Deep Listens
346 episodes - English - Latest episode: 19 days ago - ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsA bi-weekly video game book club that takes a deep look at one game every episode. We discuss the literary elements, philosophical ideas, and game design decisions that make games great while keeping things funny and friendly. Tune in for some close readings of your favorite games! Email us at [email protected]
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Episodes
Listen to the Magic: Throne of Eldraine
October 01, 2019 01:11 - 1 hour - 48.1 MBIn this episode Gino and Magic Master Kyle Moran discuss Throne of Eldraine limited, Standard standouts, and Modern monsters! We make our calls for the best cards of the set, the most underrated cards, and the cards that we're certain will see play.
Episode 106: Baba is Pod
September 25, 2019 02:50 - 43 minutes - 25.1 MBIn this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Baba is You! We discuss the game's novel text-based rules system, linguistics, the philosophy of language, and whether any of that is fun. Gino also tests out a new gimmick and we explain why we changed our game of the week. If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens
Final Fantasy Two Bad: Part Two- The Grand Final-e
September 17, 2019 04:00 - 2 hours - 69 MBIn this episode Gino, Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED-, and Jeff Rudd discuss the back half of Final Fantasy II. We open with a review of bad drinks, some user feedback, and some spleen venting about FFII's systems. We then count the number of hell rooms in FFII, cover some legitimately good story turns, and talk about some broken mechanics. Do we have a new worst FF game of all time? Listen to find out! If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon....
Episode 105: RAD isn't Rad
September 11, 2019 16:22 - 53 minutes - 31.6 MBIn this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss RAD, the current state of the 80s nostalgia industry, and what makes a rogue-like enjoyable. If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens
Final Fantasy Two Bad: Part One
September 06, 2019 21:14 - 1 hour - 61.3 MBIn this episode Gino, Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED-, and Jeff Rudd discuss the first half of Final Fantasy II. We cover the game from the beginning to Deist Cave. We also dive deep into the game's leveling system and help solve ZP's profound sadness.
Episode 104: Lead the Revolution in Pikuniku
August 27, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 45 MBIn this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Pikuniku and anarcho-communist uprisings! We start off with listener questions before diving into how Pikuniku establishes its light tone. We then ask what that tone does for the game's overtly anti-capiatlist message. We wrap up by discussing the game's villain and whether they are intended to be tragically flawed or a simple cardboard-cutout. If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens
ZP Made Me Do It: Hatoful Boyfriend BBL Ending
August 20, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 53.4 MBIn this episode Gino and Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED- discuss Hatoful Boyfriend's Bad Boys Love ending. We cover the entirety of the game's secret ending and how it re-frames or provides context to much of the main game. We also discuss whether the BBL ending adds a layer of serious storytelling to an absurd game or whether the seriousness of the BBL ending is too campy to take seriously. If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepList...
Episode 103: Enjoy a Heart-warming Cup of Butterfly Soup
August 13, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 57.8 MBIn this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss the lovely visual novel Butterfly Soup! We discuss the game's excellent use of a real world place to ground it's story, it's memorable characters, and it's refreshing treatment of LGBTQ characters as normal people with interesting stories outside of their sexual orientation. Come for the wacky memes, stay for the in-depth explanation of throwing a knuckleball. https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens
Final Fantasy By the Dozen: Part Four- The Grand Final-e
August 06, 2019 04:00 - 2 hours - 84.2 MBIn this episode Gino, Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED- and, Matt Rorie discuss the ending of Final Fantasy XII. We discuss everything from Sochen Cave to the end of the game! We cover the cultural world building surrounding Arcadia, the game's late turn towards constant status effects, and how much valuable content is optional or hidden. We wrap things up by placing FFXII in our ongoing Ranking of Fantasies. If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patr...
Episode 102: Is 2B Human or Are They Dancer? - Part 3
July 30, 2019 02:17 - 1 hour - 51.3 MBIn this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Endings C, D, and E of Nier Automata. This game was... It was... Just listen to the show. If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens
Balls Deep: NBA Off-Season 2019
July 23, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 35 MBIn this episode Gino, Pete, and Chris ZombiePie" -REDACTED- discuss NBa free-agency, trades, and their Big 3 teams. Listen to ZP lie to himself about the Kings, Pete disparage the clearly goo 76ers, and Gino meltdown over the ongoing wreckage that is the Knicks. We also discuss our 5 League Pass teams for the upcoming season. If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens
Episode 101: Is 2B Human or Are They Dancer - Part 2
July 16, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 43.7 MBIn this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Route B of Nier Automata. We start with a few emails and then dive deep into Nier. We discuss the new elements added in Route B, anime storytelling, and philosophical references. If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens
Listen to the Magic: Core Set 2020
July 09, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 37.6 MBIn this episode Gino and Kyle discuss Core Set 2020 limited, stand out card from the set for Standard and Modern, the London Mulligan, and the clear power level jump in the two most recent sets of MTG. If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens
Episode 100: Is 2B Human or Are They Dancer? - Part 1
July 03, 2019 21:07 - 1 hour - 53.8 MBIn this episode Gino, Pete, Em, and returning host Billy Rothert discuss Nier Automata Route A! We start off by taking some listener emails for our 100th episode and try our best to muck up the Kingdom Hearts franchise. We then discuss all of Nier Automata's Route A. We retrace our steps through post-humanist discussions of yore and try to break down Nier's specific interpretation of the barriers between human and machine. We also announced our patreon in this show! So if you've been enjo...
Balls Deep: NBA Finals Recap and NBA Draft 2019
June 25, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 29.9 MBIn this episode Gino, Pete, and Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED- discuss the surprisingly maple-flavored NBA finals, the Warriors prospects in 2020, the Lakers ongoing mess, and the 2019 NBA draft. We finish up by picking our teams in the Big 3 baskeball league and discuss the intrigue of the first games of the season.
Episode 99: Let's Go Outer Wild!
June 19, 2019 11:31 - 1 hour - 35 MBIn this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Outer Wilds, non-linear narratives, and shaggy god stories. Spoilers abound in this episode for a fairly recent game, so be sure to try to play it first! Outer Wilds is really good, y'all! Also our next episode is our 100th. Get those emails in!
Listen to the Magic: Modern Horizons
June 12, 2019 00:42 - 1 hour - 28.4 MBIn this episode Gino and Magic Master Kyle discuss the SCG Invitational, War of the Spark Standard, and stand out cards from Modern Horizons.
Episode 98: Climbing Mount Celeste
June 04, 2019 00:17 - 58 minutes - 26.8 MBIn this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Celeste, a very difficult and touching indie platformer. We discuss Celeste's dash mechanic, the game's message about mental illness, and how the current line of people freezing on the top of Mount Everest mirrors some of the tensions of Celeste's mountain climbing story.
Balls Deep: NBA Finals 2019
June 01, 2019 02:41 - 59 minutes - 27.1 MBIn this episode Gino, "Pete", and Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED- discuss the results of the NBA Semi-Finals and make their predictions for the Finals!
Let Me Finish: A Discussion on Conclusions
May 28, 2019 23:56 - 59 minutes - 27 MBIn this episode Pete and Gino discuss the conclusions of several major franchises as a way to think about how and why stories end the way they do. We also explore why so many stories seem to have open endings and why popular characters so often have plot armor. We finish up by contemplating why smaller franchises can take larger risks with their conclusions. Spoilers for Avengers: Endgame, Game of Thrones, MTG: War of the Spark, Moby Dick, Oedipus, and the original Sherlock Holmes.
Episode 97: Golden Sun's Naming Conventions are Beffudling
May 21, 2019 03:30 - 50 minutes - 23.3 MBIn this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Golden Sun: the Lost Age. We discuss the game's unique setup as a direct sequel to the first game, the complex combat system, and the practicality of reviving dead parents.
Balls Deep: NBA Semi-Finals 2019
May 15, 2019 11:59 - 1 hour - 29.7 MBIn this episode Gino, Pete, and Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED- discuss the NBA Quarter-Finals, their predictions of the Semi-Finals, and, somehow, rediscover the Big Three basketball league.
Episode 96: We Finally Say Farewell to Life is Strange
May 08, 2019 16:25 - 55 minutes - 25.4 MBIn this episode Gino, "Pete", Em, and Noelle discuss Life is Strange: Farewell. We cover the role of time capsules, how terrible of a friend Max is, and magical realism.
Balls Deep: NBA Playoffs 2019
April 30, 2019 11:17 - 1 hour - 34.6 MBIn this episode Gino, Pete, and Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED- discuss their preseason superlatives, rounds one and two of the NBA playoffs, and whether Russ is overrated.
Listen to the Magic: War of the Spark
April 30, 2019 11:15 - 1 hour - 37 MBIn this episode Gino and our local MTG expert, Kyle Moran, discuss War of the Spark. We cover WAR limited, stand out cards for Standard and eternal formats, and cards that are currently overrated. Is War of the Spark the strongest set since Kaladesh? Listen to find out!
Episode 95: Surgeon Simulator and Games Made For Viewing
April 25, 2019 02:00 - 51 minutes - 23.6 MBIn this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Surgeon Simulator and the GBCER. We discuss how hard it is to actually play Surgeon Simulator and how the game seems built for streamers to play for an audience. We then discuss the trend of streamer games and whether that trend was a net negative on game design. Next episode we'll be playing Golden Sun: The Lost Age.
Episode 94: Playing Doctor in Trauma Center 2
April 09, 2019 22:34 - 52 minutes - 24 MBIn this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2. We discuss how the game depicts surgery and what that says about our idea of the medical profession. We also discuss Trauma Center's choice to embed a surgery game in a narrative about fighting a terrorist organization. We wrap up by questioning why so much of our collective imaginations about doctors are still steeped in Greek iconography. You can contribute to the Giantbomb Community Endurance Run here: https://...
Deep Interview: Get to Know the Endurance Runners - Matt Rorie
April 04, 2019 12:41 - 19 minutes - 8.92 MBIn this episode Gino and Matt "The Boss of Bosses" Rorie discuss his MMO plans for the GBCER.
Episode 93: Life is Strange: Before the Storm - Part 2
March 28, 2019 10:49 - 1 hour - 45.8 MBIn this episode Gino, Pete, Em, and Noelle discuss the last episode of Life is Strange: Before the Storm. We discuss benevolent drug dealers, parental betrayal, and great soundtracks You can donate to the Giantbomb Community Endurance Run here if you want to pick a piece of literature for Pete to analyze: https://fundraise.pencilsofpromise.org/fundraiser/1937912
Deep Interview: Get to Know the Endurance Runners - ZombiePie and PersonZ
March 20, 2019 11:34 - 1 hour - 34.9 MBIn this episode Gino talks to Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED- and Jay "PersonZ" -REDACTED- about their segments for the Giantbomb Community Endurance Run. ZP talks about the Star Wars expanded universe, Hatoful Boyfriend, Final Fantasy XIII-2, and vegetarian food. PersonZ talks about fighting games, Gauntlet for the N64, and Final Fantasy IX. You can donate to their streams and the rest of the team at https://fundraise.pencilsofpromise.org/gbcerix
Episode 92: Life is Strange: Before the Storm - Part 1
March 14, 2019 01:55 - 2 hours - 55.1 MBIn this episode Gino, Pete, Em, and Noelle discuss the first two episodes of Life is Strange: Before the Storm. We discuss how the game ties in with the original Life is Strange, some of the mechanical changes they made in changing main characters, and the speed of teenage romances. You can donate to the Giantbomb Community Endurance Run here if you want to pick a piece of literature for Pete to analyze: https://fundraise.pencilsofpromise.org/fundraiser/1937912
GBCERIX: Magic Pengel World Record Time
March 06, 2019 01:10 - 1 hour - 40.5 MBIn this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss the upcoming 9th Giantbomb Community Endurance Run! We spend most of the show breaking down Magic Pengel speed running techniques to help Gino prep for the Magic Pengel world record attempt he will be making during the GBCER. We then discuss some of the other shenanigans that we will be participating in for the show such as Blindfolded Barista gaming. We wrap up by trying to help Em find a gimmick and by announcing another round of Pete Teaches. Y...
Episode 91: Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories is the Scene of the Crime
February 27, 2019 22:48 - 1 hour - 35.9 MBIn this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories. We cover how the game represents the beginning of the end of the KH narrative, how the gameplay systems it employs are just too much, and how paper-thin Sora's motivations are. We also take some listener email and try to figure out how we could have fixed KH: CoM.
Kingdom Hearts 3 Spoilercast
February 20, 2019 22:28 - 1 hour - 34.9 MBIn this episode Gino, Em, and Pete discuss Kingdom Hearts 3 in detail. This includes all kinds of spoilers folks! You have been warned.
Episode 90: Meeting the Obra Dinn
February 13, 2019 13:05 - 1 hour - 40.8 MBIn this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss The Return of the Obra Dinn, Catholic cigarettes, PC nostalgia, and the possible creation of a new genre of mystery game.
Balls Deep: Midseason Check-in
February 07, 2019 12:10 - 1 hour - 42.6 MBIn this episode Gino, Pete, and Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED- check in on some of their early season predictions, discuss the AD trade situation, and attack the Knicks for the terrible KP trade. The also set the record straight on Dwight Howard.
Episode 89: Go Play Gris
January 30, 2019 00:01 - 1 hour - 32 MBEm, Gino, and Pete discuss Gris in this episode. Stop reading this episode description and go play Gris. Go!
Listen to the Magic: Ravnica Allegiance
January 25, 2019 23:12 - 1 hour - 42.5 MBIn this episode Gino and MTG expert Kyle discuss the upcoming Ravnica Allegiance. We discuss what each of the supported 3 color combinations incentivize you to do in limited. We then pivot to discussing the overrated, underrated, and properly rated cards in Ravnica Allegiance.
Final Fantasy by the Dozen: Part 3
January 23, 2019 03:24 - 2 hours - 57.3 MBIn this episode Gino, Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED-, and special guest Matt "Rorie" Rorie discuss Final Fantasy XII from the Ozmone Plains to Sochen Cave. We start out by answering a listener email on the larger aimlessness of the FF franchise. We then dive into the story's escalating stakes and how it blends compelling motivations with FF nonsense. We finish up by discussing the game's large difficulty spike around its midpoint.
Episode 88: Why is His Hair Like That? - A Bionic Commando's Tale
January 16, 2019 03:29 - 1 hour - 39.2 MBIn this episode, Gino, Pete, Em, and Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED- discuss Bionic Commando 2009! We discuss how this may very well be the most 2009 game ever made and how the game's insistence on being a third person shooter interferes with the game's core swinging mechanic. We also discuss the "amazing" grittification of Rad Spencer and Super Joseph. We finish up by digging deep on this game's story. This one is a doozy folks.
Deep Interview: Talking FF TCG with Adam of the RVA Returners
January 09, 2019 03:58 - 1 hour - 34.3 MBIn this episode Gino and Em are joined by Adam Lane (@Chronos411) of the RVA Returners to discuss the FF TCG in depth. We discuss how the game works, how Adam helped build his local scene, and some competitive analysis of the current metagame. We end the show with rapid fire questions, as always. You can find the RVA Returners' content here: https://returnersfftcg.com/rva-returners-podcast/
Episode 87: Breaking Down the Symbolism in Papo & Yo
January 02, 2019 12:36 - 1 hour - 29.7 MBIn this episode Gino, Pete\, and Billy discuss Papo & Yo. We cover the game's magical realism and how it transforms Brazilian favelas into a unique fantasy world. We also discuss the game's use of symbolism and how we each interpreted the various metaphors contained in the games mechanics and cutscenes.
Game of the Year 2018
December 26, 2018 12:48 - 2 hours - 82 MBIt's GotY time and Gino, Pete, Em, Billy, and Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED- have to pick some winners! The categories this year are: Game of the Year 2018, Best Comedy, Best Drama, Best Horror, Best Action, Best Adventure, Best Character, Worst Character, Best Soundtrack, Worst Game of Our Year 2018, Worst Story And Or Written Dialogue, Prettiest Game, Best Performance/Voice Acting, Best Mechanic, Best Twist, Biggest Indictment of Capitalism, Most Replayable Classic, Gino's Platypus Award ...
Episode 86: "So the Takeaway from Iconoclasts is... Play Wuppo?"
December 19, 2018 13:37 - 1 hour - 33.6 MBIn this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss the hot new indie platformer: Iconoclasts. We discuss the game's somewhat shaky mechanical grounding, it's ambitious story, and its bananas scope. We also take an email on our hobbies outside of games. Spoiler warnings for Iconoclasts and, somehow, Wuppo.
Paxadelphia 2018 Recap!
December 12, 2018 12:17 - 41 minutes - 18.9 MBIn this episode Gino and Pete discuss their time at Pax Unplugged 2018. They highlight some of the board games and experiences that impressed them, as well as some of their lingering questions about the board game industry.
Episode 85: Saying Hello to Our New Rippin' Co-Host with Delta Rune
December 07, 2018 16:34 - 1 hour - 33.3 MBIn this episode Gino and Pete welcome our new third chair Em Palladino (@GamemakerM on Twitter) to discuss Delta Rune. This podcast is 100% spoilerful so listen to hear our takes on Delta Rune and where we think the future chapters are heading.
Thanksgiving Special!
November 28, 2018 12:19 - 53 minutes - 24.5 MBIn this episode Gino, Pete, and Billy take a short show to give thanks for some gaming trends and life events that have brightened their year. They also correct the record on Colonel Sanders' murder record.
Episode 84: Ocarina of Time to say Bye to Billy!
November 22, 2018 01:12 - 2 hours - 67.2 MBIn this episode Billy bids us farewell as a regular host with one of his favorite games: Ocarina of Time. We take farewell emails from listeners then turn our attention to one of the best games ever made. We discuss all of the mechanical innovations that were pioneered by OoT, try to explain how groundbreaking it was, and then discuss how its designs hold up in a modern context. We then give Billy 5 minutes to explain the whole Legend of Zelda canonical timeline and ask Pete whether it is a ...
Listen to the Magic: D&D!
November 14, 2018 12:25 - 1 hour - 44 MBIn this episode Billy and Em discuss the newly released Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica. They discuss the actual rules, creatures, and scenarios that the new book allows and what that means for MTG and D&D players alike.
Episode 83: Dead Space and Cephalization
November 07, 2018 17:32 - 57 minutes - 26.3 MBIn this episode Gino and Pete discuss Dead Space,what makes a game a horror game, and what constitutes higher forms of life. We also get ready to say goodbye to Billy! Next episode will be Ocarina of Time and it will be Billy's last regular episode! So get those comments and emails in folks!