Unoriginal Soundtracks #95: Middle-earth Shadow of Mordor

Every other Wednesday, I share a playlist of songs tangentially related to a single game or series. Songs about alien sex for Mass Effect, world leaders for Civilization, and so on. Make requests to @USPodcast on Twitter.

The surprise hit of the season is an action game based on the Lord of the Rings books (not the films) by the developers of The Matrix Online. It mixes satisfying, flowing combat with the metal themes of orcs, the undead, and torture and it inspires this metal-heavy podcast.

Unoriginal Soundtracks #81: Assassin's Creed 4

Every other Wednesday, I share a playlist of songs tangentially related to a single game or series. Songs about alien sex for Mass Effect, world leaders for Civilization, and so on. Make requests to @USPodcast on Twitter.

Going from metal to male-voice choir to blues to sea shanty, this playlist is as contrasting as the 18th/21st century sci-fi/swashbuckler it's all about. It's not pirating if you hit the Amazon Associates links.

Unoriginal Soundtracks #64: Tomb Raider

Every other Wednesday, I share a playlist of songs tangentially related to a single game or series. Songs about alien sex for Mass Effect, world leaders for Civilization, and so on. Searching for relevant terms on Spotify is a great way to discover new music and uncover hidden gems. Make requests to @USPodcast on Twitter.

The 2013 origin story of Britain's finest videogame hero hit hard. Lara Croft's bumps and bruises inspire this less hard-hitting playlist of rock, jazz, and doo-wop.