Brain Lords: Video Games of the Mind

This week on Brainlords we celebrate the final moments before Silksong can no longer be delayed. Jorge doesn’t get what the deal is with Silkposting while Kyle is removing the clown makeup as we speak. We go over the humble origins of Hollow Knight to discuss if it really is that good (yes) and how we got here with eight years of hype and memes. How has the Metroidvania genre fared since then and what do we do now that Silksong, a game made with the opposite of crunch is finally out?
THINGS DISCUSSED
Baulder’s Gate 3, Undertale
Explain the Silksong Hype for me (0:05:38)
Hollow Knight, Silksong
Is Hollow Knight good? (0:07:35) 
The Wanderer’s Journal - Fangamer, Megaman X, Ducktales (NES)
I don’t get Silksong Hype (0:31:43)
RALSIE PLUSH ONLY $36 BUY NOW!!!, Folding Ideas presents: Silkposting, Despelote, Mother 3, Mother 64, Marvel’s Deadpool VR,
Game Ratings: Indie Metroidvanias (0:58:33)
Chasm, Metroid Dread, Dandara, Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight,  Momodora: Moonlit Farewell, Axium Verge, Metroid, Super Metroid, Castlevania, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Cave Story, Yume Nikki
Hey MetroidVanias, you doin’ alright? (1:14:31)
Iconoclasts, Metroid Fusion, La Mulana 2, The Messenger, Monster Boy and The Cursed Kingdom, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Haiku the Robot, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Tales of Kenzera: Zau, Megaman Zero, Megaman ZX, Blasphemous 2, Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus, Crowsworn, Nine Sols, Earthbound, Lisa: The Painful RPG, Shadow Labrynth, Tunic, Batman:  Arkham Asylum, Metroid Prime 4, NieR: Automata, Stellar Blade, Black Myth: Wukong
So what now? Post Silksong Jokes and the Jason Schrier Interview (1:27:39)
Why Silksong Took Seven Years to Make, Dark Souls, Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Deltarune
Closing Thoughts (1:38:52)
The Question Zone (1:41:29) 
Why are Souls games fans so illiterate? Jokes aside, are there fandoms out there you think have lost the ability to interpret games on their own without relying on interpretations of the story by big name YouTubers? I think the Souls fans definitely rely too heavily on YouTube videos to tell them what to think -Meowtroid 
 
Final Fantasy 7
 
What is your personal Silksong, as in is there a piece of media that you personally feel has gone through the same silent period that Silksong has? - Untitled Zangoose
 
Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash, Iron-Blooded Orphans, The Witch from Mercury, Gundam Build Fighters, Barkley Shut Up and Jam Gaiden, Mother 3
 
 can you think of any works that are "anti-lore"? (i.e. works that seem to reject or rebuff a database-style approach) or is the fandom simply too powerful and capable of turning anything into a wiki? - isyourguy
 
13 Sentinels Aegis Rim, Donkey Kong Bananza, Mario Odyssey, Lies of P,  
 
The Rec Room (1:56:58)
 
Megalopolis, Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway, Gundam Unicorn, Gundam: The Origin, City: The Animation, New Panty and Stocking, Pop Team Epic, Azumanga Diaoh, Odin’s Sphere, Demonschool, Into the Breach, Fangamer Pinverse, OFF,  
 

This Week on Brainlords, special guest Voidburger takes us on a scenic tour through Silent Hill. Some game theories seem to have a life of their own but what happens when that becomes the death of your enjoyment? Jorge discusses being secretly dead the whole time while Kyle explains why Pokémon is actually dark and twisted. Will this episode be a dream all along or a nightmare of fan theories?!
Questions, Comments, Suggestions?CONTACT US: brainlordspod@gmail.com
Kyle - Cute Monster Props
Jorge - JMV
Special Guest - Voidburger
THINGS DISCUSSED
Earthbound, Undertale, Deltarune, Super Mario RPG,
SQUALL IS DEAD THEORY  (0:06:17)
Final Fantasy 8, Abnormal Mapping Podcast, The Rugrats, The Sixth Sense
DARK POKEMON THEORIES (0:29:30)
Pokemon Series, Digimon, Thomas the Tank Engine, Piglet’s Big Game, Choo-Choo Charles, FLCL
SILENT HILL LORE (0:43:46)  
Silent Hill 2, Until Dawn
Game Ratings: Games that are secretly dark (1:10:55)
Omori, Doki Doki Literature Club, Majora’s Mask, Psychonauts, Psychonauts 2, Final Fantasy IX, Illusion of Gaia, Deltarune, The Legend of Zelda Link’s Awakening 
WHO IS THE ROARING KNIGHT?! - DELTARUNE THEORIES (1:26:01)
Alan Wake 2, Remedy Games, Half-Life, Anodyne, They Stanley Parable
THE QUESTION ZONE (1:50:00)
how  do you feel about creators changing plots based on theories (either liking the theory more than what they had planned, or changing it to "one up" the audience when people realize whats going to happen)  -chewing on the bars of my cage like a dog
Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth,  Avatar the Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra
Which game do you think has the most unnecessary or inconsequential lore? And which game do you think was enhanced the most by the theories and deep lore surrounding it? -Old Man Splimbo
Five Nights at Freddy’s, The Legend of Zelda series, Donkey Kong Bananza, Willy’s Wonderland, Drakengaurd, NieR Automata, NieR Replicant
what makes creepypasta and secret lore theories so compelling to kids? -Old Fart
Do you think fandoms have done more harm than good in media spaces these days and contribute to eroding media literacy overall? Something I've come to resent them for is not allowing something to remain unexplained for example is a big part of why I find myself unable to connect with fan communities now a days. -Old millenial who yells at clouds. 
What do you think of the “you shouldn’t put much more effort into it than the writers did” rule for video game theories?  -Pikachu was a dream the whole time
Megaman X
Do you have a general guideline of when setting and world building details move from "adding to the experience" into "The Lore™"? Like when does "oh this item has the same symbol that one character had on their jacket" turn into "I have shut the game down and rolled out my chalkboard" for you?  -Pedantic in Peoria
Feelings on plot twists that are figured out by fans before a games release such as "Venom Snake is really the Doctor" or "FF7 Remake is actually a sequel to FF7" because something in the lore gave it away immediately. -Edwardo the Terrible
Metal Gear Solid V, Metal Gear Solid Grounds Zeroes
For years I've hated the Zelda timeline, because it poisons any discussion of the series with speculation about contradictory, inconsequential details that don't matter. Are there any fan theories that you dislike because the Discourse is annoying? -Enemy of Time
Earthbound, 
Closing thoughts and Rec Room (2:07:10)
Outer Wilds, Voidburger - The Virgin Maw vs The Chad Pyramidhead, Voidburger- Video Essay about Adventure Games and the Gay 90s, Mouthwashing, Games Done Quick

This week on Brainlords we’re upping the difficulty to Legendary! Why do we keep coming back to the only medium that you might not even be good enough to experience? We share our histories with Gamer Rage (tm) and discuss some games that are better for having all the hardest parts in the beginning in order to conclude which game is *perfectly* difficult.
Questions, Comments, Suggestions?CONTACT US: brainlordspod@gmail.com
Kyle - Cute Monster Props
Jorge - JMV
  
THINGS DISCUSSED
Death Stranding 2
How do you balance difficulty and frustration in games? (0:11:35) 
Halo: Combat Evolved, Control, Doom, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, Devil May Cry,  Bayonetta
What games have the ideal difficulty curve? (0:22:57)
DMC3, Stranger of Paradise, Armored Core Series, Zone of the Enders, Gatcha Force, Custom Robo,  Silent Hill series, Resident Evil series, Star Fox 64,  
Should games have personalized difficulty options? (0:40:27)
 Celeste, Claire Obscure: Expedition 33, Doom: The Dark Ages, Dark Souls series, Lies of P, Sekiro 
Do you rage at games? (0:54:29)
Deltarune Ch3
Game Ratings: Secret Bosses (1:04:10)
Final Fantasy I, Final Fantasy VII, Bloodborne, Kingdom Hearts 1&2
 
What is the ideal reward for difficulty? (1:22:02)
Deltarune Ch1, FZero GX, Paper Mario, Anarchy Reigns
What is a Perfectly difficult game? (1:34:08)
Muramasa Demon Blade, Yoshi’s Island, Tunic
The Question Zone (1:54:28)
What are your favorite easy games? - I’m Too Young to Diane
Kirby Superstar, Kirby’s Epic Yarn, Felix the Cat (NES)
What is the gaming achievement you are most proud of? - SwordOfKings128
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds
The Rec Room (2:02:10) 
 Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator, Animal Crossing: New Horizons,  Lucah: Born of a Dream, Death of a Wish, Friendship ft Tim Robinson, Summer Wars, Wolf Children

 
This week on Brainlords we are living in a Nightmare…Bart’s Nightmare! Or is it Buster’s Bad Dream? We discuss the wonderful world of Licensed games, advertisement games, and video game product placements to ask the question: Are they even art? Kyle compares a good Disney game that has nothing to do with its license to a bad Simpsons game that gave him an emotional response. Jorge discusses how to find validation as a working class artist when you don’t get to choose what you work on. The one thing we can agree on? The amazing taste of Nissin Cup Noodles. *smiles at camera*
 
Questions, Comments, Suggestions?CONTACT US: brainlordspod@gmail.com
Kyle - Cute Monster Props
Jorge - JMV
 
THINGS DISCUSSED:
Zbots, Slitterhead, 20XX, 30XX,
Is a Licensed Game only art if it's good? (0:10:58)
Goof Troop (SNES), The Great Circus Mystery starring Mickey & Minnie, Bart’s Nightmare, Virtual Bart, Shaq Fu, Wayne’s World SNES, Home Improvement: Power Tool Pursuit! 
Is there artistry in *really* nailing a license? (0:32:26)
Dragon Ball FighterZ, Inuyasha: A Feudal Fairy Tale, One-Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows, My Hero One's Justice, Jump Super Stars, Jump Ultimate Stars, Jump Force, Cool Spot, Pepsiman
Can product placement say anything meaningful that isn’t goofy by proxy? (0:49:15)
Darkened Skye, The Sims, Death Stranding, Alan Wake, FFXV, Monkey Ball, SNK Allstar
Game Ratings: Overrated, underrated, and accurately rated Tiny Toons Adventures Games (1:08:10)
Buster Busts Loose, Tiny Toons (NES), McKids, Buster’s Bad Dream, Dizzy’s Candy Quest, Wacky Sports Challenge, Acme All-Stars, Tiny Toons: How I Spent My Summer Vacation
BONUS QUESTION: Why are Tiny Toons Adventure games so good and Looney Toons Games so bad? (1:17:46)
Speedy Gonzales: Los Gatos Banditos, Sylvester and Tweety Breakfast on the Run, Infogrames, Bug’s Crazy Castle
What role do celebrities play in making better or worse art? (1:21:09)
The Last of Us, Death Stranding 2, Onimusha 3, City of the Wolves, 
What’s it like working on a license? (1:27:44)
NoClip Burger King Games documentary,  Robocop Rogue City, CalorieMate LIQUID FOR GAME CREATORS
The Question Zone: GET READY (1:44:32)
Are we headed towards the age of Fortnitification of all games - Number One Heehomie
Fortnite, Mortal Kombat, Smite
What game world would you like to immigrate to? Yes you will have to immigrate to that game’s government system. - True Inky
Megaman Battle Network, Donkey Kong Country 1-3, Tropical Freeze 
Why was the Era of Capcom/Konami Disney tie-in games so good and how would you describe the current era of licensed games. -Steamboat William
Aladdin (SNES, Little Mermaid (NES), Ducktales (NES), Batman Arkham Games, Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League, Redfall, The Walking Dead (Telltale), Marvel Ultimate Alliance, Star Wars Rogue Squadron, Transformers Devastation, Legend of Korra (PlatinumGames)
The Rec Room (1:59:58)
TMNT Splintered Fate, TMNT Tactical Takedown, Shredder’s Revenge, The Protomen: Act 1, Megaman 5, Yo Noid 2, Nubby’s Number Factory, Simpsons Summer of 4ft2 Original Airdate VHS rip, Ultimate Love Songs collection

This week on Brainlords, we discuss our favorite genre of music, SOUNDTRACK: VIDEO GAME. Kyle and Jorge each pick their OSTs of the year from 2015 to 2024 and guess each other's lists for some friendly competition. Is game music less memorable than the squarewaves of yesteryear or are we actually in a golden age?
Spoiler warning: Extremely mild spoilers for Death Stranding 2, Undertale, Deltarune, and Signs of the Sojourner. (Mostly just minor moments and describing the context around interesting songs.)
Questions, Comments, Suggestions?CONTACT US: brainlordspod@gmail.com
Kyle - Cute Monster Props
Jorge - JMV
 
THINGS DISCUSSED:
Death Stranding 2, Super Mario Bros,
10 Years 10 Soundtracks - What makes video game music more effective than music in other mediums? (0:04:15) 
2015 (0:15:06)
Axiom Verge, Splatoon, Undertale, FF Brave Exvius
2016 (0:25:54)
Redout, Aram Shahbazians, Orientalism: Desert Level Music vs Actual Middle-Eastern Music, Hyper Light Drifter, Death’s Door, Va11 Hall-A, FFXV
2017 (0:34:59)
Sonic Mania, Nier Automata, Nier Replicant, Stellar Blade, Pyre, Breath of the Wild, Rivals of Aether, 
2018 (0:43:03)
Into the Breach, Celeste, Lena Rain, Xenoblade, The Tetris Effect, Deltarune, Radiant Historia
2019 (0:50:47)
Sayonara Wild Hearts, Disco Elysium, 13 Sentinels, Hypnospace Outlaw
Game Ratings - Overrated, underrated, and accurately rated licensed tracks in a video game. (1:00:35)
Lollipop Chainsaw, Gears of War, FFXV, MGSV, Rock and Roll Racing, Saints Row 3
2020 (1:10:10)
FFVII Reamake, 13 Sentinels, Paper Mario: Origami King, Signs of the Sojourner, Sakuna of Rice and Ruin,
2021 (1:20:03)
Shin Megami Tensei V, Inscription, Chicory: A Colorful Tale, Bravely Default 2, Cult of the Lamb
2022 (1:28:56)
Neon White, Xenoblade Chronicles 3, TMNT Shredder's Revenge, Tunic, Live Alive
2023 (1:36:01)
Alan Wake 2, Gravity Circuit, Octopath Traveler 2, Lies of P, Air Twister, Pizza Tower
2024 (1:43:46)
1000 x Resist, Unicorn Overlord, Nine Sols, Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble, Another Crabs Treasure
What’s changed about video game music in the past 10 years? (1:53:02)
What are we listening to in 2025? (1:57:47)
Clair Obscure, Deltarune Ch3+4, Cave Story
The Rec Room (2:04:48)
To a T, 30XX, Rewatching Andor, Having very little trust and patience for the people selling you a house.

Just like FFX, our *Final* Final Fantasy Episode gets a sequel! Special guest Andrew Bluett fresh off writing a retrospective of FFIX helps keep us final-factual. How would we look back on each of the Final Fantasy games if 7, 8, 9, 10, and 10-2 were the last games in the series? Would Square just have turned into the FFVII machine? And is VIII really that much of a black sheep? Hear our hot takes on Blitzball as this triad triples down on our favorite minigames and more. 
CONTACT US: brainlordspod@gmail.com
Kyle - Cute Monster Props
Jorge - JMV
Special Guest: Andrew Bluett
THINGS DISUCSSED
All the ding-dang FF games, just all of them.What if each Final Fantasy was the FINAL Final Fantasy? (7 through 10-2) (0:05:53)
Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross, Majuular
Andrew’s History with the Final Fantasy Series (0:11:54)
Kingdom Hearts Series, GTA5, Californication, Bojack Horseman, 
Final Fantasy 7 (0:21:01)
Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children, Dirge of Cerberus,
 Final Fantasy 8 (0:39:03) 
Lost Odyssey
Game Ratings: Most overrated, underrated, and accurately rated Final Fantasy minigames (1:01:33) 
Pyre, Chocobo Racing, Chocobo Racing GP
Final Fantasy 9 (1:18:54)
Hathaways Flash, The Dark Crystal, Jollibee, 2001 A Space Odyssey,
Final Fantasy 10 (1:43:01)
Escaflowne, Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Trigun, The Big O
Final Fantasy 10-2 (1:59:41)
The Question Zone (2:14:27)
When it comes to Chocobos, are you team "wark" or team "kweh" -Oceanity
 
Let's say there was no Final Fantasy, what game would then be THE flag hip Square title? -Ultimecia_did_nothing_wrong
Okay I was clowning around with my last question, but with the flash of popularity that OtoWakka had making the X/X-2 HD a best seller on steam in Japan, what other themes or character relations of other Final Fantasy games do you think would bring in new audiences? -Wee Baby Jaso
Who would you pick out the lesser known, or even least loved party members to be in the roster of the next Dissidia? - BouncerGOTY2k
DBZ Budokai 3
The Rec Room (2:31:51)
Fun Factor, Who is Your Doctor?, Escape From Vault Disney, Stranger of Paradise, Deltarune Chapter 3&4, Actually learn from FF7 and being active in your local politics. Be safe y’all.

What if it really was the FINAL Fantasy? This week we ask the question, what would the legacy of each FF game be if it was the last game in the series? In this part 1 episode we go over the history of each of the pixel games up through VI. Would FFII be given a fair shot if it only got compared to FFI? We discover that FFIV may be the Citizen Kane of RPGs, and talk about FFV as the Mother 3 of FF games (I assure you this makes sense). Is FFVII just an enhanced version of FFVI? These Spoony Bards tell all in a theoretical retrospective of some Freakin’ Fantastic games.
CONTACT US: brainlordspod@gmail.com
Kyle - Cute Monster Props
Jorge - JMV
 
THINGS DISCUSSED:
Hotel Barcelona, Deadly Premonition, The Missing, Shadows of the Damned, Liberation Maiden, Mario RPG, Earthbound, Chrono Trigger, 
What if each Final Fantasy was the FINAL Final Fantasy? (0:07:04) 
Final Fantasy (like all of them. Every single one.) Magic the Gathering, Dragon Warrior
What is your history with FF games? (0:13:56)
Breath of Fire, Illusion of Gaia, 
 FFI (0:24:33)
Seiken Densetsu, The Bouncer
FFII (0:35:08)
Dragon Quest 2, Aliens, Wizardy, Ultima, Nasir Gebelli
FFIII (0:44:01)
Game Ratings: The most overrated, underrated, and accurately rated Battle Music of the FF Pixel Era. (0:56:39)
FFIV (1:09:41)
Jeremy Parish FF2 Review, Final Fantasy Mystic Quest,  Namingway Romhack
FFV (1:27:40)
RPGE FFV Fan Translation, Mother 3,  Legend of the Crystals
FFVI (1:37:46)
Claire Obscure
What is the legacy of the Pixel Final Fantasies? (1:55:10)
The Question Zone (1:57:17)
Would you want any of these titles to be remade in the scale and scope of FF7 Remake, if so how would this change the nature of the game in essence? - Mogabubu
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
Using Elements from previous Final Fantasy games, what would your perfect Final Fantasy be? For example, the combat of Remake in the world of Ivalace starring Vivi -Final Fantasy Mystic Chex Quest
Bravely Default
Which of these game would you consider the best starting point for people interested in starting Final Fantasy -Tina Raisin Branford
 What is the best FF to start with if you are intimidated at everyone’s answers to that question? -Ultros and Typhon
The Rec Room (2:16:04)
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, The Rehearsal, Claire Obscure: Expedition 33, Metaphor ReFantazio, Formless Star 

This week special guest George Weidman, aka Super Bunnyhop, helps us figure out our love hate relationship with Hideo Kojima. Do we sabotage our own enjoyment with hype cycles and marketing jargon? Jorge reveals some misinformation about the English translation of Nawa, a story that inspired Death Stranding. Kyle recounts The Postman, a story that definitely didn't inspire Death Stranding (despite the authors claims). And George argues that the Hideo Kojima's character names really aren't that bad, especially Machine Gun Kid. Will we fall prey to the same hype for Death Stranding 2 or will we all just turn into Sticks?
 
CONTACT US: brainlordspod@gmail.com
Kyle - Cute Monster Props
Jorge - JMV
Special Guest: Super Bunnyhop!
 
THINGS DISCUSSED:
Japan, Mystica Ninja Starring Goemon, Dragon Quest, Earthbound, Kirby Café, Megazone 23, 13 Sentinals
Was Death Stranding worth the hype? (00:06:32)
Death Stranding, Alan Wake 2, Papers Please, Metal Gear 2, Metal Gear Solid
What exactly is a strand game? (00:25:10)
Ancestors: Mankind’s Odyssey, Dark Souls, Ducktales, Breath of the Wild, Control, Destiny, Deadly Premonition, 
What’s the deal with the whole rope and stick thing? (00:38:58)
Nawa - Kobo Abe, The Man Who Turned into a Stick - Kobo Abe, Stick - Kobo Abe, Metal Gear Solid 3
What are the best and worst parts of Hideo Kojima as an Auteur? (0:57:14)
MGSV, MG Rising: Revengeance, Megalopolis, MGS3
Is Death Stranding a reflection of the politics of a disenfranchised Japanese westaboo? (1:06:01) 
The Postman
Was Hideo Kojima inspired by The Postman or did he just rip it off? (1:16:09)
Fallout New Vegas
GAME RATINGS: Most underrated, overrated, and accurately rated Hideo Kojima character name? (1:25:04)
What do we think the A24 adaptation should actually adapt and what should Death Stranding 2 be about? (1:34:17)
Dune, Pig
Question Zone (1:45:09)
Does Heartmant have any measures to prevent his death during resuscitation?
Have you heard the comparison to The Postman?
Is Timothee Chalamet in DS2?
What’s the deal with the heavy Neon Genisis Evangelion references in Death Stranding?
What was really going on with Mama and Lockne?
The last few hours of the game really bludgeon you with overemphasis of its themes. Considering the infamous Russian taunt thread, was Kojipro justified in assuming people wouldn’t understand its story?
Rec Room (1:56:07)
Jambalaya, Judero, The Postman, Waterworld, 1000xResist, Look Outside, 84 Hashi
 

On today’s episode of Brainlords we explain why games might be better if they were a little “worse”! Jorge gives a history lesson on The Flow State while Kyle explains how it recently became synonymous with the addiction loop of a slot machine. Is fun the only emotion gameplay should strive for or should we want a bit more friction in an interactive art form?
 
CONTACT US: brainlordspod@gmail.com
Kyle - Cute Monster Props
Jorge - JMV
Edited by Kyle
 
THINGS DISCUSSED:
Should games be fun? (0:04:04)
Super Mario World
What does friction mean? (0:06:39)
Dragon’s Dogma 2, Signalis, Bravely Default
What are some instances of a game that had friction that you didn’t like? (0:16:20)
Stephanie Sterling, Breath of the Wild, Twilight Princess, Animal Crossing Wild World, Street Fighter 6, Blazeblue, FF1 Anniversary PSP
What is the Flow State? (0:24:09)
Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Flow in Games (2007) - Jenova Chen, Journey, Flow, Sky: Children of the Light, Tears of the Kingdom, Addiction by Design - Natasha D. Schull, Simon’s Quest, Diablo 1, Diablo 2, Dark Souls, Demon’s Souls, Bloodborne
How do we tell the difference between deliberate design choices and bad controls? (0:43:20)
Pathologic, Pathologic 2, Deadly Premonition, Windwaker, Darkest Dungeon, Pseudoregalia, Disco Elysium, Silent Hill 2, Devil May Cry, Resident Evil 4, Final Fantasy IX, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Game Ratings: What is the most overrated, underrated, and accurately rated game with Tank Controls? (1:09:31)
Shadows of the Empire, Resident Evil 1, RE: Remake (Gamecube), Parasite Eve, World of Tanks, Tomb Raider, God Hand, Katamari Damacy
Games as theater - Should games be Dramatic or Epic? (1:15:51)
Lisa The Painful RPG, Undertale, 1000xResist, Look Back (NOTE: we said Your Name but we meant Look Back), Doom, Doom (2016), Astro Bot, Flinthook
Should the goal of a remake be to eliminate friction? (1:03:17)
Link’s Awakening Remake, Ocarina of Time, Nightdive Studios, System Shock 1
What are some more concrete examples of a remake that took away some friction and lost something? (1:37:11)
Super Mario RPG Remake, Silent Hill 2 Remake, RE: 4 Remake
Closing Thoughts (1:47:17)
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island
The Question Zone (1:53:35)
What is the best objectively bad game? - Francis York Morgan
Altered Beast, Harvester, Evil Zone, Dwarf Fortress.
What is the point of preserving a game after it gets remade? - True Doom Murderhead
Monkey Island, Smash Bros Melee, Mario 64, Metal Gear Solid Delta, MGS3/Subsistence/3DS, Metroid Prime Trilogy, Wizardry
The Rec Room (2:05:59)
Magical Puzzle Popils, Dragon Crystal, Playing Games randomly for the Steam Nextfest, Angeline Era, Severance Season 2, Hydlide, Ys, Nativshark.

This week's episode we attempt craft the perfect Paper Mario using elements from each game like it was some sort of ransom note. Our first ever guest, Oceanity, uses her expertise as one of the only people who actually played Color Splash to help us identify what is at the heart of the best Mario RPGs. Kyle explains why The Origami King is a flawed gem. Does the Paper theme even matter or are the "good" games only that way because the partners are such funny little guys? We wrestle with Nintendo's relationship with Paper Mario's identity crisis, revisiting The Thousand Year Door with mixed feelings, and more in this page turner of an episode. 
 
CONTACT US: brainlordspod@gmail.com
Kyle - Cute Monster Props
Jorge - JMV
Edited By David PinckneySpecial Guest: Izzy - Oceanity
 
THINGS DISCUSSED:
Samurai Pizza Cats
Does the Perfect Paper Mario Exist? (0:05:08)
Super Mario RPG, Paper Mario, Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door, Super Paper Mario, Paper Mario Sticker Star, Paper Mario Color Splash, Mario and Luigi Series, Paper Mario Origami King, Super Mario RPG Remake, Mario TTYD Remake
What is the Most Overrated, Underrated, Accurately Rated Mario RPG? (0:17:00)
Earthbound, Chibi Robo, Custom Robo, Radio the Universe, Final Fantasy Pixel Remake
Your Personal History with Paper Mario. (0:23:44)
What even is a Paper Mario game? (0:53:55)
What is Mario's Personality? (1:04:05)
Why does Paper Mario Have Such and Identity Crisis? (1:07:17)
Which Paper Mario has the Best Story? (1:19:25)
Which Paper Mario has the Best Gameplay? (1:23:44)
Which Mario RPG has the best Soundtrack? (1:31:27)
Which Paper Mario Has the Best Partners? (1:38:12)
What does paper mean as a theme and how has it changed over time? (1:50:33)
Why do other Paperverse indies struggle to do what Paper Mario does? (1:55:38)
Underhero, Bug Fabels, Born of Bread, YIIK
What do the Non Paper games do better or worse than the Paper Games? (2:01:25)
Closing Thoughts. (2:09:31)
Question Zone (2:13:28)
What Mario character or enemy would you want to see as a partner in a Paper Mario game? -Guruguru Giraloo
Can any other IP have a paper spinoff? -Flat Peach Theory
Rec Room (2:21:04)
Secret of the Kells, Song of the Sea, Wolfwalkers, Keep Driving, The Pat Metheny Group, Common Side Effects, Mars Express, Unicorn Overlord