We’re joined by Ember to talk about a game at the intersection of those two most contentious genres: soulslikes and Metroidvanias. This intersection itself is now a vibrant sub-genre, and in talking about this entry we talk about the ways these games tell stories, the platformer vs combat tension inherent in them, and why good art can often set up frustrated expectations. Really happy with this cast, I hope people enjoy! Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to [email protected]! If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts! This Month's Game Club: Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights Next Month's Game Club: Resident Evil (PSX mainly, but also REmake) Things Discussed: Fire Emblem, Final Fantasy 2, Final Fantasy 3, Final Fantasy 4, Space Quest continues with Em and Dia, A Little to the Left, Forspoken, Ender Lilies, Metroidvanias as a term, Metroidvanias as an idea, Metroid, Hollow Knight, Soulslike as an idea, Soulslikes in reality, which RE2 to play, gifting games, Indie Game the Movie 2, navel gazing about genre Music This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodHarmonius by Yamato Kasai; Cassie WeiCompounding by Yamato Kasai; Cassie WeiThe Sun - Outro by Yamato Kasai; Cassie Wei