Podcast Sans Frontieres: Recent Episodes
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Epilogue
Way to Fall
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) say goodbye to yesterday, in our final episode for the times. It's been a long journey through the Metal Gear saga, covering the story of Solid Snake, Big Boss, and Raiden over the course of 7 games. We reflect back on our coverage, our comraderie, and end it with a final ranking of our favorite games and moments. This is good, isn't it?
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Chapter Seven: Metal Gear Solid V
Part 11: Endings and the Video Game Power Fantasy
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) have reached the last episode of the last Metal Gear Solid game! Today, we cover the game's many endings, and answer the last two pressing questions of our coverage: is MGSV a complete game, and how does it challenge the video game power fantasy? Just another podcast in a war without end!
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Chapter Seven: Metal Gear Solid V
Part 10: Imperialism of Language
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) are finally here; it's time to take vengeance on Skull Face and his demon, Sahelanthropus! But before we face off with the giant mech, we do our exploration of this game's themes on imperialism, and specifically, the imperialism of language. It's Kojima's most poignant critique yet. Major...I'm burning up!
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Chapter Seven: Metal Gear Solid V
Part 9: Code Talker and Eli
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) drive deeper into the African setting, both thematically and into Code Talker's hiding place. Plus several boss encounters to discuss; a sniper showdown with the Skulls, a shootout in an airport, and CQC with the King of Flies, Eli aka young Liquid Snake!
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Chapter Seven: Metal Gear Solid V
Part 8: David Bowie/Man on Fire & Mantis
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) rock the tunes of David Bowie as they run their first operations out of Central Africa! We take a look at the musical influences of Hideo Kojima in MGSV, and then we drive deeper into the heart of darkness, wherein the Devil's House we come face-to-face with the Man on Fire! Oh no, not me, I never lost control!
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Chapter Seven: Metal Gear Solid V
Part 7: Quiet and Huey
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) wrap up the first act in Afghanistan by analyzing the Central Asia setting in detail; why did Kojima take us to the famous "graveyard of Empires" for his final Metal Gear outing? Then we rejoin Snake and Diamond Dogs as they attempt to grab Huey and find out the truth about Mother Base's destruction nine years ago. But in their way stands the female sniper, Quiet!
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Chapter Seven: Metal Gear Solid V
Part 6: Kaz and Ocelot
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) join Ocelot on horseback as they ride out to save Kaz, and get "Big Boss" back into the game. We reacquaint ourselves with our two long-time Metal Gear buddies, plus we go under the mist to take a look at the Skulls, XOF's special strike team!
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Chapter Seven: Metal Gear Solid V
Part 5: Hospital Escape
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) wake up after 9 long years, only to find themselves under attack by XOF and a mysterious Man on Fire! This week, we dive into the "awakening" of Venom Snake and the "truth" behind Big Boss as they flee the hospital in Cyprus to kick off the events of The Phantom Pain. Call me Ishmael!
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Chapter Seven: Metal Gear Solid V
Part 4: Gameplay
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) take a break from the heavier narrative of MGSV to discuss the game play side of things. Mission deployment, Extra Ops, new mechanics and systems are all discussed as we tackle the Fox Engine head on. War has changed!
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Chapter Seven: Metal Gear Solid V
Part 3: Ground Zeroes Analysis
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) run some extra ops against Camp Omega, discussing the various side missions and rewards available in Ground Zeroes. We then take a closer look at the Cuban setting, the antagonist Skull Face, and finally have a sobering discussion about the treatment of Paz and Chico in this game. TW/CW: Rape, Child Sex Abuse.
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Chapter Seven: Metal Gear Solid V
Part 2: Ground Zeroes Main Mission
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) make for Camp Omega as Big Boss attempts to save Chico and Paz from a mysterious Cipher agent with a Skull for a Face. We talk about this game's direct continuation of Peace Walker as well as the new voice of Big Boss, Kiefer Sutherland! Kept you waiting, huh?
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Chapter Seven: Metal Gear Solid V
Part 1: Production History
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) haven't let age slow them down one bit. We've arrived at the final chapter of Metal Gear Solid, Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain! Today we dive into the development cycle of both releases, the spat between Konami and Kojima, and where we were when this game landed. Listen to it now on your iDroid!
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Chapter Six: Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (2013)
Part 6: Wrap-up episode
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) cap off their analysis of Metal Gear Rising by hitting all their thematic staples: setting, imperialism, and power fantasy! The game twists these concepts compared to its Solid bretheren, but in the end brings it home to truly feel like a game to surpass Metal Gear! --
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Chapter Six: Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (2013)
Part 5: Senator Armstrong
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) come to the end of another Metal Gear game, which means it's time for big mech fights and bigger villain monologues! Raiden squares off with Metal Gear Excelsus, before finally facing the Patriot behind this new War on Terror, Senator Armstrong! --
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Chapter Six: Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (2013)
Part 4: The Winds of Destruction
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) pick up their Revengeance coverage with Jetstream Sam confronting Raiden with his life of violence! We dish on this Metal Gear trope for a bit as we work through the remaining Colorado chapters and face off with Monsoon, Sundowner, and most of all Sam! --
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Chapter Six: Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (2013)
Part 3: R-01 to R-03 Intro
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) ninja run through the first third of the main story, following Jack from Abkhazia to Mexico and finally Denver as he tracks Desperado and uncovers their secret child soldier project! We also face down our first Winds of Destruction member and an AI wolf who will become Raiden's best doggo! --
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Chapter Six: Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (2013)
Part 2: Raiden/Prologue
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) reacquaint themselves with our game's protagonist, Jack aka Raiden, and catch you up on life following Guns of the Patriots. We detail his support staff as well before diving into the game's prologue, where we meet two of this game's main villains and fight a frickin' Metal Gear RAY!
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Chapter Six: Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (2013)
Part 1: Production History
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) let 'er rip! It's time for Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, the continuation of Raiden's story following the events of MGS4. This episode sets up our coverage with a history of production and discussion of game design and the video games of 2013!
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Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Movie Review
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) hop multiverses as they break down Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness! We give some non-spoiler thoughts up top before diving deep into the characters, twists, turns, and the Raimi of it all. By the hoary hosts of Hoggoth!
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Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Bonus Episode
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) decided to celebrate his birthday by giving YOU a gift; a full breakdown and analysis of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, to my mind still the best film the MCU has to offer. We go into Captain America's comic history and MCU history before going beat by beat through the film. And oh yeah, Metal Gear Solid is all over this film! Before we get started, does anyone want to get out?
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50th Episode Celebration
What We've Been Playing
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) have officially recorded 50 episodes! In a more laid back episode, we talk a bit about what games we've been playing, including Elden Ring, Cyberpunk, Psychonauts and more! And then we look back at our previous 40+ MGS episodes for what we've learned as we look ahead to the final titles in the series!
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Chapter Five: Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (2010)
Part 10: Finale
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) finish their coverage with a deep dive into Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker's settings, takes on imperialism, and how it challenges the video game power fantasy. This one is chock full of history and a tad of homoerotica!
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Chapter Five: Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (2010)
Part 9: Game modes/Co-op
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) take an episode to dive deeper into Peace Walker's many game modes and extras, from main missions to side ops and Mother Base management. They also share their experiences playing cooperatively online, and how form and function inform this game's themes!
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Chapter Five: Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (2010)
Part 8: Chapter 5/Zero
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) wrap up Peace Walker's story which involves Paz revealing her true self and commandeering Metal Gear Zeke! As Snake rushes to stop her, the hidden undercurrent to the plot is revealed. Join us as we wrap up the story and deep dive Cypher, also known as Zero!
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Chapter Five: Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (2010)
Part 7: Chapter 4/Big Boss
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) infiltrate a secret US missile base where Peace Walker is ready for its nuclear launch! The whole cast is here: Snake, Kaz, Galvez, Paz, Coldman, Strangelove...join us as we break down the final showdown with Peace Walker, The Boss's last sacrifice, and Snake claiming the title of Big Boss!
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The Batman (2022)
Movie Review
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) don their capes and cowls to discuss The Batman (2022) by Matt Reeves! We give some non-spoiler reactions up top, and then following a music interlude from Michael Giacchino, we go in-depth on the plot with a vengeance!
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Chapter Five: Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (2010)
Part 6: Peace Walker Chapter 3
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) saddle up their white Andalusian horses and begin galloping to the meat of this story! Speaking of meat, Dr. Strangelove gets to treat Big Boss as such, "tickling" him as she tries to find out the truth about The Boss, whose phantom hovers over this entire game!
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The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)
Five-Year Retrospective
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) are joined by Marc Normandin (@Marc_Normandin) to talk about the five-year anniversary of Breath of the Wild! We give our thoughts on the story, gameplay, and the mark it left on the medium.
Brian on Breath of the Wild Marc on Breath of the Wild
Retro XP (Marc's Videogame Newsletter) Marc's Baseball Newsletter
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Chapter Five: Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (2010)
Part 5: Militaires Sans Frontieres/Dr. Strangelove
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) kick off today's episode with a closer look at Militaires Sans Frontieres, the new business Snake and Miller are forwarding. Then we infiltrate the Cloud Forest, where we run into the mastermind of the Peace Walker AI project, Dr. Strangelove!
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Chapter Five: Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (2010)
Part 4: Hot Coldman and Huey Emmerich
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) continue their investigation into Peace Sentinel's activities, finding CIA Station Chief Hot Coldman and Dr. Huey Emmerich at the center. Mutually-assured destruction and Artificial Intelligence are the topics at hand, at least until the first AI weapon arrives!
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Chapter Five: Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (2010)
Part 3: The Sandinistas/Che Guevara
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) dive into Peace Walker's first chapter, where Snake rendezvous with the Sandinistas for local intelligence. From them he learns about Peace Sentinel's movements here in Central America, which gives us an opportunity to discuss the real world proxy wars driving this game's politics!
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Chapter Five: Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (2010)
Part 2: Prologue
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) dive headfirst into Peace Walker's story by introducing the game's major players: Kaz, Paz, and Professor Galvez. Then we make our way into Costa Rica only to discover nukes are being smuggled in by the CIA. Holy Mother of God!
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Chapter Five: Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (2010)
Part 1: Introduction
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) kick off PSF's coverage of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker! It's an important demarcation point in the series, signaling the switch to Big Boss as Metal Gear's going-concern and a wholesale game redesign from previous entries. We breakdown the run up and release of this title, as well as its organizing principles in design and theme!
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Metal Gear Solid: The Movie
Fancasting Episode
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) decide to finally speak to the Metal Gear Solid movie, the very reason this podcast was started! We go over our wishes and concerns with adapting Metal Gear for the big screen, and then just sit back and fancast our favorite Metal Gear characters!
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Shaine Smith Interview
Bonus Episode
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) is joined by "Metal Gear Hot Girl" Shaine Smith (@shainehinnant)! We talk about her history with Metal Gear and what it means to be a Metal Gear Historian, as well as her own experience about being a woman in the Metal Gear community. Finally, we talk about what she's been working on, including her podcast Shadow Moses Café!
Shaine Smith's Twitter Shadow Moses Café on Twitter
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Solid Snake Wrap-Up
Character Analysis
Having just completed Metal Gear Solid 4, Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) take a look back at the character arc and themes of Solid Snake over the course of his games, and how our opinions have evolved during the course of our coverage. Plus, we weigh in Oscar Isaac's casting of the legendary soldier!
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Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Bonus Episode
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) take a holiday break from Metal Gear Solid to talk Spider-Man: No Way Home! We give some production notes and non-spoiler reaction, but then we go beat-by-beat through the movie in full spoiler mode. Join us as we break down the multiverse-breaking adventure!
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Chapter Four: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008)
Part 10: Thematic Analysis
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) put a coda on their MGS4 coverage, as we do PSF staples of analyzing setting, imperialism, and how Metal Gear challenges the male power fantasy. Finally, we take a look at what this game says about fan service, canon, and continuity!
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Chapter Four: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008)
Part 9: Outer Haven
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) wrap up the story of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots as Solid Snake faces his final battle, including one final showdown with Liquid Ocelot atop Outer Haven. Then stay tuned for 74 minutes of cutscenes and wrap-up, featuring Meryl, Drebin, Raiden, and...Big Boss!?
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Chapter Four: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008)
Part 8: Return to Shadow Moses
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) go back to a familiar military base on a remote island off the Fox Archipelago...that's right, Snake and Hal return to Shadow Moses to track down Metal Gear Rex before Liquid can get to it. All Snake has to contend with is Crying Wolf, Vamp, and Metal Gear Ray! Support Podcast Sans Frontieres by subscribing to Patreon.com/Manuclearbomb.
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Chapter Four: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008)
Part 7: Liquid Ocelot
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) raise the curtain on Liquid Ocelot's insurrection! We finally dive into our game's antagonist, as well as examine the Patriot AIs and the plan Liquid has for them. Behold! GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS! Support Podcast Sans Frontieres by subscribing to Patreon.com/Manuclearbomb.
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Chapter Four: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008)
Part 6: EVA and Raging Raven
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) join Snake as he heads to Eastern Europe to locate Big Mama, who we know as EVA from Metal Gear Solid 3. This gives us plenty of opportunity to discuss her character, the history of The Patriots, and even a cut gameplay escort mission. And over all this hangs Raging Raven, who is just waiting for Snake to give her his anger!
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Chapter Four: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008)
Part 5: Raiden and Vamp
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) wrap up South America with a tracking setpiece and our patented deep dives into Vamp and Raiden, who explode onto the scene in the second act finale!
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Chapter Four: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008)
Part 4: Beauty and the Beast Corps, Naomi Hunter
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) rendezvous with Old Snake in South America to discuss the first half of Act II: Solid Sun! We discuss this game's Shakespearean act structure, the Beauty and the Beast Corps, and the return of Naomi Hunter before plowing into the game's first boss battle against Laughing Octopus. It's all so f*cking hysterical!
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Outer Op: No Time to Die
Reaction/Review
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) found some time to die and give their initial thought on the latest in the 007 franchise! We give a few minutes of non-spoiler discussion before diving headfirst into the last Daniel Craig James Bond film! Full spoilers begin at 9:04 following the Billie Eilish interlude.
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Chapter Four: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008)
Part 3: Drebin, Meryl, and Sons of the Patriots
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) finish the first act of Metal Gear Solid 4 and deep dive into the characters of Drebin 893 and Meryl Silverburgh, who stand in for the war economy and "Sons of the Patriots" system respectively. Listen as we discuss how total battlefield control has become the standard operating procedure for this broken world of Snakes and Metal Gears!
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Chapter Four: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008) Part 2: Old Snake and Otacon
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) infiltrate the first act of Metal Gear Solid 4 as we break down our protagonists, Old Snake and Otacon, and their original treatment for the game's ending. But first, we dive into the "real world" commercials that play prior to the big adventure. Make sure you take your Nanos!
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Chapter Four: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008) Part 1: Introduction
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) kick off coverage of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots! We cover the game's production, design, and systems, and then get a sense of what this game is all about. War has changed! Support Podcast Sans Frontieres by subscribing to Patreon.com/Manuclearbomb. Podcast Sans Frontieres on Twitter Podcast Sans Frontieres on Instagram Manu's Twitter Brian's Twitter
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) has started a Patreon! I'll be taking on some additional projects, including:
- expanding Podcast Sans Frontieres to include more special episodes and cover adjacent media like 007 No Time to Die
- Launching My Brother, My Captain, My Podcast, a celebration of the 20th anniversary of The Lord of the Rings films!
- Launching Searching For Friends, a Final Fantasy VI podcast!
Listen to the short audio clip for more info and subscribe today! https://www.patreon.com/ManuclearBomb
Check out Brian's Patreon on NBA Draft and Summer League coverage: https://www.patreon.com/BrianJNBA
Sequels, Prequels, and Remakes
Special Episode
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) take some time to ruminate on the future, if any, of the Metal Gear Solid games franchise. We address the Kojima of it all, and if we even would want another MGS game in the first place. Finally, we opine on some of the popular ideas for future MGS games. A little something extra before our sojourn into Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots begins!
Retro Gear Solid
Guest Episode
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) sits down with his good friend and brain behind Retro XP, Marc Normandin (@Marc_Normandin)! We discuss Marc's recently completed project, The Nintendo Top 101, as well Marc's experience with Kojima and Metal Gear games. A fun bonus episode while we get ready to launch our Metal Gear Solid 4 coverage! Check out Marc's content at the links below.
Marc's Retro XP substack: https://retroxp.substack.com/
Marc's Baseball Newsletter: https://www.marcnormandin.com/
Chapter Three: Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)
Part 8: Finale
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) are joined by Will (@Willhammer_40K) to wrap up our coverage of Metal Gear Solid 3! We hit all the familiar beats of a PSF wrap-up episode; setting, imperialism, and video game power fantasies are back on the menu as we put the finishing touches on our Snake Eater analysis!
Check out Will's pod Raw Intelligence available on Spotify!
Chapter Three: Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)
Part 7: Ending
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) return to finish covering the denouement and epilogue of Metal Gear Solid 3! While the main gameplay might be over, the biggest twists are still ahead. Join us as we witness Snake's escape from Tselinoyarsk, his face-to-face with President Lyndon B Johnson, and his honoring of a True Patriot. Press F to pay respects.
Chapter Three: Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)
Part 6: Volgin and The Boss
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) deep-dive the game's primary antagonists, Colonel Volgin of the GRU and The Boss, Snake's former mentor and mother figure. Somewhere amidst the C3 explosions, bike chases, and nuclear doomsday weapons is one of the saddest, most profound death in games history. There is room for only one Boss, and one Snake!
Chapter Three: Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)
Part 5: Cutscene Ketchup
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) play a little catchup with the story beats in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. Meet Comrade Granin, quiver in Snake's torture, and be reborn as Big Boss as we work through the second act of the game's narrative!
Chapter Three: Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)
Part 4: The Cobra Unit
In this episode, Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) break down the infamous boss unit from Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater! Join our hosts as they go in-depth on the unit's history, and individually break down its members, considered to be some of the best boss designs in video game history. All the pain and all the sorrow and all the fury... listen now!
Chapter Three: Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)
Part 3: ADAM and EVA
Today we meet the final of the founding Patriots, ADAM aka Ocelot and EVA aka Tatyana. Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) break down these two spies and their introductions in the opening moments of Operation: Snake Eater. Finally, we discuss the founding members of Patriots...La Li Lu Le Lo!
Chapter Three: Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)
Part 2: Naked Snake and Support Team
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) lay out Operation: Snake Eater; we discuss the mission objectives and symbolic meaning of the mission, then do a character analysis of the would-be Big Boss aka Naked Snake as well as his support staff. We lay out the narrative to come, starting at Square Zero!
Chapter Three: Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)
Part 1: Introduction
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) kick off coverage of their favorite Metal Gear Solid title, MGS3: Snake Eater! We cover the game's production, design, and systems, and then we HALO jump headfirst into the story's opening, Virtuous Mission. This is one for the history books!
Outer Op: James Bond
Interlude
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) take a minute to run down the James Bond franchise, the most significant influence on the Metal Gear Solid series. We break down 007's nonfictional and fictional histories, talk about our franchise favorites, and finally bring the conversation back around to how Bond informs the Metal Gear saga. For King and Country!
Chapter Two: Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001)
Part 5: Finale
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) are joined by PD Web (@abovethebreak3) to wrap up coverage of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001). American hegemony as enforced by oil markets, Y2K and the turn of the century, memetic transfer of culture, and Dadaism are just some of the topics broached in our concluding analysis. And stay for the special little chats on strategy guides and the Star Wars Legends Canon!
Chapter Two: Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001)
Part 4: Solid Snake and Raiden
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) lead us through the final parts of the MGS2 story, including the game's most iconic moment, the deranged Colonel AI and his absurd rantings. And we interrogate the game's "heroes," Solid Snake and Raiden. They're out there, they bleed, they die!
Chapter Two: Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001)
Part 3: Antagonists
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) dive into the second act of the Big Shell incident, packed with new characters and revelations that start to bring the story into focus (or out of focus, depending on your point of view). And in the main event, we dive deep into the third Snake, this so-called "Solidus." Be remembered as an exon of history!
Chapter Two: Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001)
Part 2: Dead Cell
Snake...I mean Jack...I mean Raiden begins his infiltration of the Big Shell as Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) begin their exploration of the Big Shell portion of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001). We meet our new, very not-Solid-Snake playable character as well as the members of the enemy unit Dead Cell, this game's version of FOXHOUND. Join us as we discuss the biggest twist (and more) in video game history!
Chapter Two: Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001)
Part 1: Introduction
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@BrianJDraft) reach the sneak point of the USS Discovery as they begin their coverage of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001)! We sprint through the production of the game, jump off with a summary of the Tanker Stage, and land on an analysis of sequels, language, and the nature of fiction.
Chapter One: Metal Gear Solid (1998)
Part 4 (Finale)
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (A fallen patriot) wrap up their coverage of Metal Gear Solid (1998) with a discussion on the game's broader themes. What are we passing on to the next generation? Genetics, nuclear bombs, Seward's Folly and The X-Files are just some of the ideas we play with as we wrap a bow on this historic game.
S3: Sam Sheehan Simulation
Guest Episode
The boys break off from their in-depth coverage of Metal Gear Solid (1998) to welcome Sam Sheehan (@NiceSheehan)! Sam just played the original Metal Gear Solid for the first time, and he tells us what it feels like to dive into MGS 22 years after its release (spoiler: he's in love with Kojima's brain). Join us for an open forum on Metal Gear and Kojima as we start winding down our coverage of the landmark 1998 game and prepare for our big finale next time!
Chapter One: Metal Gear Solid (1998)
Part 3
The hi-tech special forces unit FOXHOUND has seized the nuclear disposal facility on Shadow Moses Island. They're demanding $1 Billion and the remains of legendary soldier Big Boss. But who actually are the antagonists of Metal Gear Solid (1998)? Join Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@Cosmis) as they explore the thematic richness and boss battle designs of "The Sons of Big Boss!"
Chapter One: Metal Gear Solid (1998)
Part 2
We're no heroes, but we are here to talk about some! Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@Cosmis) dive into the protagonists of 1998's Metal Gear Solid. We kick it off with a full character and thematic exploration of Solid Snake, his allies Hal "Otacon" Emmerich and Meryl Silverburgh, and the rest of his support staff for the Shadow Moses Incident. If you get through this, we will tell you what you're fighting for!
Chapter One: Metal Gear Solid (1998)
Part 1
Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@Cosmis) kick off their coverage of Metal Gear Solid (1998)! We catch fans up on Metal Gear lore from the MSX/NES era, layout the landscape of video games in 1998, and then dive headfirst into production and synopsis of this historic game. Be it lists, twists, or Snakes fighting with fists, we untangle it all!
Prologue
Meet your hosts, Manu (@ManuclearBomb) and Brian (@Cosmis), as we embark on the mission of decoding the Metal Gear Solid franchise. In this free-wheeling introduction, we dive into our history with games and the Metal Gear franchise before diving full on into Discourse with: rankings! Finally, we preview the series to come and how we hope to take down Metal Gear. First mission: Metal Gear Solid (1998)!