Skyrim a Soundtrack of Battle and Peace

When it comes to video games, Skyrim is considered one of the biggest classics of all time.  It is a game that has a lot going for it, from an open world with a ton of things to do, a lot of interesting characters as well as interesting quests.  Critics and audiences alike have a lot of love for this game and the impact it has made on how video games are made going forward. One component of that game though that is sometimes overlooked is the amazing music score this game has, composed by Jeremy Soule, as seen below.

I've listened to a lot of video game soundtracks and there are very few that I like every song on and this is without a doubt one of them.  It has a nice blend of battle ready songs like Dragonborn theme, Tooth and Claw, and Steel On Steel.  It also has nice calm soothing songs like Secunda, Tundra, and Masser.  Every song blends fits the overall sound and theme of the soundtrack and nothing feels out of place. Considering that this soundtrack has a total of 53 songs on it, that is a real accomplishment.

The fact that it has 53 songs is not just amazing because Jeremy Soule was able to compose that many songs for this game and make them blend, but because it also adds to the feeling of exploration when playing the game.  Because there is such a wide range of songs, it keeps the exploration feeling fresh and makes every area feel different even if you have been to an area more then once.  Usually, most games have one designated theme that works for every specific area like The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time soundtrack.  I love that soundtrack but sometimes hearing the same theme over and over, especially in Hyrule Field, would play a part of me getting tired of that area and not want to go back to it for a time.  Jeremy Soule was able to compose songs that work for multiple areas and multiple interactions.  This way the world feels more diverse and you don't get a sense of repetition as you play the game.

I got to give credit for how well put together the Dragonborn Theme is.  The orchestra and choir in this song really work well together to give a really cool Norse Viking feel. Another cool thing about this song is that is written in a language that is based in the game and not in real life.  The lyrics are written in Dragon language and the fact that it is composed in a way that makes people sing along with it even though it is in a language that no one speaks is very amazing.  It was smart for Bethesda to use this song as one of their main selling points.

As much as I love the battle music in this game, I got to say that I actually really love a lot of the softer, more ambience songs in this game.  Songs like Secunda and Tundra, I listen to when I just want to relax and enjoy the scenery around me,  especially when I'm in nature.  Some songs, like The Gathering Storm, have a bit more of an emotional feel to them, when played in certain spots in the game.  I remember hearing The Gathering Storm start playing when I came across a burned down tavern with a bunch of dead people in it that were killed by vampires.  This song actually made me feel a little sad and uneasy as I walked through the burned down tavern.  When you have music that is able to effect your mood while you play a game and not just serve as background music, that is really impressive.

 

I personally consider this to be one of the greatest video game soundtracks of all time.  It is in my top 5 easy and I highly recommend you get it.  There are 53 songs on it and I like every single one of them.  It is long but it never gets dull and each song is very enjoyable. You can listen to this soundtrack on Spotify, Deezer, or Apple Music.  If you want to purchase the soundtrack, you can get it on Itunes or purchase a physical copy on Ebay, or get the box set from Barnes and Noble.  Links will be in the description below.

Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-original-game-soundtrack/596951310 

Ebay: https://www.ebay.com/i/273795726755?chn=ps

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/the-skyrim-library-volumes-i-ii-iii-bethesda-softworks/1125815481/2677925781

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Top 5 Dynasty Warriors Series Soundtrack Songs

There are not too many video game soundtracks out there like the Dynasty Warriors series.  While Koei Tecmo is known for throwing together a rock and orchestra combo in their video games, none are done as well done as Dynasty Warriors.  With great energy and melody, Dynasty Warriors makes for one of the best video games soundtrack Koei Tecmo has to offer.  Here is the top 5 soundtrack songs from the Dynasty Warriors Series.

5.  Avenging Battle

Avenging Battle from Dynasty Warriors 4 is  a great battle sounding song with great guitar and a some hints of Japanese music.  Right off the back you get some great dual guitar soloing that really drives the energy and creates a tense feel.  It is followed up by a soft Japanese flute solo, that tones the song down a little bit. Then they end the song with a good melodic guitar solo.  The only flaw in the song is that the final guitar solo is a little repetitive, but it is still a good song and certainly worth listening to.

4.  The Final Battle

The Final Battle from Dynasty Warriors 7 may be one of the longest songs in the the Dynasty Warriors series but it is still very good.  The melodic dual guitar solos are good, and the small bits of power metal sounding guitar is certainly worth noting.  The orchestra in this song is pretty good as well, it may be subtle, but it does add a tension building feel that is effective.  My favorite part of this song is the guitar solo in the middle of it.  It is not tricky, or shredding like, but it has a great melodic sound that goes well with the rest of the music and in its simplicity makes the song better.

3.  Teary Edge

 Teary Edge from Dynasty Warriors 7 Extreme Legends is a little bit different then the other songs on this list so far.  Where as the other songs have been mainly guitar driven, this song is actually piano driven.  While the guitar solos are certainly present in this song, they don't make up the main portion of it.  Overall, the melodic piano leads this song with the orchestra joining it in the chorus.  The piano may be a little repetitive, but the melodic feel it brings is a different take on the series and a welcomed one.

2. Vanish

Vanish from Dynasty Warriors 8 Extreme Legends is one of the best examples of orchestra and rock working together I have ever heard.  The orchestra builds up that battle feel and the melodic guitar solos in this song actually give a good emotional feel that makes the song feel more personal.  When you play a level in the game while hearing this song you really start to get a drive and determination to win the level, which is not easy to convey with music in video games.  

1.  A Thousand Suns

A Thousand Suns from Dynasty Warriors 8 is a great instrumental rock song.  The guitar solos are some of my favorite in the Dynasty Warrior series.  the dual solo's are very energetic and the melodic nature of the solos is amazing.  The part where the orchestra and guitar are playing back to back is awesome and builds into a great moment where both intertwined musically.  Then the guitar build up towards the end of the song is great way to lead to the final section. With great guitar and very energetic rock music, this is one of the best songs in the Dynasty Warriors series.    

Top 5 Video Game Soundtracks

Although people don't always think about music in video games, it actually plays a very important roll.  Music in a video sets the tone and helps boost someones experience when playing the game.  Just like when you hear music in a movie, music in video games helps create that memorable experience.  With that, here at the top 5 video game soundtracks

5.  Mass Effect 2

Mass Effect 2 may go down in history as one of the best video games of all time even with all the controversy that it's sequel games would make.  Along with the great game play and fantastic story, it also had one of the most memorable soundtracks of all time.  The soundtrack in this game is good combination of a good space scifi and orchestra music.  The scifi music give a good feel of exploration while in space, towns, or exploring a room.  The Orchestra really captures the intensity of the combat you get thrown into.  With such a great combo, this makes a good soundtrack.

4.  Halo Combat Evolved

While Halo may also be a scifi game as well, it's soundtrack is more orchestra and vocal driven then Mass Effect.  When you listen to songs like Truth and Reconciliation, you get feel for what this soundtrack is about.  You start with the mysterious sounding vocals, followed by battle driven orchestra, then comes in with some mysterious sounding space music, and ending with the classic vocals.  Those elements make up this soundtrack and they all blend in well with every level and it really enhances all the combat and mystery you as the player experience in this game. A great piece of orchestra music not to pass up.

3.   Jet Force Gemini

Jet Force Gemini has one of the most diverse soundtracks I have ever heard in video games.  The orchestra driven music is different depending on which level you are on.  Some levels give you a straight up battle feel, some make you want to explore the level, and some make you scared and cautious.  What makes this soundtrack great is not just the music, but how well each song fits the level it is attached to.  The music on every level is perfect and sounds amazing and really makes this sound track unique.

2.  Super Mario 64

 

Super Mario 64 is good fun music soundtrack, perfect for this game.  It is not orchestra driven like most of the game soundtracks on this list but it doesn't need to be.  They did a good job creating fun sounding music to fit a game more comical game like this one.  There is one sooth sounding song in this game and that is the Water Theme Music.  It has an overall more relaxing feel to it compared to the rest of the music in the game.  However, it still fits its level perfectly and is fun to listen to.  

1.  The Legend of Zelda Ocarina Of Time

The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time is without a doubt one of my video game soundtracks. While this soundtrack once again fits perfectly with the areas it's attached to, it is also has some great unique music.  With so many classic songs ranging from Song of Storms, The Hyrule Theme, and the Gerudo Valley, you got one of the most memorable soundtracks of all time.  Even some of the less famous songs such as The Ice Cavern, The Spirit Temple, and Ganodorf's Battle Theme, are still very well composed and I enjoy listening to them.  I can't recommend looking into this soundtrack enough and if you want to see live performances, every year Nintendo does a Legend of Zelda Symphony world tour that consists of many songs from this specific game's soundtrack.  Check it out and see if the symphony will playing in or near your town, you won't be disappointed.