Left Behind Game Club: A Video Game Podcast

Latest Episodes:

147: Into the Breach Jul 06, 2022

Show notes

We get tactical in Into The Breach.

Developer: Subset Games | Publisher: Subset Games | Initial Release: February 27, 2018

Jacob, Mike and special guest Travis Colenutt travel through time tactically, fight giant bugs and throw boulders everywhere.

Players: Jacob McCourt (@JacobMcCourt) and Mike Ruffolo (@ruffolom)

Special Guest: Travis Colenutt (@TravisColenutt)

Web: LeftBehindGame.Club | Twitter: @LeftBehindClub | Instagram: @LeftBehindGameClub

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 Start
1:50 Fast Pitch
2:40 Time Capsule
8:00 Into the Breach: A Game for Dads
11:45 FTL
15:00 Reviews from the Press
16:00 Value for Money
17:50 Setting Up The Basics
23:20 Making Choices
26:00 Mech Teams
39:55 The Pilots
45:10 Very Good Runs
47:30 Music
50:50 Into the Breach Crossovers?
54:10 Wrap-up

RESOURCES:

Chris Avellone sheds light on Into The Breach’s time-travel mysteries by Alec Meer | Rock Paper Shotgun

DISCORD: The Left Behind Game Club is a monthly game club podcast focusing on positivity & community. To talk to members of the community, join our Discord server!

146: Virtue’s Last Reward Jun 15, 2022

Show notes

We get confused and surprised at the very same time in Virtue’s Last Reward.

Developer: Spike Chunsoft | Publisher: Spike Chunsoft/Aksys Games | Initial Release: February 16, 2012

Jacob and special guest CtrlAltNoob write so many notes, gasp audibly and hop through time!

Players: Jacob McCourt (@JacobMcCourt)

Special Guest: CtrlAltNoob (@CtrlAltNoob)

Web: LeftBehindGame.Club | Twitter: @LeftBehindClub | Instagram: @LeftBehindGameClub

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 Start
1:10 Who is CtrlAltNoob?
2:50 Fast Pitch
4:30 Time Capsule
9:15 Press Reviews
11:10 High-Level Review
13:40 Describing Virtue’s Last Reward
18:00 Setting Up VLR
23:40 Spoiler Warning
25:30 Main Characters
34:35 Branching Narrative
37:30 Radical-6
43:40 Bombs
44:30 Morphogenetic Field
49:40 Dio
55:40 Timeline
57:20 Pods
59:55 Tenmyouji & Quark
1:01:40 The Old Woman
1:02:20 Sigma
1:06:40 Jumping (The Chart We Referenced)
1:10:30 Where Are We?
1:14:15 Luna & K
1:16:45 Gaming’s Greatest Story?
1:22:50 Setting Up Zero Time Dilemma
1:28:55 Secret Ending
1:32:50 Wrap-up
1:36:20 All About CtrlAltNoob (Noob mentioned Exit/Corners & Jacob mentioned Afterworld)
1:40:00 Conclusion

RESOURCES

Episode 121: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors (999)

DISCORD: The Left Behind Game Club is a monthly game club podcast focusing on positivity & community. To talk to members of the community, join our Discord server!

145: Life is Strange [Episode 5 – Polarized] Jun 01, 2022

Show notes

We look at this photograph in Life is Strange, Episode 5.

Developer: Dontnod Entertainment | Publisher: Square Enix | Initial Release: October 20, 2015

Jacob, Mike and Flora abandon reality, explore a very scary maze and make a very difficult choice.

Players: Jacob McCourt (@JacobMcCourt), Mike Ruffolo (@ruffolom) and Flora Merigold (@LudonarrativeFM)

Web: LeftBehindGame.Club | Twitter: @LeftBehindClub | Instagram: @LeftBehindGameClub

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 Start
1:20 Episode 4 Recap
2:25 More like Creepy McCreeperson
4:35 How do we get out?
5:55 Changing history
8:40 A trip to SF
12:00 Back in the Dark Room
15:30 Telling David the truth
20:05 Weird calls and texts
21:40 Arcadia Bay in ruins
23:05 Technical notes
24:45 Back to the diner and Warren
30:00 Unloading on Chloe
32:20 Question from MatterofJoseph on other games in the series
35:10 Losing touch with reality
40:25 The stealth section
45:20 The final sequence
48:40 Final choice
55:30 How our sacrifices play out
59:00 Question from Setobox about the ending
1:03:30 Question from JayDangerRoss about sequels
1:08:00 Final thoughts on the series
1:17:00 Wrap-up

RESOURCES:

‘Life is Strange’: A Ludonarrative Lighthouse in the Darkness by Flora Merigold

DISCORD: The Left Behind Game Club is a monthly game club podcast focusing on positivity & community. To talk to members of the community, join our Discord server!

144: Life is Strange [Episode 4 – Dark Room] May 18, 2022

Show notes

We go to a party in Life is Strange, Episode 4.

Developer: Dontnod Entertainment | Publisher: Square Enix | Initial Release: July 28, 2015

Jacob, Mike and Flora talk tough topics, become deeply disturbed and reminisce about Nickelback.

Players: Jacob McCourt (@JacobMcCourt), Mike Ruffolo (@ruffolom) and Flora Merigold (@LudonarrativeFM)

Web: LeftBehindGame.Club | Twitter: @LeftBehindClub | Instagram: @LeftBehindGameClub

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 Start
1:20 Episode 3 Recap
2:40 Episode 4 Start
4:10 Setting up a tough choice
8:45 Choice 1: Chloe
12:30 Medical assistance in dying
15:20 Look at this photograph
17:50 Nathan’s room
20:50 Choice 2: Nathan
24:15 Choice 3: Frank
30:00 The world’s greatest detective
33:45 The barn
38:50 Rachel Amber
40:40 Vortex Club Party
43:45 Choice 4: Warn Her
48:05 Jacob’s Hottie McHotterson
53:25 Wrap-up

DISCORD: The Left Behind Game Club is a monthly game club podcast focusing on positivity & community. To talk to members of the community, join our Discord server!

143: Returnal May 04, 2022

Show notes

We face our demons r(eternally) in Returnal.

Developer: Housemarque | Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Initial Release: April 30, 2021

Jacob, Flora and Katie face their demons, explore L-shaped corridors and discuss who would survive longest in space out of the three of them.

Players: Jacob McCourt (@JacobMcCourt), Flora Merigold (@LudonarrativeFM) and Katie Lesperance (@lesperak)

Web: LeftBehindGame.Club | Twitter: @LeftBehindClub | Instagram: @LeftBehindGameClub

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 Start
1:30 Fast Pitch
2:30 Time Capsule and Getting Our PS5s
5:30 Game Release and Housemarque History
11:50 Press Reviews
14:50 Our Past With Roguelikes
21:00 Death(s) and Story Unite
30:50 PT House In Returnal?
42:00 Favourite Weapons – Definitely Not Shotgun
52:00 Favourite Bosses
53:50 Jacob Throws His Phone
62:30 (Don’t Fear) The Atropos
72:00 DLC
77:00 Final Thoughts: Jacob Doesn’t Want To Poop On Space Potatoes

RESOURCES:

Returnal is a Hell of Our Own Creation by Jacob Gellar

DISCORD: The Left Behind Game Club is a monthly game club podcast focusing on positivity & community. To talk to members of the community, join our Discord server!

142: Horizon Zero Dawn Apr 21, 2022

Show notes

We take on machines in Horizon Zero Dawn.

Developer: Guerrilla Games | Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Initial Release: February 28, 2017

Moe, Mike and special guest Andy Borkowski from Video Game Sophistry join in to prepare for The Proving, leave no stone underturned and take the guesswork out of war.

Players: Moe Murtadi (@mmurtadi) and Mike Ruffolo (@ruffolom)

Special Guest: Andy Borkowski (@HuffinRadaway) | Video Game Sophistry

Web: LeftBehindGame.Club | Twitter: @LeftBehindClub | Instagram: @LeftBehindGameClub

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 Start
1:35 All About Andy
5:00 The Gauntlet
9:45 Fast Pitch
11:10 Time Capsule
19:30 Setting Up Horizon
25:10 Audio Sync Issues
27:20 The Spoiler Warning
27:30 A Story Primer
29:15 Our Collecting Tendencies
33:00 Aloy’s Google Class aka The Focus
34:20 Aloy Takes On The Proving
37:40 Taking the Guesswork Out of War
42:30 Mom?
46:50 Gaia’s Gamble
50:10 Hey Ash Watcha Playin’
53:15 This Game Feels Great
54:00 Far Cry Primal
57:15 Our Fave Machines

RESOURCES:

I Want More Horizon Zero Dawn, Just Not a Direct Sequel by Jacob McCourt via Scholarly Gamers

DISCORD: The Left Behind Game Club is a monthly game club podcast focusing on positivity & community. To talk to members of the community, join our Discord server!

141: Life is Strange [Episode 3 – Chaos Theory] Apr 07, 2022

Show notes

We go for a dip in Life is Strange, Episode 3.

Developer: Dontnod Entertainment | Publisher: Square Enix | Initial Release May 19, 2015

Jacob, Mike and Flora steal some money, throw a dog a bone and talk a lot about One Tree Hill and the OC.

Players: Jacob McCourt (@JacobMcCourt), Mike Ruffolo (@ruffolom) and Flora Merigold (@LudonarrativeFM)

Web: LeftBehindGame.Club | Twitter: @LeftBehindClub | Instagram: @LeftBehindGameClub

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 Start
1:30 The “Vibes” Episode
5:15 The Dorms
7:15 Stealth Sequence
8:50 The Mr. Jefferson Moment
11:50 YA TV Nostalgia Glasses
14:00 Warren’s Bomb Recipe
16:50 Choice 1 – The Money
21:00 The Pool
23:20 Security!
24:20 Lisa
25:10 Choice 2 – Kiss Chloe
28:20 Waking Up w/ Good Tunes
31:40 Delicious Breakfast
34:25 Passwords
36:00 Choice 3 – David
38:10 The Diner
41:30 Choice 4 – Frank’s Dog
43:05 The Birds
45:00 Frank’s RV
48:10 Blame Game
51:15 Chloe’s Father
55:00 The Cliffhanger
1:02:15 Jacob’s Prediction
1:04:35 Wrap-up

DISCORD: The Left Behind Game Club is a monthly game club podcast focusing on positivity & community. To talk to members of the community, join our Discord server!

140: Life is Strange [Episode 2 – Out of Time] Mar 17, 2022

Show notes

We chase trains down at the junkyard in Life is Strange, Episode 2. CW: Suicide // 49:00-1:03:40

Developer: Dontnod Entertainment | Publisher: Square Enix | Initial Release: March 24, 2015

Jacob, Mike, Flora and Moe shoot bottles, stare at cockroaches and continue to swoon over Hotty McHotterson.

Players: Jacob McCourt (@JacobMcCourt), Mike Ruffolo (@ruffolom), Flora Merigold (@LudonarrativeFM) & Moe Murtadi (@mmurtadi)

Web: LeftBehindGame.Club | Twitter: @LeftBehindClub | Instagram: @LeftBehindGameClub

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 Start
1:30 Wait… Moe didn’t play Episode 1?
4:00 Episode 1 Recap
5:05 Did you water the plant?
6:20 Kate’s viral video
8:50 Choice 1 – Kate’s Question
12:20 Moe’s looking for the gun
13:40 Running into Warren
16:10 Getting to the diner
21:55 Is this your weed?
24:45 The diner rewind
30:25 Choice 2 – Kate’s Phone Call
33:55 The junkyard
37:00 Shooting in LiS
38:25 Choice 3 – Max and Frank
43:40 Runaway train
47:45 Back to the school
49:00 Choice 4 – Kate’s Fate
57:10 Choice 5 – Blame
1:04:50 Predictions for episode 3 and beyond

DISCORD: The Left Behind Game Club is a monthly game club podcast focusing on positivity & community. To talk to members of the community, join our Discord server!

139: Celeste Mar 02, 2022

Show notes

We climb the mountain in Celeste.

Developer: Extremely OK Games | Publisher: Extremely OK Games | Initial Release: January 25, 2018

Flora, Mike, Moe and special guest Frozen Flygone collect berries, dash and face dark reflections of ourselves.

Players: Flora Merigold (@LudonarrativeFM), Mike Ruffolo (@ruffolom) & Moe Murtadi (@mmurtadi)

Special Guest: Frozen Flygone (@FrozenFlygone) | Twitch

Web: LeftBehindGame.Club | Twitter: @LeftBehindClub | Instagram: @LeftBehindGameClub

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 Start
1:50 FrozenFlygone Intro
3:15 The Gauntlet
6:00 Fast Pitch
7:00 Time Capsule
11:40 Press Reviews
13:25 Our First Experiences with Celeste
17:35 Movement & Comparisons to Other Games
23:10 Challenges
27:20 Getting Better – The Story
31:35 Speedrunning Celeste
34:00 Mental Health in Gaming
40:15 The Characters
46:30 The Art
53:30 Getting Better – Positive Reinforcement
1:03:20 Celestemas Eve & More Speedrunning
1:07:40 The Final Ascent
1:11:15 Core
1:14:15 Final Thoughts

RESOURCES:

Theo’s Instagram (LINK)
Flora’s 2020 Celestemas Eve via Twitch (LINK)
How The Celeste Speedrunning Community Became Queer As Hell via Kotaku (LINK)
Frost Fatales 2022 through March 5th (LINK)

DISCORD: The Left Behind Game Club is a monthly game club podcast focusing on positivity & community. To talk to members of the community, join our Discord server!

138: Life is Strange [Episode 1 – Chrysalis] Feb 16, 2022

Show notes

We travel to Arcadia Bay in Life is Strange, Episode 1.

Developer: Dontnod Entertainment | Publisher: Square Enix | Initial Release: January 30, 2015

Jacob, Mike and Flora travel to the Pacific Northwest, get really angsty and talk a lot about The O.C. for some reason.

Players: Jacob McCourt (@JacobMcCourt), Mike Ruffolo (@ruffolom) & Flora Merigold (@LudonarrativeFM)

Web: LeftBehindGame.Club | Twitter: @LeftBehindClub | Instagram: @LeftBehindGameClub

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 Start
1:05 Special Announcement
3:50 Fast Pitch
5:10 Time Capsule
9:00 Press Reviews
13:30 Dontnod
16:35 The Remaster
20:20 The Lighthouse
22:00 The Bathroom Scene
28:00 First Major Choice
33:10 Secondary Characters
40:20 Second Choice
43:30 The Dorms
48:10 Third Choice
51:30 Fixing Your Camera
59:25 Fourth Choice
1:04:25 Ending at the Lighthouse
1:07:30 Wrap-up

RESOURCES:

How Two Video Games Helped Me Come Out As Transgender [LINK]
The First Chapter of ‘Life is Strange: True Colors’ is Everything I Could Have Hoped For [LINK]

DISCORD: The Left Behind Game Club is a monthly game club podcast focusing on positivity & community. To talk to members of the community, join our Discord server!

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