Shall We Play a Game? - podcast cover

Shall We Play a Game?

Chris Suellentrop and JJ Sutherlandshallweshow.com
A short (honest!) podcast about video games. Hosted by New York Times contributing critic Chris Suellentrop and former NPR Baghdad bureau chief JJ Sutherland.
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Episodes

‘Carne y Arena’ - Shall We Play a Game?

You’ve got 11 days left to go see Alejandro González Iñárritu’s virtual-reality installation “Carne y Arena.” We saw it/did it/played it, and tell you why you should, too (if you’re anywhere near Washington, D.C.). PS: It feels great to be back! We have a Patreon at www.patreon.com/shallweshow! We are eternally grateful to everyone who has… The post ‘Carne y Arena’ appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? ....

Oct 20, 201835 min

‘Assassin’s Creed’: ‘Origins’ vs. ‘Syndicate’ - Shall We Play a Game?

JJ talks about why he liked “Syndicate” more than “Origins,” while Chris begs for Discovery Modes to be retrofitted into every game in the series. Plus a dash of “God of War” (2018) and “Pillars of Eternity II.” We have a Patreon at www.patreon.com/shallweshow! We are eternally grateful to everyone who has made a pledge.… The post ‘Assassin’s Creed’: ‘Origins’ vs. ‘Syndicate’ appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? ....

Jun 26, 201823 min

‘Solo’ (and ‘God of War’!) - Shall We Play a Game?

Our instant review of “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” the first “Star Wars” movie to reference “Masters of Teras Kasi,” preceded by a paean to the “God of War” camera. We have a Patreon at www.patreon.com/shallweshow! We are eternally grateful to everyone who has made a pledge. NEXT TIME, WE HOPE: “God of War” SHOW… The post ‘Solo’ (and ‘God of War’!) appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? ....

May 25, 201847 min

‘Ready Player One’ - Shall We Play a Game?

Our review of Steven Spielberg’s movie *and* Ernest Cline’s book answers the question you’ve been waiting for: What if Halliday had been into walking simulators? We have a Patreon at www.patreon.com/shallweshow! We are eternally grateful to everyone who has made a pledge. NEXT TIME, WE HOPE: “Getting Over It With Bennett Foddy” SHOW NOTES: Review… The post ‘Ready Player One’ appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? ....

Apr 13, 201822 min

‘Florence’ - Shall We Play a Game?

Unknowingly, we have undertaken a journey to become America’s hottest Annapurna Interactive podcast. We have a Patreon at www.patreon.com/shallweshow! We are eternally grateful to everyone who has made a pledge. NEXT TIME, WE HOPE: “Ready Player One” SHOW NOTES: Review us on iTunes Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter And on Instagram Email us… The post ‘Florence’ appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? ....

Mar 20, 201815 min

2017’s All-Star GOTY Spectacular - Shall We Play a Game?

Better late than never: We asked 25 of the smartest people we know–game developers, critics, professors of theater and history, comedy writers, political journalists, podcasters–for their favorite video game of 2017, and got 20 answers. Counting Chris and JJ, that’s 27 people and 20 video games (21 if you count an honorable mention). STARRING, in… The post 2017’s All-Star GOTY Spectacular appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? ....

Feb 06, 20181 hr 28 min

‘Gorogoa’ - Shall We Play a Game?

The second game from Annapurna Interactive is a meditative puzzle by Jason Roberts. We have a Patreon at www.patreon.com/shallweshow! We are eternally grateful to everyone who has made a pledge. NEXT WEEK, WE HOPE: “Butterfly Soup” SHOW NOTES: Review us on iTunes Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter And on Instagram Email us… The post ‘Gorogoa’ appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? .

Dec 21, 201722 min

‘The Last Jedi’ spoilercast - Shall We Play a Game?

The annual “Shall we watch a ‘Star Wars’ movie?” episode of the “Shall We Play a Game?” podcast. WARNING: Do not listen to more than a minute or so if you haven’t seen “The Last Jedi.” We have a Patreon at www.patreon.com/shallweshow! We are eternally grateful to everyone who has made a pledge. NEXT WEEK, WE HOPE:… The post ‘The Last Jedi’ spoilercast appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? ....

Dec 15, 201727 min

‘Universal Paperclips’ - Shall We Play a Game?

A new Game of the Year contender. We have a Patreon at www.patreon.com/shallweshow! We are eternally grateful to everyone who has made a pledge. THIS WEEK, WE HOPE: “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” NEXT WEEK, WE HOPE: “Gorogoa” SHOW NOTES: Review us on iTunes Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Email us at… The post ‘Universal Paperclips’ appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? .

Dec 12, 201731 min

‘Subsurface Circular’ - Shall We Play a Game?

Mike Bithell’s short interactive robot detective fiction–how’s that for a five-word phrase–is good. Plus, JJ reveals the most embarrassing/proud public place he has played his Nintendo Switch. And Chris talks about minivan radio interfaces. We have a Patreon at www.patreon.com/shallweshow! We are eternally grateful to everyone who has made a pledge. NEXT WEEK, WE HOPE:… The post ‘Subsurface Circular’ appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? ....

Dec 01, 201736 min

‘Star Wars Battlefront 2’ & More ‘Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus’ - Shall We Play a Game?

Alright, Der Fuhrer, it’s time for my closeup. We have a Patreon at www.patreon.com/shallweshow! We are eternally grateful to everyone who has made a pledge. NEXT WEEK, WE HOPE: “Subsurface Circular” SHOW NOTES: Review us on iTunes Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Email us at questions at shallweshow dot com Join the… The post ‘Star Wars Battlefront 2’ & More ‘Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus’ appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? ....

Nov 21, 201723 min

‘Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus’ - Shall We Play a Game?

We’re about three hours in, up to the part when BJ arrives in Manhattan. We have a Patreon at www.patreon.com/shallweshow! We are eternally grateful to everyone who has made a pledge. NEXT WEEK, WE HOPE: More “Wolfenstein 2,” some “Star Wars Battlefront 2” SHOW NOTES: Chris’s New York Times review of “Wolfenstein: The New Order”… The post ‘Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus’ appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? ....

Nov 15, 201728 min

More ‘Super Mario Odyssey’ - Shall We Play a Game?

Now when the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared, Mario rose and dressed himself. He bound his sandals on to his comely feet, girded his sword about his shoulder, and left his room looking like an immortal god. We have a Patreon at www.patreon.com/shallweshow! We are eternally grateful to everyone who has made a pledge.… The post More ‘Super Mario Odyssey’ appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? ....

Nov 09, 201735 min

‘Super Mario Odyssey’ - Shall We Play a Game?

Tell me, O muse, of that ingenious hero who travelled far and wide after he had sacked the famous town of World 1-1. We have a Patreon at www.patreon.com/shallweshow! We are eternally grateful to everyone who has made a pledge. NEXT WEEK, WE HOPE: More “Super Mario Odyssey” SHOW NOTES: Chris’s review of “Super Mario… The post ‘Super Mario Odyssey’ appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? ....

Nov 02, 201731 min

What Would Donald Trump Play? - Shall We Play a Game?

We’re busy with “Super Mario Odyssey” this week–which we’ll talk about on next week’s show–so we’re sharing this Patreon members-only mailbag with the wider listening public. Try it! It’s good! We have a Patreon at www.patreon.com/shallweshow! We are eternally grateful to everyone who has made a pledge. NEXT WEEK, WE HOPE: “Super Mario Odyssey” SHOW… The post What Would Donald Trump Play? appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? ....

Oct 24, 201745 min

‘Divinity: Original Sin 2’ - Shall We Play a Game?

Is there joy in Fort Joy? We have a Patreon at www.patreon.com/shallweshow! We are eternally grateful to everyone who has made a pledge. NEXT WEEK, WE HOPE: More “Divinity: Original Sin 2” SHOW NOTES: Review us on iTunes Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Email us at questions at shallweshow dot com Join… The post ‘Divinity: Original Sin 2’ appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? ....

Oct 17, 201727 min

‘Thimbleweed Park’ - Shall We Play a Game?

We would rather Switch than fight. We have a Patreon at www.patreon.com/shallweshow! We are eternally grateful to everyone who has made a pledge. NEXT WEEK, WE HOPE: “Divinity: Original Sin 2” SHOW NOTES: Review us on iTunes Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Email us at questions at shallweshow dot com Join the… The post ‘Thimbleweed Park’ appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? ....

Oct 09, 201727 min

‘Nier: Automata’ - Shall We Play a Game?

A divisive game divides us against ourselves. We have a Patreon at www.patreon.com/shallweshow! We are eternally grateful to everyone who has made a pledge. NEXT WEEK, WE HOPE: “Thimbleweed Park” — but the Patreon Game Club for October will discuss “Divinity: Original Sin 2” SHOW NOTES: Review us on iTunes Like us on Facebook Follow… The post ‘Nier: Automata’ appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? ....

Oct 03, 201731 min

‘Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle’ - Shall We Play a Game?

Surely the only podcast on this game that delves into Shigeru Miyamoto’s reflections after the Sandy Hook massacre. We have a Patreon at www.patreon.com/shallweshow! We are eternally grateful to everyone who has made a pledge. NEXT WEEK, WE HOPE: “Nier: Automata” SHOW NOTES: Chris’ New York Times interview with Miyamoto Chris’ Rolling Stone interview with… The post ‘Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle’ appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? ....

Sep 28, 201725 min

‘Uncharted: The Lost Legacy’ - Shall We Play a Game?

Someone liked this game. Someone else didn’t. Someone gets angry. Someone else says, “But it’s ‘Uncharted’!” We have a Patreon at www.patreon.com/shallweshow! We are eternally grateful to everyone who has made a pledge. NEXT WEEK, WE HOPE: “Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle” SHOW NOTES: Review us on iTunes Like us on Facebook Follow us on… The post ‘Uncharted: The Lost Legacy’ appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? ....

Sep 18, 201727 min

‘Tacoma’ & ‘Gone Home’ designer Steve Gaynor - Shall We Play a Game?

Steve Gaynor, the designer and writer of “Gone Home” and 2017’s “Tacoma,” talks about why “Tacoma” was so hard to make, what he learned by working with Ken Levine on “BioShock Infinite,” and whether he sees his work as part of a video-game movement. The post ‘Tacoma’ & ‘Gone Home’ designer Steve Gaynor appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? .

Sep 12, 20171 hr 42 min

‘Hellblade’ & More ‘Tacoma’ - Shall We Play a Game?

Chris and JJ agree, more or less, about Ninja Theory’s “Hellblade” and then disagree, vehemently, about Fullbright’s “Tacoma.” The post ‘Hellblade’ & More ‘Tacoma’ appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? .

Sep 06, 201748 min

‘Typeshift’ designer Zach Gage - Shall We Play a Game?

Zach Gage, the designer of mobile games like “SpellTower,” “Really Bad Chess,” “Sage Solitaire,” and 2017’s “Typeshift,” talks to Chris and JJ during a live show from the Play NYC convention. Plus, JJ’s “Tacoma” mini review. The post ‘Typeshift’ designer Zach Gage appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? .

Aug 24, 201719 min

‘Edith Finch’ director Ian Dallas on ‘What Remains of Edith Finch’ - Shall We Play a Game?

Ian Dallas, the creative director of Giant Sparrow, talks about whether Molly starved to death, how he wrote a headline for The Onion that became a self-fulfilling prophecy, and why he wishes he had made an "Edith Finch" level with Weird Al Yankovic. The post ‘Edith Finch’ director Ian Dallas on ‘What Remains of Edith Finch’ appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? .

Aug 16, 20171 hr 34 min

‘Dream Daddy’ - Shall We Play a Game?

Chris Suellentrop and guest critic Laura Hudson--a contributor to Wired, Slate, The New York Times, and more--talk about “Dream Daddy,” the dad-dating sim that hit No. 1 on Steam. The post ‘Dream Daddy’ appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? .

Aug 10, 201738 min

‘Tacoma’ - Shall We Play a Game?

Chris Suellentrop and guest critic Chris Plante--now the culture editor of The Verge, soon to be executive editor of Polygon--talk about “Tacoma,” Fullbright’s follow-up to “Gone Home.” No spoilers! We’ll save those for when JJ returns next week. The post ‘Tacoma’ appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? .

Aug 01, 201730 min

More ‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’ - Shall We Play a Game?

Is the new “Zelda” being graded on a curve? Or is JJ playing it wrong? Can you even play it wrong? Does it matter that there isn’t much of a story? Will Chris ever stop bringing up “Horizon: Zero Dawn”? The post More ‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’ appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? .

Jun 08, 201731 min

‘Zelda’ on Switch & the End of ‘Prey’ - Shall We Play a Game?

At last, we have new Nintendo consoles. Our playthrough of “Breath of the Wild” begins, followed by a spoilercast on the end of Arkane’s “Prey.” The post ‘Zelda’ on Switch & the End of ‘Prey’ appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? .

Jun 01, 201744 min

Even More ‘Prey’ - Shall We Play a Game?

We're almost finished with Arkane's "Prey." Before we gripe about an otherwise excellent game, we answer a listener mail about our "first favorite" video games. This episode is brought to you by Eddy Boswell-Correa, a listener and Patreon supporter. The post Even More ‘Prey’ appeared first on Shall We Play a Game? .

May 24, 201744 min
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