PODCAST · leisure
Chapter Select
by Randy Isbelle & Jens Dietrich
Every two weeks, Jens Dietrich and Randy Isbelle get together and discuss a video game that they are both playing. Think of it as a book club for video games. The two break down the game in every aspect, from gameplay to story, side characters to bosses, music to the atmosphere, and more.
Episodes
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At the Movies: The Angry Birds Movie
This week join your hosts Randy and Jens as they delve into the world of Rovio’s Angry Birds, weighing the first film adaptation’s successes and pitfalls, analyzing how it attempts to capture the game’s premise while crafting a narrative suitable for the big screen. They share their thoughts on…
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At the Movies: Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life
Jens and Randy are back to follow up on the further adventures of Dumb Lara Croft, the variant of the character portrayed by Angelina Jolie, in Jan De Bond’s The Cradle of Life. Will this reckless and selfish version of the character finally learn not to needlessly endanger all of humanity, or…
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At the Movies: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
In this exhilarating episode of Chapter Select, your hosts Randy and Jens transport you to the world of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Join them on a magic carpet ride as they delve into the depths of this action-packed, Jerry Bruckheimer produced and Mike Newell directed adventure film,...
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At the Movies: Ratchet and Clank
Chapter Select is finally back to review Ratchet and Clank, a CGI theatrical film developed in tandem with the 2016 PS4 reboot of the series. Is this movie completely redundant for fans of the game or does it stand on its own? How about if you went in completely blind like a regular movie-goer?...
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At the Movies: The Super Mario Bros. Movie
In an unprecedented move, Randy and Jens actually went out to the movie theater for The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Was it worth the premium in effort and money? Listen to find out.
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At the Movies: Super Mario Bros: The Morton Jankel Cut (VHS Extended Rough Cut 1.0)
With The Last of Us firmly behind Randy and Jens, they finally get back into their comfort zone: terrible movies. Back in 2021, filmmaker Garrett Gilchrist (whom you might know for his similar restoration of The Thief and the Cobbler) released this extended rough cut of Super Mario Bros.: The...
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At the Movies: The Last of Us - Episode 9: Look for the Light
As Joel and Ellie’s long and arduous journey comes to an end, Jens and Randy reflect on how it was longer and much more arduous in the video game. Trifling complaints aside, the show sticks the landing in a major way. Also: Jens continues not to remember either Last of Us game well AT ALL.
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At the Movies: The Last of Us - Episode 8: When We Are in Need
As Randy and Jens reach the penultimate climax of the series, Jens finds he’s completely blocked this part of the game out of his mind ever since. Still, as soon as the David character in The Last of Us started reading from the Bible, the guys knew he was going to be a horrific villain. Could…
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At the Movies: The Last of Us - Episode 7: Left Behind
The Last of Us brings us yet another semi-stand-alone episode, this time adapting the downloadable content chapter of the original game. Randy and Jens discuss what they liked and didn't like, and how it fits into the series as a whole.
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At the Movies: The Last of Us - Episode 6: Kin
Real life intervened in every way it possibly could to stop Randy and Jens from podcasting, but they are finally back to offer their opinions on the sixth episode of The Last of Us, entitled "Kin." While the least eventful episode of the show so far, Randy and Jens still find plenty of material…
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At the Movies: The Last of Us - Episode 5: Endure and Survive
After thankfully only two episodes, the Resistance Revenge arc comes to a spectacular end. Randy and Jens discuss whether this is the best episode of the show so far, or merely the third best. At any rate, it's looking like The Last of Us Season One is well on its way to sticking the landing on...
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At the Movies: The Last of Us - Episode 4: Please Hold to My Hand
While passing through Kansas City, Joel and Ellie run into an independent militia on a quest for vengeance. Randy and Jens discuss. Apoligies for the dropouts in the initial release of this episode. The audio has now been fixed.
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At the Movies: The Last of Us - Episode 3: Long, Long Time
This week on The Last of Us, Joel and Ellie’s story takes a back seat in favor of grizzled prepper weirdo Bill and Frank, the love of his life. Randy and Jens discuss.
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At the Movies: The Last of Us - Episode 2: Infected
The second episode of The Last of Us series stays slavishly faithful to the look and tone of the game, while making notable additions and changes to the story. Are these changes for the better? Randy and Jens discuss.
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At the Movies: The Last of Us - Episode 1: When You're Lost in the Darkness
Just when they thought they were out, The Last of Us pulls Randy and Jens back into podcasting. Chapter Select: At the Movies is back.
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At the Movies: Dynasty Warriors (2021)
This week the guys watch Netflix's new Dynasty Warriors adaptation and argue over the quality. Randy remembers how many times he had to change his pants when facing Lu Bu in the games. Jens tries feverishly to find the soundtrack. The big question is, is the movie any good? Please help support…
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Chapter 25: Asura's Wrath (Part 1)
While CyberConnect2’s spectacular interactive anime (and sometimes rail-shooter or brawler) Asura’s Wrath wasn’t a success upon its initial release, over the years it built up a loyal and dedicated following. Among its fans is Jens, who decides to risk sharing yet another favorite with Randy, in...
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At the Movies: Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001)
Almost exactly twenty years ago, the only aspect of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within critics praised without reservation were its groundbreaking computer-animated visuals. There have been countless entries in the ever-evolving sub-genre of CGI anime since, so The Spirits Within no longer has the...
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Chapter 24: Gone Home
After years of studying abroad, prodigal daughter Kaitlin returns to her familial abode, The House on Arbor Hill, only to find it mysteriously deserted. She feels a pit form in her stomach and sink to its deepest depths. What tragedy befell the household she so cruelly abandoned? Who hid the...
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At the Movies: Postal (2007)
"And in the end, the fire and the plagues will come at the behest of the Lord, and the sores and the boils, and the intestinal ulcers and testicular tumors shall befall all of humanity, except for those who hide like rabbits below the ground. And you shall know when the final day of reckoning...
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Chapter 23: Loom
On this week's Chapter Select, Randy dives into LucasArts' Loom, one of the defining games of Jens' childhood and of the Adventure game genre and finds it just kind of boring. Meanwhile, Jens twists into a pretzel trying to justify why it is in fact one of the Greats(TM), even if it doesn’t...
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At the Movies: Lara Croft Tomb Raider (2001)
Jens and Randy meet back up in an exact location at the exact time they need to be so they can review Angelina Jolie in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Does the movie, now 20 years old, hold up to the expectations of the two or should it stay in the ruins of time until the next planetary alignment? Find...
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Chapter 22: Resident Evil Village
This week on Chapter Select it was Randy’s turn to pick a game and he picked Resident Evil Village. Jens didn’t even get far in Resident Evil 7 but nonetheless (like most of the internet) was drawn in by 8.5 foot tall vampire mommy Lady Alcina Dimitrescu. Will this survival horror novice regret…
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At the Movies: WarCraft (2016)
For this latest installment of Chapter Select at the Movies, Randy and Jens examine Duncan Jones’ 2016 big budget adaptation of WarCraft, or as Jens likes to call it “the prettiest fan film ever made.” Jones clearly loves the material he is adapting and is trying his best to do it justice, but…
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Chapter 21: Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir (Part 2)
Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir is complete. Jens and Randy attempt to discuss the merits of its story. Jens loved it but is drawing a blank at key elements, while Randy just does not care. Please go help support the show and the entire W2M Network by taking advantage of our 30 Day Free Trial offer of...
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At the Movies: Mortal Kombat (2021)
The Internet is divided over the perceived quality of first-time director Simon McQuoid’s new adaptation of the Mortal Kombat IP. Some have declared it a masterpiece, others say it’s as bad as Annihilation. Randy and Jens find both of those positions needlessly hyperbolic, but they also still…
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Chapter 20: Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir (Part 1)
“After all… why not?” Jens remarked while perusing his backlog. “Why shouldn’t I make Randy play a VanillaWare game?” Jens was, of course, a long time fan of VanillaWare and Atlus. He had fond memories of playing the original Odin Sphere fourteen years prior. He’d long internalized it as one of…
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At the Movies: Mortal Kombat (1995)
Long before Paul W.S. Anderson was a Wife Guy, when he was but an ambitious young filmmaker with a single independent hit (Shopping) under his belt, he managed a surprise smash hit that would come to define his career as a blockbuster director. That movie was Mortal Kombat. Derided by critics but...
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Chapter 19: Maquette
Randy and Jens finally get back into just the type of game the Chapter Select show format was made for: a charming little puzzler of scale with a universally recognizable story about love and loss. A spirited discussion ensues on whether this Maquette is fully fleshed out or whether it is still a...
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At the Movies: Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
This week, Randy and Jens finally examine a relatively well-regarded video game adaptation. W2MNet's Marc Morrison calls it "one of the top 5 best video game adaptations." Meninists call it "the one that beat Birds of Prey." It made 320 million dollars worldwide. Is this exalted status justified?...
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Chapter 18: The Pedestrian
In these dark and troubling times, we stay sane by appreciating the little things in life. For instance, at no point during the 2.5D puzzle platformer The Pedestrian did the main character die of thirst or break their weapon. And isn’t it nice being able to fit a game into a single satisfying...
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At the Movies: Monster Hunter (2020)
Paul W.S. Anderson’s Monster Hunter follows the tomboyish Captain Natalie Artemis who, along with her team of wise-cracking UN soldiers, is whisked away to high adventure in The New World, where they encounter monsters, magic, epic battles, and perhaps even romance? Severed from their everyday...
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Chapter 17: Dark Cloud (DNF)
Randy and Jens have each put about eight hours into Dark Cloud. Randy is enjoying himself. Jens hates his every second of playing the game with a fiery passion. Will the differences between them become irreconcilable? Could this be the tragic end of Chapter Select? Keep listening to find out....
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At the Movies: Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016)
The final battle for the fate of humanity is upon us, and so is the end of our journey. It was long and arduous, full of pain and confusion, but its purpose has finally been revealed. After a four-year sabbatical to hone his narrative craft, Paul W.S. Anderson pulls away the curtain one last time...
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Chapter 16: Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (Part 2)
Previously on Chapter Select, Jens challenged Randy to complete Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order on Jedi Master difficulty within a fortnight. That time is now up for our intrepid hero. Will Randy emerge from his ordeal with his head held high and an appetite for more? You’ll have to listen to find...
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At the Movies: Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)
Randy and Jens continue down the dark path of Resident Evil movies with Resident Evil: Retribution. Alice continues to battle Umbrella while the guys continue to battle to understand how any of the movies make any sense. Jens gets upset at the continued retconning going on by Paul W.S. Anderson...
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Chapter 15: Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (Part 1)
In picking Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Jens hoped that Randy would take his first step into a larger world: the world of Soulslikes. Will Randy internalize the lesson to do or do not, there is no try? Will Jens spend the bulk of the podcast comparing Fallen Order to other games? And what’s the...
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At the Movies: Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)
Resident Evil: Afterlife marks Paul W.S. Anderson’s glorious return to the director’s chair, stuffing the series’ first 3D installment to the brim with gimmicky nonsense. Randy and Jens discuss.
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Chapter 14: Undertale
Randy and Jens embark on a pacificatory journey through the indie darling Undertale. Along the way, both find a lot to like, but also totally different things to dislike.
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At the Movies: Resident Evil: Extinction (2007)
Paul W.S. Anderson relinquishes his directing duties once again, but this time to actual real director Russell Mulcahey (Highlander, Highlander II: The Quickening, The Shadow). The result is a weird outlier for the series that features some of its most competently assembled set pieces....
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Chapter 13: Cyberpunk 2077 (Part 2)
Randy is so happy that we are at the end of Cyberpunk 2077, but what did Jens think of the ending to Night City?
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At the Movies: Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)
The guys follow the T-Virus into Raccoon City. The second video game took big steps forward for the franchise. Did the second movie do the same or did it take a Nemesis-sized dump? Find out what Jens and Randy think when they review Resident Evil: Apocalypse.
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Chapter 12: Cyberpunk 2077 (Part 1)
It's the most contentious episode of Chapter Select yet, as Jens turns into a full-blown CDProjektRed apologist in the face of Randy's vexations with Cyberpunk 2077. Most of the episode consists of general gameplay impressions, bug nitpicking, and Sunday Morning Quarterbacking the development...
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At the Movies: Resident Evil (2002)
This week Jens and Randy go down a Tyrant-sized rabbit hole as they start their journey through the entire Resident Evil movie franchise. Randy believed the first movie was the only "Ok" one in the series, but after revisiting The Hive does he still feel that way?
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Chapter 11: Binary Domain (Part 2)
Astounding plot revelations abound in the second half of Binary Domain, raising fascinating questions about transhumanism and what makes a robot a robot. In the course of their discussion, Jens makes an impassioned case to Randy for Binary Domain being counted among similar great works of science...
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At the Movies: Animal Crossing (2006)
Randy and Jens check out the anime adaptation of Animal Crossing by Jōji Shimura, the director of Tamagotchi: The Movie (stay tuned for that one at some point in the future of this show). While they agree a valiant effort was made to adapt the game’s story, and to include as much fan-service and…
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Chapter 10: Binary Domain (Part 1)
Armed with a laundry list of complaints, Randy confronts Jens about his pick for this week’s assignment: the cult-classic sci-fi 3rd person shooter Binary Domain from Toshihiro Nagoshi and the Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. While empathetic to Randy’s less than ideal experience on PC, Jens nonetheless…
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At the Movies: Wing Commander (1999)
Randy has never played a single Wing Commander game. Jens has been a die-hard fan of the series since the ‘90s. Together, they complain about its 1999 film adaptation by none other than series creator Chris Roberts himself.
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Chapter 9: The Evil Within (Part 3)
Despite various setbacks, Randy and Jens finish The Evil Within and try to make sense of its story. Whether or not they succeed in the latter is for you to judge. They also talk about their favorite bosses, how the game lived up to their expectations, and if it whets their appetites for the…
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At the Movies: Ace Attorney (2012)
After 2007’s Like a Dragon, one may understandably be skeptical about Takashi Miike adapting yet another story-heavy classic game. However, in the case of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, Miike decides to stick lovingly to the source material, much to Randy and Jens’s surprise and delight. Listen to...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Every two weeks, Jens Dietrich and Randy Isbelle get together and discuss a video game that they are both playing. Think of it as a book club for video games. The two break down the game in every aspect, from gameplay to story, side characters to bosses, music to the atmosphere, and more.
HOSTED BY
Randy Isbelle & Jens Dietrich
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Chapter Select have?
Chapter Select currently has 60 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Chapter Select about?
Every two weeks, Jens Dietrich and Randy Isbelle get together and discuss a video game that they are both playing. Think of it as a book club for video games. The two break down the game in every aspect, from gameplay to story, side characters to bosses, music to the atmosphere, and more.
How often does Chapter Select release new episodes?
Chapter Select has 60 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Chapter Select?
You can listen to Chapter Select on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Chapter Select?
Chapter Select is created and hosted by Randy Isbelle & Jens Dietrich.
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