Deep Listens

In this episode Gino, Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED-, and Jeff discuss Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis. they discuss the game's unfortunate gacha systems, its rehashed stories, and its zany character costumes. This episode was recorded before the news about the planned end date for Ever Crisis so the hosts discuss whether this game will need to stick around because it contains stories from other defu...

In this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Pokemon Champions and Everything Is Crab! We start off by checking back in on Pokemon Champions to find that not much has changed since Em last played it. Then we discuss the evolutionary roguelite Everything Is Crab! We discuss the fairly narrow build trees and the different ways we were able to creatively enjoy the game. We finish up with a quiz on anim...

Chris and Braden are joined by special guest GabrielCantor to discuss the inaugural game of The Summer of Sting. If you wanted discussion about yet another semi-obscure GBA RPG with weird streamlined mechanics, they've got you covered! Along the way, important questions are discussed, such as "Which girl is best girl?" and "How did this maze puzzle stump three grown adults?" You won't want to miss...

In this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Mina the Hollower! We cover the game's Gameboy Color art direction and gameplay before diving into what makes the game so good... the diving! We also discuss the game's surprisingly deep story and our favorite gameplay styles. And no episode would be complete without Gino eating a weird Oreo flavor so you don't have to! If you've been enjoying the podcast...

Gino "ThatPinguino" Grieco and Braden "ArbitraryWater" REDACTED join forces to talk about the hottest genre to hit the indie scene in the last ten years. No, they're not talking about cozy farming games or boomer shooters, instead they're talking about deckbuilders! If you've ever played Slay the Spire and wanted to know what else was out there, don't worry, they've got you covered. Like, seriousl...

In this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Titan Souls! We discuss the game's unique one hit kill design decision, frustrating archery mechanic, and barren world. We also discuss why this game was likely great in demos and game jam testing, but doesn't work well as a full game. There's also a bonus food review for Firecracker Pop Oreos! If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporti...

Chris and Braden are joined by special guest Joey "Joeku" [REDACTED] to talk about the cult classic 2008 RPG Lost Odyssey! Will this be the game that catapults the Xbox 360 into Japanese market relevancy? No? Well, in any case, our crew discusses Mistwalker, the state of the genre in the late 00s, and whether or not it's a good idea to put all of your best writing in a bunch of short stories! If y...

In this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Death's Door! We discuss what genre we think the game fits in, the game's excellent action, and it's beautiful music. We then list our favorite Zelda items and discuss whether there are many new item types to make in games like this. If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at  https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens If you like our...

In this episode Gino, Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED-, and Braden "ArbitraryWater" -REDACTED- debried all that they did for the XVIth Giant Bomb Community Endurance Run! The event ran in early April and raised money for Pencils of Promise, a charity that builds schools, trains teachers, and sends kids to schools in developing nations! We discuss Dokapon Kingdom, a plethora of adventure games, Jump St...

Join Adam, Tyler, Jason, and Justin as they traipse through Stargate SG-1. In this installment they close out season 3 by covering the episodes "New Ground", "Maternal Instinct", "Crystal Skull", and "Nemesis". Join the crew as they contemplate Richard Ian Cox, zen force powers, radiation poisoning, and lego space bugs. Please consider donating to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota:  https://ww...

In this episode Gino, Pete, and Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED- discuss Pathologic 2. We cover the game's truely one of a kind story and setting as well as its unforgiving difficulty. We also talk throught the game's survival elements and odd bartering economy. Does difficulty make this game's story or does it hide some of its lack of polish? How do you evaluate a story that is told in broken chunks...

Braden, Em, and Chris convene to discuss Pokemon Champions, the new free-to-play competitive Pokemon client. Listen as they agonize over their attempts to be the very best, their hang ups with the game's current limitations, and Braden's steadfast refusal to field a Garchomp.  Please consider donating to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota:  https://www.ilcm.org/donate/ If you've been enjoying t...

With Adam "Borgmaster" [REDACTED] on assignment, it's up to Braden and Chris to handle the last Breath of Fire on their own. They discuss the game's divisive reputation, its unique aesthetics, and even more unique semi-roguelike structure. Is it a hidden gem that was ahead of its time or was it worthy of killing the franchise? Given that Off the Deep End is covering it, you know our feelings could...

In this episode Gino, Em, and Pete play their first Yakuza game, Yakuza: Like a Dragon! We cover the game's bonkers story, classic JRPG combat, and rediculous characters. We also cover the game's ability to highlight marginalized people while also making violence the answer to almost every problem. Like a Dragon is a game of contrasts. Unfortunately, Em's two hour explanation of the rules of Mahjo...

In this episode Gino, Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED-, and Jeff discuss Final Fantasy IV: The After Years! We cover all of the stories after Ceodore's as well as the ridiculous ending of this game. If you were thinking "I want FFIV combat and not much else," boy, do we have the game for you!  Please consider donating to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota:  https://www.ilcm.org/donate/ If you've be...

Join Adam, Tyler. Jason, and Justin as they venture through Stargate SG-1. In this episode they continue deeper into Season 3 with the episodes "Pretense", "Urgo", "A Hundred Days", and "Shades of Grey". Join along as they deal with such topics as wearable RGBs, Dom Deluise, rustic romance, and why all your homies hate the Tollan. As a note, the host was nursing some kind of strep infection, and i...

Swipe left, swipe right, it's time for Deep Listens to date every single household object they can find with our magic glasses! Braden, Chris, and Adam discuss Sassy Chap Games' Date Everything, its writing, and how much of it is just a bunch of LA-based voice actors doing funny bits with their friends. Two of the people on this podcast are single! Please consider donating to the Immigrant Law Cen...

Are you ready for the thunder? Are you ready for the Vengeance? Are you ready to fuse dieties of your favorite religion with dieties of other religions? SMT: V: Vengence has you covered on all of the above. The OTDE crew* have you covered, as they always do, on all things obscure RPG. Please consider donating to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota:  https://www.ilcm.org/donate/ If you've been en...

In this episode Gino and Braden "ArbitraryWater" -REDACTED- discuss Slay the Spire 2! We cover the game as it curently stands a week into early access. That means a lot of discussion of the 5 current characters and their archetypes, how the game differs or doesn't from the original Slay the Spire, and the multiplayer mode! Please consider donating to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota:  https:/...

In this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Forager! We cover the game's quick crafting ramp up, compulsive gameplay loop, and click-happy interface. We also discuss why we play games that ask us to forage and build. Please consider donating to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota:  https://www.ilcm.org/donate/ If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at  https://www.patr...

Join Adam, Tyler, Jason, and Justin as they continue through Stargate SG-1. This time, they're looking at the season 3 episodes "Past and Present", "Jolinar's Memories", "The Devil You Know", and "Foothold".  Listen along as they come to grips with boning Grandma Space Hitler, going to hell, vamping with the devil, and the Grimace invasion. Also, somehow, Apophis returned. Please consider donating...

With Borgmaster on assignment, it's up to Braden and Chris to discuss the fourth game in the Fire Emblem series, in a way that only two FE old heads with a lot of baggage are able to. You'll learn far more than you ever wanted to about Genealogy's mechanics, character pairing, story, and map size, with an added dose of random series gripes and deeply specific things that only people who've played...

In this episode Gino and Pete are running a 2 man game with Em out sick. We cover Skate Story in it's entirety, from the glass and pain to the moon eating. Yeah, those are things that happen in this skateboarding video game. We also discuss the game's excellent style and soundtrack before turning our attention to its fantastical story. Please consider donating to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnes...

Join Adam, Tyler, Jason, and Justin as they travel through the hit 90s sci-fi show, Stargate SG-1. In this installment, they discuss the season 3 episodes "Deadman Switch", "Demons", "Rules of Engagement", and "Forever in a Day". Tag along with the crew as they are confounded by endless snark, a half-assed witch trial, showing Faces of Death to teens, and the most frustrating character send-off po...

In this episode Gino, Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED-, and Jeff discuss Final Fantasy IV: The After Years! We cover FFIV: Interlude and its completely forgetable story and gameplay before discussing The After Years and its completely forgetable story and gameplay! We cover Ceodore's story and then break down all of the differences between the different releases of this ridiculous game.  Please consid...