Showing posts with label Dark Souls III. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dark Souls III. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

EXP Podcast #426: Dark Souls 3: The Ringed City Debrief

"I'M GLAD YOU COULD MAKE IT!"
This week on the EXP Podcast, we journey to find the dark soul, deep in the Ringed City. It's the last time we delve into a Dark Souls game. What does this foray hold besides numerous deaths? Where will the adventure lead us? What will we do if it leads us to Midir?

Got thoughts on the DLC? Share them by shooting us an email!

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.





Show Notes:

- Runtime: 57 mins 31 sec
- Music by Brad Sucks

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

EXP Podcast #404: Dark Souls 3: Ashes of Ariandel Debrief

Don't take paintings from strangers, kids.
This week on the EXP Podcast, we forlorn souls visit the cold and lonely painted world of Ariandel, AKA Dark Souls 3 DLC. What do we find there in the rotten world? Why, quite possibly the best boss in all of the Soulsborne franchise. Join us as we ignite out tiny ashen fire and die repeatedly to wolves.

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.




Show Notes:

- Runtime: 43 mins 46 sec
- Music by Brad Sucks

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Dark Souls, Bicycles, and Level Design

This week on PopMatters, I ask: how well can you draw your favorite video game world?

The answer is probably not that well. Trust me. I tried. We actually have pretty shoddy memories, maybe especially so when it comes to design objects. You'd think since we traverse game worlds in 3D, and often in first-person, we'd have a better grasp of how things work. But honestly, even after writing about games consistently eight years (holy crap, that's a long time), dissecting level design is still a difficult process.

When I ride a bike, I don't think about the motion of the gears or the physics of the frame. I do pay attention to flat tires though, and if something is amiss I can feel it, even if I don't know what it is. So naturally when I think back on my favorite video game landscapes, the ones that work, I remember singular iconic moments. They might be vistas or crazy boss battles, or they might be a jump scare or some revelatory narrative moment.

These moments only work with a functioning frame, but they stand out because of they way that frame connects them to other singular moments and locations. We map our journeys in our mind with broad brush strokes. That might seem obvious, but remembering that, and visualising it with these crazy bike drawings, might help us appreciate designed spaces.


Thursday, June 2, 2016

Playing the Pacifist in Dark Souls III

Wow. I look good.
My latest PopMatters article is live, and it's all about playing the Dark Souls III peacemaker.

I actually completely forgot to promote Dark Souls III article here nearly a month back when I wrote about the social elements of the game. In that piece I praise the act of invasion in Dark Souls as though it were a form of acting. I, the invader, play the villain. From that perspective, even if I die, I played my part.

It's funny that my latest playthrough is non-violent, but still fulfills the same role. When summoned into someone else's world to help with a boss or an invader, and I simply take hits with a massive shield, I like to think I make an impression. It's a strange thing to see in a game so filled with gloom.

I think this is partially why From is willing to go so dark with Dark Souls. When the story and setting are melancholy and dire, every time someone joins your game dressed as Smough, an Abyss Watcher, or as a pacifist cleric, levity breaks up the tone.  For a moment, Lothric becomes a bit more friendly, and hopefully, you're given the courage to soldier on.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

EXP Podcast #379: Dark Souls III Debrief, Part 2

Scott meets Champion Gundyr
We did it! Scott and I have linked the flame (maybe), and beaten Dark Souls III. How does it hold up to Bloodborne? Did I ever figure out Sorcery? Has Scott stopped spamming R1 attacks all day in PVP? These questions and more in our epic Dark Souls III debrief.

Want to start with our initial thoughts? You can give Part 1 a listen right here. Want to read some great stuff about Dark Souls? Check out the show notes below. For some Dark Souls III videos, check out our youtube channel. And of course, don't hesitate to let us know your thoughts on the game.

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by left-clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.




Show Notes:

- Runtime: 1 hr 8 mins
- Music from the Official Dark Souls III Soundtrack
- You Died: The Dark Souls Companion by Keza MacDonald and Jason Killingsworth
- "Praise the Sun: On Yoga & Dark Souls," by Charlene Putney via Existential Gamer
- "Dark Souls and doughnuts – what video games taught me about vegan cookery," by Kat Brewster via The Guardian
- "Getting Social with Dark Souls," by ME (deal with it) via PopMatters

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Dark Sous 3: Stage Dive Edition

Dark Souls is all about diving into things headfirst. Boulders, bottomless pits, axes: we dive into everything! Highlights: A fleeting triumph: https://youtu.be/lpH1BQofRz4 Well, that was fast: https://youtu.be/Hk6GOm37BkE

Dark Souls 3: A Fleeting Victory

In which a triumph is followed by a trip.

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Dark Souls 3: Showdown in the Swamp

We venture into the bog and become some poor sap's worst nightmare. The duel begins at 45:20.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

EXP Podcast #375: Dark Souls III Debrief, Part 1

Welcome, Ashen One, to another Experience Points Debrief. This week on the podcast, Scott and I eat some ember and get fired up about Dark Souls III. This is a hefty game, and it will take us both some time to complete our journey through Lothric, but we want to bring you some early thoughts on the game as we regain our footing in the Dark Souls universe. There are some tough new lessons to be learned after Bloodborne, oh yes. Namely don't stick your face in treasure chests that aren't yours.

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by left-clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.




Show Notes:

- Runtime: 36 mins 54 secs
- Music by Brad Sucks, Dark Souls III OST.