Deep Listens is a gaming podcast series I'm recording with a few of my friends. Every two weeks we pick and play a new game and then discuss it from a literary, philosophical, and game design perspective. Its kind of like a book club for videogames. We try to dig as deep as we can on an individual game every episode so check it out!

After a week of horrible technical difficulties, the show is back on track with a long, spoiler-free discussion of Mass Effect. In part 1 we're joined by Devin DeFrancesco to discuss the mechanics of Mass Effect. We cover the different guns, powers, and team configurations that prop up Mass Effect's combat. Billy rants about the game's inventory system. We analyze the potential ramifications of the game's binary morality system. And we also find some time to ponder what the heck Omni-gel is and why it seems to solve all of our problems.

In this episode we are still joined by Devin DeFrancesco to discuss the story of Mass Effect. We kick things off by responding to some user feedback about Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles and whether FFCC's gamplay clashes with it's aesthetics. We then pivot over to Mass Effect talk and discuss the multiple races of the ME univers and how they all fit together. Pete gets on his AI-loving soapbox about the Geth and humanity's role in the larger story of Mass Effect. We also take a close look at how the non-linear elements of Mass Effect's story can radically alter how you interpret the game.

We'll be playing Devil Daggers for our next episode, so stay tuned!

Episode 21 Part 1: The Many Intricacies and Glitches of Mass Effect

Episode 21 Part 2: Galactic Politics and Non-Linear Storytelling in Mass Effect