Jukebox Heroes: Hearthstone's soundtrack

A new Blizzard game is a reason for soundtrack lovers everywhere to celebrate because if there's one thing this studio does well (other than take goofy races very seriously), it's creating incredible scores for its games. Even though Hearthstone is a smaller title with a smaller score, I welcomed it nevertheless.

Composers Peter McConnell, Jason Hayes, and Eric Dodds clearly had a lot of fun creating the whimsical, relaxing score for this game, and I must say that the music is perfectly ideal for the material. It hearkens back to the many tavern themes from World of Warcraft without being a complete copycat.

You can actually download the entire soundtrack for free on the Hearthstone official site, but before you do that, why not listen to my favorite picks from the score?

1. Main Title

The main title here would be right at home in any inn around Azeroth. I guess that's the point. It's happy, it's welcoming, and it's darn infectious. I hear the track as a renaissance faire jig, really. It's also a total earworm with a simple melody that gets right inside your head and won't leave.

2. Bad Reputation

There's a definite Western vibe going on with these funky strings. Reminds me a lot of WG Snuffy Walden or the Firefly soundtrack with its feeling of excitement on hold. The strings are incredibly welcome when they make an appearance, as are the low woodwinds. And harps. And, well, everything.

3. Tabletop Battles

This is the dueling theme, and to my ears it sounds as if the music is taunting the player to make their move and do their best already. It's low-key, as it should be, and definitely pleasant to hear for extended stretches of time.

4. The Forge

This is a slightly more somber track that contains a hint of apprehension and anticipation. I like the interplay between the deep tones and the playful tinkles every now and then.

5. Don't Let Your Guard Down

Maybe my love for this small soundtrack is rooted in my appreciation for relaxing acoustic guitar. I could play this track all day long, preferably while sitting on a porch looking up at the mountains somewhere. I guess that's a good mindset to be in when you're preparing for a card battle?

6. Heroes of Warcraft (Hearthstone Revealed)

I think this track was used more for the announcement and the cinematic. I'm including it because it's probably the most action-packed of the bunch. I like the playful twist on the classic WoW theme, which fits this game perfectly.

MMOs aren't just about looks; they also have great soundtracks that often go unnoticed. Heroes don't stand for that! Massively's Jukebox Heroes examines game soundtracks and features the best tunes to share and discuss. Your DJ for the hour is Justin Olivetti, and the request line is open!