Sword & Circuitry, developed by Quest Master Games, was released in 1996. It was a team-based RPG originally intended to be based on 2nd Edition AD&D and set in one of its campaing settings (possibly Greyhawk), but after a failure to obtain the license it morphed into an original IP mixing high fantasy with cyberpunk elements. An intricate and ambitious plot followed a group of archetypical fantasy heroes facing an invasion of cybernetic creatures and techno-mages, and increasing evidence suggesting they may all be just players trapped in a virtual reality simulation. The game received high praise, but sales were low, and a planned sequel, Sword & Circuitry 2: Binary Spells, was cancelled in 1997. In later years the game gained a cult status, along with its award-winning soundtrack.
Love the lore!! I wish I was in that parallel dimension in 1996. I would've played that game if it existed in our dimension. Hey, at least we have the soundtrack, which is great, btw! 🙂
"Flesh or metal? It does not matter. We shall travel through glades of chrome and mountains of broken CDs and vanquish any foe. It's not in my code; it's an oath I've made to the Princess of Programs." ~Randall, the Squire of Wires
The word magical gets tossed around a lot in this community, and rightfully so, it's the only word to truly fit so much of the music we love. But this, THIS album here, it's the very definition of the word. I'd even go so far as to say that this one is down right enchanting, weaving a fabric of emotion to your very soul. In other words, I fucking love it
Fun fact this music reminds me: In a original draft of the first Legend of Zelda game, from 1986, the Triforce pieces were supposed to be computer chips.
I wasnt sure what to expect with this realease but this might be my favorite theyve put out holy shit. Quest Master is one of the best in the game for real.
This feels like perfect music for early 90s Magic: The Gathering. Even some of the names resemble card names. Very cool album, obviously awesome, it's Quest Master after all.
Despite being quite energic for a Dungeonsynth album it's one of my favourites. Hanging Gardens of Chrome is one of the best tracks I've ever heard, and not only speaking about this genere.
Really enjoying this. Wouldn't sound out of place on the Dais or Ghost Box label rosters. Very excited to hear where the Quest Master evolution goes from here. Excellent album.
Legends of Dragoon.. Xenogears. Escaflowne.. Definitely anime. Idk much about this stuff history wise tho I create sound scape of my own...I'd guess QM is British or American... If anyone knows of the Legend of Dragoon OST there are so.e tracks very very similar tone. Is this all pc and Mac made midi stuff...I say mostly cuz of the over all vibe and reverbs.
A bit of a surprise, to be sure, for Quest Master to boldly venture into this new direction, reaching for a more postmodern mishmash of an aesthetic. I half-expected them to produce another instant classic from the “Twelve” series (“The Twelve Ruins” perhaps? Or maybe “The Twelve Villages”?), but this is something different. And I enjoy it for what it is, even if the rhythms of the dark fantasy that defined their previous works will probably stay with me longer than this intriguing techno-fantasy thing.
the perfect marriage of dungeon synth and vaporwave
Cest ca!
Sword & Circuitry, developed by Quest Master Games, was released in 1996. It was a team-based RPG originally intended to be based on 2nd Edition AD&D and set in one of its campaing settings (possibly Greyhawk), but after a failure to obtain the license it morphed into an original IP mixing high fantasy with cyberpunk elements. An intricate and ambitious plot followed a group of archetypical fantasy heroes facing an invasion of cybernetic creatures and techno-mages, and increasing evidence suggesting they may all be just players trapped in a virtual reality simulation. The game received high praise, but sales were low, and a planned sequel, Sword & Circuitry 2: Binary Spells, was cancelled in 1997. In later years the game gained a cult status, along with its award-winning soundtrack.
Love the lore!! I wish I was in that parallel dimension in 1996. I would've played that game if it existed in our dimension. Hey, at least we have the soundtrack, which is great, btw! 🙂
Yeah honestly nice touch with the lore. 👌
@Lord Balthos Ad Inferni Glad you like it. Feel free to use it for your campaign, and I hope you'll have a fun game!
Legit thought this was real for a sec. lol XD
"Flesh or metal? It does not matter. We shall travel through glades of chrome and mountains of broken CDs and vanquish any foe. It's not in my code; it's an oath I've made to the Princess of Programs."
~Randall, the Squire of Wires
Ready for the quest ⚔️
I like when medieval and modern ambiences are joined in a work.
Yeah this album really does a good job of reworking classical musical ideas in a modern way.
shoutouts to the original berserk ost
My favorite dungeon synth album so far! Thank you!
⚔ Hanging Garden of Chrome - Discovered! You may now fast travel to this Location from your Map.
I keep coming back to this one as if I hadn't listened to it before
That visual 🦾
The word magical gets tossed around a lot in this community, and rightfully so, it's the only word to truly fit so much of the music we love. But this, THIS album here, it's the very definition of the word. I'd even go so far as to say that this one is down right enchanting, weaving a fabric of emotion to your very soul.
In other words, I fucking love it
Magic is Technology . . . just think about it.
Finally, somebody makes some science-fantasy dungeon synth. Gene Wolfe, Ursula LeGuin, and Jack Vance fans rejoice.
I am indeed rejoicing
Crying into my Janus-style Vance/Wolfe bobblehead. 😢
Any love for my homie Zelazny?
I love this. It is my go to stuff rn.
Masterpiece
Fun fact this music reminds me: In a original draft of the first Legend of Zelda game, from 1986, the Triforce pieces were supposed to be computer chips.
The percussion on this album really adds something to the Quest Master sound. Several tracks had me dancing.
these epic melodies and arrangements, of course it was quest master
Definitely my favorite work of QM so far. Very excellent.
It think its my fav of QM too actually!
he just level up with this one
Quest Master is always such an inspiration. This album is no exception!
Sword and Circuitry will be the title of my next campaign.
I think i stumbled upon something most wonderous, in a time of great need
this is the type of dungeon I kill for
Another great work!, Quest Master never disappoints.
I hear strong 80's vibe. It's very synth-wave'ish album.
Viridian Bells gives me big David Wise Donkey Kong Country vibes. Obsessed!
I bought my copy right now 🎹⚔️🥁
The textures on this are so lush and sparkling 🥰
Viridian Bells goes way harder than it should 😵😤
fresh and interesting but with all the core parts that i like quest master for still there, what a solid release!
Wow this is fantastic, it's going to be a big year for this channel!
I was wondering why this was so good. Then I realized it's by Quest Master
I love this so much! It feels like I’m playing a 90’s RPG
DKC
Bolt Thrower is 90s rpg music.
I wasnt sure what to expect with this realease but this might be my favorite theyve put out holy shit. Quest Master is one of the best in the game for real.
This is just wonderful. I could let this play as the background music to my life and be quite content. Fantastic compositions Quest Master!
I love this album so much!
That bell synth in Cerulean Depths has serious Dire Dire Docks vibes
Thank you!
This feels like perfect music for early 90s Magic: The Gathering. Even some of the names resemble card names. Very cool album, obviously awesome, it's Quest Master after all.
Oh yeah. This has become one of my favorites.
Maravilhoso...
Awesome work, got some vaporwave vibes
very cool! definitely synthwave-y vibes and sega genesis like sound
Sounds like having 10 health potions
Oh my god.
This is fukin great.
Catchy ethereal melodies! 🌃🌠
omg i loooove this one
quest master is masterpiece of dungeon synth.
the bestttttttttttttttt
❤______❤ love this
Nice one.
Listening to this whilst reading Akira. Perfection
Omg lets goooo
Welp, I finally found what I want my dungeon synth album to sound like.
I got the vibes from medieval knights playing beach ball at sunset while living on a danger zone.
Thnx quest master for all the epic music you bring!!! it's a great day when a new album release
Finally, a soundtrack for my Numenera game
🤘🏻😭🤘🏻90s Style!
Wow, This is a great album! Love how elements of other styles like Synthwave are incorporated into the Dungeon Synth.
What an excellent album
Possibly liking this more than I should but excellent stuff, soundtrack to the best 80s movie you never saw
this is great, all the riffs on this are bangers and it's perfectly hypnotic when they're brought back for the second or third time
It's time to float bros
Despite being quite energic for a Dungeonsynth album it's one of my favourites.
Hanging Gardens of Chrome is one of the best tracks I've ever heard, and not only speaking about this genere.
Niiiiiice
Grabbed that shirt and record deal
waitintg for this
Vengo de parte del camarada Armesilla.
Its...It's.... it's like if Depeche Mode made a DnD game
Это великолепно
masterpiece
I love the 80s feel of this
Image reminds me of a card illustration from the early magic gathering card packs
Really enjoying this. Wouldn't sound out of place on the Dais or Ghost Box label rosters. Very excited to hear where the Quest Master evolution goes from here. Excellent album.
Serious AOTY right here, hopefully the purists don't fu-fu it for the retrowave feel it has
That’s what the purists do.
Silicon sorcery
🔥🔥🔥
🕯️💀🕯️
Soundtrack for Chrome Lords 1988 :D
vapordungeonsynth
FCK YEAH
Tangerine Dream circa the soundtrack for Legend vibes
🤔🧐👍🏻
Secrecy all over the world
A bit different, but masterclass work as expected of quest master
Legends of Dragoon..
Xenogears.
Escaflowne..
Definitely anime.
Idk much about this stuff history wise tho I create sound scape of my own...I'd guess QM is British or American...
If anyone knows of the Legend of Dragoon OST there are so.e tracks very very similar tone.
Is this all pc and Mac made midi stuff...I say mostly cuz of the over all vibe and reverbs.
con esto juego age of empires
Is this inspired by Panzer Dragoon Saga?
kino
+
A bit of a surprise, to be sure, for Quest Master to boldly venture into this new direction, reaching for a more postmodern mishmash of an aesthetic. I half-expected them to produce another instant classic from the “Twelve” series (“The Twelve Ruins” perhaps? Or maybe “The Twelve Villages”?), but this is something different. And I enjoy it for what it is, even if the rhythms of the dark fantasy that defined their previous works will probably stay with me longer than this intriguing techno-fantasy thing.
This album is wild, it really speaks to me. Shame that it gets overshadowed by the older book “Swords and Circuitry”
*you have died*
*Please insert $0.25 to continue*
You've been reading too many choose-your-own adventure books written in lost languages child.