Tag Archives: The Elder Scrolls

Song of the Day: Reign of the Septims (by Jeremy Soule)

Posted on by Arleigh

The next E3 2011 Edition of the “Song of the Day” is the intro and main theme to the follow-up game to The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. This song is called “Reign of the Septims” and it sets the epicness of what was, and is, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

“Reign of the Septims” actually sounds similar in certain areas to the Morrowind intro of “Nerevar Rising”. Where this intro differs is how it’s less about hope (a term and emotion that Lisa Marie mentioned she felt listening to the previous song) but about rising up to take one’s destiny and become the leader the game’s storyline requires of the player. There’s a certain martial aspect to the song which could be heard in the brass section and strings working in concert right in the beginning and throughout most of the song until they begin to fade to give “Reign of the Septims” a simpler and more mellow ending.

I really can’t imagine any future games in this series having its soundtrack being composed by anyone other than Jeremy Soule. It’s a good thing that he will be on hand for the next game, Skyrim, and from what I’ve heard of the initial theme to that game it’s a nice progression from the intro for both Morrowind and Oblivion.

Song of the Day: Nerevar Rising (by Jeremy Soule)

Posted on by Arleigh

Even though Monday had several E3 Press Conferences by the industry giants like Microsoft, Sony, EA and Activision, in reality E3 didn’t really begin until today. So, starting today I’ll post one song a day of some of my favorite intro music from some of my favorite video games through the years. The first song will close off today’s E3 coverage and comes from the game which got me hooked on The Elder Scrolls rpg franchise.

The latest “Song of the Day” is from the third game in the TES series called Morrowind. The song is the main theme for the song and it’s title is “Nerevar Rising”. This track, like all of the music in the Morrowind soundtrack, was composed and arranged by Jeremy Soule who has become one of the top composers of music for the video game industry. I just love how this song begins with the deep drum beats which then fades into the background as woodwinds and strings come in gently. By the one-third mark of the song even more strings arrive in the form of violins. It’s when the song hits the halfway mark when percussion comes back to the forefront to join woodwinds and strings to combine and create an epic sound worthy of a fantasy epic adventure about to begin.

I still listen to this intro whenever the urge hits me and it still raises the hairs on my arms and shivers up my spine at just how epic it sounds. As an added bonus the song makes a reappearance in the end of the game once the player has achieved his goal and finished the game. It’s pretty much the same music but with some added sections.

E3 2011: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Gameplay Demo

Posted on by Arleigh

One of the titles which I look forward to losing several hundreds of hours playing is the fifth entry in Bethesda Game Studios The Elder Scrolls role-playing game franchise: Skyrim.

I’m proud to say that the previous game in the series I had spent nearly a total of 1500+ hours playing using several created characters over a span of 6 years. I would say that 3/5 of that total time was played within 6 months of buying Oblivion. The developers of Skyrim are promising fans of the series no less than 300+ hours of gameplay (though they didn’t specify if that means just the main storyline or also includes side quests and such) so that’s a comfort to hear.

This role-playing game series has always been known for it’s very expansive and complex world which allows it’s player to roam it’s confines however they want. It’s this open-world gameplay dynamic which makes this game and the series, in general, such a favorite with gamers worldwide.

Lead designer for Bethesda, Todd Howard, gave G4TV an in-depth look at Skyrim. The videos you’re about to watch has Howard showing the extreme and beautiful detail rendered by the game’s new graphics engine in the Creation Engine. He also shows just how some of the changes in combat, skill leveling and the type of creatures the player will end up fighting makes this latest entry in The Elder Scrolls series the best to date.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has a set release date of November 11, 2011.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Official Gameplay Trailer)

Posted on by Arleigh

Ok, I was already pretty hyped up for Skyrim even without seeing a second of gameplay video. That is just how big a fan of the Elder Scrolls rpg series I am. To say that I have spent close to near 3000+ hours playing the four games in this series would be an understatement. Yes, that does sound quite pathetic, but I don’t care because it’s awesome in my own personal world how much I’ve played this series.

This new trailer is not just voice-over with a cavern wall carving being panned around by the virtual camera. This new trailer I would consider Skyrim‘s first official cinematic trailer but also one that includes gameplay footage. Gameplay footage which shows off Bethesda’s latest game engine, Creation Engine, which has replaced the Gamebryo Engine that the studio used for Morrowind, Oblivion and the last two Fallout games. While the gameplay footage was all about action it does give some hints about changes to the faces and figures of the NPCs. Gamebryo was ahead of its time in 2001 when Morrowind came out but now it’s antiquated so I’m glad Bethesda listened to the pleas of fans to come up with a new and more advanced game engine.

I like the sound of the theme for the game which combines and remixes the themes from both Morrowind and Oblivion but with a nice male chorus doing something akin to a Norse battle-chant. Music composer Jeremy Soule will return to compose the music for Skyrim and that alone means I shall be acquiring the soundtrack, if and when, Bethesda releases the CD.

The game is set for a 11.11.11 release and I shall be one of the brave few who will pre-order the most expensive edition of this game because it deserves it.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Debut Trailer (VGA Exclusive)

Posted on by Arleigh

Ok, first we get the debut trailer for Mass Effect 3 which will consume my life and time when it comes out. Now I find out that the one game series which has also consumed my life and time in the past is also coming out around the same time as the aforementioned title.

What do I speak of?

I speak of the game which, in my very honestful and truthiness opinion, is the Lord of the Rings of fantasy gaming rpgs. It is The Elder Scrolls series and this game marks the 5th entry in the series which will followed other entries in the franchise like Arena, Daggerfall, Morrowind and Oblivion. This franchise has spanned over a decade in gaming history and I expect nothing less than a new game from this series eating up close to 1000 hours of my life before I finally stop playing it to try something else.

And just like it sci-fi epic cousin in the Mass Effect series it is I who will be savior of the realms and kingdoms from whence this fantasy franchise lives in. While I may not be saving the galaxy it’s still no easy feat to save a fantasy kingdom full of lovely maidens and grateful millions.

Sidenote: Lisa Marie must be wondering what the hell I’m talking about with these last two blog entries.