Last Save Lounge: Stories About Video Games

What makes a game unforgettable? In this episode of Last Save Lounge, host Aaron “TurboHoodie” Amendola sits down with Charlie Wein of the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce in Chicago to revisit one of the most atmospheric point-and-click adventure games of the 1990s: The Dig.

Originally developed with the legendary SCUMM engine, The Dig stands out as a cinematic science-fiction adventure that pushed storytelling in PC games forward. Charlie shares why this LucasArts classic left such a lasting impression—from its mysterious alien world to the slower, thoughtful puzzle design that defined the golden age of adventure games. Together, Aaron and Charlie explore the nostalgia of retro PC gaming, what made The Dig unique among LucasArts titles, and how the game’s mood, music, and storytelling still resonate decades later. It’s a warm conversation about memory, discovery, and the games that stay with us long after the credits roll.

🎮 About Last Save Lounge

A show about the video games that saved our progress, and a little bit of us. Each week, host Aaron talks with a guest about the single video game that means the most to them.

💸 Becoming a Patreon member at Patreon.com/HoodieWeather - Get ad-free episodes, bonus segments, and free games!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Lovejoy of the Gamers With Jobs Conference Call joins Aaron to discuss a favorite from his childhood: King's Quest 3 - To Heir Is Human.

🎮 About Last Save Lounge

A show about the video games that saved our progress, and a little bit of us. Each week, host Aaron talks with a guest about the single video game that means the most to them.

💸 Becoming a Patreon member at Patreon.com/HoodieWeather - Get ad-free episodes, bonus segments, and free games!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why does Kingdom Hearts still hold such a powerful place in players’ hearts? In this episode of Last Save Lounge, host Aaron “TurboHoodie” Amendola sits down with Patrick Hitzler of Chicago Loot Drop for a heartfelt conversation about his favorite game of all time: Kingdom Hearts.

Originally released by SquareSoft, Kingdom Hearts became a defining crossover in video games—blending Disney characters with Final Fantasy storytelling in a way that felt magical, strange, and unforgettable. Patrick shares why the first game in the series continues to resonate with him, from its emotional story and iconic worlds to its charming (and sometimes awkward) dialogue that fans have come to love.

Aaron and Patrick explore the deeper impact of Kingdom Hearts through the lens of gaming memories, reflecting on how the game shaped Patrick’s relationship with storytelling, friendship, and growing up. The conversation also touches on Patrick’s work with Chicago Loot Drop, connecting the joy of video games to community and giving back.

This episode is a warm, nostalgic entry in a series of interviews with gamers about the titles that defined them—perfect for listeners who love cozy gaming podcasts and revisiting the moments that made them fall in love with games in the first place.

🎮 About Last Save Lounge

Last Save Lounge is a weekly cozy gaming podcast about nostalgia, memory, and the video games that stay with us. Each episode features interviews with gamers about their favorite game of all time—and the personal stories behind why those games matter. It's a show about the games that saved our progress, and a little bit of us.

🎮 About Last Save Lounge

A show about the video games that saved our progress, and a little bit of us. Each week, host Aaron talks with a guest about the single video game that means the most to them.

💸 Becoming a Patreon member at Patreon.com/HoodieWeather - Get ad-free episodes, bonus segments, and free games!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie Hall, games journalist, writer, and photographer, joins Aaron for a cozy conversation about his favorite game of all-time: B-17 Bomber for the Intellivision.

🎮 About Last Save Lounge

A show about the video games that saved our progress, and a little bit of us. Each week, host Aaron talks with a guest about the single video game that means the most to them.

💸 Becoming a Patreon member at Patreon.com/HoodieWeather - Get ad-free episodes, bonus segments, and free games!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amanda Knowlton of Gamers With Jobs drops in to gab about Alexey Pajitnov's sublime puzzler Tetris

🎮 About Last Save Lounge

A show about the video games that saved our progress, and a little bit of us. Each week, host Aaron talks with a guest about the single video game that means the most to them.

💸 Becoming a Patreon member at Patreon.com/HoodieWeather - Get ad-free episodes, bonus segments, and free games!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Video games journalist and YouTube essayist Jenna Stoeber stops by to chat about the inherently rad womanness of 2007's Portal.

🎮 About Last Save Lounge

A show about the video games that saved our progress, and a little bit of us. Each week, host Aaron talks with a guest about the single video game that means the most to them.

💸 Becoming a Patreon member at Patreon.com/HoodieWeather - Get ad-free episodes, bonus segments, and free games!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Content Creator Lord_Iro heads to Shadow Moses to praise 1998's Metal Gear Solid's perfect Kojima-ness.

NOTE: This episode has known audio problems about 30 mins in, but I cleaned it up real nice.

🎮 About Last Save Lounge

A show about the video games that saved our progress, and a little bit of us. Each week, host Aaron talks with a guest about the single video game that means the most to them.

💸 Becoming a Patreon member at Patreon.com/HoodieWeather - Get ad-free episodes, bonus segments, and free games!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last Save Lounge is a weekly video game interview podcast where I sit down with gamers, creators, and developers to ask them one simple question:

"What is your favorite video game of all time… and why?"

Because it’s never just about the game.

It’s about where you were when you played it.

Who you were playing with.

And the moments that stuck with you long after the credits rolled.

New episodes of Last Save Lounge release weekly starting February 2nd.

Follow, subscribe, and join us at the bar — your seat’s already waiting.

🎮 About Last Save Lounge

A show about the video games that saved our progress, and a little bit of us. Each week, host Aaron talks with a guest about the single video game that means the most to them.

💸 Becoming a Patreon member at Patreon.com/HoodieWeather - Get ad-free episodes, bonus segments, and free games!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.