Zero Brightness Ep. 166: Who gets to be Human?

Zero Brightness Ep. 166: Who gets to be Human?

Author: Ecstattic Studio December 21, 2023 Duration: 1:14:30
Episode 166 is: about Palestine - about sci-fi - about humanism - about empathy - about people

There's a particular chill that runs down your spine when the lights go out in a game, a mix of dread and exhilaration that's hard to find anywhere else. Zero Brightness-A Podcast About Horror Video Games from Ecstattic Studio lives in that space. We don't just review the latest jump-scare fests; we settle into the unsettling atmosphere of horror gaming, from classic survival titles to the indie experiments that linger in your mind long after you've quit to desktop. Each conversation is a deep dive into what makes these virtual worlds tick-the sound design that raises your heart rate, the environmental storytelling that builds unease, and the mechanics that make you feel truly vulnerable. You'll hear us dissect the narratives that haunt us, celebrate the artistry behind the terror, and occasionally laugh nervously at our own in-game failures. This podcast is for anyone who finds beauty in the pixelated darkness and wants to better understand why we're drawn to being scared in a controlled environment. Join us as we turn the volume up and the lights down, exploring every shadowy corner the genre has to offer.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Zero Brightness - A Podcast About Horror Video Games
Podcast Episodes
Ep. 131: Spoilers Aren't Real [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:40
Monica joins for a conversation about spoiler warnings, content warnings and the way that the internet is reducing conversations about media to juvenile nonsense.
Ep. 136: Packing Peanuts (Nier and Nier: Replicant) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:54
(Content and Spoiler warnings marked in the episode) Some thoughts on Yoko Taro's Action-RPG epic Nier - including some thoughts on its humanist themes, the differences between its various versions (including the 2021 re…
Ep. 135: Kojima in Reverse (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:38:41
Josh rejoins to finish our discussion of Hideo Kojima's gameography, this time joined by our mutual bandmate Christian. We discuss the first three Metal Gear Solid Games as well as being old, cursed streamers, arabic rin…
Ep. 134: The Resident Evil Cinematic Universe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:43:12
We talk about all the various film and TV adaptations of the Resident Evil franchise, from the original film series to the recent CGI and live action takes on the franchise. We discuss the best and worst of what is, admi…
Ep. 133: Are Shorter Games Better? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:37:19
Justin joins for a discussion of game length. We talk about how expectations and realities have changed over time, what makes a good long or short game and (briefly) about how I think the new Resident Evil TV show is act…
Ep. 132: Cruelty (PS2 and PS3 Horror) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:11
An exploration of Cruelty as a theme/narrative device in video games and the way that it's developed over time. Tracks its introduction in the PS2 era (via classics like Silent Hill 2, Shadow of the Colossus and Rule of…
Ep. 130:  Walking Sims Are Kinda Bad(The Medium) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:44
Monica and Justin join to talk about The Medium, a game that attempts to update the Silent Hill formula by adding in tropes and ideas from walking sims and other modern horror games. We talk about what they got right and…
Ep. 128: More Elden Ring Talk (Now with Spoilers!) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:28
Tony rejoins to talk about what we thought about the rest of Elden Ring - including favorite areas, bosses and story moments, as well as a discussion of where it ranks in the Soulsborne series. Come all ye Tarnished and…
Ep. 127: Throwback Horror Pt. 2 (Iron Lung, Daymare 1998, etc.) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:33:29
Justin joins for a roundup of horror games that seek to wrap you in the warm fuzzy glow of nostalgia - or bore you to tears with bad game design, depending on who you ask. We dissect and debate the merits of Iron Lung, T…