Coronavirus is a very serious thing, and in an attempt to stay safe Matt and I have taken to social distancing. This sounds like a joke, but I am very serious about it. We don't want to take any unnecessary risks and get sick. Due to that fact we are recording the podcast over Discord for the foreseeable future. If there are any audio issues I apologize. We will attempt to work them out over the coming weeks.
There has been a lot of news in general the past few weeks and the world of video games is no different. We chat about that and what we played before transitioning into ranking 5 prominent indie publishers in our ranking of publishers.
News - 1:38 to 41:13
What We Played - 41:14 to 1:03:33
Indie Publishers - 1:03:34 to 2:47:35
Specific Game Time Stamps
Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door - 41:14 to 44:41
Ori and the Will of the Wisps - 44:42 to 52:01
Animal Crossing: New Horizons - 52:02 to 1:01:02
Fire Emblem: Three Houses - 1:01:03 to 1:03:33
Friday, March 20, 2020
Friday, March 6, 2020
Podcast Episode 76 - Ghosts of Capcom
Matt has recovered from the flu just in time for us to talk about little to no news. Luckily we have actually been playing things, which we talk about before moving on to rating Capcom's performance this generation.
News - 1:28 to 18:15
What We Played - 18:16 to 1:12:55
Capcom - 1:12:56 to 2:08:19
Specific Game Time Stamps
Wind Waker - 22:00 to 25:49
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Demo - 25:50 to 49:31
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon DX Demo - 49:32 to 55:09
Timespinner - 55:10 to 56:56
Guacamelee - 56:57 to 59:27
Granblue Fantasy Versus - 59:28 to 1:12:55
News - 1:28 to 18:15
What We Played - 18:16 to 1:12:55
Capcom - 1:12:56 to 2:08:19
Specific Game Time Stamps
Wind Waker - 22:00 to 25:49
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Demo - 25:50 to 49:31
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon DX Demo - 49:32 to 55:09
Timespinner - 55:10 to 56:56
Guacamelee - 56:57 to 59:27
Granblue Fantasy Versus - 59:28 to 1:12:55
Friday, February 21, 2020
Podcast Episode 75 - C is for Bethesda
We discuss hot topics like Geoff Keighly ditching E3, the Animal Crossing Direct, and Anthem being reworked. Sadly neither of us have been playing a bunch, so expect a very light game section where we mostly talk about the Sonic movie.
For the end we rate Bethesda's generation, but it doesn't end like you'd expect.
News - 00:32 to 43:23
What We Played - 43:24 to 1:12:20
Bethesda - 1:12:21 to 2:13:59
Specific Game Time Stamps
The Sonic Movie - 43:38 to 58:44
Wind Waker - 58:45 to 1:00:29
Kentucky Route Zero - 1:00:30 to 1:12:20
For the end we rate Bethesda's generation, but it doesn't end like you'd expect.
News - 00:32 to 43:23
What We Played - 43:24 to 1:12:20
Bethesda - 1:12:21 to 2:13:59
Specific Game Time Stamps
The Sonic Movie - 43:38 to 58:44
Wind Waker - 58:45 to 1:00:29
Kentucky Route Zero - 1:00:30 to 1:12:20
Friday, February 7, 2020
Podcast Episode 74 - Bando Namcai
We lead in with hot news like The Wonderful 101 Kickstarter, the 2020 EVO Lineup, and numerous industry figures changing roles! We then transition into all the games Matt has been playing. It's possible I'll only play FFXIV for the rest of my life.
For part 3 we continue out look back at the current console generation by looking at Namco-Bandai. Get ready for a lot of one sided anime talk!
News - 00:48 to 43:30
What We Played - 43:31 to 1:36:19
Namco Bandai - 1:36:20 to 2:20:44
Specific Game Time Stamps
Wind Waker HD - 43:31 to 51:45
Saint's Row The Third - 51:46 to 59:19
COD: Advanced Warfare - 59:20 to 1:03:54
Assassin's Creed: Syndicate - 1:03:55 to 1:13:25
DmC - 1:13:26 to 1:23:07
Steam World Heist - 1:23:08 to 1:27:27
KH3 REMIND - 1:27:28 to 1:36:19
For part 3 we continue out look back at the current console generation by looking at Namco-Bandai. Get ready for a lot of one sided anime talk!
News - 00:48 to 43:30
What We Played - 43:31 to 1:36:19
Namco Bandai - 1:36:20 to 2:20:44
Specific Game Time Stamps
Wind Waker HD - 43:31 to 51:45
Saint's Row The Third - 51:46 to 59:19
COD: Advanced Warfare - 59:20 to 1:03:54
Assassin's Creed: Syndicate - 1:03:55 to 1:13:25
DmC - 1:13:26 to 1:23:07
Steam World Heist - 1:23:08 to 1:27:27
KH3 REMIND - 1:27:28 to 1:36:19
Friday, January 24, 2020
Podcast Episode 73 - Activating a Blizzard
Sony is not going to E3 again, games are getting delayed left and right, and the new Smash DLC character is a total bummer. Despite all that we talk about the games we've been playing and then take a look at what Activision Blizzard has done this generation.
News - 00:38 to 41:27
What We Played - 41:28 to 1:12:59
Activision Blizzard - 1:13:00 to 2:18:36
Specific Game Time Stamps
Shenmue 3 - 41:28 to 52:30
Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon - 52:31 to 54:55
Thief - 54:56 to 1:00:55
Kingdom Hearts 3 - 1:00:56 to 1:07:48
Final Fantasy XIV - 1:07:49 to 1:12:59
News - 00:38 to 41:27
What We Played - 41:28 to 1:12:59
Activision Blizzard - 1:13:00 to 2:18:36
Specific Game Time Stamps
Shenmue 3 - 41:28 to 52:30
Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon - 52:31 to 54:55
Thief - 54:56 to 1:00:55
Kingdom Hearts 3 - 1:00:56 to 1:07:48
Final Fantasy XIV - 1:07:49 to 1:12:59
Friday, January 10, 2020
Podcast Episode 72 - Looking Forward in 2020
For our first podcast of 2020 we break the record for longest non GOTY podcast. We do that by chatting it up about the Pokemon expansion pass and the PS5 logo. We didn't play many games, but we do talk a whole lot about the upcoming games in 2020.
News - 00:54 to 49:47
What We Played - 49:48 to 1:22:02
2020 Preview - 1:22:03 to 3:07:59
Specific Game Time Stamps
Bayonetta - 49:48 to 1:01:16
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night - 1:01:17 to 1:06:52
Final Fantasy XIV - 1:06:53 to 1:22:02
News - 00:54 to 49:47
What We Played - 49:48 to 1:22:02
2020 Preview - 1:22:03 to 3:07:59
Specific Game Time Stamps
Bayonetta - 49:48 to 1:01:16
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night - 1:01:17 to 1:06:52
Final Fantasy XIV - 1:06:53 to 1:22:02
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Top Ten Games of 2019
2019 really didn't do a whole lot for me personally in video games. Normally I gravitate towards narrative experiences, but there weren't too many great ones to latch onto this year. While there were a bunch of games that were great not many of them were "Manny" games. Despite that I still had a rough time cutting my list down to ten, but as always I managed in the end.
As always I will list my top ten games of the year in descending order. These are my opinions based on games I beat in 2019.
10. Kingdom Hearts 3
I feel that most people were disappointed by Kingdom Hearts 3 as the conclusion to the plot arc set up over the course of numerous games, but I wasn't. This game ended the arc as well as I thought it would and delivered compelling enough gameplay to pull me through.
Sure it could have been better, but I'm a firm believer that this was the best outcome we were going to get. I enjoyed it.
9. Concrete Genie
Sony did a bad job marketing this game, so not many people even knew it came out. It's a bummer, because Concrete Genie is a magical experience. You play as the bullied Ash who finds a magic paintbrush he can use to revitalize the dilapidated town of this childhood.
Neon colors and interesting painting mechanics carry this colorful adventure for its roughly 6 hour run time. Just enough time to leave me wanting more, but not so much that it burned me out.
8. Yo-kai Watch 3
Every year I think I won't play another 3DS game, but this year I truly think I mean it. Yo-Kai Watch 3 takes the system to its limits and shows that level-5 has truly mastered the hardware.
It's the Yo-Kai monster collecting I have come to love, but built out to an insane degree. The battle system became a bit more tactical and it has more content that anyone can handle.
7. Control
Control is the game I feel like Remedy has always been trying to make forever. They found their thing that allows them to finally have fun gameplay while exploring a story with the tone they're known for.
You play as Jesse Faden in what is the equivalent of the Men in Black for paranormal things. She shoots things with a magical transforming gun and throws stuff with telekinetic powers. It has amazing world building, but the overarching story falters a bit near the end.
6. Devil May Cry 5
Capcom decided to un-reboot the Devil May Cry franchise and didn't totally mess it up. Nero and Dante return as they were in Devil May Cry 4 and somehow it works.
As usual the stylish action feels good and is a ton of fun. The story isn't anything special, but it's exactly what I expected.
5. Katana Zero
Katana Zero is an action puzzle game where you play as a Samurai in a bizarre future. He can slow down time allowing him to deflect bullets and cut down enemies before they even realize he's there.
The story is like a Quentin Tarantino fever dream and I hope that more gets made in this universe. It's almost like a 2D SUPERHOT and that's awesome.
4. Fire Emblem: 3 Houses
I hated Fire Emblem: Fates so much that I had to take a break from the franchise. Three Houses brought me back in and I liked it a lot. It dumps some of the waifu stuff that Fates doubled down on and got back to the tactical combat I love. The social elements are still present, but they are now closer to Persona school life than a bad dating sim.
Instead of making three games they crammed three stories into one, so there's a LOT here if you want to play through it a few times.
3. Judgment
Once Kiryu's story was over in Yakuza the team decided to try something new with Judgment. The main bummer is that it's not that different from Yakuza. The combat system is very similar and it takes place in the same city.
The compelling part of Judgment for me was that it's a courtroom drama mixed with the insane high octane action of a Yakuza game. New characters elevate this story to new heights.
2. Sekiro: Shadow's Die Twice
In Dark Souls I played as a slow tank-like character, which Bloodborne did not allow me to do despite giving me the illusion that I could build a character to my liking. Sekiro removes the illusion of Bloodborne and lets you know that you are a specific character you're going to play a specific way.
In my opinion the game design here is superb. Areas leading up to a boss will teach you lessons to help later in the game. I loved it.
1. Outer Wilds
Outer Wilds wasn't even on my radar, but I fell deep into it immediately. You play as an astronaut of a new space faring race. The setup is very loose and then you're launched into space to explore the world for 22 minutes before everything resets. After each run you only retain the knowledge of your previous run. The ultimate goal is to end the loop.
I can't go too deep into detail, but the world building in this game is incredible. You need to have the personal drive to continue in the game, because the story unfolds as you find it. It's not for everyone, but it was certainly for me!
As always I will list my top ten games of the year in descending order. These are my opinions based on games I beat in 2019.
I feel that most people were disappointed by Kingdom Hearts 3 as the conclusion to the plot arc set up over the course of numerous games, but I wasn't. This game ended the arc as well as I thought it would and delivered compelling enough gameplay to pull me through.
Sure it could have been better, but I'm a firm believer that this was the best outcome we were going to get. I enjoyed it.
Sony did a bad job marketing this game, so not many people even knew it came out. It's a bummer, because Concrete Genie is a magical experience. You play as the bullied Ash who finds a magic paintbrush he can use to revitalize the dilapidated town of this childhood.
Neon colors and interesting painting mechanics carry this colorful adventure for its roughly 6 hour run time. Just enough time to leave me wanting more, but not so much that it burned me out.
Every year I think I won't play another 3DS game, but this year I truly think I mean it. Yo-Kai Watch 3 takes the system to its limits and shows that level-5 has truly mastered the hardware.
It's the Yo-Kai monster collecting I have come to love, but built out to an insane degree. The battle system became a bit more tactical and it has more content that anyone can handle.
Control is the game I feel like Remedy has always been trying to make forever. They found their thing that allows them to finally have fun gameplay while exploring a story with the tone they're known for.
You play as Jesse Faden in what is the equivalent of the Men in Black for paranormal things. She shoots things with a magical transforming gun and throws stuff with telekinetic powers. It has amazing world building, but the overarching story falters a bit near the end.
Capcom decided to un-reboot the Devil May Cry franchise and didn't totally mess it up. Nero and Dante return as they were in Devil May Cry 4 and somehow it works.
As usual the stylish action feels good and is a ton of fun. The story isn't anything special, but it's exactly what I expected.
Katana Zero is an action puzzle game where you play as a Samurai in a bizarre future. He can slow down time allowing him to deflect bullets and cut down enemies before they even realize he's there.
The story is like a Quentin Tarantino fever dream and I hope that more gets made in this universe. It's almost like a 2D SUPERHOT and that's awesome.
I hated Fire Emblem: Fates so much that I had to take a break from the franchise. Three Houses brought me back in and I liked it a lot. It dumps some of the waifu stuff that Fates doubled down on and got back to the tactical combat I love. The social elements are still present, but they are now closer to Persona school life than a bad dating sim.
Instead of making three games they crammed three stories into one, so there's a LOT here if you want to play through it a few times.
Once Kiryu's story was over in Yakuza the team decided to try something new with Judgment. The main bummer is that it's not that different from Yakuza. The combat system is very similar and it takes place in the same city.
The compelling part of Judgment for me was that it's a courtroom drama mixed with the insane high octane action of a Yakuza game. New characters elevate this story to new heights.
In Dark Souls I played as a slow tank-like character, which Bloodborne did not allow me to do despite giving me the illusion that I could build a character to my liking. Sekiro removes the illusion of Bloodborne and lets you know that you are a specific character you're going to play a specific way.
In my opinion the game design here is superb. Areas leading up to a boss will teach you lessons to help later in the game. I loved it.
Outer Wilds wasn't even on my radar, but I fell deep into it immediately. You play as an astronaut of a new space faring race. The setup is very loose and then you're launched into space to explore the world for 22 minutes before everything resets. After each run you only retain the knowledge of your previous run. The ultimate goal is to end the loop.
I can't go too deep into detail, but the world building in this game is incredible. You need to have the personal drive to continue in the game, because the story unfolds as you find it. It's not for everyone, but it was certainly for me!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)