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PODCAST

Mind Controllers

Brandon Craw and Joe Moreno

Welcome to a podcast about shining the light behind the psychological aspects of some of our favorite video games! Hosts Brandon Craw (MA Clinical Psychology) and Joe Moreno (MA and Associate Therapist) dive deep into video games, exploring the background behind some characters, point out which parts of their traumatic life can be attributed to their potential mental illness or explain their behavior, and discuss the human factors behind video game design. Then, we like to chat about what we"re

leisure video games

All Episodes

59:18

Scatterbrained - Help A Noob Understand Monster Hunter

Mind Controllers ·

2025/02/21

Craw, Joe, and Courture have come together to have a more focused discussion on Monster Hunter Wilds! We chat about our history with the franchise, what defines Monster Hunter, our likes and dislikes of the game, and what to expect from Wilds! Then we chat a bit about the other games we’ve been playing and the news from this week!Games we talked about this week: Monster Hunter Wilds, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, Avowed, Elden Ring NightreignIf you are experiencing any sort of mental health distress,

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39:24

Scatterbrained - Slow Down Homeboy

Mind Controllers ·

2025/02/14

Spoilers for Thank Goodness You’re HereCraw has been having a crazy time with Thank Goodness You’re Here, a silly game filled with British humor that feels more like watching a cartoon than playing a video game (not a bad thing)! Joe is back on his favorite genre with Romancing Saga Minstrel Song, and spending some time with Street Fighter. And we both played a decent amount of Monster Hunter Wilds Beta this past weekend. We also spoke a bit about the superbowl, and speculate what’s coming with the

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1:04:10

Episode 12: Metaphor Refantazio Deep Dive

Mind Controllers ·

2025/02/07

Spoilers for Metaphor RefantazioTrigger Warnings: RacismToday, we talk about the world of Metaphor Refantazio and how it creates and manipulates anxiety as a key part of its story. We then apply Affect Control Theory to our favorite antagonist, Louis, and how that shapes our view of him throughout the game.Timestamps:Introduction - 00:09Description - 01:10Experience with the Game - 03:48Spoiler Warning and Fictional Disclaimer - 06:30The World - 08:08Anxiety - 17:38The Power of Fantasy - 29:39Game’s

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52:53

Scatterbrained - Should We Do The Room?

Mind Controllers ·

2025/01/31

Spoilers for Bleach and Alan Wake 2It’s Joe and Craw, talking about the games they’ve played this week! Joe tells us about his latest obsession, Bleach, and Mega64’s The Room. Craw discusses a new metroidvania, his time with Ninja Gaiden Black 2, and a bit about Eternal Strands. Then we chatted about the recent gaming news. Come hang out with us!Games we talked about this week: Zenless Zone Zero, Final Fantasy Pixel Collection, Alan Wake 2, Silent Hill 2, Blade Chimera, Eternal Strands, Ninja Gaiden

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56:57

Metaphor ReFantazio Spoilercast

Mind Controllers ·

2025/01/24

HEAVY SPOILERS FOR METAPHOR REFANTAZIOJoe and Craw teamed up to talk all about Metaphor ReFantazio, how much we loved it, and the impact some of the characters had on us.If you are experiencing any sort of mental health distress, or just need someone to talk to, please call 988 contact some of these resources gathered on https://www.nimh.nih.gov/Feel free to message us with suggestions for games or questions at our socials and we’ll respond to your question on the upcoming pod! Be sure to follow us

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49:09

Scatterbrained - Squirrel Girl Lore

Mind Controllers ·

2025/01/17

It’s the first Scatterbrained of the year! And we have the whole squad on. We sat down and chatted a lot about Marvel Rivals, and some other games that came out last year that we are still getting through, in addition to some initial thoughts on Dynasty Warriors: Origins. Couture also schools us on Squirrel Girl Lore. Come hang out with us during our first Scatterbrained of the year!Games we talked about this week: Void Crew, Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League, Marvel Rivals, Dynasty Warriors:

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43:40

Fantasy Critics Draft 2025

Mind Controllers ·

2025/01/10

We had a full house for this episode as the crew welcomed Memo to take part in the Fantasy Critics Draft. We all took turns choosing games we believe would rate well, made a few enemies along the way, and came out of it better people! Come listen to us as we try to build the best roster of video games coming out this year!If you are experiencing any sort of mental health distress, or just need someone to talk to, please call 988 contact some of these resources gathered on

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1:56:46

Game of the Year 2024

Mind Controllers ·

2025/01/03

Spoilers for Before Your Eyes (2021)Today, we finally discussed our favorite games we played this year in 2024! We tried to keep it spoiler free, but there might be a bit of story spoilers, especially for an older game that Craw played. Thank you all so much for joining this year, and we can’t wait to continue hanging out with everyone in 2025! Bonus unrelated story at the end of this pod!Timestamps:Intro - 00:09Vibe Check - 00:47Joe’s 10 - 03:04Craw’s 10 - 09:20Joe’s 9 - 12:02Craw’s 9 - 15:51Joe’s

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23:20

Scatterbrained - Puzzle Palace

Mind Controllers ·

2024/12/20

Slight spoilers for Indiana Jones and the Great CircleThis week on Scatterbrained: Craw is flying solo this week! He tells us about his a bit lackluster time with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, then talks about a puzzle game he does like: Case of the Golden Idol. He also enjoyed Path of Exile 2, a new diablo-like game that's in early access. Lastly, he tells us his quick thoughts on some Switch 2 rumors and The Game Awards! This might be the lastGames we talked about this week: Indiana Jones,

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49:39

Scatterbrained - The Game Awards 2024!

Mind Controllers ·

2024/12/12

This week on Scatterbrained: We're coming to you early take on The Game Awards! Joe tells us about his time learning about the Stalker lore, then goes into the fun of co-op Borderlands. Craw tells us about his time with puzzle games (ish?) Case of the Golden Idol and Indiana Jones. Then we end it by going through some of our favorite categories of the game awards!Games we talked about this week: Stalker 2, Borderlands, Metaphor Refantazio, Case of the Golden Idol, Marvel Rivals, Indiana Jones, Path

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56:36

Scatterbrained - I Remember the Gif

Mind Controllers ·

2024/12/06

This week on Scatterbrained: It’s the Brandon duo! Courture chats about his current card obsession: Balatro. Craw played Case of the Golden Idol, an indie puzzle game that everyone was raving about when it was released a few years ago. And then we rant about our disappointment with Microsoft, Xbox, and StarfieldGames we talked about this week: Balatro, Legends of Runeterra, Metaphor Refantazio, Case of the Golden Idol, StarfieldArticle of the Week: The psychology behind video games during COVID-19

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50:53

Scatterbrained - I Don't Trust That Score

Mind Controllers ·

2024/11/22

Slight spoilers for Metaphor Refantazio and Silent Hill 2This week on Scatterbrained: The whole crew is back together again! We start off with Silent Hill 2 Remake then chat about Metaphor Refantazio as Joe wrapped it up last week and Craw is still going through it. Then Joe chats briefly about Romancing Saga 2. Courture ventures forth into Final Fantasy 14, the hit MMO with a memeable free-trial script. Finally, Craw talks a bit about Legends of Runeterra. We also touch on remakes, the game awards,

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6:43

Scatterbrained - Short and Sweet

Mind Controllers ·

2024/11/15

This week on Scatterbrained: We have a short episode and Craw tells you all about Beastieball! Then we quickly chat about some gaming news headlines before sending you on your way :)Games we talked about this week: BeastieballIf you are experiencing any sort of mental health distress, or just need someone to talk to, please call 988 contact some of these resources gathered on https://www.nimh.nih.gov/Feel free to message us with suggestions for games or questions at our socials and we’ll respond to

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54:22

Scatterbrained - Keep Calm and Carry On

Mind Controllers ·

2024/11/08

This week on Scatterbrained: We are once again joined by Brandon Courture! Joe is out for the next couple of weeks, so Brandon and Brandon really give Scatterbrained’s title a run for its money. We chatted about our feelings on the current state of affairs in our country, Brandon Courture’s trip to Japan, and then finally some of the games we’ve been obsessed with this week. We close it out by sharing some of the recent news about the Mass Effect TV Series and Brandon Courture’s thoughts on Fallout

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47:13

Scatterbrained - Metaphorical Utopia

Mind Controllers ·

2024/11/01

Spoilers for Metaphor: Refantazio through 2/3s of the gameThis week on Scatterbrained: We cannot stop playing Metaphor: ReFantazio and we might be addicted. We also chat about Firewalk Studios unfortunately shutting down and more games journalism layoffs.Games we talked about this week: Metaphor: ReFantazio, Pokemon TCG, Pokemon GoIf you are experiencing any sort of mental health distress, or just need someone to talk to, please call 988 contact some of these resources gathered on

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12:26

Scatterbrained - Sakurai Knows the Future

Mind Controllers ·

2024/10/25

Spoilers for Metaphor RefantazioThis week on Scatterbrained: Craw is flying solo again this week and chats a bit more about Metaphor: ReFantazio. Then, we discuss Nintendo’s latest Playtest demo leak and one of the best Metroidvanias did not meet sales expectationsGames we talked about this week: Metaphor: ReFantazio, Prince of Persia: The Lost CrownIf you are experiencing any sort of mental health distress, or just need someone to talk to, please call 988 contact some of these resources gathered on

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57:07

Episode 11: Persona 3 Reload + DLC

Mind Controllers ·

2024/10/18

Spoilers for Persona 3 Reload and DLCToday we talk about Persona 3 Reload and DLC, and how the silent protagonist is an agent for the player. Joe also touches on the themes of Persona 3 and how it deals heavily with death, grief, and purpose.Timestamps:Introduction - 00:00Spoiler Warning - 02:39Persona 3 and the Silent Protagonist - 03:38P3R Description - 03:54The Silent Protagonist - 07:34Player Character as a Performing Object - 23:56Transportability and Presence - 30:01Ending Thoughts on P3R -

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56:28

Scatterbrained - Echo of Horse

Mind Controllers ·

2024/10/11

Spoilers for The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of WisdomThis week on Scatterbrained: We are once again joined by Brandon Courture! Courture tells us about his upcoming trip to Japan, then tells us about the now PvE focused Legends of Runeterra. Joe and Craw talk about The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, and a bit about Craw’s annoyances with the game.Games we talked about this week: Legends of Runeterra, Tekken 8, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdomhttps://goodgamergroup.com/Echoes of Wisdom

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54:59

Scatterbrained - Jacked Ash Ketchum

Mind Controllers ·

2024/10/04

Spoilers for Persona 3 Reloaded DLC and Metaphor ReFantazio DemoThis week on Scatterbrained: We are joined by a special guest, Brandon Courture! Brandon tells us about his time with Warhammer 40k Space Marines 2. Joe tells us more about Street Fighter’s latest character and how P3R DLC wraps up. And Craw talks about his time with the Metaphor: ReFantazio demo and how it explores classicism and racism, and psychology within this fantasy setting. Then we dive into some more Nintendo patent news and

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51:54

Scatterbrained - Playstation is SO Back

Mind Controllers ·

2024/09/27

Spoilers for Persona 3 Reloaded DLC And Star Wars Outlaws!This week on Scatterbrained: Joe talks about his time with Persona 3 Reload, the interesting post game of Castlevania:Circle of the Moon. Brandon talks about his time playing Star Wars Outlaws and is enjoying it enough, and dipped into Fortnite?!. Then we discuss some of the exciting announcements from Sonic Central, Level 5, and Playstation’s State of Play!Games we talked about this week: Persona 3 Reload DLC, Castlevania: Circle of the

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