<description>What are the most spiritual games you've ever played? What does spirituality mean to you? Have you ever had a transcendent experience while playing a game?

In this episode, we break down some of our most profound experiences playing games — games that weren't just emotional but deeply spiritual. This includes games like Xenogears, Ico, Journey, Terranigma, Death Stranding, Outer Wilds, and many more.

What are some of your picks? Let us know in the comments below!

Time Codes:
01. Intro (0:00)
02. What Does Spirituality Mean? (01:29)
03. Honorable Mentions (08:49)
04. Casen's First Pick: Ico (26:51)
05. A Couple More Honorable Mentions (37:20)
06. Mike's First Pick: Terranigma (39:10)
07. Casen's Second Pick: Death Stranding (48:45)
08. Mike's Second Pick: Journey (1:01:23)
09. Casen's Third Pick: Wind Waker (1:08:53)
10. Mike's Third Pick: Outer Wilds (1:25:01)

Discord Link: https://discord.gg/RFMF6gpHr
Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc
Subscribe Star: https://www.subscribestar.com/resonant-arc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/resonantarc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resonantarc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resonantarc
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@resonantarc</description>

What are the most spiritual games you've ever pla…

What are the most spiritual games you've ever played? What does spirituality mean to you? Have you ever had a transcendent experience while playing a game?

In this episode, we break down some of our most profound experiences playing games — games that weren't just emotional but deeply spiritual. This includes games like Xenogears, Ico, Journey, Terranigma, Death Stranding, Outer Wilds, and many more.

What are some of your picks? Let us know in the comments below!

Time Codes:
01. Intro (0:00)
02. What Does Spirituality Mean? (01:29)
03. Honorable Mentions (08:49)
04. Casen's First Pick: Ico (26:51)
05. A Couple More Honorable Mentions (37:20)
06. Mike's First Pick: Terranigma (39:10)
07. Casen's Second Pick: Death Stranding (48:45)
08. Mike's Second Pick: Journey (1:01:23)
09. Casen's Third Pick: Wind Waker (1:08:53)
10. Mike's Third Pick: Outer Wilds (1:25:01)

Discord Link: https://discord.gg/RFMF6gpHr
Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc
Subscribe Star: https://www.subscribestar.com/resonant-arc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/resonantarc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resonantarc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resonantarc
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@resonantarc

State of the Arc Podcast

Can A Video Game Prepare You For Death?

<description>Why did Hironobu Sakaguchi leave Squaresoft in 2001? People have long held the answer to be the movie Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. However, that makes no sense. Think about it. Sakaguchi was their best game producer. Why demote him for a movie that flopped? Why not just put him back in charge of games which he is obviously VERY good at and is the company's central product? We tackle these questions and tell the real reason why Sakaguchi left Squaresoft after being removed from his top position over gaming content. 

Afterwards, we eat English candy and talk about the Hitoshi Sakimoto concert! Thanks to all who came, it was a huge success! 

**Listen On Spotify**: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gIzzvT3AfRHjGlfF8kFW3

**Listen On Soundcloud**: https://soundcloud.com/resonantarc

**Listen On iTunes**: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/state-of-the-arc-podcast/id1121795837

**Listen On Pocket Cast**: http://pca.st/NJsJ

Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc
Subscribe Star: https://www.subscribestar.com/resonant-arc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/resonantarc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resonantarc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resonantarc
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@resonantarc</description>

Why did Hironobu Sakaguchi leave Squaresoft in 20…

Why did Hironobu Sakaguchi leave Squaresoft in 2001? People have long held the answer to be the movie Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. However, that makes no sense. Think about it. Sakaguchi was their best game producer. Why demote him for a movie that flopped? Why not just put him back in charge of games which he is obviously VERY good at and is the company's central product? We tackle these questions and tell the real reason why Sakaguchi left Squaresoft after being removed from his top position over gaming content. 

Afterwards, we eat English candy and talk about the Hitoshi Sakimoto concert! Thanks to all who came, it was a huge success! 

**Listen On Spotify**: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gIzzvT3AfRHjGlfF8kFW3

**Listen On Soundcloud**: https://soundcloud.com/resonantarc

**Listen On iTunes**: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/state-of-the-arc-podcast/id1121795837

**Listen On Pocket Cast**: http://pca.st/NJsJ

Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc
Subscribe Star: https://www.subscribestar.com/resonant-arc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/resonantarc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resonantarc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resonantarc
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@resonantarc

The REAL Reason Sakaguchi Left Square | State of the Arc Podcast

<description>Sometimes the most compelling villains are the ones who correctly identify a real problem: a collapsing society, a broken system, an impossible moral dilemma, or a truth the hero would rather avoid. In this episode, we look at four video game villains who may have been right in their diagnosis—but heinously wrong in their prescription.

Time Codes:
1. Intro (0:00)
2. Metal Gear Solid 2 (3:54)
3. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (21:30)
4. NieR: Replicant (31:01)
5. Planescape Torment (41:45)

Discord Link: https://discord.gg/RFMF6gpHr
Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc
Subscribe Star: https://www.subscribestar.com/resonant-arc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/resonantarc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resonantarc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resonantarc
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@resonantarc</description>

Sometimes the most compelling villains are the on…

Sometimes the most compelling villains are the ones who correctly identify a real problem: a collapsing society, a broken system, an impossible moral dilemma, or a truth the hero would rather avoid. In this episode, we look at four video game villains who may have been right in their diagnosis—but heinously wrong in their prescription.

Time Codes:
1. Intro (0:00)
2. Metal Gear Solid 2 (3:54)
3. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (21:30)
4. NieR: Replicant (31:01)
5. Planescape Torment (41:45)

Discord Link: https://discord.gg/RFMF6gpHr
Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc
Subscribe Star: https://www.subscribestar.com/resonant-arc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/resonantarc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resonantarc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resonantarc
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@resonantarc

4 Game Villains Who Were Actually Right

<description>E3 didn't go away, it still lives on in our hearts... and online thanks to all the Direct's and State of Play's and all that. Luckily all these things are coming out around the time E3 used to take place anyway, so we don't have to miss out on anything. In this episode, we give our thoughts on Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, Final Fantasy: Resonance, Persona 6, Lost Hellden, Threads of Time, Xenoblade: Genesis, Vivarium, Tales of Eternia, gen Atlas, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake and much more! Mike is currently in London awaiting the Hitoshi Sakimoto concert, so this episode was done remotely. Hope you all enjoy! What were your favorites?

Hitoshi Sakimoto Concert Details: https://www.fairfield.co.uk/events/lmp-the-colours-of-harmony-2026

**Listen On Spotify**: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gIzzvT3AfRHjGlfF8kFW3

**Listen On Soundcloud**: https://soundcloud.com/resonantarc

**Listen On iTunes**: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/state-of-the-arc-podcast/id1121795837

**Listen On Pocket Cast**: http://pca.st/NJsJ

Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc
Subscribe Star: https://www.subscribestar.com/resonant-arc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/resonantarc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resonantarc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resonantarc
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@resonantarc</description>

E3 didn't go away, it still lives on in our heart…

E3 didn't go away, it still lives on in our hearts... and online thanks to all the Direct's and State of Play's and all that. Luckily all these things are coming out around the time E3 used to take place anyway, so we don't have to miss out on anything. In this episode, we give our thoughts on Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, Final Fantasy: Resonance, Persona 6, Lost Hellden, Threads of Time, Xenoblade: Genesis, Vivarium, Tales of Eternia, gen Atlas, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake and much more! Mike is currently in London awaiting the Hitoshi Sakimoto concert, so this episode was done remotely. Hope you all enjoy! What were your favorites?

Hitoshi Sakimoto Concert Details: https://www.fairfield.co.uk/events/lmp-the-colours-of-harmony-2026

**Listen On Spotify**: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gIzzvT3AfRHjGlfF8kFW3

**Listen On Soundcloud**: https://soundcloud.com/resonantarc

**Listen On iTunes**: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/state-of-the-arc-podcast/id1121795837

**Listen On Pocket Cast**: http://pca.st/NJsJ

Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc
Subscribe Star: https://www.subscribestar.com/resonant-arc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/resonantarc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resonantarc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resonantarc
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@resonantarc

It's E3 2026! Here's What We Can't Wait To Play

<description>The Dragon Quest 40th Anniversary livestream has come and gone, and the reaction from fans has been... mixed.

After years of silence, Square Enix finally reintroduced Dragon Quest XII, but the announcement raised lots of questions. Why was the game rebuilt from the ground up? What happened during development? Could starting over actually be the best thing that ever happened to the project?

Joining me this week is Darryl from Final Fantasy Union as we discuss the Dragon Quest XII reveal, Square Enix's latest financial results, Capcom's remarkable resurgence, and the development philosophies that have separated Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy for nearly forty years.

We also dive into the development history of Chrono Trigger, the legacy of Yuji Horii and Hironobu Sakaguchi, and why some classic RPGs continue to resonate with new generations of players decades after their release.

Final Fantasy Union
https://www.youtube.com/@FinalFantasyUnion

Datalog
https://www.youtube.com/@thedatalog

Defenders of the Crystal Vol. 3 Kickstarter
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/finalfantasyunion/the-defenders-of-the-crystal-an-encyclopedia-of-jobs?ref=b0ixah

Hitoshi Sakimoto 40th Anniversary Concert
https://www.fairfield.co.uk/events/lmp-the-colours-of-harmony-2026

#DragonQuest #DragonQuestXII #JRPG #ChronoTrigger #FinalFantasy #SquareEnix #StateOfTheArc #ResonantArc

Time Codes:
1. Intro (0:00)
2. Guest Introduction (1:25)
3. Hitoshi Sakimoto Concert | Meet Up With Us! (6:03)
4. Dragon Quest 40th Anniversary Livestream Reactions (14:03)
5. Square Enix Latest Financial Report (45:52)
6. Chrono Trigger Retrospective (59:29)</description>

The Dragon Quest 40th Anniversary livestream has …

The Dragon Quest 40th Anniversary livestream has come and gone, and the reaction from fans has been... mixed.

After years of silence, Square Enix finally reintroduced Dragon Quest XII, but the announcement raised lots of questions. Why was the game rebuilt from the ground up? What happened during development? Could starting over actually be the best thing that ever happened to the project?

Joining me this week is Darryl from Final Fantasy Union as we discuss the Dragon Quest XII reveal, Square Enix's latest financial results, Capcom's remarkable resurgence, and the development philosophies that have separated Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy for nearly forty years.

We also dive into the development history of Chrono Trigger, the legacy of Yuji Horii and Hironobu Sakaguchi, and why some classic RPGs continue to resonate with new generations of players decades after their release.

Final Fantasy Union
https://www.youtube.com/@FinalFantasyUnion

Datalog
https://www.youtube.com/@thedatalog

Defenders of the Crystal Vol. 3 Kickstarter
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/finalfantasyunion/the-defenders-of-the-crystal-an-encyclopedia-of-jobs?ref=b0ixah

Hitoshi Sakimoto 40th Anniversary Concert
https://www.fairfield.co.uk/events/lmp-the-colours-of-harmony-2026

#DragonQuest #DragonQuestXII #JRPG #ChronoTrigger #FinalFantasy #SquareEnix #StateOfTheArc #ResonantArc

Time Codes:
1. Intro (0:00)
2. Guest Introduction (1:25)
3. Hitoshi Sakimoto Concert | Meet Up With Us! (6:03)
4. Dragon Quest 40th Anniversary Livestream Reactions (14:03)
5. Square Enix Latest Financial Report (45:52)
6. Chrono Trigger Retrospective (59:29)

Dragon Quest XII May Have Saved Itself By Going Backward (Ft. FinalFantasyUnion )

Our podcast breaks down the techniques of great storytelling across our favorite games, movies, literature, and music. I also occasionally upload music I've arranged or composed!

State of the Arc Podcast

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