Battle Bards: Recent Episodes

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It's been a very long while, but the Battle Bards haven't fully abandoned you -- at least not without a goodbye! In the grand final episode of the show, Steff, Syl, and Syp gather together one last time to share memories of the show, the reason behind the decision to end it, and a few of our favorite MMO music tracks. Enjoy -- and from the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much for listening these past 12 years. We had a blast doing it.

Episode 234 show notes

• Songs featured in this episode:
• "Hamlets of Aquilonia" from Age of Conan
• "Silus Mountain" from Aion
• "Fly into the Sky" from Blade & Soul
• "Freedom Theme" from City of Heroes
• "Hills of the Shire" from Lord of the Rings Online
• "Townston Theme" from Dungeon Runners
• "Below the Asteroids" from EVE Online
• "Main Theme" from EverQuest II
• "The Republic of Bastok" from Final Fantasy XI
• "Tidecaller" from League of Legends
• "Home Sweet Home" from RuneScape
• "Alsalvara Light" from Lime Odyssey
• "Island Village" from Lineage II
• "Silverwood" from RIFT
• "Invincible" from World of Warcraft
• "Traveling Tale" from Runes of Magic
• "A Golden Field" from WildStar
• "Lana, The Advisor" from Star Wars: The Old Republic
• "World Map 2" from The Sims Online
• "Stones" from Ultima Online
• "Seascape" from Anarchy Online
• "Townlife" from Ultima X Odyssey
• "Bamboo Forest" from Vanguard

• Outro (feat. "Elwynn Forest" from World of Warcraft)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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For Battle Bards' penultimate episode, Syp and Syl explore some EPIC battle music across many MMOs. After all, if we're going to go out in style, that style's going to be loud enough to blast a hole in your eardrums! We also learn that nobody likes the Flute Guy.

Episode 233 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Epic Raid Boss 4" from DCUO, "Mission Battle" from CABAL Online, and "Boss Fight 1" from Kritika Online)
• "Flame Incursion" from World of Warcraft
• "Battle Theme 4" from Atlantica Online
• "Battle on the Breachmaker" from Guild Wars 2
• "Abyss Battle" from Aion
• "The Copied Factory Boss Theme" from FFXIV
• "Enemy Territory" from WildStar
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox Picks: "The Blue Hole" from Dave the Diver and "A Verdant Wind Blows Day" from Octopath Traveler II

• Outro (feat. "Nasod-King Boss" from Elsword 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.

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A small online RPG proves to have a big musical heart with Wayfinder, as Syp, Steff, and Syl discover! These consummate professionals chew through this soundtrack and ask for seconds, only to be denied because they made such a mess along the way. Also, we are the only people in the world who dislike Baldur's Gate 3.

Episode 232 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Call of the Void," "Echoes of the Fallen," and "Skylight")
• "Awakening"
• "Wayfinder"
• "Deepwood Holt"
• "In the Beacon's Light"
• "Kragan Highlands"
• "Blood in the Wood"
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox Picks: "Fillmore" from ActRaiser, "The Apostle Myrkul" from Baldur's Gate 3, and "Death's Door" from Death's Door

• Outro (feat. "Raven's Shadow")

• 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.

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Returning to the fertile soundtrack of Caravan Stories, Syl and Syp are rejoined by Steff to give us a fresh take! It's another journey through a charming and laid-back MMO landscapes.

Episode 231 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Entrust a Will," "Toasting Dance," and "Open the Map")
• "Foothills of Carvendel"
• "Enigma Rips the Sky"
• "Folka Village"
• "Baldu Pipe Town"
• "Slapstick Castanet"
• "Glenmore Fault Valley"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener mail from Minimalistway
• Jukebox Picks: "Graphorn Ride" from Hogwarts Legacy, "To the Heroes of the Light" from Bravely Default II, and "Subterra" from A Boy and His Blob

• Outro (feat. "Outpouring of Armaments")

• 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.

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Ready to get your cozy on? Syp and Syl take you into the relatively new life sim Palia to explore its down-home-on-the-player-farm tunes. Is this a little TOO laid-back and boring, or is there a rural charm to this soundtrack? We’ll be the judge of that.

Episode 230 show notes

• Intro (feat. “Home Sweet Home,” “Palia’s Kilima Village Daytime Theme,” and “The Creation”)
• “Daiya Farm Badruu’s Melody”
• “Main Theme”
• “Chapaa Chase”
• “Einar’s Cave”
• “Daydreams, Sunsets”
• “Maji Market”
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox Picks: “Not Tomorrow” from Silent Hill and “Lost in Random” from Blake Robinson

• Outro (feat. "Hygge Living and Building")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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Come along for a trundling trip through the countryside with Caravan Stories, a 2017-era MMO that charmed Syl so much that she demanded they do a two-part show on its soundtrack! Bring your sympathy for Syp, who has to put up with this nonsense!

Episode 229 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Dubious Person," "In Trials," and "Rallying Man")
• "Caravan Trip"
• "Eastern Part of Denon Hill"
• "Free City of Nero"
• "Arlosa Mine"
• "Polka"
• "Mad Cow Brewery"
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox Picks: “Chef Saltbaker” from Cuphead and “Save Room Theme” from Resident Evil 2

• Outro (feat. "Sailing to the City of Freedom - Elf")

• 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.

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Not every dungeon has to be a drab and dour affair -- a fact which sent the Battle Bards searching for the cheeriest tunes from MMO instances! Join Syp and Syl as they recount a good half-dozen upbeat tracks from online RPG dungeons. If you've got to loot... loot with a smile.

Episode 228 show notes

• Intro (feat. “Commence to Jiggin'” from WildStar, “Brawler's Trial” from World of Warcraft, and “Daring Dalliances” from FFXIV)
• "Den of Secrets" from Free Realms
• "Dohn Mheg" from FFXIV
• "Balzack’s Bachelor Boogie" from Dungeon Runners
• "Ellinia Forest Dungeon" from MapleStory
• "The Motherlode" from World of Warcraft
• "Math Dungeon" from Mabinogi
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox Picks: “The Streets Suburbia” from The Lawnmower Man and "Summer Breeze" from TOEM

• Outro (feat. “Boom Box Beat” from City of Heroes)

• 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.

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Syp and Syp return to the vast library of NCsoft's MMO soundtracks, with games like Aion, Lineage, and Blade & Soul to keep our ears happy for decades now. With so much new music coming out of this studio on a regular basis, there's always something fresh to experience!

Episode 227 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Glimmer of Hope" from Aion, "A Tropical Getaway" from WildStar, and "Coastline" from Guild Wars)
• "Corridor of Awakening" from Blade and Soul 2
• "The Labyrinth in the Garden" from Lineage II
• "The Recluse" from Lineage
• "Greenhollow" from Blade and Soul
• "Darkened Land" from Aion
• "Cormans" from Tabula Rasa
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox Picks: "NCsoft Playlist" and "Shamburger" from Age of Empires II

• Outro (feat. "SissiRat Theme" from Dungeon Runners)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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It’s always highly bittersweet when MMO fans sit back and consider the games that never were — the projects that got far along in development but, for various reasons, didn’t cross the finish line. But some left behind a melodic footprint that’s very much worth examining, which is what our intrepid Battle Bards do today!

Episode 226 show notes

• Intro (feat. “Overture” from Stargate Worlds, “Sentience” from The Repopulation, and “Ancestral Lands” from Glitch)
• “Town” from Peria Chronicles
• “Alpha 6” from EverQuest Landmark
• “Roobrik and Balzare” from Glitch
• “Barren Plains” from Ultima X Odyssey
• “Sunlit Forest 2” from Project Copernicus
• “West Tumbara Day” from Lime Odyssey
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes: Katriana
• Jukebox Picks: “The Way Home” from Terranigma (SNES) and “Main Theme” from Timerborn

• Outro (feat. “Zingo’s Faire” from Project Copernicus)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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One of the newer MMOs on the market, Embers Adrift leaned hard into tougher PvE gameplay and the darkest of dark nights. But how does its music support this fantasy game world? Syl and Syp investigate the "living soundtrack" of this hardcore title.

Episode 225 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Adventures Adrift," "Gardens and Ruins," and "Into the Trees")
• "Meadowlands Melody"
• "Newhaven"
• "Newhaven City Theme"
• "Hunted in the Dark"
• "Sojourn in the Mist"
• "Wanderer"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes: Thuan
• Jukebox Picks: "Pizza Deluxe" from Pizza Tower and "Staff Roll" from Super Soccer

• Outro (feat. "Enigmatic Echoes")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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It's been an almost egregiously long time since the Battle Bards turned their attention to the EverQuest II soundtrack -- but now that wait is over. Join Syp and Syl as they comb through the expansions for all sorts of delightful musical morsels to enjoy!

Episode 224 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Main Theme," "Landing Zone," and "Darkpaw")
• "Artisan Theme"
• "Qeynos Rises"
• "Stonewood"
• "Dreadcutter"
• "Visions of Vetrovia"
• "Enchanted Lands"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes: Zinn
• Jukebox Picks: "Big Apple 3PM" from TMNT Shredder's Revenge and "A New Land Awaits" from Going Medieval

• Outro (feat. “Gnomeland Security Headquarters”)

• 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.

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The steely gaze and pointy ears of the Battle Bards turns to 2009's Dragonica -- also known as Dragon Saga -- to see what musical treasures might be stashed in this beast's lair. Syl and Syp descend into this all-too-cute realm to find tracks of whimsy and madness awaiting. Listener beware!

Episode 223 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Sky City," "Ferell," and "Haruka's Sushi Restaurant")
• "Title Screen"
• "Swamp Area"
• "Traitor's Ridge"
• "Port of Winds"
• "Odelia"
• "Pinecone Hill"
• Which one did we like best?
• Thanks to MMO Bomb for featuring us on its Top 10 MMO podcasts you should be listening to!
• Listener notes: Bill Champagne, Katriana
• Jukebox Picks: "The House Cup" from Hogwarts Legacy and "Content" from Age of Mythology

• Outro (feat. "My Home")

• 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.

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Will our fascination with giant, skyfaring, flame-belching lizards subside? World of Warcraft bets not, as it's currently soaring through its Dragonflight expansion. Will the music also ascend to lofty realms or fall to the earth with a dud? You'll have to listen to the Battle Bards as they figure out the answer to that question!

Episode 222 show notes

• Intro (feat. "The Dragon's Hoard," "Riverbends," and "The Isles Awaken")
• "Take to the Skies"
• "Giants of the Span"
• "Windsong"
• "Tyrhold"
• "Ramparts of Valdrakken"
• "Gardens of Unity"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener Notes: George and Bullwraith
• Jukebox Picks: "Encounter Elite" from Sea of Stars, "Jubilife Village Theme" from Pokemon Legends Arceus, and "Density" from Citizen Sleeper

• Outro (feat. "Life Pools")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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The power of the One Ring doesn't just rule them all -- it also brings Steff back from retirement! All three Battle Bards are here today to talk about Lord of the Rings Online's enormous Before the Shadow soundtrack. From Hobbits to swans to everything in between, our radio dial is stuck on Middle-earth for now.

Episode 221 show notes

• Intro (feat. "The Silver Bastion," "Valor of Yore," and "Hidden Hearths")
• "Before the Shadow"
• "Cranny and Nook"
• "Mark of the White Hand"
• "The Waiting Night"
• "The Stoors Abode"
• "The Shadow Rises"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener Notes: Thuan, Zinn, and Katriana
• Jukebox Picks: "Sunset Breakfast" from Tunic, "Lichdragon Fortissax" from Elden Ring, and "San Francisco Escape By Day" from Driver

• Outro (feat. "A History Not Forgotten")

• 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.

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On this week’s episode, Bree and Justin talk about roadmaps, roadmaps, and more roadmaps! Elder Scrolls Online, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Diablo Immortal, and Villagers and Heroes all laid out plans for 2023, along with a delightful launch announcement from Gloria Victis.

It’s the Massively OP Podcast, an action-packed hour of news, tales, opinions, and gamer emails! And remember, if you’d like to send in your question to the show, use this link or call in to our voicemail at (734) 221-3973.

Listen to the show right now:

Show notes: * Intro * Adventures in MMOs: LOTRO, ESO * News: Elder Scrolls Online roadmap and new class * News: Dungeons and Dragons Online's mini-expansion announcement * News: Diablo Immortal's confusing roadmap * News: Villagers and Heroes is finally getting interior housing * News: Star Trek Online's 13th anniversary patch * News: Gloria Victis to launch next week * Mailbag: Exploring optional content * Outro

Other info: * Podcast theme: "Another Story Begins" from Gloria Victis * Your show hosts: Justin and Bree * Listen to Massively OP Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, Amazon, and Spotify * Follow Massively Overpowered: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Twitch * If you’re having problems seeing or using the web player, please check your flashblock or scriptblock setting.

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Whether or not you like dragons, you have to admit that Guild Wars 2 certainly ended them in style! Join Syl and Syp as they rewind to last winter's End of Dragons and its incredible bounty of soundtrack goodness.

Episode 220 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Daigo Ward" and "Mist Connections")
• "A Future Carved in Jade"
• "A New Era of Heroes"
• "I'm Home"
• "The Petrified Forest"
• "Captain of the Aetherblades"
• "Stroll in the Night Markets"
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox Picks: "Crystal Garden" from King's Quest V and "Knucklebones" from Cult of the Lamb

• Outro (feat. "The Empire of Dragons")

• 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.

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If anyone's ever told you to "take a chill pill," then the Battle Bards have your full dosage in today's episode. Exploring peaceful and serene tracks from MMORPGs, Syl and Syp find their inner calm -- before the inevitable slaughter.

Episode 218 show notes

• Intro (feat. "A Farmer's Life" from WildStar, "Dream of Peace" from Lineage II, and "Silverfrost Mountain" from Blade and Soul)
• "Aro to the Sun" from Runes of Magic
• "Settler's Campsite" from Aion
• "Serenity" from TERA
• "Ammon Vale" from World of Warcraft
• "Shire Nights" from LOTRO
• "Aquarium" from RuneScape
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox Picks: "Be'elze Territory" from Valkyrie Elysium and "Closing Medley" from Space Quest III

• Outro (feat. "Fishing" from Lineage II)

• 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.

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Rock out with your mace out as the Battle Bards crank up the soundtrack to Dungeon Fighter Online. Have we been missing out on the vast bounty of action setpieces? Is there a delightful orchestral soundtrack tucked inside all of this synth noise? Tune in and find out!

Episode 218 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Main Theme," "Tower of Despair," and "Adios Verrickt")
• "The Seatrain"
• "Character Select"
• “White Night”
• “Forgotten Forest Boss”
• “We Are Desperado”
• “Alfhlyra Post”
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes
• Jukebox Picks: "High Score" from Rotox (Amiga) and "Trichroma Sunset" from Narita Boy

• Outro (feat. "Helix Powerstation")

• 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.

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Chances are you've never heard of today's featured MMO -- or its quirky little soundtrack! So why not come along with Syp and Syl to explore Legend of Edda, a now-defunct RPG set in a realm of Greek Mythology?

Episode 217 show notes

• Intro (feat. “Ballack's Castle” and “Cybele Garden”)
• “Title Theme"
• "Frigid Valley"
• "Gaiyan Town"
• "Wailing Wall"
• "Kobalos Mines"
• "Silver Lake"
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox Picks: “Millick Meadows (Night)” from Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and “Drug Store” from EarthBound

• Outro (feat. “Boreas Temple”)

• 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.

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While Final Fantasy XIV players won't shut up about A Realm Reborn, it's not often you hear people speaking fondly of the original 1.0 edition. Yet in this episode of Battle Bards, Syp and Syl find something to praise from this era: the Before Meteor soundtrack. Let's rewind the clock and hear the O.G. Eorzea tunes!

Episode 216 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Canticle," "Promise of Plunder," and "The Rider's Boon")
• "When a Tree Falls"
• "Navigator's Glory"
• "Born of the Boughs"
• "Desert Moon Defied"
• "Eorzea de Chocobo"
• "Dreams Aloft"
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox Picks: "Stage 2" from TMNT 2 and "The Fallen Kingdom" from Blue Fire

• Outro (feat. "To the Fore")

• 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.

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While Final Fantasy XIV players won't shut up about A Realm Reborn, it's not often you hear people speaking fondly of the original 1.0 edition. Yet in this episode of Battle Bards, Syp and Syl find something to praise from this era: the Before Meteor soundtrack. Let's rewind the clock and hear the O.G. Eorzea tunes!

Episode 216 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Canticle," "Promise of Plunder," and "The Rider's Boon")
• "When a Tree Falls"
• "Navigator's Glory"
• "Born of the Boughs"
• "Desert Moon Defied"
• "Eorzea de Chocobo"
• "Dreams Aloft"
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox Picks: "Stage 2" from TMNT 2 and "The Fallen Kingdom" from Blue Fire

• Outro (feat. "To the Fore")

• 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.

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Maybe you've never heard of Lineage W, a 2021 spin-off of NCsoft's long-running franchise. But after today's Battle Bards episode, you'll have heard it's sweet tunes! Join Syl and Syp as they explore this fantasy soundtrack to see how it stacks up against its amazing ancestors.

Episode 215 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Against Odds," "Moment of Peace," and "Woodbeck Village")
• "Main Theme"
• "Elven Forest Village"
• "Lone Wanderer"
• "Atoning Elf"
• "Knight of Faith"
• "Magician in the Nightmare"
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox Picks: "The Crown" from Oaken and "Golden Forest" from 1080° Snowboarding

• Outro (feat. "Man of Honor")

• 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.

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You may never see them coming, but when the Battle Bards strike out of the shadows, you'll either find your pocket picked, your fluffy best friend kidnapped, or your life's blood stolen. After all, they learned from the best thieves and rogues in the world! And what kind of music would these robbers identify with? Find out on today's show!

Episode 214 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Rogue" from Blackwater, "The Holy Land of Assassins" from Ragnarok Online, and "Rogues" from WildStar)
• "The Call of Cyrodiil" from Elder Scrolls Online
• "Thief Theme" from MapleStory 2
• "Two Rogues, One Mark" from Hearthstone
• "Golden Thief" from Ragnarok Online 2
• "Thieves" from EverQuest
• "Dark Brethren" from Sea of Thieves
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox Picks: "Seashell Strut" from Monster Galaxy and "Honor and Thieves" from Ruined King

• Outro (feat. "Band of Robbers" from Runes of Magic)

• 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.

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The END(walker) of Final Fantasy XIV came, went, and brought us some excellent music along the way! In this episode of the Battle Bards, Syl and Syp joust back and forth over the tunes from FFXIV's latest expansion. Is it an acquired taste or an instant hit? Let them be the judge!

Episode 213 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Opening Cinematic," "Welcome to Our Town," and "Black Steel, Cold Embers")
• "Vibrant Voices"
• "The Nautilus Knoweth"
• "On Blade's Edge"
• "The Day Will Come"
• "Spoken Without End"
• "Festival of the Hunt"
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox Picks: "Welcome to Wonder Labyrinth" from Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth and "Elm St." from Nightmare on Elm Street

• Outro (feat. "In the Balance")

• 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.

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Battle Bards Episode 212: Elder Scrolls Online Blackwood

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When the Battle Bards get loaded up with money and jewels in MMOs, they head back into town for a shopping spree! And if they're shopping, you know they're listening to whatever muzak is piped into these establishments. Syp and Syl listen to the music of shops and services -- and deliver their best to you!

Episode 211 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Cash Shop" from Dragon's Nest, "Shopping Arcade" from MapleStory 2, and "The Store" from Neverwinter Nights)
• "The Mystic Forge" from Guild Wars 2
• "The Magic Shop" from PlaneShift
• "Temple of Gold" from Aion
• "Aesthetician's Theme" from FFXIV
• "Brownie Storehouse" from Vanguard
• "Auction Hall" from LOTRO
• "Smithy" from Meridian 59
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox Picks: "The Ewer" from Sable and "The Lake" from Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future

• Outro (feat. "Shop" from Elsword)

• 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.

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We heard your many requests, and we delivered! The Battle Bards crew is back to explore the final frontier of music in the Warframe soundtrack. From funky ninja fighting tracks to stirring interstellar ballads, Warframe ended up being a fun journey through space, time, and composition.

Episode 210 show notes

• Intro (feat. “Fortuna Login," "March of the Moa," and "Venus Combat")
• "This is What You Are"
• "Cetus"
• "KDrive Race Music A"
• "Gene Molds C"
• “Smiles from Juran"
• "We All Lift Together"
• "Sleeping in the Cold Below"
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox Picks: "Main Theme" from The Sims 4: Cottage Living, "On Blade's Edge" from FFXIV, and "Easthaven in Peace" from Icewind Dale

• Outro (feat. "Synapse")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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When they're not saving the world from bad tunes, the Battle Bards stuff themselves into spandex and try out for sixth-tier superhero teams. Because saving the world is en vogue, don't you know? In today's episode, the crew takes a tour through the music of superhero MMORPGs past, present, and future!

Episode 209 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (feat. "Freedom Court" from City of Heroes, "The Rime Woods" from Champions Online, and "Credits" from Marvel Heroes)
• "Digital Death Dream" from City of Titans
• "Nightclub District 2" from Marvel Heroes
• "Funk" from City of Heroes
• "Asgard Town" from Super Hero Squad Online
• "Arkham Asylum" from DCUO
• "Desert Disaster" from Champions Online
• "A Brave New World" from City of Heroes
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes from Katriana
• Jukebox Picks: "Welcome to a Kick in the Pants in Good Old Hillville" from Commander Keen 4, "The Winding Meadow" from RuneScape Orchestral, and "Opposites Attract" from It Takes Two
• Steff's Best Books of 2021 list

• Outro (feat. "Metropolis 13" from DCUO)

• 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.

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Mighty Vikings and meek bards come together to sing the praises of the soundtrack to 2021's smash hit Valheim! Syl does her best to sell us all on the game (and, perhaps occasionally, its soundtrack) as the threesome hack, slash, and plunder the score to see what spoils might be taken back to the homeland.

Episode 208 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Moder v2," "Mountain," and "Yagluth")
• "Menu Theme"
• "Entering Valheim"
• "Black Forest"
• "Meadows"
• "Home Base"
• "Plains"
• "Sailing"
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox Picks: "In the Belly of the Beast" from Deep Rock Galactic, "Forest of Mystery" from The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and "Main Theme" from Deathloop

• Outro (feat. "Eikthyr")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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Have you ever gotten so mad that you literally saw red? Better yet, have you ever heard the color red when you've listened to an MMO's soundtrack? In this episode, the Battle Bards explore the diversity that exists within this singular blood hue. What does red sound like? Find out in this hour!

Episode 207 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Red Broth" from Warframe, "Red Menace" from Stargate Worlds, and "Crimson Cove" from City of Heroes)
• "Scarlet Raven" from World of Warcraft
• "Ruby Weapon" from FFXIV
• "The Scarlet Desert" from EverQuest
• "Red Land" from Aion
• "Bloody Ice" from Cabal Online
• "Red Scar" from Ragnarok Online 2
• "The Morning of Crimson Peak" from Blade and Soul
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox Picks: "Main Theme" from Red Dead Redemption, "Will of the Spirits" from Tales of Arise, and "Rain" from The 7th Guest

• Outro (feat. "Redwood" from Aion)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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It's been a long, long time since the Battle Bards have ventured down to the surface of Nexus -- at least, as a full episode. Now, it's time to warp back to WildStar! But after having featured this amazing soundtrack so often on the show, are there any good picks left... or just the dregs from a former civilization?

Episode 206 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Main Theme," "A Tropical Getaway," and "Sea of Green")
• "March of the Empire"
• "Operation Northern Wastes"
• "Legend of Blue Horizon"
• "A Very Dominion Shade's Eve"
• "Clear Skies"
• "From the Ashes"
• "Grist for the Mill"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes from Friendly Necromancer
• Jukebox Picks: "Main Theme" from Wild West World, "Main Theme" from Metroid Dread, and "Fading Twilight Battle Theme" from Dungeon Encounters

• Outro (feat. "The Malgrave Trail")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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They might not be the most naturally romantic crew at heart, but the Battle Bards have been known to get, er, swoony when love is professed and crushes confessed. In the spirit of love and romance, Steff, Syl, and Syp explore romantic themes in MMORPG soundtracks to see if they can figure out what the heart really wants!

Episode 205 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (feat. "Lana, the Advisor" from SWTOR, "Origa, Beautiful" from Aion, "Tieve's Theme" from Vindictus, and "Chapel of Love" from EverQuest II)
• "Endless Affection" from Rohan Online
• "Votan Romance" from Defiance
• "And Love You Shall Find" from FFXIV
• "Happily Ever After" from FFXI
• "Love Story" from RuneScape
• "Waltz in the Forest" from Aion
• "Romeo and Juliet" from Mabinogi
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes from Katriana
• Jukebox Picks: "FFXIV Remix Medley" by Calico, "Side-Crawler's Dance" from Wonder Boy III (SMS), and "Main Theme" from Square-Enix's Guardians of the Galaxy

• Outro (feat. "Valentione's Day" FFXIV)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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The MMORPG smash hit of 2021 is now a soundtrack of far-off lands, dangerous vistas, and bewildering secrets. To navigate this New World, the Battle Bards have disembarked onto the shores of this score to see what wonders they can pillage.

Episode 204 show notes

• Intro (feat. "A New World," "Discovery," and "Heart of Corruption")
• "Embark"
• "Cutlass Keys"
• "Everfall"
• "Sunset Ballad"
• "Monarch Bluffs"
• "Brightwood"
• "Homeward Bound"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes from George and Minimalistway
• Jukebox picks: "Yara Para Todos" from Far Cry 6, "Deep Thoughts" from Tales of Crestoria, and "Engineering" from System Shock 2

• Outro (feat. "Sea of Trees")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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For this week's episode, the Battle Bards turn their attention to an oft-neglected realm of MMO music -- that of mobile titles. Will Steff walk into a pole while playing Pokemon Go? Will Syl instantly recognize an old musical favorite? Will Syp use the word "cacophony" at least once this hour? You'll have to listen to find out!

Episode 203 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (feat. “Take the Lead” from AdventureQuest 3D, "Diagon Alley" from Harry Potter Wizards Unite, and "Track 7" from MapleStory M)
• "Main Theme" from Order & Chaos Online
• "Walking" from Pokémon Go
• "Main Theme" from Another Eden
• "Glish" from Black Desert Mobile
• "Royal Fight" from Mobile Royale
• "Title Screen" from Epic 7
• "Airship Theme" from Stella Arcana
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes from Friendly Necromancer
• Jukebox picks: "Volcano" from The Flintstones SNES, "Dance of Illusions" from Castlevania Symphony of the Night, and "Into the Labyrinth" from Final Fantasy Brave Exvius

• Outro (feat. "Bad Reputation" from Hearthstone)

• 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.

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Piggybacking on a historical lifeline, Silkroad Online has enjoyed a long run in the MMORPG market. But how is its music? To find this out, the Battle Bards begin a long trek through desert and rainforest to discover the truth of Silkroad's soundtrack.

Episode 202 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Karakorum," "Roc Battle," and "Donwhang Cave")
• "Jangan Town"
• "Togui Village"
• "Constantinople Town"
• "Samarkand"
• "Festival Event"
• "Alexandria/Egypt Field Delta"
• "Jupiter Temple"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes from Katriana and Bullwraith
• Jukebox picks: "The Finest Scenery" from Behind the Frame, "Security Breach" from Angry Video Game Nerd II, and "Befriending Spirits" from Kena: Bridge of Spirits

• Outro (feat. "Hotan Kingdom")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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Have you stood in the fire? Did you start the fire? Are you on fire at this very moment? Then stop, drop, and roll your way to this episode of the Battle Bards, where the crew put out the flames of music tracks from fire zones, volcanoes, and the like!

Episode 201 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Firelight" from TERA, "Molten Core Battle" from World of Warcraft, and "Flow Like Fire" from Warframe)
• "Desert of Fire" from Aion
• "Burning Steppes" from World of Warcraft
• "Sleeping Volcano" from Ragnarok Online
• "Mt. Hotenow" from Neverwinter
• "Flame Mountain" from Dragon Oath
• "Navigating the Crevasses of Orodruin” from Lord of the Rings Online
• "Taimi's Game Part 1" from Guild Wars 2
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes from Zinn, Lewenburg, and Psychae
• Jukebox picks: "Hellwalker" from Doom 2016, "Non-Boss Battle" from Eastward, and "CAS and Build Complete 4" from The Sims 4: Cottage Living

• Outro (feat. "Gather Around the C.A.M.P.fire" from Fallout 76)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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Can you believe it? The Battle Bards have hit 200 amazing episodes! Join Steff, Syl, and Syp as they take a victory lap around the field of MMO music, sharing their personal soundtrack discoveries and listeners' favorite tracks. It's a Battle Bards Bicentennial!

Episode 200 show notes

• Intro
• Reminiscing about the history of Battle Bards (feat. "Fields of the Shire from LOTRO and "Tempest Bay" from RIFT)
• Our favorite MMORPG soundtrack discoveries over the past 100 episodes
• Syp: Club Penguin
• Steff: The Division 2
• Syl: Lost Ark
• Syp: Myst Online
• Steff: Lost Oasis
• Syl: Star Stable
• Syp: MapleStory 2
• Steff: Tree of Savior
• Syl: Lineage
• Listeners' favorite tracks
• "Mystery of Wistmead" from LOTRO (Katriana)
• "Title Screen" from DCUO (Friendly Necromancer)
• I Am the Sea" from FFXIV (Lewenburg)
• "Twilight Over Thanalan from FFXIV (Drelkag)
• "Undead Tavern in Brill" from WoW (JinxedThoughts)
• "The Length and the Measure" from Warhammer Online (Thomas)
• "The Rebuilding of Lion's Arch" from Guild Wars 2 (Tishtoshtesh)
• "Knowledge Never Sleeps" from FFXIV (Psychae)
• "First Light" from Star Citizen (IpaMu71)
• Our favorite non-AAA MMO scores
• Fallen Earth (Syp)
• Star Citizen (Steff)
• Dragon's Prophet (Syl)
• Dungeon Runners (Syp)
• ArcheAge (Steff)
• Runes of Magic (Syl)
• Wizard101 (Syp)
• RuneScape Orchestral (Steff)
• Ultima X Odyssey (Syl)

• Outro (feat. "From Protostar!" from WildStar)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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At the start and end of a long day of adventurin', the Battle Bards love to kick back with a frosty mug of (ginger) ale or a stein of (root) beer at their favorite taverns. And what watering holes have better music than World of Warcraft, which actually released a full album of it? In today's show, Steff, Syl, and Syp share some more great music from the social hubs of Azeroth.

Episode 199 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Vanilla Tavern," "Deepwater," and "Hunter's Refuge")
• "Kul'Tiran Taverns"
• "Dive Bar C"
• "Slaughtered Lamb"
• "Pig and Whistle"
• "Midsummer Fire Festival"
• "Temple of the Moon"
• "Thunderbrew"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes from Ithirahad and Katriana
• Jukebox picks: "Chinatown" from Katana Zero, "Shooting Star" from Overwatch Animated Shorts, and "Main Theme" from Fantasian

• Outro (feat. )

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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Return with us to the lands of Vana'diel, as the Battle Bards dip into the ocean of Final Fantasy XI expansion music. While Syl might be chiding Syp over his inappropriate attire, at least these amazing tunes can overcome all hostility!

Episode 198 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Where It All Begins," "Vana'diel March #4," and "Echoes of a Zephyr")
• "Kazham"
• "Breaking Ground"
• "The Cosmic Wheel"
• "Autumn Footfalls"
• "Bustle of the Capital"
• "Unity"
• "The Sanctuary of Zi'Tah"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes from Katriana and Branden
• Jukebox picks: "The Town of Luncheon" from Chicory, "Sarah's Song" from Tyrion, and "Dolphin Surf" from Tetris Effect

• Outro (feat. "The Pioneers")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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Bow to your king and queens of MMO music royalty, for the Battle Bards have donned the crown, taking up the majestic scepter, and issued a proclamation that all sorts of royal music must be heard through the land!

Episode 197 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Behold Tarantia!" from Age of Conan, "The Royal Bodyguard" from Blade and Soul, and "Illusion Castle Radiant Hall" from Cabal Online)
• "To Wear the Crown" from Monarch
• "Krakunta" from Lime Odyssey
• "Royal District" from Project Copernium
• "The Castle of Luteran" from Lost Ark
• "The Grand Duchy of Jeuno" from Final Fantasy XI
• "Royale" from RuneScape
• "Ode to the Queen" from Elder Scrolls Online
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes from George Wilson and Katriana
• Jukebox picks: "Letting You Go" from The Sims 4, "Stereo Madness" from Geometry Dash, and "Windward" from Bravely Default

• Outro (feat. "Royal City" from MapleStory 2)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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This time around, the Battle Bards cruise into the indie MMO known as "Project Gorgon" to see what musical landscape is being concocted in this usual realm. From dark dungeon crawls to dusty deserts, it's a trip around a world of fantasy, mystery, and deliberate old school musical cues!

Episode 196 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Fae Forest," "SunVale," and "The Spider Crypt")
• "Overture Theme"
• "Quiet Countryside"
• "Eltibule"
• "Delving for Forgotten Secrets"
• "Rakshasa City"
• "Anagoge Magical Island"
• "The Deep Desert"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes from Katriana and Mark
• Jukebox picks: "Galaxy Map" from Mass Effect, "Main Theme" from Ratchet and Clank, and "Lich is Unbreakable" from Loop Hero

• Outro (feat. "Bard Music")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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Attempting to summit the very best of MMO music, the Battle Bards head up, up, up into the mountains with this episode! What musical motifs do the ranges hold in online games? The crew of Steff, Syl, and Syp are going to try to find out -- if the yeti doesn't eat them first!

Episode 195 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Berg" from Drakensang Online, "Snowhorn" from Runes of Magic, and "Mountains" from Valheim)
• "Interdica High Mountain" from Aion
• "Wind-Washed Mountains" from Genshin Impact
• "The Vista from Mount Crom" from Age of Conan
• "Steamfront Mountains" from EverQuest 2
• "Mountains of Past Times" from Elsword Online
• "Sunqua Peak" from Guild Wars 2
• "The Mountains of Night" from Age of Conan
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes from Katriana
• Jukebox picks: "Welcome to the Academy" from The Slormaster, "Frontier Music" from The Trail, and "A Big Adventure" from Sackboy

• Outro (feat. "Cold Mountain Duet" from World of Warcraft)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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No Man's Sky is a Cinderella story, a turnaround from a project that failed on its promises to exceeding them. But what about its soundtrack? In this episode, the Battle Bards examine this "experimental" score and grapple with how it fits with space exploration theme.

Episode 194 show notes

• Intro (feat. "I've Seen Things," "Blueprint for a Slow Machine," and "Escaping the Dark Side")
• "Heliosphere"
• "Outlier"
• "The Lost Traveler"
• "Asimov"
• "The Journey"
• "World of Wonders"
• "Escape Velocity"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes from Katriana
• Jukebox picks: "Main Theme" from Outriders, "The Last Artificer" from In Other Waters, and "Track 2" from Bomb Jack

• Outro (feat. "The Sacrifice")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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Strike up a drum, flourish a flute, and howl to the moon -- it's time to get funky with some tribal jams! In this episode of the Battle Bards, the intrepid crew enjoy a wide range of chanty, drummy, and peppy tracks from MMORPGs.

Episode 193 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Tribal Downtime" from Elsword Online, "Exotic Marketplace" from Lineage 2, and "Hunting" from Lord of the Rings Online)
• "Perion" from MapleStory 2
• "The Black Hand" from Conan Exiles
• "Scent of Memories" from Aion
• "Roobrick and Balzare" from Glitch
• "Raging Strings" from Aion
• "The Federation of Windurst" from Final Fantasy XI
• "The Wild's Presence 3" from Guild Wars 2
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes from Katriana
• Jukebox picks: "Quicksilver" from Super Burnout, "Norse Worship Site" from Black and White, and "Gamble" from Necrobarista

• Outro (feat. "Celestia Tribal Theme" from Wizard101)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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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!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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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!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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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!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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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!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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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!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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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. "Swamp" from The 4th Coming)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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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, 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.

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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 Subnautica

• 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.

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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 Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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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 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.

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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!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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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 Granado Espada)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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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.

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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 ("Bay Theme" from Cloud Pirates)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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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!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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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 Secret of Seasons

• Outro (feat. "Highland Winds" from Skyforge)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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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 Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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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!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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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!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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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!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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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 "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!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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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.

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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.

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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 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.

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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 "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!

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• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

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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

• 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.

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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 (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.

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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 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)

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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 for these scores!

Special note: Bill picked specific LOTRO tracks for us to feature on today's show, which is a first for the program! Bill Champagne can be found on Twitter @BillChampMusic.

Episode 165 show notes

• Intro
• "Where Dragons Dwell and Kingdoms Fell"
• "Life in Laketown"
• "Beyond All Darkness"
• "Valley Nourished by the Great River"
• "Dread and Drear"
• "Feast in the House of Grimbeorn"
• "Fury of the First Age"
• "She Who Walks in the Darkness"
• "The Remnants of Grárik"

• Outro (feat. "Lingering Shadow")

• 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.

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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 kung-fu, (b) the taste of fairy wings, and (c) didgeridoos. You are so not prepared for any of this.

Episode 164 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Kelethin" from EverQuest II, "All's Fairy in Love and War" from RuneScape, and "Fairytale" from EverQuest)
• "A Fairy of Peace" from Aion
• "Fairy Academy" from MapleStory
• "Fairy Tale Out of Time" from Allods Online
• "Fae Forest" from Project Gorgon
• "Fae Wilds" from Trove
• "The Fairy Valley" from Luna Online
• "Pixie Beast Tribe" from FFXIV
• Which one did we like most?
• Listener note from Katriana and Caroline
• Jukebox Picks: "The Cause" from Elemental Gearbolt, "Beach Bunny" from Jazz Jackrabbit, and "The Crystal Shards" from Kirby 64

• 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.

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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"
• "Reminiscence"
• "Dreams of the Shore Near Another World"
• "Forest of Cutting Shadows"
• "Dead Sea"
• "Radical Dreamers"
• "Star Stealing Girl"
• "Voyage"
• Outro

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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 Exchange," and "Faydwer's Dusk")
• "The Jaunty Bardic Song"
• "Dawn Over Norrath"
• "The Gates of Qeynos"
• "The Gypsy's Trek"
• "Faydark"
• "Halfling Habits"
• "Norrathan Seas"
• Which one did we like most?
• Listener note from Zinn
• Jukebox Picks: "Victor X" from Ion Fury, "Et Ratio Principalis" from Control, and "Isabelle Battle Theme" from Shadowverse

• 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.

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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 and Secret Island" from Rappelz, and "Mystery Forest of Vikings" from Minions of Mirth)
• "Mystery" from Astellia
• "Heart of the Ocean" from Runes of Magic
• "Winter's Mystery" from WildStar
• "Riggle's Theme" from Avabel Online
• "The Asura" from Rappelz
• "Secrets of the Second Age" from Lord of the Rings Online
• "Hidden Village" from World of Tanks
• Which one did we like most?
• Listener notes from David and Katriana
• Jukebox Picks: "15F Master Suite" from Luigi's Mansion 3, "Puzzled Creatures" from Concrete Genie, and "Aqua" from Smurfs' Nightmare

• Outro (feat. "The Mystery" from Allods Online)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!

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While Square Enix's Final Fantasy XIV is enjoying rousing success here in the west, its other MMO -- Dragon Quest X -- never made it across the Pacific. Today, the Battle Bards assemble to examine the soundtrack to this overlooked fantasy game and see how it holds up by itself and in comparison to the Dragon Quest franchise.

Episode 161 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Bright Horizons," "Soprano of Blue," and "The Race of Water")
• "Overture"
• "The Heavens"
• "Good Night Villagers"
• "Town Music"
• "Melody of the Blade"
• "Casino"
• "Exploring the Hills"
• Which one did we like most?
• Listener notes from Druidsfire, Bill Champagne, Katriana, and Wolfy
• Jukebox Picks: "Endless World" from Dragon Quest II, "Main Theme" from Toonstruck, and "Edge Water" from The Outer Worlds

• Outro (feat. "Comedic Fight")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!

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For the first time since Episode 50, the Battle Bards crew returns to the theme of cover songs of MMO tracks. Several extremely musicians tackled their favorite MMORPG tunes to our delight, taking us on a breathless tour of their spin of these classic tunes. Since we want to give all of the artists full credit, you can find links to their full tracks in the show notes -- give them a listen!

Episode 160 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Grizzly Hills Theme" from World of Warcraft, "Main Theme" from Albion Online, and "Fear Not This Night" from Guild Wars 2)
• "Gondamon Theme" from Lord of the Rings Online, performed by Brandon Skelton
• "The Secret World" from The Secret World, performed by Lord Bif Music
• "Forest Calling" from Lineage II, performed by Dryante Zan
• "Heavensward Synth" from Final Fantasy XIV, performed by Dutyyaknow
• "Arthas Theme" from World of Warcraft, performed by Eliott Tordo
• "The Tale of the Mad King Thorn" from Guild Wars 2, performed by Sharm
• "Stones" from Ultima Online, performed by Mathias Semborg
• Which one did we like most?
• Jukebox Picks: "Jade Plateau" from Blast Corps, "The Trial" from Epoch, and "An Endless Beach" from Death Stranding

• Outro (feat. "Kelethin" from EverQuest)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!

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It's a return to a soundtrack that, over the past couple of years, experienced a lavish remastry. This week, the Battle Bards explore the wild notes of Black Desert, a soundtrack that relishes its situational and ambient tracks. It might not be the most memorable soundtrack, but enjoyable? Yes, we'd advocate that. Also, Steff finally snaps and tells her co-hosts off. Draaaaamaaaaa!

Episode 159 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Florin," "The Capital City," and "Glish")
• "Serendia"
• "Valtarra Mountains"
• "Treant Forest”
• "Northern Wheat Plantation"
• "Acher Western Camp"
• "Behr Theme"
• "Terrmian Waterpark"
• Which one did we like most?
• Listener notes: George Wilson III
• Jukebox Picks: "Main Theme" from Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order, "Magical Merrymaking" from Wizard of Legend, and "Monolith" from Cloudbuilt
• Outro (feat. "Hidel City")

• Stinger: The superiority of the Swiss

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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Do you feel a little... frozen this winter season? Winter is something amazing to behold, especially when video game composers attempt to capture its unique magic in their songs. Today, let the Battle Bards warm up your bones and your ears with tunes from the snowy vales and icy wastes of MMORPGs!

Episode 158 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Another World (Winter Journey)" from Aion, "The Long Winter" from Asheron's Call 2, and "Sorceress of Melted Snow" from Allods Online)
• "Sea of Snow" from Runes of Magic
• "Violet's First Adventure" from RuneScape
• "The Snow Falls" from Pantheon
• "Winter Night Crystal" from Black Desert
• "Ice Cave (Day)" from Trickster Online
• "A Perfect Snowball" from Spiral Knights
• "Dazzling Snow" from Ragnarok Online
• Which one did we like most?
• Listener notes: Liraven and Spookydonkey24
• Jukebox Picks: "Floor 2-2" from Streets of Rogue, "Main Theme" from The Invisible Hours, and "Holders of Power" from Ys 1 & 2

• Outro (feat. "Winter Wonderland" from Ashes of Creation)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!

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An odd, offbeat, and short-lived MMO, Chronicles of Spellborn hardly registered on most of the gaming community's consciousness. However, this fantasy title has not escaped the attention of the Battle Bards, especially with Assassin Creed's Jesper Kyd composing most of the score. It's a strange score, with plenty of otherworldly tunes, but just perfect for this team to tackle!

Episode 157 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (feat. "Main Theme," "Lullaby," and "Palace at Night")
• "Armada Combat”
• "Stonedeep"
• "Aldenvault"
• "Silent Child"
• "Gleaming Cauldron Tavern"
• "Fountain"
• "Traitor's Rest Tavern"
• Which one did we like most?
• Listener notes: Katriana
• Jukebox Picks: "Afterimage" from Einhänder, "Main Theme" from Yonder, and "Colored Engine" from FAR: Lone Sails
• Outro (feat. "Housing")

• Stinger: Battle Bards’ t-shirt store

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!

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Is blue a color? An emotion? A song? An overused alien skin tone? One thing is for certain: Blue shows up an awful lot in MMORPG soundtrack, which is why the Battle Bards have mined their music libraries for the bluest of blue tunes to share. Will they come to a conclusion as to what "blue" means? And will Steff ever let go of a grudge? Probably never, but it'll be a fun listen even so!

Episode 156 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (feat. "Blue Dots" from Anarchy Online, "Limitless Blue" from FFXIV, and "Engage Blue" from Stargate Worlds)
• "Sapphire Basin" from Blade and Soul
• "The Tune of the Azure Light" from MapleStory
• "Synthquest Blue" from Star Citizen
• "Legend of the Blue Horizon" from WildStar
• "Blue Coral Dark" from Lime Odyssey
• "Blue Kojin Tribe" from Final Fantasy XIV
• "Cobalt Deep" from Vanguard
• Which one did we like most?
• Listener notes: Zinn and Zoward
• Jukebox Picks: "Brazil (Atomic Era)" Civilization VI, "Main Theme" from Old Man's Journey, and "Interred Glory" from Bloodstained
• Outro (feat. "Blue Giant" from Elite Dangerous)

• Stinger: Battle Bards' t-shirt store

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!

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Welcome to the "Cursed Episode" of Battle Bards, where you'll be risking bad luck and poor RNG rolls just by hearing it! But it is totally worth it, because this week the trio is tackling the astounding Shadowbringers soundtrack and it's impressive addition to the FFXIV music library. Also, if you listen very, very carefully, a certain "la-HEE" might make a cameo!

Episode 155 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Prologue," "Amaro Mount Theme," and "Figments")
• "The Source"
• "Civilizations"
• "Kholusia Night"
• "The Dark Which Illuminates the World"
• "Vamo' alla Flamenco"
• "Unwound"
• "Insatiable"
• Which one did we like most?
• Listener notes: Zinn and Katriana
• Jukebox Picks: "Hear Our Call" from Ancestor's Legacy, "Gateway Galaxy" from Super Mario Galaxy, and "Menu (Ramp Mix)" from Tron Run_r

• Outro (feat. "Hades Theme")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!

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Do you remember what Halloween looked like when you were a kid? What about what it sounded like? In today's special edition of Retro Reprise, Syp returns to the Halloweens of the past to listen to some of the best themes from horror video games. It might not all be scary, but don't let your guard down too quickly -- your doom might lurk just around the next note!

Retro Reprise Episode 19: The music of Halloweens past

• Intro
• "The Attic" from A Nightmare on Elm Street (NES)
• "Main Theme" from Alone in the Dark (PC)
• "Boss Battle" from Zombies Ate My Neighbors (SNES)
• "Don't Cry, Jennifer" from Clock Tower (SNES)
• "Demon Forest" from Super Castlevania IV (SNES)
• "Stage One" from Ghosts 'n' Goblins (Arcade)
• "Save Room" from Resident Evil 2 (PS)
• "Not Tomorrow" from Silent Hill (PS)
• Outro (feat. "Ending Credits" from Night Trap)

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Get an early jump on Halloween with the Battle Bards, as they grab the nearest shovel and start unearthing all sorts of morbid and macabre tunes from MMORPGs! In this grim grinning episodes, Syl, Steff, and Syp explore the musical side of the afterlife in online games. Listen to it... at your own peril.

Episode 154 show notes

• Intro (feat. “Paths of the Dead" from Lord of the Rings Online, "Graverobbing" from RuneScape, and "Dead Forest" from Vanguard)
• "Crypt of Decay" from EverQuest
• "Secrets in a Shallow Grave" from Fallen Earth
• "Graveyard" from World of Warcraft
• "Silent Death" from The Secret World
• "Korriban Tombs" from Star Wars: The Old Republic
• "Lullaby of Death" from Runes of Magic
• "Graveyard" from Neverwinter
• Which one did we like most?
• Listener notes: Mark
• Jukebox Picks: "Summer Day" from Radical Dreamers, "Create-a-Sim" from The Sims 4: Island Living, and "A New Adventure" from Hytale
• Outro (feat. “Death” from Ryzom)

• Stinger:

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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Gryphons, Elves, and gobs and gobs of singing people -- that's Elder Scrolls Online: Summerset for ya! The Battle Bards return to Tamriel to rate and review the second expansion soundtrack from ESO. Aside from practically non-stop choral contributions, the Bards quite enjoy this trip to a high fantasy land full of wonder and power.

Episode 153 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Even Paradise Has Shadows," "Here Be Wonders," and "Interlude")
• "From the Abysses Below and Beyond"
• "Past Defines Future"
• "Gryphons Soar in the Sun"
• "Dusk Song of the High Elves"
• "Sun-Blessed Alinor"
• "Masque of Reveries"
• "Three Hearts Afire"
• Which one did we like most?
• Listener notes: Castegere and Bhagpuss
• Jukebox Picks: "Main Theme" from Gears of War 5, "Outer Wilds" from Outer Wilds, and "The Wind Sings of a Journey" from Legend of Mana
• Outro (feat. "The Lullaby of Praxis")

• Stinger:

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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Back for a third round, the Battle Bards examine a slew of main themes from MMORPGs! Considering how essential these themes are in making a strong first impression upon players, Steff, Syl, and Syp run these tracks through their paces to see which hook them on a first listen... and which put them to sleep.

Episode 152 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Knights of the Fallen Empire Main Theme" from SWTOR, "Main Theme" from Lost Ark, and "Refly Main Theme" from Aion)
• "Main Theme" from Atlas
• "Main Theme" from Astellia
• "The Dragon's Spine" from Age of Conan
• "Main Theme" from Echo of Soul
• "Main Theme" from Eldevin
• "Main Theme" from ArcheAge
• "Main Theme" from The Chronicles of Spellborn
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener mail from Katriana, Zinn, Caroline, and Castagere
• Jukebox picks: "Arbiter's Mark" from Fell Seal, "What the Forest Taught Me" from Secret of Mana, and "Main Theme" from Rogue Squadron
• Outro (feat. "Memories of Rohan" from Rohan)

• Stinger: Playful evil

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!

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It's an MMORPG you've never heard of. It's an MMO soundtrack you've never heard, period. But as intrepid explorers of the musical unknown, the Battle Bards are here to unearth this tiny indie title and its score. Minions of Mirth may have died an ignoble death in 2017, but its soundtrack lives on -- and now it's immortalized in the 151st episode of this podcast!

Episode 151 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Main Theme," "Peaceful," and "View Over the Water")
• "Inexhaustible Ardor"
• "Villagers of Mirth"
• “Battlefield’s Pride”
• "Landpromise"
• "Dwarves Krig"
• “Wandering Day”
• "The Sails of Salvage"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener mail from Velimirius, Ghostlight, and Inon Zur
• Jukebox picks: "Options" from Comix Zone, "Main Theme" from StarFox 64, and "Pictures of the Past" from Rain World
• Outro (feat. "Black Air Magic")

• Stinger: M-O-M

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!

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It may not be the most sexy or exotic of biomes, but plains tend to pop up in pretty much every MMORPG -- and they always have music to adventure by! In this episode of the Battle Bards, the crew evaluates music from steppes, savannahs, and the great, great plains. Is it all dull atmospheric tunes? Far from it, as you'll soon discover. So join this eclectic team for a grand 150th episode spectacular!

Episode 150 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Plains of Beauty" from Runes of Magic, "Open Plains" from Anarchy Online, and "The Azim Steppe (Daytime)" from FFXIV)
• "Plains" from World of Warcraft
• "Plains of Ashford" from Guild Wars 2
• "Gahren Plains" from Vanguard
• "Pradeth Plains" from Aion
• "Agris Steppe" from Black Desert
• "Zafaria Savannah" from Wizard101
• "Skypetal Plains South" from Blade and Soul
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener mail from Caroline, Sam, Sym, and Katriana
• Jukebox picks: "Slinger's Song" from Bastion, "Waterfalls" from Seasons After the Fall, and "The Roof" from Plants vs. Zombies
• Outro (feat. "Thundering Steppes" from EverQuest II)

• Stinger: Efficient German love

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!

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Is Istaria more than just "that game where you can play a dragon?" If it is, the answer might lie in its hidden repository of soundtrack tunes! The Battle Bards once again assemble to apply their dragonish wit, tenacity, and fire-scathing critiques to a largely undiscovered score. It's more fun of an experience than you might expect, so come along for the ride!

Episode 149 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Saris," "Kirasanct Tundra," and "Spirit Island")
• "Main Theme"
• "Ancient Ruins"
• "Mahagra"
• "Eyes in the Garden"
• "Tazoon"
• "Aughundell"
• "New Rachival"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener mail from Buddy, Smuggler-in-a-yt, and Chris
• Jukebox picks: "Rab the Wizard" from Dragon Quest XI, "At Night the Forest Sings" from Anno 1800, "Main Theme" from Legend of

• Outro (feat. "Mystery Ancients")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!

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On a special theme episode of Battle Bards, acclaimed composer Inon Zur is given the spotlight, especially for his contributions to several MMORPG soundtracks such as RIFT, TERA, and EverQuest II. If you've only known Zur as "The Fallout Guy," then prepared to be pleasantly illuminated as to the wider body of his work! Also, the crew takes in an orphaned music track and gives it the name "Steve." We will always love you, Steve.

Episode 148 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Homecoming" from TERA, "Klak'Anon" from EverQuest II, and "Invisible Ghosts" from Fallout 76)
• "Main Theme" from Fallout 76
• "Trailer Theme" from Durango Wildlands
• "Behind the Mountain" from Lineage 2
• "Othmir Camp" from EverQuest II
• "Variation 1" from Arena of Fate
• "Oceans of Stone" from TERA
• "Sanctum solo" from RIFT
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener mail: What soundtracks have you discovered through Battle Bards?
• Jukebox picks: "Lost in the Cave" from 2003's The Hobbit, "First Light" from Crysis, and "Unicorn's Rest (Cover)" from Lineage II

• Outro (feat. "Freemarch" from RIFT)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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Bring on the heavy makeup, electric guitars, and MMO groupies, because the Battle Bards are rock and rolling their way into Continent of the Ninth Seal (aka C9). It may not be a game -- or soundtrack -- that most know, but does that mean that there is a musical treasure trove waiting to be discovered? Listen to this episode to find out!

Episode 147 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Innocence RunersVill" and "Brotherhood of the Wolf")
• "Main Theme"
• "Cold Mountain"
• "Black Yard"
• "Blade of a Knife"
• "Gong!"
• "Braveheart"
• "Waterford Theme"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener mail from Caroline, Bullwraith, and George Wilson III
• Jukebox picks: "We've All Done Things" from Days Gone, "Main Theme" from Unending Dusk, and "The Adventure Begins" from Cube World

• Outro (feat. "Silent Night")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!

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In another theme sequel, the Battle Bards return to the notion of vocal tracks in MMORPGs. Does singing hold a special place in online games, or is it immersion breaking? In some cases, it can be both. Join Syl, Steff, and Syp for a romp through a widely diverse array of sung tunes -- and beware the pigs!

Episode 146 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Singing" from Elder Scrolls Online, "Song from the Woods" from The Secret World, and "Eternal Love" from Lineage II: Oath of Blood)
• “Dragonsong” from Final Fantasy XIV
• “Glutton for Nourishment” from RuneScape
• “The Daughter of the Sea” from World of Warcraft
• “Dungeon Herograve” from Lime Odyssey
• “Wild Side” from WildStar
• “Port Lux (Vocal Version)” from Cabal Online
• “Odyssey” from Granado Espada
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener mail from Caroline
• Jukebox picks: "The Frostlands" from Octopath Traveler, "Dolphin Surf" from Tetris Effect, and "Future" from Max Payne 3

• Outro (feat. "Day of Destiny" from Dragon Nest: Saint Haven)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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It's Bard vs. Bard vs. Bard in this show, as the trio of MMO video game music lovers take sides in the Dark Age of Camelot debate! This tri-realm PvP game is rather unique for having published an "inspired by" album featuring music not in the game at all in addition to the actual soundtrack. So why not review both? Syp, Syl, and Steff are more than up for the task!

Episode 145 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Albion Town 1," "Vinum Bonum," "The Wizard," and "Albion Campacorentin Forest")
• “Call to Arms (Frontiers)”
• “Combat Music”
• “Star of the County Down”
• “Breton Melody”
• “Moving”
• “Hibernia Town”
• “Albion Sailbury Plains”
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox picks: "Ceta" from Rimworld, "Across the Stars" from Star Wars: The Old Republic, and "Main Theme" from Trine 3

• Outro (feat. "Howth")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet: Combined, these forces create the awesome power of Roy G. Biv -- otherwise known as the rainbow! In today's experimental episode of the Battle Bards, Steff, Syl, and Syp attempt to find MMORPG music tracks to go with each of the seven colors that shine over a rainstorm or in a particularly oily puddle. It's a daunting mission, but these three are just crazy enough to finish it!

Episode 144 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Greenwood Camp" from Free Realms, "Red Menace" from Stargate Worlds," and "Purple Trip" from Glitch)
• "Drinking from Red Wine" from WildStar
• "Celestial Crab March" from Wizard101
• "Hello Yellow!" from Club Penguin
• "Green Valley" from Ys Online
• "Flying in a Blue Dream" from MapleStory
• "Purple Snow" from Grenado Espada
• "Wild Violet" from Tree of Savior
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener mail from Sylkesh, George Wilson III, and Katriana
• Jukebox picks: "End Credits" from Hello, Neighbor!, "Onward" from Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, and "Dulles Airport" from Die Hard Trilogy

• Outro (feat. "Blue World" from MapleStory)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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It may see itself as an "old school fantasy MMO," but Rappelz' soundtrack is a great mixture of old and new, traditional and experimental. In this episode, the daring and ever-courageous Battle Bards plumb the depth of this score and see what can be brought out of obscurity and into the light!

Episode 143 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (feat. "A New Epic," "Breeze of Old Forest," and "Resonance of the World")
• "Main Theme"
• "The Deva"
• "Crystal Mountain"
• "The Temple of the Masters"
• "A Horizon in the Sunset"
• "A Lost and Secret Island"
• "The Morning Breaks of Rondo"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener mail: Bullwraith, Katriana, Caroline, and Michael
• Jukebox picks: "Cierzo" from Outward, "Green Village Baruchie" from Another Eden, and "La Pintarroja" from Tropico 6

• Outro (feat. "The Ursa Caverns")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!

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In MMORPGs across the world, days are beginning and days are ending -- and with them come the catharsis of the sunrise and sunset. The Battle Bards draw together in this special stillness to discuss some of the in-game tracks devoted to these moments. So from sunrise to sunset, here are the melodic moods that accompany our journeys online.

Episode 142 show notes

• Intro (feat. "The Flag at Dusk" from Blade & Soul, "The Warming Sunrise" from Star Wars Galaxies, and "A Horizon in the Sunset" from Rappelz)
• "Sunrise" from RuneScape
• "Weeping Sunrise" from Runes of Magic
• "Dawn Gleams on Cyrodil" from Elder Scrolls Online
• "Sunrise" from Worlds Adrift
• "Crimson Sunset" from Final Fantasy XIV
• "Eternal Sunset" from TERA
• "Sunset Ridge" from City of Heroes
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener mail from Scott, Nogamara, Zinn, YD Wes, Phubarrh (listen)
• Jukebox picks: "Main Theme" from The Secret of Monkey Island, "Day of the Bright Sun" from My Time at Portia, and

• Outro (feat. "Dusk Song of High Elves" from Elder Scrolls Online)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!

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Fans of retro video game music have heard all of the same classics over and over again, which is why in today's episode of Retro Reprise, Chaos Constant and Syp dip into the more unknown titles of the Sega Genesis library for tunes that you may have overlooked! From the tense atmosphere of Warsong to the futuristic music of Pulseman, this show might have your new favorite track waiting to be discovered.

Retro Reprise Episode 18: Obscure Genesis Games 

• Intro
• "Kingdom Knight" from Warsong
• "Soltype" from Alien Soldier
• "Wily Stage 1" from Mega Man: The Wily Wars
• "An Old Sad Dance" from King Colossus
• "Neo Tokyo" from Pulseman
• "Stereo Protect" from Pulseman
• "Splash Down!!" from Ristar
• "Midnight Greenhouse" from Knuckles Chaotix
• Outro

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The Battle Bards take to the sky to investigate the somewhat obscure Riders of Icarus and see if the lofty visuals can be matched by the music -- or if this soundtrack has been grounded for good! "Surprisingly rich" and "theatrical" are review terms that the Battle Bards are willing to license out to the studio to put on the soundtrack cover.

Episode 141 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Character Creation" and "Attauis")
• "Main Theme"
• "Character Selection"
• "The Beginning"
• "First Elite"
• "Fort Baellus"
• "Artisan Square"
• "Floor 34 Boss Theme"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener mail from Caroline, Katriana, Zoward, Paragon Lost, and Maggie May
• Jukebox picks: "Crimson Caribbean" from Blackwake, "Field Tutorial Zone" from Mabinogi, and "The Castle" from Dead Cells

• Outro (feat. "Sea of Hakanas")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!

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It's one of the most powerful and versatile of musical instruments, and now the piano is getting its own featured show here on Battle Bards! The crew re-assembles, not to avenge, but to uplift beautiful, striking, and moving piano themes from MMORPGs. So tickle the ivories with Syl, Steff, and Syp as they listen to today's signature tracks.

Episode 140 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Breezewind Park" from Blade and Soul, "Main Theme" from The Secret World, and "Piano Works #1 Serendia" from Black Desert)
• "Theobomos Hotel" from Aion
• "Purple" from Worlds Adrift
• "Kaelar and Empyrean Freeholds" from Ashes of Creation
• "Tieve's Theme" from Vindictus
• "Lullaby" from Chronicles of Spellborn
• "The Die is Cast" from Tree of Savior
• "Ancient City" from FFXIV
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener mail from Katriana and IronSalamander8 [link]
• Jukebox picks: "Chiasm" from GRIS, "Main Theme" from Neon Chrome, and "The Beginning" from Resident Evil 2 Remake

• Outro (feat. "Hywel" from Mabinogi)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• Special nod to Video Game Music for his excellent repository of MMO soundtracks!

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They might not have been the AAA-budget titles of the 1990s, but shareware games were perhaps even more well-known due to the proliferation of these demos. Studios such as id, Epic, and Apogee made their mark with these titles -- and the simple but memorable tunes from each got lodged into our brains. Joining Syp today is Chaos Constant from Occasional Hero, who is a self-professed retro game music fan and has plenty to say about the shareware era!

Show notes

• Intro (feat. "Cruising with Stryker" from Major Stryker and "The City Streets" from Duke Nukem 3D)
• "Title Theme" from Halloween Harry
• "Toy Factory Table" from Epic Pinball
• "Main Theme" from Duke Nukem 3D
• "Welcome to a Kick in the Pants in Good Old Hillville" from Commander Keen 4
• "Main Theme" from Mystic Towers
• "Spiders" from Jill of the Jungle
• "Shooting Star" from Major Stryker
• "Episode 1 Levels 4-6" from Stargunner
• Outro ("Beach Bunnies" from Jazz Jackrabbit)

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It has been a good long while since the Battle Bards walked the road that led them from the Shire to Mordor, but now they're back in Lord of the Rings Online -- and they have a lot of positive things to say about this beloved soundtrack. If the word "quaint" can ever be used as a recommendation for a score, it has to be done so here! Tune in as these three Minstrels share a few favorite tracks you may not have heard before.

Episode 139 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Let Us Sing Together," "Rivendell," and "Urgent Errands")
• "Coronation of Aragorn"
• "Mug in Your Hand"
• "Brigand's Tale”
• "Night in the Shire"
• "Malthellam, the Steward of the Vale"
• "Tavern Lore"
• "Cape of Belfalas Housing"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener mail from Hamblepants and Jaedia
• Jukebox picks: "Chicken Illuminati HQ" from Guacamelee 2, "Menu Music" from Kingdom Hearts 3, and "Towergrounds" from Forgotton Anne

• Outro (feat. "Battle of Pelennor Fields Final Victory")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• Special nod to Video Game Music for his excellent repository of MMO soundtracks!

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Boy howdy, is it time for another highfalutin Battle Bards episode? Shucks, looks like! In this week's show, the trio saddle up for a ride through the tumbleweeds and mesas of western MMO tunes. It may be slim pickins, but the pickins are actually pretty good!

Episode 138 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (feat. "Renewal" from Fallen Earth, "Ashe" from Overwatch, and "Crimson Hills" from Aion)
• "Calm Guitar" from Crossout
• "Thermock Hold" from WildStar
• "Way Out West" from LEGO Worlds
• "Main Theme" from Wild West Online
• "Eyes of Ice" from Aion
• "Cool Ranch Tumbleweed Explorer" from Pirate101
• "Main Theme" from Dino Storm
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener mail from Katriana and PanagiotisLial
• Jukebox picks: "Legend of the Eagle Bearer" from Assassin's Creed Odyssey, "Into the Wilderness" from Wild Arms, and "Escape" from Return of Obra Dinn

• Outro (feat. "Antique Cowboy" from Ragnarok Online)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• Special nod to Video Game Music for his excellent repository of MMO soundtracks!

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The Amiga series of computers is renowned for its amazing sound -- and the terrific scores that video game composers were able to wrangle. In this episode of Retro Reprise, Syl joins Syp for a look and listen back at this machine and the tunes that carry on its legacy!

Show notes

• Intro (feat. "Space Ninja" from Lotus 3)
• "Theme" from Deflektor
• "Ending" from Fuzzball
• "Hymn to Aurora" from Horace Wimp
• "Theme" from The Humans
• "Theme" from The Carl Lewis Challenge
• Outro (feat. "Theme" from Hero Quest)

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What's your hero's theme? If you play League of Legends, you know the answer to that already, because every hero in that game has his, her, or its own musical motif, from the dour to the delightful. In this episode of Battle Bards, the crew turns to this popular MOBA to see what heroic themes are pure ear candy.

Episode 137 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Elementalist Lux," "Odyssey Login," and "Snowdown 2018")
• "Irelia"
• "Arcade Ahri"
• "Dragon Trainer Tristana"
• "Kindred"
• "Lulu"
• "Tahm Kench"
• "Braum"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener mail from Mika, Thomas, and Katriana
• Jukebox picks: "Warsongs: Silver Scrapes (ProtoShredanoid Remix)" from League of Legends, "Can't Wait Until Night" from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and "Stars at Our Backs" from Monster Hunter World

• Outro ("Jinx, the Loose Cannon")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• Special nod to Video Game Music for his excellent repository of MMO soundtracks!

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Ever feel like the Battle Bards have covered every MMO soundtrack in existence? It's actually far from true, and today's episode is Exhibit A to prove it. The team looks at seven online RPGs that have never had a single track featured on a Battle Bards show -- and it's a fun discovery process! So settle back as we roll out 100% debuts!

Episode 136 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Terminus" from Pantheon and "Main Theme" from Otherland)
• "A Harsh Winter Fell" from Camelot Unchained
• "Intro Theme" from Rising Force Online
• "Aman's Theme" from Lost Ark
• "Outdoors" from The 4th Coming
• "Sea of Hakanas" from Riders of Icarus
• "East Sea Plain (night)" from Dream of Mirror Online
• "The Magic Shop" from PlaneShift
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener mail from Mika, Theldos, Myre_Test, Mike, and Raphael
• Jukebox picks: "Sea Theme" from Heroes of Might and Magic IV, "Dog" from MineCraft, and "Cave" from Blue Dragon

• Outro ("Lorencia" from Mu Online)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• Special nod to Video Game Music for his excellent repository of MMO soundtracks!

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It's Battle Bards vs. Battle for Azeroth -- and only one victor will come out of this alive! Actually, the podcast trio is delighted to have another World of Warcraft expansion to explore and investigate. Will it be destined to obscurity as this x-pack apparently will be, or does the score rise above and beyond Blizzard's design flaws? Find out in today's show!

Episode 135 show notes

• Intro (feat. "The Grand Bazaar," "Drustvar," and "Freehold")
• "Pride of the Seas"
• "Crimson Forest"
• "Might of the Zandalar"
• "Zuldazar Zandalari Lament"
• "The Motherlode Dungeon"
• "Time and Tide"
• "Tiragarde Sound Tavern (Night)"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener mail from Pedro Macedo Camacho (Composer, Star Citizen), Katriana, and
  Jinxed Thoughts
• Jukebox picks: "Pallet Town" from Pokémon Let's Go, "Hunting Path" from Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, and "Another Voyage" from Chrono Cross

• Outro ("Dive Bar C")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• Special nod to Video Game Music for his excellent repository of MMO soundtracks!

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On this episode of Retro Reprise, Syl drags Syp back to her childhood playing on the Atari ST -- and the tunes that made this machine so memorable. Do these tracks withstand the test of time? Find out -- if you dare!

Show notes

• Intro
• "Theme" from Wizball
• "Theme" from Toki
• "In-Game Music" from Bubble Bobble
• "Theme" from Wonderboy in Monsterland
• "Theme" from Mousetrap
• "Theme" from Xenon 2: Megablast
• "Theme" from Bard's Tale
• Outro

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It's beginning to sound a lot like Christmas! And, er, Halloween! Well, the Battle Bards were never much for subtlety, so you must excuse their efforts to sandwich two holidays -- and their related MMO soundtracks -- into one amazing yet confusing show. Whether you like to be spooked or Santa'd, this episode's got the score for you!

Episode 134 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Xmas Jazz Theme" from Lineage II, "White Christmas" from Ragnarok Online, and "Wistmead" from Lord of the Rings Online)
• "Halloween 2018" from Black Desert
• "Halloween" from Elsword
• "Ice Day for Penguins" from RuneScape
• "Jingle Bells" from Dragon Nest
• "Frostfell" from EverQuest II
• "Winter Wingding" from Glitch
• "Gotham Winter Holiday" from DC Universe Online
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener mail from Scott, Cynalus, and Zinn
• Jukebox picks: "Village of Rynoka" from Moonlighter, "Train Heist" from Red Dead Redemption 2, and "Bloody Tears" from Super Castlevania IV

• Outro ("Santa Claus is Coming to Town" from Lime Odyssey)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• Special nod to Video Game Music for his excellent repository of MMO soundtracks!

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The sparkling majesty of space beckons to the hearts of the Battle Bards -- and up there they discover the Star Citizen soundtrack! In today's episode, Syl establishes that she's not a "scifi nerd," Syp causes an international crisis, and the team comes together to hand out praise to this rich score.

Episode 133 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (feat. "Main Theme," "A Symphony in Motion," and "First Light")
• "Scifi Homage"
• "Bishop Speech"
• "Majesty of Space"
• "Hero March"
• "My Home"
• "Leir III"
• "Main Theme Happy Variation 1"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener mail from Cyclone Jack, Scott, Ken, and Katriana
• Jukebox picks: "Marble Gallery" from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, "Overture" from Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and "A Jaunty Tune" from Death's Gambit

• Outro ("The Ballad of Big Benny's")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• Special nod to Video Game Music for his excellent repository of MMO soundtracks!

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Steam-powered tech, airships, clockwork machines, and automata are the source of inspiration for this week's episode of Battle Bards! The team scrounged the landscape of MMOs for music from and inspired by steampunk games. It's a wild grab bag of themes, so fire up your phonographs and give it a listen!

Episode 132 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Operation Gnomeregan" from World of Warcraft, "The Refugee" from City of Steam, and "Main Theme" from Arcanum)
• "Main Theme" from Black Gold Online
• "Lands of Igsh" from Allods Online
• "Through the Epoch" from City of Steam
• "Login Theme" from Divine Soul
• "Ganedine" from Neo Steam
• "Town" from Guns of Icarus
• "Adventure Awaits" from Deepworld
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener mail from Video Game Music Soundtrack OST and Katriana
• Jukebox picks: "Dark Forest" from Rise of Nations, "Lakrum Beach" from Aion, and "CrossWorlds" from CrossCode

• Outro ("Menace of the Underdark Character Creation" from Dungeons and Dragons Online)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• Special nod to Video Game Music for his excellent repository of MMO soundtracks!

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It's been a year-and-a-half since Syl and Syp first dove into Final Fantasy music, but now the duo is back to discuss combat themes from four of the game's 1990s installments! From One-Winged Angel to The Man with a Machine Gun, it's all the classics you've been listening to -- and adoring -- for years, packaged with exclusive fan commentary!

Show notes (episode download, episode page)

• Intro
• FFV: "Clash on the Big Bridge"
• FFVII: "Combat"
• FFVII: "Jenova"
• FFVII: "One-Winged Angel"
• FFVIII: "The Man with a Machine Gun"
• FFVIII: "The Extreme"
• FFIX: "Combat"
• Outro

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It may be a fairly grim MMOARPG, but Path of Exile features a surprisingly, well, grim soundtrack. Guess that wasn't that much of a surprise! This episode, the Battle Bards wade into the fracas of this rather expansive soundtrack to see what audio treasure has been dropped by the zerg of mobs.

Episode 131 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Main Theme," "The Overseer's Tower," and "The Ascent")
• "Fall of Oriath Theme"
• "Four Guardians"
• "Solaris Temple"
• "Hunter or Prey"
• "The Grand Arena"
• "Templar Courts"
• "Elder"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener mail from CJ and Loopy
• Jukebox picks: "A Distant Journey, Soaring on the Battlefronts" from Granblue Fantasy, "Main Theme" from Spider-Man 2018, and "First Steps" from Celeste

• Outro ("The Aquaduct")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• Special nod to Video Game Music for his excellent repository of MMO soundtracks!

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While every Battle Bards episode is a cavalcade of strangeness, this week the team is ratcheting it up with the return of "Oddball" MMORPG music tracks. If there's a piece of music that made one of the hosts tilt their heads to the side and go "whaaat the what is this?" then rest assured, it's on this show!

Episode 130 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (feat. "Robo Factory" from The Sims Online, "Little Kitty's Adventure" from Ragnarok Online, and "The Rube Song" from Glitch)
• "Chompy Hunt" from RuneScape
• "Flow Control" from Entropia Universe
• "Welcome to Doram Town" from Ragnarok Online
• "Valentine's Theme" from FFXIV
• "Venetian Eclipse" from NeoSteam
• "Papaya" from FFXIV
• "BEER!" from WildStar
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox Picks: "Alleycat Blues" from TMNT IV: Turtles in Time, "Crush" from Command and Conquer Red Alert, and "White All Around Us" from Xenoblade Chronicles 2

• Outro (feat. "Kobold Still Hates You" from Dungeons and Dragons Online)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• Special nod to Video Game Music for his excellent repository of MMO soundtracks!

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In today's episode, the Battle Bards crew row their dinghy to the island of Vvardenfell, where there is a rumor of the legend of the return of Morrowind. Yes, it's a tour through Elder Scrolls Online's first expansion soundtrack. Will it be enough to reverse a few negative opinions of the base MMO's score? (spoiler: yes indeedy!)

Episode 129 show notes

• Intro (feat. “Ascadian Idyll," "Omens Prophecy," and "Telvanni Towers")
• "Shadow of Baar Dau"
• "A Land of War and Poetry"
• "Grazelands Dawn"
• "Currents of the Odai"
• "Reverie of the Netchimen"
• "Magnus Smiles on Suran"
• "Azura's Coast"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes: Deekay_zero
• Jukebox Picks: "Main Theme" from Crash Bandicoot, "Darkness Rises" from The Banner Saga 3, "Traps" from Turrican II

• Outro (feat. "Vvardenfell Vista")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• Special nod to Video Game Music for his excellent repository of MMO soundtracks!

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Why not sail up to our dock and tie your ship to ours for an hour? The Battle Bards return for another great episode examining MMORPG music, with the focus this time around being on harbor and port music. Does the sight of boats sailing out into the open ocean inspire you? Then this music may be the soundtrack to your next great adventure!

Episode 128 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Selbina" from Final Fantasy XI, "New Bellin Port" from Risk Your Life, and "Hermalte Port" from Dragon Nest)
• "Port BGM" from Lime Odyssey
• "Lith Harbor" from MapleStory 2
• "Aria de Coimbra" from Granado Espada
• "Saltswept" from Final Fantasy XIV
• "Port Noble" from City of Villains
• "Epheria Port" from Black Desert
• "Port Town Ilfalo" from Wizardry Online
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes: Katriana
• Jukebox Picks: "Deliverance" from God of War, "Jump Up, Super Star!" from Super Mario Odyssey," and "New Junk City" from Earthworm Jim

• Outro (feat. "Port Malaya" from Ragnarok Online)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• Special nod to Video Game Music for his excellent repository of MMO soundtracks!

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When you sit down to make a list of the greatest heroes that humanity has ever known, obviously the Battle Bards will top that list. So who better to comment on the music to the sadly neglected superhero MMO Champions Online than they? The trio wiggle into their ill-fitting tights and see if they can make sense of this off-kilter soundtrack before they have to dash out and save the day, yet again.

Episode 127 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (feat. "Midtown," "Apostolic Church," and "Renaissance Center")
• "Main Theme"
• "Location! Location! Location!"
• "The Undying Reef"
• "New Harmon Reeducation Facility"
• "Sovereign Sunset"
• "Renegade Run"
• "Snake Gulch"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes: Scott
• Jukebox Picks: "The Traveler" from Crusader: No Remorse, "Main Theme" from Octopath Traveler, and "Main Theme" from Batman: Arkham Asylum

• Outro (feat. "7th Anniversary Celebration")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• Special nod to Video Game Music for his excellent repository of MMO soundtracks!

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It's time to boldly go where no podcast has gone before -- by exploring MMO space themes! It's perhaps the flat-out goofiest and silliest Battle Bards episode to date, so you're going to have to excuse a whole lot of diversions, arguments, and giggles. Because that's what space does to people? We do not know.

This episode is also notable for Syl's all-time greatest quote, "Planets are usually in space." Usually.

Episode 126 show notes

• Intro (feat. "A New Frontier" from Destiny 2, "Morning Star" from Anarchy Online, and "Centaurus" from Elite: Dangerous)
• "First Light" from Star Citizen
• "The Cold Science of Supremacy" from WildStar
• "Terran Wander 3" from Earth and Beyond
• "Delta Rising Theme" from Star Trek Online
• "Through a Lush Ravine" from Wurm Online
• "Main Theme" from Black Prophecy
• "Theme Version 2" from Star Sonata
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes: Rafael, Bryan, and Katriana
• Jukebox Picks: "Main Theme" from Revenant, "This Way" from The Terminator Sega CD, and "She Came from Outer Space" from A Hat in Time

• Outro (feat. "Surface Tension Conference" from Star Trek Online)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• Find more gaming podcasts at The Gaming and Entertainment Network!

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The Battle Bards are always on the prowl for overlooked soundtracks from overlooked MMORPGs, and this week, they might have found a new one to share. Meet Archlord, a Korean title from 2005 that made very little waves in the west. Yet the music is pretty good and worthy of a listen. If you like epic high fantasy, then you're going to love today's episode!

Episode 125 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Main Theme," "Shinewood," and "Thrilgard")
• "Tullan"
• "Limelight"
• "Cie Selva"
• "Elan Jines"
• "Battle 2"
• "Delfaras"
• "Hariel"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes: Zalfig, Gamhuin, Minimalist Way, Rowan
• Jukebox Picks: "Top of the World" from Steep, "Primitive Rage" from Descent, and "The Synapse" from Deus Ex,

• Outro (feat. "Battle 1")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM , Google Play, and Pocket Casts!
• Find more gaming podcasts at The Gaming and Entertainment Network!

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It's a catch-all, catch-up episode for the Battle Bards as they dig through new soundtrack releases from MMORPGs that they've covered in the past! You may be prepared for an eclectic and enjoyable mix of music -- but there is no way that you can steel yourself for the raw and heartfelt confessions that take place on this show.

Episode 124 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (feat. "Tiragarde Tavern" from World of Warcraft, "Never Look Back" from EVE Online, and "Mellow" from RuneScape)
• "The River Running" from Lord of the Rings Online
• "The Last Train to Cairo" from The Secret World
• "Old Wisdom Tree" from Black Desert
• "The Inquest" from Guild Wars 2
• "Temple of Erlik (Night Version)" from Age of Conan
• "The Ruby Sea" from Final Fantasy XIV
• "Summerset Theme" from Elder Scrolls Online
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox Picks: "A Town Unlike Any Other" from Darkside Detective, "Main Menu" from StarCraft, "Main Theme" from Viridi

• Outro ("Empyrea Leisure Dome" from Wizard101)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM , Google Play, and Pocket Casts!
• Find more gaming podcasts at The Gaming and Entertainment Network!

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With eagerness in their hearts, the Battle Bards rush toward another Guild Wars 2 soundtrack, ready to bask in the aural glory of this MMO that's known for its incredible music. But hark! What is this Path of Fire? Join us for a listen through a soundtrack that one unnamed soundtrack reviewer has termed "bland and generic." If that isn't a back-of-the-box quote, we don't know what is!

Episode 123 show notes

• Intro (feat. "On the Banks of the Elon," "Highland Hares," and "Undead of Elona")
• "Main Theme"
• "Sands of the Djinn"
• "The Bounty Hunter"
• "Legendary Ascent"
• "Pricklepath Hollow"
• "Welcome to Amnoon"
• "Sands of Chaos (Percussion Version)"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener Notes: Minimalistway
• Jukebox Picks: "Main Theme" from Pharaoh, "Great Bustle" from Lost Sphear, and "Green Hill Zone Act 1" from Sonic Mania

• Outro ("Veins of the Dragon")

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In peaceful villages and bubbly burgs, you just know that there's bound to be an abundance of happy music! Whenever the Battle Bards regroup to lick their wounds and drink the terrors away, they often find that happy town music is perfect to soothe jangled nerves and re-center one's heroism. There's plenty of those tunes in today's episode, so recoup with them as they listen to the songs of the common folk.

Episode 122 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (feat. "Kamasylvia Town" from Black Desert, "Medieval Village" from Runes of Magic, and "Colhen Theme" from Vindictus)
• "Elysean Village" from Aion
• "Townston" from Dungeon Runners
• "Village Theme 3" from ArcheAge
• "Magmeld Town" from Lineage II
• "The Bells of Dale" from Lord of the Rings Online
• "Mnene Village" from Echo of Soul
• "Nunudito Town" from Lime Odyssey
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener Notes: Katriana, Rafael (Blade and Soul track), Alyn
• Jukebox Picks: "Braxton Burks" from Johto Legends, "Main Theme" from There Came an Echo, and "Lost Soul" from BioShock

• Outro ("Emerald Village" from Blade and Soul)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• Find more podcasts at The Gaming and Entertainment Network!

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The world's first, best, and only MMORPG music podcast is back to venture into a rather obscure title, Myst Online! The Battle Bards delve into this odd, atmospheric soundtrack that isn't quite like what we're used to hearing in online games. There's some love, some hate, some snark, and some indigestion. Also, we discover several of Syl's greatest fears and force her to live through them.

Episode 121 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Spore Me," "Convergence," and "Kadish Tolesa Future Vault")
• "Badlands"
• "Trailer Music"
• "Yeesha's Theme"
• "Out of the Hive"
• "Burn You Up, Burn You Down"
• "K'veer"
• "Air Stream"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener Notes: MP and Scott
• Jukebox Picks: "Menu" from Pocket Mine, "Theme 3" from Doom 2016, and "City Chicks" from Pit People

• Outro ("Gallery Theme")

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• Find more podcasts at The Gaming and Entertainment Network!

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After an incredibly long absence, Retro Reprise is back for a kind of weird episode -- but aren't those the best? On this week's show, Syp listens to many video game studio logos and fanfares from the 1990s. These jingles may be short, but we heard them so many times they became burned into our brains! Which one was your favorite?

Show notes

• Intro (Sega Scream commercial)
• Origin Systems
• Rare
• Capcom
• Apogee
• Hot-B
• Blizzard Entertainment
• Konami
• Microprose
• Interplay
• Crystal Dynamics
• LG Software
• Micronet
• Ocean Software
• Seta Corporation
• Sierra
• Telegames
• Warp
• Outro
• Special thanks to the Retro Video Game Logo Project!

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Look down -- and it'll be the last thing you'll ever see! That's because fury and death arrive in the form of short character races in MMORPGs. Even if they hit below the belt, their music is sweet to the ears! In this episode of Battle Bards, the crew take on themes from Gnomes, Halflings, Dwarves, and other short races in MMOs.

Episode 120 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Dwarf Tavern" from World of Warcraft, "The Gnomes" from Project Copernicus, and "Exploring the Shire" from Lord of the Rings Online)
• "The Call of Stone" from Warhammer Online
• "Gnomes" from EverQuest Online Adventures
• "Asura Theme" from Guild Wars 2
• "New Tinkertown" from World of Warcraft
• "Gnome Village II" from RuneScape
• "Thorin's Hall" from Lord of the Rings Online
• "Dwarven Village Theme" from Lineage II
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener Notes: Chestnut Bowl, Fair Mores
• Jukebox Picks: "Nomads of the White Desert" from Assassin's Creed Origins, "Deployment" from Hive Jump, and "First Steps" from Celeste

• Outro (feat. "Dwarf Cave" from Forsaken World)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• Find more podcasts at The Gaming and Entertainment Network!

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Believe it or not, it's the Battle Bards' fifth anniversary! From its weirdly humble beginnings back in 2013 to our arrogant ramblings here in 2018, coverage of MMO music must continue! In today's episode, we'll be listening to a surprisingly good soundtrack: Skyforge. Yes, that Russian sci-fi MMO from the Allods team that lets you grow into your ego as a god. Groove on these tunes and see if there's a new sleeper soundtrack waiting for you!

Episode 119 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Pioneers," "Story Without End," and "Wilderness")
• "Dreams of Aelion"
• "Login Theme"
• "Stronghold"
• "Campaign Music"
• "Aelinar"
• "Forest Retreat"
• "Battle"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener Notes: Rafael and Mark
• Jukebox Picks: "Breathe the Black" from Where the Water Tastes Like Wine, "Skalitz 1403" from Kingdom Come Deliverance, and "A.C.I.D." from Into the Breach

• Outro (feat. "Illusion")

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What are your favorite memories of those first few days in a brand-new MMORPG? Chances are that those memories are inextricably connected to the music of these beginning areas. On today's episode of Battle Bards, the crew revisits starting zone themes to talk about the experience of those first critical steps in an online game -- and the songs that connect us forever to that.

Episode 118 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Dun Morogh" from World of Warcraft, "Autumn in Ascalon" from Guild Wars, and "Silverwood" from RIFT)
• "Emerald Falls" from Revelation Online
• "Bleakrock Isle" from Elder Scrolls Online
• "Ronfaure" from Final Fantasy XI
• "Azuremyst Isle" from World of Warcraft
• "Olvia" from Black Desert
• "The Black Shroud" from Final Fantasy XIV
• "Newbie Melody" from RuneScape
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener Notes: Hirvox and GeorgeWilson3
• Jukebox Picks: "Main Menu" from Life is Strange: Before the Storm, "With Sympathy" from Gears of War 2, "The Descent into Spring Valley" from Nine Parchments

• Outro (feat. "Isle of Refuge" from EverQuest II)

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Two Destinies for the price of one! For this episode, the Battle Bards are gearing up in their favorite space armor to take on highlights from both of the Destiny soundtracks. From buyer's regret to confusing the gender of a key character, there is all sorts of on-air therapy happening with this kooky trio!

Episode 116 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Sepiks Prime," "The Wilds," and "Ikora")
• "Inner Light" from Destiny 2
• "The Traveler" from Destiny 1
• "The Ecstasy (Jupiter)" from Destiny 1
• "Lost Light" from Destiny 2
• "The Last City" from Destiny 2
• "Holliday" from Destiny 2
• "The Farm" from Destiny 2
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener Notes: rafael12104, Katriana, Veon91
• Jukebox Picks: "Becalmed" from Sea of Thieves, "Track One" from Loong Online, and "Riverside Bogie" from Railway Empire)

• Outro (feat. "The Union (Mercury)")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• Find more podcasts at The Gaming and Entertainment Network!

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Mighty and majestic, scaly in hide and shrewd of mind, smoking with fury unabated... these are the Battle Bards! Also, dragons. Yes, in today's episode, the Bards tackle the soundtracks to one of the most iconic fantasy creatures of all time. So call over your good luck dragon and get your best Sean Connery voice on as we loot the musical hoard of these beasts.

Episode 116 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Bash the Dragons" from Guild Wars 2, "Shinryu's Theme" from Final Fantasy XIV, and "Drakonspire Depths" from Aion)
• "Sindragosa" from World of Warcraft
• "The Valley of Dragons" from SUN
• "A White Dragon Fallen into the Earth" from Dragon's Dogma Online
• "Mordremoth" from Guild Wars 2
• "Dragon Considers" from The Secret World
• "Spirit Island" from Istaria
• "Tiamat's Requiem" from Aion
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes: Frazleytastic, Pandalulz, Jdub, Mylin1
• Jukebox picks: "The Valley of the Blinding Mist" from The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, "Milton's Tower" from What Remains of Edith Finch, and "Ave Maria" from Hitman: Blood Money

• Outro ("Here Be Dragons" from Guild Wars 2)

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Forgettable ambient noise or entrancing space sounds? This is the debate that's at the core of today's episode, as the Battle Bards take on EVE Online's beloved and perhaps misunderstood soundtrack. It's a journey that goes far beyond our galaxy to one full of intrigue, industry, and space discotheques!

Episode 115 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Below the Asteroids," "Odyssey," and "I Saw Your Ship (symphony version")
• "Akat Mountains"
• "Minmatar Rock"
• "Hail to the Explorer"
• "Theme from Jita"
• "Red Glowing Dust"
• "Merchants, Looters, and Ghosts"
• "The Dealer"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes: Veon91, Zen Dadaist, KatsPurr
• Jukebox picks: "Musik 2" from Hotline Miami, "Battlefield One" from Battlefield 1, and "Theories of an Eager Heart" from Planet Coaster

• Outro (feat. "EVE Fanfest 2013 Theme")

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Yes officer, these Battle Bards were well above the speed limit and violated many noise complaints in the local neighborhoods. But it was for a good cause, sir! This music from vehicular MMOs is just way too good to keep quiet! What's that? You'll let them go with just a warning? You only know they're going to peel out and look for another score to settle!

Episode 114 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Snowmobile Chase" from The Secret World, "Harmonic Vengeance" from Auto Assault, and "Racing 4 Pinks" from Motor City Online)
• "Garage" from Crossout
• "Smuggler Track S Two" from Grand Theft Auto Online
• "Assault of Fort Harrison" from Auto Assault
• "Kharkov" from World of Tanks
• "A2B" from The Crew
• "My Garage" from Drift City
• "Redlining" from Motor City Online
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes: Scott Rankin and Chillos Smith Jr.
• Jukebox picks: "Main Theme" from Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, "The Ballad of Doctor Death" from Outlaws, "Free Roaming" from Owlboy

• Outro (feat. "Beyond the Precipice" from War Thunder)

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Alien, quiet, and weird -- that's the Anarchy Online soundtrack for you in a nutshell. For the first episode of 2018, the ever-contentious Battle Bards are back to quibble about, gush over, and nitpick the score to one of the older sci-fi MMOs on the market today.

Episode 113 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Seascape," "Spiritual Elysium," and "The Cup")
• "Main Theme"
• "Majestic Omni"
• "Omni-Tek Theme"
• "Ancient Civilizations"
• "Dungeon Dub"
• "Shadowlands Battle Music"
• "Amongst the Trees"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes: Friendly Necromancer, Katriana, and Rafael
• Jukebox picks: "Simmering Steeps" from Portal Knights, "I Am Justice" from Diablo III, and "First Light" from Aion

• Outro (feat. "Open Plains")

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It's time to take a diversion to play -- and listen -- to the minigames tucked inside of our MMOs! The Battle Bards haul out their last show of 2012 with an eclectic and fun assortment of minigame soundtracks. While minigame-specific music might be hard to hunt down, this trio did their best and are reasonably satisfied with the result. Which is good, because no refunds on this podcast!

Episode 112 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Darkmoon Faire" from World of Warcraft, "Artifact Hunt" from Free Realms, and "Sneaky Block" from Trove)
• "Bonus Stage" from Guild Wars 2
• "Pet Battles" from World of Warcraft
• "Triple Triad" from Final Fantasy XIV
• "Choo Choo Zoo" from Wizard101
• "Space Missions (Republic)" from Star Wars: The Old Republic
• "Pest Control" from RuneScape
• "Checkers" from Free Realms
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes: Skaldrom, Minimalistway, and Rafael12104
• Jukebox picks: "Temple of the Fist" from FFXIV: Stormblood, "Main Theme" from Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and VGMpire

• Outro (feat. "Jump Rope" from Master X Master)

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The Battle Bards are always up for a musical bargain, and on today's episode, they'll deliver two MMORPGs for the price of one (sitting)! It's a look at two rather obscure eastern MMOs, Cabal Online and Cabal 2, both of which have some surprisingly good music tucked away. So expand your video game musical horizons with this show!

Episode 111 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Frozen Tower of the Undead" from Cabal 1, "Freii Hills" from Cabal 2, and "Altar of Siena" from Cabal 1)
• "Green Despair" from Cabal 1
• "Desert Scream" from Cabal 1
• "Mission Battle" from Cabal 1
• "Illusion Castle" from Cabal 1
• "Forest of Troglo" from Cabal 2
• "Another Truth" from Cabal 1
• "Login Screen" from Cabal 2
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes: @JinxedThought, @Katriana_games, Minimalistway, and George Wilson III
• Jukebox picks: "Fertile Highlands" from Conan Exiles, Super Marcato Bros., and "Welcome to Amnoon" from Guild Wars 2: Path of Fire

• Outro ("Luper's Excavation Site" from Cabal 2)

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The Battle Bards are quite familiar with the power of the strummed guitar and lute, knowing that such simple instruments can bring down walls, devastate armies, and dethrone monarchs. But on their off days, acoustic guitars are simply pleasurable to hear and are sprinkled throughout many a-MMO's soundtrack. It's six-stringed serenity in the 110th episode of this podcast!

Episode 110 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Sunlight of Morning" from Aion, "The Fringes (Daytime)" from FFXIV, and "Hills of the Shire" from LOTRO)
• "Auf zu neuen Welten" from Drakensang
• "Firelight" from TERA
• "Lisbon" from Uncharted Waters Online
• "Aughaire and Angmar" from LOTRO
• "Dion Theme" from Lineage II
• "Pre-Alpha 4" from Shroud of the Avatar
• "Breeze Island" from Ragnarok 2
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener comments: Rafael12104
• Jukebox picks: Retro Game Audio, "Emerald Falls" from Revelation Online, and "Main Theme" from Spyro's Adventure

• Outro

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When you've got a club full of penguins overseen by the Mouse House itself, you know things are going to get both wacky and weird! Club Penguin may not be everyone's go-to MMO for music, but its wide array of simplified genres certainly give the Battle Bards a lot to discuss on this week's show.

Episode 109 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Hello Yellow," "Extra Planetary Force," and "Cabin Trails")
• "Starting Fresh"
• "Medieval Theme"
• "Cart Surfer"
• "Bull's Eye"
• "Pizza Parlor"
• "Ocean Voyage"
• "Rock the Boat"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener notes from Katriana_games and Zoward
• Jukebox picks: "Divine's Lament" from Divinity Original Sin 2, "Inner Light" from Destiny 2, and Level with Emily Reese

• Outro (feat. "Strange Galaxy")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• Find more podcasts at The Gaming and Entertainment Network!

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Here's a musical episode that you can really sink your teeth into! Your... ear teeth? In any case, the Battle Bards are evaluating our Dark Masters this Halloween season to see which has the best music: vampires or werewolves. It's a sinister, gothic show with several first-time MMO appearances for the podcast, so check it out!

Episode 108 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (feat. "Gilneas" from World of Warcraft, "Werewolf Camp" from Forsaken World, and "Transylvanian Rain" from The Secret World)
• "Clan (Pride Theme)" from Wolfteam
• "Werewolf" from Neverwinter
• "Main Theme" from Requiem
• "Kindred Village" from Forsaken World
• "Palace of the Dead Floors" from Final Fantasy XIV
• "Concordia" from Dark Eden
• "Hunter's Creed" from Darkfall
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox picks: "No Heaven" from Borderlands, Music Respawn show, "Sanctuary" from Destiny 2

• Outro ("Cathedral of Eternal Night" from World of Warcraft)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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• Find more podcasts at The Gaming and Entertainment Network!

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Find the complete list of our episodes since April 2013 below.

• Ep. 1: MMO main themes
• Ep. 2: Final Fantasy XI
• Ep. 3: Spooky and magical
• Ep. 4: Lord of the Rings Online with Chance Thomas
• Ep. 5: Guild Wars 2
• Ep. 6: WildStar with Jeff Kurtenacker
• Ep. 7: City themes
• Ep. 8: EverQuest 2
• Ep. 9: Tavern tunes
• Ep. 10: Age of Conan
• Ep. 11: Oddballs
• Ep. 12: Lineage 2
• Ep. 13: Spirit of adventure
• Ep. 14: World of Warcraft
• Ep. 15: Tearjerkers
• Ep. 16: Aion
• Ep. 17: Starter zones
• Ep. 18: Vanguard
• Ep. 19: Dead MMOs
• Ep. 20: Flyff
• Ep. 21: Moving
• Ep. 22: Guild Wars
• Ep. 23: Epic boss battles
• Ep. 24: More World of Warcraft
• Ep. 25: Holiday themes
• Ep. 26: Granado Espada (Sword of the New World)
• Ep. 27: Kid MMOs
• Ep. 28: Runes of Magic
• Ep. 29: Vocals
• Ep. 30: Listener request 1
• Ep. 31: Listener request 2
• Ep. 32: The Secret World
• Ep. 33: Allods Online
• Ep. 34: Feature that instrument!
• Ep. 35: Dungeons and Dragons Online
• Ep. 36: The many MMOs of Tracy W. Bush
• Ep. 37: At the market fair
• Ep. 38: Elder Scrolls Online
• Ep. 39: Jigs and shanties
• Ep. 40: WildStar redux
• Ep. 41: Post-apocalyptic
• Ep. 42: RuneScape
• Ep. 43: Picks for our co-hosts
• Ep. 44: TERA
• Ep. 45: Rock on!
• Ep. 46: EverQuest II’s Laura Karpman
• Ep. 47: Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
• Ep. 48: Back to the ’90s
• Ep. 49: RIFT
• Ep. 50: Fan covers
• Ep. 51: Vindictus
• Ep. 52: Introspection
• Ep. 53: City of Heroes
• Ep. 54: Winter is coming
• Ep. 55: Star Wars: The Old Republic
• Ep. 56: Main themes II
• Ep. 57: Blade and Soul
• Ep. 58: Percussion heavy
• Ep. 59: The Crew
• Ep. 60: Endless journey
• Ep. 61: Firefall
• Ep. 62: Character creation music
• Ep. 63: Warlords of Draenor
• Ep. 64: Factions and races
• Ep. 65: Fallen Earth
• Ep. 66: MOBAs
• Ep. 67: Age of Wushu
• Ep. 68: Housing Themes
• Ep. 69: Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward
• Ep. 70: MMO ambience
• Ep. 71: Ragnarok Online 2
• Ep. 72: Listeners request anniversary!
• Ep. 73: Spooky and Magical II
• Ep. 74: Black Desert Online
• Ep. 75: Dance party!
• Ep. 76: Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns
• Ep. 77: Spirit of Adventure 2
• Ep. 78: EverQuest
• Ep. 79: Combat music
• Ep. 80: Aura Kingdom
• Ep. 81: Goblins, Orcs, and Ogres!
• Ep. 82: Dragon Nest
• Ep. 83: Triumphant Victory
• Ep. 84: Ultima
• Ep. 85: Desert calling
• Ep. 86: World of Warcraft: Legion
• Ep. 87: Elves!
• Ep. 88: Revelation Online
• Ep. 89: Nightfall
• Ep. 90: Wizard101
• Ep. 91: Forest tales
• Ep. 92: Dragon’s Prophet
• Ep. 93: It’s a madhouse!
• Ep. 94: Drakensang Online
• Ep. 95: Caverns and caves
• Ep. 96: SWTOR expansions
• Ep. 97: The sound of magic
• Ep. 98: Perfect World International
• Ep. 99: Tropical resort
• Ep. 100: Centennial spectacular!
• Ep. 101: Ragnarok Online
• Ep. 102: Pure joy
• Ep. 103: Wurm Online
• Ep. 104: Something wicked this way comes
• Ep. 105: Uncharted Waters Online
• Ep. 106: Early Access Themes
• Ep. 107: Blade & Soul Expansions
• Ep. 108: Vampires & Werewolves
• Episode 109: Club Penguin
• Episode 110: Acoustic guitar
• Episode 111: Cabal Online 1 and 2
• Episode 112: MMO minigame music
• Episode 113: Anarchy Online
• Episode 114: Vroom Vroom!
• Episode 115: EVE Online
• Episode 116: There be Dragons
• Episode 117: Destiny 1 & 2
• Episode 118: More starting zone themes
• Episode 119: Skyforge
• Episode 120: Short stuff
• Episode 121: Myst Online
• Episode 122: Happy town
• Episode 123: Guild Wars 2's Path of Fir
• Episode 124: Old MMOs, new music
• Episode 125: Archlord
• Episode 126: Out of this world
• Episode 127: Champions Online
• Episode 128: Seaside port
• Episode 129: Elder Scrolls Online Morrowind
• Episode 130: Oddballs 2
• Episode 131: Path of Exile

Retro Reprise * Ep. 1: Duck Tales * Ep. 2: Top 10 favorite SNES tunes * Ep. 3: Space Quest * Ep. 4: Chrono Trigger * Ep. 5: GoldenEye 007 * Ep. 6: Listener requests! * Ep. 7: Star Control 2 * Ep. 8: Sega Master System * Ep. 9: 8-bit Castlevania * Ep. 10: Final Fantasy adventures * Ep. 11: Top 10 Gameboy tunes * Ep. 12: Offbeat NES music tracks * Episode 13: '90s studio fanfares

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After 50 episodes, the Battle Bards have made the brave decision to revisit the hallowed lands of Blade and Soul to look at two of the soundtrack expansions. The team combs through The World and Silverfrost Mountain albums to see what bounty can be harvested. It's another lively episode with plenty of upbeat music, so what are you waiting for?

Episode 107 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Hammer of the Dog Sorcerer," "The Dreamdrift," and "Hogshead Hamlet")
• "The Road/Lycandi Foothills"
• "The Pot Fighter"
• "Pine Stone Island"
• "The Stranger"
• "Forest of Illusions"
• "Blood Battle"
• "Pig's Ranch"
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox picks: The Annotator podcast, "The Old Republic Theme" from Knights of the Old Republic, and "Gremori Dungeon Ver. 1" from Closers Online

• Outro ("Snowy North")

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• Find more podcasts at The Gaming and Entertainment Network!

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Instead of looking back at MMORPGs this week, the crew of Battle Bards launches forward into early access! What would a show about music from MMOs that aren't even officially out yet be like? We're going to find out in this wild and woolly episode!

Episode 106 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Pre-Alpha Music" from Shroud of the Avatar, "Main Theme" from H1Z1, and "Rhyldan" from The Repopulation)
• "Main Theme" from Star Citizen
• "Main Theme" from Kritika Online
• "Main Theme" from Osiris: New Dawn
• "Another Story Begins" from Gloria Victis
• "Main Theme" from Sea of Thieves
• "Bay Theme" from Cloud Pirates
• "Winter is Here" from Crowfall
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener feedback
• Jukebox picks: "The Wild White Yonder" from West of Loathing, "Main Theme" from Guild Wars 2: Path of Fire, and "A Threatin' Zeppelin" from Cuphead

• Outro ("True Pirate" from Sea of Thieves)

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• Find more podcasts at The Gaming and Entertainment Network!

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Set sail for amazing adventure and an assortment of audio discoveries! This week, Cap'n Steff and her lackeys board Uncharted Waters Online to see what bounty this soundtrack holds. It may not be to everyone's liking, but the sea is a fickle mistress that doesn't appeal to everyone!

Episode 105 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Login Screen," "Central South America," and "Seville")
• "First Voyage"
• "Bar"
• "Forest"
• "East Asian Sea"
• "Russian Empire"
• "American Sea"
• "Caribbean Pirate Song"
• Which one did we like best?
• Listener feedback
• Jukebox Picks: "On The Sands Of Serkonos" from Dishonored 2, "The Scent of the Sea" from I am Setsuna, and "Strike the Earth!" from Shovel Knight

• Outro (feat. "Caribbean Pirate Song")

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!

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And lo, as the Battle Bards walk through the zone of the shadow of death, they will fear no evil, but they will listen to evil's soundtrack because that is what they do! In today's episode, the crew looks at the darker side of MMORPG soundtracks, dwelling in the wicked, the profane, and the deliciously macabre. Also, Syp does his Cookie Monster voice.

Episode 104 show notes

• Intro (feat."In the Darkest Hour" from Vindictus, "Twilight Vale" from World of Warcraft, and "Theme" from Hellgate London)
• "Into the Shadows" from Dragon's Prophet
• "Zombie Apocalypse" from The Secret World
• "Eulogy for Hope" from Warhammer Online
• "Krall Theme" from Aion
• "Battle of the Black Gate" from Lord of the Rings Online
• "Warsong" from World of Warcraft
• "The Heartbeat of Evil / The Strain" from WildStar
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox Picks: "Monster Town" from Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap, "1:00 A.M." from Animal Crossing: New Leaf, and "The Synapse" from Deus Ex

• Outro (feat. "Palace of the Dead Final Floor" from Final Fantasy XIV)

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You think you've heard strange MMORPG soundtracks before, but Wurm Online is about to take you to the odd frontier. With two distinctive soundtracks that skew away from typical composition, Wurm baffles, amuses, and bewitches the Battle Bards in today's show!

Episode 103 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Sunrise," "Long Summer," and "Traveling")
• "Waking Up"
• "Why You Dive"
• "Abandon the Hill"
• "Flatland Stride"
• "They Wait Back Home"
• "Along the Broken Ridge"
• "Village Work Song"
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox Picks: "Stormblood Theme" from Final Fantasy XIV, "Shipwreck Creek" from Yooka Laylee, and "The Path" from The Last of Us

• Outro (feat. "Disband Deed")

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When it comes to talking about the music from the original NES, everyone seems to always reference the same games. But what about those "other" titles with interesting and memorable soundtracks that get ignored? In today's show, Syp pulls out 10 offbeat NES music tracks that you might have never heard of -- but definitely should! Buckle up, Retro Reprise is about to go off the beaten path and into the wild unknown!

Episode 12: Offbeat NES music tracks

• Intro
• "Theme" from Rambo
• "Theme" from Pictionary
• "Coralcola Village" from StarTropics 2
• "Duel" from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
• "Towering Catastrophe" from Monsters in my Pocket
• "Running Through the Blue Fields" from Strider
• "House Theme 3" from A Nightmare on Elm Street
• "Good Weather" from Mr. Gimmick!
• "Salvage Chute" from Bucky O'Hare
• "Strange Woman" from Uninvited
• Outro ("Mini-Game" from Pictionary)

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Is it even possible for pure joy to be derived from MMORPG music? Whether or not, the Battle Bards are going to take a serious stab at it in today's episode! Each piece is hand-picked and home-brewed to distill joy for the listener, coated in sparkling hopes and drizzled with fond memories. No matter what, you're in for an uplifting show!

Episode 102 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (feat. "Maple Island 1" from MapleStory 2, "Life Abundant" from Stargate Worlds, and "Farm" from Free Realms)
• "Village Theme 1" from ArcheAge
• "Sunlight of Morning" from Aion
• "Plotting Our Course" from WildStar
• "Sunnyside" from Granado Espada
• "Party in the Shire" from LOTRO
• "To Start a Journey" from Star Wars Galaxies
• "Lakeside" from Cabal Online
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox Picks: "Main Theme" from Dead Space, "Hot Pursuit" from Gravity Rush, and "Grazelands Dawn" from Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind

• Outro (feat. "Home Sweet Home" from RuneScape)

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As the Battle Bards cruise into their second hundred episodes, it's time to cover a very long-lived fantasy MMO from 2002, Ragnarok Online. The game has an... interesting soundtrack and a devoted following in some circles, but as the crew discovered on today's show, the score is not without its criticisms. It's time to kick summer vacation to the curb and trumpet another parade of MMO music!

Episode 101 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Aplen Rose" and "Theme of Alberta")
• "Theme of Lutie"
• "Splendid Dreams"
• "March with Irish Whistle"
• "Dream of a Whale"
• "Sleeping Volcano"
• "Antique Cowboy"
• "Christmas in the 13th Month"
• Which one did we like best?
• Mail from Frotierkilla
• Jukebox Picks: "Meet Tiki and Mermaid" from Dragon's Crown, "Devil's Swing" from Bendy and the Ink Machine, "Drake's Theme" from Uncharted

• Outro (feat. "Erebos' Prelude")

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Syp returns to the 8-bit era as he counts down his top 10 favorite Gameboy tunes. It's a harder task than you think, considering how long the system was out and how many great games and soundtracks were created for it! Chances are he'll ignore your favorite, but it'll be a fun show nevertheless with lots of cheery and catchy tracks. What's your favorite?

Episode 11: Top 10 Gameboy tunes

• Intro
• "Theme" from The Smurfs
• "Staff Credits" from Metroid II
• "Town of Albano" from Lufia: The Legend Returns
• "Battle of the Holy" from The Castlevania Adventure
• "Stage 1" from TMNT: Fall of the Foot Clan
• "Ripe Seeds" from Castlevania II
• "Theme" from Monster Max
• "Type B" from Tetris
• "Tal Tal Heights" from The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
• "Birabuto Kingdom" from Super Mario Land
• Outro (feat. "Cave Stage" from Turok 2)

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After four years and over 700 MMORPG music tracks, the Battle Bards have arrived at their 100th show! For this centennial spectacular, Syl, Steff, and Syp reminisce about the most notable shows, their best soundtrack discoveries, and their favorite tracks. This super-sized show gets wrapped up with a bout of listener emails and a promise of another amazing hundred episodes!

Episode 100 show notes

• Intro (feat. "A New Hope" from FFXIV, "Bard's Guild" from EverQuest, and "First Light" from Guild Wars)
• Favorite Soundtrack Discoveries over the past four years
• Steff: TERA ("Sanctuary" and "Godspeed"), League of Legends ("Braum" and "Demacia Rising"), and World of Warcraft: Legion ("Lion's Rest" and "Anduin")
• Syl: Runes of Magic ("Veranas Bridge" and "Traveling Tale"), Dragon's Prophet ("Auratia" and "Candlelight"), and Ultima X Odyssey ("Town Life" and "Rule City")
• Syp: Lineage 2 ("Praise the Victorious Knight" and "Talking Island Village"), WildStar ("Bandits, Thieves, and Epic Loot" and "A Story of Hope and Healing"), and RuneScape ("Horizon" and "Arise Legend")
• Favorite single MMO tracks
• Syp: "Freedom Theme" from City of Heroes
• Steff: "Legacy of Romulus" from Star Trek Online
• Syl: "Tidecaller" from League of Legends
• Syp: "Spiritual Elysium" from Anarchy Online
• Steff: "Sillus Mountains" from Aion
• Syl: "Wolf at the Gates" from World of Warcraft
• Syp: "Wailers and Waterwheels" from FFXIV
• Steff: "Hills of the Shire" from LOTRO
• Syl: "City of Tarir" from Guild Wars 2
• Syp: "Smooth" from WildStar
• Steff: "Sleepless Lullaby" from The Secret World
• Syl: "Make Zone" from Lime Odyssey
• Syp: "Peace, The Jedi Consular" from SWTOR
• Steff: "Little Shepherd" from Blade and Soul
• Syl: "Danaria" from Aion
• Segment C: Listener feedback

• Outro

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The Battle Bards are on vacation at a tropical beach paradise! In the team's 99th episode, they examine beach, resort, and island music cues from MMORPGs. Can it still be a resort when everything around you is out for murder? As long as the music is this good, who cares?

Episode 99 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Maple Island 1" from MapleStory 2 and “Castaways” from World of Warcraft)
• "Starter Beach" from Wonderland Online
• "Dolphin Island" from Rose Online
• "Costa del Sol" from FFXIV
• "Caribbean Port" from Pirates of the Burning Sea
• "Oceania Town" from Uncharted Waters Online
• "Port BGM" from Lime Odyssey
• "A Tropical Getaway" from WildStar
• Which one did we like the best?
• Jukebox Picks: "Run Program" from Tron Run_r, "Theme" from The Tenth Line, and "Oakvale" from Fable
• Anniversary note
• Outro (feat. "Palmgil Oasis" from Aura Kingdom)

• Stinger

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Perfect World -- it's not just a massive games publisher, it's also an MMORPG! The team at Battle Bards timidly tiptoe into this unknown soundtrack, not sure of what may lurk around the next bend. Is it a pile of suck? An undiscovered gem? Forgettable fluff? We're not going to tell you in the intro here, you'll have to listen along with us to find out!

Episode 97 show notes

• Intro (feat. “Rising Tide Theme” and "Frostcovered City")
• "Fly With Me/Etherblade City"
• "Archosaur"
• "Plume City"
• "City of Raging Tides"
• "Descent Theme"
• "Genesis Theme"
• "Cube of Fate"
• Which one did we like the best?
• Jukebox Picks: "Main Theme" from Horizon Zero Dawn, "The Capital with a Beautiful Lake and the Holy Sword" from Tales of Zestiria, and "Caprice" from Morrowind
• Anniversary show incoming!
• Outro (feat. "Everywhere")

• Stinger

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What was originally the swan song -- the "final" game developed -- of Square turned into the studio's flagship franchise that is now in its 30th year. For the return of Retro Reprise, Syl and Syp take a nostalgic journey back through the first nine Final Fantasy games, looking at the music from the NES, SNES, and PlayStation eras. Missing the combat tracks? Stay tuned for part 2 of this series!

Episode 10: Final Fantasy adventures

• Intro
• Final Fantasy I: "Main Theme"
• Final Fantasy I: "Prelude"
• Final Fantasy I: "Airship"
• Final Fantasy I: "Matoya's Cave"
• Final Fantasy II: "Chocobo Theme"
• Final Fantasy IV: "Victory Theme"
• Final Fantasy IV: "Love Theme"
• Final Fantasy VI: "Terra's Theme"
• Final Fantasy VI: "Aria Di Mezzo Carattere (Opera Theme)"
• Final Fantasy VII: "Aeris' Theme"
• Final Fantasy VII: "Cosmo Canyon"
• Final Fantasy VII: "Chasing the Black Caped Man"
• Final Fantasy VII: "Ahead on our Way (Kalm Village)"
• Final Fantasy VIII: "Liberi Fatali"
• Final Fantasy VIII: "Balamb Garden"
• Final Fantasy VIII: "Fisherman's Horizon"
• Final Fantasy IX: "Behind the Door"
• Final Fantasy IX: "The Place I'll Return to Someday"
• Outro

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"Magic can be ANYthing!"

The forces of magic run deep within MMORPGs, casting shadows of wonder wherever we look -- and listen. In today's show, Syl sparks a musical revolution as her fellow Bards struggle to rise to the challenge of defining what, exactly, constitutes a "magical" track and evokes that particular feeling. Did we nail it? You'll have to join us for the journey to find out!

Episode 97 show notes

• Intro (feat. “The Magic Shop” from PlaneShift and "The Magic Forest" from LEGO Universe)
• "Ethereal" from Lord of Ultima/Ultima X Odyssey
• "Crystal Castle" from Fiesta Online
• "The Fortuneteller" from The Secret World
• "All Out of Breadcrumbs" from WildStar
• "Lost in a Spiderweb's Beauty" from Dungeons and Dragons Online
• "Garangdol Plains" from ArcheAge
• "The Elven Prophecy" from Runes of Magic
• Which one did we like the best?
• Jukebox Picks: "The Calm" from The Binding of Isaac Rebirth, "Kingsmouth Ahead" from The Secret World, and "Santa Monica" from Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines
• Outro (feat. “Magic Undergrowth” from Trove)
• Stinger

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"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..."

With those words, you know you're in for a rollicking good adventure -- and some impressive and spellbinding music to match! On today's episode, the Battle Bards return to Star Wars: The Old Republic to look at the music of the recent expansions. Has the Force been with this MMO's soundtrack? I've got a ~~bad~~ good feeling about this!

Episode 96 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (feat. “Star Wars Main Theme,” "Fallen Empire Main Theme," and "Scorpio, the Deceiver")
• "The Alliance"
• "Versus Arcann"
• "Aries, the Mischievous"
• "Lana, the Advisor"
• "Odessen, the Sanctum"
• "Serenity"
• "Fulfilling Destiny"
• Which one did we like the best?
• Jukebox picks: "Twin Seeds" from Nights into Dreams, "Boss Theme 1" from One-Way Heroics, and "Menu" from Spore
• Outro (feat. "Escape from Zakuul")
• Stinger

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Are they music critics or funky spelunkers? Today, the Battle Bards are both as they delve into the secrets of MMORPG cave and cavern music. It may not be a part of these games that you think about muchly, but underground spaces tend to be assigned their own unique sounds and themes. Let's check them out!

Episode 95 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Cave of Wonders" from Vanguard, "Cave of Life" from MapleStory, and "Christmas Caverns" from RuneScape)
• "Mysterious Cavern" from Shroud of the Avatar
• "Misterious Cave" from Lineage II
• "Caverns of Time" from World of Warcraft
• "Ursa Caverns" from Rappelz
• "Nameless Cave" from Ragnarok Online 2
• "Memorial Caverns" from Free Realms
• "Kaphras Cave" from Black Desert
• Which one did we like the best?
• Jukebox picks: "Main Theme" from Dragon Age Origins, "To the Ends of the Galaxy" from Stellaris, "Main Theme (Amiga)" from Secret of Monkey Island
• Outro (feat. "Frostshard Cavern" from Aion)

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Do you find the German language to be inherently terrifying? Then you're going to love the soundtrack to this German MMORPG! Actually, it's quite lovely and a diamond in the rough, at least according to some of the Battle Bards. Today's episode ventures into territory marked by a drakensang -- a "dragon's song" -- and emerges refreshed and renewed.

Episode 94 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Overture," "Where Ignorance Rules" and "A Glimpse of Atlantis")
• "Opening/River of Time"
• "Fight for Glory"
• "Potpourri"
• "Freunde/Friends"
• "Born in the Era of Heroes"
• "Ferdok"
• "Kusliker Scherzo"
• Which one did we like the best?
• Jukebox picks: "Hornet" from Hollow Knights, "Boost" from Velocity 2X, "Main Theme" from LEGO Dimensions
• Outro (feat. "Home of Old Habits")

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It's taken this long, but the Battle Bards have gone completely and irreversibly insane in the membrane! Today the team cracks open the door of the MMO music funhouse to see what off-kilter, crazy, and manic tunes may be found. WARNING: Once you've entered the asylum, you might find yourself a resident... for life!

Episode 93 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Cutely Grotesque and Certifiably Insane" from WildStar, "The Dream Palace" from The Secret World, and "Mischief" from Infinite Crisis)
• "The Lunatic Court" from Guild Wars 2
• "Woman Peeling Potatoes" from Tree of Savior
• "Steel Rose" from Aion
• "The Vault (Joker's Funhouse)" from DC Universe Online
• "Select a Sim 2" from The Sims Online
• "The Haunted Manor" from Final Fantasy XIV
• "Dirge of the Damned" from Glitch
• Which one did we like the best?
• Jukebox picks: "Tailor Made" from Lemmings (SNES), "Main Theme" from Robinson the Journey, and "Delphinus Delphis" from Abzu
• Outro (feat. "Dark Astoria Raimi Arcade" from City of Heroes)

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Strap in for a fiery ride across the skies in today's episode of Battle Bards! While Dragon's Prophet was not fated to last long -- at least in North America -- it did leave behind a treasure trove of music that we've only started to dig into. The bards get a little dragonish themselves for this show, perhaps of a different opinion of what constitutes the perfect score for giant flying lizards.

Episode 92 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Rise of a Hero -- Call of Battle" and "Candlelight")
• "Auratia"
• "River"
• "Flicker of Life"
• "The Black Swan"
• "Commoner's Dream"
• "Light's Path"
• "Helmoth"
• Which one did we like the best?
• Jukebox picks: "Main Menu" from Conan Exiles, "Richer" from Valkyria: Azure Revolution, "Early Game 1" from Majesty
• Outro (feat. "Dawn")

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Take a stroll through the trees and become totally lost in the foliage, drinking in the sounds of the forest with today's show, as the Battle Bards go hiking through the woods to hear the music that they inspire. It's an hour of forest tales on this week's exploration of MMORPG soundtracks, so journey with us from Ultima X to Final Fantasy XI!

Episode 91 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Southern Janost Forest" from Runes of Magic and "Caledon Forest" from Guild Wars 2)
• "Kingwood" from Ultima X Odyssey
• "Albion Campacorentin Forest" from Dark Age of Camelot
• "The Breeze of the Old Forest" from Rappelz
• "Golden Wood Impression" from LOTRO
• "Scatherran Forest Light" from RIFT
• "Redwood (Ancient Forest)" from Aion
• "The Sanctuary of Zi'tah" from FFXI
• Which one did we like the best?
• Jukebox picks: "Forest" from The Last Guardian, "Flash Forward" from Virginia, and "Heliosphere" from No Man's Sky
• Outro (feat. "The Song of the Forest" from Blade and Soul)

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Expecto MMOsium! The Battle Bards have donned their robes and taken to casting nasty spells on each other with their wands, all in the spirit of today's soundtrack -- Wizard101. This surprisingly expansive kid MMORPG visits a wide range of genres and has a score to match. But was the experience magical or mundane?

Episode 90 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Main Theme," "Home Sweet Home," and "Grizzleheim 2")
• "Avalon - High/Abbey Road"
• "Polaris - Ballet Theme"
• "Avalon - Main Theme"
• "Wysteria - Pickswick Academy"
• "Marleybone - Theme 1"
• "Darkmoor - Main Theme"
• "Wintertusk - Austrilund"
• Which one did we like the best?
• Jukebox picks: "Bulls Eye" from Club Penguin, "Top of the World" from Eagle Flight, and "Where No Man Has Gone Before" from The Witcher 3
• Outro (feat. "Polaris - Bad Ballet Theme")

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Candles will no longer haunt Syp's dreams -- Simon Belmont is here to whip them out of existence once and for all! Oh, and also Dracula. In today's show, Castlevania on the NES gets the star treatment as Syp dives into the music from the gothic horror platformer trilogy.

Episode 9: 8-bit Castlevania

• Intro (feat. "Mansion" from Castlevania II)
• "Vampire Killer" from Castlevania
• "Starker" from Castlevania
• "Wicked Child" from Castlevania
• "Out of Time" from Castlevania
• "Bloody Tears" from Castlevania II
• "The Silence of the Daylight" from Castlevania II
• "Beginning" from Castlevania III
• "Deja Vu (Vampire Killer)" from Castlevania III
• "Stream" from Castlevania III
• Outro (feat. "Stage Clear" from Castlevania III)

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When the sun goes down, the Battle Bards' work has just begun! In this week's episode, the crew explores nighttime music cues in MMOs, chasing the ever-elusive feel of what that period between dusk and dawn sounds like in game. Don't fall asleep!

Episode 89 show notes

• Intro (feat."Shire Nights" from Lord of the Rings Online and "Moons of Evening Star" from Elder Scrolls Online)
• "Painted Skies" from FFXIV
• "Nacht" from Drakensang
• "Starry Night" from Aura Kingdom
• "Candlelight" from Dragon's Prophet
• "Nighttime Music" from Black Desert Online
• "Palace at Night" from Chronicles of Spellborn
• "Rogshire Night 2" from Runes of Magic
• Which one did we like the most?
• Jukebox Picks: "Heroic Assault" from Gears of War 2, "E3 2016 Trailer" from Cosmic Star Heroine, and "Main Theme" from Atlas Reactor
• Outro ("Dusk of God" from MapleStory)

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The new hotness on the MMO scene is Revelation Online, the Chinese import that has gamers abuzz with its flashy graphics and rounded theme park offerings. But how does its soundtrack hold up? The Battle Bards investigate an eastern game with a western composer -- World of Warcraft's Neal Acree. How does it come off?

Episode 88 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Bamboo Thicket" and "Imperial Camp")
• "Swamp Town"
• "Altar of Purification"
• "Calm Blue"
• "Underwater Adventures"
• "Mystic Forest"
• "The Chosen (Main Theme)"
• "TianYu Island"
• Which one did we like the most?
• Jukebox Picks: "Prologue" from Rime Burta, "The Light in Us All" from Planet Coaster, and "Main Theme" from Oblivion
• Outro ("The Chosen")

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It was the 8-bit console pretty much nobody owned -- and yet has endured longer than any console to date. The Sega Master System has a fascinating history and some (if not a ton of) great chiptunes. Give it a listen and you might learn a thing or two about the video game industry while rocking out to some great VGM!

Episode 8: Sega Master System

• Intro
• "Side-Crawler's Dance" from Wonder Boy III
• "Bridge Zone" from Sonic the Hedgehog
• "First Stage" from Double Dragon (PSG vs. FM)
• "Main Title" from Alien 3
• "Push" from Zillion
• "Medusa's Lullaby" from Ecco II: The Tides of Time
• Outro

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It's high time that the Battle Bards lay prostrate at the feet of their social and intellectual superiors, the high and mighty Elves! Yes, it's a full episode of elven music, a virtual rainbow of harps and swirly magic and slightly grumpy hosts who use this opportunity to unload their gripes against this fantasy race.

Episode 87 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Teldrassil" from World of Warcraft and "Elf Wood" from MapleStory)
• "Grey Havens" from LOTRO
• "Elf Forest" from Forsaken World
• "Allemantheia (The City of Truth)" from TERA
• "High Elf Tomb" from World of Warcraft
• "Unicorn's Rest (Elven Village)" from Lineage 2
• "Elven Theme" from Allods Online
• "Rena's Theme (Hope of the Elven)" from Elsword Online
• Which one did we like the most?
• Jukebox Picks: "Rhyldan" from The Repopulation, "OST" from Fantasy Life, and "Welcome to Rapture" from BioShock
• Outro ("Rena's Theme")

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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")

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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")

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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

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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)

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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)

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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!

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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)

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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)

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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

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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")

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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
• 1. "The Road is Full of Dangers" from Super Mario RPG
• 1. "Dark World" from The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
• 1. "Boss Battle" from Zombies Ate My Neighbors
• 1. "Gang-Plank Galleon" from Donkey Kong Country
• 1. "Terra's Theme" from Final Fantasy 3/6
• 1. "Bloody Tears" from Super Castlevania IV
• 1. "New Junk City" from Earthworm Jim
• 1. "Overworld Theme (with Yoshi)" from Super Mario World
• 1. "Frog's Theme" from Chrono Trigger
• 1. "Corona" from Starfox
• Outro

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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, "Light is Green" from Halo 5, and "Theme" from Squids
• Outro (feat. "Goblin Sapper Quotes" from Warcraft III)

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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")

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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")

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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)

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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!

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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

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• Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo!
• Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts

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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!

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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 Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts

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“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!

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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”)

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• Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo!
• Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Networkof podcasts

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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.

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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)

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• Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo!
• Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts

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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!

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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

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By popular demand -- which you should read as "Syl's imperial fiat" -- the Battle Bards are returning to the fertile musical landscape of spooky and magical tunes. From undead taverns to fairy courts, the bards explore all manner of sparkly, moody themes. So turn the lights down low, brew your favorite beverage, and enjoy!

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Episode 73 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Comfort" from Forsaken World and "Quiet Place" from Ragnarok 2)
• "Undead Tavern" from World of Warcraft
• "Magiteknical Difficulties" from Final Fantasy XIV
• "Old History Area Theme" from Angels Online
• "The Ghost Ship Navislamia" from Rappelz
• "All's Fairy in Love and War" from RuneScape
• "White Forest" from ArcheAge
• "The Falls of Nimrodel" from Lord of the Rings Online
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox: "Little Girl, Gen" from Child of Light, "Dodging Bullets" from Quantum Break, and "Harvest Hazards" from Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze

• Outro (feat. "The Magic Forest" from LEGO Universe)

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• Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo!
• Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts

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Can you believe it -- it's the third anniversary of Battle Bards already! Three years ago, Steff, Syp, and Syl joined forces to create the world's first, best, and only MMORPG music podcast. It's been an incredible ride, and for the show's birthday the Bards have invited our listeners to contribute more of their favorite tracks for a listeners request show! It's a plus-sized show, so enjoy - and thanks everyone for sticking with us through 72 episodes!

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Episode 72 show notes

• Intro (feat. "The Hollin Gate" from Lord of the Rings Online and "Invincible" from World of Warcraft)
• "Tokyo 2" from The Secret World (submitted by Gryph)
• "The Chosen" from Revelation Online (submitted by Thoroughmas)
• "Nym's Property" from Star Wars Galaxies by (submitted by Bree)
• "...But Still We Go On" from EVE Online (submitted by Galactrix)
• "Embers in the Storm" from Bless (submitted by Jaedia)
• "The Land Will Weep" from World of Warcraft (submitted by Tyler)
• "King Thordan" from Final Fantasy XIV (submitted by Marc Evans)
• "Bloody Battle" from Blade & Soul (submitted by Weakness)
• "Dream Theme" from Glitch (submitted by Tithegha)
• Which one did we like best?

• Outro (feat. "Valentine's Day Theme" from FFXIV)

• 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

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Let's get this out of the way up front: No, Ragnarok Online 2 isn't the type of game that you'd think would have a terrific soundtrack, and yes, it totally has a terrific soundtrack. On this episode, the Battle Bards skip through renowned Japanese composer Yoko Kanno's score, picking out their favorite tracks from this fantasy MMO. Will they convince you that this is a hidden gem? Listen and see!

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Episode 71 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Beginners" and "Misha")
• "EverLand (Instrumental)"
• "Yoru (Violin)"
• "Small Dungeon"
• "Clap and Walk"
• "Din Don Dan Dan"
• "Afternoon"
• "Stone Music"
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox picks (feat. "Sinister Euphoria" from Aura Kingdom, "A Writer's Dream" from Alan Wake, and "The Battle of Lil' Slugger" from Super Meat Boy)

• Outro (feat. "Boss Battle [Karaoke]")

• 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

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While loud and brash music might be what often grabs our attention, the astute soundhound will keep an ear out for beautiful low-key pieces that weave through MMORPGs. Today the Battle Bards crew dials it back to look at tracks that exude ambience in all of its forms. From Final Fantasy XIV to Chronicles of Spellborn, interesting and noteworthy ambient tracks were unearthed, dissected, and returned to the soil for future blossoming.

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Episode 70 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Ambient Track" from EverQuest and "Helm's Hold Ambient" from Neverwinter)
• "In Golden Light" from The Secret World
• "Snowcloak" from FFXIV
• "Meditation of the Oracle" from Chronicles of Spellborn
• "Smoke from Down Below" from EVE Online
• "Vashj'ir" from World of Warcraft
• "Spore Me" from Myst Uru
• "Devidians Ambient" from Star Trek Online
• Which one did we like the best?
• Jukebox picks (feat. "Edge and Flight" from Mirror's Edge, "Overture" from Stargate Worlds, "Enchanted Forest Pursuit" from Rayman Legends)
• Listener request send-in

• Outro ("Loading Loop" from The Sims Online)

• 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

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Today, the Battle Bards are back for a special update and podcast episode!

First things first, for all those of you who frequent twitter and would like to receive regular updates on our shows as well as MMO music in general, you can now follow us via our official twitter feed @battlebardscast. Don't hesitate to contact us there or leave feedback or suggestions on twitter in the future - we love to hear from you!

As some of you know, Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network, a free collaboration of independent gaming and geekery related podcasts bringing news, discussion and shenanigans to audiences since 2014. TGEN also hosts a quarterly round-table show, the TGEN Tribunal, across all our podcasts which is hosted by a different member every time in order to spread some linklove across all our shows and make discovery easier for our individual audiences. For this fourth episode of the Tribunal, it was our turn with Syl doing the honors on behalf of Battle Bards.

TGEN Tribunal Episode 04 show notes

• VR in Gaming 2016: Are we excited yet?
• Crowdfunding versus E-Begging: What's the difference?
• Non-Combat MMOs/games: Can we do this already?

All music intro/outros via www.bensound.com

Co-Hosts:

• Roger from Burton&Scrooge podcast, @moderateperil
• Eri from the Couch Podtatoes podcast, @ausj3w3l

Thanks to our listeners for tuning in and supporting TGEN! You can find regular updates from all our shows on the official website or follow the network on twitter @TGENPodcastNet. See you next week as business resumes as usual here on Battle Bards with a brand new episode 70 - it's getting ambient!

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The Battle Bards are taking an airship back to Eorzea to cover the soundtrack to the first expansion to Final Fantasy XIV, Heavensward. How does the expansion's score stack up to the original? How does it connect to Final Fantasies of the past? And will Syl spoil the plot for Syp? So many questions... so many mini-rants. It's a great show!

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Episode 69 show notes

• Intro (feat. “Main Menu Theme” and "Alexander Boss Theme")
• "Ishgard Pillars Day"
• "Heroic Moments Theme"
• "Aetherochemical Research Facility Theme"
• "Fractal Continuum Theme"
• "Matoya's Cave"
• "Idyllshire Night Theme"
• "Ravana"
• Which one did we like the best?
• Mail from WS_Dandelion about Dawngate
• Jukebox (feat. "Oakvale" from Fable 2, "Stage One" from XCOM 2, and "A Place to Call Home" from FFIX)

• Outro (feat. "Pharos Sirius Hard Mode Theme")

• 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

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When an MMO player gets cozy in his or her in-game home, the sound is as essential to the ambiance as the decor. Not every game creates special music for player housing, but enough do that it's attracted the Battle Bards to take a closer look at the topic. Housing music and collectible tracks? It's starting to pick up momentum in MMOs, and Battle Bards is on the forefront of the revolution!

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Episode 68 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Free 2 Party" from WildStar and "Chrono Trigger's Millenial Fair" from Trove)
• "A Golden Field (Exile's Housing Theme)" from WildStar
• "Karazhan Music Roll" from World of Warcraft
• "Pernon Residential" from Aion
• "Autumn Ale" from Lord of the Rings Online
• "Home Sweet Home" from RuneScape
• "Where the Hearth Is" from FFXIV
• "Hammerknell Fortress Music Box" from RIFT
• Jukebox (feat. "Echoes of a Zephyr" from FFXI, "Seaskape" from Splatoon, "Exploration" from Star Trek Online)

• 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

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Before they were podcasters, the Battle Bards trained in sacred monestaries deep in the Chinese mountains, where they learned martial arts and life without wifi. As they tackle the Age of Wushu soundtrack this week, memories flood back of their life as kung fu artists who drifted from town to town, setting right what once was wrong.

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Episode 67 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Martial Instance" and "Youyunshiliuzhou")
• "Main Theme"
• "Chengdu"
• "Luoyang"
• "Zhouz"
• "Lingxiaocheng"
• "Scholars"
• "Saibeicaoyuan"
• Jukebox (feat. "Explore" from Aliens: Colonial Marines, "The Swindle Title" from The Swindle, "Episode 1, Track 1" from Life is Strange)

• 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

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What is this madness? The Battle Bards are taking a daring field trip out of the boundaries of MMO soundtracks to look at some music from MOBAs. Can these battle arenas hold a candle to the sublime scores of their kissing cousins? They can indeed, as this episode proves!

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Episode 66 show notes

• Intro (feat. "Demacia Rising" from League of Legends and "Class 5 Leviathan" from Infinite Crisis)
• "Tidecaller" from League of Legends
• "Promise (Gaslight Batman's Theme)" from Infinite Crisis
• "The Battle Begins" from Heroes of the Storm
• "Quinn and Valor" from League of Legends
• "This Fight is Mine" from Infinite Crisis
• "Norse Theme" from SMITE
• "Lulu and Shaco's Quirky Encounter" from League of Legends
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox (feat. "Meet Tiki and Mermaid" from Dragon's Crown, "Main Theme" from Arkham City, and "Player Music 1" from Asheron's Call 2)

• Outro (feat. "The Curse of the Sad Mummy" from League of Legends)

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Welcome to the musical apocalypse! In this week's episode, the Battle Bards get their Mad Max on with a trip to the premiere post-apocalyptic MMO, Fallen Earth. It's a combination of western, action, and... "other." What does the wasteland sound like? Find out in this episode!

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Episode 65 show notes

• Intro (featuring "Last Call" and "Renewal")
• "Escape from Hoover Dam"
• "Blood-Soaked Sunrise (Welcome to the Apocalypse)"
• "Scouting the Wastes"
• "Risen Moon"
• "Thwarting Alec Masters"
• "Pathfinding"
• "Survival (They Always Come Back)"
• Which one did we like best?
• Mail: Ironweakness: what's a cost effective starting point for collecting MMO soundtrack music?
• Jukebox (featuring "Almere Valley -- Sunlit Forest 3" from Project Copernicus, "Horseplay" from Red Dead Redemption, "Waiting for Fire" from There Came an Echo)

• Outro

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While not every MMO has specific musical cues for its factions and races, many do, and today on Battle Bards the crew shares some of their favorites from over the years! Additionally, the co-hosts will share their favorite races and why Final Fantasy XI is the creepiest MMO everr!

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Episode 64 show notes

• Intro (featuring "Capital City (Celtic)" from Age of Empires Online and "Gibberlings" from Allods Online)
• "The Noble Tauren" from World of Warcraft
• "Tarutaru Male" from Final Fantasy XI
• "Cutely Grotesque and Certifiably Insane (Chua Theme)" from WildStar
• "The Bird God Wakes (Chaos)" from Warhammer Online
• "Baraka Theme" from TERA
• "Terran Main Theme" from Earth & Beyond
• "New Conglomerate Theme" from PlanetSide 2
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox (featuring "Patience Point" from World of Warcraft, "Laidback Thrills" from Battleblock Theater, and "Spring Cleaning" from Don't Starve: Reign of Giants)

• Outro ("Spore Me" from Myst Online)

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With a new World of Warcraft expansion on the horizon, the Battle Bards turn their attention to Warlords of Draenor to see how it stacks up to the rest of the series. The answer? For at least one of the bards, it's the best WoW soundtrack ever. Crank up the volume and get your Orc on, for it's time to go on the musical warpath!

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Episode 63 show notes

• Intro (featuring "Malach" and "Shadowmoon Valley")
• "Wolf at the Gates"
• "Chieftans Gather"
• "Family"
• "Last Light (A Hero's Sacrifice)"
• "Man Down"
• "T's Have It"
• "A Light in the Darkness"
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox (featuring "Abadis Forest" from Dust: An Elysian Tail, "Main Theme" from Fallout 4, "EverLand" from Ragnarok Online 2)

• Outro

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• Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo!
• Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts

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Right after the main theme of an MMO, typically the first piece of in-game score you'll hear is a lengthy character creation piece. Today the Battle Bards reroll characters to hear these tunes all over again and decide which of them kept them on those screens a few more minutes than they strictly needed to.

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Episode 62 show notes

• Intro (featuring "Character Creation" from DDO and "Into the Unknown" from WildStar)
• "Character Creation" from Ultima Online
• "Character Selection" from ArcheAge
• "Asmodian Theme" from Aion
• "Character Creation" from Shadowbane
• "Criminal Theme" from APB
• "Character Creation" from Black Desert
• "Character Creation" from Elder Scrolls Online
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox (featuring "Main Theme" from Assassin's Creed 3, "Sunset Tracer" from Tree of Savior, and "Disco Descent" from Crypt of the Necromancer)

• Outro (“Disband Deed” from Wurm Online)

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• Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo!
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Catapulting themselves into the far future, the Battle Bards survey the post-apocalyptic scene in Firefall and find it... groovy. This week we take a look at Red 5's MMO shooter and its electronic soundtrack to see if there's a future worth hoping for in here or one that has lost all musical taste. Which will it be? You'll have to listen to find out!

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Episode 61 show notes

• Intro (featuring "Login Theme 3" and "Tutorial Theme")
• "Login Theme"
• "Kanaloa"
• "Trans-Hub Incursion"
• "Blackwater Harvester Combat"
• "Copacabana"
• "Login Theme 1"
• "Rescue Mission 4"
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox: Undertale ("Once Upon a Time"), Assasin's Creed ("Black Flag Shanties"), 8/16-bit soundtracks ("Jungle Fight" from Contra)

• Outro (“Disband Deed” from Wurm Online)

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• Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo!
• Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts

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For our whopping 60th episode, we explore the endless journey of MMOs! So wait, what is this theme really about? According to Syl, "it is all about the rich, multi-faceted, multi-part tracks that tell a story, come with transitions or surprises and have a certain length to allow for that to happen."

Tall order? Sure, but the Battle Bards have never shirked a musical challenge!

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Episode 60 show notes

• Intro (including "Blackburrow" from EverQuest 2 and "Along the Broken Ridge" from Wurm Online)
• "Oriel Residential" from Aion
• "Roaming Free" from Lord of the Rings Online
• "Peace, the Jedi Consular" from Star Wars: The Old Republic
• "After the Storm" from Lineage II
• "Combat Hymn" from Anarchy Online
• "Alas, the Dragon Shall Break" from Elder Scrolls Online
• "Path of Tears" from World of Warcraft
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox: Final Fantasy XI ("Autumn Footfalls"), Dear Esther ("Ascension"), Ori and the Blind Forest ("Naru, Embracing the Light")
• Speakpipe challenge reminder

• Outro (“Disband Deed” from Wurm Online)

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• Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts

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Haven't played The Crew? You're not alone! Haven't listened to The Crew's soundtrack? Shame on you! Today the Battle Bards take on this driving MMO's score to see if it causes them to put their pedals to the metal... or their heads to their pillows.

Also we got another speakpipe challenge for our regular listeners at the end of this episode - be the first to claim the prize!

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Episode 59 show notes

• Intro (featuring "Takedown" and "Game Over")
• "Leadfoot"
• "Backalleys"
• "Heavy as a Feather"
• "Introductions"
• "Outrun"
• "Dayton"
• "On Point"
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox - "Honor for All" from Dishonored, "Tiny Masterpiece of Evil" from League of Legends, and "Alderaan" from SWTOR
• Speakpipe Challenge!

• Outro (“Disband Deed” from Wurm Online)

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• Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo!
• Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts

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Today, the Battle Bards are bringing the beat! It's a whole show about percussion-heavy MMO soundtracks, with far more variety than you would have thought possible. So turn your volume up to 11 and get ready to air drum your heart out!

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Episode 58 show notes

• Intro (featuring “Snowjade Palace” from Blade & Soul and “Rattle Tooth Theme” from Dungeon Runners)
• "The Warmind" from Destiny
• "Grand Slam" from WildStar
• "Manduri Village" from Aion
• "Secret Garden/The Rap" from Dark Age of Camelot
• "Crimson Hills" from Aion
• "March of the Allied Forces" from Final Fantasy XI
• "Martial Instance" from Age of Wushu
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox: Infinite Crisis ("Promise"), Portal ("Still Alive"), Parodius Da! ("Oh! Japanism")

• Outro ("Disband Deed" from Wurm Online)

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Syl finally realizes a long-held dream to cover Blade & Soul on Battle Bards. Truly, this is the highlight of her life, the apex of her existence, and the sunshine beams through her kitchen window. It's pretty groovy for the rest of the bards, too, as the threesome enjoy this Asian soundtrack and vie for their favorite picks.

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Episode 57 show notes

• Intro (featuring “Main Theme” and “Cheerful Festival")
• "Silverfrost Mountain/Main Theme"
• "Little Shepherd"
• "Boss Gorilla"
• "Black Pirates"
• "Shadow in the Sunset"
• "Kun Theme/Character Creation"
• "The Pot Thief"
• What one did we like best?
• Mail from Rory: Taylor Davis
• Jukebox: Destiny ("Excerpt from Hope"), The Sims ("Verisimilitude"), SWTOR II ("The Final Battle")

• Outro (featuring “Fly Into the Sky”)

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• Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo!
• Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts

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Fifty-five shows later and the Battle Bards are returning to the topic of main themes! That's right, it's an episode about nothing but MMO themes, from the loud and brash to the quiet and sublime. There's some new, some old, and some not even released yet -- so chances are you'll find something here to love!

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Episode 56 show notes

• Intro (featuring "Main Theme" from Darkfall and "Main Theme" from LEGO Universe)
• "Original Main Theme" from City of Heroes
• "Login Theme" from ArcheAge
• "Kariela's Song" from Shroud of the Avatar
• "LOTRO Legacy" from Lord of the Rings Online
• "Login Theme 2" from Firefall
• "Main Theme" from Landmark
• "Rise of a Hero" from Dragon's Prophet
• What one did we like best?
• Jukebox: Ni No Kuni (Wrath of the White Witch), Dragon Age Inquisition, Ragnarok Online 1 & 2

• Outro (featuring "Legends of Azeroth" from World of Warcraft)

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• Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo!
• Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts

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A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, three Battle Bards decided to give Star Wars: The Old Republic its own show (finally). While we've talked about SWTOR many times before on the podcast, this week we'll go full-on space opera with our look into what made this soundtrack both memorable and maddening!

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Episode 55 show notes

• Intro (featuring "Star Wars Main Theme" and "Peace, the Jedi Consular")
• "Main Theme (Clash of Destiny)"
• "Shapa Keesay (Shape-Shifter)"
• "Romance"
• "Tatooine, the Desert Sands"
• "The Occupation of Balmorra"
• "Revan's Theme"
• "Bravado, the Smuggler"
• Which one did we like best?
• Jukebox: The Witcher 3, The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot, Dragon Quest X

• Outro (featuring "Yesterday's Jawa")

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• Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo!
• Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts

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It might be the middle of the summer in the northern hemisphere, but it's never too early to start getting ready for the cold! On this episode of Battle Bards, the crew takes on the theme of bitter, desolate, and beautiful winter soundscapes from a wide range of MMO scores. Winter is, after all, coming. Let's prepare!

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Episode 54 show notes

• Intro (featuring "Snowcloak" from Final Fantasy XIV and "Winter Theme" from Allods Online)
• "Sillus Mountains" from Aion
• "Wintertusk Hrundle Fjord" from Wizard101
• "Iron Pine Peak" from RIFT
• "Winterspring (Cataclysm)" from World of Warcraft
• "Iceclad Ocean" from EverQuest 2
• "Hoth, the Frozen Wastes" from Star Wars: The Old Republic
• "The Shiverpeaks" from Guild Wars 2
• Which one did we like best?

• Outro (featuring "Dazzling Snow" from Ragnarok Online)

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• Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo!
• Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts

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It was the first big superhero MMO, and for at least one Bard, it was the entry point into MMO gaming. Today we'll be looking at the late, great City of Heroes and its strange, lovable, and often baffling soundtrack, as well as trying to explain to Syl why superheroes are totally cool. Pull on those tights and prepare to soar up, up and away into a score like no other on today's show!

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Episode 52 show notes

• Intro (featuring "Main Theme" and "Steel Canyon Copper District")
• "Freedom Court"
• "Devil's Coat Tails"
• "Argosy Industries"
• "Freedom Theme"
• "Going Rogue Theme"
• "Welcome to Nova Praetoria"
• "Bloody Bay: Green Nugget"
• Which one did we like best?
• Mail from Joseph

• Outro ("Mission Complete")

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Syp will need to apologize for his uncharacteristically grumpy attitude during this week's recording, as he did not fully understand the teacher's homework assignment and apparently hates good music. That said, it's a whirlwind hour of dreamy, thoughtful, and touching music as the Battle Bards tackle the theme of "introspective" tunes in MMOs! Also, Syl uses the line, "Dancing naked in the forest while getting high," which is going to bump up our SEO rating something fierce.

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Episode 52 show notes

• Intro (featuring "Air Stream" from Myst Online and "Emerald Depths" from Vanguard)
• "Exiles of the Dream" from ArcheAge
• "Forest Calling" from Lineage 2
• "Hail Novia" from Shroud of the Avatar
• "Heart of a Hero" from Lord of the Rings Online
• "Our Perception of Beauty" from WildStar
• "Redeemed Garden" from Anarchy Online
• "Memories of Spring" from Aion
• Which one did we like best?

• Outro

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• Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo!
• Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts