Back in 2017, I bit the furry bullet and tackled the oddity that was Fucadia — a very old MMORPG that just so happened to cater to the furry community. What I discovered didn’t convert me to this lifestyle of identifying with animals and wearing giant fox suits, but it did convince me that the game was far more than the punchline to a joke. It won some respect in my eyes, in other words.
And now I turn my attention to Furcadia’s soundtrack, a proposition that is always dicey when you’re heading back to computer music from the 1990s. The end result isn’t bad, but it is a step back into the land of MIDIs. According to the official website, “Furcadia’s music evokes the feeling of being in a magical land. It has some recognizable influences from world cultures, but they come together with original ideas from the composers to create a unique soundscape that you can identify as Furcadian.”
Let’s examine the dozen or so tracks of the official soundtrack and see what we can pull out of it, eh?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISSfNOgc-5U
“M1”
This lighthearted track has a tinge of Arabian Nights to it. And even though it is hampered by its MIDI format, I found it rather enchanting and eminently listenable. It would be a great background track to visiting a city or traveling across an unknown land.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKEU8M6_ZtQ
“M3”
This short piece has a lullaby quality to it. It even reminded me of the quieter moments of the older Final Fantasy games, you know, before the evil clown and deranged soldier-god killed all we knew and loved.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNn4ojhn2xI
“M5”
This is a snappy track that has fun with a tropical vibe. It definitely made me start bopping my head. In fact, my only criticism is that I wish this was more like a five-minute track with a lot more development than its short one-minute run!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjoBBt5vpUw
“M7”
Get your mellow on with M7, is what I always say! Actually, I never say that, but I totally could after listening to this track. It is probably best suited to a station in the deep background of a locale, giving just a hint of danger and seediness without being totally corrupt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI7UTJuWetA
“M17”
This one is a reprise of M7 with more of an ocean-side feel (I guess that’s the waves talking). It’s a little slower, a little more subdued. Am I being hypnotized by it? Perhaps! Command me, O Massively OP readers! Make me cluck like a chicken!
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!
