Awesome Video Game Music: Morrowind Main Theme
By majormitch 9 Comments
When done well, there’s something special and transportive about a classic fantasy setting. The Elder Scrolls games have arguably been among the best video games at creating such experiences, and their music has been as instrumental as anything in establishing such an iconic environment. Perhaps my favorite theme from the series is the Morrowind Main Theme.
When I think of a fantasy setting, I generally think of sweeping, epic, orchestrated music. That’s exactly what the Morrowind Main Theme is all about. It starts out with some almost war-like drum beats, which are more or less the driving force of the song- this is what keeps things moving forward. But the main melody that quickly kicks in is the real appeal. It starts out quiet and subtle, representing the humble beginnings that are true of even the grandest adventures, Morrowind included. It then steadily escalates, using fuller instrumentation and rising in volume, adding that epic quality to an originally melancholy tune. The whole thing just swells in a way that acknowledges the scope and scale of such an adventure, which to me has always been the biggest draw of the Elder Scrolls series. Games like Morrowind are about exploring a rich fantasy world, and its main theme does as much as anything to make the adventure feel as grand as possible.
Equally important, this is one of those songs that I just find both pleasant and exciting to listen to. The notes, the rhythm, the chords- I find it all beautiful. And there’s not much more to say about the Morrowind Main Theme. There’s nothing too fancy going on here- this is simply a beautiful, epic piece that captures the series’ fantasy vibe incredibly well, and the game is all the better for it.
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