Best Torchlight Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 20: Torchlight - Even My Cat Has Hegemonic Masculinity 59:31

7d ago59:31

59:31

In this episode, we discuss the game that Epic gave away from July 11 to July 18, 2019, the 2009 dungeon crawler/Diablo-like Torchlight. In the conversation we cover the role of basic, non-offensive (but fun) games, the influence of Lord of the Rings on the fantasy tropes of games, and what we like about games that are like Diablo…

1
Episode 21: Limbo - Even Hell is Better With Your Friends! 1:00:33

13h ago1:00:33

1:00:33

In this episode, we discuss the game that Epic gave away July 18 to July 25, 2019, the 2010 puzzle game Limbo. This allows us to revisit conversations like games as art and difficulty in games, as well as discuss games as tool for teaching writing, vulnerability in games, dystopia, and achievements (not to mention RFK's brain worm and the fact that…

1
Episode 143: Ooga Booga (with Rigo Garay) 1:11:06

34m ago1:11:06

1:11:06

We're ripping the band-aid with this one, folks. This week is all about the... let's say racially insensitive killer doll movie OOGA BOOGA, a riff on the classic "Trilogy of Terror" sequence that feels deeply out of place in 2013. It's a bit of a tough sit for your well-meaning hosts, but it was made much more enjoyable thanks to our special guest,…

1
Episode 142: Doll Graveyard / Dangerous Worry Dolls (with Martin Monster) 1:06:48

11d ago1:06:48

1:06:48

This week, multi-thousand-year-old creature from beneath the streets of Brooklyn Martin Monster joins us for a double-dose (or is that doll-ble dose?) of tiny action with DOLL GRAVEYARD and DANGEROUS WORRY DOLLS! The former is a noble attempt to relaunch Full Moon with a new line of killer toys, while the latter is truly one of the strangest films …

1
Episode 141: Skull Heads (with Diana Goodman) 1:10:11

18d ago1:10:11

1:10:11

A new generation of tiny terrors stalks an old Italian castle and the weirdos that reside within in 2009's SKULL HEADS! We're joined this week by the great Diana Goodman of the Thirty Twenty Ten podcast for the prurient thrills of this dysfunctional family drama, featuring a standout turn from the Queen of Full Moon Robin Sydney! Hosted by Jarrod H…

1
Episode 19: Overcooked! - Clack Your Tongs, Masculine Onion Man 52:25

25d ago52:25

52:25

In this episode, we explore the game that Epic gave away for free from July 4 to July 11, 2019, the 2016 cooking sim game Overcooked! We discuss real world cooking, being alone in a failed kitchen versus bothered in a successful one, multiplayer games, the evolution of gaming hardware, and how we feel about onions.…

1
Episode 140: Dr. Moreau's House of Pain (with Brennan Patrick) 1:07:59

21d ago1:07:59

1:07:59

HG Wells' classic sci-fi story gets a pseudo-sequel, and Charles Band goes back to shooting on film with DR. MOREAU'S HOUSE OF PAIN! Austin-based actor Brennan Patrick joins us for a discussion of this odd little movie which served as something of a last gasp of the classic era of Full Moon before the Evil Bongs and Gingerdead Men starting running …

1
Episode 18: Last Day of June - No Eyes, So Creepy (Also, Screw You Ted Hughes) 59:35

1M ago59:35

59:35

In this episode, we discuss the game Epic gave away from June 27 to July 4, 2019, Last Day of June. We focus on the aesthetics and styles of games, life as a form of tragedy, and sound and music. The made up language used in the game also brings us to a tangent on the fact that...musicians like Katy Perry have recorded their songs in Simlish. Join …

1
Episode 139: Quadrant (with Sean Redlitz) 1:04:04

28d ago1:04:04

1:04:04

Writer and filmmaker Sean Redlitz joins us this week for one of our most recent releases, 2024's AI-powered thriller QUADRANT! This stylish little thriller reteams Charles Band and one of his most reliable collaborators, screenwriter C. Courtney Joyner, but does the AI of it all impact the enjoyability? Hosted by Jarrod Hornbeck and Steve Guntli Th…

1
Episode 17: Rebel Galxy - Tokyo Drifting in SPAAAAACCCE!!!! 1:05:27

1M ago1:05:27

1:05:27

In this episode we discuss Rebel Galaxy, which Epic gave away from June 20 to 27, 2019. We cover topics that range from the scope of games to the use of music and voiced dialogue. We also, because of the development history of the game, talk about toxicity in gaming and the hatred of the Epic Games Store.…

1
Episode 138: Head of the Family 1:06:20

1M ago1:06:20

1:06:20

We're going guestless this week to discuss one of Full Moon's all-timers, the gleefully batshit southern gothic noir meets freakshow HEAD OF THE FAMILY! It's one of our very favorite Full Moon movies, and we're excited to be celebrating the film, and ushering in our theme month of Noirvember, in which we watch the "Noir" versions" of classic Full M…

1
Episode 137: Birth Rite (with Angel Melanson) 1:11:53

2M ago1:11:53

1:11:53

Devin Hamilton (BLEED, DELTA DELTA DIE) unleashes his distinctly entertaining vision of teenage witchcraft with BIRTH RITE! We're joined this week by the incredible Angel Melanson of Fangoria to chat all about the history of the teen witch trend and some of the deeply batshit choices this movie embraces. Hosted by Jarrod Hornbeck and Steve Guntli T…

1
Episode 16: Enter the Gungeon - A Very American Game 47:53

2M ago47:53

47:53

In this episode we discuss the 2016 game Ebter the Gungeon, which Epic gave for me free from June 13 to June 20, 2019. Through this game, we discuss repetition and progress in games, guns as symbolism, and what it means to be an "okay" game, among other topics. Also, circles and coughing skeletons, again!…

1
Episode 136: Bad CGI Gator (with queerdem0n) 1:03:14

2M ago1:03:14

1:03:14

Horror streamer and podcaster queerdem0n joins us this week for BAD CGI GATOR, a paragon of truth in advertising if there ever was one. This goofy recent Full Moon joint has a lot of fun with it's fourth-wall breaking concept, but does it go silly enough? Hosted by Jarrod Hornbeck and Steve Guntli Theme song by Kyle Hornbeck Logo by Doug McCambridg…

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BONUS: Church of Chills 3 Recap 27:08

2M ago27:08

27:08

For this special mini bonus episode, we're recounting the magical weekend we spent in the Cleve attending Charles Band's Church of Chills 3 event! We got to meet some old friends face-to-face, watch SUBSPECIES II with a room full of fans, and finally got to meet Charles Band in person! Hosted by Jarrod Hornbeck and Steve Guntli Theme song by Kyle H…

1
Episode 15: Kingdom New Lands - Secretly there is a tyrant in me 58:33

2M ago58:33

58:33

In this episode, we cover the game Epic gave away from June 6 to 13, 2019, the (what we describe as) anti-Civ game, Kingdom: New Lands. In the discussions we cover the American Dream, the city and civilization builder genre, and the economics of games (including a slight detour about Xbox's current problems)…

1
Episode 135: Dead and Rotting (with Jeffrey Sisson) 1:04:24

2M ago1:04:24

1:04:24

Shot at the tail end of the Tempe era, DEAD AND ROTTING is a nasty little witchcraft thriller that feels tonally far removed from the typical Full Moon fare. It's a bold and interesting flick with some real talent behind it, including our guest Jeffrey Sisson, who appears in the film and has worked a range of odd jobs for Full Moon over the years! …

1
Episode 14: City of Brass - No Utopias Here (Where are the Turkeys?) 1:00:52

2M ago1:00:52

1:00:52

In this episode, we discuss the dungeon crawler game City of Brass, which Epic gave away from May 30 to June 6, 2019. We discuss whether the game industry is oversaturated, the corporatization of the different components of gaming, and the politics behind game reviews.By Daniel_ac

1
Episode 134: Catacombs (with Doug McCambridge) 1:03:52

2M ago1:03:52

1:03:52

Doug McCambridge is back on the show for what may be our hardest-to-find movie yet: 1988's CATACOMBS! David Schmoeller's demonic horror film had the misfortune of being completed around the time Empire Films shuttered. It spent years in limbo before eventually being released as CURSE IV: THE ULTIMATE SACRIFIC, an unrelated sequel to an obscure 1987…

1
Episode 133: BONUS: An Interview with Debbie Rochon 1:07:29

2M ago1:07:29

1:07:29

This week we're thrilled to be joined by underground horror icon Debbie Rochon! Debbie has been in dozens of classic B-movies from Troma, Full Moon and everyone in between. We talk to Debbie about her experience coming up in the industry, recognizing the talent of a young James Gunn in TROMEO & JULIET, and of course all about her experience working…

1
Episode 13: Rime - It All Goes Back to Poop 1:07:42

2M ago1:07:42

1:07:42

In this episode, we talk about Rime, a 2017 puzzle adventure game that Epic gave away from May 23 to May 30, 2019. We both thoroughly enjoyed this game, although we do talk about motion sickness and 3D space. We also discuss the role of silence and voice in games, the omnipresence of circles, and the cute culture of games…

1
Episode 132: Pulse Pounders (with Rachel Reeves) 1:14:17

2M ago1:14:17

1:14:17

We're digging way into the archives this week for one of Empire's semi-lost treasures: the anthology film PULSE POUNDERS! Shot in 1987, the film was intended to be a package of three short films, two of which would mark the first returns to previous Empire favorites; sadly, when the company went under, the unfinished 35MM print was destroyed, and t…

1
Episode 12: Stories Untold - Bring Back Knobs! 1:08:24

3M ago1:08:24

1:08:24

In this episode, we discuss the twelfth game Epic gave away (from May 16 - May 30, 2019), the narrative adventure game Stories Untold. We discuss the literary elements of games, how we feel about horror as a genre, and moralizing in video games, among other conversations.By Daniel_ac

1
Episode 131: Talisman (with Meredith Borders) 1:06:23

3M ago1:06:23

1:06:23

It's time for another mid-90's David DeCoteau joint, with 100% more POWER RANGERS and about the same amount of hot boys in their underwear. We're talking about 1998's TALISMAN, DeCoteau's low-budget riff on SUSPIRIA, and we're chatting all about it with the amazing Meredith Borders, writer and editor from FANGORIA! Hosted by Jarrod Hornbeck and Ste…

1
Episode 130: The Resonator: Miskatonic U (with Topher Hansson) 1:21:50

3M ago1:21:50

1:21:50

We're stepping back into the world of Lovecraft for THE RESONATOR! This streaming-series-turned-epic-length-film brings back characters from FROM BEYOND and RE-ANIMATOR to offer a new spin on those classic stories with just a touch of RIVERDALE-style teen cool. We're joined by writer and critic Topher Hansson for THE RESONATOR: MISKATONIC U, BEYOND…

1
Episode 11: World of Goo - Be Goo(d) to Mom 1:09:57

3M ago1:09:57

1:09:57

This episode covers the 2008 puzzle game World of Goo, which Epic gave away from May 2 to May 16, 2019. This game allows us to re-consider the gendered politics of indie games, explore the boundaries between mobile and other games, and think back on the political climate that existed during its release (and unexpected comparisons to Bioshock emerge…

1
Episode 129: Evil Bong 2: King Bong / Evil Bong 3D: Wrath of Bong (with Corinne Halbert) 1:12:27

3M ago1:12:27

1:12:27

Time to pull a Band-Aid. After putting it off for a whopping 126 episodes, we're finally taking a step back into the Bongiverse for EVIL BONG 2 and 3! Have we softened any on Charles Band's juvenile stoner comedy or are we in for another bad trip? We'll find out, alongside our awesome special guest: artist, writer and cool person Corinne Halbert! H…

1
Episode 10: Transistor - Eat the Rich 1:04:32

3M ago1:04:32

1:04:32

In this episode we discuss Transistor, which Epic gave away from April 18 to May 2, 2019. We focus on defining the boundaries of the RPG genre, discussing how 2014 was an important moment in the history of gaming more broadly, and comparing Transistor to other Supergiant games. Since both of us have also played Transistor years ago, we also conside…

1
Episode 128: Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn (with Gena Radcliffe) 56:42

3M ago56:42

56:42

Fuel up your post-apocalyptic funny car and get ready to worship the power crystals, because we're going back to 1983 for the 3D thrills of METALSTORM: THE DESTRUCTION OF JARED-SYN! Starring friend of the show Jeffrey Byron, Richard Moll, and a young Kelly Preston, METALSTORM has become a low-key fan favorite from the pre-Empire days, and we're gea…

1
Episode 9: The Witness - Die, Candleman! 1:10:52

3M ago1:10:52

1:10:52

In this episode, we discuss the puzzle game The Witness, which Epic gave away from April 4 to April 18, 2019. The conversation focuses on how we feel about puzzle games, the tensions between satire and seriousness in indie games, and the way puzzle games are designed (as full or mobile experiences).By Daniel_ac

1
Episode 127: BONUS: An Interview with Jason Paul Collum 1:12:12

4M ago1:12:12

1:12:12

We have special treat today: an exclusive interview with filmmaker, author, and queer horror pioneer Jason Paul Collum! Jason joins us to talk about his long and storied career both within and without the Full Moon stable, and shares some insights into the making of a low-budget horror film. Hosted by Jarrod Hornbeck and Steve Guntli Theme song by …

1
Episode 126: Subspecies 4: Bloodstorm / Vampire Resurrection / Subspecies V: Blood Rise (with Denice Duff) 1:25:13

4M ago1:25:13

1:25:13

At long last, we're closing the book (for now) on Full Moon's most prestigious series: SUBSPECIES! And we couldn't have asked for a better guest to close it out: series star and one of our favorite people, the great Denice Duff! Denice joins us to talk about the oft-maligned 1998 entry SUBSPECIES 4: BLOODSTORM, which was the last film in the series…

1
Episode 8: Oxenfree - Triangles Triangulating FDR 1:11:06

4M ago1:11:06

1:11:06

In this episode, we explore our impressions of the graphic adventure game Oxenfree, which Epic gave away from March 21 to April 4, 2019. This leads to conversations about the use of history as allegory in games, horror as a genre, and the way characters make or break games.By Daniel_ac

1
Episode 125: Crash! (with Edward Douglas) 1:04:16

4M ago1:04:16

1:04:16

Charles Band makes his unofficial directorial debut with this bizarre spin on the car-crash craze of the 70s, the directly-titled 1976 flick CRASH! Critic and author Edward Douglas joins us for this very Band-ified take on the classic auto chaos genre, as an injured woman learns she can psychically control a killer car and uses this talent to seek …

1
Episode 7: Slime Rancher - Chicken Abuse 1:04:36

4M ago1:04:36

1:04:36

This episode explores the seventh game given away by Epic, Slime Rancher, a farm sim games about collecting and selling slime poop. The game was given by Epic from March 7 to March 21, 2019. The hosts discuss the mechanics of cozy and farming games, the use of nostalgia and references as a game design philosophy, and the way the "value" of indie ga…

1
Episode 124: Jigsaw 1:02:09

4M ago1:02:09

1:02:09

This week, we're covering the strange and compelling midwest mannequin melodrama JIGSAW! A group of art students are tasked with assembling an "exquisite corpse" in the form of a piecemeal mannequin called Jigsaw, and chaos, eventually, ensues, but not before some baffling bar orders, traumatic flashbacks, and a whole lot of loaded conversation. It…

1
Episode 6: Thimbleweed Park - Don't Send in the Clowns a-reno 1:10:16

4M ago1:10:16

1:10:16

In this episode we discuss the sixth free Epic game, given away from Feb 21 to March 7, 2019, Thimbleweed Park. Through this game, we discuss point and click as a genre, the use of nostalgia and meta-narratives in games, and our feelings about games wasting a player's time.By Daniel_ac

1
Episode 123: Prison of the Dead (with Nathaniel Tolle) 1:03:35

4M ago1:03:35

1:03:35

Lock yourself into the castle... sorry, I mean PRISON OF THE DEAD, an early 2000's David DeCoteau joint about a group of dumb teens who shack up in a haunted dungeon for a night of gore and arguably one too many twists. We're joined this week by author Nathaniel Tolle! Hosted by Jarrod Hornbeck and Steve Guntli Theme song by Kyle Hornbeck Logo by D…

1
Episode 5: Axiom Verge - ET phone...YouTube Walkthroughs 55:25

4M ago55:25

55:25

The fifth Epic game, Axiom Verge (given free from Feb 7 to Feb 21, 2019), is our first jump into Metroidvanias for this podcast, a genre which neither of our hosts have much history with. We discuss retro-graphics and nostalgia in gaming, game difficulty, and the role of science fiction narratives in pop culture.…

1
Episode 122: BONUS - ROBOT JOX revisited (with John Torrani and Joe Haldeman) 1:06:30

4M ago1:06:30

1:06:30

We have a special bonus episode for you this week! John Torrani returns to the show to help moderate an interview with Joe Haldeman, the legendary sci-fi author of THE FOREVER WAR and the screenwriter of Stuart Gordon's ROBOT JOX! Hosted by Jarrod Hornbeck and Steve Guntli Theme song by Kyle Hornbeck Logo by Doug McCambridge Email: puppetmasterscas…

1
Episode 121: Transformations (with Clay McLeod Chapman) 1:00:34

5M ago1:00:34

1:00:34

Author Clay McLeod Chapman joins us this week for an absolutely bizarre sci-fi thriller, TRANSFORMATIONS! Featuring tons of sex and gloppy gore, the movie tells the tale of the hapless victim of an evil space succubus who tries to implant an alien seed inside her victims. Hosted by Jarrod Hornbeck and Steve Guntli Theme song by Kyle Hornbeck Logo b…

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Episode 4: Jackbox Party Pack - Adults with No Friends 1:07:56

5M ago1:07:56

1:07:56

The fourth game Epic gave away for free (from Jan 24 to Feb 7, 2019) was Jackbox Party Pack, a party game that brings obscure pop culture references. We discuss the role of these types of games and how, as adults, this genre becomes increasingly difficult to access. One of our hosts (Daniel) also has a cameo from his eleven year old daughter in the…

1
Episode 120: Josh Kirby... Time Warrior! - Planet of the Dino-Knights & The Human Pets 57:09

5M ago57:09

57:09

Hosted by Jarrod Hornbeck and Steve Guntli Theme song by Kyle Hornbeck Logo by Doug McCambridge Email: [email protected] Instagram/Threads: @puppetmasters_castlefreaks YouTube: @PuppetMastersCastleFreaks Next week's episode: TransformationsBy puppetmasterscastlefreaks

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Episode 3: What Remains of Edith Finch - Drowning (in Books) 58:33

5M ago58:33

58:33

The third game Epic gave for free, What Remains of Edith Finch, is an emotional roller coaster of a walking simulator. One of our hosts (Daniel) has been streaming this game for his classes for some time, so we discuss the game through many lens, including as a tool for teaching digital narratives and games as literature.…

1
Episode 2: Super Meat Boy - Chewing on Food Genders 1:01:41

5M ago1:01:41

1:01:41

In our second episode, we explore the second game Epic gave for free (and the last one they gave in 2018), the difficult platformer game Super Meat Boy. We discuss satire in games, our history with platformers, and the role of gender dynamics and roles with video game history.By Daniel_ac

1
Episode 1: Subnautica - Swimming through the Savescum 46:07

5M ago46:07

46:07

Our first episode delves into the first game Epic ever gave away, the underwater survival game Subnautica. The game was given away for free by Epic near the end of 2018. In the episode we discuss our reactions to the game, the survival genre, and what this game says about the types of games Epic has given away. We also introduce ourselves and our p…

1
Demon in the Bottle (with Cameron Chaney) 1:04:36

5M ago1:04:36

1:04:36

A group of curious kids accidentally unleash an ancient demon from Middle Eastern mythology in the fun effects-driven Moonbeam film DEMON IN THE BOTTLE! Cameron Chaney of Library Macabre joins us for a film discussion, and continues with us as we rhapsodize about the GOOSEBUMPS era of YA horror. Hosted by Jarrod Hornbeck and Steve Guntli Theme song…

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BONUS: A Conversation with Richard Band 1:08:46

5M ago1:08:46

1:08:46

As a special treat, we sat down with a literal member of the Full Moon family: composer Richard Band! Band has scored dozens of Full Moon and Empire films, and we're looking back over his long and storied career! Hosted by Jarrod Hornbeck and Steve Guntli Theme song by Kyle Hornbeck Logo by Doug McCambridge Email: [email protected]…

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Cutter's Club 51:24

5M ago51:24

51:24

Tony Todd was a giant of the genre, and his death last November was deeply felt. So it's nice that we get one more film from him, thanks to CUTTER'S CLUB, a 2005 film long thought lost, but finally recovered and released just this year! Not only do we get some unseen work from Todd at his most deliciously over-the-top, we also get to see one last f…

1
Hell Asylum (with Jerry J. Sampson) 54:59

6M ago54:59

54:59

We're committing ourselves to discussing HELL ASYLUM, Danny Draven's 2002 reality TV ghost flick! A surprisingly gory, effectively shot micro budgeted gem, HELL ASYLUM hearkens back to the brief craze of haunted reality shows like MTV's "Fear" in a fun little thriller. Writer, critic, and all around amazing human Jerry J. Sampson returns to the sho…

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