Go Back and Play

Nate, Sebastian, and Ryan gather to discuss CALL OF DUTY 4: MODERN WARFARE, Activision and Infinity Ward's cinematic shooter from 2007. We discuss the game's ugly politics, power imbalances, and fetishization of expensive military technology. Nate posits an "uncanny valley of virtual combat," Ryan dazzles with his encyclopedic knowledge of videogame levels set on tanker ships, and Sebastian gets sick of the game before he even gets past the title screen. We generally have a pretty bad time. Potty humor occurs on two separate occasions.

Nate, Sebastian, and Jordan gather to discuss SUPER MARIO GALAXY, Nintendo's cosmic trip from 2007. We discuss linearity vs. non-linearity in 3D level design, which powerups we hate (Spring Mario) and where the plumber could possibly go from here. Jordan checks in via FaceTime regularly with his friend Mario to check in on his mental health, Sebastian compares Super Mario Odyssey to "the Paul Hollywood Handshake," and Nate tries to be a better Charles Martinet than Chris Pratt.

Nate and Ryan are joined by special guest Max Glenn to discuss PORTAL, Valve's puzzle-shooter gem from 2007. We discuss malicious AI, superb level design, and rethinking our relationship to 3D space. Nate has to explain the moral complexities of the Companion Cube to his kids, Max describes GLaDOS as "like if SHODAN were crossed with Clippy," and Ryan Napsters Hoobastank onto Meemaw's old Compaq.

Nate, Sebastian, and David are joined by special guest Mark Soloff to discuss BIOSHOCK, 2K Games' pulp shooter from 2007. We discuss the game's critical reception, its incredible atmosphere, and how its politics look 15-odd years later. David posits the existence of "Jnco Splicers," Sebastian proposes a period-appropriate fan-casting of a filmic adaptation, and Mark harvests each and every Little Sister -- with, he claims, a clean conscience. Nate breathlessly relates the plot of PS1 platformer "Tail Concerto."

Nate, Sebastian, and David gather to discuss DESKTOP TOWER DEFENSE, Paul Preece's Flash game from 2007. We discuss our experiences with Flash games in the heady days of the late aughts, playing tower defense mods for Warcraft III, and which tower defense games are worth revisiting. Sebastian revisits and unhealthy addiction to Nanaca Crash, David stans for Defense Grid, and Nate tries to entice listeners to join him in his descent into obsession with Final Fantasy XIV, a critically-acclaimed MMORPG which has an expanded Free Trial in which you can play through the entirety of A Realm Reborn and the award-winning Heavensward expansion up to level 60 for FREE with no restrictions on playtime!

Nate, Jordan, Ryan, and Brock all gather to discuss WII SPORTS, Nintendo's 2006 pack-in that took the world by storm. We discuss why seemingly everyone and their grandmother (perhaps especially their grandmother) was bowling virtually, the legacy of the Wii as a console, and our own personal histories with sport. Nate reveals that his Wii was full of ghosts, Jordan reveals his terrible bowling etiquette, Ryan checks his work email on the Wii internet browser, and Brock drinks a Clearly Canadian.

Nate, Sebastian, Jordan, and Ryan all gather (appropriately, as a foursome) to discuss GEARS OF WAR, Epic Games' third-person cover shooter and chainsaw extravaganza from 2006. We discuss the wealth of co-op games in the XBox 360 / PS3 generation, active reloads, chest-high walls, and why Marcus and Dom complete each other. Find out which Ninja Turtle each of your intrepid hosts is and whether or not Jordan hates America. Sebastian discusses his chainsaw experience, Nate watches Columbo, and Ryan reassures us not to worry, that giant killer centipede enemy is "just 'the bug.'"

Nate, Sebastian, and Jordan gather to discuss GEOMETRY WARS: RETRO EVOLVED, and the broader swath of games available on XBox Live Arcade. We discuss the sea change wrought by this new venue for digital downloads, all of the wild, weird titles put out by small teams, and Doritos: Dash of Destruction. Nate demands that someone bring back 1 vs. 100, Sebastian reminisces about Shadow Complex, and Jordan recounts his decade-long career in designing sound for indie games.

Nate, Jordan, and Ryan gather to discuss GUITAR HERO, Harmonix and Red Octane's peripheral-enabled rhythm action game from 2005. We discuss the player as both performer and audience, the legacy and seeming absence of guitar games in 2021, and kicking your leg out into the air when you activate your star power. Nate reveals his sad freshman year of college, Ryan admits he can't read music, and Jordan uses "the parlance of jazz."

Nate, Sebastian, Jordan, and Brock gather to discuss SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUS, Team Ico's sophomore effort for Sony Japan Studio, which released in late 2005. We discuss realism in animation, videogames as a particularly poignant vehicle for tragedy, and minimalism in design. Sebastian joins a climbing gym, Jordan gets miffed when people misspell his name, and Brock proposes a jingle for the spoiler curtain.