In the Middle of Life

In this episode of Middle of Culture, Peter and Eden dive into RPG mechanics they love, sharing a passionate, nuanced breakdown of what makes certain features stand out--especially in the context of Avowed, the latest release from Obsidian. They explore how good design in maps, crafting, character depth, and flexibility can make or break an RPG. The conversation also touches on Avowed's bold narrative choices, rewarding exploration, and morally tricky decisions, all while Peter and Eden reflect on broader RPG trends. Plus, they dish on recent music discoveries and their ongoing Andor rewatch. It's a nerdy, thoughtful, and thoroughly entertaining discussion.

In this episode of The Middle of Culture, Eden and Peter dive deep into the first three episodes of Andor, exploring how the Star Wars series breaks away from franchise expectations with grounded storytelling, sharp performances, and a grimy, lived-in world. Eden makes the case for Andor as the best piece of Star Wars media ever created, while Peter--coming in with a healthy dose of franchise fatigue--finds himself unexpectedly pulled in by the third episode's emotional payoff and political subtext. The two discuss everything from the show's anti-cop undercurrents to its brilliantly realized industrial world, while also sharing personal stories about their week, retro gaming regrets, and comic book industry absurdities.

In this episode of The Middle of Culture, hosts Peter and Eden embark on a deep dive into their Desert Island Albums--the five records they could never live without. But rather than just picking their favorites, they each approach the challenge uniquely, considering which albums they would be most devastated to never hear again. The result? A conversation filled with passion, nostalgia, and a mix of classic and experimental sounds. Along the way, they also touch on bad movie nights, tabletop gaming, the wild world of Mahjong, and the struggle of tackling massive fantasy novels. Tune in for an engaging discussion about the music that shapes us and the unexpected paths our cultural obsessions take.

Join us as we wander through our latest cultural obsessions! From wielding magic in Obsidian's morally complex RPG to discovering the competitive world of Japanese traditional storytelling, we're covering the spectrum of storytelling across mediums. Whether you're a gamer, manga enthusiast, music lover, or just someone trying to navigate the muddy paw prints of adulthood, this episode offers something to spark your curiosity.