Windbreaker
Windbreaker is Second Wind's premier gaming podcast hosted by Yahtzee Croshaw, Marty Sliva & JM8. Join the trio (and occasional guests) weekly to discuss everything industry wide from current news, to recent releases and wider trends.
Learning to Love the Backlog | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee is on vacation, so JM8 and Marty are joined by Jack to chat about their own personal gaming backlogs, especially in the face of the current Steam Summer Sale.Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ
Time Is the Best (and Worst) Game Mechanic | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about the use of time as a central mechanic in video games.
Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ
Are Games Better Now Than They Were in 2015? | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about the highs, lows, and oddities of video games in 2015.
Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ
Catching Yahtzee Up on Summer Game Fest 2025 | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about the big reveals from Summer Game Fest 2025.
Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ
What Even Is a "Cozy" Game? | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty dig into the biggest sub-genre of the past few years, and try to figure out what separate as a good cozy game from a bland imitator.Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ
Game Advertising That Actually Worked on You | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty celebrate the start of "E3" season by chatting about the advertising -- trailers, print ads, features, interviews, demos, and more -- that actually worked on them in the past.
Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ
What Makes a Great Video Game Weapon? | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about their favorite weapons in games, and what makes them memorable from a mechanical, visual, and audio perspective.
Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ
Where Have All the GTA Clones Gone? | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about the new GTA 6 trailer, and use that to discuss the broader topic of GTA clones.
Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ
The Best Musical Moments in Games | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about their favorite moments in games where the music takes the spotlight to help create something memorable.
Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ
The Strange State of AA Games | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty use the massive success of Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 as a jumping off point to discuss the current state of AA games.
Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ
The Joy of Solving Mysteries in Games | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty use Blue Prince as a jumping off point to discuss what makes a good video game mystery.
Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ
The Double-Edged Sword of Roguelikes and Roguelites in 2025 | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee is feeling under the weather, so Nick steps in to chat about roguelikes and roguelites with, JM8 and Marty.
Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ
Sometimes 'Good' Is Good Enough | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about the importance of "good graphics" in 2025, and whether they're enough to carry an entire game.
Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ
Do âGood Graphicsâ Even Matter in 2025? | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about the importance of "good graphics" in 2025, and whether they're enough to carry an entire game.
Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ
The Peaks of Every Genre | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about which games they personally think represent the "peak" of each of the major genres.
Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ
Do 'One-Hit Wonders' Exist in Games? (ft. Jack Packard) | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, and Marty are joined by Jack to chat about the concept of "one-hit wonders" in music and movies, and whether that exists in games as well.
Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ
The Four Mario Games Weâd Save If All the Rest Had To Be Destroyed | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty celebrate March 10th, aka Mario Day, by choosing which four games featuring the iconic mascot that theyâd choose over all others.
Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ
The Worst Kinds of Levels in Games | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about their least-favorite kinds of levels in games, from forced stealth sections to FromSoft's beloved poison swamps.
Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ
Why Are Pirate Games So Damn Good? | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about why pirate-themed games, no matter the genre, seem to resonate so strongly with them.
Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ
How to NOT Do a Video Game Merchant | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about what separates a memorable video game merchant from a forgettable one.
Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month atâ â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ
Gaming Is the Most Complicated Hobby (ft. Jack Packard) | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Jack chat about the various ways that gaming is the most complicated hobby they have.
Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month atâ â patreon.com/SecondWindGroup
The Five Games We'd Take With Us on a Desert Island | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty discuss which five games they'd pick as their personal desert island discs. Think of it as a kind of companion to last week's episode on the video game syllabus. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â patreon.com/SecondWindGroup
Building the Video Game Syllabus | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about the five games that each of them would pick to help represent the medium to someone who'd never even heard of video games before. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup
Thereâs Nothing Wrong With Cheating in Games | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about their history with cheat codes, unlockable cheats, exploits, modern QoL features, and all that jazz Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â patreon.com/SecondWindGroup
At What Point Does It Become Stealing? | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty discuss how all great artists steal, but at what point does that become a genuine problem?
Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup
Our 2025 Gaming Resolutions | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty kick off the new year with some gaming resolutions and predictions. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup
Digesting the Game Awards Results | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and KC share their thoughts on last weeks Game Awards winners, losers, and reveals.
Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ â
THIS Is How You Start Off a Game | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about notable video game openings, and what separates the good from the bad.
Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ â
A Tour Through Handheld History | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about their own personal histories with handheld gaming, from the Game Boy to the Steam Deck. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ â
In Defense of Janky Games | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about the good kind of jank, the bad kind of jank, and every kind of jank in between.
Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ â
In Defense of Janky Games | Windbreaker Podcast

On this weekâs episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about the good kind of jank, the bad kind of jank, and every kind of jank in between.
Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at patreon.com/SecondWindGroup
Breaking Down the Game Award Nominees | Windbreaker Podcast

On this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about the nominees for 2024's Game Awards. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ â
Are Games Better Than They Were A Decade Ago? | Windbreaker Podcast

On this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about the games of 2014, and how the modern landscape compares to a decade ago. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ â
The Best, Worst, and Weirdest Video Game Leaders | Windbreaker Podcast

On this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about the best, worst, and weirdest leaders in video games. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ â
Horror Game Deep Cuts to Play For Halloween | Windbreaker Podcast

On this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, JM8, and Marty chat about some of their favorite horror games from throughout the years that are bit off the beaten path. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ â
The Best Video Game Music (ft. Miracle of Sound) | Windbreaker Podcast

On this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee and Marty are joined by Miracle of Sound (Gavin Dunne) to chat about the past, present, and future of video game music. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ â
The Joy of Simple Games | Windbreaker Podcast

On this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 use UFO 50 as a bouncing off point to chat about the joy of simple games. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ â
Yes, the Original Silent Hill 2 is the Best Horror Game Ever, Shut Up | Windbreaker Podcast

On this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 chat why the original Silent Hill 2 remains such a classic, and some early thoughts on the new Remake. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ â
Characters Who Deserve Their Own Game | Windbreaker Podcast

On this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 chat about characters who deserve the spotlight of their own video games. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ â
How to Ruin a Perfectly Good Franchise | Windbreaker Podcast

On this week's episode of Windbreaker, Yahtzee, Marty, and JM8 chat the moments that our favorite franchises took a wrong turn. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at â â â â â patreon.com/SecondWindGroupâ â