Admittedly, not a lot of us think about Entropia Universe. Like, at all. Probably a lot of us don’t even consider it an MMO or a game, as pretty much every press release this title has ever put out has dealt with its ludicrous real-money deals that have happened through in-game transactions. Entropia might be a front for the Australian mafia, is what we’re saying.
But here’s a fun fact: Entropia Universe actually has a really cool soundtrack. It’s especially cool if you like relaxing scifi trance, a sound which runs through a bulk of this score. I experienced an enjoyable few nights going through these tracks and discovering some MMO music that is probably ignored by most due to the association with this weird title.
So here is my attempt to convince you that this soundtrack is worth your while. Let’s go to the stars and see what Entropia has in store for us, shall we?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-WgL19kn3I
1. Flow Control
This is a good headlining track that sounds as though it might have been a transplant from an ’80s film. Have I mentioned how much I love synth? I love synth. In any case, after a gradual build-up, Flow Control launches into a trippy little beat that would be perfectly at home in a racing game. It’s hard to hear it and not want to be engaging in some sort of non-stop action, that’s for sure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmLcVLT8o9w
2. Big Drummer
I came across Big Drummer several years ago and really fell in love with it. It’s primarily a percussion piece that does a lot with unusual sounds and some extended notes. The synth here is really light, dancing around the heavier beats, creating an audioscape that isn’t something I’d normally encounter in an MMO.
3. A Home By the Sea
This track is more grounded in real instruments, with what sounds like a mixture of Spanish guitar and Arabian influences. Yes, the synth is still there, but it’s married to the other instruments in a way that complements rather than conflicts with them. The end result is a piece that feels exotic and inviting. If this is a straight-up player housing track, then I know I would love hearing it as I tinkered with or relaxed in my home.
4. Vapor Trails
One of my new favorites, Vapor Trails sounds ripped right out of a fictional scifi movie. It’s very low-key at the start, sounding a little like Star Trek’s and Back to the Future’s prologues, before it emerges as a more heavy, Chariots of Fire-like inspirational song. I love how it builds slowly and inexorably toward a grand climax, yet it does leave me wanting more. An extended version, perhaps?
5. Eudoria
Time to hit the dance floor! Actually, while the beginning sounds like we might be in for a club track, Eudoria ends up being more of a relaxing piece of melodic trance. It is very upbeat in nature, and I found myself being energized every time I listened to it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fbv3ixqjm4
6. Perfect Day
Would a perfect day include playing this track at the start of it? I’ll leave that up to you to decide, but I am quite partial to what this piece does. It’s just a very chill tune that would serve as a positive soundtrack to any sort of activity. I could easily imagine this being the login screen music for an MMO, although I have no idea how it is used in Entropia.
MMOs are meant to be heard as well as seen, and chances are that music ties your memories to these games more than you might realize. Every two weeks Jukebox Heroes listens through a game soundtrack and picks out the highlights to share and discuss. And if you like this column, then don’t miss the author’s MMO music podcast, Battle Bards!
