Best Sid Meiers Podcasts (2024)

1
Sid Meier’s Prime Directive! 1:24:02

20d ago1:24:02

1:24:02

We’re watching Enterprise Season 1, Episode 9: “Civilization” but only Maria has actually watched the episode! The Enterprise crew get up to shenanigans on a pre-contact planet and demonstrate why someone needs to invent the prime directive stat! Join us as Maria attempts to explain the episode to Jamie and Bill. Rikermendations Bill: the movie 201…

1
OK Space Boomer! 1:20:41

6d ago1:20:41

1:20:41

We’re watching Enterprise Season 1, Episode 10: “Fortunate Son” but only Bill has actually watched the episode. Travis makes a boomer friend and then has a falling out with said boomer friend. And, despite being an episode all about boomers, we still somehow don’t learn what “boomer” actually means. Join us as Bill attempts to explain the episode t…

1
Resting Vague Disquiet Face! 1:20:50

1M ago1:20:50

1:20:50

We’re watching Enterprise Season 1, Episode 8: “Breaking the Ice” but only guest-explainer Christian has actually watched the episode! Travis and Malcolm build a snowman on a comet while Trip digs through all T’Pol’s personal files just for funsies. Join us as Christian attempts to explain the episode to Jamie, Bill, and Maria. Rikermendations Bill…

1
Unnecessary Torture! 1:52:39

2M ago1:52:39

1:52:39

We’re watching Enterprise Season 2, Episode 7: “The Andorian Incident” but only Jamie has actually watched the episode! Archer and Trip join T’Pol on a visit to a Vulcan monastery where they are extremely respectful of the alien culture. Just kidding! They destroy a bunch of priceless Vulcan artifacts and are rude to a group of monks. Join us as Ja…

1
Bone Sax! 1:43:22

2M ago1:43:22

1:43:22

We’re watching Enterprise Season 1, Episode 6: “Terra Nova” but only Maria has actually watched the episode! The Enterprise goes to find some answers about a colony that was lost 70 years ago. What could possibly go wrong? Join us as Maria attempts to explain the episode to Bill and Jamie. Follow us on BlueSky: @enterprisesplain [https://bsky.app/p…

1
Wrist Nipples! 1:29:11

3M ago1:29:11

1:29:11

We’re watching Enterprise Season 1, Episode 5: “Unexpected” but only Bill has actually watched the episode! Trip has a sexy encounter with a shiny alien lady and sticks his fingers where they don’t belong, getting himself in a bit of a bind. Let’s just say his predicament led us to ask the question “Do wrist nipples have mammary glands?” Join us as…

1
Yells at Wall in Vulcan! 1:22:07

3M ago1:22:07

1:22:07

We’re watching Enterprise Season 1, Episode 4: “Strange New World” but only Maria has actually watched the episode! The Enterprise crew gets stranded on an alien planet where strange things are happening and Trip goes on a trip of his own! Join us as Maria attempts to explain the episode to Jamie and Bill. Follow us on BlueSky: @enterprisesplain Fo…

1
The Chronicles of Sluggo! 1:21:37

3M ago1:21:37

1:21:37

We’re watching Enterprise Season 1, Episode 3: “Fight or Flight” but only Jamie has actually watched the episode! The Enterprise encounters an abandoned ship filled with dead aliens and does mostly everything wrong. Join us as Jamie attempts to explain the episode to Bill and Maria. Follow us on BlueSky: @enterprisesplain Follow us on Instagram: @e…

1
Sexy Decontamination Time! 1:21:53

4M ago1:21:53

1:21:53

Since the pilot episode was so long, we decided to split it into two episodes. This portion features the sexy decontamination scene you’ve all been waiting for! Join Jamie, Bill, and Maria as they work through the second half of the pilot episode of Star Trek: Enterprise, “Broken Bow.” Follow us on BlueSky: @enterprisesplain [https://bsky.app/profi…

1
Space Australians! 46:00

4M ago46:00

46:00

Jamie, Bill, and Maria attempt to explain the first half of the pilot episode of Star Trek: Enterprise, “Broken Bow” to each other. We’re introduced to the crew of the first Enterprise and their first mission to help a wounded Klingon. Let’s see how it all started. Follow us on BlueSky: @enterprisesplain [https://bsky.app/profile/enterprisesplain.b…

1
Hey, It's Enterprisesplaining! 2:29

4M ago2:29

2:29

Enterprisesplaining is a podcast about Star Trek: Enterprise. Three people who have never seen the show describe the adventures of the first starship Enterprise, and what can only be called the crabbiest crew in Star Trek history. They have the knowledge. They have the perspective. They have the faith of the heart. But, most importantly, they have …

1
Episode 150 - Finale and Retrospective 2:48:25

6M ago2:48:25

2:48:25

The end has come! Nate, Sebastian, Jordan, David, and Ryan all convene to discuss the games that surprised them on their seven-year podcast journey, the games from our chronology that they MOST recommend everyone try, and some games which we didn't touch on but which we couldn't finish out our tour without at least mentioning. Along the way, we're …

1
Episode 149 - Hades 1:26:25

9M ago1:26:25

1:26:25

Nate, Ryan, Jordan, and David gather for the last game on our whirlwind tour of game history -- Supergiant Games' 2020 rogue-like HADES, about a young god just tryin' to get out from his father's shadow. We discuss synergy, sexy deities, incredible jams, and the magic trick of a persistent narrative doled out in pieces in a run-based structure. Nat…

1
Episode 148 - Kentucky Route Zero 1:19:17

10M ago1:19:17

1:19:17

Nate, Sebastian, Ryan, and Jordan gather to discuss KENTUCKY ROUTE ZERO, Cardboard Computer's surreal trip through an America haunted by debt, loss, regret, and hope. The first episode released in 2013, but our timeline places it at the journey's conclusion, which only emerged in 2020. We talk theater, symmetry, literature, and whether it's worth i…

1
Episode 147 - Disco Elysium 1:52:25

11M ago1:52:25

1:52:25

Nate, Sebastian, Ryan, Jordan, and David all convene to discuss DISCO ELYSIUM, ZA/UM's 2019 surreal detective adventure. We talk about evocative prose, political vision quests, and what kinds of cops we would be, if we were forced against our will to be cops. Nate fantasizes about being bench-pressed by China Mieville, Sebastian brings a cavalry sa…

1
Episode 146 - Outer Wilds 1:28:54

12M ago1:28:54

1:28:54

Nate, Sebastian, Jordan and Ryan all gather to discuss OUTER WILDS, Mobius Digital's triumphant space exploration game from 2019. We discuss escape rooms, campfires, and dying in the cold vacuum of space. Sebastian mishears Jordan's latest game investigations, Ryan is scared of Giant's Deep, and Nate watches Predator 2.…

1
Episode 145 - Pathologic 2 1:40:39

1y ago1:40:39

1:40:39

Nate, Sebastian, Jordan, and Brock gather to discuss PATHOLOGIC 2, the "open-world horror RPG" developed by Ice-Pick Lodge and released in 2019. We discuss brutality both thematic and mechanical, folk horror, and starving to death on the steppe. Nate becomes an evangelist for a game he wasn't sure he'd like, Brock gets to know his co-workers in the…

1
Episode 144 - Red Dead Redemption II 1:59:31

1y ago1:59:31

1:59:31

Nate, Sebastian, and Jordan all gather to discuss RED DEAD REDEMPTION II, Rockstar Games' Western open-world epic from 2018. We talk the problematic circumstances of its production, the surprising subtlety of its storytelling, and the complexity of its systems and controls. Sebastian makes bold claims about Westerns, Nate gushes over the music, and…

1
Episode 143 - Fortnite Battle Royale 1:11:35

1y ago1:11:35

1:11:35

Nate, Ryan, David and Max all gather to discuss FORTNITE BATTLE ROYALE, the 2017 smash sensation that enthralled teens the world over. We discuss the game's quick pivot away from a PvE mode to chase a trend, its nature as "pop culture as a service," and how maybe, just maybe, we owe teenagers everywhere an apology. Ryan gushes about being able to u…

1
Episode 142 - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 1:33:08

1y ago1:33:08

1:33:08

Nate, Jordan, Max, and new guest Pamela gather to discuss THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: BREATH OF THE WILD, Nintendo's 2017 reinvention of the open-world genre. We discuss systems that interact with each other, memory and reimagination, and joyful discovery. Nate likes being in the dark, Jordan embraces his inner Dark Souls sicko on Eventide Isle, and Pam e…

1
Episode 141 - Sid Meier's Civilization VI 1:22:30

1y ago1:22:30

1:22:30

Nate, Sebastian, David, and newcomer Dan all convene to discuss SID MEIER'S CIVILIZATION VI, Firaxis's strategy masterpiece from 2016. We discuss the complex, layered systems, our favorite ways to let the game challenge us, and the problematic nature of tossing all the world's cultures into the same expansionist melting pot. Sebastian survives the …

1
Episode 140 - No Man's Sky 1:19:38

1+ y ago1:19:38

1:19:38

Nate, Sebastian, Ryan, and David all gather to discuss NO MAN'S SKY, 2016's procedurally-generated space exploration and survival game from Hello Games. We discuss the game's awe-inspiring trailers, its turbulent launch and reception, and the incredible strides it's made in the years since. Nate points out the importance of having two moons in the …

1
Episode 139 - Pokémon Go 1:05:49

1+ y ago1:05:49

1:05:49

Nate, Ryan, and David are joined by newcomer Jenn to discuss POKEMON GO, Niantic's AR-enhanced monster-collection extravaganza from 2016. We discuss how a live service game can change and evolve over a seven-year lifespan, the intricacies of catching pocket monsters, and how Eevee is just the darn cutest. Jenn relates a nice dream about what happen…

1
Episode 138 - Undertale 1:19:13

1+ y ago1:19:13

1:19:13

Nate, Ryan, and David gather to discuss UNDERTALE, Toby Fox's RPG(?) from 2015 in which you do not have to destroy anyone. We discuss lo-fi aesthetics, the teenage desire to experience darkness in stories, and choices that matter. Nate keeps a Spider Donut for a convenient moment, Ryan commits some accidental murders, and David bristles at permanen…

1
Episode 137 - Until Dawn 1:32:54

1+ y ago1:32:54

1:32:54

Nate, Sebastian, and Jordan gather to discuss UNTIL DAWN, Supermassive Games' 2015 horror adventure classic. We talk about branching narrative, the surfacing of information to the player (or the obscuration of it!), fiction which is genre-aware, and horny teens. Nate extols the virtues of 1999 cannibal thriller RAVENOUS, Sebastian marvels that a sl…

1
Episode 136 - The Witcher III: Wild Hunt 1:27:53

1+ y ago1:27:53

1:27:53

Nate, Sebastian, Ryan, and David convene to discuss THE WITCHER III: WILD HUNT, a 2015 open-world RPG from CD Projekt Red which instantly became the benchmark against which other open-world RPGs were measured. We discuss renaissaince festivals, open-world bloat, and the difference between polish and Polish. Nate describes the game as "a Mass Effect…

1
Episode 135 - Her Story 1:22:52

1+ y ago1:22:52

1:22:52

Nate, Sebastian, Jordan and Ryan all gather to discuss HER STORY, Sam Barlow's "database thriller" from 2015. We discuss the untapped potential of real acting in games, the joys of discovery, and how difficult it is to make a player feel like a detective without them getting lost. Nate recommends a way NOT to play the game, Sebastian takes too many…

1
Episode 134 - P.T. 1:05:17

2y ago1:05:17

1:05:17

Nate, Ryan, Jordan, and Brock gather to discuss P.T., the "playable teaser" from 2014 which was delisted a few months after its release when the game it was a preview for was canceled before development really got underway. We discuss what a weird piece of ephemera this is in the story of videogames, jump scares, and hallways. Jordan admits to shri…

1
Episode 133 - Gone Home 1:06:39

2y ago1:06:39

1:06:39

Nate, Sebastian, Jordan, and David gather to discuss GONE HOME, Fullbright's first-person exploration game from 2013. We discuss the novelty of introducing new narrative genres to familiar mechanical interfaces, what the game inherits from its immersive sim predecessors, and spooky old houses. Jordan misremembers someone else's high school theater …

1
Episode 132 - The Last of Us 1:43:31

2y ago1:43:31

1:43:31

Nate, Sebastian, and Ryan are joined by newcomer Chris Carr to discuss THE LAST OF US, Naughty Dog's grim tale from 2013 of a trip westward across the ruined United States amidst a fungal zombie plague. We discuss naturalistic dialogue, scrappy combat, and parallels to Children of Men. Sebastian praises the game's Western influences, Chris apprecia…

1
Episode 131 - Spelunky 1:31:11

2y ago1:31:11

1:31:11

Nate, Sebastian, Jordan, and Max all gather to discuss SPELUNKY, or at least the HD remake of it, the procedurally-generated platformer from 2012. We discuss the perils and promises of proc-gen elements in games, how dangerous complexity can arise from beautiful simplicity, and whether it's okay to use a pug to trigger an arrow trap. Nate relates s…

1
Episode 130 - Spec Ops: The Line 1:30:23

2y ago1:30:23

1:30:23

Nate, Sebastian, Ryan, and Brock gather to discuss SPEC OPS: THE LINE, Yager's 2012 deconstruction of the military shooter genre. We discuss unreliable narrators, war crimes, and slammin' your back into some cover to shoot some guys. Nate watches Ryan commit a real Geneva Convention no-no over livestream, Sebastian wonders if the game doesn't sprea…

1
Episode 129 - Telltale's The Walking Dead: Season One 1:25:19

2y ago1:25:19

1:25:19

Nate, Sebastian, and Jordan gather to discuss Telltale Games' THE WALKING DEAD, or at least the first season of it -- a resurgence of the adventure game genre and episodic storytelling. We discuss how episodic games mimic episodic TV, the difficulties with post-apocalyptic fiction, and the different ways in which player choice can affect the plot a…

1
Episode 128 - Journey 1:15:19

2y ago1:15:19

1:15:19

Nate, Sebastian, and Andrew convene to discuss JOURNEY, thatgamecompany's stunning example of minimalism and symphonic splendor from 2012. We discuss anonymity and fleeting, digital human interaction, "art" games, and how videogames are, at heart, about a little guy goin' around. Nate and Andrew share parallel experiences of finding solace in art g…

1
Episode 127 - The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 1:35:07

2y ago1:35:07

1:35:07

Nate, Sebastian, Ryan, and David all gather to discuss THE ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM, Bethesda's open-world RPG from 2011. We talk about big games, scrounging, and the mechanics of pickpocketing. Nate enjoys his first trip to Tamriel, Ryan calls people "milkdrinker," and Sebastian feels like maybe he's had enough Skyrim for one lifetime.…

1
Episode 126 - Dark Souls 1:43:08

2y ago1:43:08

1:43:08

Nate, Ryan, and Jordan are joined by new guest Andrew Elmore to discuss DARK SOULS, FromSoftware's 2011 cult classic action RPG. We discuss difficulty versus approachability, grim fantasy aesthetics, and what it means for something to be called "the Dark Souls of [X]." Jordan gets lost in the narrative weeds, Ryan and Andrew discover a mutual love …

1
Episode 125 - Amnesia: The Dark Descent 1:13:54

2+ y ago1:13:54

1:13:54

Nate, Jordan, Ryan, and Brock gather to discuss AMNESIA: THE DARK DESCENT, Frictional Games' adventure-horror game from 2010. We jaw about disempowerment in horror, physics objects in games, and whether invisible monsters are scarier or not as scary as visible monsters. Nate talks about the fragility of interactive horror, Ryan gushes about Call of…

1
Episode 124 - Uncharted 2: Among Thieves 1:22:52

2+ y ago1:22:52

1:22:52

Nate, Sebastian, and Jordan gather to discuss UNCHARTED 2: AMONG THIEVES, the second in Naughty Dog's globetrotting pulp adventure serial. We talk shooting many men, blockbuster games' desire to imitate blockbuster films, and cracking wise. Nate is excited to play a game with a protagonist that shares his name, Jordan wishes the enemies weren't qui…

1
Episode 123 - Minecraft 1:11:34

2+ y ago1:11:34

1:11:34

Nate, Ryan, and David are joined by new guest Kate Blue to discuss MINECRAFT, the global sensation. We discuss the incredible things folks have built in-game, the fastest ways to get to The End, and how the game is more than simple "virtual Lego." Nate feels like an old man, David explains why his Stardew Valley playthrough was cut short, and Kate …

1
Episode 122 - Far Cry 2 1:28:20

2+ y ago1:28:20

1:28:20

Nate, Sebastian, Jordan, and Ryan gather to discuss FAR CRY 2, Ubisoft's 2008 first-person shooter set in a mercenary playground somewhere in Africa. We discuss the game's emergent systems, how its politics compare to its contemporaries in the genre, and "engaging friction." Sebastian promises to get worse in the new year, Jordan nearly kills his P…

1
Episode 121 - Mass Effect 1:48:51

2+ y ago1:48:51

1:48:51

Nate, Sebastian, Jordan, Ryan, AND returning guest Andrea all congregate to discuss MASS EFFECT, BioWare's space opera RPG from 2007. We discuss pushing yourself to grow as a player of games, the incredible worldbuilding lift the game accomplishes, and how the Mass Effect trilogy is a special product of its time and isn't likely to be replicated an…

1
Episode 120 - Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 1:06:30

2+ y ago1:06:30

1:06:30

Nate, Sebastian, and Ryan gather to discuss CALL OF DUTY 4: MODERN WARFARE, Activision and Infinity Ward's cinematic shooter from 2007. We discuss the game's ugly politics, power imbalances, and fetishization of expensive military technology. Nate posits an "uncanny valley of virtual combat," Ryan dazzles with his encyclopedic knowledge of videogam…

1
Episode 119 - Super Mario Galaxy 1:16:59

2+ y ago1:16:59

1:16:59

Nate, Sebastian, and Jordan gather to discuss SUPER MARIO GALAXY, Nintendo's cosmic trip from 2007. We discuss linearity vs. non-linearity in 3D level design, which powerups we hate (Spring Mario) and where the plumber could possibly go from here. Jordan checks in via FaceTime regularly with his friend Mario to check in on his mental health, Sebast…

1
Episode 118 - Portal 1:09:34

2+ y ago1:09:34

1:09:34

Nate and Ryan are joined by special guest Max Glenn to discuss PORTAL, Valve's puzzle-shooter gem from 2007. We discuss malicious AI, superb level design, and rethinking our relationship to 3D space. Nate has to explain the moral complexities of the Companion Cube to his kids, Max describes GLaDOS as "like if SHODAN were crossed with Clippy," and R…

1
Episode 117 - BioShock 1:33:17

3y ago1:33:17

1:33:17

Nate, Sebastian, and David are joined by special guest Mark Soloff to discuss BIOSHOCK, 2K Games' pulp shooter from 2007. We discuss the game's critical reception, its incredible atmosphere, and how its politics look 15-odd years later. David posits the existence of "Jnco Splicers," Sebastian proposes a period-appropriate fan-casting of a filmic ad…

1
Episode 116 - Desktop Tower Defense 57:12

3y ago57:12

57:12

Nate, Sebastian, and David gather to discuss DESKTOP TOWER DEFENSE, Paul Preece's Flash game from 2007. We discuss our experiences with Flash games in the heady days of the late aughts, playing tower defense mods for Warcraft III, and which tower defense games are worth revisiting. Sebastian revisits and unhealthy addiction to Nanaca Crash, David s…

1
Episode 115 - Wii Sports 1:08:06

3y ago1:08:06

1:08:06

Nate, Jordan, Ryan, and Brock all gather to discuss WII SPORTS, Nintendo's 2006 pack-in that took the world by storm. We discuss why seemingly everyone and their grandmother (perhaps especially their grandmother) was bowling virtually, the legacy of the Wii as a console, and our own personal histories with sport. Nate reveals that his Wii was full …

1
Episode 114 - Gears of War 1:12:04

3y ago1:12:04

1:12:04

Nate, Sebastian, Jordan, and Ryan all gather (appropriately, as a foursome) to discuss GEARS OF WAR, Epic Games' third-person cover shooter and chainsaw extravaganza from 2006. We discuss the wealth of co-op games in the XBox 360 / PS3 generation, active reloads, chest-high walls, and why Marcus and Dom complete each other. Find out which Ninja Tur…

1
Episode 113 - Geometry Wars / XBLA 1:10:45

3y ago1:10:45

1:10:45

Nate, Sebastian, and Jordan gather to discuss GEOMETRY WARS: RETRO EVOLVED, and the broader swath of games available on XBox Live Arcade. We discuss the sea change wrought by this new venue for digital downloads, all of the wild, weird titles put out by small teams, and Doritos: Dash of Destruction. Nate demands that someone bring back 1 vs. 100, S…

1
Episode 112 - Guitar Hero 57:32

3y ago57:32

57:32

Nate, Jordan, and Ryan gather to discuss GUITAR HERO, Harmonix and Red Octane's peripheral-enabled rhythm action game from 2005. We discuss the player as both performer and audience, the legacy and seeming absence of guitar games in 2021, and kicking your leg out into the air when you activate your star power. Nate reveals his sad freshman year of …

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Sid Meiers Podcasts

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