FrameFate: Press Start for Meaning

Richard Parry
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Welcome to FrameFate, where I get into your favourite games with more than just a surface glance. I explore the hidden stories and themes that often get overlooked, from narrative depth to mechanical philosophy. If you're a gamer who craves more than just "the game is fun," you're in the right place. Join me as I dig into character arcs, design choices, and the systems that make games resonate. I examine why certain games stick with us—not just what happens, but why it matters. From indie darlings to blockbuster experiences, we're looking at games as art, as commentary, and as carefully const

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    Why You Finished ... Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2

    S01E06: Why did I finish Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2? Honestly, even my therapist couldn't help me answer that question. The performance is a tyre fire, the combat is a direct contributor to carpal tunnel, and for an all-powerful Elder, you spend a lot of time taking orders from middle management. And yet... I couldn't put it down. In this episode, I’m diving into why this deeply flawed game is (actually, like) worth your time. It’s not about the frame rates, and it’s definitely not about the skill trees that looked like they were developed by a recovering meth addict. It’s about why a broken game can sometimes be the perfect mirror for a broken world, and why sometimes just seeing the monsters clearly is enough to help you survive the daylight. New Zealand accent worse than the undead final boss? Full transcript here: https://parrydox.com/why-you-finished-vampire-the-masquerade-bloodlines-2/Support the channel by checking out my urban fantasy trilogy: https://www.books2read.com/NightsFavor (the final book has some epic werewolf vs. vampire action) Grab a Coke, a smile, ignore the jank, and let’s talk about why we’re all still here. #VampireTheMasquerade #Bloodlines2 #VideoEssay #GamingCritique #TheChineseRoom #WhyYouFinished #ExistentialGaming

  2. Oct 4

    Why You Liked ... Star Wars: Zero Company

    S01E05: I’ve spent the last weeks completely obsessed with a game that has no business being this good. If you’ve been waiting for a tactical RPG that actually understands what makes a galaxy far, far away tick, your long wait is finally over. In this video, I’m breaking down why this latest release has skyrocketed into my all-time top five. It manages to capture everything I love about the grittier side of the franchise. We’re looking at a brilliant blend of squad-based tactics, deeply flawed characters you can't help but want on your team, and a narrative that has something meaningful to say about the cost of war and the messy reality of redemption. I'll also get into the stuff that doesn't quite work, including some truly baffling difficulty spikes and performance that occasionally feels like it's being powered by a droid with a busted motivator chip. But even with its flaws, this is a journey you need to take. If you miss the golden age of BioWare storytelling or just want to miss 85% chance-to-hit shots in a brand new setting, you're in the right place. New Zealand accent a harder boss than Kundri Fathom? Full transcript: https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-star-wars-zero-company/ Support the channel by checking out my series most like Star Wars (no loveable aliens but space wizards aplenty): https://www.books2read.com/TychesFlight #StarWars #ZeroCompany #Gaming #StarWarsGames #VideoGameReview #SciFiGames #TacticalRPG #GamingCommunity #PCGaming

  3. Jul 12

    Why You Liked … The Expanse: A Telltale Series

    S01E04: James S. A. Corey is two people in a trench coat, but The Expanse is a singular masterpiece. If you’ve been nursing a lingering ache since the television show got shoved out of an airlock by corporate spreadsheet logic, this is the remedy. The Expanse: A Telltale Series gives Camina Drummer her own video game, showing she was born with a patience shortage. This isn’t a life-on-rails walking simulator or a space-themed theme park ride. It is seven hours of earned agency where your choices dictate who survives the grinding gears of Earth, Mars, and the Belt. Failing in this game is significantly more compelling than getting a flawless victory. I’ve broken down whether this interactive revival is actually worth your time, categorised by what kind of fan you might be. Yes, Cara Gee and Shohreh Aghdashloo return to put the rest of the voice-acting industry to shame. Yes, the swearing consultants clearly got a bonus. And yes, you will probably cry during the Archangel DLC. 📜 My accent your final boss battle? Full transcript: https://www.parrydox.com/why-you-liked-the-expanse📚 Support the channel by checking out my book that got called a cross between the Expanse, Star Wars, and Aliens: https://www.books2read.com/TychesFlightTycho Station is waiting, and the airlocks are prepped. Choose wisely. #TheExpanse #TelltaleGames #CaminaDrummer #SciFiGaming #DeckNine #ChrisjenAvasarala #ExpanseBookSeries #ExpanseTelltaleSeries #VideoGameReview #NarrativeDesign #SciFiGaming #BookToGame #StoryDrivenGames #GameCritique #SpaceOpera #BooktubeAndBeyond #EarnedAgency

  4. Mar 14

    Why You Didn't Like ... Echoes of the End

    S01E03: Echoes of the End had so much potential. It also had a protagonist with all the charm of a cactus in a swimsuit, controls held together with good intentions and Sellotape, and bosses who treat your victories like an Outlook scheduling inconvenience. This is why we need to talk. In this video I am looking at my short-lived relationship with Echoes of the End. After living my god-killing dreams in Flintlock: Siege of Dawn*, I was up for another scrappy, character-driven adventure to sink my teeth into. This was not the answer. I get into Echoes of the End in detail so you don't have to, from unresponsive combat mechanics and non-existent world-building to trying to find a single redeemable quality in a protagonist who treats absolutely everyone she meets with radioactive hostility. Join me as I warn you off this fibreglass enema, while comparing it to what a scrappy action-RPG can be when it's firing on all cylinders (because the bar exists, and some studios are clearing it). If you've played it and loved it, I respect your constitution. If you bounced off it like I did, pull up a chair. 🗣️ New Zealand accent worse than Ryn's personality? Full transcript here: https://parrydox.com/why-you-didnt-like-echoes-of-the-end/📚 Support the channel by checking out my novel featuring a heroine who is a bosskiller without being a douche: https://www.books2read.com/BladeofGlass🎮 Games mentioned: Echoes of the End, Flintlock: Siege of Dawn, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, Forspoken #EchoesOfTheEnd #ActionRPG #GameReview #Flintlock #RPGGames #GamingOpinion #IndieGames #FantasyGames #VideoGameReview #GamingYouTube #NotRecommended #GameCritique #SinglePlayerGames #GamingCritique #FlintlockSiegeOfDawn #ARPG

  5. Feb 21

    Why You Liked ... Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn

    S01E02: Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn launched to brutal market realities and culture war noise, but underneath the Game Pass tragedy lies one of the most poignant AA games of 2024. In this piece I look past the souls-lite label to examine A44 Games' ambitious God of War-style action RPG. From its stunning, New Zealand-inspired world-building to its intricate combat sandbox, Flintlock is a game that's one part murder playground, one part brilliance. It's also a parable for our times. Join me as I sift through the entrails on Nor and Enki's tale, the corporate Devil's Bargain of Microsoft's Game Pass, and why this solid 7/10 game might just hold a map to finding our better selves. If you enjoyed this critique, consider picking the game up to thank the devs! https://www.playflintlock.comSupport the channel by checking out my own gunpowder fantasy: https://www.books2read.com/BladeofGlassNew Zealand accent the worst boss you've faced? Transcript here: https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-flintlock-the-siege-of-dawn/Check out my Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order review: https://youtu.be/mrp8zVtSp3YMiss Tomb Raider as much as I do? Play Flintlock as Lara Croft!: https://www.nexusmods.com/flintlockthesiegeofdawn/mods/13 and https://www.nexusmods.com/flintlockthesiegeofdawn/mods/19#FlintlockTheSiegeOfDawn #VideoEssay #A44Games #GameReview #Flintlock #ActionRPG #GodOfWarLite #XboxGamePass #SoulsLite #GunpowderFantasy #RollForNarrative

  6. 11/27/2025

    Why You Liked ... Dispatch

    S01E01: Dispatch: The Game That Plays YOU Games often mistake a good story for good agency. We think swinging the sword is what matters, but what if the game is using that very assumption against us? Dispatch might look like a superhero graphic novel come to life, but underneath that gorgeous art and S-tier voice acting, it's pulling the ultimate player con. It's not just a game you play. It's a game that makes you feel the weight of command, the sting of failure, and what it’s like to be a washed-up hero called Robert Robertson. If you loved the story mechanic that made BioShock legendary, you need to see how Dispatch takes that same trick and turns the dial right to 11. I'm diving into this management sim/animated movie/people story. We'll get into whether the episodic release cadence is really a problem, the real cost of heroism, and whether this a game you must play before you die. Need a transcript? Sure you do: https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-dispatch/Support the channel by checking out a cool superhero book (sadly, no Jeffrey Wright): https://www.books2read.com/TheThreeFacesofFate⏱️ Time for Timestamps! 00:00 🤯 The Storytelling Trap: What Games Get Wrong04:33 🫠 Anxiety as Gameplay (Where the Real Terror Lives)07:39 💾 Wait, Episode 4? (The Binge-Play Dilemma)09:43 🎨 It's Art, Stupid (S-Tier Talent & Banging Beats)11:47 😩 Being Robert (Consequences Vector)15:20 ✅ So, What? (Is it a Must-Play?)Fair warning: this review contains spoilers for BioShock (it's been 18 years, you've had your chance). And let me know in the comments: are you Team Blazer or Team Invisigal? #Dispatch #GameReview #Storytelling #IndieGames #AaronPaul #JeffreyWright #LauraBailey #ErinYvette #MatthewMercer #AlanahPearce #BioShock #SuperheroGames #NarrativeGames #GamingAnalysis #MustPlay #CriticalRole #TelltaleGames #VideoGameStories #GamingCommunity #PCGaming #ConsoleGaming #WhatToPlay #BestGames #IndieGame #DispatchGame #DispatchReview #VideoGameReview #SuperheroGame #Telltale #BioShock

  • 6 Episodes

About

Welcome to FrameFate, where I get into your favourite games with more than just a surface glance. I explore the hidden stories and themes that often get overlooked, from narrative depth to mechanical philosophy. If you're a gamer who craves more than just "the game is fun," you're in the right place. Join me as I dig into character arcs, design choices, and the systems that make games resonate. I examine why certain games stick with us—not just what happens, but why it matters. From indie darlings to blockbuster experiences, we're looking at games as art, as commentary, and as carefully const

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