What We've Been Up To

Peter's Update:

- Recovering from a cold

- Saw his wife Elissa perform as Mary Poppins in local theater

- Unable to watch planned content like Andor and Daredevil Born Again

- Finished playing Avowed, started Eternal Strands but finding limited character progression

- Considering returning to Dragon Age: The Veilguard and excited about Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

Eden's Update:

- Preparing for Free Comic Book Day at their comic shop

- Working with local artists Phil Hester and Eric Gapster who will be signing

- Special coffee brew called "Daydreams" and beer samples planned for the event

- Recently visited House on the Rock in Wisconsin, describing it as a fascinating collection of oddities created by an eccentric collector

Gaming Corner

- Peter discusses his frustrations with Eternal Strands' limited character progression despite enjoying the gameplay

- Eden is playing Claire Obscure Expedition 33, describing it as "Super Mario RPG's combat with very slick French production value"

- Both agree Oblivion is worth revisiting, with Eden calling it "the best Elder Scrolls game"

- Discussion of Oblivion's unique development quirks, including voice actors recording lines alphabetically rather than by scene

Music Highlights

- Peter recommends several new metal releases:

- Dormant Ordeal - Tooth and Nail

- Kardashev - Alunea

- Tribunal - In Penitence and Ruin

- Conan - Violence Dimension

- Structure - Heritage

Bracket Tournament: Disney vs. Marvel vs. Star Wars vs. Muppets

- We conduct a bracket tournament comparing properties from these four franchises

- Notable matchups include The Incredibles vs. Muppet Christmas Carol and Iron Man vs. The Great Muppet Caper

- The Muppet Christmas Carol ultimately emerges as the champion

- Discussion of what makes the Muppet movies so special, particularly Michael Caine's serious performance alongside Muppets

Coming Up Next

- In two weeks: Special episode reviewing Ang Lee's Hulk (2003) starring Eric Bana

- Peter has never seen it, while Eden maintains it's "still the best version of the Hulk"

📝 Episode Notes

🎮 Main Topic: RPG Mechanics We Love (and Why Avowed Stands Out)

- The hosts highlight key RPG mechanics that elevate the player experience:

- Maps that matter: Clarity, verticality, and incentivized exploration.

- Visible resources on mini-maps: Encourages environmental interaction and rewards curiosity.

- Streamlined crafting: Especially for those who don't usually like crafting--Avowed's system is intuitive and meaningful.

- Sound cues for treasures: Smart audio design reinforces exploration loops.

- Pre-battle preparation: Crafting buffs (health, essence, stat boosts) that have meaningful impacts on both combat and conversations.

- Flexible combat builds: No locked classes; dual loadouts and hybrid builds let players constantly evolve.

- Quick-access radial menu: A smart, snappy way to deploy consumables mid-fight without breaking immersion.

🧠 What Makes an RPG Great (Beyond Avowed)

- Good maps that invite exploration, not just wayfinding.

- Meaningful character backgrounds that influence narrative and world reactions.

- Strong writing: doesn't need to be literary, but must be compelling and well-structured.

- Characters and companions that enrich the story and provide emotional depth.

- Combat and game mechanics that are fun to play, not just functional.

🧨 Spoiler Section: Choices in

Avowed

- Peter and Eden both freed Sapadal, embraced the godlike heritage, and set the Living Lands free.

- Differences in choices led to varied narrative outcomes: one preserved a city, the other unknowingly let it burn.

- The third-act "Obsidian moral choice" delivers hard-hitting emotional consequences.

- The endgame allows for meaningful reflection on godhood, revolution, and rebirth.

📚 What We're Reading & Watching

- Adachi and Shimamura -- A slow-burn light novel with standout prose.

- Jamis Bachman, Ghost Hunter -- Paranormal mystery in small-town Utah.

- Andor Rewatch -- A deep dive into the thematic richness of the heist arc.

🎧 Recent Metal Discoveries

- Deafheaven -- Lonely People with Power: A return to form, potentially surpassing Sunbather.

- Amenra -- With Fang and Claw & De Toorn: Two EPs showcasing both their brutal and post-metal sides.

- Allegaeon -- The Ossuary Lens: Tech-death meets progressive emotion; Peter's album of the year (so far).

Catching Up:

• Peter shares a laid-back spring break filled with Avowed, a vasectomy, and home recovery. He praises the game's gray morality and engaging writing.

• Eden talks about buying a Boox Palma (a minimalist e-reader) to curb phone addiction, reading five books in a week, and recommends the Practice Perfect romance series by Carson Tate.

Tech Dalliances:

• Both hosts talk about recent tech indulgences.

• Eden raves about the Boox Palma as a life-improving gadget for focused reading.

• Peter details his journey with the Ayn Odin 2 Portal, a handheld Android gaming device. His dream of retro emulation quickly becomes a nightmare of BIOS files and sideloading drama.

• The takeaway? Sometimes it's better to just play your modern Steam backlog.

Comics Corner:

• Eden shares thoughts on DC's new Absolute line and its reimaginings of classic characters:

• Absolute Wonder Woman is a standout.

• Absolute Batman explores a working-class Bruce Wayne.

• Absolute Martian Manhunter earns high praise for reinventing a character Eden never cared about.

• A rant about Hush 2 and a Harley Quinn scratch-and-sniff fart fetish comic provides comic book industry absurdity.

Main Topic -- Andor Episodes 1-3:

Peter's First Watch:

• Came in skeptical due to Star Wars burnout.

• Found episode one a bit slow, episode two better, and episode three "hooked" him.

• Admits it's the most he's enjoyed Star Wars since Return of the Jedi--possibly ever.

Themes and Analysis:

• Andor is a serious, adult take on Star Wars, unafraid to depict the empire as a metaphor for real-world fascism and police brutality.

• The show avoids nostalgic gimmicks and "wink-wink" references in favor of grounded storytelling and rich characterization.

Setting Praise:

• Ferix, Cassian's home, is a fully realized working-class world with its own culture, social code, and resistance instincts.

• The show's commitment to practical sets over digital environments makes it visually compelling.

Character Deep Dives:

• Cassian Andor's backstory reveals a lifetime of loss and injustice, priming him for future rebellion.

• Marva's complex relationship with Cassian is explored through strong performances and layered writing.

• Syril Karn is identified as a perfect example of authoritarian overreach--ambitious, small-minded, and terrifyingly familiar.

Visual & Directorial Highlights:

• Directed by Toby Haynes, the series is praised for its cinematography, lighting, and gripping action sequences.

• The bell ringer, glove wall, and "droid that is stairs" moments are noted as the kind of world-building Star Wars does best.

Looking Ahead:

• Eden hints that the upcoming arcs in Andor get even better.

• Season 2 will follow a similar structure: four arcs of three episodes, each set a year apart leading up to Rogue One.

Closing Thoughts:

• Peter is intrigued and excited to continue.

• The hosts tease more Andor discussions ahead and wrap up with their usual mix of sarcasm, cultural critique, and sincere enthusiasm.