Q&A Exclusive Podcast

Have you guys play Policenaut yet (an old gem of Hideo Kojima)?

Le Khoa

Hey fellas! Hopeless romantics here, been wondering for awhile, apart from xenogears, what do you think has been the most difficult game you've covered? Follow up questions, what do you feel like has been the most rewarding to analyze and what game do you feel you've had your opinion change the most on after analysis? (For better or worse.) Hope y'all are doing well!

Oroness- (Hopeless Romantics)

What is a trope that game narratives employ that you hate.

Can you see AI having a place in videogame storytelling/worldbuilding? For example, it could be as big as creating non-linear narratives, or as small as making NPC dialogue more varied. With videogame graphic starting to plateau, I'm trying to think how improved hardware could be utilised in future console generations.

I did missions for 2 years, in a protestant context, and I got ”the Book or Mormon” show by Matt Stone and Trey Parker, as a present from my wife once, I could relate to it alot and laughed alot. Have you seen it and if so what did you think of it? It was a well crafted of the Wall musical, and I normally cant stand musicals.

Tomas

With Xenogears remaster being a possibility, would you guys want the exact game with updated graphics, or would you want Enix to try and finish the 2nd disc without the original director and writer? Also would love a breakdown on Suikoden 2s story from a writers perspective.

Dylan Massih

I’m in your age bracket and I’m certain you’ve seen this change in your lives. Due to the abnormal amount of financial investment compared to other types of media, movies and video games seem to not take many risks. It seems like the industry has gotten super consolidated and the products seem formulaic and/or very corporately curated. A movie like Silence of the Lambs or game like Deus Ex would never get made today. What would need to change the bring back ‘mid level’ media where risks are taken and creators are given more freedom?

Hunter Springate

I'm curious, who are your top 3 favorite final fantasy characters across the series?

I'll go for the obvious/direct questions: What is the most overlooked element of good storytelling in video games? Currently, more and more people are recognizing the power of storytelling, not just in media, but in our everyday lives. What element of storytelling have you found most rewarding or effective in your personal or professional lives? Thanks again for all of your efforts. The passion you put into your show is obvious and represents the best in modern media. For what it's worth, your series on Xenogears was one of the most pleasant surprises I've seen in media, in years. Like you, I played that game as a teenager because it had sick cover art. Upon playing it, I quickly realized this was about stuff waaaaay over my head. I pretty much accepted I would never really get it, but at least I would remember the sweet robot fights, and have a vague sense about something deep. Then, nearly a quarter-century later (!), you guys break it all down across dozens of hours of discussion and analysis. So cool! Thank you.

If you check out some of their older content, I think you’ll find that Mike has spoken before about Xenoblade 2 before. He didn’t think too highly of it.

Michs

Hey guys, given that you are fans of the original Xenoblade Chronicles, did you every get a chance to play Xenoblade 2? If so, what are your thoughts on it? I just finished my own playthrough of Xenoblade 2 and definitely had my own issues with it and stuff I didn’t like but overall I thought the gameplay was entertaining enough. Just wanted to hear your honest thoughts on Xenoblade 2. Thanks for all that you do and keep up the good work.

Would you ever consider covering music, either an album or a collection of songs, for one of the monthly subscriber podcasts? Pink Floyd, Genesis, Tool, Rush, Coheed and Cambria all have great concept albums or songs with similar themes to the stories we've been seeing. I know Mike has expressed huge interest in music in the past and Casen name dropped Nightwish the other day. :D

Do you think that the Gimmicks that gaming can offer for storytelling strengthen or weaken an experience? Is Heavy Rain a better story because of its sixaxis controls? Could a story by Hemingway or Twain be realised as a game? Is there anything to be gained by these kinds of stories being told in the medium of games or do you think that some stories are best served by different mediums? I often go back and forth on my answer...

Blake Walden

Are there any movies, games, books, etc. which you love (or used to love) but can't recommend to others because the franchise overall has gone so far downhill that you feel it's not worth encouraging others to get invested? (E.g., I personally don't even recommend the original FF7 or Star Wars trilogy to people anymore because I detest what the sequels and spinoffs have reduced the franchises to.) Alternatively, if the first question does not apply to you, then are there any works of art which you personally love but can't recommend to others because they're too esoteric? For instance, I am a huge fan of the French movie Martyrs (2008). I love its haunting premise and strong psychological impact, and am particularly enthralled by its quasi-religious themes--that 'pain makes you a believer' (Yes, I am quoting the Imagine Dragons song). Unfortunately however, Martyrs is not a film that I can recommend to most people because it so incredibly bleak and disturbing that almost no one except for the most ardent horror fans will be able to stomach it. I for one was left stone-cold for days after watching it, even though I already knew the outcome of the plot going in.

Are either of you fans of tabletop rpgs? If so, what are some of your favorite characters you've played?

Jacob Odom

What is a book, movie, and/or tv show that you have recently read/viewed that you would recommend and why?

Jacob Odom

There are iconic video game moments crafted by great creators all over the world. Games like Metal Gear Solid 3, Bioshock, Portal, Undertale and much more have genre defining moments that are packed full of thematic power. From fighting The Boss to discovering the power of mercy, games have a unique ability to deliver strong, tangible moments that no other medium does. Are there any emotionally driven moments from games that stand out to you both personally? How have the memories of those experiences aged with time?

Sig

Which piece of media made the you feel uncomfortable for thematic purpose... and you ended up loving the media for that?

Toni Gröndahl

Have ever thought while breaking down the thematics of a story and dicussing it, that it would be better served in a different medium? I'm finding that with Final Fantasy 16 right now. Between the crystal destruction missions and the Eikon battles, I struggle to stay engaged, it just feel like it would be better suited as a series of episodes to watch, as thats mainly what im doing. just a thought. Love you podcast.

Matthew Farrow

What's your dream 2d-hd rpg remake?

Drafter