We have a combo episode for you this week centered around the amazing game StarVaders. In the introduction segment, Ben describes his game experiences to Norah and answers her questions. Spoiler alert: by the end of the conversation she is sold, so now she just needs to get a Steam Deck. In the second segment, Ben showers the StarVaders game designer Eddie with praise before getting into a fascinating discussion about a sandwich-centric philosophical debate on video game design and the odd assortment of definitions for the topic word.

***

Pre-show discussion and review of StarVaders with Norah

00:00:20 - Norah’s trailer impressions, additional research, and previous deck-builder games

00:02:44 - Jumping the gun on describing game mechanics, and various trailer approaches

00:04:52 - StarVaders according to the Pengonauts website, and more details the game loop

00:06:54 - Mech types, an introduction to DOOM, junk cards, and a tremendous variety

00:10:23 - Norah’s question, the mysterious Overseer, level boss diversity, and the true ending

00:12:46 - The “grid,” Ben describes some boss encounters, Norah’s brain, and satisfaction

00:16:09 - Joystick Ventures, only on Steam for now, like playing chess, and LocalThunk teaser

Interview with Eddie, creator of StarVaders and all-around good guy

00:19:11 - Introducing game dev Eddie Kai, Ben loves StarVaders, and thanking LocalThunk

00:21:01 - Some Rogue Climber talk, unlocking the beach DLC, and getting great reviews

00:24:54 - On to the definition, sunbathing, not a baseball guy, and a couple of two-plankers

00:26:43 - Skis on ice, no memory of old media, packet of cards or narcotics, and decoration

00:28:25 - Old-timey verbs, origin mysteries, and a fictitious deli honors Eddie’s gaming legacy

00:31:40 - A sandwich called “The Burger,” rogue-like, defining a game, and playing burgers

00:35:48 - Definitions of food items, a Portal into game design, and the narrative condiments

00:38:41 - Dead authors, Ben’s burger discussion equivalent, and preferred genres of media

00:43:03 - Card collection and tabletop games, and Monopoly—deck builder or engine builder

00:47:01 - Extreme specificity, differences in instructional approaches, and being a blacksmith

00:49:54 - Art or product, traditional card games, the Star Wars bread, and changing rules

00:54:14 - Chopsticks, floating nausea malls, baseball haircuts, and Eddie’s final thoughts

00:56:49 - Literally, Parks and Recreation, Ben’s final thoughts, studio names, and Pengo

***

Follow Two Vague on…

Our website: https://www.twovaguepodcast.com

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/two_vague_podcast

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@twovaguepodcast

On Substack: https://twovaguepodcast.substack.com/

On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/twovaguepodcast.com

For show appearance and other inquiries, contact us at: twovaguepodcast@gmail.com

-AND-

…for all of your PRI and 2VP merch check out the Partly Robot Industries store at TEEPUBLIC!

https://www.teepublic.com/user/partly-robot-industries

***

References, Links, and Tags

Check out Pengonauts’ official page and StarVaders on Steam

https://pengonauts.com/

https://star-vaders.com/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2097570/StarVaders/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgEh9mWKrdo

#Podbean #DIYPodcast #ApplePodcast #VideoGames #Trivia #Comedy #Talkshow #2VP #TwoVaguePodcast #PodernFamily #InterviewShow #GamersofThreads #Gamer #PartlyRobot #PartlyRobotIndustries #TeePublic #StarVaders #Pengonauts