Battle Bards

Is Mabonogi a muppet, a Welsh adventure, or a Korean MMORPG? It's certainly an odd title, but its music is worthy of the Battle Bards' time. This week, the trio sails through the soundtrack to this anime fantasy sandbox -- and gives proper attention, respect, and love to the country of Wales. Episode 192 show notes Intro (feat. "Main Theme (Piano)," "Afternoon Tea," and "Prince of Denmark") "Sidhe Finnachaid" "Merlin" "Tears of Memory" "Avalon Theme" "Bangor" "An Old Story From Grandma" "Belita: Hunter at World's End" Which one did we like best? Listener notes from Katriana and Danny Jukebox picks: "Main Theme" from The Long Return, "Cowboystrats 3" from Railway Empire, and "Climbing" from Spirit of the North Outro (feat. "Deeper and Deeper") 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 A

Today's episode of the Battle Bards was phoned in -- phoned in with 2800-baud modems from the 1990s, that is! Steff, Syl, and Syp return to the early era of graphical MMOs to see what video game music existed in that time. From the bleeps to the bombastic, this show digs deep into the past to see what is waiting to be uncovered... Episode 191 show notes Intro (feat. "Toxxulia Forest" from EverQuest, "Main Theme" from Asheron's Call, and "Idiotic Ghost" from Lineage) "The Streets of Furcadia" from Furcadia "Corloth" from Meridian 59 "Main Theme" from AOL's Neverwinter Nights "The Dark Theme" from The 4th Coming "Whispers" from Dark Eden "Age of Heroes" from Dark Sun Online "Ocllo" from Ultima Online Which one did we like best? Listener notes from Dorian Jukebox picks: "Main Theme" from Ecco the Dolphin, "Forest of Secrets" from Ikenfell, and "Main Theme" from Treasure Planet Outro (feat. "Tavern 1" from The Realm Online) Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM

It was the FOMO title of last fall, and now Genshin Impact is in your ears! On this episode of the Battle Bards, Syp, Steff, and the Other One explore the varied and delightfully cheerful soundtrack to this online RPG. Unless you have headphones made of live kittens, it'll be the most adorable thing you'll listen to all day! Episode 190 show notes Intro (feat. "Make Haste, Partner," "Liyue Defense," and "Dusk in Mondstadt") "Beats of Water Drops" "Spring in Clouds" "Bustling Afternoon of Mondstadt" "Welp, Didn't Expect That" "Chasing the Torrents" "Symphony of Boreal Wind"  "Against All Odds" Which one did we like best? Listener notes from Katriana Jukebox picks: "Space Trip" from The Light Corridor, "Main Theme" from Desperados III, and "Expedition" from Epic Seven Outro (feat. "Happy Journey") 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 practic

Is that a chill creeping down your spine? Did your ears just perk up at the hint of fae music in the trees? Is Tinkerbell blasting you with a cannon full of musical confetti? Then you must be in a good place to listen to some more spooky and magical music from MMORPGs with the Battle Bards! Episode 189 show notes Intro (feat. "Emerald Labyrinth" from FFXIV, "Wizard City Tower Golem" from Wizard101, and "Jawaii Town" from Ragnarok Online 2) "Enraptured" from Final Fantasy XIV  "Uralia" from Glitch "The Lullaby of Praxis" from Elder Scrolls Online "A Very Exile Shade's Eve" from WildStar "Bow and Jubilate" from Runes of Magic "Floating Whispering" from Aion  "Bloody Moon Melody" from Black Desert  Which one did we like best? Listener notes from Valheim Composer Patrik Jarlestam and Pheeb Hello Jukebox picks: "The Cemetery" from Pumpkin Jack, "Dungeon" from Sword of Vermillion, and "Rain" from Call of the Sea Outro (feat. "The Fortune Teller" from Star Stable) Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter! Follow Battl

While the Battle Bards tend to agree that World of Warcraft: Shadowlands isn't as strong of an expansion soundtrack compared to the last few, it's still WoW, and it still has some gems worth uncovering. Join Syl, Steff, and Syp as they journey into the afterlife and see what the freshly dead listen to in their eternities! Episode 188 show notes  Intro (feat. "Bastion Kyrian," "Ardenweald Nocturne Mischief," and "Revendreth Decadence") "Through the Roof of the World" "Oribos the Eternal City" "Only Human" "Ember Court Band" "Revendreth Venthyr" "Ardenweald Nocturne Melancholy Dream" "Bastion Steward Hoot 'n' Doot" Which one did we like best? Listener note from Michał Korniewicz Jukebox picks: "Login Theme" from World of Warcraft, "Celebration" from Greedfall, and "Testing the Passionate Bonds" from Tales of Zesteria Outro (feat. "Death is a Battlefield") Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts! This podcast is produc

Oh yeah, this is destined to be our most-downloaded show ever, because the Battle Bards are bringing the THRILLS of sewer systems and the EXCITEMENT of swamps right to your eardrums! Decaying organic matter and waste disposal are always fun times in the music department! Syp, Steff, and Syl comb through their MMO soundtrack archives to see what intriguing specimens they could pull out. It's gonna be gross, people. Episode 186 show notes Intro (feat. "Freeport Sewers" from EverQuest II, "Marsh of Peril" from Vanguard, and "Swamp of Silence" from Aion) "Dalaran Sewers" from World of Warcraft "Purple Lotus Swamp" from Age of Conan "Wetlands" from World of Warcraft "Swamplands" from EverQuest Online Adventures  "Battle in the Swamp" from Star Wars: The Old Republic  "Swamp of No Hope" from EverQuest II  "Empyrea Zanadu Sewers" from Wizard101 Which one did we like best? Listener note from Katriana Jukebox picks: "Landing Zone" from Chex Quest, "Bastion" from Spellforce 3, and "Day 10" from Viva Pinata Outro (feat

While Lineage II is one of the absolute favorite soundtracks of the Battle Bards, the first game in this series has been shamefully overlooked on the show. No longer! In today's episode, Syl, Steff, and Syp dig into this rather lovely and expressive score for an MMO that's been around longer than some of their listeners have been alive. From the sappy to the sublime, Lineage has more than a few surprises in store for the adventurous listener! Episode 186 show notes Intro (feat. "The Fog of Dawnlight," "Before Sunset," and "Town Market Stargaze") "Against Odds" "Phantasmal Island"  "Across the Sea" "Eternally" "The Adventure of Racoon"  "Take a Rest Here" "Waltz on the Cloud" Which one did we like best? Listener note from R. Ellen Ferare Jukebox picks: "Learn Step Turn" from Creaks, "Quicksilver" from Super Burnout, and "Main Theme" to Spider-Man: Miles Morales Outro (feat. "Singing of Shepherd") Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadi

Flying has always been both beloved and controversial in MMORPGs, but no matter what your stance on it, at least you can agree that when you slip the surly bonds of earth, you need an amazing soundtrack for that moment. Thankfully, captain Steff, co-pilot Syl, and navigator Syp are here to point out some of the best flying-themed tunes found in online games. So raise your tray tables to their locked position, because this episode's about to take off! Episode 185 show notes  Intro (feat. “Boundless” from Final Fantasy XIV, "Skybound" from Entropia Universe, and "Gryphons Soar in the Sun" from Elder Scrolls Online) "Main Theme" from World of Warplanes "Eagle Flight" from Guild Wars 2 "A Glorious Flight" from War Thunder "Adventure" from Guns of Icarus "Fly into the Sky" from Blade and Soul "Flying Sky" from Trove "Flying" from Flyff Which one did we like best? Listener note from Bullwraith Jukebox picks: "Main Theme" from Star Wars Squadrons, "Menu Theme" from Medieval Dynasty, and "Salutations" from Subnautic

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. "Rune Blader Cave," "Black Star," and "Ice Age Field") "Knight Theme" "Perion Field 1" "Tria" "Dream" "Dungeon" "Lapenta" "Historic Desert" Which one did we like best? Listener note from Katriana Jukebox picks: "Flying in the Sky" from Super Robot Wars F, "Rey's Theme" from Sims 4: Journey to Batuu, and "Volcano" from Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom Outro (feat. "Wizard Theme") 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 Sec

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. "Shopping Arcade 1" from MapleStory 2, "Nar Shadda" from SWTOR, and "Dream Carnival" from Hello Kitty Online) "Themepark Overture" from Lineage 2 "Mudskipper Calliope" from RuneScape "Darkmoon Faire Hero" from World of Warcraft "Fantastic Theme Park" from MapleStory  "Blizzard World" from Overwatch "Carnival of Death" from The Secret World "Gold Saucer" from Final Fantasy XIV Which one did we like best? Listener note from Katriana Jukebox picks: "A Sit By the Water" from A Monster's Expedition, "Forest" from The Smurfs (NES), and  Outro (feat. "Fairie Funland Trailer Theme" from Revelation Online) Talk to the Battle

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 Reckoning," and "Against All Odds") "Beast from Beneath"  "Growth" "Woodpunk" "The Old Ways" "The Flotillans" "Big Red" "Chase the Bard" Which one did we like the best? Listener notes from Mika, Minimalistway, and Bullwraith Jukebox picks: "Out of the North" from Assassin's Creed Valhalla, "Main Theme Part 3" from Baldur's Gate 3, and "Super Sonic" from Sonic Mania 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 Sect

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 "Four Corners" from A Tale in the Desert) Australia: "Untamed Outback" from Elsword Online North America: "Main Theme" from Outlaws of the Old West  Europe: "Eulmore 1" from Final Fantasy XIV South America: "Mayan Lobby Theme" from SMITE Asia: "Main Theme" from Silkroad Online Africa: "Akhet" from Age of Conan Antarctica: "Arcterra" from WildStar Which one did we like the best? Listener notes: Grilledcheese28 and Katriana Jukebox picks: "Maki Ya" from Scott Pilgrim: The Game, "Through the Roof of the World" from World of Warcraft: Shadowlands, and "Chasing the Torrents" from Genshin Impact Outro (feat. "Sunnyside" from

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" "Character Creation"  "Game Anniversary Theme - Day"  "Jinghu Day" "Cloud"  "Saddle" "Rain" Which one did we like best? Listener note from Dug Jukebox picks: "A Short Flight" from A Short Hike, "Whaaarrgarrrbl" from Desktop Dungeons, and "Isle of Siptah Main Theme" from Conan Exiles Outro (feat. "Mid-Autumn Festival Day") 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.

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 World of Warcraft, "The Adventure Begins" from Tales of Pirates, "The Redmoon Marauders" from WildStar, and "Driftwood Island Combat" from Pirates of the Caribbean Online) "Pirate Ship" from MapleStory 2 "We Shall Sail Together" from Sea of Thieves "Freeport Theme" from Atlas "Pirates" from Ashen Empires "Port Theme" from Florensia "Randy Dandy Oh" from The Legend of Pirates Online "San Juan" from Pirates of the Burning Sea Which one did we like best? Listener note from Katriana Jukebox picks: "Credits" from Flashback CD, "Hero Approaches" from Port Royale 4, and "The Time Traveller" from Luna: The Shadow Dust. Outro

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," "Rocket Science," and "Ballroom") "Prologue 2" "Steps" "Saint" "Dock Wrecks" "Keates" "Hyena Hunt" "Rooftops" Which one did we like best? Listener notes from Zinn Jukebox picks: "Sanctuary 3" from Borderlands 3, "Ronda's Diner" from Unforeseen Incidents, and "Bushroot" from Darkwing Duck NES Outro (feat. "Junior") 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.

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 Breeze" from Elsword Online, "Silken Wind Through a Bamboo Forest" from Age of Conan, and "The Wind and the Reeds" from Fallout 76) "Sign of Wind" from Lineage "Echoes of a Zephyr" from Final Fantasy XI "Dust" from Last Oasis "Whispering Winds" from TERA "On Windy Meadows" from Final Fantasy XIV “Carbines in the Wind" from Star Wars: The Old Republic "Winds of the Frontier" from WildStar Which one did we like best? Listener notes: Zinn and Katriana "Swordmaiden's Prayer," a special WildStar tribute to Avidguru Jukebox picks: "Traps" from Turrican 2, "Title Theme" from Clockwiser, and "Title Theme" from Ary and the S

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) Intro (feat. "Sunrise," "Newbie Melody," and "Waterfall II") "Harmony" "A Hero's Return" "The Town" "Aurora"  "The Winding Meadow” "Village Dance"  "Gnomeball" Which one did we like best? Listener notes: Zinn and Katriana Jukebox picks: "Welcome to Hogwarts" from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, "The Way of the Samurai" from Ghost of Tsushima, and "Garbage Day" from Donut Country. Outro (feat. "RuneScape Theme") 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 F

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 Stable, and "Journey to the Prehistoric" from Club Penguin) "Savage" from Durango Wildlands "Traces of Ancient History" from WildStar  "Dinoville" from Dino Storm "Main Theme" from ARK Survival Evolved "Gift of an Axe" from Conan Exiles "Dino Biome" from Trove "Un'goro Crater" from World of Warcraft Which one did we like best? Listener notes: Zinn and Katriana Jukebox picks: "Unbroken" from The Last of Us Part II, "No Escape" from Hades, and "Red Planet" from Bucky O'Hare Outro (feat. "Path of Titans" from Path of Exile) Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Goog

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," "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.

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, "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! Th