Our podcast breaks down the techniques of great storytelling across our favorite games, movies, literature, and music. I also occasionally upload music I've arranged or composed!
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Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn had the impossible task of rebuilding a failed MMO, and its music had to help redefine what Final Fantasy XIV could be. In this episode of The Music of Final Fantasy, we're joined by composer and musician @AlexMoukalaMusic to break down Masayoshi Soken's soundtrack for A Realm Reborn, how his background in sound design shaped his approach to composition, and what…
In this episode, we're joined once again by Keith Comito to revisit the final scene of Xenogears! We examine what the confrontation between Fei and Krelian is really saying about human suffering, love, free will, and our desire to truly understand one another. We also explore the Gnostic philosophy underlying Xenogears, the Wave Existence, the Path of Sephirot, the symbolism of Ouroboros, and the…
Hate may be more or less natural, but why all the overhate? We are going to surprise and maybe even enrage you with our most overhated picks, and then sooth you with our very overreasonable explanations. We discuss the games that have gotten the most hate, but that changed the trajectory of gaming for the worse. You don't have to love everything, or even like it. But joining the hate train ain't…
Nearly 3,000 years after Homer’s epic was first told, The Odyssey remains one of the most influential and frequently retold stories ever created. Christopher Nolan’s new film has brought Odysseus back to the center of popular culture, but no single adaptation can explain why this story has survived for millennia. In this episode, Mike and Casen explore the origins, structure, translations, and…
UPDATE: Good news—the final copyright claim was released this morning, so the full Odyssey episode is now available. You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/whPLEd8W0NM YouTube blocked our video! Unjustly! It should be cleared for release soon. Working on disputes behind the scenes. In the meantime, I wanted to update everyone on the Chrono Trigger analysis, extra Star Fox commentary, and more!…
What are the greatest scenes in the history of Final Fantasy? In a series filled with some of the most memorable characters, worlds, and music, how can one possibly pick the 10 best? Today, we set out to do just that, definitively, once and for all! Do you disagree with our list? It's okay to be wrong! Tell us your wrong opinions in the comments below! Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Honorable…
Final Fantasy V got a sequel, but it's not the kind you'd expect. Released as a four-part anime OVA in 1994, Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals takes place 200 years after the SNES game and follows a new cast of heroes trying to protect the elemental crystals. Despite its connection to Final Fantasy V, this OVA looks, sounds, and often feels detached from the game that inspired it. In this…
With Sony's recent announcement that it will end the production of physical media for video games after January 2028, discussion has ramped up about consumer rights to own their games, game preservation, and how markets and pricing will be affected. Today we are joined by Del Walker, an AAA game developer who has worked for Naughty Dog, Sega, and Rocksteady, to discuss what this means for both…
Welcome to The Remake Trials, a new series where we put classic games and their remakes on trial—not simply to ask whether the remake is “good” or “bad,” but to ask whether it understands the spirit of the original. For our first case, we’re looking at Star Fox: the original SNES game, Star Fox 64, Star Fox 64 3D, and the new remake. Using our Remake Fidelity Matrix, we break down the difference…
What are the most spiritual games you've ever played? What does spirituality mean to you? Have you ever had a transcendent experience while playing a game? In this episode, we break down some of our most profound experiences playing games — games that weren't just emotional but deeply spiritual. This includes games like Xenogears, Ico, Journey, Terranigma, Death Stranding, Outer Wilds, and many…
Why did Hironobu Sakaguchi leave Squaresoft in 2001? People have long held the answer to be the movie Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. However, that makes no sense. Think about it. Sakaguchi was their best game producer. Why demote him for a movie that flopped? Why not just put him back in charge of games which he is obviously VERY good at and is the company's central product? We tackle these…
Sometimes the most compelling villains are the ones who correctly identify a real problem: a collapsing society, a broken system, an impossible moral dilemma, or a truth the hero would rather avoid. In this episode, we look at four video game villains who may have been right in their diagnosis—but heinously wrong in their prescription. Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Metal Gear Solid 2 (3:54) 3.…
