Nostalgium Arcanum - Episodes Tagged with “Rpg”

Final Fantasy X

Doug Lief — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0700

Final Fantasy X dives deep into complex themes of religion and race, love and sacrifice. From the opening strains of its memorable score, the game immediately grabs its audience with its narrative ambition, and unique aesthetic beauty. We recruit game critic Luis Aguasvivas (NPR) and podcaster Dave Jackson (Tales From The Backlog, https://talesfromthebacklog.fireside.fm/) to join our pilgrimage to slay god, religion itself, and some scrub Blitzball teams along the way.

Support us, join the discussion, and get bonus content at www.patreon.com/nostalgium!

Be sure to also check out our monthy musical podcast, "Playing By Ear" (https://playingbyear.fireside.fm) and our limited-run Jim Henson Series, "Still Muppeting" (patreon.com/stillloadingpod).

If you have feedback, find us on the socials here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/265036650022926/
The symbol formerly known as Twitter: @nostalgiumpod
BlueSky: @nostalgiumpod.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@_nostalgium_arcanum_
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_nostalgium_arcanum_/

You can also use YouTube, if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/@NostalgiumArcanum/podcasts

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions.

Musical Credits:

Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie)
All music from Final Fantasy X by - Nobuo Uematsu, Masashi Hamauzu, and Junya Nakano

Video Game Soundtracks

Doug Lief — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0700

From the moment you pop in a quarter or press start, video games have used music to enthrall, entice, and plumb even more complex emotions, far more than one might expect from the push of a button. On this podcast we celebrate the composers who have wrestled microchips, midi, and mp3s into the rich sonic (and sometimes Sonic) tapestries that elevate simple zeroes and ones into powerful musical experiences. We're joined by a full panel of games podcasters including Dave Jackson (Tales From The Backlog), Rick Firestone (Pixel Project Radio) and Chris Coplien (Retro Hangover) to roundtable our favorite game soundtracks.

Check out the incredible podcasts from our panel:

Retro Hangover (https://retrohangover.captivate.fm/)
Pixel Project Radio (https://linktr.ee/pixelprojectradio)
Tales From The Backlog (https://talesfromthebacklog.fireside.fm/)

Support us, join the discussion, and get bonus content at www.patreon.com/nostalgium!

Be sure to also check out our monthy musical podcast, "Playing By Ear" (https://playingbyear.fireside.fm) and our limited-run Jim Henson Series, "Still Muppeting" (patreon.com/stillloadingpod).

You can also use YouTube, if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/@NostalgiumArcanum/podcasts

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions.

Musical Credits:

Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie)
Pac-Man -Shigeichi Ishimura, Toshio Kai
The Legend of Zelda – Koji Kondo
ActRaiser – Yuzo Koshiro
Crash Bandicoot - Josh Mancell
Live & Learn – Crush40
Legend of Mana – Yoko Shimomura
Silent Hill 2 - Akira Yamaoka
The Legend of Zelda – Ocarina of Time – Koji Kondo
Narita Boy - Salvador Fornieles
Grandia - Noriyuki Iwadare
Skullgirls - Michiru Yamane, Vincent Diamante, Brenton Kossak, Blaine McGurty
Shovel Knight – Jake Kaufman
Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse - Hidenori Maezawa, Jun Funahashi, Yukie Morimoto, Yoshinori Sasaki
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 – Brad Buxer, Sega Sound Team, and maybe Michael Jackson?
Kingdom Hearts 2 - Yoko Shimomura
Hotline Miami – Paris (M|O|O|N)
The 7th Guest – The Fat Man
Final Fantasy VIII – Nobuo Uematsu
Final Fantasy IV – Nobuo Uematsu
Final Fantasy VI – Nobuo Uematsu
Sadow of the Colossus – Kow Otoni
Super Mario Galaxy – Koji Kondo
Ni No Kuni: The Wrath of the White Witch – Joe Hisaishi
Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean – Motoi Sakuraba
Street Fighter EX Plus α - Takayuki Aihara, Shinji Hosoe, Ayako Saso
Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht - Yasunori Mitsuda
F-Zero X - Taro Bando, Hajime Wakai
Assassins Creed IV: Black Flag – Bryan Tyler
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana - Hayato Sonoda, Takahiro Unisuga, Yukihiro Jindo, Mitsuo Singa
Drakengard - Nobuyoshi Sano, Takayuki Aihara
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War - Keiki Kobayashi, Tetsukazu Nakanishi, Hiroshi Okubo, Junichi Nakatsuru
Hollow Knight – Christopher Larkin
Chrono Cross - Yasunori Mitsuda
Nine Sols – FFXX, Im Baek Hun, Troy Lin, Shih-Wei Yang
Dead Kennedys – Police Truck
Claire Obscur: Expedition 33 – Lorien Testard – Lumiere
Streets of Rage 2 - Yuzo Koshiro, Motohiro Kawashima
Lisa: The Painful - Austin Jorgensen
Nier - Keiichi Okabe, Kakeru Ishihama, Keigo Hoashi, Takafumi Nishimura
Megaman 2 - Takashi Tateishi – Wily Stage 1
Chrono Trigger - Yasunori Mitsuda, Nobuo Uematsu, Noriko Matsueda
Pentiment - Alkemie Early Music Ensemble
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance - Jamie Christopherson
Super Mario World – Koji Kondo
Conker’s Bad Fur Day - Robin Beanland

Shadow of the Colossus

Doug Lief — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0700

"Shadow of the Colossus" truly casts a colossal shadow. When the question arises as to whether video games are art, this game is always Exhibit A in favor. Haunting, simultaneously minimalist and maximalist, Fumito Ueda's masterpiece challenged gameplay design in order to perfectly meld play with emotion. We're joined by guests Professors Funky and Aria from the Tabletop Hot Takes podcast (https://tabletop-hot-takes.captivate.fm/) to wander the Forbidden Lands and go aggro on skyscraper-sized beasts, but perhaps at the cost of our souls.

Support us, join the discussion, and get bonus content at www.patreon.com/nostalgium!

Be sure to also check out our monthy musical podcast, "Playing By Ear" (https://playingbyear.fireside.fm) and our limited-run Jim Henson Series, "Still Muppeting" (patreon.com/stillloadingpod).

You can also use YouTube, if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/@NostalgiumArcanum/podcasts

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions.

Musical Credits:

Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie)
All music from Shadow of the Colossus by Koh Ohtani

Paper Mario

Doug Lief — Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 -0700

Far from, leaving us flat, Paper Mario injected whimsy and dimensionally creative play into the standard turn-based RPG formula for an unforgettable romp through the Mushroom Kingdom. We're joined by Emily Merritt (@aspecificegg) of the No Small Games podcast (https://nosmallgames.com/) to unfold why this highly unusual game is so special.

Support us, join the discussion, and get bonus content at www.patreon.com/nostalgium!

Be sure to also check out our monthy musical podcast, "Playing By Ear" (https://playingbyear.fireside.fm) and our limited-run Jim Henson Series, "Still Muppeting" (patreon.com/stillloadingpod).

You can also use YouTube, if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/@NostalgiumArcanum/podcasts

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions.

Musical Credits:

Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie)
All music from Paper Mario by Yuka Tsujiyoko

Final Fantasy VII

Doug Lief — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0700

By 1997 SquareSoft had honed its turn-based JRPG engine and operatic story to a fine point. Although Final Fantasy VII followed on its exquisite predecessor, no one could have predicted what a groundbreaking phenomenon the series' first 3D entry would be. The fusion of cyberpunk and medieval motifs, its melancholy but striving world, emotional soundtrack, and unforgettable characters have stood the test of time. Guest podcaster Gen Moonen joins our party to celebrate nearly 30 years of Final Fantasy VII casting a planet-changing spell.

Find Gen's podcast "Fun" and Games, and more at www.funandgamespod.com, www.certainpov.com, and/or www.genmoonen.com.

Just last week, we joined Gen on Dave Jackson's podcast "Tales From The Backlog" to discuss the role of comedy in videogames. Go give that a listen!

Support us, join the discussion, and get bonus content at www.patreon.com/nostalgium

Be sure to also check out our monthy musical podcast, "Playing By Ear" (https://playingbyear.fireside.fm) and our limited-run Jim Henson Series, "Still Muppeting" (patreon.com/stillloadingpod).

And for some bonus Final Fantasy VII content, go check out our episode on Sephiroth from our old show, "A Podcast, But Evil".

You can also use YouTube, if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/@NostalgiumArcanum/podcasts

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions.

Musical Credits:
Intro - Dark Flute - Jim Guthrie
All music from Final Fantasy VII by Nobuo Uematsu

Final Fantasy IX

Doug Lief — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 00:15:00 -0800

For those who love video games with an emotionally resonant story, Final Fantasy IX is a place to call home. We're joined by Rick Firestone of the Pixel Project Radio podcast to celebrate this compelling entry in the long-running series, its memorable characters, impactful story, and all-time great soundtrack. Kupo!

If you have feedback, send it via Mognet or find us on the socials here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/265036650022926/
The symbol formerly known as Twitter: @nostalgiumpod
BlueSky: @nostalgiumpod.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@_nostalgium_arcanum_
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_nostalgium_arcanum_/

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions.

Musical Credits:

Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie)
All score from Final Fantasy IX and Final Fantasy IV by Nobuo Uematsu
Dungeons & Dragons - The Dead Alewives

The Legend of Zelda (Series)

Doug Lief — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 00:15:00 -0700

Hey! Listen... to this podcast about Nintendo's perennial adventure series, The Legend of Zelda. This series links to the past, between worlds, and continues to breath new wind into the kingdom of Hyrule for nearly 40 years with no signs of stopping. Guests Phil Head of the Spectrum Days podcast and comedian Rich Baker (@richbakercoaching) join us for this retrospective on a game series with endless wisdom, courage, and power.

If you want to take an online improv class from Rich, go to www.daretofailimprov.com (first class is free!).

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions.

Musical Credits:

Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie)
All score from The Legend of Zelda - Koji Kondo
All score from The Legend of Zelda II: Link's Adventure - Koji Kondo
All score from The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past - Koji Kondo
All score from The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time - Koji Kondo
All score from The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker - Koji Kondo
All score from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
All score from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
The Legend of Zelda Theme With Lyrics: Music by Koji Kondo, Lyrics by Heather Campbell

Fallout

Doug Lief — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 01:00:00 -0700

Duck and cover! We're going back to the radioactive world of tomorrow as companion B.T. Moorer joins us to open the vault to Fallout. This unique videogame series and its recent blockbuster TV adaptation use an alternate history post-apocalypse to spin stories that, twist, turn, disgust, and delight all at once. We give it a big thumbs up!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions.

Musical Credits:

Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie)
Fallout Score by Mark Morgan
Way Back Home - Bob Crosby and the Bobcats
Butcher Pete – Roy Brown
Big Iron – Marty Robbins
Anything Goes – Cole Porter
A Wonderful Guy – Tex Beneke
Fallout 3 Score by Inon Zur
I Don’t Want To Set The World On Fire – The Ink Blots
Drivin’ Nails In My Coffin – Ernest Tubb
Don't Fence Me In - Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters
So Long, Mom (A Song for World War III) – Tom Lehrer

ActRaiser

Doug Lief — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 01:00:00 -0800

Lo and behold! In ActRaiser you get to play God, literally. This SNES classic combines two different gameplay modes (hack/slash and city-building sim) to create an overall experience that is still worshipped today.

If you have feedback, beseech unto us on the socials here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/265036650022926/
The symbol formerly known as Twitter: @nostalgiumpod
BlueSky: @nostalgiumpod.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@_nostalgium_arcanum_
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_nostalgium_arcanum_/

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions.

Musical Credits:

Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie)
All score from ActRaiser and ActRaiser: Renaissance by Yuzo Koshiro

Chrono Trigger

Doug Lief — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 01:00:00 -0700

Time keeps on slippin' as Matt Storm of the Fun & Games podcast (@funandgamespod) travels with us back to 1995 to revisit Chrono Trigger, one of the most highly regarded and influential video games ever. With an adventure that criss-crosses eons and an indelible soundtrack, the story of Chrono remains enthralling nearly three decades on.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content.

Also, please subscribe to the Fun & Games podcast to check out a recent bonus episode on Conquests of the Longbow featuring your host, Doug Lief.

Musical Credits:

Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie)
All tracks from Chrono Trigger by Yasunori Mitsuda and Nobuo Uematsu