Videos

May 23, 2018

MEGA MAN: Battle Network Predicted Our World

Kevin and Lawerence discuss the differences between the original Mega Man lore and Battle Network lore (0:59), the history of Dr. Light and Dr. Wily (6:17), and the customization of NetNavis (13:17). This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless…

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May 21, 2018

MINIGAME: The Organic Storytelling of ‘Beyond: Two Souls’

Beyond: Two Souls has no codex or blunt exposition about its lore. Instead, it effortlessly teaches players about its world without being overwhelming. That’s an achievement a lot of story-driven games can learn from. Minigame is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel ). Each bite-sized…

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May 16, 2018

FALLOUT: Codsworth Is Family

Lawerence plays Fallout for the first time and joins Jaden (@MrJadJay) to discuss why Codsworth is the best companion (2:19), the differences between the Minutemen and The Brotherhood of Steel (9:18), and the sheer amount of stuff there is to do in this game (19:27). This is an [Expert] level…

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May 14, 2018

STARDEW VALLEY: Linus Is God and Other Hidden Lore

There’s so much lore hidden in the world of Stardew Valley. Abu (@abu_zafar) and Leo (@LeoWigginsVO) discuss two wars that define the valley, theorize about Linus’ true nature, and untangle the sexual web of lies in Pelican Town. This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts of the…

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May 8, 2018

End of Season 1

We’ve officially wrapped up the first season of the show, and we’re gonna take this week off to prep for season two. We’re kicking off season two next week with a brand new set of games that include Fallout, Stardew Valley, Megaman, and more! We hope you’re as excited as…

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May 2, 2018

METROID: Cleaning up the Chozo’s Mess

Lawerence has completed his playthrough of Metroid II: Return of Samus. He joins Neil (@neilbigdeal) to discuss the best way to defeat the Metroid queen, what aeion energy is, and how the Chozo left their mess for Samus to clean up. This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some…

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April 30, 2018

MINIGAME: ‘Knights of the Old Republic II’ and The Death of Tropes

Knights of the Old Republic II deconstructed a ton of Star Wars tropes and made players question everything they thought they knew about the Star Wars universe. Minigame is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel ). Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central…

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April 25, 2018

MASS EFFECT: The Ethics of Cultural Genocide

Kevin (@In_the_Lupe) and Abu (@abu_zafar) and Leo (@LeoWigginsVO) discuss one of the most controversial topics in the history of the Mass Effect universe: the genophage. They draw parallels to the U.S. nuclear strikes in World War II, speculate on the fate of the galaxy post-genophage, and realize krogan condoms may…

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April 23, 2018

OVERWATCH: Retribution and The Decline of Overwatch

Bruce (@BruceWalton) and Caleb (@ScifiSpeedster) discuss this year’s Retribution event, last year’s Uprising event, and what they think about Overwatch’s place in the world it helped shape. This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played the game. Expect…

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April 18, 2018

METROID: The Homeworld of the Metroid Species

Lawerence is playing through Metroid II: Return of Samus for the first time in over a decade with one goal in mind: finish the game this time around. Neil (@neilbigdeal) explains why Samus finds herself on Planet SR388, why the planet is so significant to the Metroid species, and the…

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April 16, 2018

MINIGAME: ‘Knights of the Old Republic’ and The Poetry of Star Wars

The first game in the Knights of the Old Republic series plays it safe with a traditional Star Wars storyline. It mirrors the stories in the original and modern film trilogies and proves one thing about the Star Wars universe: the past is doomed to repeat itself. Minigame is a…

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April 11, 2018

MASS EFFECT: Bioware’s Warning About Artificial Intelligence

Kevin (@In_the_Lupe) and Abu (@abu_zafar) are joined by Leo (@LeoWigginsVO) to discuss the role of technology in the Mass Effect universe. They debate the Illusive Man’s intentions with the Lazarus Project, the ethical issues surrounding artificial intelligence, and get to the bottom of what makes us human. This is an…

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April 9, 2018

OVERWATCH: It’s Pronounced Brigitte (Bri-GEE-tah)

Bruce (@BruceWalton) and Caleb (@ScifiSpeedster) discuss the history of Brigitte, the correct pronunciation of her name (and GIF), and have a request for Jeff Kaplan. It’s Jetpack Cat. They want Jetpack Cat. This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless…

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April 4, 2018

METROID: Zero Mission Complete

Abu (@abu_zafar) fails to complete his zero mission. Neil (@neilbigdeal) explains who Kraid and Ridley are, why the Metroids were first created, and why this is such a personal journey for Samus. This is an [Easy] level episode, which means you will be able to follow the discussion even if…

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April 2, 2018

MINIGAME: Finding Answers in the World of ‘The Witness’

The Witness hides its story in plain sight and teaches you to look past the obvious. 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. Music:…

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March 28, 2018

MASS EFFECT: In Memory of Corporal Richard L. Jenkins

Abu (@abu_zafar) and Kevin (@In_the_Lupe) speculate on Corporal Jenkins’ childhood, explore why Captain Kirrahe is in love with martyrdom, and wonder what kind of mom Matriarch Benezia was to Liara. This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played…

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March 26, 2018

OVERWATCH: Doomfist’s Philosophy

Bruce (@BruceWalton ) and Caleb (@ScifiSpeedster ) discuss the history and twisted philosophy of Doomfist. 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 (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices)

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March 21, 2018

PAPERS, PLEASE: The Short Film

Lawerence and Jaden (@MrJadJay ) share their thoughts on the recently released Papers, Please short film and come to the realization that they are heartless monsters. 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…

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March 19, 2018

MINIGAME: Wolfenstein and Healthy Masculinity

Wolfenstein is the last place you’d think to look for a healthy masculine hero. But it’d be a mistake to overlook B.J. Blazkowicz. 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…

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March 14, 2018

MASS EFFECT: The Codex Entries We Forgot About

Kevin and Abu dive into the Codex, revisit their favorite entries and even find some they never knew existed. 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…

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March 12, 2018

OVERWATCH: ¿Quien es Sombra?

Caleb and Bruce discuss the history of one of Overwatch’s most exciting and mysterious characters: Sombra. 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…

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March 3, 2018

PAPERS, PLEASE: Top 5 Toughest Moral Decisions

Jaden and Lawerence compare their lists of the top five toughest decisions they had to make during Papers, Please. 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…

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March 3, 2018

METROID: How Do You Pronounce ‘Zebes’?

Neil introduces Abu to the world of Metroid by forcing him to play Metroid: Zero Mission. This is an [Easy] level episode, which means you will be able to follow the discussion even if you haven’t played the game. Expect spoilers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices)

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March 3, 2018

MINIGAME: The Painful Nostalgia of Life is Strange

Life is Strange is a game that confronts the realities of nostalgia, and how it can be both painful and unproductive for our lives. 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…

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