This year has seen the release of three great open-world games: Dying Light 2, Horizon Forbidden West, and Elden Ring. What do they all have in common? And what do they all do differently? This week, Kirk shares his new taxonomy for open worlds in video games and the Triple Click crew figures out what they like most in an open world. One More Thing: Kirk: Public Defenders Maddy: Elden Ring Jason: Steam Deck Links: Steven Lumpkin's Twitter thread: https://twitter.com/Silent0siris/status/149840841...
Mar 03, 2022•57 min•Ep. 94
Robot... dinosaurs!!! Kirk, Jason, and Maddy take out their best bows and prepare to go on a hunt for big machines in Horizon Forbidden West, a new open-world game for the PlayStation that rules. They talk about how things have (and haven't) changed from the first game, the big, beautiful world, and the good and bad of Forbidden West's story. One More Thing: Kirk: ELDEN RING Maddy: Peacemaker Jason: ELDEN RING Links: Horizon Forbidden West score by Joris de Man, Niels van der Leest & Oleksa ...
Feb 24, 2022•1 hr•Ep. 93
And now, for Jason's dream episode: the gang plays Suikoden II! Kirk and Maddy give their impressions of the first 25% of the classic JRPG, from the very beginning through getting your very own castle. Do they love it as much as Jason? (No.) The three of them talk about the relationship between Riou and Jowy, the parts of the game that feel clunky in 2022, and what it's like to recruit all those characters. Plus: Dracula! One More Thing: Kirk: Horizon Forbidden West Maddy: Murderville Jason: Als...
Feb 17, 2022•59 min•Ep. 92
From silent protagonists to badass students, there are all sorts of protagonists in the world of video games. Let's talk about them! Jason, Maddy, and Kirk list their favorite heroes, then break down all of the archetypes, from the Chosen One to the Determined Daughter (subcategory: Queer Millennial Edition). From Mario to Kratos, we've got'em all. One More Thing: Kirk: Station Eleven Maddy: The official Dark Souls TTRPG Jason: Arrested Development Links: Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun....
Feb 10, 2022•1 hr•Ep. 91
Light: it's dying! This week, the Triple Click gang plays through Dying Light 2: Stay Human, a new game in which you jump between buildings and smash zombies in the head. They talk about the game's slick parkour system, the silly writing, and the drab visuals. Plus: the one and only... Aiden. One More Thing: Kirk: Roasting Coffee Maddy: West Side Story (2021) Jason: The Thursday Murder Club (Richard Osman) Links: That Iconic 2011 Dead Island Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfhtiG66SQc S...
Feb 03, 2022•58 min•Ep. 90
Maddy, Kirk, and Jason take a few minutes to react to last week's megaton announcement that Microsoft is buying Activision Blizzard, then prepare for the new Uncharted collection on PS5 by diving into the iconic adventure series. What's the deal with Nathan Drake falling on every platform he sees? Are the first two games better than the next two? And are Uncharted 4 and Lost Legacy worth playing today? One More Thing: Kirk: Dan Olson’s video on NFTs Maddy: First Reformed Jason: The craziest foot...
Jan 27, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 89
Will the metaverse of Ready Player One ever exist in our world? Has a bad ending ever ruined a video game? And just how does one get into Monster Hunter? This week, Jason, Kirk, and Maddy open up the listener mailbag and answer some of YOUR questions on all sorts of things. (Note: We recorded this episode BEFORE Tuesday's bombshell news that Microsoft is buying Activision!) One More Thing: Kirk: Free Guy Maddy: Death Note Jason: Don’t Look Up Links: Tips for Suikoden II: https://kotaku.com/tips-...
Jan 20, 2022•1 hr•Ep. 88
The year's only started but it's already full of GAMING NEWS! Join Jason, Maddy, and Kirk for a breakdown of this year's biggest headlines: Take-Two buying Zynga, E3 essentially dying, and the trials and tribulations of BioShock director Ken Levine. Plus: a cool new mystery show and the return of Jason's NFL stories! One More Thing: Kirk: Only Murders in the Building Maddy: Homestuck Made This World Jason: Chargers vs. Raiders Links: Jason’s report on Ken Levine’s Ghost Story Games: https://www....
Jan 13, 2022•59 min•Ep. 87
It's time! Kirk, Jason, and Maddy revisit their predictions for 2021, determine who won the big bet (and what game they'll all play this year), and then lay down some predictions for 2022. One More Thing: Kirk: The Frustration of Wanting to Play Cyberpunk 2077 Maddy: Wordle Jason: Final Fantasy XIV Links: Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/...
Jan 06, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 86
As we all say farewell (and good riddance) to 2021, it's time to go through the BEST games of the year!!! Kirk, Maddy, and Jason each break down their ten (or more) favorites, from Metroid Dread to The Great Ace Attorney. KIRK'S LIST: Returnal Hitman 3 Deathloop Inscryption Wildermyth Halo Infinite Death’s Door Metroid Dread Psychonauts 2 Monster Hunter Rise Subnautica: Below Zero Outer Wilds: Echoes of the Eye MADDY'S LIST: Metroid Dread Chicory: A Colorful Tale Psychonauts 2 Wildermyth Halo In...
Dec 30, 2021•58 min•Ep. 85
The Triple Click Trio discuss the entirety of the Half-Life story so far. Back in September, Maddy, Jason, and Kirk recorded a spoilercast about the entirety of Half-Life 2. Here in December, they're taking this week off for the holidays, so they decided to drop this bonus episode in the feed. As always, if you'd like to become a Maximum Fun member and get many more bonus episodes like this one, go to maximumfun.org/join. Original show notes follow. Hope you all are having a happy holiday! SHOW ...
Dec 23, 2021•1 hr 3 min
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
