Top 10 Medieval soundtracks
My 100th review on this website is coming up, so I thought it was time for another top 10 list. This time it's about the best medieval scores, i.e. the soundtracks of video games set in the time of witch-burning, knights and damsels in distress. This thematic focus goes hand in hand with two important limitations, as this list would otherwise be significantly longer and less coherent.
For one thing, the Middle Ages, depending on the definition, encompass a period from the 6th to the 15th century. For me, this leads to the premise that the games to be included in this list must necessarily be set within this historical context. Games that only place a certain section of their gameplay in the Middle Ages, such as Empire Earth or the Civilizations-series are therefore excluded from the ranking, as are games set in a transitional phase between antiquity and the Middle Ages (Emperor: Rise of the Middle Kingdom) or Middle Ages and Renaissance (Assassin’s Creed: Revelations).
Secondly, I only want to include games in this list that take place within a historical context and without any form of fantasy. Now, video games are not exactly a true-to-life depiction of history but, like any medium, merely a reproduction of the current state of knowledge in our society. But in my experience, the inclusion of mythical or fantastic aspects always changes the core of the background music. To avoid this dilution, games like A Plague Tale: Innocence (rat swarms) or the Thief-series (steampunk) are out, but also for example The Siedler III and IV, as we can work miracles there using our priests. It seems a bit trivial, but it gives me a good justification for a condensed top 10 list.
And finally, as usual, I would like to point out that this is my personal taste regarding the soundtracks of the games and not the games themselves. I therefore don't think that game X is better or worse than game Y, but that game X just has more tracks that I really like. It should also be said that this list reflects the current state of my ratings, which may well be incomplete since I haven't heard every score out there, or some of them only once. Perhaps a second run through of for example Kingdom Come: Deliverance may yield more 5 stars tracks, or if I had played the respective game? With this in mind, if you think I have forgotten an elementary score or have wrongly given a rating, please write it as a comment.
Number 10-7
This showpiece of the 'games with a medieval setting' category ranks surprisingly low, with only three tracks scoring 5 stars in my rating. However, this may be due to the meagre scope of the soundtrack, coming in at just nine tracks, so 1/3 top ratings reads quite differently again. As an epochal fetishist, I naturally like the banging tracks that proclaim a 'royal sense of rule' right in your face. On the other hand, there are the quieter, strategy game-style background tracks, which accompany the tactics on the world map in a pleasantly unagitated manner. With more to choose from, there would probably have been a higher ranking in this category, but unfortunately it's only good enough for the entry level.
The fact that a game with the title For Honor would qualify for this list should be self-evident. Even if it's debatable whether the childhood dream of a battle arena with Vikings, knights and samurai is really that historically accurate, I've included it. After all, all three factions were represented in the Middle Ages. The fact that they probably never met in this form is of secondary importance.
The accompanying music with its powerful instrumentation is fun and the highlight tracks are pleasantly short - after all, who has time to listen to songs that are longer than two minutes? What's more, in keeping with the games-as-a-service principle, new albums are constantly being added to the score. So fans can look forward to further additions in the future, as can readers of this article - after all, there are still eight more soundtracks to come.
8
contains The Settlers II (1996) | Die Siedler II – Die nächste Generation (2006)
Year: 1996-2006
Composer(s): Haiko Ruttmann
5 star tracks: 7
The Settlersused to be a guarantee for fun build-up entertainment with a observation-factor, which was only topped - or at least completed - by the beautiful and catchy music. The fact that it was only enough for 8th place here is due to the fact that, in addition to the aforementioned Siedler III and Siedler IV also Das Erbe der Könige (bad game, good score) were excluded as you can erect a building that allows you to change the seasons. Strict, I know, but I have to be firm.
Nevertheless, 8th place is quite respectable, after all, the games don't score points with me because of their unusual soundscapes, but largely because of the nostalgia bonus, which takes me right back to a simpler past of sometimes more, sometimes less peaceful settlement. Fans will be able to empathize with me, but for everyone else I recommend a short, acoustic relaxation bath in the background music of my childhood.
7
Ghost of Tsushima
Year: 2020
Composer(s): Ilan Eshkeri; Shigeru Umebayashi; Chad Cannon
5 star tracks: 8
This place is probably the only shaky candidate where I'm not 100% sure, due to a lack of gaming experience, whether the supernatural has been avoided or if something unnatural does take place here and there in the game. Be that as it may, I never promised infallibility, so I can be forgiven for that Ghost of Tsushima takes 7th place in this list.
Again, not everyone who is exclusively interested in the Middle Ages will be satisfied here. As you would expect, the focus in this samurai adventure is on Asian sound culture - and since it falls into the same era, I can recommend this very atmospheric score here. The music composed by Ilan Eshkeri and Shigeru Umebayashi is exciting, soulful and absolutely atmospheric. A definite must for anyone in the mood for Asian action entertainment.
Number 6-4
6
contains Stronghold (2001) | Stronghold 2 (2005) | Stronghold Crusader 2 (2014)
Year: 2001-2014
Composer(s): Robert L. Euvino
5 star tracks: 10
Here I readily admit that the classification of the tracks is probably not entirely correct. After all, inside the music department of the Stronghold-series, songs tend to be passed on from game to game, slightly varied or instrumentalized, so I can't say exactly which song appeared by which name in which spin-off. Be that as it may, the reuse of melodies does not necessarily speak for simple cost-cutting measures, but can equally be interpreted as the preservation of a cherished tradition - and that fits perfectly with the medieval theme.
If you're looking for epic battle tracks or driving rhythms, you won't find them here (with the exception of "The Lamb"). Instead, the score of the Stronghold-games brings the romanticized charm of being a lord of the castle to life for long passages, suggesting that a world without sewers, medical facilities or oral hygiene is not so bad after all. Together with the the soundtrack of The Guild 2 - more on that later - this is probably the most authentic medieval experience on this top 10 list.
With a time period up to the 15th century, unfortunately only the third offshoot of the series, Anno 1404falls into the grid of this list. The fact that it is still enough to conquer the middle of the ranking in 5th place should be sufficient proof of the quality featured in this outstanding score. The German composition studio Dynamedion, which we will encounter twice more on this list, shows after Anno 1701 its quality and delivers catchy tunes with a feel-good factor in tracks such as "When Cultures Meet", "The Outpost" and "Moneycounters".
At the same time, they incorporate another important facet of the Middle Ages, namely the Orient, which we see in Anno 1404 as an additional region and which, in a historical context, is responsible for some of the most important scientific achievements of this era. The motto is: unwind and enjoy.
4
contains Age of Empires II (1999) | Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition (2019) | Age of Empires IV (2021)
Year: 1999-2021
Composer(s): Kevin McMullan; David Rippy; Stephen Rippy; Todd Masten; Dynamedion
5 star tracks: 12
It was obvious that at least one of the Age of Empires-games would appear on this list, right? Naturally, the choice falls on the second part of the series, which can be clearly located in the Middle Ages, as well as its new edition in the form of the Definitive Edition from 2019. The newest rendition, Age IV pushes the series with three 5-tracks past Anno 1404 and climbs to fourth place on this ranking.
Unlike the Stronghold-games, there is not a trace of romance to be heard in these games. Instead, we are offered cool themes that oscillate between melodic and dramatic, are fun to listen to and prove that background music in strategy games does not necessarily have to be low-key in order not to disturb. In authentic style, of course, featuring bagpipes and harpsichord.
Number 3-1
Even though The Guild 2 is probably the least known, let alone the most successful game in this list, the music is probably the closest thing to a medieval atmosphere. As with Anno 1404 and Age of Empires IV the lads and lasses from Germany show just how beautiful video game music can be.
With its minimalist instrumentation, "A Farmer's Life" brings out the simplicity of medieval peasant life without distracting from its hardships. "The Court" and "The Keep" have a stately, royal feel, and tracks like "Through the Citygates" and "Netherlands" conjure up images of feudal alleyways or farmland before our mind's eye.
The Guild 2 represents one of these examples that I wish to highlight on this website: insider tips. Sure, for me the actual game has its charm and I enjoyed it so much back then that there is hardly any other series for which I would like to see a successful sequel so badly. But since I will probably never get one, at least I have the amazing soundtrack, which can even be heard in other games such as Runes of Magic - is there a better seal of quality?
2
contains Assassin’s Creed (2007) | Assassin’s Creed II (2009) | Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood (2010)
Year: 2007-2010
Composer(s): Jesper Kyd
5 star tracks: 13
In the case of 2nd place, I am happy to argue whether the inclusion of the Assassin’s Creed-series in this list is justified. After all, the premise is that we replay the historical events of the main character Desmond Miles' ancestors and the later protagonists in the modern day through the Animus. That screams more sci-fi than feudal. But since the games themselves are set in a historically accurate context and there is no fantastic content (with the exception of the eso artifacts), I still think it is justified that at least individual parts are listed here. In other words: Assassin’s Creed, Assassin’s Creed II as well as Assassin’s Creed II: Brotherhood are in, Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (transition to the Renaissance) and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (superhuman abilities and gods plot) are out. Besides, this is my list, so I do what I want anyway.
After this very technical and absolutely plausible explanation, now to the why. Why does the Assassin’s Creed-score rank so high on this list? On the one hand, of course, because with three entries there already is a large pool for good tracks. Secondly, however, because the music in the series is generally considered to be extremely worth listening to, myself included. Where forefather Assassin’s-Creed 1 still falls somewhat behind and in my opinion is one of the weakest entries in the series, composer Jesper Kyd shows what fantastic pieces he can come up with in part 2 at the latest.
Tracks like "Earth", "Ezio's Family" or "Flight Over Venice 1" are iconic and still frequently quoted by their successors today. "Venice Rooftops", with its masterful blending of guitars, strings and vocals, creates a rarely achieved and intoxicating sense of freedom. We can literally see Ezio light-footedly leaping over the rooftops of the city or racing through the streets sitting on a cart in "Chariot Chase". If I hadn't decided to limit myself to the Middle Ages, the series would easily have reached the top spot - but without this limitation, the ranking wouldn't exist at all. In this respect, Jesper Kyd has to make do with 2nd place and admit defeat to one game series that represents the Middle Ages like no other.
1
contains Medieval: Total War (2002) | Medieval II: Total War (2006)
Year: 2002-2006
Composer(s): Jeff van Dyck; Richard Vaughan; James Vincent
5 star tracks: 13
You can expect two things from a game whose title screen begins with an interpretation of the Christian litany 'Kyrie eleison', or 'Lord, have mercy on us', and mixes this call for grace in a death-defying, oppressive marching melody with the chiming of a grandfather clock: firstly, it presents the cruelty of battlefields in times when people slaughtered others to please their Lord, relentlessly and brutally. Secondly, we are treated to a soundtrack that is second to none and knows how to walk the fine line between excitement and depression better than any other.
Jeff van Dyck, together with Richard Vaughan and James Vincent, manages to compose a music in Medieval 2: Total War , which sounds just like the Middle Ages. Both the instrumentalization and the themes, such as the Kyrie eleison mentioned above, create a knightly atmosphere like in no other game. Through the design of the battle music we get offered, as with Anno 1404, different spectra of the medieval world:
"Crusaders" is in the spirit of its predecessor Rome: Total War and seems like a continuation of the Roman campaign of conquest. Songs like "High Winds" and "Death Lullaby", on the other hand, have a more southern feel and suggest battles in sunnier climates. At the same time, "This Is It" presents us with moods such as the final rebellion against the implacable enemy, while "The Widow" suggests the fate of the bereaved in a sad and hopeful way.
Now the series alone with Medieval 2 would not have made it onto the winners' podium were it not for the predecessor Medieval: Total War from 2002, which levies at least one 5-star track, resulting in a tie between the Assassin’s Creed– and Total War-series. But because it's my list, I get to decide who ends up in 1st place in the case of a tie, and in my opinion that simply has to go to Medieval after all, 'Medieval' is the fucking name.
That's why it's number one of the best strategy games ever with one of, if not the best (medieval) soundtrack.
| Title | Interpret(en) | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Charge of the Knights | Andreas Waldetoft; Nina Åkerblom Nielsen | Crusader Kings III |
| The Crusade Starts | Andreas Waldetoft | Crusader Kings III |
| The Dynasty | Andreas Waldetoft | Crusader Kings III |
 | Fugacious Hope | Luc St-Pierre | For Honor: Year of Reckoning |
| The Jotunn's Tides | Luc St-Pierre | For Honor: Year of the Covenants |
| The Plunderers | Luc St-Pierre | For Honor: Year of the Covenants |
| The Medjay's Deliverance | Luc St-Pierre | For Honor: Lost Horizons |
 | Die Felder blühen (Siedeln) | Haiko Ruttmann | The Settlers II |
 | Battle | Haiko Ruttmann | The Settlers II (10th Anniversary) |
| Briefing | Haiko Ruttmann | The Settlers II (10th Anniversary) |
| Credits | Haiko Ruttmann | The Settlers II (10th Anniversary) |
| Rome | Haiko Ruttmann | The Settlers II (10th Anniversary) |
| Rome 4 | Haiko Ruttmann | The Settlers II (10th Anniversary) |
| The Settlers II 10th Anniversary | Haiko Ruttmann | The Settlers II (10th Anniversary) |
 | The Last of Clan Adachi | Ilan Eshkeri | Ghost of Tsushima |
| The Tale of Sensei Ishikawa | Ilan Eshkeri | Ghost of Tsushima |
| The Fate of Tsushima | Ilan Eshkeri | Ghost of Tsushima |
| Sacrifice of Tradition | Ilan Eshkeri | Ghost of Tsushima |
| Lightning in the Storm | Chad Cannon | Ghost of Tsushima: Music from Iki Island & Legends |
| The Battle for Iki Island | Chad Cannon | Ghost of Tsushima: Music from Iki Island & Legends |
| The Eagle's Curse | Chad Cannon | Ghost of Tsushima: Music from Iki Island & Legends |
| Forged in Blood | Chad Cannon | Ghost of Tsushima: Music from Iki Island & Legends |
 | Castle Jam | Robert Euvino | Stronghold |
| Two Mandolins | Robert Euvino | Stronghold |
 | Harp | Robert Euvino | Stronghold 2 |
| Harp 2 | Robert Euvino | Stronghold 2 |
| O'Carolan's Draft (Arranged) | Robert Euvino | Stronghold 2 |
| O'Carolan's Draft (Solo) | Robert Euvino | Stronghold 2 |
| The Lamb | Robert Euvino | Stronghold 2 |
| Wedding Song | Robert Euvino | Stronghold 2 |
| Brawler | Robert Euvino | Stronghold 2 |
 | Breathe | Robert L. Euvino | Stronghold Crusader 2 [Gamerip] |
 | Bow to the King | Pierre Langer; Tilman Sillescu | Anno 1404 |
| Moneycounters | Pierre Langer; Tilman Sillescu | Anno 1404 |
| Monumental Cathedral | Pierre Langer; Tilman Sillescu | Anno 1404 |
| The Outpost | Pierre Langer; Tilman Sillescu | Anno 1404 |
| When Cultures Meet | Pierre Langer; Tilman Sillescu | Anno 1404 |
| The Outpost [Variation] | Tilman Sillescu; Pierre Langer | Anno 1404 [Gamerip] |
| Salt of Earth [Variation] | Tilman Sillescu; Pierre Langer | Anno 1404 [Gamerip] |
| Joy and Hapiness | Tilman Sillescu; Pierre Langer | Anno 1404 [Gamerip] |
| The Battle | Tilman Sillescu; Pierre Langer | Anno 1404 [Gamerip] |
| Coronation of a King | Tilman Sillescu; Pierre Langer | Anno 1404 [Gamerip] |
| Restored Kingdom | Tilman Sillescu; Pierre Langer | Anno 1404 [Gamerip] |
| Restored Kingdom [Variation] | Tilman Sillescu; Pierre Langer | Anno 1404 [Gamerip] |
 | The Guild 2 | Tilman Sillescu; Pierre Langer | The Guild 2 |
| Walking Forest | Tilman Sillescu | The Guild 2 |
| A Farmer's Life | Tilman Sillescu; Pierre Langer | The Guild 2 |
| The Keep | Tilman Sillescu; Pierre Langer | The Guild 2 |
| Hamlet | Tilman Sillescu; Pierre Langer | The Guild 2 |
| Festival | Tilman Sillescu; Pierre Langer | The Guild 2 |
| Romance | Tilman Sillescu; Pierre Langer | The Guild 2 |
| Forlorn | Tilman Sillescu; Pierre Langer | The Guild 2 |
| Marketplace | Tilman Sillescu; Pierre Langer | The Guild 2 |
| Victory in Combat | Tilman Sillescu; Pierre Langer | The Guild 2 |
| Through the Citygates | Tilman Sillescu; Pierre Langer | The Guild 2 |
| The Court | Tilman Sillescu; Pierre Langer | The Guild 2 |
| Netherlands | Tilman Sillescu; Pierre Langer | The Guild 2 |
 | Quest for Butter | Stephen Rippy | Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings |
| I Will Beat on Your Behind | Stephen Rippy | Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings |
| Bass Bag | Stephen Rippy | Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings |
| Rich Corinthian Leather | Stephen Rippy | Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings |
 | Pork Parts | Kevin McMullan; David Rippy; Stehphen Rippy | Age of Empires II: The Conquerors |
| Voodoodoodoo | Kevin McMullan; David Rippy; Stehphen Rippy | Age of Empires II: The Conquerors |
| Seamus and Chamois | Kevin McMullan; David Rippy; Stehphen Rippy | Age of Empires II: The Conquerors |
| Neep Ninny-Bod [Mix 2] | Kevin McMullan; David Rippy; Stehphen Rippy | Age of Empires II: The Conquerors |
 | Hazulu | Todd Masten | Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition |
 | Age of Empires IV | Tilman Sillescu; Alexander Röder; Henning Nugel; Armin Haas; Mikołaj Stroiński | Age of Empires IV |
| The Rus - Dark Age Combat | Tilman Sillescu; Alexander Röder; Henning Nugel; Armin Haas; Mikołaj Stroiński | Age of Empires IV |
| The Abbasid Dynasty - Castle Age Combat | Tilman Sillescu; Alexander Röder; Henning Nugel; Armin Haas; Mikołaj Stroiński | Age of Empires IV |
 | Flight Through Jerusalem | Jesper Kyd | Assassin's Creed |
| Masyaf in Danger | Jesper Kyd | Assassin's Creed |
| Jerusalem Horse Ride | Jesper Kyd | Assassin's Creed [Gamerip] |
| Access the Animus, Part 1 (Red in the Face) | Jesper Kyd | Assassin's Creed [Gamerip] |
 | Earth | Jesper Kyd | Assassin's Creed II |
| Venice Rooftops | Jesper Kyd | Assassin's Creed II |
| Flight Over Venice 1 | Jesper Kyd | Assassin's Creed II |
| Venice Escape | Jesper Kyd | Assassin's Creed II |
| Chariot Chase | Jesper Kyd | Assassin's Creed II |
 | The Brotherhood Escapes | Jesper Kyd | Assassin's Creed Brotherhood |
| Fight of the Assassins | Jesper Kyd | Assassin's Creed Brotherhood |
| Flee the Guards | Jesper Kyd | Assassin's Creed Brotherhood [Gamerip] |
| Credits | Jesper Kyd | Assassin's Creed Brotherhood [Gamerip] |
 | Arabian (Battle) | Jeff van Dyck | Medieval: Total War [Gamerip] |
 | Time and Again | Jeff van Dyck; Richard Vaughan; James Vincent | Medieval II: Total War [Gamerip] |
| The Widow | Jeff van Dyck; Richard Vaughan; James Vincent | Medieval II: Total War [Gamerip] |
| Solenka | Jeff van Dyck; Richard Vaughan; James Vincent | Medieval II: Total War [Gamerip] |
| This Is It | Jeff van Dyck; Richard Vaughan; James Vincent | Medieval II: Total War [Gamerip] |
| The Duke of Death | Jeff van Dyck; Richard Vaughan; James Vincent | Medieval II: Total War [Gamerip] |
| Crusaders | Jeff van Dyck; Richard Vaughan; James Vincent | Medieval II: Total War [Gamerip] |
| Duty | Jeff van Dyck; Richard Vaughan; James Vincent | Medieval II: Total War [Gamerip] |
| Mare Nostrum | Jeff van Dyck; Richard Vaughan; James Vincent | Medieval II: Total War [Gamerip] |
| Death Lullaby | Jeff van Dyck; Richard Vaughan; James Vincent | Medieval II: Total War [Gamerip] |
| Lifted to the Hotplate | Jeff van Dyck; Richard Vaughan; James Vincent | Medieval II: Total War [Gamerip] |
| High Winds | Jeff van Dyck; Richard Vaughan; James Vincent | Medieval II: Total War [Gamerip] |
| Crack Your Head with a Tabla | Jeff van Dyck; Richard Vaughan; James Vincent | Medieval II: Total War [Gamerip] |
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