We talk everything up to the end of Act 1 today! We didn't actually get there in this episode but we still threw in a thing or two from that part. We meet Esquie and the Gestrals who are just a joy to be around. Thanks for watching, and don't forget to support us on Patreon~ https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc

**We’re Now On Spotify**: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gIzzvT3AfRHjGlfF8kFW3

**Listen On Soundcloud**: https://soundcloud.com/resonantarc

**Listen On iTunes**: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/state-of-the-arc-podcast/id1121795837

**Listen On Pocket Cast**: http://pca.st/NJsJ

Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc

Subscribe Star: https://www.subscribestar.com/resonant-arc

Twitter: https://twitter.com/resonantarc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resonantarc

In this episode, we go from the beach through the flying waters. We only got about halfway through Act I. For next week, finish Act I completely. Thanks for watching, and don't forget to support us on Patreon~ https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc

**We’re Now On Spotify**: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gIzzvT3AfRHjGlfF8kFW3

**Listen On Soundcloud**: https://soundcloud.com/resonantarc

**Listen On iTunes**: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/state-of-the-arc-podcast/id1121795837

**Listen On Pocket Cast**: http://pca.st/NJsJ

Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc

Subscribe Star: https://www.subscribestar.com/resonant-arc

Twitter: https://twitter.com/resonantarc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resonantarc

For the start of our Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 analysis we take a slightly different tact than we have previously. Instead of doing Dev History first, we're just diving right into the game itself! Thanks for watching, and don't forget to support us on Patreon~ https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc

**We’re Now On Spotify**: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gIzzvT3AfRHjGlfF8kFW3

**Listen On Soundcloud**: https://soundcloud.com/resonantarc

**Listen On iTunes**: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/state-of-the-arc-podcast/id1121795837

**Listen On Pocket Cast**: http://pca.st/NJsJ

Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc

Subscribe Star: https://www.subscribestar.com/resonant-arc

Twitter: https://twitter.com/resonantarc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resonantarc

JRPGs weren’t born where you think. We unpack the origins of the term, the genre, and the influences that defined it.

In this episode of State of the Arc, Mike and Casen begin a multi-episode deep dive into the history of JRPGs—where the genre came from, how it evolved, and why it took the shape it did. We’re joined by Pat Holleman, author of the Reverse Design series and director of the indie RPG Quartet, whose research into genre origins helps ground this discussion in real historical context. If you enjoy deep-dive game design analysis and want to support future episodes, consider joining our Patreon. Thank you for watching and listening.

Thanks to @patrickholleman9323 for joining us for this discussion!

Play Quartet: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1307960/Quartet/

Reverse Design Series: https://thegamedesignforum.com/books/books.html

Time Codes:

01. Intro (0:00)

02. The Coining Of The Term "JRPG" (1:30)

02. The Origins Of The "JRPG" (11:27)

03. The Codifying Of The "JRPG" (1:14:56)

JRPGs weren’t born where you think. We unpack the origins of the term, the genre, and the influences that defined it.

In this episode of State of the Arc, Mike and Casen begin a multi-episode deep dive into the history of JRPGs—where the genre came from, how it evolved, and why it took the shape it did. We’re joined by Pat Holleman, author of the Reverse Design series and director of the indie RPG Quartet, whose research into genre origins helps ground this discussion in real historical context. If you enjoy deep-dive game design analysis and want to support future episodes, consider joining our Patreon. Thank you for watching and listening.

Thanks to @patrickholleman9323 for joining us for this discussion!

Play Quartet: store.steampowered.com/app/1307960/Quartet/

Reverse Design Series: thegamedesignforum.com/books/books.html

Time Codes:

01. Intro (0:00)

02. The Coining Of The Term "JRPG" (1:30)

02. The Origins Of The "JRPG" (91:33)

03. The Codifying Of The "JRPG" (1:13:01)

While Final Fantasy 13 is often praised for its graphics, it is the music that really elevates this game to a whole new level. The complexity and creativity on display here by Masashi Hamauzu make this soundtrack a spectacular treat for the ears. We spend more time going through this soundtrack than I think any other game yet. It is just so textured and dynamic and intriguing. Hope you enjoy! If you care to support us, here's a link to our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc

**We're Now On Spotify**: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gIzzvT3AfRHjGlfF8kFW3

**Listen On Soundcloud**: https://soundcloud.com/resonantarc

**Listen On iTunes**: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/state-of-the-arc-podcast/id1121795837

**Listen On Pocket Cast**: http://pca.st/NJsJ

Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc

Subscribe Star: https://www.subscribestar.com/resonant-arc

Twitter: https://twitter.com/resonantarc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resonantarc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resonantarc

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@resonantarc

With the release of Dragon Quest I & II HD 2D, I decided to try out all the previous versions of the game to compare. What I found is an endlessly charming little RPG that I have absolutely fallen in love with. While I've played many Dragon Quest games before (DQ5, DQ8, DQ9, and DQ11), it's the first game that has now made me a fan for life. What a fantastic game and what a great remake to introduce a new generation to this timeless classic!

Time Codes:

1. Intro (0:00)

2. The History Of Dragon Quest Remakes (02:51)

3. Casen's Impressions Having Never Played The Original (06:00)

4. Setting The Right Expectations (13:12)

5. What Is The Mark Of A Successful Remake? (20:07)

6. Exploring Valid Criticisms Of This Remake. What Was Lost? (26:51)

7. In What Ways Is the Spirit Of The Original Retained? (52:38)

8. The Differences Between Versions (1:04:09)

In Episode 0 of our analysis of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, we discuss our approach to this analysis as well as the reason for a delay in uploading the first episode. This game is amazing AND YOU SHOULD PLAY IT OK! Thanks for watching, and don't forget to support us on Patreon~ https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc

**We’re Now On Spotify**: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gIzzvT3AfRHjGlfF8kFW3

**Listen On Soundcloud**: https://soundcloud.com/resonantarc

**Listen On iTunes**: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/state-of-the-arc-podcast/id1121795837

**Listen On Pocket Cast**: http://pca.st/NJsJ

Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc

Subscribe Star: https://www.subscribestar.com/resonant-arc

Twitter: https://twitter.com/resonantarc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resonantarc

If you beat the game in all 3 routes, you get what is typically called the true ending of the game. Luckily, playing Eternal Darkness 3 times over is a treat, not a chore. Thanks for watching, and don't forget to support us on Patreon~ https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc

**We’re Now On Spotify**: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gIzzvT3AfRHjGlfF8kFW3

**Listen On Soundcloud**: https://soundcloud.com/resonantarc

**Listen On iTunes**: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/state-of-the-arc-podcast/id1121795837

**Listen On Pocket Cast**: http://pca.st/NJsJ

Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc

Subscribe Star: https://www.subscribestar.com/resonant-arc

Twitter: https://twitter.com/resonantarc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resonantarc

Eternal Darkness deserves your attention this Halloween season. Why is this game not up there with Resident Evil and Silent Hill in terms of sequels and movies and the like? We get into how this masterpiece of a horror game found itself on the outside looking in. Thanks for watching, and don't forget to support us on Patreon~ https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc

**We’re Now On Spotify**: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gIzzvT3AfRHjGlfF8kFW3

**Listen On Soundcloud**: https://soundcloud.com/resonantarc

**Listen On iTunes**: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/state-of-the-arc-podcast/id1121795837

**Listen On Pocket Cast**: http://pca.st/NJsJ

Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc

Subscribe Star: https://www.subscribestar.com/resonant-arc

Twitter: https://twitter.com/resonantarc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resonantarc