State of the Arc Podcast

Welcome back! On this episode of the State of the Arc Podcast, we look into the briefing section of Metal Gear Solid. This covers characters like Naomi, Campbell, Solid Snake and a few others. Snake is very excited to get to know Naomi better. Maybe they'll go out sometime. Unless, of course, he meets another woman. And all bets are off if yet another one shows up.

Let's take a close look at the development of Metal Gear Solid. In this episode, we look into the past of Hideo Kojima, the auteur who created the Metal Gear series. We also study some of the unique tactics employed by the developers.

We analyze Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, which we both consider to be Miyazaki's highest achievement in film.

Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Reevaluating The Intro Scene (1:51) 3. Explaining The Besaid Mandala (22:21) 4. Responding To Questions And Comments (50:03)

1. Intro (0:00) 2. Missed things from last episode (1:45) 3. Fighting Sin (7:05) 4. Entering Sin (21:51) 5. After Defeating Yu Yevon (54:43) 6. Is Tidus Gone Forever? (1:15:48

In today's episode, we arrive at Zanarkand and learn the true depth of Yevon's lies. For next week, finish the game! Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Descending down into Zanarkand (1:23) 3. There is no Final Aeon (20:14) 4. Meeting Yunalesca (39:03) 5. Finding a new way (1:04:35) 6. Back to Bevelle (1:20:48) 7. Preparing for the final battle (1:35:30)

In today's episode, we cross the plains of the Calm Lands, scale Mount Gagazet, and discover the biggest plot twist of the entire game. Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. The Calm Lands (2:27) 3. Cavern Of The Stolen Fayth (10:33) 4. Mount Gagazet (17:50) 5. Seymour Boss Fight #3 (43:32) 6. You Are A Dream (53:19) 7. Mountain Cave And Sanctuary Keeper (1:30:50)

For next week, we played up through the end of Mt. Gagazet, just after the fight with the Santuary Keeper and Tidus listens to Yuna's final message. Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. The Guardian Wyrm Evrae and Wedding Ceremony At Bevelle (1:58) 3. Bevelle Temple (18:09) 4. Imprisonment and Trial (24:18) 5. Seymour Fight #2 (50:01) 6. Back To Macalania Woods (1:02:08)

In today's episode, we fight with Seymour, Find ourselves in the middle of a desert, Barely escape with our lives, and watch as the Al Bhed destroy their own home. Big thanks to Dansg08 for talking with us about Sin and the place where we find ourselves after we fall through the Ice at Lake Macalania. Find his channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzV3Xt_qXi8KaaBR58q-qFg Time Codes: 1. In...

Our analysis of the film Arrival.

In today's episode, we cross the Thunder Plains, traverse Macalania Woods, thwart another attempted kidnapping, and moderate a religious debate between Waka and Riku. Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. The Thunder Plains (0:37) 3. Macalania Woods (10:29) 4. Break Down Of Braska's Design (24:50) 5. Jecht Spheres (32:01) 6. Al Bhed Kidnapping Attempt (39:51) 7. Al Bhed Language Spoiler (42:18) 8. Wakka'...

In today's episode, we arrive in Guadosalam, get a tour of Seymour's holodeck, and visit Spira's afterworld, a.k.a. the Farplane. 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Entering Guadosalam and Talking To Maechen (1:54) 3. Seymour's Holodeck (19:00) 4. Conversations With Lulu and the Farplane (31:55) 5. Jyscal Walks Out Of The Farplane/Leaving Guadosalam (53:18)

1. Intro (0:00) 2. Dose Temple (0:22) 3. Moonflow (36:54) 4. Shoepuff (40:04) 5. Rikku (1:12:25) 6. Comments (1:21:40) 7. SPOILERS Discussion (1:24:29)

For next time, play up to Guadosalam. In today's episode, we hit the Mi'ihen Highroad! Sin attacks inland areas too, it seems. After a beautiful moment with Yuna, we head out towards more of the death and sadness that constantly threatens Spira. There's lots of good stuff here, so let's dive in! Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Mi’ihen Highroad (0:42) 3. Tidus and Yuna at Sunset (30:46) 4. Towards t...

Time Codes: 1. Into (0:00) 2. More thoughts on Lulu's outburst (0:30) 3. Kilika Temple (03:07) 4. Leaving Kilika (22:11) 5. Arriving In Luca and The Blitzball Tournament (49:22) 6. Auron Is Spotted In Luca (57:32) 7. Yuna Gets Kidnapped By The Al Bhed (1:03:53) 8. Auron Arrives/Blitzball Championship (1:23:22) 9. Tidus Confronts Auron (1:32:13) 10. The Infamous Laughing Scene (1:37:35) 11. Respond...

In today's episode, Tidus travels with Yuna to Kilika Temple. On the way, we see how destructive a force Sin can be in Spira, and how much Yuna knows about Jecht. We get a good look at Yuna and how her character design may foreshadow certain things about her story. That sending scene is beautiful. Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Wakka and Lulu talking (0:10) 3. Going to the Boat (12:26) 4. Aboard t...

In today's episode, we finally make it to Spira. We meet Rikku, Wakka, Yuna, Kimahri and Lulu. The story is just getting started but there is a lot of stuff that most players will not have noticed when they first played the game. Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Ghostly Figure Identity (00:24) 3. Spira (2:28) 4. Diving Expedition(17:00) 5. Wakka (37:22) 6. Besaid Temple (56:15) 7. Yuna (1:10:05) 8....

In today's episode, we analyze the game's opening scenes, including Tidus' hometown of Zanarkand being destroyed by Sin. This sequence is PACKED with lots of good stuff! Time Codes: 1. Into (0:00) 2. Casen's Title Screen Thoughts (4:44) 3. Opening Scene (Title Screen Scene) (08:47) 4. Proper First Scene (Introduction To Zanarkand) (12:41) 5. Mike's Take On Complaints About Tidus' Voice (20:51) 6....

In the first episode of our Final Fantasy X podcast series, we recount the development history of the game and the key developers who created this PS2 masterpiece. Time Codes: 1. Into (0:00) 2. Key Developers (4:37) 3. Development History (24:42) 4. Recognizing Stylistic Differences In FF Games (59:01)

In the final episode of our Vagrant Story analysis, we finish the second half of the story, discuss more developer interviews, and answer questions from the audience! We hope you enjoyed this series! Final Fantasy X will be next! Time Codes: 1. Into (0:00) 2. Ashley Spies On Samantha And Guildenstern (2:05) 3. Ashley Fights Rosencrantz (10:53) 4. Merlose Becomes A Heart-Seer (22:39) 5. Tierger And...

In the next episode, we'll be finishing the game. I know that's a lot of game to get through, and you might have to break it up over a few play sessions, but the story is VERY spread out over the rest of the game. In the second episode of our Vagrant Story deep-dive, we see Sydney's use of power on others, including Ashley himself. Is Sydney going to convince the one who hunts him to become his di...

In the second episode of our Vagrant Story deep-dive, we explore the once-thriving city of Lea Monde. After an Earthquake, this city became abandoned. Those who remain live a cursed life; as there is a dark power lurking beneath. Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Lea Monde (0:44) 3. The first battles (15:28) 4. Ashley’s Vision of His Past (33:03) 5. Above Ground (1:14:09)

In the first episode of our Vagrant Story deep-dive, we examine the game's development history and examine the opening cinematics that set the stage for the story! shmuplations interview: https://shmuplations.com/vagrantstory/ Time Codes: 1. Into (0:00) 2. Key Developers (1:50) 3. Things You Should Know Before Playing (5:44) 4. Start Screen Movies (10:55) 5. Opening Scene Of The Game (42:23) 6. Du...

In this episode of our Hellblade analysis, we cover the remainder of the game. From the retrieval of Gramr, to the confrontation of Hela. We even go into a bit of the controversy surrounding this game. For Vagrant Story, you'll want to play up to the point where Hardin and Sydney have an argument about whether their cause is lost. Sydney then "compels" Hardin a bit so that he'll calm down and agre...

Quick announcement! We'll be uploading the podcast tomorrow instead of today. We apologize for the delay. I'm recovering from a medical procedure and Casen is recovering from illness.