Epic Free Game Reviews

Episode 38: Everything - Let us take communion of Mountain Dew and Cheetos

In this episode, we discuss the 2017 universe simulation game Everything, which Epic gave away from September 26 to October 3, 2019. We explore the idea of a game with a message or a serious game, say more about indie games as alternative forms of therapy, and consider the ecocritical possibilities of games (and simulations). This also allows us to consider what philosophical voices would be good games, and whether we would like to be washing machines.

Episode 37: Metro 2033 Redux - Ladies and gentlemen, Soviet Wonderwall

In this episode, we discuss the game that Epic gave away from September 26 to October 3, 2019, the survival horror first-person shooter Metro 2033 Redux (initially released in 2010, with the Redux version from 2014). We discuss the ethos of the game (modernist, Soviet-core, etc.), chat about the history of mine carts in video games (with thanks to this post: https://www.resetera.com/threads/a-brief-history-of-the-mine-cart-level.653622/), discuss heterotopias and realpolitik, and admit how much we hate children (in games)

Episode 36: Batman Arkham Trilogy - Jim Gordon is Basically Princess Peach

After a hiatus due to business and health, we are back on track with an episode on the Batman Arkham Trilogy (Asylum, 2009; City, 2012; and Knight, 2015), which Epic gave away from September 19 to September 26, 2019. We discuss why superheroes are so appealing, what types of games would work for superhero narratives, the sexualization of characters in these games, and the mental health narratives in popular culture, among other topics. We also ask the important question: Is Joker sexy?

Episode 35: Lego Batman Trilogy - Playing with studs in the manosphere

In this episode, we discuss the game(s) Epic gave away from September 19 to September 26, 2019, the Lego Batman Trilogy. We discuss the legacy of both superheroes and lego, the gender politics of superheroes, camp and humor in games, and aspects of games like voiceacting, open worlds, and character abilities. 

Episode 34: Conarium - Click the mute button to make xenophobia disappear!

In this episode, we discuss the game Epic gave away from September 12 to September 19, 2019, the Lovecraft-inspired horror walking simulator from 2017, Conarium. This game allows us to consider Lovecraft's legacy, to think about race and xenophobia in games, what horror means as a concept, and the Unreal Engine

Episode 33: The End is Nigh - You have to know cosmology to get poop humor

In this episode, we discuss the game epic gave away from September 5 to September 12, 2019, the platformer from 2017 The End is Nigh. We discuss whether dark humor can be pulled off in games, the loneliness epidemic, the continued use of nostalgia (cartridges and floppy discs) in indie games, classic music, and games as dadaist experiences, among other things. Ray also asks an important question - Can't we just swim with turtles again?

Episode 32: Abzu - Back off Cthulhu, we have Shark Jesus

In this episode, we discuss the game Epic gave away September 5 - September 12, 2019, the 2016 underwater adventure game Abzu. We discuss the use of mythology within video games as source material, why water levels are so hated, the idea of an "entry point game, and conservation themes within games, among other things. We especially focus on why a Hammerhead Man is a bad idea.

Episode 31: Celeste - Canadian sense and sensibility

In this episode we discuss the game Epic gave away from August 29 to September 5, 2019, the platformer and indie darling Celeste. We focus a lot on mental health in games and also the way that U.S. oriented games differ in their philosophies and epistemology from games made in other countries. We also talk about games that are made for speedrunning, accessibility features, psychoanalysis (Lacanian mirror stages!), and a wonderful term Ray offered, "gate-opening games."

Episode 30: Inside - Blob is beautiful

In this episode, we discuss the game that Epic gave away from August 29 to September 5, 2019, the 2016 puzzle platformer Inside. During the conversation, we consider whether indie studios should focus on what they do well or branch out, whether controller or keyboard is better for indie games, visual accessibility, whether resistance to systems is possible, and much more! Ray also admits that his brain can only handle WASD. Also, corn, phallus worms, and LinkedIn is a cult.

Episode 29: Fez - Legally distinct circular transportation ducts

In this episode we discuss the game that was given away from August 22 to August 29, 2019, the puzzle platformer from 2012, Fez. We discuss the impacts of the historical game transition from 2D to 3D, indie game development cycles, the innovative nature of indie games, our nostalgia for hidden objects and objectives in games, and more - including Virginia Woolf hats!