Shows / Mythic Mind Games
Mythic Mind Games
Pursuing wisdom through primary and secondary worlds.
Mythic Mind Games is a conversation about video games as secondary worlds. We look at story, design, and the moral imagination of play: what games train us to love, fear, hope for, and become.
This is not a review show and not a strategy guide. Episodes sit with particular games and ask what they are doing to the soul: The Elder Scrolls (Skyrim and Oblivion), Fallout, Final Fantasy VII, Red Dead Redemption, Outer Wilds, Chrono Trigger, Clair…
Episodes
Mythic Mind Games56 - Would You Trade a Lived Life for a Dying Wish? To the Moon
To the Moon offers a dying man the life he wished for by rewriting the one he actually lived. The wish feels like consolation until you notice the…
- Mythic Mind Games
55 - Is Choosing From a Script Still Freedom? The Stanley Parable
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/is-choosing-from-a-script-still-freedom-the-stanley-parable-mythic-mind-games-ep-55/ The Stanley Parable…
Mythic Mind Games54 - Why We Grieve Characters Who Never Lived
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/grief-in-video-games-mythic-mind-games-ep-54/ Video games do not merely distract from sorrow. Through time…
- Mythic Mind Games
53 - Red Dead Redemption 2: Arthur Morgan, Ivan Ilyich & Memento Mori (revisit)
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/red-dead-redemption-2-arthur-morgan-ivan-ilyich-memento-mori-mythic-mind-games-ep-4/ Red Dead Redemption 2's…
- Mythic Mind Games
52 - Video Games and the Psyche: Agency, Anxiety, and Upbuilding
Video games are not only amusement. They are structured existential experiences: forks that press agency, anxiety, identity, desire, and failure on a real…
- Mythic Mind Games
51 - Facing Fate in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/facing-fate-in-final-fantasy-vii-rebith-mythic-mind-games-ep-51/ Final Fantasy VII Rebirth asks whether…
- Mythic Mind Games
50 - Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, Trauma, and Untapped Depth
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/advent-children-mythic-mind-games-ep-50/ Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children is a visually striking…
- Mythic Mind Games
49 - Final Fantasy VII Remake: Reimagining, Sequel, and Fate
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/final-fantasy-vii-remake-my/ Final Fantasy VII Remake is less a straight remake than a reimagining that often…
- Mythic Mind Games
48 - Final Fantasy VII: Grief, Consolation, and Recovery
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/final-fantasy-vii-grief-consolation-and-recovery-mythic-mind-games-ep-48/ Final Fantasy VII is a story of…
- Mythic Mind Games
47 - Outer Wilds: Stories and Music at the End of the Universe
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/outer-wilds-stories-and-music-at-the-end-of-the-universe-mythic-mind-games-ep-47/ Outer Wilds asks what…
- Mythic Mind Games
46 - Final Fantasy Tactics and Demonic Revolutionaries
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/final-fantasy-tactics-and-demonic-revolutionaries-mythic-mind-games-ep-46/ What looks like politics, and…
- Mythic Mind Games
45 - Why Video Games Repay Philosophical Attention
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/why-video-games-repay-philosophical-attention-mythic-mind-games-ep-45/ Outer Wilds had to wait. Nearly a year…
- Mythic Mind Games
44 - Chrono Trigger: Time Travel, Lavos, and Childlike Wonder
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/chrono-trigger-time-travel-lavos-and-childlike-wonder-mythic-mind-games-ep-44/ Chrono Trigger is the SNES…
- Mythic Mind Games
43 - Red Dead Redemption: Honor, Vengeance & John Marston
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/red-dead-redemption-honor-vengeance-john-marston-mythic-mind-games-ep-43/ Red Dead Redemption (the original)…
- Mythic Mind Games
42 - Forgotten City: Truth, Ethics, and Religion
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/forgotten-city-truth-ethics-and-religion-mythic-mind-games-ep-42/ David and Andrew dig into The Forgotten…
- Mythic Mind Games
41 - Expedition 33: Art, Grief, and Sub-Creation
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/expedition-33-art-grief-and-sub-creation-mythic-mind-games-ep-41/ As we discuss Clair Obscur: Expedition 33…
- Mythic Mind Games
40 - Skyrim DLC Chat: Dawnguard, Dragonborn, Vampires, Miraak
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/skyrim-dlc-chat-dawnguard-dragonborn-vampires-miraak-mythic-mind-games-ep-40/ Skyrim's Dawnguard pits rebuilt…
- Mythic Mind Games
39 - The Story of Skyrim: Dawnguard & Dragonborn
Two Skyrim expansion story overviews in one episode. Watch Dawnguard: https://youtu.be/k-FEFvAcT44 Watch Dragonborn: https://youtu.be/3wKIrE8yjLU --- Dawnguard…
- Mythic Mind Games
38 - Skyrim Chat: Civil War, Dragonborn, Talos, Northern Mythos
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/skyrim-chat-civil-war-dragonborn-talos-northern-mythos-mythic-mind-games-ep-38/ Skyrim's base game puts a…
- Mythic Mind Games
37 - Oblivion's Shivering Isles: Mantling Sheogorath and Walking Like a God
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/oblivions-shivering-isles-mantling-sheogorath-and-walking-like-a-god-mythic-mind-games-ep-37/ In Oblivion's…
- Mythic Mind Games
36 - Skyrim and the Northern Mythos: Dragon, Doom, and Northern Courage
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/skyrim-and-the-northern-mythos-dragon-doom-and-northern-courage-mythic-mind-games-ep-36/ In this…
- Mythic Mind Games
35 - The Story of Skyrim: Dragonborn, Civil War, and Destiny
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/the-story-of-skyrim-dragonborn-civil-war-and-destiny-mythic-mind-games-ep-35/ Skyrim's main story follows the…
- Mythic Mind Games
34 - Oblivion's Sheogorath and Kierkegaard's Sickness unto Death
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/oblivions-sheogorath-and-kierkegaards-sickness-unto-death-mythic-mind-games-ep-34/ Oblivion's Shivering Isles…
- Mythic Mind Games
33 - The Story of Oblivion: Shivering Isles, Sheogorath, and the Greymarch
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/the-story-of-oblivion-shivering-isles-sheogorath-and-the-greymarch-mythic-mind-games-ep-33/ Oblivion's…
- Mythic Mind Games
32 - Clair Obscur’s Score Needs Context, Not Just Theory
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/clair-obscurs-score-needs-context-not-just-theory-mythic-mind-games-ep-32/ Ben Shapiro critiqued clips from…
- Mythic Mind Games
31 - Oblivion Chat: Martin Septim, Oblivion Crisis, Mehrunes Dagon
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/oblivion-chat-martin-septim-oblivion-crisis-mehrunes-dagon-mythic-mind-games-ep-31/ Oblivion's base game puts…
- Mythic Mind Games
30 - Oblivion and the Knight of Faith
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/oblivion-and-the-knight-of-faith-mythic-mind-games-ep-30/ In this lecture, originally made for the Elder…
- Mythic Mind Games
29 - The Story of Oblivion: Martin, Mehrunes Dagon, and the Amulet of Kings
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/the-story-of-oblivion-martin-mehrunes-dagon-and-the-amulet-of-kings-mythic-mind-games-ep-29/ Oblivion's main…
- Mythic Mind Games
28 - Bloodmoon & Tribunal Chat: Solstheim, Werewolves, Mournhold
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/morrowind-bloodmoon-tribunal-chat-solstheim-werewolves-mournhold-mythic-mind-games-ep-28/ Bloodmoon takes the…
- Mythic Mind Games
A Look Back and a Look Ahead
Across the domains of literature, philosophy, video games, and movies, I discuss some of the place Mythic Mind has been in 2025 and where we are going in 2026…
- Mythic Mind Games
27 - Fallout Prime Conversation: Lucy, Ghoul, Vault Conspiracy
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/fallout-prime-conversation-lucy-ghoul-vault-conspiracy-mythic-mind-games-ep-27/ Fallout on Amazon Prime…
- Mythic Mind Games
26 - Fallout 4: Sandbox Freedom vs RPG Meaning
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/fallout-4-sandbox-freedom-vs-rpg-meaning-mythic-mind-games-ep-26/ We continue our Fallout series with a…
- Mythic Mind Games
25 - Forgotten City: Golden Rule, Time Loop, Underworld Justice
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/forgotten-city-golden-rule-time-loop-underworld-justice-mythic-mind-games-ep-25/ The Forgotten City stages…
- Mythic Mind Games
24 - Fallout New Vegas: House, NCR, Legion, and Legitimacy
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/fallout-new-vegas-house-ncr-legion-and-legitimacy-mythic-mind-games-ep-24/ Fallout: New Vegas stages four…
- Mythic Mind Games
23 - Fallout 1-3: Vaults, Mutants, and Civilization's Collapse
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/fallout-1-3-vaults-mutants-and-civilizations-collapse-mythic-mind-games-ep-23/ Fallout 1 through 3 open the…
- Mythic Mind Games
22 - Morrowind Bloodmoon & Tribunal: Hircine's Hunt and the Fall of False Gods
Two Morrowind expansion stories. Bloodmoon takes the Nerevarine to Solstheim: East Empire Company chaos, Skaal faith in the All-Maker, and Hircine's werewolf…
- Mythic Mind Games
21 - Final Fantasy VI and the Will to Meaning
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/final-fantasy-vi-and-the-will-to-meaning-mythic-mind-games-ep-21/ Final Fantasy VI asks whether a will to…
- Mythic Mind Games
20 - Vivec’s Lessons: Morrowind’s Manifesto of Postmodern Heroism
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/vivecs-lessons-morrowinds-manifesto-of-postmodern-heroism-mythic-mind-games-ep-20/ As part of the Elder…
- Mythic Mind Games
19 - Morrowind Philosophy Chat: Vivec, Tribunal, Lorkhan's Heart
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/morrowind-philosophy-chat-vivec-tribunal-lorkhans-heart-mythic-mind-games-ep-19/ Morrowind's main quest puts…
- Mythic Mind Games
18 - The Story of Morrowind: Nerevarine, Fate, and the Hortator
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/the-story-of-morrowind-nerevarine-fate-and-the-hortator-mythic-mind-games-ep-18/ Morrowind's main story runs…
- Mythic Mind Games
17 - Elder Scrolls Creation Myth: Anu, Padomay, and Lorkhan's Sacrifice
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/elder-scrolls-creation-myth-anu-padomay-and-lorkhans-sacrifice-mythic-mind-games-ep-17/ The Elder Scrolls…
- Mythic Mind Games
16 - Final Fantasy V: Job System, Friendship, and Fun
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/final-fantasy-v-job-system-friendship-and-fun-mythic-mind-games-ep-16/ Final Fantasy V is the series' playful…
- Mythic Mind Games
15 - Elder Scrolls Cosmogony Told: Anu, Padomay, and the Making of Mundus
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/elder-scrolls-cosmogony-told-anu-padomay-and-the-making-of-mundus-mythic-mind-games-ep-15/ Based on in-game…
- Mythic Mind Games
14 - Final Fantasy IV and Cecil's Dark Knight Redemption
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/final-fantasy-iv-and-cecils-dark-knight-redemption-mythic-mind-games-ep-14/ Final Fantasy IV is the series'…
- Mythic Mind Games
Bonus - The Elder Scrolls & Philosophy: Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim
This is the introductory video for my course on The Elder Scrolls and Philosophy, which begins the week of 10/19. To enroll, take the course with a Mythic Mind…
- Mythic Mind Games
13 - Final Fantasy I-III: Order, Chaos, and Early Storytelling
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/final-fantasy-i-iii-order-chaos-and-early-storytelling-mythic-mind-games-ep-13/ Final Fantasy I, II, and III…
- Mythic Mind Games
12 - Why Final Fantasy Endures: Wonder, Themes, and Philosophy
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/why-final-fantasy-endures-wonder-themes-and-philosophy-mythic-mind-games-ep-12/ Final Fantasy has nearly four…
- Mythic Mind Games
11 - Mass Effect 3: Shepard, Reapers, and the Controversial Ending
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/mass-effect-3-shepard-reapers-and-the-controversial-ending-mythic-mind-games-ep-11/ Mass Effect 3 closes the…
- Mythic Mind Games
10 - Are Video Games a Waste of Time? Art and Upbuilding Value
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/are-video-games-a-waste-of-time-art-and-upbuilding-value-mythic-mind-games-ep-10/ Are video games just a…
- Mythic Mind Games
9 - Mass Effect 2: Shepard’s Resurrection and the Question of the Soul
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/mass-effect-2-shepards-resurrection-and-the-question-of-the-soul-mythic-mind-games-ep-9/ Join Andrew Snyder…
- Mythic Mind Games
8 - Mass Effect 1: Shepard, the Geth, and Dangerous AI
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/mass-effect-1-shepard-the-geth-and-dangerous-ai-mythic-mind-games-ep-8/ Mass Effect 1 opens the trilogy with…
- Mythic Mind Games
7 - Legend of Zelda: Mythopoeia, Tolkien, and the Triforce
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/legend-of-zelda-mythopoeia-tolkien-and-the-triforce-mythic-mind-games-ep-7/ The Legend of Zelda can feel like…
- Mythic Mind Games
6 - Legend of Zelda: Triforce Virtues and the Cyclical Hero
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/legend-of-zelda-triforce-virtues-and-the-cyclical-hero-mythic-mind-games-ep-6/ The Legend of Zelda keeps…
- Mythic Mind Games
5 - Red Dead Redemption 2: Honor, Loyalty & Arthur's Redemption (feat. Master Samwise & Jeremy Kee)
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/red-dead-redemption-2-honor-loyalty-arthurs-redemption-mythic-mind-games-ep-5/ Red Dead Redemption 2 is a…
- Mythic Mind Games
4 - Red Dead Redemption 2: Arthur Morgan, Ivan Ilyich & Memento Mori
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/red-dead-redemption-2-arthur-morgan-ivan-ilyich-memento-mori-mythic-mind-games-ep-4/ Red Dead Redemption 2's…
- Mythic Mind Games
3 - SWTOR: Jedi, Sith, and the Moral Nature of MMO Gameplay
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/swtor-jedi-sith-and-the-moral-nature-of-mmo-gameplay-mythic-mind-games-ep-3/ Star Wars: The Old Republic…
- Mythic Mind Games
2 - KOTOR II: Kreia, the Exile, and Killing the Force
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/kotor-ii-kreia-the-exile-and-killing-the-force-mythic-mind-games-ep-2/ Andrew, Josh, and Ian continue the Old…
- Mythic Mind Games
1 - Video Games as Fairy-Stories: Tolkien and Subcreation
Watch the video: https://mythicmindfellowship.com/video-games-as-fairy-stories-tolkien-and-subcreation-mythic-mind-games-ep-1/ Can video games be more than…