Podcasts
It’s the End of the World All Over Again in ‘The Last of Us Part II'[Safe Room Podcast]
At its core, Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Part II is an infected epic all about love.
Notable in more ways than one, the original game shined as an example of mature storytelling bolstered by personable characters you couldn’t help but be enamored with.
The Last of Us didn’t so much remind us of the potential of storytelling in games, as it redefined. This was an arduous task, one that The Last of Us Part II looked to expand on by increasing the narrative scope and tackling a bevy of new thematic and tonal elements.
Elements that we unpack in this week’s episode, in which Neil and I are once again joined by Newsweek’s gaming reporter and Bloody Disgusting contributor Harrison Abbott (@HarrisonAbbot13).
We discuss Naughty Dog’s divisive narrative direction, the importance of character relationships, expanding the TLoU’s world, the game’s relationship with violence from a narrative perspective, and the evolution of the infected’s morphology.
It all makes for a biting chat about one of the most memorable horror series ever.
Safe Room is a weekly horror video game discussion podcast, premiering on all major platforms every Monday. Feel free to browse our LinkTree for a complete list of services here.
Feel free to follow the show and hosts on Twitter:
Safe Room – @SafeRoomPod
Neil – @Nezzko
Jay – @NotFunnyJ
The Halloweenies take a break from the cenobites and dig up the deadites again to review Evil Dead Burn. It’s a full house for this installment and the feelings are all over the place with some divisive takes amongst the five of them. Lucky for you, there’s a seat at the table… join them and enjoy your mashed potatoes.
If you recall, the gang tackled the entire franchise — including Ash Vs. Evil Dead and unofficial entries like Drag Me to Hell and even Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness— in anticipation of 2023’s Evil Dead Rise. Be sure to revisit the entire season, starting with their two-part episode on Sam Raimi’s original DIY classic.
Stream the episode below. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, and RSS. New to the Halloweenies? Catch up with the gang by revisiting their essential episodes on past franchises such as Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Scream, The Evil Dead, Chucky, Alien, and the Universal Monsters.This year? Hellraiser!
You can also become a member of their Patreon, The Rewind, for hilariously irreverent commentaries (e.g. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Re-Animator, Darkman), one-off deep dives on your favorite rentals (e.g. Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Manhunter, ), and even spinoffs like their recent run Fortune & Glory: An Indiana Jones Podcast.