I’m always keeping an ear out for recommended soundtracks from our readers here at Massively OP, and one that seems to get pushed my way every so often is, oddly enough, Warframe. Warframe kept slipping off my radar because it’s just not the sort of MMO that I think of when I envision amazing soundtracks, but it turns out that this one has been flying under the radar until it was ready to pop up and impress.
I can see why it gets the thumbs-up from its playerbase, especially as the action-oriented and moody riffs help to prop up the nonstop frenzied action in these missions. So today, let’s take a listen through some of the best parts of the Warframe soundtrack and keep this one hidden no longer!
“We All Lift Together”
Composer Keith Power put together this amazing industrial working man chant. The beat slams into you from the start. I have absolutely no idea the context of this song — isn’t Warframe about being space ninjas slicing and shooting? — but it’s truly remarkable even so. Makes me want to… I dunno, build a railroad or something.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZNDl0heFz4&app=desktop
“KDrive Race Music A”
The Fortuna update seemed to add a treasure trove of music to the game, with this quirky, stompy track at the forefront. It’s so weird, with all of the metallic clanks for percussion and the bizarre synth doing its thing, but it’s also — and this is important — catchy as all get out.
“Fortuna Login”
A really good login theme helps to transition you from your regular life to the promised adventures of a virtual one. It has to be low-key enough not to be annoying upon loop, but exciting enough to get the juices flowing. This one does the job perfectly.
“March of the Moa”
This track could easily belong in the Tron Legacy soundtrack — and that is a high compliment for someone who likes that type of moody EDM. Warframe’s sci-fi setting allows it to pull off songs like this that a fantasy MMO couldn’t (well, maybe FFXIV), and I adore it for just that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ngg2OyH7CJU
“Synapse”
Synapse is another track along the line of March of the Moa — dark synth with ambient undertones — but it doesn’t have as strong of a hook. It could fit in great as a background track for exploring some sort of futuristic underworld, like a set piece from Blade Runner or something.
“Corrupted”
You hear a track like this, and you know that everything is about ready to hit the fan. This is “I’ve discovered a dark cult summoning a galaxy-ending god underneath my basement floorboards” style of music, and boy doesn’t it just get your hackles up while you clutch your gun even closer?
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!
