Hi, it's great that you've found your way to this site and are taking the time to read this text. In fact, I don't want to keep you for long, there's a lot to discover (not necessarily just here, the Internet is vast and full of wonders). But if you want to take a look around here, I'd be very happy if you did. What you can expect: a bunch of texts about video games and most importantly Soundtracks. Being born in 92, I was blessed growing up with gems like The Settlers 2, Half-Life 2, and the Flight Simulator 98 . Back then, I played pretty much anything on the PC I could get my hands on.

What has always fascinated me most about video games, films and series was the music. Because of the music from The Sims I began playing the piano. Unfortunately, my talent was at a similar level to my strategic understanding of Anno 1602. I started collecting soundtracks when I got my first PC. My collection now comprises almost 2800 albums (as of January 2025), and my goal is to have heard them all - heard and rated them. Why? A simple collecting instinct and the desire to make musical discoveries.

But because this really does involve a lot of work and, above all, time, I would like to share my experiences with you. Of course, like any form of art, music is subjective. But if you hear Call of Duty 2 is it the excellent music that you think of? In the same vein, did you know that the same composer did the music for Dragon Age: Origins and Crysis ? Or that the piano pieces from the above-mentioned Sims was in fact freestyled? Well now you do. I promise no revelations, no ultimate ratio. Just my opinion and my knowledge. Partly nostalgically glorified, always subjectively colored. If that's enough for you, you'll find a few tips and hints for good and bad music on this website. For a condensed impression of the wonderful world of game music, I recommend taking a look at my Top lists. Have fun browsing!

Age of Wonders 4: Empires & Ashes

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Age of Wonders 4: Empires & Ashes

Composer: Michiel van den Bos

2,5 / 5

1. August 2024

It goes on …

Empires & Ashes is not the first expansion for Age of Wonders 4 - the content update Dragon Dawn - but the addon from November last year offers six new tracks by composer Michiel van den Bos in addition to a new ruler type and a new victory mechanic. These in turn are less innovative, but continue the trend of the main game.

Like the main game, the album is a mixture of laid-back guitar strumming (The Avian PlightMichiel van den Bos2), string relaxation (Gloriosam OccasumMichiel van den Bos3, SoarMichiel van den Bos3, ThriveMichiel van den Bos3) and subtle tension (Empires & AshesMichiel van den Bos4, Trials of Fortitude II – The Retrial (Ambushed)Michiel van den Bos4). Although this corresponds to the typical background sprinkling of a laid-back 4X strategy game, those who crave the epic fantasy sounds of Total War: Warhammer will not be able to satisfy their hunger in this addon either.

01

Empires & Ashes

Michiel van den Bos

4 04:15

02

Gloriosam Occasum

Michiel van den Bos

3 03:14

03

Soar

Michiel van den Bos

3 04:26

04

The Avian Plight

Michiel van den Bos

2 03:56

05

Thrive

Michiel van den Bos

3 04:14

06

Trials of Fortitude II - The Retrial (Ambushed)

Michiel van den Bos

4 04:27

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