LeisureVideo GamesGamesExplicit

Deep Listens

A 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 deeplistenspodcast@gmail.com

Play

Open in

30 episodes
weekly
Avg 1 hr 23 min
English

Episodes 30

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

Thursday · 2 hr 17 min
Episode 274: Silent Hill: Townfall With VoidBurger - Part 1
In this episode Gino, Pete, Jess "VoidBurger" O'Brien, and Dr. Noelle Grieco discuss Silent Hill: Townfall! We cover the game from the beginning of the game to the end of The Patient. We cover the impact of the first person perspective, break down the medical emergency metaphors working throughout the game, and how the game's combat impacts the overall fear factor. We also get insight from a medical provider about how the game handles medical trauma and caregiver burnout. This is a real deep, spoilerful episode! You can find Jess's work at https://bsky.app/profile/voidburger.com, https://www.youtube.com/voidburger, https://www.patreon.com/Voidburger, and https://www.twitch.tv/voidburger If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens If you like our new art and want to commission some of your own, reach out to Tyler at tylerorbin.net
October 15 · 1 hr 34 min
FFVII Rebirth - Part 1
In this episode Gino, Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED-, and Jeff discuss Final Fantasy VII Rebirth from the beginning of the game to the end of Junon. We cover the game's combat system, overwhelming open world, and streeeeetched oooouuuuuttt story. Do you want to play a game that takes 4 hours of a 29 year old game and stretches them to 20 hours? Boy do we have a game for you! Check out the current ranking of Fantasies here: bit.ly/deepfinal If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens If you like our new art and want to commission some of your own, reach out to Tyler at tylerorbin.net
October 8 · 1 hr 30 min
Episode 273: Mixtape
This week Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Mixtape. We cover the game's coming of age story, amount of interactivity, and relatively low stakes story. We also discuss the wider discourse around the game and where we come down on the love/hate spectrum. We wrap up by discussing the game's soundtrack and whether we found any new favorites while playing. If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens If you like our new art and want to commission some of your own, reach out to Tyler at tylerorbin.net
October 1 · 1 hr 22 min
Off the Deep End Episode 78: Dungeon Travelers 2: The Royal Library and the Monster Seal
Now that Adam "Borgmaster" [REDACTED] is back, Off the Deep End can finish The Summer of Sting with Dungeon Travelers 2, a game that definitely won't get anyone here put on a list. Topics discussed include Sting's modern output up to the current day, the wide variety of anime pervert dungeon crawlers on the Playstation Vita, and... of course, the quality of the "scenes" in Dungeon Travelers 2 itself. We're only slightly sorry for this one. See the entire Off The Deep Ends ranked list at http://bit.ly/otderank Find OTDE's theme music and more at https://supersex-420.bandcamp.com/ If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens If you like our new art and want to commission some of your own, reach out to Tyler at tylerorbin.net
September 24 · 1 hr 40 min
Episode 272: Zero Parades For Dead Spies-Part 2
In this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Zero Parades: For Dead Spies! We cover from the start of the real mission until the end of the game. Spoilers abound! Our topics include our favorite characters, the bleak tone of the game, and some ruminations on what the game was trying to say. Is the game completely cynical or is there a silver lining in there somewhere? If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens If you like our new art and want to commission some of your own, reach out to Tyler at tylerorbin.net
September 17 · 1 hr 20 min
Balls Deep: 2026 NBA Awards, Offseason, And Clippers Madness
In this episode Gino, Pete, and Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED- discuss the 2026 NBA end of season awards and check in on their predictions. They also discuss their favorite teams' offseasons. Finally, they turn their attention to the absolute cinema that is the breakdown and punishment of the LA Clippers. If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens If you like our new art and want to commission some of your own, reach out to Tyler at tylerorbin.net
September 10 · 1 hr 29 min
Episode 271: Zero Parades For Dead Spies-Part 1
In this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Zero Parades: For Dead Spies! We cover from the start of the game until the main character actually figures out what their mission is. Our topics include the drama surrounding this game's development, the mechanical overlap with Disco Elysium, the game's excellent setting, and the game's conspiritorial tone. If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens If you like our new art and want to commission some of your own, reach out to Tyler at tylerorbin.net
September 3 · 1 hr 11 min
Off the Deep End Episode 77: Knights in the Nightmare
Summer isn't over just yet, and Off the Deep End encounters the most indescribable video game they've played so far! That's right, Braden and Chris are once again joined by Reki to try and discuss Sting's cult classic(?) bullet-hell SRPG hybrid Knights in the Nightmare. Listen as three adult men in their 30s try to explain such things as "how can a bullet hell shooter be turn-based?" and "Why do I feel so tired after playing this for 20 minutes?" I think they liked it? I kind of liked it. See the entire Off The Deep Ends ranked list at http://bit.ly/otderank Find OTDE's theme music and more at https://supersex-420.bandcamp.com/ If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens If you like our new art and want to commission some of your own, reach out to Tyler at tylerorbin.net
August 27 · 2 hr 4 min
Chariots of the Pods Ep. 18
Join Adam, Tyler, Jason, and Justin as they get flung around the universe with Stargate SG-1. This time they get started on season 4 by covering the episodes "Small Victories", "The Other Side", "Upgrades", and "Crossroads". Join them as they come to terms with post-Soviet lego space bugs, space steroids, space nazis, and forgetting you have a space wife. Also, the show is going to go on hiatus for a few months, so expect us back later in 2026!
August 20 · 1 hr 26 min
Off the Deep End Episode 76: Yggdra Union and Gungnir
Summer isn't over just yet! There's still time for more esoteric weirdo games developed by Sting with your friends at Off the Deep End. This time, Braden and Chris have brought Reki along to talk about two very different, very bizarre PSP strategy games. Listen as three adult men try their best to explain how the heck Yggdra Union plays with varying levels of success. Did they enjoy themselves? Listen to find out! See the entire Off The Deep Ends ranked list at http://bit.ly/otderank Find OTDE's theme music and more at https://supersex-420.bandcamp.com/ If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens If you like our new art and want to commission some of your own, reach out to Tyler at tylerorbin.net
August 13 · 1 hr 11 min
Episode 270: Mini Metro Mania!
In this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Mini Metro! We discuss the game's elegant art style, simple mechanics, and endless replayability before diving into our own pocket strategies. We also complain about real-world transit systems we dislike. We wrap things up with a Train quiz! If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens If you like our new art and want to commission some of your own, reach out to Tyler at tylerorbin.net
August 6 · 1 hr 35 min
Deep Dive: Return To Silent Hill With VoidBurger!
In this episode Gino and Braden "ArbitraryWater" -REDACTED- are joined by Jess "VoidBurger" O'Brien to discuss Return To Silent Hill! We cover this film from the James in a convertible start to the James in a very bad beard end. It's difficult to articulate all the ways this movie messes up the story and tone of Silent Hill 2, but we try our best to get 'em all! We've got new characterizations. We've got new plot lines that ruin the ones from the original game. We've got entirely new characters who make no sense! This is probably the worst Silent Hill thing we've covered for the show so... enjoy? You can find Jess's work at https://www.youtube.com/voidburger, https://www.patreon.com/Voidburger, and https://www.twitch.tv/voidburger If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens If you like our new art and want to commission some of your own, reach out to Tyler at tylerorbin.net
August 4 · 57 min
Deep Interview: Discussing Denshattack! With 2 Mello
In this episode Gino interviews one of the composers of the soundtrack of Denshattack!, friend of the show 2 Mello! We discuss how it feels to work on a game that so clearly fit his musical style. We also discuss how collaborating with Miyachi worked on his song "Ride With Me" and how he composed music alongside the other composers for Denshattack!. We wrap up with some rapid fire questions about games, music, and movies. You can find Mello's music at https://2mellomakes.bandcamp.com/ If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens
July 30 · 1 hr 18 min
Episode 269: Prepare To Denshattack!
In this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Denshattack! We cover the game's outstanding style, surprisingly managable speed, and fun train tricks. We also discuss the surprisingly in-depth and engaging story. We wrap up by discussing whether the game is Cyberpunk or Hopepunk. If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens If you like our new art and want to commission some of your own, reach out to Tyler at tylerorbin.net
July 23 · 1 hr 24 min
Off the Deep End Episode 75: Baroque
The Summer of Sting heats up with another spicy obscure video game, and this time Off the Deep End drags Jeff Rud back in front of a microphone to talk all about it! How much "Big Saturn Energy" can one video game exude? How does Baroque stack up in the context of modern Roguelike video games? Expect the answers to those questions, and many more questions you weren't asking in this thrilling episode! See the entire Off The Deep Ends ranked list at http://bit.ly/otderank Find OTDE's theme music and more at https://supersex-420.bandcamp.com/ If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens If you like our new art and want to commission some of your own, reach out to Tyler at tylerorbin.net
July 16 · 1 hr 26 min
Episode 268: We All Have Crabs In Another Crab's Treasure
In this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Another Crab's Treasure! We cover the game's simplified souls-like gameplay, Banjo-Kazooie-esque collecting, and revolutionary story. And I mean that literally! Turns out this cute game is about violent politican and social upheval! It really goes places! If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens If you like our new art and want to commission some of your own, reach out to Tyler at tylerorbin.net
July 9 · 1 hr 20 min
Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis Still Exists... For Now
In this episode Gino, Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED-, and Jeff discuss Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis. they discuss the game's unfortunate gacha systems, its rehashed stories, and its zany character costumes. This episode was recorded before the news about the planned end date for Ever Crisis so the hosts discuss whether this game will need to stick around because it contains stories from other defunct games. We also discuss what it means to experience FF VII primarily through this game. Check out the current ranking of Fantasies here: bit.ly/deepfinal If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens If you like our new art and want to commission some of your own, reach out to Tyler at tylerorbin.net
July 2 · 1 hr 18 min
Episode 267: Everyone Loves Animal Fighting In Pokemon Champions And Everything Is Crab!
In this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Pokemon Champions and Everything Is Crab! We start off by checking back in on Pokemon Champions to find that not much has changed since Em last played it. Then we discuss the evolutionary roguelite Everything Is Crab! We discuss the fairly narrow build trees and the different ways we were able to creatively enjoy the game. We finish up with a quiz on animal facts! How many facts did you know? If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens If you like our new art and want to commission some of your own, reach out to Tyler at tylerorbin.net
June 25 · 1 hr 3 min
Off the Deep End Episode 74: Riviera: The Promised Land
Chris and Braden are joined by special guest GabrielCantor to discuss the inaugural game of The Summer of Sting. If you wanted discussion about yet another semi-obscure GBA RPG with weird streamlined mechanics, they've got you covered! Along the way, important questions are discussed, such as "Which girl is best girl?" and "How did this maze puzzle stump three grown adults?" You won't want to miss it! If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens If you like our new art and want to commission some of your own, reach out to Tyler at tylerorbin.net
June 18 · 1 hr 38 min
Episode 266: Mina The Hollower Finally Came Out!
In this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Mina the Hollower! We cover the game's Gameboy Color art direction and gameplay before diving into what makes the game so good... the diving! We also discuss the game's surprisingly deep story and our favorite gameplay styles. And no episode would be complete without Gino eating a weird Oreo flavor so you don't have to! If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens If you like our new art and want to commission some of your own, reach out to Tyler at tylerorbin.net

Showing 1–20 of 30 episodes