The Safe Room

Episode 47: Tormented Souls (+ Camp Miasma spoilercast)

cw: discussions of sexual assault and self harm On this episode of The Safe Room, we discuss about the 2021 indie survival horror game Tormented Souls! We talk about the

Episode 46: Ib

This episode we cover the 2012 RPG Maker game Ib! We talk about the game’s simplistic-yet-subtle narrative, its playful level design, and its mature tone in comparison to

Episode 45: FAITH: The Unholy Trinity

This episode, we cover the 8-bit inspired horror hit FAITH: The Unholy Trinity. We talk about the game’s undeniable style, its many unique frights, and the ways in which

Episode 44: Code Veronica X

Rose and Grace explore a secret island base in pursuit of Code Veronica! They discuss its melodrama, nineties-style transphobia, and its multitude of annoyances.

Episode 43: Corpse Party

We visit the infamous Heavenly Lost Elementary School as we explore Corpse Party and many of its different versions. We talk about the ways in which it (mis)handles sensi

Episode 42: Flower, Sun and Rain

In the midst of a fierce winter storm, we hop on the first available flight to Lospass Island and explore Suda51’s infamous surrealist adventure game “Flower, Sun, and Ra

Bonus Episode: Return to Silent Hill

Grace and Rose have returned to Silent Hill, this time summoned by Christophe Gans’ adaptation of Silent Hill 2. What awaits them on the other side of the fog?

Episode 41: Slay the Princess

Grace and Rose dig into Slay the Princess and discuss its many routes, surprises, and ruminations on narrative storytelling. We also talk about the game’s tone and often

Episode 40: Silly Polly Beast

On this episode of The Safe Room, we tackle the new indie horror action game Silly Polly Beast. We praise the game’s art style and presentation, analyze its kinetic and t

Episode 39: Silent Hill

Rose and Grace discuss the first (good) Silent Hill game since SH4! We talk over its deeply felt depiction of growing up, its introduction of real ensemble dynamics to th

Episode 38: Dead Space 2

We are back with Dead Space 2! Grace and Rose talk the 2011 sequel’s action focus, its silly attempts at exploring survivors guilt, and edgy marking campaigns.

Episode 37: Sweet Home

Rose and Grace enter the very heart of survival horror in Sweet Home. We talk over the genre's (now mostly-absent) RPG roots, the game's campy and self-aware charm, and i

Episode 36: Parasite Eve (feat. Dovewhether)

We are joined by Dovewhether cohost AP to talk the sci-fi thriller Parasite Eve! We talk over the thrills and foibles of its retro vibes, how protagonist Arya Brea fits i

Episode 35: D & D2 (feat. Cameron Kunzelman)

cw: suicide, self-harm, drug use Rose and Grace are joined by Cameron Kunzelman of Ranged Touch to talk over the Sega Saturn game D and its Dreamcast pseudo-sequel D2. W

Episode 34: Sorry We're Closed

Sorry, We're Closed is a lush and vivid look at relationships, love, and break-ups with shades of Buffy, Silent Hill 3, and Killer 7. Grace and Rose discuss its eroticism

Episode 33: Alisa

Alisa is both thematically light and aesthetically ornate, a loving, smart throwback that is super annoying. In this episode, Grace and Rose work through how exactly it c

Episode 32: Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse

We return to the Fatal Frame franchise with its Nintendo debut, this time with a new co-developer Grasshopper Manufacture. Join us as we discuss the game’s various Wii-er

Episode 31: Indika

The Safe Room takes a detour into the surreal and absurd with 2024’s Indika. We discuss the game’s commentary on religion, the unique and entertaining formal choices the

Episode 30: Pathologic 2

cw: suicide, death, the plague Grace and Rose enter the plagued town and explore its thematic shades of death and life, roles and personhood, ease and difficulty that p

Bonus Episode: Sounds of 2024

I wanted to get a Handheld Talk episode out for the holiday but unfortunately, due to my own carelessness, my files for that have been lost. Instead, enjoy this little pl