Rituals of the Forgotten

Game Description

This project was created for Micro Jam 053

The game centers on a lonely lich who establishes a tower of trials — not out of conquest, but out of solitude. By inviting adventurers to challenge his defenses, he creates the illusion of purpose, of conflict, of company.

The tower stands not as a fortress of war, but as a ritual space — a structure built to be approached, tested, and returned to again and again.

Soundtrack Concept

Two tracks were composed to reflect this duality:

• Isolation and waiting
• Invitation and confrontation

Both pieces heavily utilize diminished chords to establish an unsettling harmonic language. The instability of these harmonies mirrors the lich’s fractured emotional state .

Woodwinds and English horn carry the primary melodic lines. Their timbre provides a mournful, organic quality, softening the otherwise cold atmosphere of the undead tower.

Although the game is a tower defense experience, the music does not fully embrace high-intensity combat scoring. Instead, it seeks a balance — maintaining an eerie atmosphere while supporting gameplay flow.

Music Files

Here are the tracks:

• 01. Beckoned Arrive
• 02. Pale King

These are prepared for Unity:

• 01. Beckoned Arrive - Intro
• 01. Beckoned Arrive - Loop
• 02. Pale King - Intro
• 02. Pale King - Loop

Soundtrack in the Game

01. Beckoned Arrive

This track serves as the main theme.

• Style: eerie, restrained, ritualistic
• Harmony: diminished chord structures, suspended tension
• Instruments: woodwinds, English horn, subtle textures
• Emotion: waiting, quiet anticipation, lonely invitation
• The piece reflects the lich’s silent vigil. The tower does not rage. It calls.
• Every phrase feels like a summoning circle drawn in dust — patient, deliberate, unresolved.

02. Pale King

This track plays during active tower defense gameplay.

• Style: rhythmic, forward-moving, restrained intensity
• Harmony: continued diminished tonal palette
• Instruments: woodwinds, English horn, added jazz drums
• Emotion: movement within restraint, measured conflict
• Drumkit were introduced to provide emotional propulsion without sacrificing atmosphere. Rather than explosive orchestral aggression, the rhythm supports a sense of ritualized confrontation.

Instead of matching the typical high-energy expectations of tower defense combat, this soundtrack prioritizes tonal consistency.

The eerie harmonic language is preserved across both tracks, allowing the world to feel unified. Even in moments of activity, the music avoids triumphant resolution. The tower remains what it is — a monument to loneliness.

Copyright

Because I make music just for fun. Whoever comes here is free to use my music in their project as long as they give me credit.