Please reconsider the choice and timing of music for credits

[Grink]

[Spoilers for new players]

Hello Double Fine,

I just completed the game, replaying it for the first time since 1998.

You have done a great job preserving the original, thank you for working to get this out into the world again for new players. However there was one noticeable change that I would question strongly regarding the ending.

For anyone who doesn't know the original: During the finale of the game, the closing cutscene focuses on the Mariachi band as they stand beside the water pool, with the impression that they are about to start playing. This image is a direct call back to the opening shot of the game in Manny's office, of his ash tray and model band. The very first thing you see. In the original, as the scene faded out and the credits in, the track 'Companeros' would start playing almost immediately, which is the music you hear at the Day of the Dead festival at the beginning of the game. This is one of the most iconic tracks, possibly *the* defining piece of music from Grim Fandango, and a piece that would actually get played by a Mariachi band. It is implied that the band is playing the music as Manny leaves for the next life. In the Remaster, the scene fades out and then in to the credits but there is a significant pause while the personal message shows, then the Opening Credits music plays (a piece that isn't actually used for the opening credits). This track is nice but dramatic and not the kind of music you can imagine a Mariachi band playing.

I feel like the change in music and the timing of it occurring in the credits undermines the fantastic mood of this moment compared to the original. Everything about this scene encouraged a mood of reflection on the cycle of life and Manny's journey through it: The references to early, mundane parts of the game, references to Manny's office, implications to the Day of the Dead festival (that celebrates the transition of death in the previous cycle of life), Manny's words to Meche about the uncertainty of the journey, the implication that the Mariachi band was playing them off the stage of life.

The Remaster version uses good but unequivocally dramatic music that lacks the subtlety of the original. It also leaves a pause before the credits roll and presents a thoughtful message about the development team's friend. Now, I really do feel like a ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ for saying this as I've no idea what the context is for the message's inclusion (and it was probably done with the best intentions), but this really should not be here. The pause, the message, the dramatic music and sudden change away from the sensible implication that the band was about to play: All of this stuff serves to draw the player's attention *away* from the moment and reflecting on the journey - exactly the state of mind the player should be sharing as the characters move onto another life. The characters are effectively dying for the second time and the dramatic credits music doesn't seem fitting to me. At the very least the original Mariachi music should start playing in a timely manner as the personal message shows.

Having played the original the first time round and being able to compare this moment to its occurrence in the new release, I really feel that this is a stark change that undermines the moment for newcomers to the game.

[Sabrejack]

All I can do is agree with this post. The change was an odd choice when they worked so hard to preserve everything else about the game's original composition.

[Gravy]

Definitely. Either 'Compañeros' or 'Manny & Meche'. The new orchestral score is fantastic but the new song at the end almost qualified as a jump scare compared to what i was expecting.

[Equation™]

+1

[NOCTURNE]

Agreed! The Companeros or the Ninth Heaven soundtrack would be the best.

[Emol Dandriel]

What OP said. Totally right. This totally should be fixed.

[ThunderPeel2001]

Hmm. I just finished it for the first time in a long time, and then I went back and watched the original ending. Have to say I think I prefer the new one (as much as I love the old music).

Original Ending:
http://youtu.be/0vpuWFuMDIA?t=55m18s

[Thaddeus]

Yeah, I just finished my first playthrough of the Remaster tonight and have to agree. I was kind of looking forward to hearing the track again, honestly. I kept waiting for it to pop up, but it never did.

[LeNUTRIE Metanolo]

The Companeros for the win!

[Vincenzo77]

+1

[rookie]

Bump. I agree completely, having watched the original ending's music choice via Youtube. It fits far better, and it's a real shame they didn't stick with it for the remaster