HOSTS IN THE SHELL A cyberpunk podcast

HOSTS IN THE SHELL

A cyberpunk podcast by Matt (@cleric20) Adcock & Jon (@RichterWrites) Richter

@cleric20 🦾 #HostsintheShell ♬ original sound - Matt Adcock

 IT’S JUDGEMENT DAY…

No, not because Skynet has finally gone online (give it time), but because Hosts In The Shell Season 3 is almost here.

What started as two cyberpunk obsessives talking about movies, books, games, AI, transhumanism and whatever shiny dystopian nightmare had caught our attention that week has somehow evolved into something rather special.

Over the first two seasons we’ve racked up 54 episodes exploring the very best (and occasionally gloriously worst) that cyberpunk has to offer. We’ve jacked into classics including Blade Runner, Akira, Ghost in the Shell, The Matrix, Strange Days, Altered Carbon, Casshern and Nemesis, while also venturing down stranger side streets of the genre. 

Along the way we’ve been lucky enough to chat with some fantastic guests, including cyberpunk author T.R. Napper, sci-fi author Gareth L Powell, graphic novelists Gustaffo Vargas, Bryan Talbot, S C Jensen and Dave Cook, and a ‘host’ of creators such as Tim Standish, T R Napper, James L Graetz, Anna Mocikat, C.T Phipps etc helping to shape the future of speculative fiction.

'Jon Richter poses for his close up'

Last year we were delighted to receive our 10,000 downloads badge, proof that there are at least ten thousand occasions when somebody somewhere thought: 

“You know what I need right now? Two middle-aged nerds talking about cyberpunk.”

Yeah - we are as surprised as anyone!?

Now we’re back. (click this image to hear the podcast):

Season 3 promises our biggest and most exciting guest line-up yet, including Hugh Howey (Silo), Bruce Bethke (the man who coined the term cyberpunk), and Adrian Tchaikovsky, one of the most imaginative science-fiction writers working today.

Expect deep dives into cyberpunk culture, future tech, artificial intelligence, science fiction, gaming, movies, literature and all the weird places where humanity and technology collide. There will be insight. There will be enthusiasm. There will almost certainly be tangents.

Whether you’ve been with us since episode one or you’re preparing to jack in for the first time, Season 3 is shaping up to be our biggest yet.

So charge your neural implants, polish your chrome and prepare your audio receptors for maximum stimulation.

Hosts In The Shell Season 3 >>> launching soon.

The future isn’t evenly distributed, but apparently it does now have a podcast.

>>> Imagine a world where the earth is becoming hell? One man with powers and his robot sidekick might be our only hope...

Click banner below to hear a FREE 5 mins sample of my audiobook which is becoming a graphic novel too)...

Reanimation Ltd PC review

Reanimation Ltd – A Darkly Humorous Descent into Office Horror

Created by Jon ‘Hosts in the Shell’ Richter (X @Richterwrites)

By Matt Adcock (X @cleric20, Bluesky @cleric20.bsky.social)

Ever wondered what would happen if the monotony of corporate life collided head-on with a full-blown monster apocalypse? Enter Reanimation Ltd, a comedy horror RPG that fuses the quirky charm of Undertale with the satirical bite of The Office.

You step into the shoes of Eddie, a beleaguered office drone whose passion for life has been sapped by the daily grind. Just when he’s bracing for another soul-crushing day at work, chaos erupts as monstrous entities overrun the office. It’s up to Eddie to rally his eccentric colleagues, solve mind-bending puzzles, and confront the horrors that have turned his workplace into a nightmare.

Richter has crafted something cool here with RPG Maker, and Reanimation Ltdoffers a nostalgic pixel art aesthetic that belies its intricate gameplay. Players navigate an open world teeming with bizarre side quests, formidable creatures, and a host of peculiar characters. The game introduces an addictive in-game card game, reminiscent of Triple Triad, providing a delightful diversion from the main narrative.

Combat is turn-based, demanding strategic thinking as you manage your party’s unique abilities to overcome a variety of enemies, including a particularly obstinate printer that serves as a memorable mini-boss. The puzzles are cleverly designed, striking a balance between challenge and accessibility, ensuring players remain engaged without unnecessary frustration.

Where Reanimation Ltd truly excels is in its writing. The dialogue is sharp, witty, and laced with dark humour that skewers corporate culture while embracing the absurdity of the supernatural scenario. The characters are well-developed, each bringing their own quirks and backstories that enrich the narrative and provide a satirical lens on office dynamics.

The pixel art style is charming, with detailed environments that capture the sterile ambience of an office juxtaposed against the grotesque invasion of otherworldly horrors. The soundtrack complements the gameplay perfectly, featuring eerie melodies that heighten tension and more upbeat tracks that underscore the game’s comedic elements.

Reanimation Ltd is a testament to the creativity and potential of indie game development. It delivers a unique blend of humour and horror, wrapped in engaging gameplay that keeps you hooked from start to finish. 

Out of a potential 5, you have to go with a Darkmatters:

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(4 - Reanimation Ltd is well worth your time...) 

Get your copy here: https://jonrichter.itch.io/reanimation-ltd 

>>> Imagine a world where the earth is becoming hell?

Click banner below to hear a FREE 5 mins sample of my audiobook which is becoming a graphic novel too)...