Myths, Games & Meaning
What do Greek gods, video games, and film have in common? More than you’d think.
I’m Dr Dani Shalet, and in Myths, Games & Meaning I sit down with enthusiasts of every kind, scholars, performers, storytellers, and gamers, to explore how ancient myths are constantly reimagined for today’s audiences. From Medusa to Middle-earth, from the Hero’s Journey to Baldur’s Gate, we’ll dig into the stories that shape our culture, our games, and ourselves.
If you love myth, gaming, film, and finding fresh meaning in the stories we tell, you’ll feel right at home here.
Episodes are released bi-weekly.
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Myths, Games & Meaning
Frescoes and Minotaurs: Into the Labyrinth — Greek Myth from Assassin’s Creed Odyssey to Fenyx Rising
In this episode, I continue my conversation with Nanci Santos as we return to the complicated, and often affectionate, relationship between myth, archaeology, and video games.
We revisit Apotheon, one of Nanci’s favourite titles, and talk about why its bold visual style and mythic approach work so well, even without strict historical realism.
From there, the conversation turns to Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, where Knossos, questionable frescoes, and a familiar love and hate relationship with the series all come into play. Nanci reflects on both her frustrations with the game and the places she wanted to explore in greater depth but could not. It is a reminder that video games can spark curiosity about the ancient world, even as they limit how long we are allowed to linger in it.
Along the way, we also touch on Lara Croft and Tomb Raider, and what it means to enjoy games while keeping a critical edge.
Music: Intro and outro music — Homeward Journey by Rotem Moav.