Deep Listens is a gaming "book club". Every two weeks we pick and play a new game and then discuss it from a literary, philosophical, and game design perspective. We fill in the off-weeks with long-running series, interviews, and one-off shows. We try to dig as deep as we can every episode, so check it out!
In the fifth episode of Amateur Hour Adam "Borgmaster" -REDACTED-, Tyler "Grav" -REDACTED-, and Gino discuss how their NFL playoff predictions fared before making another round of ill-fated predictions for The Big Game! Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
2/7/25 • 44:24
In this episode Gino and Pete are joined by Jess "VoidBurger" O'Brien to discuss Mouthwashing! We cover the non-linear story, the small bursts of stealth, and just how bad some of these dudes are! Mix a packet of The Shining with a pouch of Alien and you get some delicious Mouthwashing! Spoilers abound so listen at your own peril! 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 can, please donate to help our friends in Ashville recover from the impact of Hurricane Helene: https://belovedasheville.com/ Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
2/6/25 • 80:16
In this episode Gino, Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED-, and Jeff Rud discuss Final Fantasy IV! We cover the game from Tellah's death to the end of the game! We then put FFIV in our definitive Ranking of Fantasies! Check out the current Ranking of Fantasies here: bit.ly/deepfinal Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
1/30/25 • 76:54
In this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc! We discuss the game's sparse, yet annoying, mechanics before uloading on all of the murder mysteries and anime tropes. How much of this game holds up? Not the parts where you play it! Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
1/23/25 • 82:40
After roughly two months of dragging their feet, the Off the Deep End crew (featuring Special Guest Jeff Rud) return to the God, Robots and Existentialism of Xenosaga, but this time it's disappointing! They cover the game's messy development, discuss the underwhelming gameplay and aesthetic changes, and try their best to decipher the plot! Little boy men with guns and robot ladies with bigger guns are featured, as is an abundance of anime insanity. 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/ Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
1/16/25 • 81:33
In the Fourth episode of Amateur Hour Adam "Borgmaster" -REDACTED-, Tyler "Grav" -REDACTED-, and Gino discuss the upcoming NFL playoffs! We discuss the various matchups and make our predictions all the way up to The Big Game! If you can, please donate to help our friends in Ashville recover from the impact of Hurricane Helene: https://belovedasheville.com/ Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
1/12/25 • 50:04
In this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Unpacking! We cover the game's simple puzzles, elegant storytelling, and how much of an jerk that boyfriend is. We wrap up by discussing what the game's story made us feel. Spoilers, it made us feel a lot! Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
1/9/25 • 54:51
In this episode Gino, Pete, Em, Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED-, and Braden "ArbitraryWater" -REDACTED- debate the games we played this year for our annual Trenchies! The categories this year are: Game of the Year 2023, Best Comedy, Best Horror, Best Drama, Best Action, Best Adventure, Best Puzzler, Best Character, Worst Character, Best Soundtrack, Prettiest Game, Best Performance/Voice Acting, Best Mechanic, Biggest Disrespect of the Player's Time, Best Twist, Worst Game of Our Year 2021, Worst Story or Written Dialog, Biggest Indictment of Capitalism, Most Replayable Classic, Best Non-Game, John Paul Sartre Memorial Award for Game That Best Expresses the Ultimate Futility of the Human Condition, Gino's Platypus Award for Game That Should Not Be, ZP's "Help I'm Trapped in Sysiphean Torment" Award, Em's Sheeple Award: Most Wildly Overstated/Overrated, Braden "ArbitraryWater" REDACTED presents the Dubious Championship League, and Game of Our Year. Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
1/2/25 • 115:02
HO HO HO, It's time for the second half of Deep Listens' Mass Effect Patreon Special, a very exciting time of year! Gino, Em, Pete, Braden, and Chris all reconvene to discuss the back half of Mass Effect Andromeda, the video game equivalent of a lump of coal. They discuss how they felt about the game after finishing it, including the combat, loyalty missions, romance options (everyone picked Peebee????), and disastrous main story. Just remember: We Got This. 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/ Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
12/26/24 • 92:44
Cassidy from The Bad Games Hall of Fame once again joins us on a magical Kusoventure, and this time they've brought Sid for even more bad video game action! Gather round once again to learn about the exciting world of forgotten Elder Scrolls spinoffs, forgotten Marvel sequels, forgotten Garfield tie-ins, and legally dubious rip offs of Ys! We're not sorry! Follow Sid Menon's podcast "We Thought About Games": https://wethoughtaboutgames.tumblr.com/ Listen to The Bad Game Hall of Fame's new podcast:https://podcast.badgamehalloffame.com/podcast/episode-001/ If you can, please donate to help our friends in Ashville recover from the impact of Hurricane Helene: https://belovedasheville.com/ 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/ Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
12/19/24 • 91:46
In the third episode of Amateur Hour Adam "Borgmaster" -REDACTED-, Tyler "Grav" -REDACTED-, and Gino traverse all of the conferences of the NFL and give 6 minute takes on their current states. We cover every team and then skip the models because they aren't doing so hot! If you can, please donate to help our friends in Ashville recover from the impact of Hurricane Helene: https://belovedasheville.com/ Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
12/17/24 • 46:29
We have a full house today with Gino, Pete, Em, Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED-, and Braden "ArbitraryWater" -REDACTED- all present to discuss Mass Effect Andromeda. We discuss how... off this game feels, how it got that way, and the many weird ways in which it fails. We also discuss the game's story from the beginning of the game to the end of the ice planet whose name isn't worth remembering. You did this to us Patreon subscribers! You did this to us! If you can, please donate to help our friends in Ashville recover from the impact of Hurricane Helene: https://belovedasheville.com/ If you want to check out the work of our lovely emailer, check here: https://pardeeptoor.net/ Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
12/12/24 • 83:26
In this pilot episode, Em and roommate Harley (in his podcasting debut) begin an exploration into the hit 2004 TV show Lost, deep diving into the first half of season 1. We cover the essential characters, the narrative structure of present day and flashback, and begin to unpack the many J.J. Abrams' mystery boxes that defined the series as a cultural phenomenon. If you can, please donate to help our friends in Ashville recover from the impact of Hurricane Helene: https://belovedasheville.com/ Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
12/5/24 • 121:33
Pete, Chris, and Braden return to the magical world of old anime to cut through the 1997 adaptation of Berserk! Join them as they discover why the Golden Age arc keeps getting remade, why we need to put a big old CONTENT WARNING in front of this episode, and why every single Dark Souls game owes a lot to this series. There's also plenty of talk about Griffith's gay man crush on Guts for you fujoshi out there. We've got something for everyone. If you can, please donate to help our friends in Ashville recover from the impact of Hurricane Helene: https://belovedasheville.com/ If you want to check out the work of our lovely emailer, check here: https://pardeeptoor.net/ Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
11/28/24 • 68:19
In this episode Gino and Pete are joined by Jess "VoidBurger" O'Brien to discuss Silent Hill 2 Remake! We cover the game from Otherworld Silent Hill to the end of the game! Is this the best way to experience Silent Hill 2? Spoilers abound so listen at your own peril! You can find Jess's work at https://twitter.com/VoidBurger, https://www.youtube.com/voidburger, https://www.patreon.com/Voidburger, and https://www.twitch.tv/voidburger If you can, please donate to help our friends in Ashville recover from the impact of Hurricane Helene: https://belovedasheville.com/ Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
11/21/24 • 133:55
In a surprising upset, Off the Deep End covers a video game they enjoyed playing; from this year no less! That's right, Braden and Chris take a break from "The Bad Xenosaga" and "The Bad Mass Effect" to talk about the retro-inspired indie RPG Skald: Against the Black Priory. They discuss its cosmic horror story, extremely 1989 aesthetic, and the ways in which it still manages to be modern, all while desperately avoiding talking about how our current reality resembles a cosmic horror nightmare! If you can, please donate to help our friends in Ashville recover from the impact of Hurricane Helene: https://belovedasheville.com/ 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/ Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
11/14/24 • 57:09
In the third episode of Amateur Hour Adam "Borgmaster" -REDACTED-, Tyler "Grav" -REDACTED-, and Gino traverse all of the conferences of the NFL and give 6 minute takes on their current states. We cover every team before checking in on the current states of Adam and Tyler's models. They may be... less good than they were last time. If you can, please donate to help our friends in Ashville recover from the impact of Hurricane Helene: https://belovedasheville.com/ Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
11/12/24 • 62:06
In this episode Gino and Pete are joined by Jess "VoidBurger" O'Brien to discuss Silent Hill 2 Remake! We cover the game's new camera, new combat, excellent audio design, and reworked setting before diving into the story beats! We cover everything up until the hospital and spoilers abound so listen at your own peril! You can find Jess's work at https://twitter.com/VoidBurger, https://www.youtube.com/voidburger, https://www.patreon.com/Voidburger, and https://www.twitch.tv/voidburger If you can, please donate to help our friends in Ashville recover from the impact of Hurricane Helene: https://belovedasheville.com/ Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
11/7/24 • 100:33
In this episode Gino, Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED-, and Jeff Rud discuss Final Fantasy IV! We cover the game from it's opening until Tellah's death. We also discuss the game's combat, strong storytelling for its era, and various version quirks we ran into. We also have an obligatory food review! If you can, please donate to help our friends in Ashville recover from the impact of Hurricane Helene: https://belovedasheville.com/ Check out the current Ranking of Fantasies here: bit.ly/deepfinal Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
10/31/24 • 66:33
In this episode Gino, Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED-, and Braden "ArbitraryWater" -REDACTED- discuss some standout demos they played in the latest Steam Nextfest. Games covered include: Loco Motive, New Arc Line, Kletka, Is This Game Trying To Kill You, Card-en Ciel, Wormhole, Ballionare, StarVaders, TemTem Swarm, To Kill A God, Tenebris Somnia, Butcher's Creek, Spirit of the Samurai, Knights in Tight Spaces, and Toads of the Bayou Let us know if you found any other great demos we didn't play! If you can, please donate to help our friends in Ashville recover from the impact of Hurricane Helene: https://belovedasheville.com/ Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
10/24/24 • 77:19
In this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. We discuss a little gameplay and then SO MUCH STORY OH MY GOODNESS. Spoilers! Spoilers Everywhere! This game is just so much. It's got plot twists within plot twists within tropes! If you can, please donate to help our friends in Ashville recover from the impact of Hurricane Helene: https://belovedasheville.com/ If you want to check out the work of our lovely emailer, check here: https://pardeeptoor.net/ Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
10/17/24 • 87:24
Off the Deep End's [REDACTED] trio is back with another historically charged, tangent-filled episode on console ports of RPGs after the mid-90s. If you ever wanted to know about the Playstation 1 version of Diablo, the PS2 version of Deus Ex, or Braden's feelings on Megalopolis, we have you covered! If you can, please donate to help our friends in Ashville recover from the impact of Hurricane Helene: https://belovedasheville.com/ 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/ Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
10/10/24 • 100:55
In the second episode of Amateur Hour Adam "Borgmaster" -REDACTED-, Tyler "Grav" -REDACTED-, and Gino traverse all of the conferences of the NFL and give 6 minute takes on their current states. We cover every team before checking in on the current states of Adam and Tyler's models. Have they been accurate or have they been a fun goof? If you can, please donate to help our friends in Ashville recover from the impact of Hurricane Helene: https://belovedasheville.com/ Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
10/5/24 • 67:45
In this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Thirsty Suitors, a hybrid dating sim, RPG, and skateboarding game. We start off spoiler free by discussing the three different styles of gameplay in Thirsty Suitors. After that we discuss the game's incredibly queer and Asian American, specifically Indian American story. If you want a game that's like Scott Pilgrim, but you play as Ramona and do sick skate tricks, this game is for you! If you can, please donate to help our friends in Ashville recover from the impact of Hurricane Helene: https://belovedasheville.com/ Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
10/3/24 • 96:27
Put your thinking cap on, throw your PC in the garbage, and get that Old Nintendo setup ready. It's time for three men in their 30s with silly internet handles talking about old RPGs, but specifically worse versions of those old RPGs that came out on the Famicom or TurboGrafx or something if you didn't own a $800 (in 1992 money) computer. If you want an onerous history of the medium as seen through the versions of games they put out on consoles, we have you covered up to the mid-90s! How are you supposed to pronounce "Faxanadu?" Is this the return of Drakkhen you weren't expecting? All that and more in this 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/ Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
9/26/24 • 105:42
*Sorry for the audio desync issue with the original release of this show. We're using a new recording software and it's given us some hiccups. Enjoy this new, tighter, synced show! Gino, Pete, and Em discuss the samurai epic Trek to Yomi! We discuss the game's excellent look, repetitive combat, and archetypal story. If you want an action game that looks like a Kurosawa film and plays like many action other action games, Trek to Yomi is here for you! Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
9/23/24 • 57:54
Gino, Pete, and Em discuss the samurai epic Trek to Yomi! We discuss the game's excellent look, repetitive combat, and archetypal story. If you want an action game that looks like a Kurosawa film and plays like many action other action games, Trek to Yomi is here for you! Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
9/19/24 • 64:21
In this episode Gino, Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED-, and Jeff discuss FF BE and All The Bravest! We delve deep into the recesses of mobile FF games and break down the most, and least "successful" Final Fantasy mobile games. One game kept Square afloat. One managed to get a "do not buy" from IGN. Which is which? Listen to find out! 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
9/12/24 • 79:20
In this episode Gino, Pete, and Em discuss Monster Hunter Rise! We talk about the legacy of the Monster Hunter franchise, whether the game's very specific control scheme worked for us, and then dive deep into whether we are supposed to feel bad for the monsters. Are we all Mon Hun fanatics or did we bounce off the game? Listen to find out! Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
9/5/24 • 85:59
We finally did it folks, we made a football podcast. In the inagural episode of Amateur Hour Adam "Borgmaster" -REDACTED-, Tyler "Grav" -REDACTED-, and Gino discuss what the heck American football is, make several pre-season predictions about the many NFL teams, and wrap things up by going through the most terrifying thing of all: bespoke statistical models. If you want a podcast that starts by explaining the basic rules of the most popular sport in the United States and ends with hardcore discussion of P values and statistical significance, this is the show for you! We'll have more bonus football episodes for you as the season rolls on! Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate 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
9/3/24 • 130:56