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My name is Erik , I love talking about video games and design! Here on 8-bit Archaeology, we take a deep dive into game lore, design, and real world inspirations. We discuss all these things in unison to learn where the origins of a game came from, as well as the decisions the developers took and how that effects the players perceptions. Tune in to learn the origins and inspirations of some of your favorite games!
Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.
A clear design tour of how Sun and Moon uses islands, color, and local inspiration to build a distinct region.
Eric frames Pokemon Sun and Moon as proof that a long-running series can still feel newly drawn. He starts with a quick franchise reset, then moves into the changes that make this generation stand apart: islands, color motifs, and creatures shaped by place.
Stockholm hosts James Royal-Lawson and Per Axbom interview UX and accessibility experts.
Monocle's design team tours museums, furniture studios, and landmark houses each week.
This introductory episode of 8-Bit Archaeology outlines the podcast's focus on analyzing video game lore, design, and source material through the lens of art and architecture.
This episode explores Grand Theft Auto Vice City with a guest discussing their gaming background and the game's impact.
This episode provides an overview of Kingdom Hearts 2, discussing its release, story connections to previous games, and the convoluted narrative starting with Roxas as Sora's nobody.
The host discusses his personal experiences with 2D platformer games, analyzing their design appeal and accessibility while referencing titles like Donkey Kong Country and Shovel Knight.
The host discusses shifting the podcast's focus from individual game deep dives to broader gaming concepts while introducing an episode about the controversial Sonic the Hedgehog franchise.
This episode explores spiritual successor games, examining how newer titles inspired by older classics hold up in today's gaming landscape and the role of nostalgia in player perception.
This episode explores the concept of isolation in video games, focusing on how game design elements like environment, difficulty, art, and music create feelings of loneliness and helplessness in players.
The host presents a list of 10 video games from 2018 that he recommends everyone should try, starting with a detailed discussion of the game 'Minute'.
The host reviews the diving simulation game Abzu, discussing its immersive atmosphere and personal gaming experience.
The host discusses various video game control schemes, from traditional to wacky, inspired by his recent injury and experiences playing games one-handed.
The host returns after a six-month hiatus to discuss the immersive open-world experiences of The Witcher 3 and Assassin's Creed Odyssey, exploring how these games evoke wanderlust through virtual travel.
The host discusses Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu as an HD remake of Pokemon Yellow and analyzes how it integrates Pokemon Go mechanics while deviating from core Pokemon franchise elements.
This episode explores the concept of escapism in video games, using Super Mario Odyssey as a case study to examine how games create immersive worlds that allow players to temporarily escape reality.
The host discusses his personal experience playing Hollow Knight, a popular Metroidvania game, and explores its art style and gameplay elements while connecting it to broader Metroidvania genre discussions.
Erik explores the history and design of RuneScape, detailing its 2001 origins as a Java-based MMORPG developed by two brothers, its unique multiplayer server structure, and its evolution into modern versions.
This episode of 8-Bit Archaeology explores Pokemon Sun & Moon, focusing on how the game's Alola region is deeply inspired by Hawaiian culture.
In this episode of 8-Bit Archaeology, host Erik explores the origins and design of God of War (2005), focusing on its Greek mythology roots, the anti-hero Kratos's backstory involving Ares and Athena, and the game's narrative and artistic inspirations.