Battle Bards

Jump to hyperspace and turn up the tunes, for Syp is going full-on into Star Control 2's amazing and bizarre soundtrack. It's an oddity among video game scores, even to this day, and much beloved because of it. Episode 7: Star Control 2 Intro "Starbase Commander" "Hyperspace" "Spathi Theme" "Zoq-Fot-Pik Theme" "Slylandro Theme" "Melnorme Theme" Outro ("Yehat Theme")

With all of the unbridled love for World of Warcraft's soundtrack on Battle Bards, historically, you know that we couldn't let a new expansion score go without commentary. In this show, the three co-hosts tackle the weighty and lengthy Legion OST, cherry-picking their favorite tunes and confessing all manner of gaming sins. Episode 86 show notes  Intro (feat. "Kingdoms Will Burn" and "Dalaran Dawn") "Anduin" "The Last Stand" "Requiem for the Lost Cities" "Highmountain" "Suramar City" "Totems of the Grizzlemaw Revisited" "Lion's Rest (Canticle of Sacrifice)" Which one did we like the most? Jukebox Picks: "America" from Civilization VI, "Tropos (Day)" from Owlboy, and "Me Too" from The Sims 4 Outro ("Karazhan 7.1") Email the Battle Bards! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM , Google Play and Pocket Casts! Find more podcasts at The Gaming and Entertainment Network!

Syp doesn't hold a monopoly on retro VGM -- far from it! In this episode, he plays a melting pot of listener requests from many eras, platforms, and genres. Want to send in your own requests for a future show? Drop him a line on Twitter @Sypster! Episode 6: Listener requests!  Intro "Song of the Grid" from Ballblazer (Atari 7800) "Volcanic Stage" from Life Force (NES) "Stage Select" from Mega Man X (SNES) "Scars of Time" from Chrono Cross (PlayStation) "Lemming 2 (Miners and Climbers)" from Lemmings (Amiga) "Intro" from Gods (Amiga) Outro

The desert is calling the Battle Bards, but are they willing to make the trek across these vast wastelands to see if the music is worthwhile or not? Guess co-host Scott joins Syl and Syp for a listen through several desert tracks to see what can be sifted from the sand. Is there treasure below or sun-bleached boredom? Episode 85 show notes Intro (feat. “Tatooine, the Desert Sands” from Star Wars: The Old Republic and "Desert Wind" from AIKA Online) "Kheshatta" from Age of Conan "Desert Scape" from Aura Kingdom "Sands of the Alik'r" from Elder Scrolls Online "Desert Fortress Theme" from Cabal 2 "Liath Desert B" from Vanguard "Tanaris" from World of Warcraft "Sunset Desert" from MapleStory Which one did we like the most? Jukebox Picks: "Countdown" from Dota 2, "Ryoshima Plains" from Okami, and "Sepiks Redux" from Destiny: Rise of Iron Outro ("Desert Sun" from Ultima X Odyssey) Email the Battle Bards! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM , Google Play and Pocket Casts! Find more podcasts at The

The name's Syp. Just Syp. And I'm definitely not a super secret agent, nor a covert Russian spy, nor a particularly savvy podcaster. But I do know what I like when it comes to video game music, and 1997's Goldeneye 007 has probably my favorite Nintendo 64 score. It's the perfect soundtrack to all of life's activities, granted that you're infiltrating Cold War-era bases and blowing away scowling terrorists! Episode 5: Goldeneye 007 (show page, direct download) Intro (feat. "Main Theme" and "Wrist Clock") "Runway" "Dam" "Chemical Warfare Facility" "Escape from Missile Train" "Elevator Music" "Cradle" Outro (feat. "Main Theme Acapella" by Triforcefilms)

Need a podcast with a world sampler? Look no further than this episode, where co-hosts from the USA, Switzerland, and New Zealand join forces to discuss the Ultima Online games -- and yes, there's more than just one! Scott AKA Mylin subs in for Steff this week as the Battle Bards explore three Ultima titles and the fantastic music behind each. Episode 84 show notes  Intro (feat. “Stones” from Ultima Online and "The Hero's Call" from Ultima Forever) "Cove" from Ultima Online "Hail, Lady of Britannia" from Ultima Forever "Misty Forest" from Ultima X "Buccanneer's Den" from Ultima Online "Despise the Light, Live in Shadows" from Ultima Forever "Townlife" from Ultima X "Rule City" from Ultima X Which one did we like the most? Jukebox Picks: "Explore (Day 2)" from Skyrim, "Cable Car" from No One Lives Forever, and "Cold Steel Coffin" from NieR Outro (feat. "Victory" from Ultima Online) Download the officially free Ultima X Odyssey soundtrack here! Email the Battle Bards! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitche

One of the most beloved video game soundtracks of all time gets a capital treatment in this episode, thanks to special guest star Syl of Battle Bards. Syl and Syp talk about their memories of the game, favorite picks, and the legacy that this score produced in the 20-odd years since Chrono Trigger's release. Episode 3: Chrono Trigger  Intro (feat. "Title Screen" and "Gato's Song") "Battle Theme" "Frog's Theme" "Robo's Theme" "Kingdom Trial" "To Far Away Times" "Memories of Green" "Corridors of Time/Shala's Time" "Guardia Castle" "Delightful Spekkio" "Fanfare" "Brink of Time" "At the Bottom of the Night" "Millenial Fair" "Yearnings of the Wind" Outro (feat. "Yearnings of the Wind" by Blake Robinson)

Triumph and victory -- are they the same thing? Sometimes, but not always. On today's breathtaking episode of Battle Bards, the team tackles triumphant (and victorious!) themes from MMORPGs, trying to nail down what, exactly, makes a track fit in this category. Also, Syl totally breaks the rules of the show's format and she doesn't even apologize. That's how much of a rebel she is. Episode 83 show notes Intro (feat. "High Price of Victory" from ArcheAge and "Veranas City" from Runes of Magic) "Battle of Pelennor Fields -- Final Victory" from Lord of the Rings Online "Hail the Victor!" from Lineage 2 "Victory Banners" from Guild Wars "Argent Tournament: Joust Event" from World of Warcraft "Victory Theme" from Overwatch "Victory" from Firefall "Spark of Hope" from Dragon's Prophet Which one did you like the most? Jukebox Picks: "On the Wings of Adventure" from Pixelmon, "Hyperspace" from Star Control 2, "Main Theme" from Song of the Deep Outro (feat. "Knighting Ceremony" from Lineage 2) Email the Battle Bar

What do you get when you take a space janitor and throw him into head-imploding danger? He dies, an awful lot -- but it's pretty funny when he does! In this episode of Retro Reprise, Syp takes a journey through the Space Quest series and its decidedly quirky soundtrack. Episode 3: Space Quest Intro "Introduction" from Space Quest "Auto-Nav Button" from Space Quest "The Skimmer" from Space Quest "Droids B Us" from Space Quest "Main Theme" from Space Quest III "Fester's World of Wonders" from Space Quest III "Astro Chicken" from Space Quest III "Let's Shop!" from Space Quest IV "Skate-o-Rama" from Space Quest IV "Introduction" from Space Quest V "Starcon Academy" from Space Quest V "Soylent Jingle" from Space Quest VI "Mission Complete" from Space Quest VI Outro

This week on Battle Bards, the crew dips its toes into the "candyland" world of Dragon Nest. It's a game that belies stereotypical expectations, being both dark in theme and rich in music. Of course, Steff declares herself a wet blanket from the onset, but will she be won over by the show's end? Listen and find out! Episode 82 show notes  Intro (feat. "Dragon Nest - Fluttering Leaves of the Tree of Life" and "Apocalypse Battle") "Song of the Goddess: The Eternal Path" "Dark Lair" "Main Theme" "Mana Ridge" "Horse Racing" "Prairie Town" "Calderock Pass" Which one did you like the most? Jukebox Picks: "Flicker of Life" from Dragon's Prophet, "Happy Street" from Happy Street, "Titles" from Little Inferno Outro (feat. "Colosseum") Email the Battle Bards! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM , Google Play and Pocket Casts! Find more podcasts at The Gaming and Entertainment Network!  

It's the 25th anniversary of one of the best video game consoles of all time, and to celebrate, Syp is counting down his top 10 favorite Super NES tunes. It's all about personal choice, fond memories, and new discoveries in this second episode of Retro Reprise! Episode 2: Top 10 favorite SNES tunes Intro 10. "The Road is Full of Dangers" from Super Mario RPG 9. "Dark World" from The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past 8. "Boss Battle" from Zombies Ate My Neighbors 7. "Gang-Plank Galleon" from Donkey Kong Country 6. "Terra's Theme" from Final Fantasy 3/6 5. "Bloody Tears" from Super Castlevania IV 4. "New Junk City" from Earthworm Jim 3. "Overworld Theme (with Yoshi)" from Super Mario World 2. "Frog's Theme" from Chrono Trigger 1. "Corona" from Starfox Outro

They may be ugly. They may be smelly. And they may have no table manners whatsoever. What, we're not talking about the Battle Bards! No, it's actually a reference to the subject matter of today's episode: Goblins, Orcs, and Ogres. The most unglamorous of MMO races get their day in the spotlight, as the co-hosts scrounge through soundtracks to find music that best represents their various cultures. Oh, and apparently Ogres are the odd man out, because they get nothin' other than a sad place in the show marquee. Episode 81 show notes  Intro (feat. "Plight of the Ogres" from World of Warcraft and "Down Down to Goblin-Town" from Lord of the Rings Online) "The Crymbil (Goblins)" from Project Copernicus "Orc Village" from Lineage II "Kezan (Goblins)" from World of Warcraft "Goblin Village" from Runes of Magic "New Orsinium" from Elder Scrolls Online "Greenskins (Orcs)" from Warhammer Online "Cave of the Goblins" from RuneScape Which one did we like best? Jukebox picks: "Along for the Ride" from Poly Bridge, "Ligh

Is your life a duck blur? Then you're going to need a strong dose of the Duck Tales to get you through it! Woo-ooo! Welcome to Retro Reprise, a brand-new half-hour podcast showcasing classic video game music from the '80s and '90s. For the maiden episode, we look at one of the NES' best soundtracks: Duck Tales. From the moon to the mines of Africa, this soundtrack was rocking it back in 1989 -- and it still does today, considering all of the covers created by budding musicians on YouTube. Episode 1: Duck Tales show notes Intro (feat. "Main Theme" and "Launchpad Copter") "The Moon" "Himalayas" "Transylvania" "The Amazon" "African Mines" "Niagara Falls" Duck Tales Remastered Outro (feat. "Game Over")

Never heard of Aura Kingdom? The Battle Bards hope that after an hour of attention, you might add a new title to your video game music library. This fantasy MMO has an exuberant score that nonetheless inspires vicious bickering and passionate speeches by the co-hosts. It's the 80th episode, and the Battle Bards are still going strong! Episode 80 show notes  Intro (feat. "Step by Step" and "Wise Tale") "Welcome to the New World" "Reflection" "Archmage's Holy Land/Echoes of the Past" "Grand City" "Witcher Waltz" "Hustle and Bustle" "Fate of the Forest" Which one did we like best? Jukebox picks: "The Last of Us" from The Last of Us, "Two Dots" from Two Dots, and "Summer (Tropicala)" from Stardew Valley Outro (feat. "Hero") Email the Battle Bards! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM , Google Play and Pocket Casts! Find more podcasts at The Gaming and Entertainment Network!  

Ready to battle it out more than usual? The Battle Bards are cranking up the combat tunes from MMORPGs today, inviting all sorts of violence and slap-happy tempos into the show. So strap on your sword, sling a shield on your back, and get ready to leap into the fray with a wide assortment of excellent -- and even unusual -- music tracks! Episode 79 show notes  Intro (feat. "Planes of Power Battle Music 2" from EverQuest and "Combat Part 3" from The Secret World) "Dungeon Boss Music" from FFXIV: Heavensward "Skull Island Broadside Combat" from Pirate101 "Savage Coast Combat" from Age of Conan "Combat 4" from Black Desert Online "Combat en Amakna" from Dofus "Madera Combat" from Defiance "High Battle 2" from EverQuest II Which one did we like best? Jukebox Picks: "Les Monstres" from Contre Jour, "Dearly Beloved" from Kingdom Hearts II, "Hymn to Aurora" from Horace Wimp Outro ("Battle Music 3" from War Thunder) Email the Battle Bards! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM , Google Play and Pocke

Before World of Warcraft, there was EverQuest -- the king of the MMOs and the pioneer of true 3D graphics in virtual worlds. Today the Battle Bards pay homage to this classic game, going back to 1999 to see how the music (in its various formats) hold up. If you were waiting for an episode where Steff spends most of the time screeching in agony, this is it! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player.FM Episode 78 show notes Intro (feat. "Main Theme," "Bard's Guild," and "Karana Bridge") "Kerra Isle" "Plane of Storms" "Plane of Knowledge" "Akanon" "Tower of Soulsek Ro" "Solitude" "Toxxulia Forest" Which one did we like best? Mail from Shannon Doyle Jukebox picks ("Bridge Zone" from Sonic SMS, "From Past to Present" from Skyrim, and "Following Stanley" from The Stanley Parable) Overclocked Podcast shout-out Outro Email the Battle Bards! Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo! Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts

Steff has decreed the return of spirit of adventure — and so it shall be! In the second part of this theme, the Battle Bards explore adventurous and inspirational MMO tunes. Are we out of ideas or overflowing with incredible tracks? It’s definitely the latter, so grab your hiking stick and join us as we venture out into the great yonder! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player.FM Episode 77 show notes Intro (feat. “Gahren Plains” from Vanguard and “Tullan” from ArchLord) “Ship of Destiny” from TERA “Make Zone BGM” from Lime Odyssey “A Grand Adventure” from WildStar “Freedom Wind” from Aura Kingdom “Albrassia Field” from Ragnarok 2 “Halas” from EverQuest Online Adventures “Sailing Icy Seas” from World of Warcraft Which one did we like best? Jukebox picks: “Main Menu” from Overwatch, “Wings” from Xenogears, and“Animated” from Zombies Corporate Life Outro Email the Battle Bards! Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo! Battle Bards is part of The

“It’s high time that we talk about the Heart of Thorns expansion for Guild Wars 2!” Syl says, and we couldn’t agree more. The Battle Bards assemble to look at the first expansion for this fantasy MMO — and the evolution of the game’s soundtrack from the Jeremy Soule era. The verdict? Unanimous love for this incredible score! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player.FM Episode 76 show notes Intro (feat. “Rata Novus” and “An Exalted Lullaby”) “Main Theme” “Auric Wilds” “Glint’s Legacy” “Tarir, the Forgotten City” “Far From Home” “Attack on Tarir” “Faren’s Flyer” Which one did we like best? Jukebox picks: “Main Theme” from Wynncraft, “The Dance Begins” from Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate, and “Comfort” from Frosaken World Outro (feat. “Jaka Itzel”) Email the Battle Bards! Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo! Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Networkof podcasts

Get out on the dance floor and boogie down with the Battle Bards! Today the bards look for -- believe it or not -- electronic dance music in MMO soundtracks. Yes, it exists, and yes, it's all over the map. So strap in for a tub-thumping, rave-inducing episode that does skew to the goofy and surreal at times. Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player.FM Episode 75 show notes Intro (feat. “Club Tracks” from Anarchy Online and “Club 47” from Star Trek Online) "Free to Dance" from WildStar "Lords of Verminion Theme" from FFXIV "Sunset Tracer" from Tree of Savior "Pocket D Themes" from City of Heroes "Involute" from Granada Espada "Robo Factory Theme" from The Sims Online "Stratus" from The Matrix Online Which one did we like best? Jukebox picks: "Floating Sky" from Trove, "Peaceful Hills" from Portal Knights, and "Wet Hands" from Minecraft Outro ("Mission Complete" from Spiral Knights) Email the Battle Bards! Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo!

This eastern sandbox import has many people playing and talking about it, but are they listening to Black Desert Online? The Battle Bards are, naturally, and in this conversation-packed episode, they charge through this fantasy soundtrack to glean the best and discard the rest! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player.FM Episode 74 show notes Intro (feat. "Majesty" and "Keplan") "Main Theme" "Town of Glycidyl/Glish" "Discovery Theme" "Tavern Theme" "Road to Valencia" "Trent Village Ambience" "Media Horse Riding" Which one did we like best? Jukebox picks: "Gravity Falls Mystery Tour" from Disney Infinity, "Makura Kouji" from Mushishi, and "Animal Apogee" from RuneScape Outro (feat. "Nighttime") Email the Battle Bards! Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo! Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts