On this episode, I’m joined by my friends Maxie and Rexy to talk about DIE, a 20-issue dark-fantasy comic from one of my favorite writers: Kieron Gillen. It’s a story about six kids who get transported to a fantasy world, getting trauma from it, and then getting pulled back in as adults who have to face the consequences of their teenage recklessness. We discuss our favorite characters, Stephanie Hans’ gorgeous art, Jules Verne, Ash’s many bad decisions, and the story’s thesis on the purpose of roleplaying games.

Ashley joins me to gush about our favorite Wes Anderson film. We discuss the use of color and models, unique and inventive camera movement, the benefits of the anthology format within a wider framing story, and the indulgent fantasy of having a boss like Bill Murray.

Music Credits:
”Simone, Naked, Cell Block-J Hobby Room” by Alexandre Desplat (from The French Dispatch Original Score)
”Obituary” by Alexandre Desplat (from The French Dispatch Original Score)

I’m joined once again by Crystal and Molly to talk about a game I adored: Heaven Will Be Mine! It’s a story of girls piloting mechs to carve a spot in the universe for themselves.

Music Credits:
”Cradle’s Graces” by Alec Lambert [Heaven Will Be Mine OST]
”Silly Game” by Alec Lambert [Heaven Will Be Mine OST]

Imagine feeling someone hold your hand whenever you’re scared.

Carry you home whenever you’re weary…

Imagine waking up from the best dream only to realize it is your life.

This is what it was like to love the ALLMOTHER.

Crystal and Molly join me to talk about my favorite game released in 2024 (and one of my new favorite games of all time): 1000xRESIST. If you’ve already played this gorgeous tale of abuse, guilt, and longing, I hope you’ll enjoy hearing us pick it apart. And if you haven’t played it yet, I hope this will convince you to try it.

Content Warnings: Brief mentions of torture, sexual manipulation and abuse, police violence, and suicide-as-protest.

Music Credits:

“Watcher” by Drew Redman [1000xRESIST Original Soundtrack]

“Fixer’s Song Extended (ft. A Sum)” by Drew Redman and Alex Mah [Fixer’s Song EP]

It’s only appropriate that the first episode of The Iris Archives covering a movie has a star-studded cast of guests. Luke, Molly, Ashley and Crystal join me on a deep dive into a film that’s as visually stunning as it is emotionally gutting.

Content Warning: Suicidal thoughts and attempts are discussed, both in general and in the context of personal experience.

I know what you’re thinking right now. “But Iris, Delicious in Dungeon isn’t a video game!” Correct. I don’t care. This is the first step in what will eventually become a full rebrand of this podcast into The Iris Archives: a podcast where I’ll get together with a friend and chat about some kind of media we just really need to dig into.

For this first foray into the new future of the podcast, I’m joined by Ashley to talk about the Dungeon Meshi.

Luke and I have finished playing through the massive second installment of the FF7 remake trilogy, and by God do we have some things we need to get off our chests. Join us as we dissect the many and varied ways in which this game not only managed to disappoint us, but also shook our faith in the entire FF7 revival project.

Intro: “With Heavy Heart - A Seabreeze Stroll” ~ FF VII Rebirth OST
Outro: “Gongaga de Chocobo” ~ FF VII Rebirth OST

Wow, it’s been a long time since I’ve put one of these episodes out. Not as long as it’s been since the previous Alan Wake game, though! Over the 11 years since American Nightmare, Alan Wake has added a female protagonist and gotten a whole lot prettier (damn, same). Ashley, Molly and Luke join me to talk about the Alan Wake 2 and why we loved it.

This time on the podcast, Luke and Melissa join me to analyze (and gush about) a game hasn’t gotten nearly as much attention as it deserves: 13 Sentinels. The newest game from Vanillaware, it ended up being a sleeper hit with all three of us. If you’d like to learn how this game caused us to set our fears of enduring another Dragon’s Crown aside and give it a chance, give this episode a listen!

On this follow-up episode to Final Fantasy 7, I’m joined by Luke and Zoe to talk about Final Fantasy 7 Remake, the game that a lot of JRPG fans have been waiting decades for. Though…it’s not quite the game that we were waiting for, either. For better or worse, FF7R plays around with both the gameplay and the fiction in an attempt to simultaneously meet and subvert expectations. Join us as we dig into what works, what doesn’t, and what we hope to see in future installments.