Some thoughts about nostalgia, memories, mourning and why I don't like throwback horror games.

A discussion of Ghostwire: Tokyo - the latest from Horror innovator Shinji Mikami - and the ways in which it uses the ideas and tactics of J-Horror to create a slice-of-life horror game. Also discussed: ruined worlds, media in post-WWII Japan, the importance of drama in ghost stories and how East Asian Horror movies changed the way that I view and define horror media. Also the fact that this game has cute animals that you can pet

Cole joins to talk about Dying Light 2, a game that feels a lot like its predecessor with all the fun parts taken out. We discuss the various ways in which they ruined a perfectly good game by filling it full of wonky mechanics, endless filler and tons of stilted dialogue. Also discussed: horny gamers, end of the world plans, slapping comedians, cringey stage banter and how Dying Light 2 is a lot like Idiocracy - but completely unintentionally. Whoops!

It's Elden Ring time! Tony rejoins for more Fromsoft talk, this time concerning their new joint Elden Ring. We talk about the many things we love about this game - as well as some things we don't - in this spoiler-free discussion of our first few dozen hours with the game. Also discussed: heavy metal, watching Berserk when you're way too young, political interpretations of dark fantasy, mysterious laughter and much more. See you in there, skeleton

Josh (drummer of the sludge metal band Serac) joins for a discussion of Hideo Kojima's games in reverse-chronological order. In this first part, we spend a lot of time talking about Death Stranding, as well as how the more recent Metal Gear Solid games (IV and V) directly lead into the that game. We also discuss the horror elements of Kojima's works, the influence of PT, trying to figure out the ending of Death Stranding and Kojima's love of drunk uncle-style conspiracy theories. Part two soon!

I give you some introductory thoughts on Death Stranding, a game that will be discussed further in the future. I talk about the many ways that it perfects the Kojima style of storytelling, the influence of Super Sad Grim Dark YA anime series on the game, as well as the all-pervasive climate anxiety that makes it such an affecting story

We discuss the sudden rise of various "Free Market" ideologies in the video games industry, including enthusiasm for crypto/NFTs and opposition to labor unions. We also discuss the ways that politics have changed over the last two years (including some discussion of Jordan "Kermit" Peterson's insane, recent Joe Rogaine interview) and how we think conscientious consumers should respond to these developments.

We tackle Condemned: Criminal Origins, a frequently requested game that seems to be an early seventh-gen take on police procedurals and dark detective dramas. We talk about those dramas as well as the xbox 360 launch, revisionist history, early 00s nostalgia and why Dexter is the greatest TV show of all time.

Some thoughts on Silent Hill: Downpour, the last mainline entry in the series - one that ended up being a surprisingly engaging experience. I talk about the game's cool narrative moments and unique aesthetic, as well as it's less than stellar moments of frustrating combat and clunky weapon dropping. Put down that wood plank and hit play already, bud

In this solo essay, I talk about my two favorite games I played this year - as well as some other stuff that happened.