Music is a powerful medium. Capable of stirring up long-forgotten memories and evoking powerful emotion in the listener, music can reduce even the burliest of blokes into blubbering, crumpled heaps. And who says that us guys are afraid to show their sensitive side? Poppycock. Of course, video games are no exception to this rule, and as often is the case, a stellar soundtrack can greatly accentuate the on-screen antics, elevating even the most perfunctory scene to hard-hitting greatness.
In a continued celebration of some of gaming’s ear-pleasing aural accomplishments, PSU presents yet another instalment in our on-going Classic Tracks series. This time around, we’re spin-dashing our way back to the days of the Mega Drive/Genesis, and taking a look at the classic Sonic & Knuckles track ‘Sky Sanctuary.’
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Name: Sky Sanctuary Zone
Soundtrack: Sonic & Knuckles
Composer(s): Howard Drossin
SEGA’s Sonic the Hedgehog franchise is chock-full of retro-tastic tunes begging for your consumption, and Sonic & Knuckles is no exception to the rule. In particular, the euphoric Sky Sanctuary Zone theme is a real treat, and has the distinction of being one of the tracks remixed for the zone’s inclusion in Sonic Generations. The zone itself is essentially an ancient ruin set high in the clouds, and the theme evokes a distinct sensation of soaring through clear blue skies, with the track’s optimistic flare providing a welcoming pit stop before the hectic, industrial growl of Death Egg Zone. Indeed, Sky Sanctuary may not be an obvious choice unless you’re a long-time Sonic aficionados’, but it’s stood the test of time and remains in our eyes a definitive classic.
Take a trip back to the oh-so innocent time of 1994 and relive one of the most enduring 16-bit ditties to ever grace your eardrums. Oh, and in case you forgot PS3 owners, you can enjoy Sonic & Knuckles alongside the original three games on Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection (otherwise known as the SEGA Mega Drive Ultimate Collection in PAL regions). Get stuck in.