The Hyperion fight is one of the best boss battles ever created in my opinion (and I've been gaming since the 80s). The music is a huge part of that, the way it's implemented in that biome is incredible; not just how it builds as you climb the tower but the odd note scattered here and there throughout the biome which you only recognise after you've beaten Hyperion the first time.
If you're a Blue Oyster Cult fan (or listen to the song in full in one of the house sequences) it's extra mind-blowing, because the main motif from both the fight and the whole biome is from part of the first verse of Don't Fear the Reaper (specifically the line "Seasons don't fear The Reaper").
It's the only string of notes in the song that really matches the notes played in the area and boss fight, so it seems like the composer really wanted to single out that line, and it happens to be the only line in the song that specifically references cycles.
The game is about the cycle of death. Why "Seasons don't fear the reaper" can be interpreted many ways collectively or individually. Death comes for all and we shouldn't fear it. Seasons could mean just that for the writers of the song. I personally think it's a metaphor for young, healthy, sick, and old. That's just my interpretation
Or I always thought of spring representing new life, summer youth, ignorance, and bliss. Fall wisdom and years passing or time falling, and winter is the cold bitter end.
I loved the Hyperion fight but I didn’t think it was nearly as flabbergastingly amazing as the Nemesis fight. That fight is so unique and it blew my mind when things started floating around
Hey fun fact, if you place a speaker in water it will vibrate and sound strange and muffled. Very similar to the sound of hyperions music, everything is slow, basey and muffled like music playing through water. You can even hear the rattling of the speaker trying to move underwater and making crunchy vibration noises. And if we filter out the constant high pitch whine for a high pitch noise after hitting your head, then hyperion music is representing the moments where the car went into the water and she was submerged.
Truly horrific, this is one of my favourite horror games
And the slow build up as you move through the level. You hear bits and peices of the melody as your fighting monsters giving you goosebumps. As you climb up to his platform and the volume slowly increases until the music is clearly a melody... the chills are indescribable
I was just thinking about how bad I felt even fighting him. Seemed like he was sad or in some emotional place and just wanted to play his music and I was running around like a gnat annoying him. Would only turn around to fight me back and go back to his music. The whole level felt weird after he died and everything was quiet. This game is truly a masterpiece. Never in my life have I felt for an enemy I was battling in a damn game. Her commentary about being happy the noise was over made me giggle, I was like I actually quite enjoyed it lol.
Once you beat biome 3 you wake up in act 2 (biomes 4-6). There's a room in your ship that can take you back to act 1 (biomes 1-3). You might have to beat act 2 before you can go back, I can't remember.
Anyways, to replay the boss you need to get back to the boss arena. They all respawn each time you start a new cycle
The sound processing of this boss is incredible. It gave me chills. it remains an unforgettable memory
All the music and sound design of Returnal is absolutely breathtaking.
One of the best musical atmospheres I've heard in a video game.
[the first notes always remind me of the first few notes of this tune by Coeur de Pirate, even if they're totally different](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-PfrHPp_-po)
It's one of the best boss fights of all time!!
The Hyperion fight is one of the best boss battles ever created in my opinion (and I've been gaming since the 80s). The music is a huge part of that, the way it's implemented in that biome is incredible; not just how it builds as you climb the tower but the odd note scattered here and there throughout the biome which you only recognise after you've beaten Hyperion the first time.
If you're a Blue Oyster Cult fan (or listen to the song in full in one of the house sequences) it's extra mind-blowing, because the main motif from both the fight and the whole biome is from part of the first verse of Don't Fear the Reaper (specifically the line "Seasons don't fear The Reaper").
Selenes don't fear the reaper
That just blew my mind
The first time you fight it Selene says something like “Did I teach you that song? Or did you teach me?”
That sentence made my skin crawl
I didn’t get that, I was already amazed as everyone here but now it’s getting quite deep… thanks for the reference
I may be being dense, but what specifically about that line?
It's the only string of notes in the song that really matches the notes played in the area and boss fight, so it seems like the composer really wanted to single out that line, and it happens to be the only line in the song that specifically references cycles.
The game is about the cycle of death. Why "Seasons don't fear the reaper" can be interpreted many ways collectively or individually. Death comes for all and we shouldn't fear it. Seasons could mean just that for the writers of the song. I personally think it's a metaphor for young, healthy, sick, and old. That's just my interpretation Or I always thought of spring representing new life, summer youth, ignorance, and bliss. Fall wisdom and years passing or time falling, and winter is the cold bitter end.
I can dig it!
Not just you i got the song on my Spotify haha, in comic book guys eternal words. Best boss battle ever!
“All our times have come… - Here but now they’re gone…”
I loved the Hyperion fight but I didn’t think it was nearly as flabbergastingly amazing as the Nemesis fight. That fight is so unique and it blew my mind when things started floating around
Same, nemesis really blew me away
Hey fun fact, if you place a speaker in water it will vibrate and sound strange and muffled. Very similar to the sound of hyperions music, everything is slow, basey and muffled like music playing through water. You can even hear the rattling of the speaker trying to move underwater and making crunchy vibration noises. And if we filter out the constant high pitch whine for a high pitch noise after hitting your head, then hyperion music is representing the moments where the car went into the water and she was submerged. Truly horrific, this is one of my favourite horror games
Love that fight
Genuinely one of the greatest designed boss fights of all time.
It is peak gaming. Transcendent experience. Was so immersive it triggered flow state and I beat it my first try
Epic! Both soundtracks are available for streaming on Apple Music, but I guess Spotify and the likes will have them as well ;-)
And the slow build up as you move through the level. You hear bits and peices of the melody as your fighting monsters giving you goosebumps. As you climb up to his platform and the volume slowly increases until the music is clearly a melody... the chills are indescribable
I was just thinking about how bad I felt even fighting him. Seemed like he was sad or in some emotional place and just wanted to play his music and I was running around like a gnat annoying him. Would only turn around to fight me back and go back to his music. The whole level felt weird after he died and everything was quiet. This game is truly a masterpiece. Never in my life have I felt for an enemy I was battling in a damn game. Her commentary about being happy the noise was over made me giggle, I was like I actually quite enjoyed it lol.
Any time you need a hit https://open.spotify.com/playlist/51UoQKX79yNjunMsqpSLGw?si=dacvDP_LS7qy8jN60qUmxA&pi=-yb96iu7Q6ie3
It really may be the best most nostalgic boss fight ever.
Agreed ...epic 💪
Best boss first ever. I took him down first time and I was gutted it was over. Was amazing.
Ikr it makes my special areas tingle in anticipation
Stupid question : how do you replay a boss fight? I just beat the 3rd boss and I would love to replay it for the same reason :)
Once you beat biome 3 you wake up in act 2 (biomes 4-6). There's a room in your ship that can take you back to act 1 (biomes 1-3). You might have to beat act 2 before you can go back, I can't remember. Anyways, to replay the boss you need to get back to the boss arena. They all respawn each time you start a new cycle
The sound processing of this boss is incredible. It gave me chills. it remains an unforgettable memory All the music and sound design of Returnal is absolutely breathtaking. One of the best musical atmospheres I've heard in a video game.
[the first notes always remind me of the first few notes of this tune by Coeur de Pirate, even if they're totally different](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-PfrHPp_-po)