If you were ever to go to Vegas and place a bet that I would one day become a dedicated, passionate MOBA player, any bookie would probably give you 1:6,000,000,000 odds against. So go ahead and take that bet because if aliens scramble my brain and I start drooling over League of Legends, then you’re going to be richer than kings.
This is to say that, no, I’m not much of a MOBA player, fan, or even spectator. But when it comes to music, I’m always an equal-opportunity listener. And there’s some pretty great stuff out there for these PvP games, although I have to wonder if it can be heard over the frothing rage and screamed insults. One does hope.
Today I’m going to take a tour through MOBAs, both present and past, and pull out some of my favorite tracks to share with you. Then I’m going to go feed the enemy, whatever that may be, because it seems to tick off my team.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmgH1ZSBv3w
League of Legends: Quinn and Valor
There are a lot of terrific League of Legends tracks (and more every day, it seems), but this one is by far a fan and personal favorite. It’s slow and majestic at the start, but when the powerful theme kicks in a little over a minute into the track, you discover that you’re listening to something that can only be described — without irony — as “epic.” The movement between the quieter and the triumphant sections skillfully manipulate my emotions and send goosebumps racing up and down my arms.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_NXoDU-9EU
Infinite Crisis: Harley Quinn
I’ve gone on record before stating how terrific the whole Infinite Crisis soundtrack was — and yes, that sadly has to be in the past tense because of the game’s deceased status. Fortunately, the music remains, and this madcap theme featuring everyone’s favorite female lunatic is as jaunty as it is deranged.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YUZXpVxlLE
SMITE: Norse Lobby Theme
Is the whole Norse aesthetic in grave danger of becoming overused in video games and pop culture? Oh, probably as much as pirates, zombies, and ninjas, but I’m not complaining. I love me some grand, sweeping music with that far-off northern sound. This theme is pretty lively, almost to the point of being called a “jig,” but it does know when to slow down and paint a pretty picture now and then.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_5C8_jCs4I
Atlas Reactor: Main Menu
Speaking of things of which I’m a complete sucker, catchy electronica is high up on the list, right next to puppy parades and novelty food promotions. Atlas Reactor embraces its high-tech setting with this rave-like menu track. I like all of the tiny little hard breaks between notes and the overall bubbly, bouncy feeling of the tune. Could keep this running in the background for hours. Hope we get to hear the rest of this new game’s score!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghk8O1yiY0I
Overwatch: Victory
This might be sacrilege to say, but not every Blizzard soundtrack is an automatic success. In fact, I’d even argue that some of the more popular ones are chock-full of forgettable filler. But when this studio gets it right, it really gets it right, and Overwatch shows this off with its score. It’s a toss-up between the Main Theme and Victory Theme as to which is more popular, but my personal preferences lie to the latter, so here we are.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr0vUW-Uh08
World of Tanks: Ready for Action
Sometimes, you just need a straight-up military tune to get you pumped for a fight. Some horns, echoes of patriotic sentiments, strong snare drums, and you’ll be roaring for battle. That’s what we get with this aggressive World of Tanks track. Short? Sure. But you’re not going to be hearing a lot anyway once the guns start firing.
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!
