Pode is an upcoming co-op puzzle exploration experience that focuses on two unlikely travel companions who are found heading off an exploratory adventure within a mysterious and magical mountain. And today it has been confirmed that the magical world that they will be visiting will come complete with an equally magical soundtrack.
This is all due to the indie devs at Henchman & Goon announcing a collaboration with Austin Wintory for co-op exploration game.
The Grammy-nominated composer has partnered with the small Norwegian indie team in order to work on the soundtrack for Pode, one of the most hotly anticipated titles coming to Nintendo Switch this Spring.
“I love working with games that have a beautiful, universal story to tell. Pode definitely aspires to that with the sort of poetic language we’ve seen emerging in games more and more lately, not to mention that the art is absolutely stunning!” said Austin Wintory. “Henchman & Goon together with their wonderful leader Yngvill Hopen have really encouraged me to explore something personal and unique for the score, an opportunity I always relish.”
Focusing on the core Pode themes of friendship and cooperation, Wintory delves into the dynamic between the two game characters, Bulder and Glo, to capture and express the unified voice of the duet. Over an hour long, the score dynamically changes throughout the game, fiddling with the player’s emotions and enhancing the intrinsic beauty of the puzzle solving experience. Inspired by the Norwegian art style of the game, Wintory utilized the sounds of a Hardanger fiddle and other string instruments, tapping into the cultural heritage to create the mystical ambience of the magical mountain and developing a strong link between the art and the sound in Pode.
“It was an honour to work with Austin Wintory, such a humble yet passionate artist, who managed to create a fantastic score in harmony with the essence of Pode,” said Game Director and CEO, Yngvill Hopen. “Austin quickly connected with the game on such a level that he soon became a part of our team, which felt very organic. He left a part of himself in the soundtrack, which we appreciate greatly and hope players will too.”
If you’re on the lookout for a Norwegian art inspired title that will now see your ears treated to the same glories as your eyes, then Pode is most definitely one to look out for. Just check out that awesome teaser trailer below.