Go Back and Play

Nate, Sebastian, Ryan, and Brock gather to discuss SPEC OPS: THE LINE, Yager's 2012 deconstruction of the military shooter genre. We discuss unreliable narrators, war crimes, and slammin' your back into some cover to shoot some guys. Nate watches Ryan commit a real Geneva Convention no-no over livestream, Sebastian wonders if the game doesn't spread its satirical ambitions too thin, and Brock wonders if listeners are still having fun.

Nate, Sebastian, and Jordan gather to discuss Telltale Games' THE WALKING DEAD, or at least the first season of it -- a resurgence of the adventure game genre and episodic storytelling. We discuss how episodic games mimic episodic TV, the difficulties with post-apocalyptic fiction, and the different ways in which player choice can affect the plot and/or texture of a game's story. Nate is disturbed to return to this story as a parent, Sebastian regrets the time he's spent on the wider Walking Dead franchise, and Jordan defends the honor of a humble Doug.

Nate, Sebastian, and Andrew convene to discuss JOURNEY, thatgamecompany's stunning example of minimalism and symphonic splendor from 2012. We discuss anonymity and fleeting, digital human interaction, "art" games, and how videogames are, at heart, about a little guy goin' around. Nate and Andrew share parallel experiences of finding solace in art games during difficult times, and Sebastian doesn't stop believing.

Nate, Sebastian, Ryan, and David all gather to discuss THE ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM, Bethesda's open-world RPG from 2011. We talk about big games, scrounging, and the mechanics of pickpocketing. Nate enjoys his first trip to Tamriel, Ryan calls people "milkdrinker," and Sebastian feels like maybe he's had enough Skyrim for one lifetime.

Nate, Ryan, and Jordan are joined by new guest Andrew Elmore to discuss DARK SOULS, FromSoftware's 2011 cult classic action RPG. We discuss difficulty versus approachability, grim fantasy aesthetics, and what it means for something to be called "the Dark Souls of [X]." Jordan gets lost in the narrative weeds, Ryan and Andrew discover a mutual love of Chromehounds, and Nate tries holding with both hands.

Nate, Ryan, and David are joined by new guest Kate Blue to discuss MINECRAFT, the global sensation. We discuss the incredible things folks have built in-game, the fastest ways to get to The End, and how the game is more than simple "virtual Lego." Nate feels like an old man, David explains why his Stardew Valley playthrough was cut short, and Kate relates UNEXPLAINED PHENOMENA encountered in the virtual world.

Nate, Sebastian, Jordan, and Ryan gather to discuss FAR CRY 2, Ubisoft's 2008 first-person shooter set in a mercenary playground somewhere in Africa. We discuss the game's emergent systems, how its politics compare to its contemporaries in the genre, and "engaging friction." Sebastian promises to get worse in the new year, Jordan nearly kills his PC, and Ryan extols the virtues of the Jeep Liberty.

Nate, Sebastian, Jordan, Ryan, AND returning guest Andrea all congregate to discuss MASS EFFECT, BioWare's space opera RPG from 2007. We discuss pushing yourself to grow as a player of games, the incredible worldbuilding lift the game accomplishes, and how the Mass Effect trilogy is a special product of its time and isn't likely to be replicated any time soon. Nate asks which alien everyone is smooching, Sebastian explains why this podcast has ruined his life, Andrea tells of how she did a complete 180 on a particular Citadel sidequest, and Ryan compares Mickey Mouse to Omar from The Wire.