Ep 482 - Sweeping cuts take a toll across numerous Xbox studios. Bloodworth shares his final thoughts after finishing The Alters. Damiani gets to building infrastructure in Death Stranding 2, and we check out our patrons' Top 10 Water Levels. *Death Stranding 2 Provided by PlayStation Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-xbox-2-133328040 (0:00) - Intro (5:49) - Xbox Cuts and Cancellations (36:02) - AI Text Found in The Alters (55:58) - The Alters Impres...
Jul 06, 2025•2 hr 57 min•Ep. 482
Ep 481 - Blood Message and The Blood of Dawnwalker both showed off impressive trailers this week. Huber and Gabby are addicted to Rematch. We get Huber's thoughts on Lies of P: Overture, and Bloodworth checks out Cyberpunk on Switch 2. Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-week-of-132404316 (0:00) - Intro (3:11) - The Blood of Dawnwalker Gameplay Reveal (19:11) - Blood Message Reveal (24:18) - Press Release Me (28:32) - Lies of P: Overture Impressions (4...
Jun 29, 2025•2 hr 4 min•Ep. 481
Ep 480 - Nintendo shares an extended look at Donkey Kong Bananza, unveiling a much bigger and bolder adventure than their initial demo let on. PlayStation sees record profits. Xbox starts talking next-gen. Plus, we give our takes on FBC Firebreak and finally dig deep into Mario Kart World and Switch 2 Welcome Tour. Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-donkey-131888671 (0:00) - Intro (3:39) - Donkey Kong Bananza Direct (27:08) - FBC Firebreak Impressions...
Jun 22, 2025•3 hr 12 min•Ep. 480
Ep 479 - We look over our highlights from the Xbox and PC Gaming Shows as well as wrapping up our thoughts on this year's SGF overall. Plus, Switch 2 is the fastest selling console ever, and we check out Mina the Hollower from the team behind Shovel Knight. Get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-summer-131386496 (0:00) - Intro (2:38) - Xbox Showcase Highlights (52:47) - PC Gaming Show Highlights (1:41:23) - SGF Wrap Up (2:01:09) - Mina The Hollower Impressions (2:15:12) - S...
Jun 15, 2025•3 hr 20 min•Ep. 479
Our impressions on over 20 more games that we saw and played at the show. (Streamed June 10, 2025) (0:00) - Intro (0:48) - Shadow Labyrinth (7:15) - Ambrosia Sky (14:03) - End of Abyss (24:16) - Sleep Awake (32:10) - Grave Seasons (38:10) - Gears of War Reloaded and Xbox Handheld (48:19) - Petal Runner (56:13) - Dark Pictures - Directive 8020 (1:01:27) - Sonic Racing CrossWorlds (1:14:51) - Exoborne (1:19:00) - Morsels (1:26:40) - Baby Steps (1:34:40) - TOEM 2 (1:38:40) - Possessor(s) (1:48:44) ...
Jun 11, 2025•2 hr 45 min
We're back from the Summer Game Fest show floor, and Shuhei Yoshida hitched a ride. It's time to talk about over 20 games we checked out on Saturday. (Streamed June 8, 2025) (0:00) - Intro (1:05) - Reach (7:38) - Ratatan (10:40) - Sword of the Sea (19:08) - Mixtape (28:28) - Relooted (30:32) - Yooka-Replayee (36:28) - ChromaGun 2: Dye Hard (39:08) - Bandit Trap (43:54) - Crimson Desert (57:39) - LEGO Party! (1:10:10) - Shinobi (1:18:07) - Wuchang: Fallen Feathers (1:29:52) - OMUT (1:34:10) - Pat...
Jun 08, 2025•2 hr 23 min
Ep 478 - Summer Game Fest is here with loads of game announcements, and we've got four showcases to plow through. And oh yeah, Nintendo launched the Switch 2 this week, too! Watch the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-summer-130915873 (0:00) - Intro (2:18) - State of Play (1:08:03) - Summer Game Fest (2:52:58) - A Word From Our Sponsors (2:54:50) - Day of the Devs (3:12:12) - Devolver (Ball X Pit) (3:20:32) - Switch 2 Launch Impressions (3:40:28) - L&R: Console Launch Memo...
Jun 07, 2025•4 hr 3 min•Ep. 478
Ep 477 - Elyse Willems joins us on the desk to chat about what she's been playing including To a T and Doom: The Dark Ages. Elden Ring Nightreign keeps us running back for more, and EA has slashed another talented studio, cancelling their Black Panther game. Check out Answer for It podcast with Elyse! https://www.youtube.com/@answerforIt (0:00) - Intro (3:42) - What's Elyse Doing? (7:51) - Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Impressions (13:28) - Doom: The Dark Ages Impressions (17:10) - The Roottrees Are D...
Jun 01, 2025•2 hr 45 min•Ep. 477
We chat with Creative Director Jonathan Jacques-Belletête about his transition from Eidos Montreal to Rogue Factor, and the creative decisions behind not just Hell is Us, but how they're rethinking better ways to work on video games. Also be sure to check out our hands-on preview for Hell is Us:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T58VnYMkg0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 30, 2025•23 min
Ep 476 - Industry veteran Chris Kramer shares how they kept Resident Evil from being too easy, why they made the Mega Man 9 box art intentionally bad, and other inside stories from 30 years in the games business. Plus it's a stacked week of games with Deadzone Rogue, Onimusha 2, Deliver At All Costs, and more. Get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-behind-129687224 (0:00) - Intro (6:09) - Games Biz Stories from Chris Kramer (59:30) - Kramer's Doom: The Dark Ages Impressions...
May 25, 2025•3 hr 2 min•Ep. 476
While I was in Poland last week, I had a chance to speak with Game Director, Tomasz Kisilewicz, to discuss the changes that have been made in the past year. My appointment came up pretty early in my play session, but we got to talk about changes in character movement and updates to take the pressure off players so they can explore and interact with the story. Plus, we discuss designing a game like this that crosses the barriers to multiple audiences and get into some juicy details about how much...
May 22, 2025•17 min
Ep 475 - In 20 years, iam8bit has gone from putting together small art galleries to becoming a driving force behind industry events like Summer Game Fest. Founder Jon Gibson stops in to talk about the company's history and the times we've crossed paths along the way. Also, Giant Bomb is back and Isla's Croc talk! Get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-20-of-w-129164256 (0:00) - Intro (6:10) - 20 Years of iam8bit (36:47) - Giant Bomb is Now Owned by Giant Bomb (1:04:04) - Is...
May 18, 2025•2 hr 59 min•Ep. 475
Ep 474 - Grand Theft Auto VI is hitting us with double headlines by delaying until next year then dropping a new trailer. We get our first solid look at Mafia: The Old Country, and remasters are on the way for Gears of War and Ecco the Dolphin. Get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-gta-vi-128517640 (0:00) - Intro (4:56) - GTA VI Delay / Trailer 2 (41:22) - Mafia: The Old Country Gameplay Reveal (52:30) - Gears of War: Reloaded (1:01:19) - A Word From Our Sponsor (1:03:41) ...
May 11, 2025•2 hr 22 min•Ep. 474
Ep 473 - It's a rough news week on multiple fronts, but we try to take some solace in flushing some pirates' heads down the toilet and going for another ride on Deacon's motorcycle. *Days Gone Remastered Provided by PlayStation Get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-skin-2-127974581 (0:00) - Intro (5:18) - Shout Out to Polygon and Giant Bomb (28:17) - Borderlands 4 State of Play (42:16) - Codemasters Says No Rally Games in Development (52:45) - Skin Deep Impressions (1:04:5...
May 04, 2025•2 hr 44 min•Ep. 473
Ep 472 - It's a big week for RPGs as Bethesda drops a major overhaul of Oblivion, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 hooks us with its fun combat system and gorgeous world, and Sunderfolk brings a polished twist on tabletop-style campaigns. Get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-and-33-127436982 (0:00) - Intro (3:08) - Corrections!? (6:38) - Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered (31:00) - Ghost of Yotei Release Date (40:44) - FBC: Firebreak Showcase (1:00:30) - March Sales Report ...
Apr 27, 2025•3 hr 1 min•Ep. 472
Ep 471 - This week we're joined by special guest Henk Rogers to talk about his history with Tetris and introducing RPGs to Japan. We catch up with Marathon and Mario Kart, and Huber is obsessed with Mandragora. Get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-and-w-126917617 (0:00) - Intro (5:00) - Marathon Revealed (32:51) - Mario Kart World Direct (55:07) - Henk Rogers Interview: Talking Tetris and RPGs (1:35:46) - Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree Impressions (1:47:56) - Xeno...
Apr 20, 2025•3 hr 10 min•Ep. 471
Ep 470 - Shuhei Yoshida spent over 30 years leading teams at PlayStation. Now he's helping indies on his own, and he's here to talk about Switch 2, Blue Prince, Promise Mascot Agency, and whatever else we can come up with. Get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-shuhei-126419845 (0:00) - Intro (2:28) - Catching Up With Shu (8:27) - Shuhei's Thoughts on Switch 2 (50:28) - Blue Prince Impressions (1:04:13) - Promise Mascot Agency Impressions (1:19:31) - Bionic Bay (1:21:22) - ...
Apr 11, 2025•2 hr 35 min•Ep. 470
Ep 469 - Bloodworth played 10 Switch 2 games, including Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Metroid Prime 4. He's here to tell us how they play as we wrap up our thoughts on the Direct and talk about prices and tech. Plus, our thoughts on South of Midnight. Get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-we-2-4-125901838 (0:00) - Intro (3:24) - Switch 2 Reveal Wrap-Up Part 1 (1:01:32) - Switch 2 Reveal Wrap-Up Part 2 (1:29:56) - Switch 2 Dev Q&A Highlights (1:47:59) - Swi...
Apr 04, 2025•3 hr 51 min•Ep. 469
Ep 468 - Why not have one more Nintendo Direct right before the big Switch 2 reveal party? We check out The First Berserker: Khazan and Atomfall, and Blood's back with tales to tell from GDC. Get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-khazan-125359898 (0:00) - Intro (5:59) - One More Nintendo Direct for Switch 1 (1:18:24) - The First Berserker: Khazan Impressions (1:33:21) - Atomfall Impressions (1:51:38) - Wreckfest 2 Early Access Impressions (2:04:46) - Blood's Trip to GDC (2...
Mar 30, 2025•3 hr 41 min•Ep. 468
Ep 467 - Assassin's Creed Shadows is finally here, and Huber and Gabby have lots of mixed feelings about it. We talk about highlights from the Future Games Show. Huber played 33 Immortals, and we've got the February sales report. (0:00) - Intro (2:41) - Future Games Show Highlights (58:24) - Assassin's Creed Shadows Impressions (1:38:38) - 33 Immortals Impressions (1:50:29) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:52:00) - Also This Week (2:14:25) - February Sales Report (2:24:07) - L&R: EZA 9th Annive...
Mar 23, 2025•2 hr 52 min•Ep. 467
Ep 466 - There are new reports about what Xbox has cooking for next-gen as well as a new handheld this year. Konami showed off a bit more of a Silent Hill f. Meanwhile, we check out Split Fiction, Mandragora, and Keep Driving. (0:00) - Intro (3:01) - Xbox Handheld This Year, Next-Gen in 2027 (22:46) - Sony and AMD Join Forces for FSR 4 (30:44) - Split Fiction Impressions (49:08) - Isla and Huber's MinnMax Song (54:33) - Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree Preview (1:08:07) - Keep Driving Impr...
Mar 16, 2025•2 hr 18 min•Ep. 466
Ep 465 - Tony Hawk is returning with the best of the best along with something new. More of the team have gotten their claws on Monster Hunter. Isla shares why Suikoden is so great, and The Last of Us might be over. (0:00) - Intro (3:19) - Huber's Adventures in London (8:05) - Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 Announced (17:09) - More Monster Hunter Wilds Impressions (35:16) - A Word From Our Sponsors (36:50) - Suikoden I&II HD Remasters Impressions (52:45) - Top 10 Weirdest Weapons (1:12:10) - The...
Mar 09, 2025•2 hr 26 min•Ep. 465
Ep 464 - Sofia Hariz joins us as we chat about the Wonder Woman cancellation, Two Point Museum, and a pile of fresh indies. Meanwhile, Isla finished the Monster Hunter Wilds campaign and she's ready to share her thoughts on the adventure. (0:00) - Intro (3:40) - Catch Up with Sofia (13:30) - ID@Xbox and Annapurna Shows (41:48) - Monster Hunter Wilds Impressions (1:06:39) - Two Point Museum Impressions (1:24:10) - WB Cancels Wonder Woman and Closes Monolith (1:46:33) - January Sales Report (1:56:...
Mar 02, 2025•2 hr 50 min•Ep. 464
Ep 463 - Majima's here take Huber on a pirate adventure. Bloodworth brings back stories from DICE, and somehow, even the explosive success of Marvel Rivals can't dodge the industry layoffs. (0:00) - Intro (3:20) - Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Impressions (33:00) - Blood's Stories from DICE (59:24) - Skydance's Behemoth Impressions (1:15:44) - Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana Impressions (1:34:32) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:36:00) - Marvel Rivals - NetEase Layoffs (1:51:22) - Isla's Hooked on Elden...
Feb 23, 2025•2 hr 50 min•Ep. 463
Ep 462 - It's time for some killer first-person RPGs, whether you're more into fantasy or history. PlayStation shows off a new slate of games, and Don checks out a demo for Lou's Lagoon. (0:00) - Intro (4:28) - State of Play (1:26:04) - Lou's Lagoon Impressions (1:33:16) - Avowed Impressions (1:51:52) - Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Impressions (2:06:27) - Also This Week (2:13:57) - L&R: Tattoo Regret (2:18:18) - L&R: Not Much Love (2:25:41) - L&R: PlayStation Recommendations (2:30:52)...
Feb 16, 2025•2 hr 44 min•Ep. 462
Ep 461 - Capcom spills a few more details on the new Onimusha, as well as revealing an Onimusha 2 remaster. Plus, we give our thoughts on Citizen Sleeper 2, While Waiting, and Tails of Iron II. (0:00) - Intro (2:54) - Capcom Spotlight (38:34) - Citizen Sleeper 2 Impressions (52:25) - While Waiting Impressions (1:03:50) - Tails of Iron II Impressions (1:13:41) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:15:30) - Nintendo Financial Report (1:32:39) - What Are You Excited About? (1:39:29) - Also This Week (1:58:...
Feb 09, 2025•2 hr 44 min•Ep. 461
Ep 460 - Forza Horizon 5 coming to PlayStation has us examining Phil Spencer's recent comments. BioWare tries to paint a sunny picture as they part ways with much of their team. Plus, our thoughts on Eternal Strands and Hello Kitty: Island Adventure. (0:00) - Intro (4:25) - Xbox Digs Deeper Into Multiplatform Plans (38:59) - BioWare Restructuring and Layoffs (59:03) - Eternal Strands Impressions (1:18:22) - Hello Kitty: Island Adventure Impressions (1:28:36) - December and 2024 Sales Reports (1:...
Feb 02, 2025•2 hr 31 min•Ep. 460
Ep 459 - Huber's in the hot seat now as our new host, and for his first episode, we get a great set of reveals from Xbox, including Ninja Gaiden 4. Plus, thoughts on FF VII Rebirth on PC, Donkey Kong Country Returns on Switch, our patrons' Top 10 Title Screens, and more. (0:00) - Intro (3:16) - Xbox Developer Direct (4:31) - Ninja Gaiden 4 Reveal (17:11) - South of Midnight (28:32) - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (38:11) - Doom: The Dark Ages (53:03) - Final Fantasy VII Rebirth PC First Impression...
Jan 26, 2025•2 hr 43 min•Ep. 459
Ep 458 - It had to happen sometime. Nintendo finally gives us a glimpse of their next hardware platform, and we have a lot to say. Meanwhile, a new vampire RPG from some of the minds behind The Witcher 3, our latest Civ VII preview, thoughts on Tales of Graces f Remastered, and more. (0:00) - Intro (3:53) - Switch 2 First Look (57:47) - Civilization VII Preview (1:16:42) - Tales of Graces f Impressions (1:39:04) - The Blood of the Dawnwalker Revealed (1:49:53) - Also This Week (2:03:14) - L&...
Jan 19, 2025•2 hr 36 min•Ep. 458
Ep 457 - 2025 is off to a heck of a start, so it's time to catch up on what's coming in the next three months while we keep an eye on evacuation warnings. (0:00) - Intro (3:32) - Bloodworth Catch Up (16:50) - January Game Preview (1:12:04) - Citizen Sleeper 2 Preview (1:18:07) - February Game Preview (1:45:58) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:48:20) - March Game Preview (2:13:55) - Also This Week (2:30:21) - L&R: The Lost Rap (2:33:45) - L&R: Switch 2 Launch Ports (2:42:16) - L&R Game: ...
Jan 12, 2025•2 hr 59 min•Ep. 457