Battle Bards Episode 174: Dragon Oath

Running from 2007 to 2016, ChangYou’s Dragon Oath is probably one of those MMORPGs you’ve never heard of, nevermind actually played. Yet when Syl stumbled upon it on YouTube, she knew it was a soundtrack for the Battle Bards to highlight. Take a journey with the team today as they visit this Bhuddist-inspired MMO and hear the sounds of this Chinese soundtrack.

Episode 174 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (“Da Li,” “Horse Farm,” and “Voodoo Sea”)
• “Main Theme”
• “Wild Plains”
• “Fire Palace”
• “Malefics”
• “Stone Forest/Jade Valley”
• “Mt. Emei”
• “Mt. Infinity”
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox picks: “Character Creation” from Moonlight Blade, “Tensil Theme” from Anachronox, and “Cacti Canyon” from Minecraft Dungeons
• Outro (feat. “South Rainforest”)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!
• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

Battle Bards Episode 173: Down on the farm

Seeking a simpler and more quaint life? Then come on down to the farm with the Battle Bards, as the video game music crew looks at pastoral themes from MMORPGs! From stereotypical-sounding tracks to enchanting discoveries, this episode is all about tilling the fields, living off the land, and loving the music that floats above it all.

Episode 173 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (“Pig Ranch” from Blade & Soul, “Farm” from Free Realms, and “Cool Ranch” from Pirate101)
• “A Farmer’s Life” from WildStar
• “Settlement” from ArcheAge 
• “Farm” from Lime Odyssey
• “Charmin’ Farmin'” from RuneScape
• “Human Farm” from Forsaken World
• “Farm” from Dragon Nest
• “Shanghai Farm” from MapleStory
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox picks: “Happy to You” from Age of Empires III, “Before the Reckoning” from Last Oasis, and “Snowy Sky” from SaGa Scarlet Grace
• Outro (feat. “Quiet Countryside” from Project Gorgon)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!
• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

Battle Bards Episode 172: Lost Ark

Although Lost Ark is still making its slow journey to the west, the music arrived ahead — on a songbird, of course! It’s a flat-out amazing soundtrack by a Hollywood composer, and the Battle Bards want to make sure that you aren’t missing out on its musical gifts. So settle back, put on some headphones, and prepare to be blown away.

Episode 172 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (“Ocean World,” “The Ark,” and “Sanctuary of Arcadia”)
• “Into the Wider World”
• “The Town of Leonhardt”
• “Black Teeth”
• “Silrian Theme”
• “Mokoko Village”
• “Club Avenue”
• “Calm Village”
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener note from Sym
• Jukebox picks: “Main Theme” from Population Zero, “The Tavern” from Wargroove,
• Outro (feat. )

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!
• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

Battle Bards Episode 171: Forest Tales 2

Hitch up your shorts, buckle your boots, and step into another deep forest of MMORPG music with the Battle Bards! As diverse as the woods are in virtual worlds, so too are these tracks that attempt to convey the feeling of a variety of leafy settings.

Episode 171 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (feat. “Mnes Forest” from Echo of Souls, “Forest of Adera” from Eldevin, and “Sleeping Forest” from Allods Online)
• “Forest of Legends” from Bless
• “Mystery Forest of Vikings” from Minions of Mirth
• “Lost Forest” from Revelation Online
• “Saphora Forest” from Aion 
• “Drustvar Glenbrook Woods” from World of Warcraft 
• “Forest of December” from Tree of Savior 
• “Tera Forest” from MapleStory
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener mail: Katriana, Cursed Seishi, and Bereman
• Jukebox picks: “Day at the Fair” from Life is Feudal, “Wastelanders Theme” from Fallout 76, and “Doom Eternal” from Doom Eternal
• Outro (feat. “The Rime Woods” from Champions Online)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!
• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

Battle Bards Episode 170: Star Stable

Stop your whinnying and take Star Stable’s soundtrack out for a gallop today! You might discover, as the Battle Bards did, that this horse-themed MMO has a pretty amazing and lovely soundtrack that’s as large in quantity as it is high in quality. So saddle up for a ride through the trails of this lively soundscape!

Episode 170 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (feat. “To Pandoria,” “Hooves on the Run,” and “Forest Bells”)
• “A Dimension in Pink”
• “South Hoof Peninsula”
• “Epona”
• “The Capital of Jorvik”
• “My Stable”
• “Cloud Kingdom”
• “How to Build Your Ranch”
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener mail from Zinn, Katriana, and Castagere (link to the song mentioned)
• Jukebox picks: “Painful Gulch” from Lucky Luke, “Badlands 2” from Horse Isle 3, and “Azukay” from River City Girls
• Outro (feat. “Glacier Galloping”)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!
• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

Battle Bards Episode 169: Wild Things

Do you ever walk on the wild side in MMOs? Do you have a penchant for beastly races that aren’t merely reskinned humans? Then you might find something to like in today’s offerings from the Battle Bards. It’s a show full of tracks that pay homage to the animalistic races in MMORPGs, but the most savage thing of them all? Syl’s put-downs.

Episode 169 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (feat. “A Savage Beauty” from TERA, “Scatherran Forest Critter Glen” from RIFT, and “Kloro” from Glitch)
• “The Charr Triumphant” from Guild Wars 2 
• “Namazu Beast Tribe” from Final Fantasy XIV
• “M5” from Furcadia
• “Taunka Night” from World of Warcraft
• “Chardok” from EverQuest II
• “Weaponizing of Maniacal Furballs” from WildStar
• “Purr of the Hunter” from Elder Scrolls Online
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes from Zoward and Minimalistway
• Jukebox Picks: “Welcome Horizons” from Animal Crossing: New Horizons, “Sneaky Driver” from Katana ZERO, and “Twilight in Dreamlands” from Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
• Outro (feat. “Quaggan Command” from Guild Wars 2)

 

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!
• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

Battle Bards Episode 168: Big bad boss battles of FFXIV

Final Fantasy XIV know full well how Square Enix loves to dote on its huge and often bizarre boss battles — and includes the lengthy themes to match! This week, the Battle Bards have formed a light party to tackle several of the more unique and memorable boss themes from this MMO. Will they loot a few favorites in the process?

Episode 168 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (feat. “Alexander,” “Bismark,” and “Garlean Leader”)
• “Shinryu”
• “Omega Sigmascape”
• “Titania”
• “Sephirot”
• “Calcabrina”
• “Susano”
• “Eden Titan”
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener note from Smuggler-in-a-YT
• Jukebox picks: “Towards the Eternal Glory” from Code Vein, “Aquarius” from Castlevania III (Famicom), and “The Opened Way” from Shadow of the Colossus
• Outro (feat. “Nidhogg”)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!
• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

Battle Bards Episode 167: Childlike wonder

Tapping into their inner children, the three Battle Bards get into the spirit of name calling, trading stickers, and goofing off in kiddie MMOs. It’s another episode devoted to 100% kid-themed games and their soundtracks and the weird rabbit hole tangents that the hosts find themselves pursuing. Did you know Switzerland has a Not-Fun Zoo? Never, ever go there. Just trust us.

Episode 167 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (feat. “Main Theme” from LEGO Minifigures Online, “Shrouded Glade” from Free Realms, and “Aerokid” from Habbo Hotel)
• “Character Creation” from FusionFall
• “Jammer Anthem” from Animal Jam
• “Arissola” from Temtem
• “Maple Island 1” from MapleStory 2 
• “Unicorn Adventure” from Fantage 
• “Kid’s View” from Trickster Online 
• “Goofy Speedway” from Toontown Online 
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes: Katriana, Danny, and Ratstew
• Jukebox picks: “Ode to the Bridge Builder” from World of Goo, “First Steps” from Unravel, and “Ophelia” from Elsinore
• Outro (feat. “Bolshoy Theatre” from Hello Kitty Online)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!
• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

Battle Bards Episode 166: LEGO Universe

Who knew that interlocking brick systems would result in so many video games — and a pretty good soundtrack? The Battle Bards step on many small bricks on their way to reach LEGO Universe, the now-defunct MMO that only ran for a couple of years. Tune in for a high-octane trip through toys, tunes, and alliteration as Syp, Steff, and Syl regress to their childhood!

Episode 166 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (feat. “Spaceship Entrance” and “Pirate Cove 1”)
• “Our Universe”
• “Tortoise Terrace”
• “Darkling Battle” 
• “Pet Rock” 
• “Nimbus Plaza”
• “Magic Forest”
• “Crocodile Corner” 
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes from Katriana and Scotty
• Jukebox picks: “Mysterious Destiny” from Bayonetta, “The Sunflower Farm” from Ghost Giant, and “Thieves’ Forest” from Castle Crashers
• Outro (feat. “Character Create”)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!
• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

Retro Reprise Episode 21: Sunsoft’s NES classics

For those who played the Nintendo Entertainment System, the name “Sunsoft” conjures up memories of intense gameplay, slick design, and — of course — terrific music. On today’s episode of Retro Reprise, Syp and Syl delve into the 8-bit treasure trove of video game music from this studio. Grab these vibes and don’t let go!

Retro Reprise Episode 21: Sunsoft’s NES classics (direct download, show page)

• Intro
• “Area 3” from Blaster Master
• “Stage 1” from Journey to Silius
• “Stage 1” from Gremlins 2
• “Streets of Desolation” from Batman
• “Good Weather” from Mr. Gimmick
• “Main Theme” from Ufouria: The Saga
• “Stage 1” from Batman: Return of the Joker
• “Boss Battle” from Fester’s Quest
• Outro (“Stage 3” from Journey to Silius)