Episode 125: The Dark Souls of the Force

May the fourth be with you, and may it also be with Zachary 'cause it's his birthday! (At the time of this recording, at least. Come on, these guys don't have time travelling powers like Putt-Putt. Not everyone can be like Putt-Putt you judgmental ruffian.) The episode starts out with a bunch of yelling and weird music, but before you know it Zachary is jumping out of his own metaphorical birthday cake to make a surprise appearance. He and Cameron go on and on about Dark Souls II again, so you'd better be down for talks of death and stat-based intrigue. There's still room for Guess That Pokemon: Wookieepedia Edition, a quiz that pits two beloved science fiction universes together in a clash that reveals Admiral Ackbar's first name. Cameron hates this game. :) Opening song: Chalupa Pass, from Minimap and composed by coda.

Ending song: Title Theme, from Musical Star Wars Birthday Card and composed by John Williams.

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Episode 124: Hyberbole and Metal Gear are Meant for Each Other

Cameron is still chilling with the bros. in Houston, but they have an additional disembodied voices to contend with thanks to Zachary "Still On Skype" Walton. That guy is a Dark Souls II fiend, and he dumps info like a Metal Gear Solid cutscene until his audience is satisfied. Funny enough, Metal Gear is the very next topic to get passed around as the Texas-bound trio have been working through Guns of the Patriots as they make gravelly grunts in the backs of their throats. Some other things happened too, presumably, but they really talked about those two things a lot. Opening song: Chalupa Pass, from Minimap and composed by coda.

Ending song: Sign of Fortune, originally from Metal Gear Solid 4 and ReMixed by DragonAvenger, Level 99, and OA.

[audio https://www.cubby.com/p/_0007d65ce92748819a70715382680219/Disembodied%20Voices%20%20Episode%20124.mp3]

Episode 123: Harmonizing in Harmony(ish)

The DV Cast knows nothing about space-time continuum, but something somewhere must have broken something fierce because worlds are colliding like Super Smash Bros. in here. Cameron has traveled from Oregon City to the sandy land of Texas in which Stephen and Bryan reside, resulting in a very, very exciting outcome: the ability to test a new microphone! Cameron takes this opportunity to rifle through the brotherly duo's video game shelf (comprised mostly of Sonic Adventure 2) and wastes no time in finding his oldest friend and ally Resident Evil 4. A newcomer to the game collection is Metal Gear Solid 4, which the panel finds to be weird. Incidentally, Stephen teaches everyone about Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. All this and more is discussed in real time with real people in real life on a real couch and one real chair, but they accidentally recorded with the MacBook instead of their new microphone so they quit the podcast. Opening song: Chalupa Pass, from Minimap and composed by coda.

Ending song: Chillin' With the Bros., originally from Super Smash Bros. and ReMixed by Amphibious.

[audio https://www.cubby.com/p/_8405ba6a68df4b698acfecdb19f20b5d/Disembodied%20Voices%20-%20Episode%20123.mp3]

Episode 122: The Man with the Crooked Nose

Video games are back! And so is Zachary! Nostalgia is unleashed upon the panel like a wistful genie from a wistful bottle as Stephen relates his trip through the very first episode of Disembodied Voices, reminding everyone that they have come a long way and that Dragon Age is better than Mass Effect. Less sentimental is hell, but that's where Cameron has been living for weeks now. Diablo III has its claws in the poor fellow, and he's dragging his comrades down with him. Zachary can't bother with demon duty as his Vita (AKA NGP) needs tending, mostly because of his favorite title Ys Every Game in the Series. Bryan ditches the show early, unfortunately, leaving Stephen to ramble on about games that nobody else really cares about and Cameron to make a lazy mess of the ending. Some things never change. Opening song: Chalupa Pass, from Minimap and composed by coda.

Ending song: Crash Test Dummy Man, originally from Mega Man 2 and ReMixed by A_Rival.

[audio https://www.cubby.com/p/_351f7d9f31264bacabab2f797a7815de/Disembodied%20Voices%20-%20Episode%20122.mp3]

Episode 121: Video What Nows?

Having broken his foot in a pet sitting accident (no pets were injured in the sitting of them), Stephen can no longer run from the accusation of being a hipster, no thanks to old man Papa John's failure to be up front about goat cheese toppings and gluten-free crust on Twitter. Cameron's starkly opposite dietary habits prompt him to defend the process of becoming willfully intoxicated  (AKA Zachary's natural state),  which may explain his opinions on the Hobbit films. Bryan is bridging the gap between bickering dunderheads by expounding upon the fascinating world of accounts receivable. Yes sir, this is a fine episode of Disembodied Voices, everyone's favorite podcast about... um.... something or other. Opening song: Chalupa Pass, from Minimap and composed by coda.

Ending song: The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?), composed by Ylvis.

[audio https://www.cubby.com/p/_2645c3732d23438691f09ce875fe4094/Disembodied%20Voices%20-%20Episode%20121.mp3]

Episode 120: In Which Stephen Weirds Everyone Out Again

Zachary becomes the Lord of All Goats this week. In other news, Stephen and Bryan finally have a hearth to hearth about Hearthstone after the rest of the DV Cast harshly rejects their heist-that-isn't-a-heist to hook a computer into a separate room. To be fair, Cameron is too busy preparing for Titanfalls to pay much heed to the dreams and aspirations of anyone else, let alone Blizzard and its continuing struggle to make Diablo III reach its demonic potential. Speaking of brand new releases for today's generation of gamers, Project Snowblind blindsided Stephen with a revolutionary idea that first-person shooters will look to for eons to come: level design. These are exciting times, folks, and you get to spend them with Disembodied Voices! Opening song: Chalupa Pass, from Minimap and composed by coda.

Stephen Noir: Main Theme, from Gunpoint and composed by John Robert Matz.

Heist Song: Blob in Space, from de Blob 2 and composed by John Guscott

Ending song: Purple Heart, originally from Rush'n Attack and ReMixed by goat.

[audio https://www.cubby.com/p/_0d2929c4b8fe4b6a816a0b828a7d25b1/Disembodied%20Voices%20-%20Episode%20120.mp3]

Episode 119: More Like Metal Gear Pallid

Panelist Cameron Nutter is no longer voiced by David Hayter, which wouldn't be so bad if Disembodied Voices didn't sell out and hire Tara Strong for the role of Bryan. All of these voice actor woes make the iffy changes of Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes seem like the smallest of potatoes, despite the fact that it facilitates an enormous conversation rife with controversy, conspiracy, and some other enticingly alliterate word. Less infamous and yet vastly more InFamous is PS4 blockbuster InFamous: Second Son, winning over Zachary's embittered anti-Cole mindset. All of this cutting edge technology puts Stephen in the mood to play Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (BLAST PROCESSING) and makes Bryan want to play Hearthstone (because everything makes Bryan want to play Hearthstone). Crazy Taxi is also yelled about, so good on that. Opening song: Chalupa Pass, from Minimap and composed by coda.

Ending song: Mystical Groove, originally from Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and ReMixed by Arceace.

[audio https://www.cubby.com/p/_0f15cd2f618d4634860e387e5a6017cb/Disembodied%20Voices%20-%20Episode%20119.mp3]

Episode 118: Waluigi Hates This Podcast

Zachary may have lost his job, but one thing he will never lose is the will to Dark Souls. He leads the group in discussion about this transcendent experience and its uncanny ability to cause those who gaze upon its ebony night-colored glory to weep with tears of despair, and of joy, and of fury. Cameron's crying days are over, however, as is his fanatic loyalty to My Little Pony, which spawns the second most in-depth conversation of this particular episode. While emotions are high, why not remember Remember Me, a game that everyone is yelling about and yet nobody really knows what to think? At least the DV Cast understands Titanfall, even if it's accidentally insulted it a lot without being offered proper defense or even a lousy trial. Speaking of subjects relevant to Cameron, you don't want to miss brand new segment Cameron's News Alert, during which Cameron alerts us of news relevant to him! Afterwards, um... Waluigi happens. Or something. Opening song: Chalupa Pass, from Minimap and composed by coda.

Ending song: Super Hipster Land, originally from Super Mario Land and ReMixed by Blen.

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Episode 117: Wrath of the Nutter Butter

You may remember the long-harbored Disembodied Voices contention that surfaces once in a blue moon, but this time Cameron has stolen the entire stash for himself and is throwing it at Bryan! And who can blame him? Constructing bridges in the self-explanatory Bridge Constructor and watching hundreds of people perish because of your own uncontrollable hubris would put anyone in a foul mood, as would the stinky final boss from Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, which drove Stephen and Bryan bananas. Actually, Zachary's had a rough time as well with the trying trials of Dark Souls, even though the experience has ultimately made him a wiser, stronger, happier person. It's a good thing RPGs like Bravely Default, Knights of the Old Republic II, and World of Warcraft exist to calm everyone down and fill them with the inner warmth of predictable combat encounters. If you, too, take these values to heart, then please join the DV Cast in an audio adventure you will never forget for at least a day. And don't forget about Whales are Whales, the fun-filled network that Disembodied Voices calls home!

Opening song: Chalupa Pass, from Minimap and composed by coda.

Ending song: Blast Beatdown, originally from Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble and ReMixed by tefnek and zircon.

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Episode 116: Where There's a Whale There's a Way

There was no theme for last week's episode, which spearheaded an avant-garde low carb trend of not having a theme for every week. That's right, The DV Cast is now free to talk about whatever the baloney they want whenever the baloney they want, and this week the ingredients are almost as numerous as that of actual baloney. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze-- king of swing, lord of banana hoards-- lumbers onto the scene with Scooby-Doo comparisons out the wazoo, and the momentous monkey is joined by The Last of Us and Final Fantasy XIV. Stephen really likes both of these games, but other people such as Cameron and Bryan engage in supernatural forms of black magic known as "logic" and "reason" to find fault. If you want to hear more ignorant opinions, you ought to enjoy new segment Ignorpinions, in which the virtues and vices of Thief are blindly proclaimed with no legitimate knowledge on hand. Even more exciting than that (if possible) is the announcement of Whales are Whales, a brand new network for shows just like Disembodied Voices. Support everyone in the DV Cast by exploring its website of wonder and finding yourself a new favorite show, why don't you!?

Opening song: Chalupa Pass, from Minimap and composed by coda.

Ending song: On the Day the World Changed..., originally from Secret of Mana and ReMixed by Christian Pacaud, MAG, and ktriton.

[audio https://www.cubby.com/p/_ed01f6e7e1214a01ab7761588b8c0159/Disembodied%20Voices%20-%20Episode%20116.mp3]

Episode 115: Of Primates and Chocobos

There's no theme for this week's episode, turning Disembodied Voices into a Wild West Adventure in which the only rule is that there are no rules, which is contradictory in the wildest way. Speaking of oxymora, Zachary has visited the bananas world of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, a land where David Wise and Cranky Kong can high five in harmony. Yet not all is well nor do all hearts combine with friendship, for Stephen and Bryan have become embroiled in brotherly betrayal. The former hid away his unwise dealings with Final Fantasy XIV-- the third MMO on his heaping plate of video games leftovers-- to avoid scorn/shame while Bryan was out of town, while the latter saw The LEGO Movie again without the former. Thank the Moogle for Cameron and his unity-preserving DK Rap. Opening song: Chalupa Pass, from Minimap and composed by coda.

Ending song: DK Rap, from Donkey Kong Country 64 and composed by Grant Kirkhope.

[audio https://www.cubby.com/p/_38825d95571a48ef9d9be47bfcbd8881/Disembodied%20Voices%20-%20Episode%20115.mp3/]

Episode 114: Tough E. Nuff for You?

The DV Cast tackles the difficult subject of difficult games, which is definitely an excuse to talk about StarCraft II and Spelunky. Stephen is once again exposed to be a closed-minded, selfish neanderthal thanks to his "play as no one but Indiana Jones Spelunky Man" policy and an exclusively Terran-based widow mine strategy, but he balances out the negative karma by quoting "Everything is Awesome." Speaking of which, The LEGO Movie is haphazardly explained with too much enthusiasm to make sense and Gravity's weighty subject matter (PUNS PUNS PUNS) gets a thumbs-up in Odd-eo Commentary. If that's not intense enough for you, Cameron relays his experience riding a Giant Robot in the Titanfall beta, trying as he might to avoid spouting hyperbole like a 1980-something spaceman building a spaceship. Bryan has to close out the show all by himself due to technical difficulties, which brings the episode back full circle since it's about difficulty, remember? Opening song: Chalupa Pass, from Minimap and composed by coda.

Ending song: Difficult Move Indeed, originally from SD Snatcher and ReMixed by Commandcom.

[audio https://www.cubby.com/p/_93406ddd81134294bcea12cf5f9e4480/Disembodied%20Voices%20-%20Episode%20114.mp3]

Episode 113: Never/Always Tell Me the Odds

The DV Cast is ready to roll... the dice! Because this episode is about randomness in game design! Which includes dice! Or a die if you're working with the singular use! Spelunky and Hearthstone, games that Stephen simultaneously wants to high five and slap in the head, make their own arguments for the great game of chance, but StarCraft Time represents the merits of unyielding uniformity in the face of uneven odds. Cameron becomes a storyteller in the first ever segment Nutter Family History, venturing into the mythical Corn Palace before heading back to Lowrule for some controversial opinions. Bryan, in the meantime, becomes unpopular for having a good time. Speaking of having good times and being unpopular, this episode of Disembodied Voices is ready to roll... the dice! (The joke is funny enough to use twice.) Opening song: Chalupa Pass, from Minimap and composed by coda.

Ending song: Roaming... Please Wait, originally from Final Fantasy and ReMixed by BONKERS.

[audio https://www.cubby.com/p/_71a16b3af192452d942e0e911952a5df/Disembodied%20Voices%20-%20Episode%20113.mp3]

Episode 112: Realms Reborn, Horizons Expanded

Everyone's playing MMOs and that is a weird thing. Zachary has dedicated heart, mind, and soul to Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, a world that offers enough J in its RPG to justify roping in such a stalwart defender of the noble genre. This, naturally, sparks a discussion somewhere between amiability and unbridled anger about World of Warcraft's hotkey-poking combat system, Guild Wars 2's monster-punching action, and Anarchy Online's ten-step item-using program. If you think the MMO-- once despised by every last member of the DV Cast-- is a strange and unreal way to spend an episode, just wait until StarCraft Talk, during which Stephen apparently has a nervous breakdown. This is one quest you'll definitely want to accept! (That was a lame joke but there will be no apology issued.) Opening song: Chalupa Pass, from Minimap and composed by coda.

Ending song: Pwntera, originally from Ragnarok and ReMixed by OA.

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Episode 111: "Organ Trail" is a Pun FYI

Bryan is in braving the harsh weather in Florida this week (weather reports predict alligators) but everyone else is safe and sound, speaking into microphones as it was always meant to be. Although Cameron's microphone is on the fritz, that doesn't stop him from relaying the heartwrenching tale of Organ Trail and how the simulated DV Cast members fell one by one to the apocalyptic realities of ambiguous puns. The journey is almost as deadly as Stephen's descent into Spelunky, a game he hates and loves much as Gollum hates and loves the Ring. But don't let these horrible fates get you down; Broken Age is here to brighten up the place up, even if its heroine is a little dull. An in-depth conversation on adventure games and their debatable merits is accompanied by an in-depth conversation on Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons and its debatable merits, during which we learn that Zachary is a terrible person. Most exciting of all, Summarize a Game in Five Words forces everyone to bring a handful of games they're looking forward to-- and summarize the picks of someone else! (Oh snap, plot twist!) So join the DV Cast in prayer to keep Bryan safe from 'gators as you listen to another episode of almost nobody's favorite video game podcast. Opening song: Chalupa Pass, from Minimap and composed by coda.

Ending song: AmIEviL, originally from The Secret of Monkey Island and ReMixed by AmIEviL.

[audio https://www.cubby.com/p/_3c38664861ec4f6fade27c2eafff3f22/Disembodied%20Voices%20-%20Episode%20111.mp3]

Episode 110: Creepy Hozen Hands

The DV Cast have made a collective decision to let the Cameron license expire in order to focus on what's really important: themselves. Although everyone's favorite narcoleptic madman is nowhere to be seen, everyone else gets plenty of time to discuss their favorite Disembodied Voices episodes, moments, and members. Reckless self-indulgence is uninhibited by dignity, as is Zachary's willingness to play through the convoluted, gummy plot of Kingdom Hearts all over again for seemingly no reason at all. But don't worry, there's plenty of Japanese and RPG to go around, for Stephen and and Bryan are busy with a demonic school in which they school demons thanks to Persona 3: FES, even though their in-game MMO pal's identity is spoiled before its time. Speaking of MMO pals, events are topped off with a weird story about a fairly nonsensical encounter in World of Warcraft which acts as the origin story of this episode title. Opening song: Chalupa Pass, from Minimap and composed by coda.

Ending song: Voodoo, Roots 'n Grog, originally from The Secret of Monkey Island and ReMixed by Alex Jones and Diggi Dis.

[audio https://www.cubby.com/p/_58e5a033b9e549f290cffe30a88ce314/Disembodied%20Voices%20-%20Episode%20110.mp3]

Episode 109: Everything is So Super New

2014 has a nice ring to it, does it not? So does the new Disembodied Voices theme song for the new episode of the new year-- and the newness doesn't stop there! This week's episode is all about trying new things, spearheaded by a bout of very stupid New Year Resolutions, followed by a chat about The Stanley Parable's range of unconventional emotions, which is chock full of spoilers and stories to tell. New games that the DV Cast regret trying morphs into a violent argument about Futurama (during which Bryan compares Firefly to "trash"), but the open-minded train finds its open-minded tracks once more to close out the show with a round of Words With Acquaintances based on new words nobody in the world has ever heard before. Unfortunately, Stephen is still stuck in the old ways of 2012 (Animal Crossing, World of Warcraft, Sonic the Hedgehog, etc.) but his daring bedtime redeems some of his fuddy-duddy disposition. Join Disembodied Voices in a new year of zany mishaps yay! And a big thanks to coda who allowed us to use his 100% delightful song Chalupa Pass from his 100% delightful album Minimap! He didn't even force a blood pact or anything.

Opening song: Chalupa Pass, from Minimap and composed by coda.

Ending song: The Earl of July, from Minimap and composed by coda. 

[audio https://www.cubby.com/p/_a96b944d57aa49b2837dad4af9b765d6/Disembodied%20Voices%20-%20Episode%20109.mp3]

Not So Secret Thanks a Lot Bryan Tactical Espionage Santa Xperience 2013/2014 Results

The gifts have been given. The games have been played. Here now stand four members of the DV Cast in the bright, fresh year of 2014 to conclude the Not So Secret Thanks a Lot Bryan Tactical Espionage Santa Xperience 2013. Stephen embarks on a decidedly Japanese RPG in Ys I, Bryan cautiously peers into the tiger-infested jungles of Far Cry 3, Cameron runs off at the speed of love to meet Sonic Generations and Sonic CD head on, and Zachary cackles with mad glee at the prospect of tearing into bottom-of-the-barrel motorcycle wreck Ride to Hell: Retribution. Will these games become beloved favorites for all of time or will they ruin Christmas forever? Both of these outcomes are profoundly unlikely! Opening/ending song: Christmas in the Village (Silver Bells), originally from Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals and remixed by Dale North.

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Not So Secret Thanks a Lot Bryan Tactical Espionage Santa Xperience 2013

Welcome one and all to the second annual Espionage Santa Xperience! The DV Cast may be taking a little break from regularly schedule episodes of podcastery, but they are a generous lot and have drawn names in secret (se-cret; sēkrit; easily perceived or understood; clear, self-evident, or apparent) to spread the holiday cheer of Steam with one another. Although the results cannot be here divulged, know that each and every gift given is practically a parody of the person giving it-- maybe you can even guess what's underneath the digital wrapping paper! Tune in next week to see how each member took to his assigned slice of Christmas magic. Opening/ending song: Christmas in the Village (Silver Bells), originally from Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals and remixed by Dale North.

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A Christmas Kerfuffle

As daylight fails, the glow of a thousand thousand homes takes up the torch, bringing hope, and peace, and light to that most special night of Christmas Eve. Meanwhile, the DV Cast are stranded in a ski cabin, no more than a shaken bottle of rage-flavored soda, and should the pressure become too great, just might destroy Christmas and their beloved little podcast. Scriptwriter Bryan returns to the theoretical stage in this follow up to his critically acclaimed audio drama How a Little Podcast Saved (and Nearly Ruined) Christmas, inviting you and yours to partake in this dark middle chapter of a tinsel-tailored trilogy. Please, then: dim the lights, start the fire, and listen on. Also, Disembodied Voices would like to extend a Christmas High Five to everyone!

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