Lore Party

Conner and Jaden are joined by Dan from The Greatest Story Ever Played to explore how both the Uncharted franchise and Nathan Drake grew up and matured. They discuss how the series became more grounded in reality over time (2:29),  whether that improved the stories of each game (8:26), and the possibility of real explanations for the mythical artifacts found in the earlier titles (14:06). This is...

Bhavya and Caleb attempt to jump inside the head of Handsome Jack and find the source of his insanity. They discuss whether Jack has always been insane (1:25), the effect the Vault of the Sentinel had on him (7:25), and the possibility that Jack is self-aware enough to know that he is a villain (15:09). This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts of the  discussion may not make sense...

The original ending of Mass Effect 3 disappointed many longtime fans. The final piece of DLC for the game, titled Citadel, may have redeemed the trilogy. Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris.  Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our  favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscribe to Minigame wherever you  listen to podcasts. Learn m...

Jaden is joined by Tom, host of the Fallout Lorecast and creator of the Robots Radio Podcast Network, to explore why someone would decide to settle down in Appalachia. They discuss how the area is nearly untouched by nuclear fallout (1:55), Appalachia's viability as a place for permanent settlement (12:11), and whether a nomadic lifestyle is the best way to survive in a nuclear wasteland (16:30)....

Michael concludes his exploration of legendary video game developer Hideo Kojima's cinematic inspirations. He examines Metal Gear Solid V's odd place in the franchise, and the cinematic techniques Kojima borrowed from filmmakers like Alfonso Cuarón and Nicolas Winding Refn. Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or cen...

Conner and Jaden explore the dual legacy of the Master Chief: a hero and a demon. They discuss humanity's desperate fight against the Covenant (2:45), the mythological status of the Master Chief (10:44), and the fear he strikes into the hearts of the Covenant (15:37). This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played the game. Expec...

Abu and Kevin compare the lives and legacies of Arcturus Mengsk and James Raynor. They discuss the similarities and differences of their upbringings (2:10), the tragic events that turned them into rebels (14:47), and how the influence of their parents led them down their unique life paths (31:56). This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless...

Bhavya and Caleb explore what makes some people's lives more valuable than other's in the brutal and deadly world of Borderlands. They discuss the nuance of life and death on Pandora (1:48), the emotional resonance of the deaths of major characters (10:43), and how the camaraderie of Vault hunting brings people together (17:43). This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts of the disc...

Michael continues his exploration of iconic video game developer Hideo Kojima's cinematic ambitions. In this episode, he dives into the campy adventures of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, and its similarities to the James Bond films of the '60s. He also breaks down why its sequel, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, ended up being so disappointing. Minigame is a short essay podcast produced...

Jaden and Conner explore the horrific secrets of the Spartan-II and Spartan-III programs. They discuss the history of the iconic Spartan II super soldiers (1:33), the cheaper and more expendable Spartan-III soldiers (13:39), and the indefensible morality of fighting a war with child soldiers (19:40). This is an [Easy] level episode, which means you will be able to follow the discussion even if you...

Lawerence and Leo explore one man's doomed community, and the stark reality of surviving a deadly outbreak. They recap the timeline of the CBI epidemic (2:18), compare the various groups trying to survive in the post-apocalypse (13:09), and discuss Ish's failed settlement (20:51). This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played th...

This is our 100th episode! In celebration of this incredible milestone, the team here at Lore Party put their heads together and compiled an epic 100-game list of the best story-focused video games. In this special episode, the team discusses their favorites. We definitely don’t get through all 100 games, so check out the full list on loreparty.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon...

At E3 2019, Nintendo announced that the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is in development. Neil and Lawerence break down the teaser trailer and speculate about how the story will continue. 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 me...

The Minigame series is becoming a podcast! Michael Farris has produced and hosted the series since the very beginning of Lore Party, and now he’s evolving it into a brand new podcast. Future episodes of Minigame will still be posted here on the Lore Party feed, but Michael will be producing some amazing bonus episodes that you won’t find here. So be sure to subscribe to Minigame on Apple Podcasts,...

It’s no secret that Hideo Kojima has always had ambitions to become a film director, and it becomes even more obvious when you look at the evolution of the Metal Gear Solid franchise. Michael explores Kojima’s cinematic inspirations, and how Death Stranding is the continued evolution of Kojima’s ambitions. Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized epi...

The show is only a year old and we’ve come so far. Thank you to every single one of our listeners and collaborators. Season 5 starts soon. Original music by Lk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Caleb (@ScifiSpeedster) is joined by Shivnit from the Esports Business Podcast to explore what it takes to run a business in the Borderlands universe. They discuss the business models of Atlas, Dahl, and Hyperion (4:52), how massively influential Dahl was on the universe (7:59), and how these fictional corporations mirror real-world companies (14:17). This is an [Expert] level episode, which means...

Video games do not have to be apolitcal pieces of art. While some developers might actively avoid overt political messaging in their games, developer Introversion Software did the opposite with Prison Architect. Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscri...

Neil (@neilbigdeal) and Lawerence (@Producedby_Lk) are joined by Elizabeth to explore the dying small town of Possum Springs in Night in the Woods. They discuss Mae’s decision to drop out of college (1:53), how all of her old friends have grown up and moved on (4:12), and the slow painful death of Possum Springs (14:10). This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts of the discussion m...

The slow quiet life in a small town can seem like the perfect escape for anyone stuck at a dead-end corporate job in a bustling city. That’s the fantasy Stardew Valley presents to its players, and in doing so, the game itself becomes a refuge for anyone yearning for a simpler life where their every day anxieties don’t matter. Minigame is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (...

Bhavya (@bhaviously) and Caleb (@ScifiSpeedster) explore what memories mean to someone on their death bed, the central question in the hit indie game To the Moon. They discuss the ethical dilemma of choosing fake memories over your real ones (3:32), the interesting direction the sequel takes this dilemma (8:49), and whether or not they themselves would choose to alter their memories given the tech...

Abu (@abu_zafar) and Leo (@LeoWigginsVO) are joined by MJ (@ihoardlibraries) from the Reignite podcast to explore romance and representation in Mass Effect. They discuss how relationship dynamics would change in a galaxy full of aliens (0:19), compare Joker and EDI’s relationship to the movie Her (4:41), and realize the Asari are the wokest species in the entire galaxy (12:46). This is an [Expert]...

Abu (@abu_zafar) and Leo (@LeoWigginsVO) are joined by MJ (@ihoardlibraries) from the Reignite podcast to explore romance and representation in Mass Effect. MJ shares how the Mass Effect series played a role in shaping her identity (4:44), everyone reveals who they first romanced in the games (11:43), and we wrap up with a discussion about both the good and bad steps BioWare took when it comes to...

Bruce (@BruceWalton) and Kevin (@In_the_Lupe) explore the first two generations in the Kenway family: Edward and Haytham. They discuss Edward’s growth from an insufferable asshole to respected Master Assassin (5:06), Haytham’s troubled upbringing (10:48), and his internal struggle of being raised a Templar while having an Assassin father (18:00). This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some...

In Darkest Dungeon, you are not the target of horror and tragedy. You are the source. 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