Lore Party

Abu (@abu_zafar) and Brett (@CoachBrett4) explore the futile war waged by the Scoia’tael. They discuss the long history of conflicts between humans and elves (2:41), the goals of the Scoia’tel (14:32), and why they are doomed to fail (24:22). This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played the game. Expect lots of spoilers. Learn...

Bruce (@BruceWalton) and Kevin (@In_the_Lupe) explore the life and legend of Ezio Auditore. They discuss his upbringing and early life (1:28), his growth as an assassin (7:34), and his legendary status as a master assassin and gaming icon (15:54). This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played the game. Expect lots of spoilers. L...

Abu (@abu_zafar), Leo (@LeoWigginsVO), and Kevin (@In_the_Lupe) explore the self-inflicted predicament the Quarians find themselves in. They discuss the history and culture of the Quarian race (2:42), their relationship with technology (18:55), and what lessons we can learn from their mistakes (26:46). This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense u...

Blackwood Crossing is a unique game about a young girl and the way she processes her grief. Minigame is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bhavya (@bhaviously) and Caleb (@ScifiSpeedster) explore the idea of creativity in the ever-changing landscape of Transistor. They discuss the constant changes in the city of Cloud Bank (1:17), the Camerata’s philosophy on creativity and freedom (3:18), and the role of the Process in Cloud Bank’s demise (13:45). Indie Game is a monthly series all about story-focused indie titles. Each month, we ex...

In the final episode of our Metroid series, Neil (@neilbigdeal) and Lawerence (@Producedby_Lk) drop the BSL on SR388 and call it quits with the Galactic Federation. They discuss the horror of the Restricted Laboratory (0:35), the relationship between Samus and Adam Malkovich (7:45), and the implications of Metroid Fusion‘s ending (19:01). This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts o...

This is a bonus clip that was originally cut from our full Bandersnatch episode. We’ve seen many examples of interactive content on the internet, but Bandersnatch was the first to bring it to a large mainstream audience. Do audiences even want this kind of interactive storytelling? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Abu (@abu_zafar), Leo (@LeoWigginsVO), Caleb (@ScifiSpeedster), and Michael (@farristhewheel) break down three lessons that Bandersnatch could have learned from video games. They discuss whether the movie was a successful experiment (7:45), their thoughts on the story and choice mechanics (14:25), and what the next Neftlix experiment can learn from decades of video game storytelling (19:06). Side...

Neil (@neilbigdeal) and Lawerence (@Producedby_Lk) explore the evolution of Samus in Metroid Fusion. They discuss the events that led Samus to this point (2:12), the possibility of Samus being part Metroid now (8:15), and Samus’ fight with the best version of herself (12:59). This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played the gam...

Caleb (@ScifiSpeedster), Matthew, and Bhavya tune their radios and explore the horror of Oxenfree. They discuss the deliberate pacing of the gameplay (1:05), how one character’s perspective shapes our experience (8:59), and the unique way the game tackles a story about multiple realities (13:01). Indie Game is a monthly series all about story-focused indie titles. Each month, we explore the story,...

Firewatch gets a lot of criticism for its conclusion, but the anticlimactic ending was sort of the point. Minigame is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Abu (@abu_zafar), Leo (@LeoWigginsVO), and Kevin (@In_the_Lupe) explore the life of the best bro in the galaxy: Garrus Vakarian. They discuss his upbringing and Spectre candidacy (2:02), his vigilante phase as Archangel (17:41), and the morality of his loyalty mission (28:15). This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played the ga...

Bruce (@BruceWalton) and Kevin (@In_the_Lupe) explore the ancient race that created humans, and what that revelation means for humanity. They discuss the origins of the Isu people (0:46), the calamity that wiped them out (5:09), and the horror of humanity realizing it was manufactured to serve a mundane purpose (10:20). This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts of the discussion ma...

This year’s God of War and Tomb Raider titles were reboots of beloved franchises. One of them won Game of the Year, while the other was quickly forgotten. Michael explores why. Minigame is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Learn more about your ad...

Nick (@nickwilk), Allie (@AllieJayHey), and Lawerence (@Producedby_Lk) explore Ganondorf’s upbringing and debate whether he was born evil or became evil. This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played the game. Expect lots of spoilers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bruce (@BruceWalton) and Caleb (@ScifiSpeedster) explore the story of Ashe and the Deadlock Gang. They discuss Ashe’s tumultuous past (2:33), the new revelation about McCree (4:14), and the way new heroes connect to, and expand, the established lore (8:04). This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played the game. Expect lots of s...

Lawerence (@Producedby_Lk) and Abu (@abu_zafar) are joined by Matthew to explore the two story modes in the Super Smash Bros. franchise: Subspace Emissary and World of Light. This episode contains very minor spoilers for the World of Light adventure mode in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick (@nickwilk), Allie (@AllieJayHey), and Lawerence (@Producedby_Lk) discuss the Triforce and their favorite Zelda fighters in Super Smash Bros. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Abu (@abu_zafar) and Bruce (@BruceWalton) explore all eight of the Pokémon fighters in Super Smash Bros. and ask some big philosophical questions. They discuss what Pikachu means to the Pokémon franchise (2:01), Mewtwo’s existential crisis (12:34), and the symbiotic relationship between humans and Pokémon (20:03). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael (@farristhewheel) explores the three qualities a third-party character has to have in order to become a Super Smash Bros. fighter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our third season was our best one yet. And it’s only uphill from here. Season 4 starts soon. Music: Lo-fi for Lunch by Lk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jaden (@MrJadJay) and Michael (@farristhewheel) share their early impressions of the world, story, and characters in Red Dead Redemption 2. They discuss the universal themes of the Western genre (2:21), the way the game treats John Marston (6:04), and the wily charms of Dutch van der Linde (13:49). This is an [Easy] level episode, which means you will be able to follow the discussion even if you h...

Abu (@abu_zafar) and Brett (@CoachBrett4) explore two of the best quests in Hearts of Stone. After a brief summary of the plot (1:40), they discuss Shani and Vlodimir von Everec attending a wedding (7:58), the tragedy of Iris and Olgierd von Everec’s marriage (23:11), and the big theme of Olgierd’s three wishes (30:25). This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts of the discussion ma...

In Red Dead Redemption, John Marston is a man of a bygone era tasked with murdering the past, all in the name of progress. The same progress that will inevitably come for all of us. Minigame is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Learn more about you...

Extra Life 2018 was a huge success! All of you helped us raise nearly $1500 for Akron Children’s Hospital in Ohio and Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Nebraska. Thank you! Music: Wild Berries and Rainwater by Lk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices