In a slightly tardy Idle Weekend (sorry!), our hosts ponder what makes apocalyptic video games so damned entertaining. Is it their artful graffiti? The heroism at the end of the world? The gank-or-be-ganked mentality that comes with every helicopter landing? Then weekenders also find inspiration in the unlikeliest moment: after four hours of staring at one puzzle in The Witness. Plus, more on game reviews, Steam, and a whole lot of Rocky.

Discussed: The Division, The Witness, The Last of Us, I Am Legend, Steam, The Expanse, The Flash, Arrow, Gravity Rush Remastered, Creed, Rocky, Rocky III

What makes a "prestige" game? Is it arty graphics? Heady themes? Years of adoration in the press? Difficult puzzles mixed with BBC lectures? The Witness is only the most recent example of the phenomenon. Elsewhere, there are adventures to be had rating bad video game movies and spoiling the hell out of Fargo Season 2 in a post-show free for all. (But don't worry, we made it easy to skip!) Wear your fluffiest coat!

Discussed: The Witness, ThatGameCompany, Jason Rohrer, Starward Rogue, Final Fantasy IX, The Magicians, Best of Enemies, Fargo Season 2

The Weekenders take on their meatiest discussion of 2016 (so far) in their handling of critical consensus. Does it hold games back? Does it mess with game reviewers' tender hearts? Are Kane and Lynch the real MVPs? Does it necessarily suck if you go to Mars in a broken spaceship? What about settling those deserts in Kharak?

Discussed: Tharsis, Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak, Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam, Ace Team, The Good Wife, Kane and Lynch

The Weekenders travel wide and far, with thoughts on advanced space-cities and train travel for the undead. Bigger questions are tackled, including: is Resident Evil cheesiness good? Is it wrong to make a game about a terrible disease? Should we have any heroes at all? Strap on your "Don't Be A Piece of Shit" wristband, and join us on our journey!

Discussed: Civilization: Beyond Earth, 4X games, Resident Evil 0 HD Remaster, That Dragon, Cancer, Costume Quest, Brutal Legend, Dustforce, The Expanse, World Gone By, The Beginning: Making 'Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace'

Welcome our first-ever guest to the show: one Jake Rodkin, Idle Thumb and Firewatch-maker, to weigh in on animated and mo-capped performance in games. Plus, the Weekenders ponder topical questions, such as: What is a keyframe? Are speed runners performance artists? Are we all just faceless members of cultural demographics? And, once and for all, we come to a decision on whether Rob is crazy for liking Limitless.

Discussed: AGDQ 2016, Fallout 1, 3D animation for the uninitiated, Her Story, queer gaming, Fargo, Limitless

Weekenders Danielle and Rob have had a hell of a 2015, and they want to tell you all about it. Well, mostly they want to tell you about the games they loved best in the (old) year. Plus, some of their favorite game music of 2015, and tales of unusual video game improvisation!

Discussed: Sunless Sea, Invisible Inc., Rocket League, Dropsy, SOMA, The Witcher 3, Life is Strange, Dying Light, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Bloodborne, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, Archer

Idle Weekend is visited by the ghost of video games past, present, and future, as Danielle and Rob excavate their holiday memories for your amusement, and look toward the year ahead. Hear about Danielle's bloody-faced determination in Diddy Kong Racing, and appreciate how Dark Forces taught Rob the true meaning of Christmas. It's a gaming miracle!

Discussed: Diddy Kong Racing, Dark Forces, Dark Forces II: Jedi Knight, open-world games, DLC, Vive VR, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Dreadnought (Robert K. Massie), Hannibal, non-Star Fox-related Star Fox flight sweater, the true meaning of Christmas

This episode, the weekenders ponder the curious monstrosity of Destiny, a game that still has Rob caught firmly in its snares. Danielle, meanwhile, is caught Raiding Tombs, trying to raise a floating crypt with an ancient water wheel just like the good old days. Ancient architecture certainly makes for fertile rebooting ground. You can learn more about the show at idleweekend.net, and send us questions for our weekend correspondence at questions@idleweekend.net. To keep up with the latest from us, follow us on Twitter at @idleweekend.

Discussed: Destiny, Rise of the Tomb Raider, The Witcher 3, Limitless, Star Trek, Both Flesh and Not

Join hosts Rob Zacny and Danielle Riendeau as they kick off Idle Weekend—and yes, they really mean it this time! The Idle Weekenders take on the new-and-improved The Game Awards, wherein actual good games were honored, and talk up 2015's obsession with bigger, broader and more... badass? open worlds. You can learn more about the show at idleweekend.net, and send us questions for our weekend correspondence at questions@idleweekend.net. To keep up with the latest from us, follow us on Twitter at @idleweekend.

Discussed: The Game Awards, The Witcher 3, Fallout 4, Destiny, The Walking Dead: Season One, Life is Strange, Fargo Season 2, Jessica Jones

Welcome to Idle Weekend! Stay tuned for the first full episode, coming this…uh, weekend.