It's Halo time! Maddy, Kirk, and Jason dive into Halo Infinite, the new game from Microsoft and 343 Industries. They talk about the story (bleh) and the grappling hook (yesssss) then get into the game's rocky development, the very fun open world, and the truth behind Cortana. Plus: Succession season 3 talk! One More Thing: Kirk: The Matrix Awakens Maddy: Succession Jason: The Game Awards Links: Digital Foundry on what makes The Matrix Awakens technologically remarkable: https://www.eurogamer.net...
Dec 16, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 84
It's the most trailer-filled time of the year, when Santa Keighley slides down our internet-chimneys to hastily deliver some awards in between ads for upcoming games. Jason, Maddy, and Kirk go over the history of The Game Awards, discuss the controversies surrounding this year's event, and of course, gripe about the games they wish had gotten more nominations. Or any at all. Because Wildermyth didn't get a single nomination. I KNOW RIGHT One More Thing : Kirk: Unpacking Maddy: Halo Infinite Jaso...
Dec 09, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 83
Come join Maddy, Kirk, and Jason for a battle to the death staged by a foul-mouthed, adorable talking bear. That's right — it's time to talk Danganronpa. What's the deal with this popular series of killing games? Why is it so popular? And what do you have to know ahead of the Switch release this week? One More Thing: Kirk: Arcane Maddy: Last Podcast on the Left’s six-part JFK assassination series Jason: Final Fantasy V Links: Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Join the Triple Click...
Dec 02, 2021•58 min•Ep. 82
Happy Thanksgiving! If you're celebrating, grab yourself a turkey drumstick and listen to Kirk, Maddy, and Jason talk gaming news. From the ongoing Activision Blizzard crisis to the inexplicable rise of NFTs, it sure has been a weird fall in the video game world. This week, the gang talks about those and other big headlines, like the new consoles and the supply chain mess. One More Thing: Kirk: Metal Gear Solid V Maddy: Chicory Jason: Baba Is You Links: Kirk talking Death Stranding on the podcas...
Nov 25, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 81
Maddy, Kirk, and Jason go over this week's explosive Activision Blizzard allegations, then talk about the new Marvel game from Eidos Montreal, Guardians of the Galaxy. What works and doesn't work? Are the rough edges too distracting? And are we all suffering from Marvel fatigue? One More Thing: Kirk: Beverly Hills Cop 2 Maddy: Nancy Drew: Mystery at Magnolia Gardens Jason: Elden Ring Links: WSJ Article on Activision: https://www.wsj.com/articles/activision-videogames-bobby-kotick-sexual-miscondu...
Nov 18, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 80
Dovahkiin!!! Skyrim is now officially ten years old, because we are all ancient and slowly turning into dust. Jason, Kirk, and Maddy celebrate the big day by revisiting one of the most influential games of all time. They talk about how Skyrim feels to play today, all of the games it has influenced, and what makes it such a special experience. One More Thing: Kirk: Death Stranding Ziplines/infrastructure/‘breaking’ a game Maddy: Beverly Hills Cop (1984) Jason: Your Honor Links: Jason’s 2011 Wired...
Nov 11, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 79
Ever play a game that feels a whole lot like an older game? What's the DEAL with that? This week, Jason, Maddy, and Kirk talk about spiritual successors, from Bloodstained (Castlevania) to Mighty No. 9 (Mega Man) and oh so much more. What are the different kinds of spiritual successors? Why are they so common in games? And why is Jason so excited for Eiyuden Chronicles?? One More Thing: Kirk: Inscryption Maddy: Unpacking Jason: Guardians of the Galaxy Links: Support Triple Click: http://maximumf...
Nov 04, 2021•55 min•Ep. 78
Why do video game reviews often feel rushed? What's the deal with drug trips in video games? And what are some good JRPGs for beginners? This week, Jason, Kirk, and Maddy answer some of YOUR Burning Questions on all that and more. One More Thing: Kirk: Death Stranding Director’s Cut Maddy: Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Jason: ElecHead Links: Mega64’s Uncharted 3 Drug Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPubpR6-V-g&ab_channel=Mega64 Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Join ...
Oct 28, 2021•53 min•Ep. 77
A new Metroid game is here, and by golly, it rules. Maddy, Jason, and Kirk put on their Varian Suits and take a deep dive into Samus Aran's latest adventure, Metroid Dread, which came out earlier this month for Nintendo Switch. They talk about the game's relentless pacing, the brilliant controls, and the endless stream of power-ups. They discuss the marauding EMMIs, the difficulty, and the meticulous design of each level. Metroid Dread: it's a good video game. One More Thing: Kirk: Back 4 Blood ...
Oct 21, 2021•56 min•Ep. 76
What's a video game? Let's explain! On this very special episode of Triple Click, produced as part of Maximum Fun's Block Party, hosts Kirk Hamilton, Jason Schreier, and Maddy Myers give you a beginner's guide to gaming: the good, the bad, and the pixelated. First, a few definitions of what a "video game" actually is. Then, some recommendations for games you should play if you're just getting started. And finally, our regular bonus segment, One More Thing. SIX GAMES FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NEW TO VID...
Oct 14, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 75
Why is Diablo one of the best-selling series of all time? Just what makes Blizzard's action-RPGs so devilishly appealing? Kirk, Maddy, and Jason break down the iconic franchise and talk about why it's good -- and why it might be pretty bad. They talk about the addictive properties of loot hunting, how the games have evolved over the years, and whether there's really room in their lives for Diablo 4. One More Thing: Kirk: Far Cry 6 Maddy: Metroid Dread Jason: Squid Game Links: Diego Arguello’s re...
Oct 07, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 74
It's time for a Triple Play! Jason, Maddy, and Kirk have all played a whole lot of Deathloop, the time-twisting new game from Arkane. They break down what they like and don't like about the game, diving into its unique structure, disappointing ending, and truly delightful little details. One More Thing: Kirk: Hunt a Killer - Death at the Dive Bar Maddy: Bullshit Jobs by David Graeber Jason: Outer Wilds: Echoes of the Eye Links: Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Join the Triple Cli...
Sep 30, 2021•56 min•Ep. 73
Villains: we all hate'em, but what would video games be without them? This week, Kirk, Jason, and Maddy try to figure out what makes a good bad guy. From Deathloop's Julianna to Final Fantasy VII's Sephiroth, antagonists can be brilliant and memorable. But why do we love to hate them? What makes them so fiendishly appealing? And just what is the deal with Kefka? One More Thing: Kirk: Golf Club Wasteland Maddy: Get In The Car, Loser! Jason: Eastward Jason’s Five Rules for a Good Video Game Villai...
Sep 23, 2021•58 min•Ep. 72
What's the deal with Metroid? To answer that question, we must turn to series expert Maddy Myers, who explains to Kirk and Jason just what a Metroid is and why it matters. What's the lore behind Samus's baby? What's up with those Chozo? And what do we all need to know before heading into this October's much-anticipated new game Metroid Dread? One More Thing: Kirk: The U.S. Open Maddy: You Should See The Other Guy (podcast) Jason: Deathloop Links: An explanation of Medvedev’s U.S. Open victory “e...
Sep 16, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 71
What makes a remake worth playing? When should developers go back and change a game, and how much should they change? This week, the Triple Click crew tries to figure out when remakes work, when they don't work, and why. Plus: Kirk unveils his grand spectrum of Remakes, Remasters, and the Super Turbo Remake Plus. Kirk’s Remake Spectrum*: Re-release (The original game, playable on new hardware) Remaster (visually enhanced version of the same game, same tech, etc.) Remaster Plus (A visual remaster...
Sep 09, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 70
Maddy, Jason, and Kirk delve into each other's brains to talk about Psychonauts 2, one of the best games of the year so far. They talk about the delightful writing, the clever level design, and the emotional moments. They also talk about Double Fine, the maker of Psychonauts 2, and its long, turbulent history as a game developer. One More Thing: Kirk: Ghost of Tsushima - game pairing & ac comparison Maddy: Dickinson Jason: 12 Minutes Links: The Double Fine Adventure! Documentary, Part 1: htt...
Sep 02, 2021•55 min•Ep. 69
The Triple Click Trio opens up the mailbag and answer your most burning questions. This time around we've got questions about in-game morality, ferreting out the truth when reporting, our favorite moments in a new game, silent Nintendo protagonists, and whether Kirk records a new version of that "bing" sound every time he makes it. ONE MORE THING Kirk: Ghost of Tsushima Maddy: Boyfriend Dungeon Jason: White Lotus Links: Bill Hemstapat’s very cool blog post about the process of arranging and reco...
Aug 26, 2021•52 min•Ep. 68
It's finally time: Jason, Maddy, and Kirk pick up their gravity guns and move around some cardboard boxes so they can climb into Half-Life 2. The gang talks about the pros and cons of Valve's classic shooter, how the game holds up in 2021, the G-Man, the graphics, the setpieces, the nauseating vehicles, and oh so much more! One More Thing: Kirk: Reservation Dogs Maddy: Leverage: Redemption Jason: Fantasian Links: The Wikipedia entry on hitscan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitscan Half-LIfe 2 C...
Aug 19, 2021•58 min•Ep. 67
Metaverse! Everyone's talking about it. Every company wants a piece of it. But just what the heck is it? This week, Jason, Maddy, and Kirk try to figure out what the deal is with the Metaverse... and can't even agree themselves on what it really means. From Fortnite to Facebook, come along on a wild ride through movie crossovers and alternate realities. One More Thing: Kirk: Schmigadoon! Maddy: The Suicide Squad Jason: New Teeth (Simon Rich) Links: GameMaster Anthony Message Board Post: https://...
Aug 12, 2021•59 min•Ep. 66
We're all about visual novels here at Triple Click. What's that, you ask? What's a visual novel? Well, allow Kirk, Maddy, and Jason to tell you: it's kind of like a book... but better! Join us to talk about the stellar new game The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, the horniness of Fire Emblem and Persona, and why sometimes gameplay just isn't all that great. Games Discussed: The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles Danganronpa Steins;Gate The House on Fata Morgana Fire Emblem: Three Houses Persona 4 and ...
Aug 05, 2021•55 min•Ep. 65
Kirk, Maddy, and Jason dive into Skyward Sword HD, the new Zelda remake for Nintendo Switch. Does it hold up today? How does it feel after Breath of the Wild? And what's up with those controls? Then they talk about the harrowing Activision Blizzard lawsuit that's shaken up the video game industry over the past week. One More Thing: Kirk: Death’s Door Maddy: Activision Blizzard discrimination lawsuit Jason: The Great Ace Attorney Correction: Kirk initially said that Death's Door was on Game Pass,...
Jul 29, 2021•59 min•Ep. 64
There sure are a lot of games this summer. It's time for Kirk, Jason, and Maddy to talk about them! And then maybe we'll go out for some sloppy steaks. Games discussed: Chicory, Overboard, Mario Golf, Scarlet Nexus, Ender Lilies, Astalon: Tears of the Earth, Before Your Eyes One More Thing: Kirk: Six of Crows Maddy: Billions Jason: I Think You Should Leave Links: Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod Triple Click Ethics P...
Jul 15, 2021•59 min•Ep. 63
With Skyward Sword coming to Nintendo Switch, the Triple Click gang asks the question you've all been asking: What's the deal with Zelda? Kirk, Jason, and Maddy talk about the origins of the series, how it's evolved over the years, the stagnant Zelda formula, the delights of exploration, the unexpected creativity in limitations, and much, much more. One More Thing: Kirk: Inside (The Songs) Maddy: Hollow Knight Jason: Joyland (Stephen King) Links: “The problem with Bo Burnham’s Inside” by Lili Lo...
Jul 08, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 62
Jason, Maddy, and Kirk open up the mailbag and take YOUR listener questions on all sorts of things. What makes people good at video games? Why do AAA games seem so bad at "editing"? What's the best book-game pairing? And much more! One More Thing: Kirk: Mythic Quest S2 Maddy: Sophie’s Safecracking Simulator Jason: The Great Ace Attorney Links: Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maxim...
Jul 01, 2021•59 min•Ep. 61
Maddy, Kirk, and Jason jump into the ridiculously titled Final Fantasy VII Remake: Episode INTERmission, diving into Yuffie's adventures in Midgar. They talk about the combat system, the big story teases, and whether the next DLC will be called InterMISSION. Plus: what's up with the whole Hideo Kojima conspiracy? One More Thing: Kirk: Gloomhaven Maddy: The Blue Box conspiracy Jason: The House in Fata Morgana Links: Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Join the Triple Click Discord: h...
Jun 24, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 60
NEW METROID!!! And also other things. But first, NEW METROID!!! After Maddy's done hyperventilating, the gang talks about everything we saw at this year's bizarre, online-only E3. From Elden Ring to Avatar to Breath of the Wild 2, let's go through it all. One More Thing: Kirk: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Maddy: Bo Burnham Jason: The House in Fata Morgana Links: MItchell Saltzman’s interview with Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki: https://www.ign.com/articles/elden-ring-miyazaki-hidetaka-...
Jun 17, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 59
E3 2021 is almost here, which means it's time for HOPES, EXPECTATIONS, RUMORS, and VIDEO GAMES. This week, Kirk, Jason, and Maddy talk about what it's been like preparing for a virtual E3 (blech), what they hope to see from each conference, and all of the hot gossip they've been hearing behind-the-scenes, from Assassin's Creed to Guardians of the Galaxy. One More Thing: Kirk: Sweet Tooth Maddy: DC Super Hero Girls Jason: Overboard! Links: Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Join the...
Jun 10, 2021•58 min•Ep. 58
Why do some games get demos while others don't? How did video game demos get started? And what's up with that weird game PT? This week, Maddy, Jason, and Kirk answer the question that's been on everyone's minds: What's the DEAL with video game demos? One More Thing: Kirk: Probing in ME2 Maddy: Fuser Jason: Mare of Easttown Links: Edgar Wright’s fake trailer for “Don’t”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lttrIPDFplU Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Join the Triple Click Discord: htt...
Jun 03, 2021•58 min•Ep. 57
It's Mass Effect time! Maddy, Jason, and Kirk are all playing the remastered version of BioWare's sci-fi trilogy, and really, who needs an excuse to talk Mass Effect? The gang talks about what it's like to revisit Mass Effect all these years later, what has or hasn't aged well, and of course, who they'd all like to smooch. One More Thing: Kirk: Subnautica: Below Zero Maddy: Little Fires Everywhere Jason: World’s End Club Links: Kirk’s now-mangled Kotaku post about the hidden music in Mass Effect...
May 27, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 56
It's time for news! This week, the Triple Click clique dives into some of the spring's big gaming news, from the Epic vs. Apple trial to Ubisoft's decision to embrace free-to-play games and much, much more. Plus: Maddy explains why Pokemon cards are back and bigger than ever! One More Thing: Kirk: The Nevers Maddy: Lupin S1 Jason: The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz Links: The Axios Video Game newsletter: https://www.axios.com/signup/gaming Microsoft’s internal review of The Last of Us Part 2: https...
May 20, 2021•59 min•Ep. 55
