Deep Listens

Off the Deep End is given relief for the first time in ages with two high quality fan picks: Okage: Shadow King and Shadows Over Loathing. For once, listen to Chris, Adam, and Braden discuss games they actually enjoyed with humorous writing! Don't worry, this won't be a trend. I'll make sure of that.  See the entire Off The Deep Ends ranked list at  http://bit.ly/otderank Find OTDE's theme music a...

In this episode Gino, Pete, Jess "VoidBurger" O'Brien, and Dr. Noelle Grieco discuss Silent Hill: Townfall! We cover the game from the beginning of the game to the end of The Patient. We cover the impact of the first person perspective, break down the medical emergency metaphors working throughout the game, and how the game's combat impacts the overall fear factor. We also get insight from a medic...

In this episode Gino, Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED-, and Jeff discuss Final Fantasy VII Rebirth from the beginning of the game to the end of Junon. We cover the game's combat system, overwhelming open world, and streeeeetched oooouuuuuttt story. Do you want to play a game that takes 4 hours of a 29 year old game and stretches them to 20 hours? Boy do we have a game for you! Check out the current ra...

This week Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Mixtape. We cover the game's comin of age story, amount of interactivity, and relatively low stakes story. We also discuss the wider discourse around the game and where we come down on the love/hate spectrum. We wrap up by discussing the game's sondtrack and whether we found any new favorites while playing.  If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider...

Now that Adam "Borgmaster" [REDACTED] is back, Off the Deep End can finish The Summer of Sting with Dungeon Travelers 2, a game that definitely won't get anyone here put on a list. Topics discussed include Sting's modern output up to the current day, the wide variety of anime pervert dungeon crawlers on the Playstation Vita, and... of course, the quality of the "scenes" in Dungeon Travelers 2 itse...

In this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Zero Parades: For Dead Spies! We cover from the start of the real mission until the end of the game. Spoilers abound! Our topics include our favorite characters, the bleak tone of the game, and some ruminations on what the game was trying to say. Is the game completely cynical or is there a silver lining in there somewhere? If you've been enjoying the pod...

In this episode Gino, Pete, and Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED- discuss the 2026 NBA end of season awards and check in on their predictions. They also discuss their favorite teams' offseasons. Finally, they turn their attention to the absolute cinema that is the breakdown and punishment of the LA Clippers. If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at  https://www.patreon.com/...

In this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Zero Parades: For Dead Spies! We cover from the start of the game until the main character actually figures out what their mission is. Our topics include the drama surrounding this game's development, the mechanical overlap with Disco Elysium, the game's excellent setting, and the game's conspiritorial tone. If you've been enjoying the podcast, please con...

Summer isn't over just yet, and Off the Deep End encounters the most indescribable video game they've played so far! That's right, Braden and Chris are once again joined by Reki to try and discuss Sting's cult classic(?) bullet-hell SRPG hybrid Knights in the Nightmare. Listen as three adult men in their 30s try to explain such things as "how can a bullet hell shooter be turn-based?" and "Why do I...

Join Adam, Tyler, Jason, and Justin as they get flung around the universe with Stargate SG-1. This time they get started on season 4 by covering the episodes "Small Victories", "The Other Side", "Upgrades", and "Crossroads". Join them as they come to terms with post-Soviet lego space bugs, space steroids, space nazis, and forgetting you have a space wife.   Also, the show is going to go on hiatus...

Summer isn't over just yet! There's still time for more esoteric weirdo games developed by Sting with your friends at Off the Deep End. This time, Braden and Chris have brought Reki along to talk about two very different, very bizarre PSP strategy games. Listen as three adult men try their best to explain how the heck Yggdra Union plays with varying levels of success. Did they enjoy themselves? Li...

In this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Mini Metro! We discuss the game's elegant art style, simple mechanics, and endless replayability before diving into our own pocket strategies. We also complain about real-world transit systems we dislike. We wrap things up with a Train quiz! If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at  https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens If you l...

In this episode Gino and Braden "ArbitraryWater" -REDACTED- are joined by Jess "VoidBurger" O'Brien to discuss Return To Silent Hill! We cover this film from the James in a convertible start to the James in a very bad beard end. It's difficult to articulate all the ways this movie messes up the story and tone of Silent Hill 2, but we try our best to get 'em all! We've got new characterizations. We...

In this episode Gino interviews one of the composers of the soundtrack of Denshattack!, friend of the show 2 Mello! We discuss how it feels to work on a game that so clearly fit his musical style. We also discuss how collaborating with Miyachi worked on his song "Ride With Me" and how he composed music alongside the other composers for Denshattack!. We wrap up with some rapid fire questions about...

In this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Denshattack! We cover the game's outstanding style, surprisingly managable speed, and fun train tricks. We also discuss the surprisingly in-depth and engaging story. We wrap up by discussing whether the game is Cyberpunk or Hopepunk. If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at  https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens If you like our...

The Summer of Sting heats up with another spicy obscure video game, and this time Off the Deep End drags Jeff Rud back in front of a microphone to talk all about it! How much "Big Saturn Energy" can one video game exude? How does Baroque stack up in the context of modern Roguelike video games? Expect the answers to those questions, and many more questions you weren't asking in this thrilling episo...

In this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Another Crab's Treasure! We cover the game's simplified souls-like gameplay, Banjo-Kazooie-esque collecting, and revolutionary story. And I mean that literally! Turns out this cute game is about violent politican and social upheval! It really goes places! If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at  https://www.patreon.com/DeepLi...

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...