Ranking of Roguelite Deckbuilders: Episode 02

Ranking of Roguelite Deckbuilders: Episode 02

Author: Deep Listens September 25, 2025 Duration: 1:15:27
Gino "ThatPinguino" Grieco and Braden "ArbitraryWater" REDACTED join forces to talk about the hottest genre to hit the indie scene in the last ten years. No, they're not talking about cozy farming games or boomer shooters, instead they're talking about deckbuilders! If you've ever played Slay the Spire and wanted to know what else was out there, don't worry, they've got you covered. Like, seriously. They've both played a lot of card games and if you want to hear two adult men get into the weeds about what makes a good "One of Those" you might get something out of this! 
 
Games Covered:
HELLCARD
Loop Hero
Tales and Tactics
One Step from Eden
Wildfrost

Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate

If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens

If you like our new art and want to commission some of your own, reach out to Tyler at tylerorbin.net


Every two weeks, the Deep Listens podcast gathers around a virtual table for what feels like a lively, insightful book club, only the texts we're reading are video games. Each episode picks apart a single title, not just to review it, but to truly unpack it. Conversations wander through the narrative themes and literary devices a game employs, dig into the philosophical questions it might raise, and examine the deliberate choices in its design that shape the experience. It’s a format that treats games as rich subjects worthy of deep discussion, but the tone remains consistently warm and humorous-more like friends hashing out their passions than a dry academic lecture. You'll come away hearing your favorite games discussed in a new light, appreciating the layers of thought and craft that can often go unnoticed during play. This podcast is for anyone who believes that the games we love are more than just entertainment; they're complex stories, fascinating systems, and art that merits a closer look. Thoughts and suggestions for games to cover are always welcome.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Deep Listens
Podcast Episodes
GBCER XVI: We All Learned Something This Year! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:24
In this episode Gino, Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED-, and Braden "ArbitraryWater" -REDACTED- debried all that they did for the XVIth Giant Bomb Community Endurance Run! The event ran in early April and raised money for Pen…
Chariots of the Pods: Episode 17 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:51:54
Join Adam, Tyler, Jason, and Justin as they traipse through Stargate SG-1. In this installment they close out season 3 by covering the episodes "New Ground", "Maternal Instinct", "Crystal Skull", and "Nemesis". Join the…
Episode 263: We Catch Pathologic Too [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:32
In this episode Gino, Pete, and Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED- discuss Pathologic 2. We cover the game's truely one of a kind story and setting as well as its unforgiving difficulty. We also talk throught the game's surviv…
We're trying to be Pokemon Champions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:28
Braden, Em, and Chris convene to discuss Pokemon Champions, the new free-to-play competitive Pokemon client. Listen as they agonize over their attempts to be the very best, their hang ups with the game's current limitati…
Off the Deep End Episode 72: Breath of Fire Dragon Quarter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:57
With Adam "Borgmaster" [REDACTED] on assignment, it's up to Braden and Chris to handle the last Breath of Fire on their own. They discuss the game's divisive reputation, its unique aesthetics, and even more unique semi-r…
Episode 262: Like A Dragon, Touched For The Very First Time [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:56
In this episode Gino, Em, and Pete play their first Yakuza game, Yakuza: Like a Dragon! We cover the game's bonkers story, classic JRPG combat, and rediculous characters. We also cover the game's ability to highlight mar…
Final Fantasy Fourever: The After Years - Part 2: The Grand Final-e [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:33
In this episode Gino, Chris "ZombiePie" -REDACTED-, and Jeff discuss Final Fantasy IV: The After Years! We cover all of the stories after Ceodore's as well as the ridiculous ending of this game. If you were thinking "I w…
Chariots of the Pods: Episode 16 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:58:32
Join Adam, Tyler. Jason, and Justin as they venture through Stargate SG-1. In this episode they continue deeper into Season 3 with the episodes "Pretense", "Urgo", "A Hundred Days", and "Shades of Grey". Join along as th…
Episode 261: We Dated Everything and Need Some Space [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:53
Swipe left, swipe right, it's time for Deep Listens to date every single household object they can find with our magic glasses! Braden, Chris, and Adam discuss Sassy Chap Games' Date Everything, its writing, and how much…
Off the Deep End Episode 71: Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:06
Are you ready for the thunder? Are you ready for the Vengeance? Are you ready to fuse dieties of your favorite religion with dieties of other religions? SMT: V: Vengence has you covered on all of the above. The OTDE crew…