Go Back and Play

The end has come! Nate, Sebastian, Jordan, David, and Ryan all convene to discuss the games that surprised them on their seven-year podcast journey, the games from our chronology that they MOST recommend everyone try, and some games which we didn't touch on but which we couldn't finish out our tour without at least mentioning. Along the way, we're joined by several previous guests and friends of the show who have recommendations of their own -- come join us for one last chat about games and what we like about them.

Nate, Sebastian, Ryan, and Jordan gather to discuss KENTUCKY ROUTE ZERO, Cardboard Computer's surreal trip through an America haunted by debt, loss, regret, and hope. The first episode released in 2013, but our timeline places it at the journey's conclusion, which only emerged in 2020. We talk theater, symmetry, literature, and whether it's worth it to try and make art in a world which seems to be precipitously falling apart -- and, indeed, whether it's possible to do anything else. Ryan wants to know how we feel about horses, Sebastian encounters a burger too big for him to eat, and Nate maps out a phone tree.

Nate, Sebastian, Jordan and Ryan all gather to discuss OUTER WILDS, Mobius Digital's triumphant space exploration game from 2019. We discuss escape rooms, campfires, and dying in the cold vacuum of space. Sebastian mishears Jordan's latest game investigations, Ryan is scared of Giant's Deep, and Nate watches Predator 2.

Nate, Sebastian, and Jordan all gather to discuss RED DEAD REDEMPTION II, Rockstar Games' Western open-world epic from 2018. We talk the problematic circumstances of its production, the surprising subtlety of its storytelling, and the complexity of its systems and controls. Sebastian makes bold claims about Westerns, Nate gushes over the music, and Jordan loses a horse to an unfortunate accident.

Nate, Jordan, Max, and new guest Pamela gather to discuss THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: BREATH OF THE WILD, Nintendo's 2017 reinvention of the open-world genre. We discuss systems that interact with each other, memory and reimagination, and joyful discovery. Nate likes being in the dark, Jordan embraces his inner Dark Souls sicko on Eventide Isle, and Pam extols the virtues of a maraca-wielding Korok.

Nate, Sebastian, Ryan, and David all gather to discuss NO MAN'S SKY, 2016's procedurally-generated space exploration and survival game from Hello Games. We discuss the game's awe-inspiring trailers, its turbulent launch and reception, and the incredible strides it's made in the years since. Nate points out the importance of having two moons in the sky, Ryan defaces a friend's stellar outpost by terraforming, and Sebastian isn't mad, just disappointed.

Nate, Ryan, and David gather to discuss UNDERTALE, Toby Fox's RPG(?) from 2015 in which you do not have to destroy anyone. We discuss lo-fi aesthetics, the teenage desire to experience darkness in stories, and choices that matter. Nate keeps a Spider Donut for a convenient moment, Ryan commits some accidental murders, and David bristles at permanent consequences for embracing the dark side. Listening to this podcast episode... it fills you with determination.

Nate, Sebastian, Ryan, and David convene to discuss THE WITCHER III: WILD HUNT, a 2015 open-world RPG from CD Projekt Red which instantly became the benchmark against which other open-world RPGs were measured. We discuss renaissaince festivals, open-world bloat, and the difference between polish and Polish. Nate describes the game as "a Mass Effect the size of a Skyrim," Sebastian feels uncomfortable playing it with his wife in the room, and Ryan's medallion vibrates.

Nate, Ryan, Jordan, and Brock gather to discuss P.T., the "playable teaser" from 2014 which was delisted a few months after its release when the game it was a preview for was canceled before development really got underway. We discuss what a weird piece of ephemera this is in the story of videogames, jump scares, and hallways. Jordan admits to shrieking out loud, Brock reminds us that sometimes the spookiest games are the ones that never get made, and Ryan has some questionable views on the Outlast series.

Nate, Sebastian, and Ryan are joined by newcomer Chris Carr to discuss THE LAST OF US, Naughty Dog's grim tale from 2013 of a trip westward across the ruined United States amidst a fungal zombie plague. We discuss naturalistic dialogue, scrappy combat, and parallels to Children of Men. Sebastian praises the game's Western influences, Chris appreciates the game's complex character work, and Ryan tries to suspend his belief that a middle-aged Texan man would willingly don a protective mask amidst a global pandemic.

Nate, Sebastian, Ryan, and Brock gather to discuss SPEC OPS: THE LINE, Yager's 2012 deconstruction of the military shooter genre. We discuss unreliable narrators, war crimes, and slammin' your back into some cover to shoot some guys. Nate watches Ryan commit a real Geneva Convention no-no over livestream, Sebastian wonders if the game doesn't spread its satirical ambitions too thin, and Brock wonders if listeners are still having fun.

Nate, Sebastian, and Andrew convene to discuss JOURNEY, thatgamecompany's stunning example of minimalism and symphonic splendor from 2012. We discuss anonymity and fleeting, digital human interaction, "art" games, and how videogames are, at heart, about a little guy goin' around. Nate and Andrew share parallel experiences of finding solace in art games during difficult times, and Sebastian doesn't stop believing.

Nate, Ryan, and Jordan are joined by new guest Andrew Elmore to discuss DARK SOULS, FromSoftware's 2011 cult classic action RPG. We discuss difficulty versus approachability, grim fantasy aesthetics, and what it means for something to be called "the Dark Souls of [X]." Jordan gets lost in the narrative weeds, Ryan and Andrew discover a mutual love of Chromehounds, and Nate tries holding with both hands.