Use Your Items!

Fran and Jason dig into Void Stranger and find themselves more lost than found, more sad than glad, and less curious than cursed. Tune in and wonder with us for the final in our puzzle diptych.
 
SPOILERS AT 40:00 -- PROCEED WITH CAUTION
Francisco is a game designer and engineer, while Jason brings a literary background to each game analysis as they piece together the why and how of our favorite games. If you'd like to support the show please join us on Discord or leave us a review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts-we've love to chat!
----------------------------
Join the conversation on Discord, it's free!
https://linktr.ee/useyouritems
Follow Jason at: @skilled-drizzler.bsky.social
Follow Fran at: frantastico | Instagram | Linktree 
Follow us at: useyouritems.bsky.social
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Art and Research by Francisco Martin
Editing by Jason Weiss
Theme music by William O'Rourke

Deep within the estate of Mt. Holly, Fran and Jason entice the mysteries of the past and the potential of the future to reveal themselves...at all costs! The boys tackle Blue Prince in this puzzling double feature. Stay Tuned for Void Stranger next episode too!
 
Spoilers at 56:32!
Francisco is a game designer and engineer, while Jason brings a literary background to each game analysis as they piece together the why and how of our favorite games. If you'd like to support the show please join us on Discord or leave us a review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts-we've love to chat!
----------------------------
Join the conversation on Discord, it's free!
https://linktr.ee/useyouritems
Follow Jason at: @skilled-drizzler.bsky.social
Follow Fran at: frantastico | Instagram | Linktree 
Follow us at: useyouritems.bsky.social
----------------------------
Art and Research by Francisco Martin
Editing by Jason Weiss
Theme music by William O'Rourke

Jason and Fran dive into Devil May Cry and the swimming is not great! We discuss the history behind the game that spawn an entire genre of classics. 
 
Spoilers at 00:50 min
Francisco is a game designer and engineer, while Jason brings a literary background to each game analysis as they piece together the why and how of our favorite games. If you'd like to support the show please join us on Discord or leave us a review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts-we've love to chat!
----------------------------
Join the conversation on Discord, it's free!
https://linktr.ee/useyouritems
Follow Jason at: @skilled-drizzler.bsky.social
Follow Fran at: frantastico | Instagram | Linktree 
Follow us at: useyouritems.bsky.social
----------------------------
Art and Research by Francisco Martin
Editing by Jason Weiss
Theme music by William O'Rourke

Francisco plays a game that came out recently!!! Hard to imagine there needs to be much description here. The pals discuss the widely lauded, applauded, and begroaned Expedition 33. This one slaps.
 
Spoilers at 1:06 min
 
Francisco is a game designer and engineer, while Jason brings a literary background to each game analysis as they piece together the why and how of our favorite games. If you'd like to support the show please join us on Discord or leave us a review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts-we've love to chat!
----------------------------
Join the conversation on Discord, it's free!
https://linktr.ee/useyouritems
Follow Jason at: @skilled-drizzler.bsky.social
Follow Fran at: frantastico | Instagram | Linktree 
Follow us at: useyouritems.bsky.social
----------------------------
Art and Research by Francisco Martin
Editing by Jason Weiss
Theme music by William O'Rourke

Fran and Jason finally catch the last time-traveling ape in the PS1 classic, Ape Escape. Dig in on our conversation about peripherals, physical dexterity in games, and the power...of the DUAL SHOCK CONTROLLER!
 
Spoilers at 57 min
 
Francisco is a game designer and engineer, while Jason brings a literary background to each game analysis as they piece together the why and how of our favorite games. If you'd like to support the show please join us on Discord or leave us a review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts-we've love to chat!
----------------------------
Join the conversation on Discord, it's free!
https://linktr.ee/useyouritems
Follow Jason at: @skilled-drizzler.bsky.social
Follow Fran at: frantastico | Instagram | Linktree 
Follow us at: useyouritems.bsky.social
----------------------------
Art and Research by Francisco Martin
Editing by Jason Weiss
Theme music by William O'Rourke

Fran and Jason tackle the mean streets of New York City as Aya Brea in the classic RPG Parasite Eve. This one belongs in the hall of fame folks.
SPOILER'S: 01:01:00
 
Francisco is a game designer and engineer, while Jason brings a literary background to each game analysis as they piece together the why and how of our favorite games. If you'd like to support the show please join us on Discord or leave us a review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts-we've love to chat!
----------------------------
Join the conversation on Discord, it's free!
https://linktr.ee/useyouritems
Follow Jason at: @skilled-drizzler.bsky.social
Follow Fran at: frantastico | Instagram | Linktree 
Follow us at: useyouritems.bsky.social
----------------------------
Art and Research by Francisco Martin
Editing by Jason Weiss
Theme music by William O'Rourke

Fran and Jason dive into indie hit Animal Well by Billy Basso and published by Big Mode. Jason explores the negative capability of Animal Well, while Fran examines the visual design code and gap between knowing and executing.
SPOILER'S: 00:50:00~
 
Francisco is a game designer and engineer, while Jason brings a literary background to each game analysis as they piece together the why and how of our favorite games. If you'd like to support the show please join us on Discord or leave us a review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts-we've love to chat!
----------------------------
Join the conversation on Discord, it's free!
https://linktr.ee/useyouritems
Follow Jason at: @skilled-drizzler.bsky.social
Follow Fran at: frantastico | Instagram | Linktree 
Follow us at: useyouritems.bsky.social
----------------------------
Art and Research by Francisco Martin
Editing by Jason Weiss
Theme music by William O'Rourke

Fran and Jason review Neon White, a speed running game about angels, demons, and anime. Sorta...well at least 50% about anime!! No Sonics were harmed in the making of this episode.
SPOILER'S: 1:17:30
 
Francisco is a game designer and engineer, while Jason brings a literary background to each game analysis as they piece together the why and how of our favorite games. If you'd like to support the show please join us on Discord or leave us a review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts-we've love to chat!
----------------------------
Join the conversation on Discord, it's free!
https://linktr.ee/useyouritems
Follow Jason at: @skilled-drizzler.bsky.social
Follow Fran at: frantastico | Instagram | Linktree 
Follow us at: useyouritems.bsky.social
----------------------------
Art and Research by Francisco Martin
Editing by Jason Weiss
Theme music by William O'Rourke

Jason and Fran dig into their adolescent selves with Halo 3: ODST! Come for the smooth jazz and rain 30 hour track, stay for the Nathan Drake cameo.
Spoilers begin at 00:46:07
 
Francisco is a game designer and engineer, while Jason brings a literary background to each game analysis as they piece together the why and how of our favorite games. If you'd like to support the show please join us on Discord or leave us a review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts-we've love to chat!
----------------------------
Join the conversation on Discord, it's free!
https://linktr.ee/useyouritems
Follow Jason at: @skilled-drizzler.bsky.social
Follow Fran at: frantastico | Instagram | Linktree 
Follow us at: useyouritems.bsky.social
----------------------------
Art and Research by Francisco Martin
Editing by Jason Weiss
Theme music by William O'Rourke
 

Come one and come all to Revachol. There is a book store, a hanging corpse, and, of course, a Fritte! Come for the murder, stay for the tea. Jason and Fran use their extreme detective skills to explore the outer edges of life in Disco Elysium.
 
CW: Rape, Sexual Assault, Police Violence, Alcoholism.
Spoilers begin at 01:18:00
 
Francisco is a game designer and engineer, while Jason brings a literary background to each game analysis as they piece together the why and how of our favorite games. If you'd like to support the show please join us on Discord or leave us a review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts-we've love to chat!
----------------------------
Join the conversation on Discord, it's free!
https://linktr.ee/useyouritems
Follow Jason at: @skilled-drizzler.bsky.social
Follow Fran at: frantastico | Instagram | Linktree 
Follow us at: useyouritems.bsky.social
----------------------------
Art and Research by Francisco Martin
Editing by Jason Weiss
Theme music by William O'Rourke