State of the Arc Podcast

Join us for the final episode of our Final Fantasy XVI analysis. Today, we'll be joined by The Night Sky Prince, Schrodingersbabyseal, and ProfNoctis in a roundtable discussion where we will discuss the game's themes, technical execution, development history, and the state of the franchise as a whole. GUESTS: The Night Sky Prince: / @thenightskyprince Schrodingersbabyseal: / @schrodingersbabyseal ProfNoctis: / @profnoctis1718

Ultima and Mythos make a Final Fantasy in more ways than one. Now that we've beat the game we can talk about it! Leave a comment if you feel so inclined. Thanks for watching!

Yep, that was a Pokemon The Movie reference... Okay, so now we're going to the continent of Ash to see if we can kill Barnabas there. Vivian stans speak up, I cannot stand her. Leave a comment if you feel so inclined. Thanks for watching!

Moses Tharmr Final Fantasy XVI Analysis (Ep.9) State Of The Arc Podcast by Resonant Arc

Clive and Jill arrive in Twinside, the capital city of the Crystalline Dominion, just as Bahamut begins raging through the skies, destroying everything in his path. All the while, Joshua reveals himself as the Phoenix tries to stop him. Also, Anabella is horrible and continues to be horrible and insufferable, right up to her last moment. Leave a comment if you feel so inclined! Thanks for watching! Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Dion (1:30) 3. Bahamut (30:05) 4. Reunion (1:11:47)

Time to do it. We are finally going to kill King Kupka. This guy has needed to die since the very first scene we saw him in. It's nice to finally be rid of him. First, we have to see Dion and Joshua as well as a new friend named Mid. Leave a comment if you feel so inclined! Thanks for watching! Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Dion and The Emperor (0:53) 3. Dalimil (13:33) 4. King Kupka Fight (20:31) 5. Dion and The Phoenix (44:35) 6. Mid Sidequest (56:19) 7. Cid’s Grave (1:19:48) 8. The Final Sin (1:26:06)

Turns out Sir Wade somehow survived the encounter with Ifrit and the Phoenix at the beginning of the game! Great news, because Wedge, I mean Wade (Wadge?), has been a thorn in Anabella's side for these many years in the Lazarus district. We meet Uncle Byron, who is an amazing character, and Jill moves toward her past with the intent to make penance for the wrongs she's done in her life. After all that, we get to face King Kupka for the first time. Leave a comment if you feel so inclined! Thanks for watching! Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Sir Wade (1:21) 3. Uncle Byron (12:45) 4. Jill’s Atonement (20:24) 5. King Kupka (54:00)

It has been 5 years since that day. The day we first destroyed a Mothercrystal and the day that Cid gave his life for his cause. Now, there is a new Cid. However, though 5 years have passed, this new Cid doesn't seem much further along in his goal of freeing the bearers than he was before. In fact, things seem worse than ever. We play all the way up to the smiting of the Black Shields, casting their ruin upon the lands of Rosaria. Leave a comment if you feel so inclined! Thanks for watching! Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Comments (2:17) 3. 5-Year Time Skip (33:38) 4. New Hideaway (48:48) 5. The Black Shields (1:00:39)

Now that he has pressed L3 + R3 and finally accepted the truth, Clive is now free to strive for a better purpose, but first, he needs a plan. Clive, Cid, and Jill decide to break into the Mothercrystal at Drakes Head. In doing so, they all quickly realize that saving the planet isn't going to be as easy as they previously believed. Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. At Last, You Accept the Truth (3:59) 3. Co-Stabbing a Crystal (18:19) 4. The Dame (38:35) 5. Breaking Into Drake's Head (1:06:53) 6. Typhon (1:18:28) 7. Joshua Returns (1:30:03)

“This thing of darkness I acknowledge mine.” -William Shakespeare In today's episode, Clive must face the darkness he has suppressed for 13 years and press R3 and L3 to accept the truth. Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Bahamut and Odin (1:30) 3. The Wages of Guilt (7:25) 4. Jill Wakes Up (17:14) 5. Martha's Rest (22:50) 6. Eastpool (47:15) 7. Return to Phoenix Gate (1:05:31) 8. Confronting the Shadow (1:09:47)

It's time to jump into the full game! Today we're playing up through the next major Eikon battle against Garuda. There's lots to dive into here, with Clive being reunited with Jill, references to the Fallen, the mysterious dominant of fire Clive saw at Phoenix Gate being captured by Waloed, and Cid's little community of outcasts! Time Codes: 1. Intro and Corrections (0:00) 2. Reunine with Jill (5:30) 3. Cid's Hideaway (24:31) 4. The Greatwood (53:44) 5. Caer Norvent (1:04:58) 6. Fighting Benedikta (1:12:57)

Now we have to look at how this game connects to Nier Replicant and Gestalt, as well as give some more commentary on how the game has affected our lives in general. This was an amazing experience and I hope you all enjoyed it! If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a like and a comment letting us know. Thank you, and please enjoy this episode of the State of the Arc Podcast!

Final Fantasy XVI is finally here! Today we're beginning our podcast series analyzing the story of the game. This time, we'll be talking up through the end of the Phoenix Gate sequence, which was all in the demo released last week, but next time we'll move into the content of the full game! Hope everyone enjoys the discussion, and feel free to play along with us! Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Opening Narration (3:51) 3. Phoenix vs Ifrit Part 1 (11:38) 4. The Nysa Defile (15:51) 5. Rosalith (39:15) 6. Elwin and Anabella (1:11:11) 7. Clive and Jill (1:14:37) 8. Leaving Rosalith and Stillwind Marsh (1:17:41) 9. Phoenix Gate (1:20:29)

We finish up endings C, D and E! If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a like and a comment letting us know. Thank you, and please enjoy this episode of the State of the Arc Podcast! Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. 9S Wakes Up (18:26) 3. Devola and Popola SPOILERS (1:13:56) 4. In the Tower (1:22:06) 5. A2 and 9S Endings (1:44:32) 6. Ending E (2:09:09)

We're going to get to know A2 a lot better and see a very different side of 9S. This is where the game really picks up. If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a like and a comment letting us know. Thank you, and please enjoy this episode of the State of the Arc Podcast!

We're back! This is the best episode yet on NieR Automata. We finish the B play through here and unravel even more of the story. If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a like and a comment letting us know. Thank you, and please enjoy this episode of the State of the Arc Podcast!

Now we get to see 9S's perspective on the whole ordeal. We get about halfway through route B. We discuss the mythologies of the robots and the backstories to some of the characters, and conclude with a lengthy discussion on Simone DeBeauvoir's The Second Sex. I hope you came prepared because we're about to give your face a fist full of entertainment whether you like it or not! If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a like and a comment letting us know. Thank you, and please enjoy this episode of the State of the Arc Podcast! Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Machine Factory (1:47) 3. Back Over Everything (23:29) 4. Simone DeBeauvoir (54:30)

We finish ending A! Starting off at the Machine Village, we make our way past the Flooded City and through to the end of the game. It's a wild ride, so buckle up. If you like the podcast, please leave a like and a comment letting us know. Thank you, and please enjoy this episode of the State of the Arc Podcast! Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Machine Village (3:38) 3. Forest Kingdom (20:29) 4. Flooded City (40:42) 5. Copied City (53:00) 6. Death Cult (1:15:10) 7. Eve and A Ending (1:24:05)

Wow! So much to talk about. Perhaps, a bit too much to talk about. If you haven't guessed yet, we did not finish the A playthrough this time either. But it's not our fault! It's that blasted Jean-Paul. That guy, I tell you. We could talk about him for hours. We go from the Amusement park, to the Machine Village and at last, meet with the enemies of the Humans. If you like the podcast, please leave a like and a comment letting us know. Thank you, and please enjoy this episode of the State of the Arc Podcast! Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Amusement Park (3:48) 3. Machine Village (20:40) 4. Aliens Underground (1:00:03)

Wow, a lot to dive into right from the beginning of the game. It sounds like maybe 2B wants to kill god, 9S has a lower-than-low opinion of machines, and what does death even mean if you're an Android? Perhaps more importantly, though, is the question: "What does life mean if you're an android?" This is one deep game, and we are very excited to dive into it and give you our thoughts on the story. If you like the podcast, please leave a like and a comment letting us know. Thank you, and please enjoy this episode of the State of the Arc Podcast! Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. 2B wants to kill god (2:15) 3. 9S shows up (18:01) 4. Space Station (34:52) 5. Back to Earth (58:53) 6. Adam and Eve (1:18:43) 7. Ship of Theseus (1:35:15)

Welcome to the State of the Arc Podcast! Today we're discussing NieR Automata, a philosophical and introspective game that is actually really fun to play. In this episode, we talk about how the game was made, and what needed to come together in order for it to happen. This is an amazing game and one that seems to marry gameplay with story in a unique way. We talk about Yoko Taro, Yosuke Saito, Keiichi Okabe, Akihiko Yoshida, and of course, philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, Sartre, Nietzsche, Pascal, and many others. If you like the podcast, please leave a like and a comment letting us know. Thank you, and please enjoy!

Wow, what a game! We have even more triangle talk to share with you, as well as what much of the symbolism at the end of this game is trying to tell us. We had to record a bit later in the week to cover everything, but hopefully, everyone will have gotten their fill of Final Fantasy VI through this podcast. There is so much to analyze and too much missable content, but in the end, I think we gave FF6 our best and are very eager to hear what else you noticed that we didn't bring up in the comment section. Thank you for watching! This is one of our favorite games of all time. Next week we'll be playing Nier Automata. As always, please like and comment to let YouTube know that these videos are appreciated so they can eventually be shared with other fans of RPGs. Until next week! Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Ancient Temple (8:27) 3. Hidon (15:02) 4. Kefka’s Tower (21:37) 5. Kefka (27:26) 6. Escape (58:28) 7. Ending and Theme (1:34:51)

As Celes continues her quest to gather her lost friends--scattered across the four corners of the world--she begins to gain hope and strength. The party grows even larger as we find a few new friends. In this episode, we gather up all the cast and get ready for our final showdown with Kefka. Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Crumbs (1:07) 3. Cyan (6:40) 4. Gau (17:05) 5. Terra (25:50) 6. Relm (45:00) 7. Shadow (49:20) 8. Locke (1:01:00)

In the wake of Kefka's worldwide destruction, Celes awakes on a solitary island where she was cared for by Cid for a full year while in a coma. Now she must pick up the pieces of the broken world stretching out before her and bring a last ray of hope to its demoralized population. First, however, she'll need to overcome her own overwhelming despair. Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Solitary Island (2:26) 3. Recruiting Sabin (20:20) 4. "Gerad" (29:33) 5. Setzer and Daryl's Tomb (36:33) 6. Recruiting Cyan (54:12) 7. Recruiting Gau (57:59)

Today we have a special episode for you! We're doing a deep dive on the N64's RPG masterpiece, Quest 64! There's a lot about this game's development history and profound story that most RPG fans don't know, so today we'll be diving in to show you how rich this is game truly is!

Time Codes: Intro (0:00) On a Boat (0:32) Thamasa (20:48) Esper Caves (41:24) Magitek Mayhem (58:25) The Warring Triad (1:13:10)

Time Codes: Intro (0:00) Vector (0:52) Cid’s Factory (11:07) Terra’s Story (35:15) Terra Opens the Gate (57:36) Negotiating With Emperor Gestahl (1:11:17)

Time Codes: Intro (0:00) Battle for Narshe (0:55) To Kohlingen (20:05) Zozo and Terra (38:09) Opera (56:35) The Only Airship in the World (1:37:16)

We get to choose our own adventure as our hero's make their separate ways back to Narshe. Banon and Terra have to sneak through the caves, Locke has to changes clothes 30 times and rescue a prisoner, and Sabin meets some new friends despite his proclivity to pass out whenever he comes into contact with water (which is often). If you enjoyed the video, please like and comment, it really helps us out. Thank you! Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Terra and Banon (0:53) 3. Locke (13:03) 4. Celes (19:02) 5. Sabin (37:34) 6. Cyan (48:58) 7. The Phantom Train (1:09:08) 8. Gau (1:29:33)

We finish up our time in Figaro castle and meet this complete clown named Kefka. We then make our way to the Returners hideout and learn some very disconcerting news. Then, On the river Anduin, at the falls of Rauros, the Fellowship experiences a parting that splits the group into 3 separate parties. If you enjoyed the video, please like and comment, it really helps us out. Thank you! Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Kefka (1:10) 3. A Daring Escape (32:07) 4. South Figaro (57:33) 5. Returners Hideout (1:21:12) 6. The Breaking of the Fellowship (1:38:57)

As soon as you press start, darkness. We descend below the clouds, into the storm above Narshe. From there, we play all the way till about halfway through Figaro Castle. This game is AMAZING! If you enjoyed the video, please like and comment, it really helps us out. Thank you! Time Codes: Intro (0:00) An Approach to Older Games (0:38) Translation Issues (10:57) The Opening Scene (25:24) Prologue (34:28) Narshe (53:45) Old Man’s House (1:03:33) Deus Ex Moogle (1:31:26) To Figaro! (1:43:01)

We are about to embark on an incredible journey into Final Fantasy VI. This will be the oldest game we've analyzed so far on the podcast. It's amazing that a game that's nearly 30 years old still has so much to offer. In this episode, we cover all of the history of the development and some of the early decisions that really made the game so special. If you enjoyed the video, please like and comment, it really helps us out. Thank you! Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Dev History (5:40) 3. Spoilers (1:25:07)

We complete the story arc for Jack Ryan, a man without a family. The game ends as brilliantly as it started. Casen had to do this episode remote for a few reasons, but will be back in studio for the first podcast of our next series. Please leave a like and a comment if you feel so inclined. Thank you!

We are finally going to meet Andrew Ryan in this episode... or are we? Atlas gives a lot of promises but... who really is Atlas anyways? And how did our plane crash at the beginning of the game? This and more in another exciting episode of the State of the Arc Podcast! Please leave a like and a comment if you feel so inclined. Thank you!

In This episode, we play through Arcadia and learn a lot more about this Andrew Ryan fellow. I tell ya, the more I learn about him the less I like him. He seems to think he's freed himself from the shackles of god, religion and government but in reality, he has merely replicated those exact same things in a slightly different form right in his city. Please leave a like and a comment if you feel so inclined. Thank you!

In this episode we play through the medial area that contains a little microcosm of the entire game. We continue to loot all of rapture. Give a like and leave a comment if you feel so inclined. Thank you!

A plane falls from the sky. It is on fire. It hits the water and comes apart. There is only one survivor. Oddly enough, the plane happened to crash right at the site of an Atlantean civilization. A city underwater. We play from this point up until the medical area. It's not too much, but there's a lot to cover here. Don't forget to like and comment on the video! Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Plane Crash (1:28) 3. Entering Rapture (10:00) 4. Gameplay (38:45)

Bioshock is considered one of the best games of all time. It has a connection with philosophy, art, and psychology that many believe is in line with great cinema. Naturally, this is a perfect fit for our podcast. In this episode, we learn about the developers who made Bioshock, including Ken Levine, Paul Hellquist, Bill Gardener, and others. the work is based in part on Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged. Enjoy!

Timecodes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Endings (3:24) 3. Born From a Wish (46:02) 4. Thoughts on Jacob's Ladder (1:14:05) 5. Patreon questions and responses (1:25:53)

Timecodes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Maria is dead again? (0:44) 3. Gravestones (1:47) 4. Final confrontation with Eddie (4:00) 5. Lakeview Hotel (17:25) 6. Watching the video tape (29:24) 7. Final encounter with Angela (54:53) 8. Final confrontation with Pyramid Head (1:02:04) 9. Final encounter with Mary/Maria (1:12:44)

Just want to add that my remarks about there being precisely 23 pistons in the room where Angela relives her trauma may not be correct. Upon closer inspection, though it is admittedly hard to see, there may actually be 24, making them symmetrical in the room. Either way, they could still represent the number of times she was violated. Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Exploring/Messages on the walls (2:28) 3. "Tis doubt which leadeth thee to Purgatory" (6:53) 4. Another encounter with Eddie (15:10) 5. Rambling: Pyramid Head images--meaning of gluttonous pig, seductress, and oppressor--which characters are real and which are not, etc. (23:10) 6. Maria is alive? (32:26) 7. Angela's trauma (44:51) 8. What the monsters of Silent Hill 2 represent (52:15)

We are delving deeper into the mysteries of this game. We meet Eddie, learn Laura's name, and then meet Maria. Maria is absolutely fascinating. She has the face of Cameron Diaz but the clothes of Christina Aguilera, so I mean right there you've got a whole episode worth to talk bout. Since Ave Maria means Hail Mary in Latin, I thought it was apt. Thanks for watching! Remember to click "like" and leave a comment, too! Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Angela (0:42) 3.Pyramid Head (8:02) 4. Maria (22:28) 5. Eddie and Laura (37:19) 6. The Hospital (47:15) 7. Reunion With Maria(1:02:35)

This is the final episode of our Undertale analysis. We're covering the differences in the genocide route and various endings.

Timecodes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. James in the bathroom (0:43) 3. Angela (23:15) 4. First enemy (35:02) 5. Scariest moment in the game (53:01) 6. Eddie (1:08:34)

We talk about the development history of the classic game Silent Hill 2. It was made by Hiroyuki Owaku, Masahiro Ito, Masahi Tsuboyama, Sato Takayoshi, and Akirayama Oka. Of course, there were many who had a hand in making this game, but these are the notable devs who we will be referencing in this episode. To make a game like this, one has to: 1) be seriously messed up on the inside, 2) have enough sanity to know how messed up you are; yet still function reasonably well in the real world, 3) want to show the entire world how screwed up you are on the inside, 4) know that deep down inside, everyone else is just as messed up as you are. Hats off to those who made this amazing masterpiece.

TJtheEmperor joins us again to analyze the very ending of Xenosaga. We are also joined by Keith, who has some great insights and real-world connections. The game is over, and we are finally getting some answers. However, we also got a ton more questions. So the question-to-answer ratio is still very unfavorable. From Proto Merkabah to KOS MOS getting her angel wings, we get to experience the ending of this amazing experience. Thanks for joining us! Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Proto Merkabah (2:54) 3. Fight With Albedo (35:09) 4. It's Gonna Blow! (54:07)

The Japanese version of Xenosaga differs greatly from the American version at precisely this point in the game. There is some very unsettling imagery used in the Japanese version that was passed over in the American version. Once we get to the Song of Nephilim, we begin to understand Albedo in a way that somehow leaves us with more questions than answers. Classic Takahashi. Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Gnosis Attack (1:21) 3. Momo and Albedo (27:27) 4. Shion and Jr. Go to Song of Nephilim (54:35) 5. Virgil Returns (1:19:10)

In today's episode, we explore the Hotlands and continually confront Metatron with Alphys support, meet up with Sans at the MTT Resort, and make our way through New Home for the final confrontation with Asgore.

This portion of the game is jaw-dropping. We have been waiting for these moments, and they do not disappoint. This, right here, is why we play Xeno games. The depth and the source material are just too captivating. We cover Nietzsche's Death of God hypothesis, Jung's collective unconscious, and ancient ideas on what a god, angel, or demon really is. Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Dr. Mizrahi Reciting The Bible (0:36) 3. The Church (12:01) 4. Inside The Door (28:55) 5. The Death Of God(54:10) 6. You Are Not Yet Ready (1:25:49)

In this very exciting episode, we see the game's true depth. After a brief prison break sequence, we dive into the encephalon of KOS-MOS. Her mind consists of others' memories as well as her own experiences and thoughts. It's a real trip but made this part of the game the most exciting one yet! Time Codes: 1. Housekeeping (0:00) 2. Kukai Foundation Raided (8:41) 3. Prison Escape (21:12) 4. Encephalon Dive (36:39) 5. Shion's Side (57:10) 6. Jr.'s Side (1:14:18)