In this episode we recount some of the events of Gino's nerdy bachelor party. We discuss playing games in a car on a road trip and what types of games make for great road trip games. Billy talks a lot of shit about Final Fantasy IX, despite barely playing the game. We also talk about barcades, vape clouds, and proper gaming etiquette. We close the podcast up with stories of mini-golf chicanery and mid-flight heroism. 

In part one of our discussion of Mirror's Edge, we talk about the game's mechanics, soundtrack, and artistic design. We cover how the game controls, how much we enjoyed the game's rooftop runs, and how much we disliked the game's combat. We also delve into our issues with some of the mechanics in the game's later levels. 

FYI, our next game will be Firewatch, so look forward to that!

In part two of our Mirror's Edge discussion we spoil the heck out of the story and dig into the game's larger themes. Pete poses a question about the game's genre and steers us down a lane of comparisons which includes Sonic the Hedgehog and Prince of Persia. Gino claims that Mirror's Edge might be the most 2008 game ever. And Billy breaks down some of the features that didn't make the game's final cut.

FYI, our next game will be Firewatch, so look forward to that!

In this episode, we finally take a proper look at mental illness in games. Kelli Dunlap, Psy.D. joins us to examine troubles, tropes, and trends surrounding mental illness in video games. Some points include the use of mental illness to develop characters, advance plot, and shape environments. We recall a few examples from games we have talked about in the past before Kelli shares some of her own research findings. We also discuss some of the motives that drive players to play games and how video games allow players to actualize their true selves. Read more of Kelli's research on her personal website and follow her on Twitter!

https://dunlappsyd.com/

https://twitter.com/kellindunlap

In this episode the crew delves into the madness of Barkley, Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden. We discuss the slamming and the jamming. The Hoopz and the scoopz. The swishing and the dishing. We also discuss what Billy learned about b-ball from the most cannon of b-ball games, the game's ridiculous setting, and it's kinda shitty status effects. We also spend an inordinate amount of time analyzing what types of games a more friendly copyright environment might allow. It's slam time!

In this episode Gino is joined once again by Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED- to discuss Final Fantasy VII. In this episode they start their discussion at Nibelheim and cover every event trough the end of disc one. They discuss the nonsense in Wutai, the lovely Rocket Town, the inconsistent characterization of Shinra operatives, the terrible Temple of the Ancients, and the still deeply affecting -THING THAT HAPPENS AT THE END OF DISC ONE-. Come, reminisce and join the fun.

In this episode we discuss Jotun and it's Norse mythological themed world. We talk about the game's hack and slash gameplay and how it's subtle tweaks to established mechanics make for a markedly different playstyle than other isometric action games. We debate our favorite powers and levels as well as our favorite level-specific mechanics. We finish up by deliberating over where video games fit into mythological traditions and whether they can or should be beholden to their source material. Should authenticity be a key factor in a game which appropriates a specific cultural legacy? 

We begin yet another Final Fantasy Odyssey courtesy of Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED-, this time we discuss the beginning of Final Fantasy VII.  ZombiePie is on another FF vision quest and in this episode we discuss his experiences from the beginning of Final Fantasy VII up until Cosmo Canyon.  We talk about his experience with the combat system, the game's exceptional opening, it's harsh tonal shifts, and it's odd tone.  It sounds like ZP isn't having a terrible time so far, but as Gino warned him during the episode, he ain't seen nothing yet.

In this episode we discuss Viewtiful Joe, the first game that was so difficult that multiple co-hosts couldn't finish it!  We talk about whether we enjoyed the game and whether the difficulty helped or hindered the game.  We also discuss how the game's different cinema mechanics add to the game's great sense of flow when everything comes together.  In our spoiler-filled second half, Pete leads some surprisingly deep discussions about the permanence of media and our favorite Viewtiful Joe boss names.

In this episode Pete steers the show as Gino and Billy recount their experiences at PAX East 2016.  They discuss the most interesting games they saw, the best conversations they had, and the coolest panels they saw.  They also share their pro-tips for enjoying PAX and highlight some of the less flashy elements of Boston's premier gaming convention.