Windbreaker
Windbreaker is Second Wind's premier gaming podcast hosted by Yahtzee Croshaw, Marty Sliva & JM8. Join the trio (and occasional guests) weekly to discuss everything industry wide from current news, to recent releases and wider trends.
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We Forced Yahtzee to Watch the New Silent Hill 2 Movie | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty watched Return to Silent Hill, the 2026 film based on Silent Hill 2. And oh boy, do they have some thoughts. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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How Will Xbox Be Remembered? | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty take a look back at the 25 years of Xbox, and how its games, consoles, and legacy will be remembered. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Our Favorite Video Game Couple Is Better Than Your Favorite Video Game Couple | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty celebrate Valentine's Day by talking about their favorite couples in gaming, what makes a good video game relationship, and why so many stumble. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/Second…On this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty celebrate Valentine's Day by talking about their favorite couples in gaming, what makes a good video game relationship, and why so many stumble. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Wide, Weird, and Wild World of Mods | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about their history of mods in games, from '90s shooters and MMOs, to PC ports of Nintendo classics. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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How to (Not) Do Climbing in Games | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty use the new game Cairn as a jumping off point to chat about the history of climbing in video games. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Choosing Our Favorite Games From 5, 10, 20, and 30 Years Ago | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty are trying something they call the 5-10-20-30 -- they'll each built a video game playlist by picking one game from the years 1996, 2006, 2016, and 2021. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/Seco…On this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty are trying something they call the 5-10-20-30 -- they'll each built a video game playlist by picking one game from the years 1996, 2006, 2016, and 2021. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Will VR Gaming Ever Really Break Through? | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty dig into the current state of VR gaming in 2026. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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So Why Was The Alters Yahtzee's Game of the Year? | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty dig into why The Alters was Yahtzee's Game of the Year for 2025. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Best Gaming Moments of 2025 | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty kick off the new year by looking back at their favorite gaming moments of 2025. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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How Indie Gaming Has Evolved Over the Past 25 Years (ft. Edmund McMillen) | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee and Jack are joined by Edmund McMillen (Mewgenics, Super Meat Boy, The Binding of Isaac) to chat about the evolution of indie games throughout the 21st centruy. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGr…On this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee and Jack are joined by Edmund McMillen (Mewgenics, Super Meat Boy, The Binding of Isaac) to chat about the evolution of indie games throughout the 21st centruy. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Yeah, I'd Eat That Video Game Food | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee and Marty get hungry as they chat about the history of food and cooking in video games. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Games in a Genre of Their Own | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee is feeling under the weather, but do not fret! JM8 and Marty are here to discuss their favorite examples of games that feel like they're in a genre of their own (or felt like that at the time of release). Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as li…On this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee is feeling under the weather, but do not fret! JM8 and Marty are here to discuss their favorite examples of games that feel like they're in a genre of their own (or felt like that at the time of release). Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Past, Present, and Future of Episodic Gaming | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty take a look at the past, present, and future of episodic gaming, in light of the release of AdHoc's Dispatch.Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Breaking Down the 2025 Game Awards Nominations | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty take a look at the freshly dropped Game Awards nominations for 2025. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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What Makes a Great “Atmosphere” | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Jesse Galena discuss about “atmosphere” in games. What does the term mean to us, which games do it well, and why do they succeed? Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Are Tables Better Than Video Games? | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Jack discuss about the transition of board games to the screen. Did Video (Games) Kill The Table (Top) Star?* *Send any complains about that joke to our podcast producer. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patr…On this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Jack discuss about the transition of board games to the screen. Did Video (Games) Kill The Table (Top) Star?* *Send any complains about that joke to our podcast producer. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Joys of In-Person Gaming | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, JM8, Marty, and Jesse are together in Milwaukee, and chatting about the joys of gaming with pals in-person, from couch co-op, to TTRPGs, and more. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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5 Years Later, Does the PS5 Have an Identity? | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 chat about the current state of the PS5 -- its library, its future, and whether its lacking an identity that previous PlayStations had. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Video Game Stories That Stick With Us | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 chat about the video game stories that have stuck with them, even years/decades after release. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Does Japan Make the Best Horror? | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 chat about the current state of horror, and where Japan fits in there. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Our Favorite Power-Ups | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 chat about their all-time favorite power-ups in video games. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Alright, Fine, Let's Chat About Silksong's Difficulty | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 dig into Silksong's difficulty, and use it as a springboard to chat about the line between the good and bad kinds of hard. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Can Games Ever Live Up to Their Hype? | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 chat about the hype leading up to a game like Silksong, and whether any piece of art can ever live up to those lofty expectations we create. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Best, Worst, and Most Annoying "True" Endings | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 chat about "True" endings that make you go above and beyond to unlock, including which ones we like and which ones we hate. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Making a Video Game Developer Alignment Chart | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 attempt to make a D&D-esque alignment chart for video game developers, ranging from Lawful Good to Chaotic Evil. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Good, the Bad, and the Weird Kinds of "Yellow Paint" | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 chat about all different kinds of ways that games help guide the player towards their destination. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Letting Franchises Die With Dignity | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 chat what the best course of action is for a franchise that has seemingly lost its way. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Point in a Game That Kills the Replay | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 chat about the moments in games that grind a replay to a halt. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Annoying Design Choices in Games | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 chat about the design decisions in games that really irk them. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The State of Nintendo in 2025 | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, JM8 is off on assignment, so Yahtzee, Marty, and Jack are chatting about the current state of Nintendo in the wake of the Switch 2. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Let's Have a Kojima Conversation | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, JM8 is on vacation, so Yahtzee, and Nick are chatting about Hideo Kojima, his impressive library of games, and how he stands out amidst other video game developers. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWind…On this week’s episode of Windbreaker, JM8 is on vacation, so Yahtzee, and Nick are chatting about Hideo Kojima, his impressive library of games, and how he stands out amidst other video game developers. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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What Makes an Open World Actually Fun? | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Marty is on vacation, so Yahtzee, JM8 and Nick are discussing open world games and what makes them actually fun to be in. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Learning to Love the Backlog | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee is on vacation, so JM8 and Marty are joined by Jack to chat about their own personal gaming backlogs, especially in the face of the current Steam Summer Sale.Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWin…On this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee is on vacation, so JM8 and Marty are joined by Jack to chat about their own personal gaming backlogs, especially in the face of the current Steam Summer Sale.Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Time Is the Best (and Worst) Game Mechanic | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about the use of time as a central mechanic in video games. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Are Games Better Now Than They Were in 2015? | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about the highs, lows, and oddities of video games in 2015. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Catching Yahtzee Up on Summer Game Fest 2025 | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about the big reveals from Summer Game Fest 2025. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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What Even Is a "Cozy" Game? | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty dig into the biggest sub-genre of the past few years, and try to figure out what separate as a good cozy game from a bland imitator.Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Game Advertising That Actually Worked on You | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty celebrate the start of "E3" season by chatting about the advertising -- trailers, print ads, features, interviews, demos, and more -- that actually worked on them in the past. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/mo…On this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty celebrate the start of "E3" season by chatting about the advertising -- trailers, print ads, features, interviews, demos, and more -- that actually worked on them in the past. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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What Makes a Great Video Game Weapon? | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about their favorite weapons in games, and what makes them memorable from a mechanical, visual, and audio perspective. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Where Have All the GTA Clones Gone? | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about the new GTA 6 trailer, and use that to discuss the broader topic of GTA clones. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Best Musical Moments in Games | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about their favorite moments in games where the music takes the spotlight to help create something memorable. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Strange State of AA Games | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty use the massive success of Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 as a jumping off point to discuss the current state of AA games. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Joy of Solving Mysteries in Games | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty use Blue Prince as a jumping off point to discuss what makes a good video game mystery. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Double-Edged Sword of Roguelikes and Roguelites in 2025 | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee is feeling under the weather, so Nick steps in to chat about roguelikes and roguelites with, JM8 and Marty. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Sometimes 'Good' Is Good Enough | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about the importance of "good graphics" in 2025, and whether they're enough to carry an entire game. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Do ‘Good Graphics’ Even Matter in 2025? | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about the importance of "good graphics" in 2025, and whether they're enough to carry an entire game. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Peaks of Every Genre | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about which games they personally think represent the "peak" of each of the major genres. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Do 'One-Hit Wonders' Exist in Games? (ft. Jack Packard) | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, and Marty are joined by Jack to chat about the concept of "one-hit wonders" in music and movies, and whether that exists in games as well. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Four Mario Games We’d Save If All the Rest Had To Be Destroyed | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty celebrate March 10th, aka Mario Day, by choosing which four games featuring the iconic mascot that they’d choose over all others. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Worst Kinds of Levels in Games | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about their least-favorite kinds of levels in games, from forced stealth sections to FromSoft's beloved poison swamps. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Why Are Pirate Games So Damn Good? | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about why pirate-themed games, no matter the genre, seem to resonate so strongly with them. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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How to NOT Do a Video Game Merchant | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about what separates a memorable video game merchant from a forgettable one. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Gaming Is the Most Complicated Hobby (ft. Jack Packard) | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Jack chat about the various ways that gaming is the most complicated hobby they have. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Five Games We'd Take With Us on a Desert Island | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty discuss which five games they'd pick as their personal desert island discs. Think of it as a kind of companion to last week's episode on the video game syllabus. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreo…On this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty discuss which five games they'd pick as their personal desert island discs. Think of it as a kind of companion to last week's episode on the video game syllabus. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Building the Video Game Syllabus | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about the five games that each of them would pick to help represent the medium to someone who'd never even heard of video games before. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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There’s Nothing Wrong With Cheating in Games | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about their history with cheat codes, unlockable cheats, exploits, modern QoL features, and all that jazz Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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At What Point Does It Become Stealing? | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty discuss how all great artists steal, but at what point does that become a genuine problem? Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Our 2025 Gaming Resolutions | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty kick off the new year with some gaming resolutions and predictions. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Digesting the Game Awards Results | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and KC share their thoughts on last weeks Game Awards winners, losers, and reveals. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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THIS Is How You Start Off a Game | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about notable video game openings, and what separates the good from the bad. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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A Tour Through Handheld History | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about their own personal histories with handheld gaming, from the Game Boy to the Steam Deck. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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In Defense of Janky Games | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week’s episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about the good kind of jank, the bad kind of jank, and every kind of jank in between. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Breaking Down the Game Award Nominees | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about the nominees for 2024's Game Awards. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Are Games Better Than They Were A Decade Ago? | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about the games of 2014, and how the modern landscape compares to a decade ago. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Best, Worst, and Weirdest Video Game Leaders | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about the best, worst, and weirdest leaders in video games. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Horror Game Deep Cuts to Play For Halloween | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about some of their favorite horror games from throughout the years that are bit off the beaten path. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Best Video Game Music (ft. Miracle of Sound) | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee and Marty are joined by Miracle of Sound (Gavin Dunne) to chat about the past, present, and future of video game music. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Joy of Simple Games | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 use UFO 50 as a bouncing off point to chat about the joy of simple games. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Yes, the Original Silent Hill 2 is the Best Horror Game Ever, Shut Up | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 chat why the original Silent Hill 2 remains such a classic, and some early thoughts on the new Remake. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Characters Who Deserve Their Own Game | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 chat about characters who deserve the spotlight of their own video games. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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How to Ruin a Perfectly Good Franchise | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 chat the moments that our favorite franchises took a wrong turn. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Realism is Overrated | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 chat about realism in games, and whether or not that goal is overrated. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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How to (Not) Do a 3D Platformer | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 use the release of Astro Bot on PS5 as a jumping off point to discuss the current state of 3D platformers across AAA and indies. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Making Failure Feel Good | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 chat about how failure is used successfully (and unsuccessfully) in games, both narratively and mechanically. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Making Games Harder For Ourselves | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 chat about our favorite emergent and self-imposed challenges in gaming history. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Movies That Influenced Games the Most | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 take a look at some of the movies throughout history that've had the biggest influence on video games. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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An Alternate History of Video Game "What Ifs?" | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 go look back at some of the biggest "what ifs?" in video game history, including Silent Hills, Starcraft: Ghost, and the Nintendo PlayStation. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWin…On this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 go look back at some of the biggest "what ifs?" in video game history, including Silent Hills, Starcraft: Ghost, and the Nintendo PlayStation. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Gaming Magazines, Media, and Spaces That Defined Us | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Marty, Jack, and JM8 go nostalgic on the gaming magazines, media, and spaces that defined us growing up. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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How to (Not) Do an Ending | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty chat about what goes into a satisfying video game ending, and what causes some finales to stumble. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Our Favorite Game Devs and Studios | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and JM8 chat about the game developers that they would most like to meet. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Can't Get You Out of My Head | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty chat about the slightly-obscure games and moments that they keep thinking about years later. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Games That Actually Make Us Laugh | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty chat about the various ways that games can actually make us laugh. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Modern Media Has a Lore Problem | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty chat about the growing popularity of lore-based media, and the increasing barrier to entry a lot of stories have. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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How Hard is Too Hard? | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty chat that old chestnut of difficulty in games, springboarding off the release of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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AAA's Franchise Identity Problem | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty chat about AAA franchises, and whether or not their evolution lends to an inherent identity problem. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Catching Yahtzee Up on Summer Game Fest | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Frost and Marty catch Yahtzee up on all the big announcements from this weekend's Summer Game Fest showcases. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Line Between a Game and an Experience | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty discuss what delineates a game from an experience. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Reminiscing About the Infamous Series | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty discuss the 15th anniversary of Sucker Punch's Infamous, and chat about games/franchises they'd like to see make a comeback. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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More Games Need to Embrace the Weird | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty discuss the history of weird in games. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Shhh... Let's Talk About Video Game Secrets | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty discuss the past, present, and future of secrets in video games. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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What We Want from Our Video Game Villains | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty discuss what goes into a good video game villain, and where some games stumble. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Stop Killing Games Campaign (ft. Ross Scott) | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Jack chat with Ross Scott about games preservation and his Stop Killing Games campaign. For more info on how to get involved check out the website at https://www.stopkillinggames.com/ Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $…On this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Jack chat with Ross Scott about games preservation and his Stop Killing Games campaign. For more info on how to get involved check out the website at https://www.stopkillinggames.com/ Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Art of Leveling Up | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty chat about what makes a good leveling system in games. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Worst Things About our Favorite Games | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty chat about the worst things in their favorite games -- from Super Metroid's wall-jumping, to the Okumura boss in Persona 5, to the final quarter of most From Soft games. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month…On this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty chat about the worst things in their favorite games -- from Super Metroid's wall-jumping, to the Okumura boss in Persona 5, to the final quarter of most From Soft games. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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How to Build a Better Save System | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty chat about the history of save systems, the games that did it differently, and the ones that dropped the ball. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Who Is Best Waifu? | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty celebrate the first day of April by having the tough conversations. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Attack of the Microtransactions | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty chat about the role of microtransactions, and whether they can ruin an otherwise good game. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Predicting the Next Big Trends in Gaming | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Frost and Marty pull out their crystal balls and try to predict the future of gaming. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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What Do Developers Actually "Owe" Us? | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Marty, Frost, and JM8 discuss the relationship between developers and players. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Gaming's Unforgivable Sins | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Marty, Frost, and JM8 discuss the unforgivable sins of video games. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Has The World Become Too Cynical For Superheroes? | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty and Frost discuss video games and their use of superheroes. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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To Side Quest, or Not to Side Quest | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty and Frost discuss video game side quests, and how they personally engage with them. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Your Video Game City Kinda Sucks | Windbreaker PodcastThis week's episode of Windbreaker is all about video game cities - from the most atmospheric, to the completely forgettable. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Sunk-Cost Fallacy of Finishing Games (ft. Nick Calandra) | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Marty, Frost, and Nick discuss the sunk-cost fallacy of finishing games... even if you're not enjoying them. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Games and Genres We Just Don't Get (ft. Jack Packard) | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Jack joins Yahtzee and Frost to discuss the wildly popular games and genres that they just can't wrap their heads around. From idle farming sims to cookie clicker, exactly what is it about these things that keeps players hooked? Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on P…On this week's episode of Windbreaker, Jack joins Yahtzee and Frost to discuss the wildly popular games and genres that they just can't wrap their heads around. From idle farming sims to cookie clicker, exactly what is it about these things that keeps players hooked? Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Games That Actually Deserve a Redo | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty chat about the merits of remaking fan-favorite video games from the past, the remakes that have hit and missed over the years, as well as titles that are primed for the remake treatment. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as li…On this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty chat about the merits of remaking fan-favorite video games from the past, the remakes that have hit and missed over the years, as well as titles that are primed for the remake treatment. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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How to NOT Do A Metroidvania | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty chat about the past, present, and future of the metroidvania genre. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Grind | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty chat about grinding in games, and what separates the good kind that keeps us coming back for more, versus the bad kind that makes us want to walk away. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/S…On this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty chat about grinding in games, and what separates the good kind that keeps us coming back for more, versus the bad kind that makes us want to walk away. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Let's Fix Games in 2024 | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty reflect on what they want to see from gaming in 2024, from trends that need to die out, franchises that should return, and more power being given to the actual creatives. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month…On this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty reflect on what they want to see from gaming in 2024, from trends that need to die out, franchises that should return, and more power being given to the actual creatives. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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What's the Point of The Game Awards? | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost and Marty dissect this year's 'The Game Awards' winners, announcements, random Hollywood celebrity appearances and the increasing commercialization of gaming's-- oh sorry, we're being told to wrap it up. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for…On this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost and Marty dissect this year's 'The Game Awards' winners, announcements, random Hollywood celebrity appearances and the increasing commercialization of gaming's-- oh sorry, we're being told to wrap it up. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The Standout Game Mechanics of 2023 | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty chat about their favorite individual game mechanics of 2023, including Ultrahand in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, the Lovecraftian inventory management of Dredge, and the orb-hopping puzzles of Cocoon. From the team behind The Escapist, we're excited to introduce you to our new emp…On this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty chat about their favorite individual game mechanics of 2023, including Ultrahand in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, the Lovecraftian inventory management of Dredge, and the orb-hopping puzzles of Cocoon. From the team behind The Escapist, we're excited to introduce you to our new employee-owned and fully independent outlet, Second Wind. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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The State of Modern Games Coverage | Windbreaker PodcastOn this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty discuss the state of modern games coverage, including the recent drama surrounding the blurry lines between professional critics, YouTubers, and influencers. From the team behind The Escapist, we're excited to introduce you to our new employee-owned and fully independent outlet, Second Wind. Se…On this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Frost, and Marty discuss the state of modern games coverage, including the recent drama surrounding the blurry lines between professional critics, YouTubers, and influencers. From the team behind The Escapist, we're excited to introduce you to our new employee-owned and fully independent outlet, Second Wind. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup -
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Slightly Somewhere Else (ft. Stephanie Sterling) | Windbreaker PodcastYahtzee Croshaw, Marty Sliva, and Sebastian Ruiz are back with a brand-new podcast on Second Wind! For this inaugural episode, the crew is joined by special guest Stephanie Sterling to discuss this year's Game Awards nominations. From the team behind The Escapist, we're excited to introduce you to our new employee-owned and fully independent outlet, Second W…Yahtzee Croshaw, Marty Sliva, and Sebastian Ruiz are back with a brand-new podcast on Second Wind! For this inaugural episode, the crew is joined by special guest Stephanie Sterling to discuss this year's Game Awards nominations. From the team behind The Escapist, we're excited to introduce you to our new employee-owned and fully independent outlet, Second Wind. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup
