Pixel Project Radio

He's not the Messiah, he's a very nau-...wrong Brian, my mistake.This week, Rick is joined by none other than Quest 64 Official to ask once and for all: is the reputation of Quest 64 earned? Is it really such a terrible video game? As you might expect, the answer isn't black and white. Join us as we discuss the game's hurried history, the (very pleasant!) music, what could have been of the story, and more. Please enjoy!Click on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordBlueskyInstagram TikTokThank 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!

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has released, and reviews are glowing. It's rare for a game to excite us in such a way so early in the life cycle...so we had to talk about it. Look forward to a full narrative analysis series coming soon!Click on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordBlueskyInstagram TikTokThank 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!

"Do you know that Black Panther?"This week's episode is all about The Bouncer, Square's debut 2000 title on the Playstation 2. Along with Phil (Deleted Saves Podcast), we tackle this...ambitious game, top to bottom, encompassing mechanics and narrative. This game is lauded as infamously bad, but is that reputation earned? Take a listen to hear our thoughts on THE BOUNCER. Click on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordBlueskyInstagram TikTokThank 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 many shall suffer for the sins of the one."This week, Rick is joined by TheDogFacedGamer to discuss The Forgotten City, a 2021 adventure game that grew out of a mod for Skyrim. In The Forgotten City, players find themselves transported to ancient Roman civilization under peculiar circumstances. How did we get here? What's with the gold statues? Meditations on morality, philosophy, and more. Please enjoy!NoClip DocumentaryNick Pearce IGN InterviewClick on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordBlueskyInstagram TikTokThank 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 Ryan (List Off Podcast) to discuss Final Fantasy, the place where the series started - for some in the late 80s, and for others in 2025! It's part discussion on how the experience can still feel exciting today, and part reflection on a genre and series that means so much to so many. Please enjoy!Click on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordBlueskyInstagram TikTokThank 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!

"It's the kind of thing that makes you glad you stopped and smelled the pine trees along the way, you know?"Rick is joined by Josh (Still Loading Podcast) once again to reach the end of 2019's Outer Wilds. The profundity offered by this game really snuck up on us, and the ending offers a feast of ideas and discussion points with which beautiful conversation can be had. Needless to say, we both love this game. Thank you for sticking around for the full series - please enjoy!Noclip Documentary on The Making of Outer WildsInterview with composer Andrew PrahlowClick on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordBlueskyInstagram TikTokThank 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 pain of your absence is sharp and haunting, and I would give anything not to know it; anything but never knowing you at all (which would be worse)."The critical analysis of Outer Wilds continues this week as Rick and Josh (Still Loading Podcast) continue through the solar system! In this episode, Giant's Deep, Ember Twin, Brittle Hollow, and the Interloper are explored at length, and insight is gained into the Nomai - how they lived, what they valued, and their untimely fate. This ended up being a terrific discussion that spans not only the game, but how we can extract the lessons into our own lives. Please enjoy!Noclip Documentary on The Making of Outer WildsInterview with composer Andrew PrahlowClick on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordBlueskyInstagram TikTokThank 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!

"Seems like only yesterday you joined the space program, and suddenly here you are, leaving on your first solo voyage."This week, Rick is joined by Josh (Still Loading Podcast) to begin a three-part analysis on Outer Wilds, a 2019 adventure game that captivated audiences (and me) with creativity and heart. Taking the role of The Hatchling, players explore a vast - and occasionally hostile - galaxy to gather data on the Nomai, an ancient race that disappeared under unclear circumstances. Mysteries abound, and with themes encompassing existentialism, religion, science, and community, Outer Wilds goes places players may not expect. We're both thrilled to be talking about this game. Please enjoy!Noclip Documentary on The Making of Outer WildsInterview with composer Andrew PrahlowClick on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordBlueskyInstagram TikTokThank 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!

Have you heard the tale of Sir Daniel Fortesque?This week, Rick is joined by Thrak (The 3DO Experience) to dive into MediEvil, a 1998 title on the Playstation. Part Zelda-like adventure game and part hack and slash, this cult-classic is beloved by many early adopters of the Playstation family of consoles - your host included! How does it hold up? We talk this, music, design philosophy, and more. Please enjoy!Click on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordBlueskyInstagram TikTokThank 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!

Happy Mar10 Month!A few days early, PPR celebrates Mar10 with another Mario game: Super Mario Bros Wonder! Rick and Doug (Nostalgium Arcanum) walk through this delightfully creative new Mario title and discuss what makes it sing. From the upbeat soundtrack to the beautifully crisp sheen on the presentation, there's a lot to love about this game - even if hardcore Mario veterans might be left wanting for a bit more of a challenge. Please enjoy!Click on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordBlueskyInstagram TikTokThank 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 sits down with Matt Stormageddon ("Fun" and Games Podcast) and Quest 64 Official to discuss the landscape of criticism in video games. What makes a good critic? What is the function of a critic? Do critics even serve a purpose in video games? Tune in to hear this and more. Please enjoy!Click on the following to find PPR on the web!PatreonJoin our DiscordBlueskyInstagram TikTokThank 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!

"What's more important to you, Connor? Your investigation, or the life of this android? Decide who you are: an obedient machine, or a living being endowed with free will."This week, Rick and Nomad (The Retro Wildlands) conclude their analysis on Detroit: Become Human. As both the thematic elements and the narrative ramp to their climaxes and conclusions, some ends tie up nicely. Others, significantly less so. A mixture of exciting action, heartfelt moments, and indefensible world history allusions - all of this and more, in the finale for this miniseries's analysis. Please enjoy!Alex O'Connor interviews Nick Bostrom on AIBryan Dechart plays Detroit Become HumanBehind the Music of Detroit Become HumanClick 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!

"That's what you get for having a dream. It always ends up the same way: tears and disillusionment. Believe me, you're better off being erased and feeling nothing."Rick is joined once again by Nomad (The Retro Wildlands) to continue their analysis on Detroit: Become Human. As Kara and Alice continue to search for shelter, gruff Detroit cop Hank struggles to find camaraderie in his new Android partner, Connor. More questions of ethics and philosophy, including love and suicide, within. Please enjoy!Alex O'Connor interviews Nick Bostrom on AIBryan Dechart plays Detroit Become HumanBehind the Music of Detroit Become HumanClick 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 world doesn't like those who are different, Markus. Don't let anyone tell you who you should be."This week marks the start of the analysis series on Detroit: Become Human! Rick is joined by Nomad (The Retro Wildlands) to dissect Quantic Dream's 2018 narrative-based game. Citizenship, sentience, equity...are artificial intelligence machines - that is to say, androids - deserving of such things? What are the ethical implications of such a high level of integration in society? For better or for worse, David Cage's tale sidesteps pondering questions of ethics and philosophy for a story centered around a cast of likeable characters. Star studded, too. This episode covers through Chapter 5. We hope you enjoy!Alex O'Connor interviews Nick Bostrom on AIBryan Dechart plays Detroit Become HumanBehind the Music of Detroit Become HumanClick 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!

Ring-a-Ding-Ding.This week, Rick is joined by ChrisPhysics to bring Fallout to Pixel Project Radio. Fallout: New Vegas hardly needs an introduction; a classic in the WRPG and Bethesda catalogues, it's become known as the best installment in the Fallout series. In this overview episode, Rick and Chris explore why. From exploring the (very realistically) brown wasteland to some of the best roleplaying games has to offer, FNV is an easy recommend. 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!

Welcome to 2025! It's going to be a great year for Pixel Project Radio, and we sincerely hope it's a great year for you, too. Setting the energy for the new year, Rick and Chris (Retro Hangover Podcast) lay out 7 games a piece that they feel are underrated - games that YOU should play! Why we feel they're underrated, what we mean by that phrase, why we love them, and more. Please enjoy - here's to the new year!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!

Another year in the books! I hope that 2024 was as fruitful as you had hoped. Take the time to rejuvinate and rest as we move into 2025 - and why not start by checking out my 10 favorite games I palyed in 2024? As always, they're not necessarily from 2024. Thanks for your continued support, all. See you in the new year!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!

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!More Retro Hangover Podcast 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" EndingMore Video Game Lounge 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!

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 DruckmannMore Video Game Lounge 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!

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 DruckmannMore Video Game Lounge 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!

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!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!

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 showMore Deleted SavesClick 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 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 EnsembleMore 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!

"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 EnsembleMore 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!

Does it hurt to be reborn?Rick is joined once again by Dave and Matt 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 MagazineMore Tales from the BacklogMore "Fun" and GamesClick 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) to 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 MagazineMore Tales from the BacklogMore "Fun" and GamesClick 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!

Please enjoy this extra episode in your feeds this month as we continue through Xenosaga Episode I! 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!

This light once symbolized civilization – the very will of the human race. But what can be gleaned from the light we see today? The people of this world have cast away their will to create, drowning themselves instead in an endless cycle of consumption…This week, Rick is joined by Chris (Retro Hangover) and Nick (Friday Night Gamecast) to dive into a cult classic from the minds of Tetsuya Takahashi and Soraya Saga, Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht. This ambitious JRPG from the 2000s is a spiritual successor to the masterpiece Xenogears, and shares some DNA in its thematic identity and story concepts. In this episode, we explore the development and its troubles, the score, set a general foundation for the game, and discuss a few hours into the story. We hope you enjoy - 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!

No one ever said the future would be easy. But I think we all saw the glimmer of a dream, somewhere in the sky that night. The tiniest spark of hope that we can change our fate. Who could say? That moment has come and gone.This week, Rick is joined by Chris (Retro Hangover Podcast) and Jon to focus on one of the black sheep of the Final Fantasy series, Final Fantasy XIII. The game certainly has a reputation - but is it earned? In the episode, we go over the presentation, the fantastic score (NOT by Uematsu!), the controversial datalog, and the troubled development. Is XIII worth a reexamination? You'll have to tune in to find out - do it up!Post mortem on FF XIII in GameDev magazineMore Retro Hangover 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 ever rage quit over a strawberry?This week, Rick is joined by friends of the show Matt ("Fun" and Games) and Josh (Still Loading) to dive into Celeste, a beloved indie game that burst onto the scene in 2018. Celeste is a beautiful mix of narrative and gameplay, marrying a story surrounding the human condition with some of the most engaging (and difficult!) platforming the three of us have seen in a long time. In the episode, we talk all about the impetus behind the creation of the game, the game's thematic identity, the soundtrack, and so much more. I'm proud of this one - do it up!Maddy's article: Celeste and ForgivenessMaddy's article: Is Madeline Canonically Trans?More Matt Storm, aka StormageddonMore Still Loading 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!

Mario? In my JRPG? It's more likely than you think.This week, Rick is joined by Matt "Stormageddon" Storm ("Fun" and Games, Screen Snark, and more) to talk over Mario's first jaunt into JRPG japes: Super Mario RPG! Whether you grew up with the SNES version or are a newcomer with the (terrific!) Switch remake, this episode will be for you. We talk about the beginnings of this Square and Nintendo collaboration, the "Saturday Morning Cartoon" feel, version differences, and more. With a killer OST by the one and only Yoko Shimomura, you won't want to miss this - do it up!More Matt Storm, aka StormageddonClick 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!

More 0-2 HeroesClick 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!

Quick note: I reversed the instrumentation when describing the initial observatory theme. I didn't realize until it was too late. Sorry!This week, Rick is joined by friend of the show Ryan (List Off Podcast) to talk all about the Wii smash hit, Super Mario Galaxy! Endlessly creative, this game was seen as the true successor to Super Mario 64 and kicked off a new era of creativity in the mainline Mario games. Join us as we talk about the dev history, how the mechanics compare to previous/future titles, the phenomenal score, and more. Genuinely had a great time - do it up!More List Off 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!

Mario? In my pocket? It's more likely than you think.This week, Rick is joined by Andre (Fine Time podcast) to talk all things Super Mario Land - that's right, all three! These were Mario's first forays into big time handheld gaming. Now that we're in 2024, how do they hold up? Each of these play so differently, and they all have their own distinct quirks and charms. The music to the physics to wacky enemies - we talk about it all. Do it up!More Fine Time 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!

He gets chopped up, I'm sure he's beside himself. Haha! Do you get it? Because he is in pieces?!In this episode, Rick is joined by friend of the show Mikey (0-2 Heroes) to talk all about The Many Pieces of Mr. Coo, a short, surrealist point and click adventure game! Created by animator Nacho Rodriguez (A Life Story, 2013), this game has you trying to get poor ol' Mr. Coo back together again after being lopped into thirds by a nasty croc. This game is light on narrative, so we get into the weeds about surrealism and why interpreting art can - and should! - differ between people.Check out this interview with Nacho Rodriguez!More 0-2 HeroesClick 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!

Now requiring 50% less quarters!In this episode, something a little different: Rick is joined by friends of the show Mikey Tabletop (0-2 Heroes) and Raging Demon (Kommand List) to talk fighting games - three of them, in fact! This episode sees us talking all about Fighting Vipers, Dragonball Figherz, and Marvel vs. Capcom 2. All things tech, arcade nostalgia, roster, and music are talked about here, and the conversation ends with a brief discussion on what makes fighting games so beautiful and expressive. Please enjoy!More 0-2 HeroesMore Kommand ListClick 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!

Thanks for giving me time to think. To keep doing what you set your heart on...It's a very hard thing to do...What to do when I felt lonely...That was the only thing you couldn't teach me. But we need to figure out the answer for ourselves... I'm so happy I met everyone...But I guess we all have to say goodbye someday. Everyone... Thank you. Farewell. My memories will be part of the sky...The emotional conclusion to our Final Fantasy IX series is here. Rick and Eric begin by wrapping up some notable side quests throughout the game before tackling the rest of the narrative. The true nature of Zidane and Kuja's origins, the breakdown of our leader, the theories of the collective unconscious and the eternal return, and even the meaning of life...we talk about it all in this episode. Thank you, all, so much for being a part of this journey. I am so proud of what we have created.Check out Eric's podcast, The Unlockables, here!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!

Save your valediction, Steiner. We will live to see another day.The saga continues, as once again Rick and Eric return to go through the entirety of Final Fantasy IX. This episode picks up after what we learned in Black Mage Village and sees us continue until we return there later - meeting a new Chocobo friend! This episode has us go through the beginning and majority of disc 3. Traditionally, this is seen as the part where the narrative tends to "drag" - but is that a fair assessment? Join us to find out. Do it up!(Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for 100 episodes!) Check out Eric's podcast, The Unlockables, here!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!

"You're very kind to use our words. But you already know what it means to live...and to die. You're asking about our friends who have 'died,' not 'stopped.'" Note: This series has been extended to 5 parts rather than 4.Our coverage of Final Fantasy IX continues! Rick is joined once again by Eric (The Unlockables Podcast) as they continue through the world of Gaia. This episode covers the story from the beginning of disc 2 until arriving at Madain Sari. This episode is about growth: Garnet learns that she must foster her own independance; Steiner and Beatrix begin to see the true colors of the crown; and Vivi learns of his origins in one of the game's most famous sequences. It gets heavy - we hope you enjoy!Check out Eric's podcast, The Unlockables, here!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'll never forget you. We'll remember you every time we stand at your grave. And we won't let the fear of death, which each of us knows, stop us from living our lives. Because my friends will remember me when I'm here.This is part 2 of 5 for our Final Fantasy IX analysis series. I am joined by Eric, from the Unlockables Podcast, who shares a deep love for this game. In this episode, we play from the beginning of the game up until the very end of disc 1. We meet the bulk of our cast, learn some disturbing truths about political powers, and much, much more. Check out Eric's podcast, The Unlockables, here!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!