In this month's episode of the Ludonarrative Podcast, Blake and Preston talk Dark Souls (2011). Dark Souls is game that seamlessly integrates its lore into storytelling. The game mechanics are a pastiche of classic RPGs, combined in a such a way that has earned Dark Souls a reputation for extreme difficulty. Dark Souls, created by Hidetaka Miyazaki, deliberately leads us nowhere - or so it would seem. We ask how video games establish trust, and how death shapes identities in games. Support the Ludonarrative Podcast: Patreon.com/EpilogueGaming For more discussions like these: EpilogueGaming.com Chat with us on Twitter: LudonarrativeFM Chat with us on Twitch: Twitch.tv/LudoNarrativePodcast

In this month's episode of the Ludonarrative Podcast, Blake and Preston explore the fantastical world of Journey (2012). Journey is a beautifully ethereal and independent quest through a desertous seascape. The game mechanics teach the player that the world is to be navigated, not hid from. Journey, created by Thatgamecompany, accomplishes what most AAA titles fail to: an emotional experience. Support the Ludonarrative Podcast: Patreon.com/EpilogueGaming: Patreon.com/EpilogueGaming For more discussions like these: EpilogueGaming.com: EpilogueGaming.com Chat with us on Twitter: Twitch.tv/BenGerman10: LudonarrativeFM">”https://twitter.com/LudonarrativeF…ativeFM Buy Journey's soundtrack: austinwintory.bandcamp.com/album/journey

In this month's episode of the Ludonarrative Podcast, Blake and Preston endure Lisa: the Painful (2014). Lisa is an RPG that severely punishes its players. The game mechanics are all about loss, trauma, and psychological instability. Lisa, created by Austin Jorgensen, demonstrates how a video game can take away control and still tell its story. Support the Ludonarrative Podcast: Patreon.com/EpilogueGaming For more discussions like these: EpilogueGaming.com Chat with us in between episodes: Twitch.tv/BenGerman10 Buy Widdly 2 Diddly's soundtrack: widdly2diddly.bandcamp.com

In this month's episode of the Ludonarrative Podcast, Blake and Preston bounce around ideas about the minimalist masterpiece "Thomas Was Alone" (2012). Thomas Was Alone tells its stories through its characters, and its characters are revealed through their game mechanics. This game, designed by Mike Bithell, is the quintessential example of how narration alone can imply an entire world into gameplay. Support the Ludonarrative Podcast: Patreon.com/EpilogueGaming For more discussions like these: EpilogueGaming.com Chat with us in between episodes: Twitch.tv/BenGerman10 Original article coining "Ludonarrative Dissonance" clicknothing.typepad.com/click_nothin…ative-d.html Buy David Housden's soundtrack: thomaswasalone.bandcamp.com/

In this month's episode of the Ludonarrative Podcast, Blake and Preston spend time unraveling the hauntingly beautiful "Shadow of the Colossus" (2005). This game, designed by Fumito Ueda, adheres to the design principle, "design by subtraction." The game's mechanics come alive, even today, as we anticipate the forthcoming redesigned release for the PS4. Check back with Epilogue this month for more on "Shadow of the Colossus."

Blake and Preston break down how Brothers' dual-stick mechanic enhances the storyline throughout the game.