Pixel Project Radio

And some said it could never be done.This week, Dave Jackson (Tales from the Backlog) joins me to talk all things Souls games - particularly, what finally "clicked" that made me a believer. Join us as we discuss what makes a Souls game, how fighting game knowledge can improve your experience, and why success in these blisteringly difficult games lies, perplexingly, within Zen. Please enjoy!Click on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordTwitter Instagram Bluesky Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to pixelprojectradio@gmail.com! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!

As December winds down, Pixel Project Radio is putting out some more "relaxed" episodes, some content that's more approachable and digestible. To start, I thought I'd put out a fairly informal and personal essay: reflecting on ten games from my childhood that really stuck with me and influenced my tastes. Some formed lifelong preferences, others simply gave me many pleasant memories. Please enjoy these musings on sincerity, the idea of "play," and my favorite childhood games!Click on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordTwitter Instagram Bluesky Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to pixelprojectradio@gmail.com! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!

"The answer that came to me again and again was play. Every human society in recorded history has games. We don't just solve problems out of necessity. We do it for fun...Games are part of what makes us human. We see the world as a mystery, a puzzle, because we've always been a species of problem-solvers." This week, Rick is joined by Alex (Low Five Gaming) to approach the brinks of phenomenal consciousness and transhumanism in The Talos Principle, a 2014 puzzle game by Devolver Digital. Though the storyboarding and "plot" are fairly light (and reminiscent to the Book of Genesis), the implications of the story are far reaching: what is the fundamental turning point into the notion of Qualia, or phenomenal consciousness? And what of free will - do we have it? Join us as we discuss this, the Garden of Eden, how games can foster community, and much more. Please enjoy! (Below are only a few sources consulted for the episode that you may find interesting. I mention a few more in the episode!)Philosophize This! on consciousnessSam Harris and Daniel Dennet debate free willNick Bostrom's Simulation HypothesisClick on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordTwitter Instagram Bluesky Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to pixelprojectradio@gmail.com! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!

"I never meant to hurt anyone." "No one ever does, Walker."This week, Rick is joined once again by Chris Coplien (Retro Hangover Podcast) for a critical analysis of Spec Ops: The Line, Yager Development's masterclass in subversive narratives in gaming. Players take control of Walker as he, along with squadmates Adams and Lugo, embark on a rescue mission in Dubai. Heroes...right? Deontology versus consequentialism, morality through the lenses of Hobbes, Locke, and Zizek, and the importance of perspective - all of this and more, in this week's episode. Please enjoy!Click on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordTwitter Instagram Bluesky Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to pixelprojectradio@gmail.com! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!

We bring back roundtable discussions with this week's episode! Rick is joined by Charlie Young and Eric Gess (The Unlockables Podcast) to talk through the reasons we've gravitated toward video games throughout our childhoods as well as adult years. Power fantasies to escapism, rekindling old friendships to discovering new communities, honing a craft as one might an instrument to just relaxing with your spouse...the reasons are endless, but one thing is clear: there's almost no "wrong" way to enjoy this medium. Please enjoy the discussion, and look forward to more roundtable discussions in the future!Are Video Games Good for You? (Cleveland Clinic)Video Games and Cognitive Performance (NIH)The Benefits of Playing Video Games (American Psychological Association - PDF)Team Young CurlingMore Unlockables PodcastClick on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordTwitter Instagram Bluesky Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to pixelprojectradio@gmail.com! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!

You think we have a choice, is that it? Rick is joined once again by Jon (Video Game Lounge Podcast) for the finale of their narrative analysis of The Last of Us! Ethical and moral lines are examined as Joel is confronted with a question that shapes the core of his character: how far is one willing to go for what one perceives as "justice?" Please enjoy!Overview of Thomas HobbesGene Park interviews Neil DruckmannTLOU "Alternate" EndingClick on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordTwitter Instagram Bluesky Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to pixelprojectradio@gmail.com! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!

Please note: this series has been extended to a total of 3 episodes! There is still one more in the series! The journey west continues, as Rick and Jon (Video Game Lounge Podcast) continue to dissect The Last of Us. New companions are met and old friends revisited as Joel and Ellie continue on their search for the Fireflies. Part II covers up to and through Tommy's Dam. Please enjoy!Overview of Thomas HobbesGene Park interviews Neil DruckmannClick on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordTwitter Instagram Bluesky Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to pixelprojectradio@gmail.com! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!

Our luck had to run out sooner or later.This week, Rick is joined by Jon (Video Game Lounge Podcast) to dissect The Last of Us Part I, the critically acclaimed Naughty Dog title that became the posterchild for cinematic games. Part I of this series sees us introduced to Joel, his partner Tess, and a young girl named Ellie as the three navigate the harsh reality of a post-societal world ravaged by disease. Themes of human nature, the lack of social contract, and unconditional love frame what is ultimately a heartfelt tale - we hope you enjoy!Overview of Thomas HobbesGene Park interviews Neil DruckmannClick on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordTwitter Instagram Bluesky Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to pixelprojectradio@gmail.com! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!

Don't get holy on me, James. This town called you, too. You and me are the same. We're not like other people. Don't you know that?This week we conclude Silent Hill 2, the psychological horror titan from Team Silent. A deep descent - figuratively and literally - into James Sunderland's psyche shows horrors and suffering that nobody saw coming in the opening hour or two of the game. And what makes this so effective? In retrospect, the game has been intensely thematically focused from start to finish. Please enjoy!"Man and his Symbols"Silent Hill MemoriesJungian Analyst on Symbolism of WaterClick on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordTwitter Instagram Bluesky Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to pixelprojectradio@gmail.com! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!

Maybe...you hated her...! Just in time for the Konami/Bloober Team remake, Rick is joined by returning guest Dustin to analyze the critically acclaimed psychological horror game Silent Hill 2. A separate entity from its progenitor, Silent Hill 2 sees players take the role of James Sunderland, a man searching for his late wife after receiving a mysterious letter from her three years after her passing. Nothing is as it seems in the town of Silent Hill. In part I, we cover cursory information, broad opinions on music, presentation, and mechanics, and analyze the first part of the story. If you are playing along, this episode covers up until our first visit to the hospital. Please enjoy!"Man and his Symbols"Silent Hill MemoriesJungian Analyst on Symbolism of WaterClick on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordTwitter Instagram Bluesky Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to pixelprojectradio@gmail.com! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!

This week, Rick is joined by Phil (Deleted Saves Podcast) for an analysis of the original Silent Hill, Konami's foray into psychological horror on the Playstation 1. While there is comparatively less to "analyze" in this first installment, it laid the path steady for the series to become the juggernaut of tension and storytelling that it is today. Learn about the town's humble beginnings and how all is not what it seems - please enjoy!Takayoshi Sato's resume reference during the showClick on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordTwitter Instagram Bluesky Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to pixelprojectradio@gmail.com! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!

"Churches can be rebuilt easier than faith." Rick is joined by Nick (Friday Night Gamecast) once again to conclude their critical analysis of Pentiment! As Andreas continues his investigation, the layers of the past - Pentimento - begin to become clear. But all is not as it seems. The history of Tassing, the identity of the Thread-Puller, Andreas's grief, and more are observed in great detail in this final chapter. Please enjoy!"Mixing History and Fiction in Pentiment""Catholics Interview the Director of Pentiment"Christian Uses of LabyrinthsAlkemie Music EnsembleClick on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordTwitter Instagram Bluesky Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to pixelprojectradio@gmail.com! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!

"Art is illusion, storytelling, but in their most sublime form, these images illuminate a path to truth."This week, Rick is joined by Nick (Friday Night Gamecast) to begin a critical analysis of Pentiment, a 2022 narrative adventure game from Obsidian Studios. Taking the role of journeyman artist Andreas Mahler, players will navigate the small Bavarian town of Tassing as havoc sweeps the town in the form of murders. A quest to discover who is behind these insidious acts leads to struggles of faith, clashes of class structure, and a reckoning with how history is written - and who writes it. Episode I will cover all of Act I and the first portion of Act II. Please enjoy!"Mixing History and Fiction in Pentiment""Catholics Interview the Director of Pentiment"Christian Uses of LabyrinthsAlkemie Music EnsembleClick on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordTwitter Instagram Bluesky Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to pixelprojectradio@gmail.com! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!

Does it hurt to be reborn?Rick is joined once again by Dave (Tales from the Backlog) and Matt ("Fun" and Games) to conclude the narrative analysis of 1000xRESIST. The themes of the games begin to coalesce as the origins of the Occupants are revealed and secrets of the AllMother are discovered. Sisters must burn. We hope you enjoy!sunset visitor studioRemy Siu AMADeveloper Interview, GameDev MagazineClick on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordTwitter Instagram Bluesky Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to pixelprojectradio@gmail.com! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!

We sinned. We sinned and we are still paying for it to this day.This week, Rick is joined by Dave (Tales from the Backlog) and Matt ("Fun" and Games) for a critical analysis of 1000xRESIST, a work that blends the aesthetics of theatre, philosophy, and lived, human experiences into a striking package. Part I features a broad, non-spoiler discussion on big picture ideas, themes, and mechanics, and continues into an in-depth analysis of the narrative. There's so much to say about this game, and it was clear it needed to be fast-tracked onto the show. We hope you enjoy!sunset visitor studioRemy Siu AMADeveloper Interview, GameDev MagazineClick on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordTwitter Instagram Bluesky Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to pixelprojectradio@gmail.com! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!

"Between the acts."Click on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordTwitter Instagram Bluesky Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to pixelprojectradio@gmail.com! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!

See you in Act II.

Don't be so surprised; this is the power of will, a fundamental power that exists within everyone. What you are witnessing is simply your perception of it. And you know what? Perception and pain are but one and the same. So... go ahead... Feel my pain for yourself!The final installment of our miniseries on Xenosaga Episode I is here! We reach an exciting conclusion, but are ultimately left with more questions than answers: Who were Albedo and Junior in their pasts?; What is Abel's Ark?; and why is Shion being drawn to Old Miltia? We unfortunately do not see these answers play out until episodes II and III. In this episode, we discuss the final areas of the game, see Albedo's true ruthlessness, and more. Do it up!More Retro Hangover PodcastMore Friday Night GamecastClick on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordTwitter Instagram Bluesky Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to pixelprojectradio@gmail.com! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!

"I can't believe I just handed over top-secret company info to the Federation without permission... I am SO fired..."The miniseries continues, as we dive back into Xenosaga, Episode 1! As more questions arise with answers that elude for now, the plot thickens. Was Joachim Mizrahi the genius we were led to believe? Is there more to KOS-MOS than meets the eyes? And just who is this rambunctious stranger known as Junior, the Little Master? All this and more in the penultimate episode of the miniseries. Do it up!More Retro Hangover PodcastMore Friday Night GamecastClick on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordTwitter Instagram Bluesky Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to pixelprojectradio@gmail.com! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!

I believe everyone has at least one skill that they excel in over all others. Its something that defines who they are. Shion...what is it that defines you?Part 2 of our Xenosaga Episode I miniseries continues! Although we covered less ground story-wise than anticipated, many themes of the game begin to be nurtured and setup for later success at this point in the game. We meet new party members, learn new mysteries about KOSMOS, enctouner the Gnosis in a major way, and more. Do it up!More Retro Hangover PodcastMore Friday Night GamecastClick on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordTwitter Instagram Bluesky Thank you for listening! Want to reach out to PPR? Send your questions, comments, and recommendations to pixelprojectradio@gmail.com! And as ever, any ratings and/or reviews left on your platform of choice are greatly appreciated!