Route 110 – Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire

About game/music

This is “Route 110” from the RPG raising monsters and exploring the world “Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire” (2003 GBA/2014 N3DS), developed by GAME FREAK and published by The Pokémon Company.
This is composed by Morikazu Aoki.

The GBA version was released after “Pokémon Gold/Silver” (2000 GBC).
As additions from the previous title, “Ability” and “Double Battle” were introduced for the first time in the series.
In addition, two types of bicycles were introduced in this release: the “Mach,” which can move quickly, and the “Acro,” which can move over stepping stones.

The N3DS version was released after “Pokémon X/Y” (2013 N3DS).
Mega Evolution was continued from the previous version and was applied to the first three Pokémon. (only Blaziken was adopted first in the previous title for some reason).
A similar “Primal Reversion” was also introduced for Groudon and Kyogre.

This song is played on the route leading from Slateport City to Mauville City, where the 3rd Gym is located.
When you first visit here, you cannot go along the Seaside Cycling Road overhead because you don’t have a bike yet.
But after you get a bike in Mauville City, you will be able to go back and forth smoothly.

Analyzing

overall

• There is an impression of moving powerfully forward.
  • Triads are used (except for the dominant)
  • The first half is primary chords (I, IV, V) only
  • The ascending melody at the beginning consists of Root and 5th
  • The rhythm of the melody is basically consistent.

bar 14~17

• line cliché (other TABs include this)
  • The chord is fixed and only a single voice part moves (basically).
  • The smoothness of the movement by semitone and the richness of emotion created by the notes that are not in the main key.
  • It’s typical to start with I or vi in a major key, or i in a minor key.
  • It seems the chord isn’t same all the way through, but a inverted form of some other chord.
    • my Interpretation (example):
      • I-iii/5th-I7/7th-IV/3rd or I-iii/5th-I7/7th-VI or I-V/3rd-v/3rd(iiiø/5th)-VI etc.
      • i-V+/3rd-bIII/5th-IV/3rd
      • I-III+/5th-vi/3rd-I7
  • other examples are the following songs.
    • The Amazon – DuckTales
      • contains both patterns descending from I and from vi
    • Paths That Will Never Cross (Rain) – Fire Emblem : Three Houses
    • Nalao Lake – Freedom Planet 2
    • La Follia d’amore – Kirby Star Allies
    • From a Place of Love – Library Of Ruina
    • The Reverberation Ensemble – Library of Ruina
    • Pass On – Limbus Company
    • MELTY BLOOD – MELTY BLOOD
    • See You Tomorrow – OMORI
      • It seems to be I-iii/5th-bVII-vi, so only the first half is a typical pattern.
    • Littleroot Town – Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire
    • Poké Mart – Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire
    • Dewford Town – Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire
    • Route 110 – Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire
    • Route 203 – Pokémon Diamond/Pearl
    • Azalea Town – Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver
    • Battle! (Island Kahuna) – Pokémon Sun/Moon
    • The Battle at the Summit! – Pokémon Sun/Moon
    • Battle! (Hop) – Pokémon Sword/Shield
    • Mountain Travel East – Shantae and the Seven Sirens
    • Seaside Hill – Sonic Heroes
    • Go Quickly! – Sonic Runners
    • The Concealed Four Seasons – 東方天空璋 ~ Hidden Star in Four Seasons.

bar 18

• iv in major key (other Tabs include this)
  • one of the so-called “subdominant minor chord”, which include b6th in the scale.
  • It’s nostalgic or romantic.
  • Typically used following IV.
  • It’s borrowed mostly from parallel minor, but also from Mixolydian b6 (in this case, ivM7)
  • other examples are the following songs.
    • The King Lost in Time – Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City
    • Lonely Rolling Star – Katamari Damacy
    • Candy Constellation – Kirby & The Amazing Mirror
    • Big-Bean Vine – Kirby’s Epic Yarn
    • Costumes & Colors – Kirby’s Dream Buffet
    • Shopping in Wakeport – Mario & Luigi: Dream Team
    • Badges – Pikmin Bloom
    • Dewford Town – Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire
    • Rustboro City – Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire
    • Fortree City – Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire
    • Abandoned Ship – Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire
    • Valor Lakefront – Pokémon Diamond/Pearl
    • Hearthome City – Pokémon Diamond/Pearl
    • Canalave City – Pokémon Diamond/Pearl
    • National Park – Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver
    • Cianwood City – Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver
    • Route 26 – Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver
    • Pewter City – Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver
    • Castelia City – Pokémon Black2/White2
    • Marine Tube – Pokémon Black2/White2
    • Iki Town (Day) – Pokémon Sun/Moon
    • Cobalt Coastlands – Pokémon Legends: Arceus
    • Levincia – Pokémon Scarlet/Violet
    • Clear Breeze – Skullgirls
    • Wave Ocean – Sonic the Hedgehog(2006)
    • Magical Snow Day – Sonic Runners
    • Oh! One True Love – Undertale
    • Temmie Village – Undertale