It's time for our final podcast episode, as we explore the series of books that started my love of the adventure game genre, that being "Choose Your Own Adventure" titles.  As always, we'll talk about the history of the concept and the popularization of the titles, and then, as we end this particular podcasting journey, we'll bid everyone a fond farewell (at least for the time being). Timestamps: Intro:  00:00:00 - 00:05:00 History:  00:05:01 - 00:34:14 Final Remarks:  00:34:15 - 00:46:41 

Point and Click: An Adventure Game Podcast

Episode 25: Choose Your Own Adventure Books

It's time to journey to Paris and uncover the secrets of the Knights Templar, as we look at the very first Broken Sword title, Shadow of the Templars.  Learn about how the game was created and how Revolution Software evolved as a development studio, and then, dive deep into the experience of actually playing the title as we discuss the story, gameplay, and puzzles during our talkthrough portion of the podcast. Timestamps: Intro:  00:00:00 - 00:26:06 Talkthrough:  00:26:07 - 02:08:10 Final Remarks / Preview for Next Episode:  02:08:11 - 02:17:21 

Episode 24: Broken Sword

It's time to take a trip to South America, as we look into the slightly lesser known mid-90s adventure game, Flight of the Amazon Queen.  Learn about how the game was created and what inspired its creation, and then, dive deep into the experience of actually playing the title as we discuss the story, gameplay, and puzzles during our talkthrough portion of the podcast. Timestamps: Intro:  00:00:00 - 00:23:20 Talkthrough:  00:23:21 - 01:26:58 Final Remarks / Preview for Next Episode:  01:26:59 - 01:35:26 

Episode 23: Flight of the Amazon Queen

Try not to get bitten as we explore the very first season of Telltale's The Walking Dead.  Learn about the rise and fall of Telltale Games, the creation of their most popular game series, The Walking Dead, and then, dive deep into the experience of playing the game during our talkthrough section of the podcast. Timestamps: Intro:  00:00:00 - 00:30:20 Talkthrough:  00:30:21 - 02:08:39 Final Remarks / Preview for Next Episode:  02:08:40 - 02:22:43 

Episode 22: The Walking Dead Season 1

It's time to delve into one of my personal favorite sub-genres of adventure games, Full Motion Video games!  Learn about the history of FMV in gaming, and see how the technology evolved to become a major staple of adventure games in the 90s.  And, in a stunning turn of events, learn about some of the ways FMV is gaining a new following even today!

Episode 21: Full Motion Video in Gaming

Grab your flashlight and your cape as we discuss the very first Pajama Sam game, "No Need to Hide When It's Dark Outside".  Learn about the creation of Humongous Entertainment, the company behind the game, and then, dive deep into the experience of playing the game during our talkthrough section of the podcast. Timestamps: Intro:  00:00:00 - 00:19:24 Talkthrough:  00:19:25 - 00:43:24 Final Remarks / Preview for Next Episode:  00:43:25 - 00:55:59 

Episode 20: Pajama Sam

Join me as we speak with Natalia Dolzycka and Magda Cielecka from Artifex Mundi, a company primarily known for developing and publishing casual hidden object adventure experiences, but who are now in the process of creating their first traditional point and click adventure game, Irony Curtain.  Learn about the origins of the company, some of the challenges they've faced over the years, and then, delve deep into the background of Irony Curtain, releasing later in 2019. Timestamps: Intro:  00:00:00 - 00:01:41 Interview:  00:01:42 - 01:07:03 Final Remarks / Preview for Next Episode:  01:07:04 - 01:10:42 

Episode 19: An Interview with Artifex Mundi

Come on a badass road trip with me as we explore the Tim Schaefer classic, Full Throttle!  Learn about the inspiration behind the game and the process for creating the title, and then, dive deep into the game's puzzles, design, and story as we conduct our traditional "talkthrough" of the entire experience.   Timestamps: Intro / Background / History:  00:00:00 - 00:24:54 Talkthrough:  00:24:55 - 01:10:13 Final Remarks / Preview for Next Episode:  01:10:14 - 01:23:04 

Episode 18: Full Throttle

Set sail with me as we explore the world of Douglas Adams' Starship Titanic!  Learn about how the game was created, including its origins, which can trace its lineage back to the interactive fiction games of the early 80s.  Then, dive deep into the game's puzzles, design, and story as we conduct our traditional "talkthrough" of the entire experience.   Timestamps: Intro / Background / History:  00:00:00 - 00:22:30 Talkthrough:  00:22:31 - 01:02:06 Final Remarks / Preview for Next Episode:  01:02:07 - 01:20:04 

Episode 17: Starship Titanic

Grab your fedora and dust off your trenchcoat!  Join me in exploring one of the finest Full Motion Video (FMV) games ever created, and certainly one which demonstrates what a true "interactive movie" can be, as we discuss Under a Killing Moon.  Learn about what Access Software used to look like in its formative years, how the Tex Murphy character came into existence, and then, as always, dive into the game's story and puzzles during our in-depth talkthrough.    Timestamps: Intro / Background / History:  00:00:00 - 00:27:31 Talkthrough:  00:27:32 - 01:44:46 Final Remarks / Preview for Next Episode:  01:44:47 - 01:55:46 

Episode 16: Under a Killing Moon

Join me on a fairy tale adventure as we discuss one of the first interactive graphical adventure games of all time, King's Quest!  We'll talk about some of the history behind Roberta Williams, the game's creator, and Sierra itself (which is the company that created the King's Quest series), as well as the development of the game itself.  After talking about the historical background of the game, we progress with our talkthrough of the game and dive deep into the story and puzzles, before ranking the experience and adding the title to our Pantheon of Adventure Games. Timestamps: Intro / Background / History:  00:00:00 - 00:32:15 Talkthrough:  00:32:16 - 00:50:41 Final  Remarks  / Preview for Next Episode:  00:50:42 - 01:02:46 

Episode 15: King's Quest

Happy Holidays!  Today's episode is a recap of our current Pantheon of Adventure Games, as discussed over the last six months of podcast episodes.  In addition to recapping the games discussed thus far, we also take a look at similar, more modern, titles for each of our Pantheon entries to help build a holiday shopping list for that favorite adventure gamer in your life.    

Episode 14: 2018 Podcast Recap / Holiday Recommendations

It's the start of December, and what better way to kick off a month of holidays than finishing up the LucasArts "Maniac Mansion" series, by playing Day of the Tentacle!  Learn how one of the most influential, and best, adventure games of all time was created, and snuggle up and stay warm as we go through an in-depth talkthrough of the entire experience.  Finally, see where one of the most beloved adventures of all time stacks up against our current Pantheon of Adventure Games. Timestamps: Intro / Background / History:  00:00:00 - 00:36:45 Talkthrough:  00:36:46 - 01:57:32 Final  Remarks  / Preview for Next Episode:  01:57:33 - 02:07:01 

Episode 13: Day of the Tentacle

It's the day after Thanksgiving, and I've got a feast for your ears!  This episode expands into new territory for the podcast, as we take a look at some melodic, amazing songs from classic adventure games.  As with most episodes, we start out with historical perspective, this time focused on the evolution of computer audio within the adventure game genre, followed by our "talkthrough" which, in this case, consists of ten songs from games we haven't yet covered.  Listen in and hear songs from such classics as Grim Fandango, Quest for Glory, Gabriel Knight 3, and more! Timestamps: Intro / Background / History:  00:00:00 - 00:43:51 Talkthrough (Individual Game Tracks):  00:43:52 - 01:36:13 Final  Remarks  / Preview for Next Episode:  01:36:14 - 01:48:37 

Episode 12: The Sounds of Adventure, Volume 1

Journey back to 1987 as we delve into one of the true classics of the adventure game genre, Maniac Mansion!  This is the game for which the SCUMM engine was built, a technology that would single-handedly shape the future of LucasArts adventure games for the next decade.  Learn about the development of the game, its cultural significance, and, as always, re-live the experience of playing the game through our talkthrough session, accompanied by music from the Maniac Mansion Deluxe fan remake.    Timestamps: Intro / Background / History:  00:00:00 - 00:39:52 Talkthrough:  00:39:53 - 01:21:52 Final  Remarks / Pantheon Ranking / Preview for Next Episode:  01:21:53 - 01:37:15 

Episode 11: Maniac Mansion

An exploration of adventure gaming across all eras, from classic titles through modern times

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Point and Click: An Adventure Game Podcast

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