Game of the hour: Metroid Dread

Other topics discussed: Guardians of The Galaxy, Junji Ito, Saga

Game of the hour: Quake

Other games discussed: Deathloop, Eastward, Tony Hawk Pro Skater

Game of the hour: Umurangi Generation

Topics discussed: Moving on up(state), three years of catch-up, Hollow Knight, Odin's Sphere, Mass Effect

Game of the hour: God of War

Topics discussed: Open world problems, Fatherhood power fantasy, False redemption

Game of the hour: Monster Hunter: World

Topics discussed: Monster Hunter's endless loop of fun, Japanese Colonialism, What makes an RPG?

Game of the hour: Super Mario Odyssey

Topics discussed: Odyssey’s interchangeable buildings blocks of level design. Tourism and cultural appropriation.

We talk about: What does the term “Immersive Sim” really mean? Also: about how Billy Lurk’s outsider status alters her perspective and the way she interacts with a similar setting.

Tavit and Yussef recap the past 20 episodes of the podcast and reminisce over how we’ve changed, how we’ve stayed the same, and what we’ve learned along the way.

Gliding powerfully out of the night, Batman alights on a rooftop and whips out his high-powered night vision binoculars with GPS targeting and a tiny unfoldable bayonet. Arriving a few minutes later, Supergirl walks up and asks him what he's doing.

"Scanning for Superman, of course."

"In that woman's bedroom?" She gestures at the subject of Batman's gaze, 6 stories up in the high-rise across the street.

"He could be anywhere," the Bat tersely responds.

Supergirl flies away, shaking her head and muttering, "what a weirdo."

Link slides the last metallic block into its proper niche and the puzzle's giant mechanisms reassemble in satisfying staccato. He runs up to the monk's platform and waits to receive another orb. The shrine's papery deity stirs and begins slowly to intone:

"Your resourcefulness in overcoming this trial speaks to the promise of a hero... but, Link, it's kind of cheesy that you used bombs and kinesis to solve yet another puzzle and you're making us all look bad. The other monks have been talking. You're a good kid, Link - just, no haxx plz?"

Special Guest: Michelle Ehrhardt (@ChelleEhrhardt) Freelance writer for KillScreen, Bullet Points Monthly, Paste and more.

Special Note: Bird chirps audible during the recording were totally a purposeful decision to help establish mood.