(00:00:00) Intro Discussion

(00:15:26) Adam and Eve

(00:26:17) The Forest Kingdom

(00:35:44) Mecha-Kaiju

(00:40:38) The Copied City

(00:53:03) Become as Gods

(01:04:44) flowers for m[a]chines

(01:34:34) Route B

(02:07:28) Adam Captures 9S

(02:25:08) Revelations (Replicant Spoilers)

(02:43:28) or not to [b]e

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"And we need a God worth dying for."

The NieR Automata analysis continues! Joined by Dave (Tales from the Backlog) once again, we proceed through the ending of route A and through the entirety of route B. The view from 9S's perspective unearths new information not yet known to 2B...or to most of the YoRHa troops. How will 9S temper the friction between his loyalty — indeed, his "essence" — with an earth-shattering revelation? Further conversations on existentialism, Simone de Beauvoir, the importance of perspective, and more. Hope you love the show today. Enjoy!

Smash Interview with Yoko Taro
Interview with Yoko Taro and Yosuke Saito
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

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(00:00:00) Intro/What This Podcast Is

(00:02:25) Personal Histories

(00:13:08) Development

(00:31:59) Visual Design

(00:38:37) Mechanics

(00:51:48) Music and Sound

(01:00:28) Story Analysis: Let's Kill God

(01:26:18) Resistance Camp

(01:39:07) This Cannot Continue

(02:03:16) Pascal's Village

(02:24:23) Aliens' Return

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"Stop calling me ma'am."

The analysis on NieR Automata begins! Rick is joined by Dave (Tales from the Backlog) to take an in-depth look at this marriage of Platinum Games's circumfluent battle style and Yoko Taro's philosophically-tinged narratives. NieR Automata is a game with two ideas at its core: existentialism (existence precedes essence); and the all-too-human penchant for "othering" those who are not in our in-group, often due to unwillingness to shift perspective. This episode covers up to learning the fate of the makers of the machines. Hope you love the show today. Enjoy!

Interview with Yoko Taro
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy



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(00:00:00) Intro/What This Podcast Is

(00:02:06) Personal Histories and Initial Thoughts

(00:12:10) Development

(00:16:02) Visuals

(00:26:58) Sound Design

(00:40:40) Narrative Discussion

(01:30:22) Ending Discussion

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An oppressive system breeds a need to break free.

Rick is joined by Kate and Emily (No Small Games) to take a deeper look into Playdead's INSIDE, a horror-tinged puzzle-platformer released in 2016. Draped in an opaque narrative, INSIDE demands discussion from players—with the game and with each other—to parse out intent and impact. Between the three hosts themes of control, systemic oppression, free will vs determinism, and autonomy are explored, both in terms of gameplay and a suggested narrative. Hope you love the show today. Enjoy!

LINK: INSIDE's Audio in a Human Skull



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(00:00:00) Intro, Abby and Lev Discussion

(00:22:46) Day 3A

(00:29:29) Through Seraphites and Snipers

(00:39:31) Casualties of War

(00:46:41) WLF Standoff

(00:52:15) The Pyre of Haven

(00:57:55) They'll Pay

(01:17:10) Epilogue: Throwing It All Away

(01:46:49) Final Confrontation

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"If somehow the Lord gave me a second chance at that moment...I'd do it all over again."

The analysis of The Last of Us Part 2 concludes—and what an ending; a disgrace to some, near-perfect for others, infamous to all. At what point does one become truly irredeemable, forced to bear their scars with no path to forgiveness? Rick and Jon explore this idea at length, discussing the final confrontation at the theater recontextualized, the epilogue and whether or not it is out of place, and the controversy over the end. Hope you love the show today!

Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to [email protected]! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!

(00:00:00) Intro and TLOU Writing

(00:05:25) The Search for Tommy

(00:18:46) No Turning Back

(00:36:28) The Confrontation

(00:42:40) Day 1A

(01:03:54) The Search for Owen

(01:21:59) An Unlikely Alliance

(01:28:30) I'm tired, Abby

(01:36:13) An Unlikely-er Alliance

(01:52:49) Braving the Hospital

(01:59:44) This Ain't the Nutcracker's Rat King

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"We let you live...and you fucking wasted it."

The analysis of The Last of Us Part II continues! Choices have consequences, and this episode brings them to light in spades. This is where the game transitions into the second half of the story—which was kept secret from viewers due to review embargo. But how does it recontextualize the story? This episode is all about perspective. I'm tired, Abby. Hope you love the show today!

Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to [email protected]! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!

(00:00:00) Depravity | The Last of Us Part 2 Analysis (Ep. 160)

(00:01:35) Seattle, Continued

(00:33:04) Captured

(00:46:50) The TV Station

(00:59:22) Chase to the Theater

(01:04:10) Flashback: Did I Do Okay?

(01:19:42) Burnin' Rubber at Hillcrest

(01:32:18) Flashback: The Truth

(01:45:15) Scars on Route 5

(01:53:31) Finding Nora

(01:56:54) Ellie's Depravity

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"Well you're a burden now, aren't you?"

The analysis of The Last of Us Part 2 continues! In this episode, Rick and Jon examine the relationship between Ellie and Dina begin to change as secrets come to light. And as the hunt for the WLF continues, Ellie is faced with a decision—one which sets her over a precipice from which she cannot return. All of this and more in this week's episode. Hope you love the show today!

Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to [email protected]! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!

(00:00:00) Introduction

(00:09:00) Dev History

(00:22:50) Controversies

(00:35:13) Visuals and Music

(00:43:19) Mechanics

(00:55:53) Jackson, Revisited

(01:17:34) Abby's Introduction

(01:25:33) A Close Encounter...

(01:27:52) That Scene

(01:46:42) Justice Will Be Served

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"Please don't do this..."

The critical analysis of The Last of Us Part II begins today! This is a polarizing game, to say the least; some see this as a bold, biting success in the spirit of TLOU's universe, while others see this as the creators spitting in the face of fans—even going so far as to petition for a complete remake. Either way you slice it, this game gets a *lot* of talk around it. This podcast, where Rick is joined by Jon (Video Game Lounge) will be no different. This episode explores a high-level overview and the philosophies/themes behind the game before the narrative breakdown. This episode covers up to and through *That Scene.* You know the one. Hope you love the show today!

Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to [email protected]! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!

Please consider supporting the show on Patreon!
You can also join our free Discord server, or connect with us on Bluesky, Instagram, and TikTok!

"...I got this..."

The analysis of our Final Fantasy Tactics stint comes to a close—and what a conclusion it is: the secrets of the Church are fully revealed; Delita spirals further into his view of justice; and players get an ending that, we argue, is totally Shakespeare. This has been a blast, and we hope you have loved these episodes, too. Please enjoy!

Developer Interview on the Remake
Schmuplations 1997 Interview
Composer Commentary
FFT Localization, Examined

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(00:00:00) Ramza the Heretic | Final Fantasy Tactics Analysis (Ep. 157)

(00:05:20) War Council and Meeting Orran

(00:12:00) Pleading with Zalbaag

(00:18:08) More Killing God

(00:23:46) To the Monastery

(00:32:31) Judas

(00:39:06) To Riovanes

(00:49:39) Marach and Rapha

(00:58:33) Folmarv Ain't Foolin'

(01:02:42) Wiegraf Ruins My Life

(01:15:32) Rapha Ruins My Life

(01:23:23) End of Chapter 3

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"I will burn down this kingdom, and from its ashes build for you a new one - a kingdom worthy of you."

The Final Fantasy Tactics analysis continues! Rick, Nomad (The Retro Wildlands) and Chris (Consoles and Stuff) charge into Chapter 3, which sees the game veer into a more traditional JRPG territory. Traditional isn't bad, though...although a few fights in this stretch of the game certainly are. More Lucavi, more Delita, more bad guys—this chapter has it all. Hope you love the show today. Please enjoy!

Developer Interview on the Remake
Schmuplations 1997 Interview
Composer Commentary

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(00:00:00) Introduction and Sand Rat's Seitch

(00:07:53) Wiegraf and Gustav

(00:15:25) Dycedarg and Duke Larg

(00:19:24) Milleuda

(00:23:59) Tietra's Troubles

(00:32:47) Turning Point

(00:48:49) The Manipulative and the Subservient

(00:56:40) Betrayal

(01:02:40) Mustadio and the Auracite

(01:10:39) Dycedarg and Delacroix

(01:16:41) Clockwork City of Goug

(01:23:13) Gaffgarion's Bullshit and Ovelia's Truth

(01:35:58) We Might Kill God

(01:43:05) Delita's Deal

(01:49:30) Outro

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"I have no wish to change the world. But nor can I stand by while men suffer and die on he whim of some select few."

The Final Fantasy Tactics analysis continues! Rick, Nomad (The Retro Wildlands) and Chris (Consoles and Stuff) move forward in this episode until the beginning of Chapter III. The power struggle of Dukes Larg and Goltanna continues to rage on—but two new parties join the fray: the Church, and...Delita, whose ambitions remain yet unknown. Class struggle tinged with free will continues throughout this epic story. Don't dog my every move. You milksop rabble. Hope you love the show today. Please enjoy!

Developer Interview on the Remake
Schmuplations 1997 Interview
Composer Commentary


Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to [email protected]! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!