In this previously lost episode, Andrew and an old friend from art school, Jim Wiser, weigh in on Naughty Dog’s production values, divisive creative choices, and when a sequel isn’t always necessary.

The unbridled (and much-needed) joy of Untitled Goose Game ushers Screen Looking into the spring as Andrew, Alex, Hilary, and Emma discuss the brilliance behind its dynamic sense of humor.

Ten years ago, neither Alex or I were still playing video games – at least not like we used to. On the threshold of a new decade, we celebrate the ones that compelled us to return. In our first episode of the year, we look back on 10 games of the past decade that surprised and delighted us. Be it for their technical accomplishments, creative world building, stellar writing, innovative mechanics or genre-defying structure, these games left us wondering, “How was this even made?” We argue...

What defines a civilization? Can (and should) building one be fun? Alex and I phone a friend for some answers, and get plenty to think about in return. Since Civilization‘s debut in 1991, virtually every facet of Sid Meier’s long-running turn-based strategy video game has evolved. Even the game’s narration is now helmed by actor Sean Bean (GoldenEye, The Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, etc.). Today, the famous series ventures even further into new territory with recent console ports –...

Good evening ghosts and ghouls. This is your co-host and fellow delver into the depths of madness: Alex Koval. In the spirit of Halloween, Andrew and I have fortified ourselves in an old abandoned castle for our annual mailbag episode. Broadcasting from some antique radio equipment, and supplied with a cache of letters and tapes, we relive the video game moments that sent our friends & listeners screaming from their consoles & computers. Yet, what is it that can make a video...

Before Sony’s name ever appeared in front of the word “PlayStation,” it was nearly Nintendo’s that did. But if the Console Wars meant anything to you growing up, then you already know how that story ends. What proves harder to recall is how it all began, and its significance to the gaming industry today. In celebration of its forthcoming 25th anniversary, Alex Koval & I revisit the serendipity that propelled the Sony PlayStation to becoming a household name. Combined with some of the...

In 2012, an independent video game inspired me to start a now-defunct podcast, All My Friends Play Video Games. The show didn’t last long – but the game, Kentucky Route Zero, has kept us waiting. With its fifth & final act seemingly on the horizon, we’re taking a special trip down memory lane by re-airing our 7-year-old impressions of the game’s first two acts. In this previously lost episode, Hilary Bovay joined Alex and I to discuss Cardboard Computer’s indie darling, appreciate its...

With a series as iconic and influential as Metal Gear Solid, where does one even begin? In today’s episode, we look to our friends for the answer: Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. For a game released in 2004, it offered an extreme level of detail in both its presentation and mechanics. But it also afforded players an unprecedented amount of choice. As such, it is widely considered the pinnacle of the franchise. To better understand Metal Gear Solid 3‘s many poignant – at times hilarious –...

“Hesitation is defeat.” Is From Software’s latest, notoriously difficult video game worth enduring? One does not simply play Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, but the payoff is unlike what most of its peers have to offer. In today’s episode, Alex and I take as much of a look at Sekiro as we do the mystique, philosophies, and history of its creators. Here to refill our Healing Gourds is none other than Mono Memory – From Software devotee, resident synthwavist, and our first international...

It’s time for a bonus round. If you’re new to the show, this is an excellent place to start tuning in to the Screen Looking podcast. In our first bonus episode, Alex Koval and I take a respite from the deep dives for a chill, candid conversation about our tastes in video games – and how our personalities inform them. In addition, we have a special announcement at the top of the episode, followed by some fun ideas for future installments. We’ll be returning soon with more deep and...

Sometimes, you look forward to something for so long. And then it’s suddenly over. It’s a little bittersweet, but our late nights with Resident Evil 2 had to end somewhere. Having thoroughly discussed its stylistic departures in Pt. 1, Alex, Nick and I push forward through the remake’s more familiar narrative beats. From the survivors inhabiting its world to Leon and Claire’s alternate paths, to the means of survival and a handful of our own ideas, we lay it all on the table with our...

If it wasn’t for Capcom’s remake of Resident Evil 2, this podcast probably wouldn’t even exist. Soon after RE2 was unveiled at E3 2018, Alex Koval and I jumped on a call to discuss why the 1998 version was still so present in our minds. Joining us to see how well it’s come back to haunt us is my brother and returning guest, Nicholas Kuhar, for a special two-part edition of Screen Looking. In Pt. 1, our attention is focused on the look, feel and mood of Capcom’s re-imagined RE2, in...

Love ’em or hate ’em, the most unforgettable video game worlds are usually buried in snow. In this special winter episode, friends & listeners of the show write in with the ones they remember most. Regardless of whether they’re frustrating, fun or simply a change of scenery, a “good” snow-themed level will push any game’s design to the absolute brink. They surprise us with bold visuals and subvert our expectations of a game’s environments. At the very least, they know how to stand out....

If a video game is going to let you experience life as Peter Parker in 2018, it ought to feel amazing. Thankfully, it does. Strength, grace, and a taxi-driver’s understanding of Manhattan are just a few of the advantages that Marvel’s Spider-Man affords players. Surprisingly, it’s also filled with heart, laughs, and a gravity-defying means of traversal that never grows old. After a tumultuous history in video games, the iconic character is finally done justice in the hands of Insomniac...

It’s been nearly half-a-decade since Blizzard Entertainment disrupted the card game scene with Hearthstone. Its community is still going strong, and is now enjoying one of its most fun & balanced seasons thanks to The Boomsday Project: an otherworldly expansion pack filled with mad scientists and happy accidents. In our fourth episode, we discuss not only the state & direction of Hearthstone, but also revisit the foundation it was built upon: its accessibility, visual flare,...

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End left Naughty Dog’s critically-acclaimed action adventure series feeling far more complete than most games are known for. Apparently, its creators felt otherwise. Somewhere between an epilogue and a standalone chapter, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy managed to distill the best parts of the series without overstaying its welcome. And by handing the reins over to someone other than Nathan Drake, it discovers at least one more adventure worth taking. Hilary Bovay returns...

It’s another deep-dive into another remake…of another classic Playstation series from the mid-to-late 90’s – and it’s on the anniversary of Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy. We might be a year late to the conversation, but we’re just too fond of the orange marsupial to let that stop us. Originally created by Naughty Dog, the Saturday-cartoon-style platformer made waves in 1996, just as the industry was discovering the 3rd dimension. With its lush art direction, innovative gameplay, expressive...

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Screen Looking, a podcast where close friends take a closer look at their favorite video games. We’ll be focusing on one game per episode from the perspective of its artwork, game design and storytelling, ranging from contemporary blockbusters to remakes and indies. Typically, we’ll be unpacking games we’ve already played through, but because this is the first episode we decided to discuss something special: the newly announced remake of Resident Evil 2...