The N64 continues its redemption tour with F-Zero X, and South of Midnight is a strange mix of the novel and the derivative. What We're Playing 00:50 Caitlin: R.E.P.O. (semiwork, 2025) 11:55 Mark: Astral Ascent (Hibernian Workshop, 2023) 19:01 GOOF: F-Zero X (Nintendo EAD, 1998) 34:34 Feature Game: South of Midnight (Compulsion Games, 2025) SHOUT 1:00:23 Caitlin: Date Everything (Sassy Chap Games) 1:01:43 Mark: Ayaneo Pocket ACE (Ayaneo) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privac...
May 07, 2025•1 hr 6 min
We navigate the twisting labyrinths of the human mind in Psychonauts, as well as the twisting labyrinths of the puzzling mansion(s) of Blue Prince. What We're Playing 01:27 Mark: It Takes Two (Hazelight, 2021) 13:03 Caitlin: R.E.P.O. (semiwork, 2025) 19:21 GOOF: Psychonauts (Double Fine Productions, 2005) 38:37 Feature Game: Blue Prince (Dogubomb, 2025) SHOUT 1:04:46 Caitlin and Mark: Malys (Summerfall Studios) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://re...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 9 min
Mark's alleged contrarian status is tested by the ambitious, legendary Chrono Trigger and the humble, overlooked Call of Juarez: Gunslinger. What We're Playing 01:04 Caitlin: LEGO Super Mario Nintendo Entertainment System (LEGO, 2020) 09:28 Mark: Lonestar (Math Tide, 2025) 18:13 GOOF: Chrono Trigger (Square, 1995) 38:08 Feature Game: Call of Juarez: Gunslinger (Techland, 2013) SHOUT 54:00 Caitlin: LUNAR Remastered Collection (GAME ARTS) 55:02 Mark: Oblivion Remastered (Bethesda) Advertising Inqu...
Apr 23, 2025•59 min
Nothing but sprites killing hordes of enemies this week, with Guardian Heroes and The Last Spell. Also hardware digressions with Saturn, RetroTink, and video switches. What We're Playing 02:00 Mark: Rogue Loops (Fubu Games, 2025) 06:30 Mark: Capcom vs. SNK 2 (Capcom, 2001) 12:12 Caitlin: Look Outside (Francis Coulombe, 2025) 20:48 GOOF: Guardian Heroes (Treasure, 1996) 38:51 Feature Game: The Last Spell (Ishtar, 2023) SHOUT 58:20 Caitlin: Scalable Video Switch 1:01:27 Mark: Revenge of the Savage...
Apr 16, 2025•1 hr 5 min
We solve murders at our patrons' behest in The Case of the Golden Idol, whereas WE INTERRUPT THESE EPISODE NOTES FOR DYNOWARZ Dynowarz: Destruction of Spondylus! Featuring the most bomb-ass box cover and stodgy gameplay, is Dynowarz one of the greatest games ever or one of the worst games ever? The answer: YES. What We're Playing 01:17 Caitlin: Final Fantasy IV (Square, 1991) 05:29 Caitlin: The Last Meadow (Discord, 2025) 09:55 Caitlin: 33 Immortals (Thunder Lotus Games) 13:40 Mark: Rogue Loops ...
Apr 09, 2025•1 hr 8 min
It's all sci-fi this week! We've got all your bases covered--speculative crossovers (Split Fiction), anthropomorphic animals (Laika, Starfox 64), and psychological horror (Returnal)! Just stick your arm into the spiky alien machine. It'll probably be fine. What We're Playing 00:57 Mark: Avowed (Obsidian, 2025) 02:15 Mark: Monster Hunter Rise (Capcom, 2021) 10:13 Mark: Laika: Aged Through Blood (Brainwash Gang, 2023) 16:11 Caitlin: Split Fiction (Hazelight Studios, 2025) 22:57 GOOF: Star Fox 64 (...
Apr 02, 2025•1 hr 12 min
We keep things light, even though they could get grim with an NES game named after a dead baby (Astyanax) and some existential angst with The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa. What We're Playing 02:28 Caitlin: Final Fantasy IV (Obsidian, 2025) 09:23 Mark: Metal Bringer (ALPHAWING, 2025) 21:24 GOOF: Astyanax (Aicom, 1989) 36:38 Feature Game: The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa (yeo, 2018) Interview with the designer: https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/19/18691106/the-friends-of-ringo-ishikawa-review-interview-ye...
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Ecco the Dolphin is cute in Japan but swole in the US, much like the dramatic growth a mushroom provokes in Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Question: would Caitlin try to make Ecco into a hat? What We're Playing 01:06 Caitlin: Avowed (Obsidian, 2025) 02:53 Caitlin: Monster Hunter Wilds (Capcom, 2025) 11:10 Mark: Mullet MadJack (Hammer 95 Studios, 2024) 22:23 GOOF: Ecco the Dolphin (Appaloosa Interactive, 1992) Boris Vallejo's "macho" dolphin: https://www.borisjulie.com/product/ecco-the-dolphin/ Japan'...
Mar 19, 2025•59 min
How much ax could an Ax Battler battle if an Ax Battler could battle ax is a question Golden Axe fails to address, but it gets to be brilliant and foundational all the same. We then turn to Avowed, Obsidian's latest RPG. What We're Playing 01:02 Mark: The Hidden Ones (Morefun Studios, 2025) 15:50 Caitlin: A Little to the Left (Max Inferno, 2022) 18:23 Caitlin: Monster Hunter Wilds (Capcom, 2025) 27:20 GOOF: Golden Axe (Sega, 1999) 44:03 Feature Game: Avowed (Obsidian, 2025) SHOUT 1:11:19 Caitlin...
Mar 12, 2025•1 hr 17 min
It's all about swords, Aristotle, and romance this week, where we discuss Bushido Blade and Transistor. What We're Playing 00:56 Caitlin: Final Fantasy III (Square, 1990) 10:11 Mark: Whisker Squadron Survivor (Flippfly, 2025) 18:35 GOOF: Bushido Blade (Square, 1997) 30:46 Feature Game: Transistor (Supergiant, 2014) SHOUT 55:45 Caitlin: Suikoden I&II HD Remaster (Konami) 56:49 Mark: Retroid Pocket Flip 2 (Retroid) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: http...
Mar 05, 2025•1 hr
We look back at Namco's other fighting game series, Soul Calibur. Also, in non-fighting games, the best horse game of all time, says Caitlin of Red Dead Redemption 2. What We're Playing 00:59 Mark: Samurai Shodown, Samurai Shodown II, Samurai Shodown IV (SNK, 2019, 1994, 1996) Matt McMuscles' excellent Samurai Shodown history: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yQoCrZBfIo 13:11 Caitlin: Monster Hunter Wilds Beta (Capcom, 2025) 15:52 Caitlin: The Roottrees are Dead (Robin Ward, 2025) 23:26 GOOF: So...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 15 min
We return to the humble beginnings of AMBFAD by discussing the Hellblade sequel, and we further mine Caitlin's childhood with Ch-Ch-Ch-Chip and Dale. What We're Playing 00:52 Caitlin: Monster Hunter: Wilds BETA (Capcom, 2025) 10:10 Mark: Helldivers II (Arrowhead, 2024) 13:10 Mark: Eternal Strands (Yellow Brick Games, 2025) 21:02 GOOF: Chip & Dale Rescue Rangers (Capcom, 1990) 30:55 Feature Game: Hellblade II: Senua's Saga (Ninja Theory, 2024) SHOUT 55:49 Caitlin: Monster Hunter: Wilds (Capco...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr
Fighting games! Castlevania! Crawling over monsters in Dragon's Dogma 2! That pretty much covers all of human endeavors, really. What We're Playing 01:06 Mark: Dead or Alive 6 (Koei Tecmo, 2019) 04:38 Mark: Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. (Sega AM2, 2025) 13:08 Caitlin: Void Crew (Hutlihut Games,, 2024) 24:16 GOOF: Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (Konami, 2003) 25:51 Feature Game: Dragon's Dogma II (Capcom, 2025) SHOUT 1:01:34 Caitlin abandons all hope and optimism 1:01:36 Mark: Avowed (Obsidian) Advertis...
Feb 12, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Lots of talk of anime, cats, and anime-related cats this week! We take the Little Kitty to the Big City after we shoot so many things in Gunstar Heroes. What We're Playing 01:53 Mark: Blade Chimera (Team Ladybug, 2025) 09:21 Caitlin: Inkbound (Shiny Shoe, 2024) 18:07 GOOF: Gunstar Heroes (Treasure, 1993) 25:51 Feature Game: Little Kitty, Big City (Double Dagger Studios, 2024) SHOUT 50:40 Caitlin: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive) 53:04 Mark: Eternal Strands (Yellow Brick Studios...
Feb 05, 2025•59 min
We talk about early indie darling Hyper Light Drifter, as well as Secret of Evermore from Caitlin's childhood. More light Sluggish Heavy Drifter, amirite? What We're Playing 00:56 Caitlin: Metaphor: ReFantazio (Atlus, 2024) 09:40 Mark: 20 Minutes till Dawn (flanne, 2023) 16:38 Mark: Rayman Legends (Ubisoft, 2013) 22:18 GOOF: Secret of Evermore (Square, 1995) 35:05 Feature Game: Hyper Light Drifter (Heart Machine, 2016) SHOUT 53:33 Caitlin: Stage Fright (Ghost Town Games) 55:08 Mark: Valkyrie Squ...
Jan 29, 2025•59 min
Having been emancipated from duties to the Veilguard, we return to Metaphor: ReFantazio. We also headbutt Caitlin's childhood with Bonk's Adventure. What We're Playing 00:57 Mark: [REDACTED] (Striking Distance Studios, 2024) 04:30 Mark: Gain Ground (Sega, 1988, 1991, and 1992) 12:22 Caitlin: Helldivers 2 (Arrowhead, 2024) 14:38 Caitlin: Fae Farm (Phoenix Labs, 2023) 19:34 GOOF: Bonk's Aventure (Atlus, 1989) 33:31 Feature Game: Metaphor: ReFantazio (Atlus, 2024) SHOUT 57:38 Caitlin: Dave the Dive...
Jan 22, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Yet another unintentional theme this week, as we discuss troubled law enforcement officers in both Die Hard Trilogy for the good ol' PSX as well as Disco Elysium. What We're Playing 02:00 Caitlin: Fae Farm (Phoenix Labs, 2023) 11:35 Mark: [REDACTED] (Striking Distance Studios, 2024) 21:36 GOOF: Die Hard Trilogy (Probe Entertainment, 1996) 38:04 Feature Game: Disco Elysium (ZA/UM, 2019) SHOUT 1:05:59 Caitlin: The Outer Worlds 2 (Obsidian) 1:06:57 Mark: Double Dragon Revive (Yuke's) Advertising In...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 11 min
We explore corrupt afterlife schemes with Grim Fandango and To the Moon! Where's a principled psychopomp when you need one? What We're Playing 00:59 Mark: Dragon Age: The Veilguard (BioWare, 2024) 05:25 Mark: Crypt Custodian (Kyle Thompson, 2024) 13:23 Caitlin: Infinity Nikki (Papergames, 2024) 22:15 GOOF: Grim Fandango (LucasArts, 1998) and its Remaster (Double Fine, 2015) 36:18 Feature Game: To the Moon (Freebird, 2011) 1:01:15 Spoilers Begin 1:22:02 Spoilers End SHOUT 1:22:30 Caitlin: Split F...
Jan 08, 2025•1 hr 30 min
Green Hat Adventure Boy returns for Ocarina of Time, this time with 100% more horse. Mark continues to get his Rogue-lite on with Ravenswatch. What We're Playing 01:15 Caitlin: Factorio (Wube Software, 2020) 10:55 Mark: Dead Cells (Evil Empire and Motion Twin, 2018) 19:30 GOOF: The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time (Nintendo EAD, 1998) 35:27 Feature Game: Ravenswatch (Passtech, 2024) SHOUT 52:58 Caitlin: Dispatch (AdHoc Studio) 54:38 Mark: The King of Fighters XIII: Global Match (SNK) Adverti...
Jan 01, 2025•58 min
We wade into a genuine retro gaming controversy. Two Aladdins enter, one Aladdin leaves! Caitlin is thrown into the deep end for her first roguelike Caves of Qud, and in a sad continuation of recent AMDFAD trends, the tutorial is lacking. What We're Playing 01:20 Mark: Ruiner (Reikon, 2017) 09:26 Caitlin: Uncle Chop's Rocket Shop (Beard Envy, 2024) 21:30 GOOF: Aladdin (Virgin Interactive, 1993) and Aladdin (Capcom, 1993) 37:53 Feature Game: Caves of Qud (Freehold Games, 2024) Dungeon Crawl Stone...
Dec 25, 2024•1 hr 8 min
Heavy questions of metaphysics and cosmology abound. Before Your Eyes is about the afterlife, Goodboy Galaxy questions whether a dog can pet itself, and Wing Commander: Privateer might be one of the circles of Hell. What We're Playing 03:15 Caitlin: Helldivers II (Arrowhead, 2024) 06:01 Caitlin: Luma Island (Feel Free Games, 2024) 07:58 Mark: Dragon Age: The Veilguard (BioWare, 2024) 09:25 Mark: Prince of Persia: The Warrior Within (Ubisoft Montreal, 2004) 11:05 Mark: Shogun Showdown (Roboatino,...
Dec 18, 2024•1 hr 8 min
Caitlin's Final Fantasy history tour continues! We then turn to Mark's childhood Disney game, The Magical Quest starring Mickey Mouse. Slander may ensue. We finally test the limits of procedural generation with Wildermyth, a tactical RPG that promises satisfying randomly-generated narrative. What We're Playing 00:55 Mark: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (Ubisoft Montreal, 2003) 10:33 Caitlin: Final Fantasy II (Square, 1988) 15:05 Caitlin: Luma Island (Feel Free Games, 2024) 24:08 GOOF: The M...
Dec 11, 2024•1 hr 8 min
Shockers abound this week. The World Ends with You is not the title of a Bond movie, it's a great DS game and a mediocre Switch game--and Pentiment is not just a chance to show off your history minor, it's also a murder mystery. What We're Playing 01:02 Caitlin: Cats Hidden in Germany, Italy, and China (Travellin Cats, 2023-2024 04:28 Caitlin: Luma Island (Feel Free Games, 2024) 04:47 Caitlin: Inscryption (Daniel Mullins Games, 2021) 05:35 Mark: Exit the Gungeon (Dodge Roll, 2020) 15:23 GOOF: Th...
Dec 04, 2024•58 min
We play Sifu, the very daunting beat-em-up game, as well as the beloved Beyond Good and Evil. Not only did Sifu make Caitlin play a tutorial, it was perhaps the greatest disservice imaginable to a superb game. One could say the same about Beyond Good and Evil with respect to Friedrich Nietzsche, but he doesn't deserve any better. What We're Playing 00:41 Mark: Karate Survivor (Alawar, 2024) 10:08 Caitlin: A Park Full of Cats (Devcats, 2024) 10:47 Caitlin: Tokyo Jungle (Crispy's!, 2012) 20:41 GOO...
Nov 27, 2024•59 min
More Dragon Age! Caitlin and Mark have very different takeaways from The Veilguard. We also stress the difference between dwarves and vikings in The Last Vikings, another pre-WoW Blizzard offering. What We're Playing 01:10 Caitlin: A Tower Full of Cats, and An Arcade Full of Cats (Devcats, 2022-2024) 05:21 Mark: Persona 5 Tactika (P-Studio, 2023) 10:36 Mark: Metal Slug Tactics (Leikir Studio, 2024) GOOF: The Lost Vikings (Blizzard, 1993) 30:35 Feature Game: Dragon Age: The Veilguard (BioWare, 20...
Nov 20, 2024•1 hr 17 min
Thank goodness you're here to join us as we discuss Thank Goodness You're Here! It's all cats and meat pies this week, though thankfully not in combination. What We're Playing 02:01 Caitlin: A Building Full of Cats, A Tower Full of Cats, and A Castle Full of Cats (Devcats, 2022-2024) 14:53 Mark: Destiny 2 (Bungie, 2017) 27:58 GOOF: Road Rash (Electronic Arts, 1991) 38:05 Feature Game: Thank Goodness You're Here (Coal Supper, 2024) SHOUT 54:58 Caitlin: A Shelter Full of Cats (Devcats) 55:48 Mark:...
Nov 13, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Caitlin has made her enthusiasm for cats and horses well-known, but let it not be forgotten that she is fond of all manner of other animals as well. It's all kinds of fauna this week, as we revisit The Lion King and look at indie darling Animal Well. What We're Playing 01:14 Caitlin: Powerwash Simulator (FuturLab, 2022) 11:20 Mark: Inscyption (Daniel Mullins Games, 2021) 13:46 Mark: PortMaster, especially Bleed (Ian Campbell, 2013) 24:20 GOOF: The Lion King (Westwood Studios, 1994) 36:15 Feature...
Nov 06, 2024•1 hr
It's Halloween here at AMBFAD, and so we are going to discuss some horror games! The retro run-and-gun Zombies Ate My Neighbors hearkens back to a halcyon period of LucasArts, and Still Wakes the Deep will hit you right in the feels. What We're Playing 01:05 Caitlin: Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred (Blizzard Entertainment, 2024) 03:51 Caitlin: Rabbit and Steel (mino_dev, 2024) 08:12 Mark: rRootage (ABA Games, 2003) https://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~cs8k-cyu/ 15:27 GOOF: Zombies Ate My Neighbors (LucasArts...
Oct 30, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Caitlin has no experience with the Persona formula, whereas Mark is a longtime Persona stan--so we have you covered for Metaphor: ReFantazio. Caitlin's blood vendetta against tutorials reaches the game early Blizzard game Blackthorne, and no NPCs will survive her determination to learn as she goes. What We're Playing 01:08 Mark: Inscryption (Daniel Mullins Games, 2021) 13:07 Caitlin: Neko Atsume 2 (Hit-Point, 2024) 17:34 GOOF: Blackthorne (Blizzard Entertainment, 1994) 31:04 Feature Game: Metaph...
Oct 23, 2024•1 hr 2 min
It's a theme week here at AMBFAD, and we're doing grimy science fiction. From beneath the ground in Fallout to beyond the stars with the Void Bastards, we have you covered--with apologies for the salty language. What We're Playing 01:14 Mark: Rabbit and Steel (mino_dev, 2024) 02:23 Mark: Street Fighter 6 (Capcom, 2023) 12:20 Caitlin: Core Keeper (Pugstorm, 2024) 20:34 GOOF: Fallout (Interplay, 1997) 35:33 Feature Game: Void Bastards (Blue Manchu, 2019) SHOUT 56:30 Caitlin: Fable (Playground Game...
Oct 16, 2024•1 hr 4 min
