If you haven’t played a video game since the Tetris days — or ever — you’d be very surprised how engrossing and how captivating they are now. The medium is unique in its ability to make people feel like we’re part of a story, rather than just watching it. Video games shape identity in a way that’s distinct from other pop culture. We talk about games from Metroid, Quake, and Tomb Raider to Call of Duty and Pokemon.

This episode features Sam Riedel, Saud Al-Zaid, and music from artist Sammus.