Battle Bards

Nexon's late, doomed MapleStory 2 gets a resurrection of sorts, as the Battle Bards salvage the soundtrack and deliver it, shining and sparkly, to you. It's a surprisingly good score with lots of interesting themes, and as such, Steff, Syl, and Syp are excited to talk about it. So rest in peace, MapleStory 2, we think you left behind a delightful musical legacy. Episode 184 show notes Intro (feat....

This episode is your ticket to the greatest amusement park experience known to gamers! With cotton candy and ride tickets in hand, the Battle Bards rush into the gates of their favorite theme parks -- and theme parks WITHIN theme park MMOs! So what do amusement parks sound like in online roleplaying games? Find out in this fantastic spectacle of an episode! Episode 183 show notes  Intro (feat. "Sh...

What does the apocalypse sound like? That's the burning question, so to speak, that the Battle Bards are investigating this week as they dive into the soundtrack to Last Oasis. Michał Korniewicz's unique score is a haunting experience that must be heard to be believed. But at the end of it all, will it be enough to endure? Episode 182 show notes Intro (feat. "Seven Pieces of the Moon," "Before the...

Stuck at home? Denied a vacation this year? The Battle Bards are here to help! In seven songs, the cross-continental crew travel all around the world with one pick per continent. Can MMORPGs take us on across the globe with their music alone? Indeed they can! Episode 181 show notes  Intro (feat. "American Sea" from Uncharted Waters Online, "Mission Mayan 1" from Pirates of the Burning Sea, and  "F...

While Moonlight Blade is not yet a known quantity over here in the west, its soundtrack has gone before it and landed right into the laps of Steff, Syl, and Syp -- otherwise known as the Battle Bards! In this contentious episode, the three dance, flow, and fly through this big and distinct score. Episode 180 show notes  Intro (feat. "Time," "Thunder," and  "Jiuhua Battle Music" ) "Main Theme" "Cha...

Shiver me timbers -- the Battle Bards are coming aboard and demanding that all capable musicians appear on the poop deck and blast out a few shanties and jigs for their pleasure! In today's episode, this motley crew examines the pirate themes that sail across many-a-MMO. Will they find rich booty -- or only a few pieces o' eight? Find out! Episode 179 show notes  Intro (feat. "Salty Sailor" from W...

Washington D.C. has fallen to the plague, curiously well-armed agents are everywhere, and intriguing music floats. The Division 2 features a tense and action-packed synth score that distinguishes itself among online games -- and is worth an investigation by the Battle Bards. Suit up, because today we're going to the musical dark zone! Episode 178 show notes Intro (feat. "The Beginning is the End,"...

As the weather howls and gusts around us, the Battle Bards stand in the middle of it all with their heads lifted up, listening to the music that rides on the breeze. In this episode, Syl, Steff, and Syp examine wind-themed tracks from MMORPGs. Will they find all of the wind's colors? Probably not, but nobody ever mistook these three for artistic geniuses! Episode 177 show notes Intro (feat. "Calm...

In 2018, RuneScape put out an official orchestral album to highlight some of the best of its remastered and re-recorded soundtrack. From delicate tunes to epic themes, the album shows just how far the game has come since its early MIDI days. The Battle Bards dive into this triumphant score and pull out some vindication for RuneScape at last! Episode 176 show notes (show page, direct download) Intr...

Having perfected their musical time machine, the Battle Bards leap back to the past to enjoy the soundscapes of dinosaurs and other prehistoric denizens. What does the MMO soundtrack for savage wildlands and dinotopias sound like? Tune into today's episode and find out! Episode 175 show notes Intro (feat. "Zandalari Allied Race" from World of Warcraft, "The Valley of the Hidden Dinosaur" from Star...

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 Intro ( "Da Li...

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 Intro ( "Pig Ranch" from Blade & Soul, "...

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 Intro ( "Ocean World," "The Ark," and "Sa...

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 F...

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," "Ho...

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  Intro (feat. "A Savage Beauty" from T...

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 Intro (feat. "Alexander," "Bismark," and  "Garl...

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...

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 Intro (fea...

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 Intro "Area 3"  from Blaster...

On this Very Special Edition of the Battle Bards, Lord of the Rings Online's Bill Champagne sat down for an interview to talk about his tenure in this long-running MMORPG as its lead composer. From his surprising origin story to tales behind the scenes at Standing Stone Games to his favorite soundtracks, Bill gives the flip-side of MMO music production while still sharing the love that we all have...

If you ever walked into a forest glade at the light of the first full moon of the year, you may spy an impish fae dancing among the moonbeams and singing to all of the woodland creatures that come out for the annual concert. And if you ever tune in to Battle Bards -- in particular, this episode -- you may hear a rare recording of fairy music along with very serious discussion involving (a) aerial...

While the game itself was a messy and convoluted sequel to a classic RPG, Chrono Cross has nevertheless persevered over time to become a cult classic that is incredibly beloved for its amazing soundtrack. On the show today, Syl and Syp share a conversation about their favorite tracks and just what made this score so special to hear. Retro Reprise Episode 20: Chrono Cross  Intro "Time's Scar" "Remi...

The Battle Bards return to the verdant fields of EverQuest for a look at the updated and remastered soundtrack that came out last year. If you only know EverQuest's music in its MIDI format, why not venture into the modern era of the game's score? It's a trip down Norrath lane, just slightly belated from the MMO's 20th anniversary! Episode 163 show notes  Intro (feat. "Main Theme," "Boomba's Excha...

Do you love a good mystery? A hidden secret? A riddle wrapped in an enigma and presented on a platter of puzzle? Then you're in for a treat with today's Battle Bards, as mystery-themed music from MMORPGs is served for dinner! Also, Syl and Syp finally throw down over a long-standing criticism regarding song picks. It's brutal . Episode 162 show notes  Intro (feat. "Wintertide" from TERA, "A Lost a...