https://massivelyop.com MMORPG news and opinions Fri, 21 Apr 2023 16:01:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.1 https://massivelyop.com/2023/04/23/battle-bards-episode-224-a-return-to-the-music-of-everquest-ii/ https://massivelyop.com/2023/04/23/battle-bards-episode-224-a-return-to-the-music-of-everquest-ii/#comments Sun, 23 Apr 2023 16:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=436191 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! Battle Bards is the world’s first, best, and only MMO music […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2023/04/23/battle-bards-episode-224-a-return-to-the-music-of-everquest-ii/feed/ 3 https://massivelyop.com/2023/03/31/battle-bards-episode-223-dragonica-aka-dragon-saga/ https://massivelyop.com/2023/03/31/battle-bards-episode-223-dragonica-aka-dragon-saga/#respond Fri, 31 Mar 2023 22:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=433183 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! Battle Bards is the world’s […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2023/03/31/battle-bards-episode-223-dragonica-aka-dragon-saga/feed/ 0 https://massivelyop.com/2023/03/05/battle-bards-episode-222-world-of-warcraft-dragonflight/ https://massivelyop.com/2023/03/05/battle-bards-episode-222-world-of-warcraft-dragonflight/#respond Sun, 05 Mar 2023 17:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=429033 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! […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2023/03/05/battle-bards-episode-222-world-of-warcraft-dragonflight/feed/ 0 https://massivelyop.com/2023/02/03/battle-bards-episode-221-lotro-before-the-shadow/ https://massivelyop.com/2023/02/03/battle-bards-episode-221-lotro-before-the-shadow/#respond Fri, 03 Feb 2023 18:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=424929 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 […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2023/02/03/battle-bards-episode-221-lotro-before-the-shadow/feed/ 0 https://massivelyop.com/2023/01/01/the-definitive-2022-battle-bards-episode-guide/ https://massivelyop.com/2023/01/01/the-definitive-2022-battle-bards-episode-guide/#comments Sun, 01 Jan 2023 17:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=418830 One of the side projects I work on every month is Battle Bards, the world’s first, best, and (weirdly) only music podcast. It’s a labor of love as my friend Syl and I explored several MMO soundtracks and themes this year, from the ancient Final Fantasy XIV days to the music of in-game shops and […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2023/01/01/the-definitive-2022-battle-bards-episode-guide/feed/ 1 https://massivelyop.com/2022/12/24/battle-bards-episode-220-guild-wars-2-end-of-dragons/ https://massivelyop.com/2022/12/24/battle-bards-episode-220-guild-wars-2-end-of-dragons/#comments Sat, 24 Dec 2022 19:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=419925 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. Battle Bards is the world’s first, best, and only MMO music podcast. Biweekly episodes alternate between examining […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2022/12/24/battle-bards-episode-220-guild-wars-2-end-of-dragons/feed/ 1 https://massivelyop.com/2022/11/26/battle-bards-episode-218-peace-and-quiet/ Sun, 27 Nov 2022 01:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=415713 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. Battle Bards is the world’s first, best, and only MMO music podcast. Biweekly episodes alternate between […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2022/10/02/battle-bards-episode-217-legend-of-edda/ Sun, 02 Oct 2022 16:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=407437 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? Battle Bards is the world’s first, best, and only MMO music podcast. Biweekly episodes alternate between examining […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2022/09/04/battle-bards-episode-216-ffxiv-before-meteor/ Sun, 04 Sep 2022 16:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=403485 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 […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2022/08/20/battle-bards-episode-215-lineage-w/ Sun, 21 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=401460 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 its sweet tunes! Join Syl and Syp as they explore this fantasy soundtrack to see how it stacks up against its amazing ancestors. Battle Bards is the world’s first, best, and only MMO […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2022/07/03/battle-bards-episode-214-thieves-and-rogues/ https://massivelyop.com/2022/07/03/battle-bards-episode-214-thieves-and-rogues/#comments Sun, 03 Jul 2022 22:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=394468 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? […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2022/07/03/battle-bards-episode-214-thieves-and-rogues/feed/ 1 https://massivelyop.com/2022/06/04/battle-bards-episode-213-final-fantasy-xiv-endwalker/ Sun, 05 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=390764 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! Battle Bards is the […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2022/04/15/battle-bards-episode-212-elder-scrolls-online-blackwood/ https://massivelyop.com/2022/04/15/battle-bards-episode-212-elder-scrolls-online-blackwood/#comments Fri, 15 Apr 2022 20:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=383381 Now that the Battle Bards have had that expensive knee surgery done to remove all arrows, they’re back in the Elder Scrolls Online universe — namely, to listen through the Blackwood expansion soundtrack! What musical treasures will Tamriel reveal to us this time around? Find out in today’s episode! Battle Bards is the world’s first, best, […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2022/04/15/battle-bards-episode-212-elder-scrolls-online-blackwood/feed/ 1 https://massivelyop.com/2022/03/20/battle-bards-episode-211-shops-and-services/ https://massivelyop.com/2022/03/20/battle-bards-episode-211-shops-and-services/#comments Sun, 20 Mar 2022 18:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=379268 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 […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2022/03/20/battle-bards-episode-211-shops-and-services/feed/ 1 https://massivelyop.com/2022/03/06/battle-bards-episode-210-warframe/ Sun, 06 Mar 2022 23:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=377490 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. Battle Bards is the world’s first, best, and only MMO […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2022/01/28/battle-bards-episode-209-superhero-mmos/ Fri, 28 Jan 2022 23:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=372355 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! Battle Bards is the world’s […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2022/01/09/battle-bards-episode-208-valheim/ Sun, 09 Jan 2022 23:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=369653 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. […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2021/12/25/the-battle-bards-mmo-music-podcast-2021-in-review/ https://massivelyop.com/2021/12/25/the-battle-bards-mmo-music-podcast-2021-in-review/#comments Sat, 25 Dec 2021 21:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=363331 If you’re among the very select and savvy few who love video game music, MMORPGs, and MMORPG game music, then you are the target audience for Battle Bards. This podcast, which has been going steady since 2013, features a trio of friends (including MOP’s Justin) who examine MMO music according to both games and themes. […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2021/12/25/the-battle-bards-mmo-music-podcast-2021-in-review/feed/ 1 https://massivelyop.com/2021/12/24/battle-bards-episode-207-seeing-red/ Fri, 24 Dec 2021 19:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=368435 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! Battle Bards is […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2021/12/10/battle-bards-episode-206-warping-back-to-wildstar/ https://massivelyop.com/2021/12/10/battle-bards-episode-206-warping-back-to-wildstar/#comments Fri, 10 Dec 2021 23:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=366377 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 […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2021/12/10/battle-bards-episode-206-warping-back-to-wildstar/feed/ 3 https://massivelyop.com/2021/11/25/battle-bards-episode-205-love-is-in-the-air/ Thu, 25 Nov 2021 21:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=364197 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 […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2021/11/14/battle-bards-episode-204-new-world/ Sun, 14 Nov 2021 23:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=362109 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. Battle Bards is the world’s first, best, and only MMO music podcast. Biweekly episodes alternate […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2021/10/31/battle-bards-episode-203-the-music-of-mobile-mmos/ Sun, 31 Oct 2021 22:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=359928 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 […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2021/10/17/battle-bards-episode-202-silkroad-online/ Sun, 17 Oct 2021 22:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=357868 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. Battle Bards is the world’s first, best, and only MMO music podcast. Biweekly […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2021/10/03/battle-bards-episode-201-dont-stand-in-the-fire/ https://massivelyop.com/2021/10/03/battle-bards-episode-201-dont-stand-in-the-fire/#comments Sun, 03 Oct 2021 16:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=355884 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! Battle Bards is the world’s first, […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2021/10/03/battle-bards-episode-201-dont-stand-in-the-fire/feed/ 2 https://massivelyop.com/2021/09/04/battle-bards-episode-200-battle-bards-bicentennial/ https://massivelyop.com/2021/09/04/battle-bards-episode-200-battle-bards-bicentennial/#comments Sun, 05 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=352197 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! Battle Bards is the world’s first, best, and only MMO music podcast. Biweekly […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2021/09/04/battle-bards-episode-200-battle-bards-bicentennial/feed/ 2 https://massivelyop.com/2021/08/15/battle-bards-episode-199-world-of-warcraft-tavern-tunes/ https://massivelyop.com/2021/08/15/battle-bards-episode-199-world-of-warcraft-tavern-tunes/#comments Sun, 15 Aug 2021 22:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=349751 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 […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2021/08/15/battle-bards-episode-199-world-of-warcraft-tavern-tunes/feed/ 1 https://massivelyop.com/2021/07/30/battle-bards-episode-198-final-fantasy-xi-expansions/ Fri, 30 Jul 2021 23:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=347369 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! Battle Bards is the world’s first, best, and only MMO music podcast. Biweekly episodes alternate […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2021/07/18/battle-bards-episode-197-a-royal-affair/ Sun, 18 Jul 2021 22:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=344884 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! Battle Bards is the world’s first, best, and only MMO music podcast. Biweekly episodes alternate between examining […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2021/07/02/battle-bards-episode-196-project-gorgon/ Fri, 02 Jul 2021 23:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=342770 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! Battle Bards is the world’s first, best, […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2021/06/06/battle-bards-episode-194-no-mans-sky/ https://massivelyop.com/2021/06/06/battle-bards-episode-194-no-mans-sky/#comments Sun, 06 Jun 2021 22:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=339384 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. Battle Bards is the world’s first, best, and only MMO music […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2021/06/06/battle-bards-episode-194-no-mans-sky/feed/ 2 https://massivelyop.com/2021/05/21/battle-bards-episode-193-tribal-jams/ Fri, 21 May 2021 23:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=336862 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. Battle Bards is the world’s first, best, and only MMO music podcast. […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2021/05/09/battle-bards-episode-192-mabinogi/ Sun, 09 May 2021 22:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=334907 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. Battle Bards is the […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2021/04/23/battle-bards-episode-191-digging-up-the-past/ Fri, 23 Apr 2021 22:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=332899 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 […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2021/04/02/battle-bards-episode-190-genshin-impact/ Fri, 02 Apr 2021 18:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=329431 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 […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2021/03/21/battle-bards-episode-189-spooky-and-magical-3/ Sun, 21 Mar 2021 16:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=327438 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 […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2021/03/07/battle-bards-episode-188-world-of-warcraft-shadowlands/ https://massivelyop.com/2021/03/07/battle-bards-episode-188-world-of-warcraft-shadowlands/#comments Sun, 07 Mar 2021 19:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=325509 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 […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2021/03/07/battle-bards-episode-188-world-of-warcraft-shadowlands/feed/ 1 https://massivelyop.com/2021/02/20/battle-bards-episode-187-sewers-and-swamps/ https://massivelyop.com/2021/02/20/battle-bards-episode-187-sewers-and-swamps/#comments Sun, 21 Feb 2021 01:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=323113 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 […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2021/02/20/battle-bards-episode-187-sewers-and-swamps/feed/ 1 https://massivelyop.com/2021/02/07/battle-bards-episode-186-lineage/ Sun, 07 Feb 2021 23:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=321181 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 […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2021/01/24/battle-bards-episode-185-taking-flight/ Sun, 24 Jan 2021 23:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=319245 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 […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2021/01/01/battle-bards-episode-184-maplestory-2/ https://massivelyop.com/2021/01/01/battle-bards-episode-184-maplestory-2/#comments Sat, 02 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=316606 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 […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2021/01/01/battle-bards-episode-184-maplestory-2/feed/ 1 https://massivelyop.com/2020/12/25/the-definitive-2020-battle-bards-episode-guide/ Fri, 25 Dec 2020 19:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=313953 When you’re a total geek for something, it’s only natural to want to seek out other like-minded souls to talk about it. That’s what led us to the creation of the Battle Bards podcast back in 2013: three like-minded MMO gamers who also loved the music in those games. Since then, we’ve been delivering a […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2020/12/20/battle-bards-episode-183-theme-parks/ Sun, 20 Dec 2020 23:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=315158 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 the theme parks within themepark MMOs! So what do amusement parks sound like in online roleplaying games? Find out […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2020/12/05/battle-bards-episode-182-last-oasis/ Sun, 06 Dec 2020 01:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=312917 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 […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2020/11/21/battle-bards-episode-181-around-the-world/ Sun, 22 Nov 2020 01:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=310836 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! Battle Bards is the world’s first, best, and only MMO […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2020/11/07/battle-bards-episode-180-moonlight-blade/ Sun, 08 Nov 2020 01:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=308722 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. Battle […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2020/10/25/battle-bards-episode-179-arrr-pirates/ https://massivelyop.com/2020/10/25/battle-bards-episode-179-arrr-pirates/#comments Sun, 25 Oct 2020 22:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=306508 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 […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2020/10/25/battle-bards-episode-179-arrr-pirates/feed/ 2 https://massivelyop.com/2020/10/04/battle-bards-episode-178-the-division-2/ https://massivelyop.com/2020/10/04/battle-bards-episode-178-the-division-2/#comments Sun, 04 Oct 2020 18:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=303216 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! Battle Bards is […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2020/10/04/battle-bards-episode-178-the-division-2/feed/ 1 https://massivelyop.com/2020/09/19/battle-bards-episode-177-gone-with-the-wind/ Sat, 19 Sep 2020 22:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=301141 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 […]]]> https://massivelyop.com/2020/09/05/battle-bards-episode-176-orchestral-runescape/ Sun, 06 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0000 https://massivelyop.com/?p=299092 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 […]]]>