot for bringing this game up. At least they brought their own shit to the table.
Closing Thoughts
As long as there are Street Figher games, there will be Ryu, and there will probably be some version of his original theme. I feel like applying techno to his theme doesn't really work, unless you give a semi-retro sound like in TvC. The composers that brought the better themes are no longer with Capcom though, so at this point who knows if they'll ever give his theme a good, modern sound or if they'll just try and move on.
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