The exploration theme, “Passion for Exploring”, takes a subtle approach that reminds me of an advanced version of Pokemon Red/Blue’s travel themes with layers. That same theme comes in bits and pieces throughout with a final culmination in the last level. It contains what I would call the “main theme” of VVVVVV’s soundtrack. It’s both simple and complex – simple for its backbeat which nails that traditional chiptune scene sound, while also playing around with a lot of different musical ideas. “Pushing Onwards”, for examples, plays during the first level of the game. You’ll find one theme here and there, but even Mario and Sonic’s game don’t have a diverse cast of songs like this soundtrack – no offense to Koji Kondo and Masato Nakamura, but all of PPPPPP’s tracks stuck themselves in my head. Name how many platformers have excellent music, other than the notable exceptions. Still, it’s exemplary for NOT being incidental to the action. Magnus Palsson, or Souleye, did a fantastic job making the game a little more enjoyable. There’s not a bevy of songs, either the entire work, including its incidental music, clocks in at a half hour. At points, only the soundtrack motivated me to finish the game. Rather, PPPPPP has a unique sound that accords with its style almost perfectly. If it was…well, it would sound a lot like everything else.

Honestly, I don’t know why exactly it works, but I don’t think it’s merely “chiptune”. The soundtrack remains the notable exception. I think you know, from earlier in the week, that I’m not much a fan of VVVVVV for myriad reasons. What an incredibly unintuitive title! Mostly predicated by the fact that every song on the whole work starts with a P for some reason!

Pppppp vvvvvv soundtrack