Videogame Generations

ARCHIVE 2 (02/11/2015 to 09/02/2015)

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09/02/2015 - "Episode 60: True Gamers"

We don't have much news this week, but there is plenty to talk about in our listener email segment: the critical reception of Alien: Isolation and Thief; the merits of Deadly Premonition; the possible staying power of Fallout Shelter; cartoons. And that's all from the same email!

In my pre-recorded segment, I talk briefly about Adventures of Pip (PS4) and Suikoden II (PS1). Then, after a post-game wrap-up for Grabbed by the Ghoulies (Rare Replay, Xbox One), I give a spoiler-free review of recent cinematic horror game Until Dawn (PS4). Basically, it's pretty awesome.

We end the show with a quiz, but this time it's one we found online. It's touted as being for "true gamers" but turns out to be... well, just listen and you'll see. Suffice it to say that the quiz's author was having a little bit of fun with the concept, perhaps making a point as to how silly it is that some gamers mistake their opinions as facts.

Mentioned in this episode:

Double Fine's upcoming game Headlander is previewed at IGN
An article about the high praise given to Alien: Isolation at PC Gamer
An article about Fallout Shelter end-game content at Game Informer
A quiz for "true gamers" (note: some cursing in the comments) at Dorkly

Episode 60 is also available as an MP3 here.

08/26/2015 - "Episode 59: Experiments in Soccer"

It's a guest-filled episode this week, with returning guest Bill here with us to chat about several game topics. Mini-Gamers, Heath's mini-podcast, also makes a return for its fifth episode, with his friend Timothy sitting in to talk about games they've been playing together. Bill's daughter Natalie also visits the show briefly, to talk about her current favorite games.

After talking about next month's free PlayStation Plus and Xbox Games with Gold, we read listener email. This prompts discussions about Fallout Shelter, Dishonored, the Nintendo NX patent rumor, and more. Our Question of the Week also comes from this week's email: What is your favorite Nintendo game or game series?

We also have plenty to talk about in our "What We're Playing" segments. For Bill, that's South Park: The Stick of Truth (Xbox 360). For Natalie, Relic Run (iOS) and Layton Brothers Mystery Room (iOS). For Addie, LittleBigPlanet 3 (PS4) and Power Lines (PC). For Heath, it's Scribblenauts Unlimited (3DS), 2006 FIFA World Cup (Xbox 360), Pac-Man 256 (Fire TV), Fighter Physics (Fire TV), Lego Jurassic World (Xbox 360), and Minecraft (PS4).

In my pre-recorded segments, I give a wrap-up on Alien: Isolation (PS4) by talking briefly about the Crew Expendable DLC, plus my closing thoughts on The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (3DS) after finishing it this past weekend. I also have opening thoughts on two games I started. These are Adventures of PIP (PS4) and Grabbed by the Ghoulies from the Rare Replay collection (Xbox One).

Finally, a huge thank-you to long-time listener Jason, who supplied us with another fun quiz. Our challenge is to guess if each of ten descriptions identifies a cartoon from the late 80's and early 90's, or a video game. If possible, we must also name the show or game. Bill guesses along with Addie and me.

Mentioned in this episode:

September's free PlayStation Plus games are detailed at the PlayStation Blog
September's free Xbox Games With Gold are detailed at the Xbox Wire
An article about the Nintendo disc-less patent at IGN
Another article about the same rumor at Forbes
Somebody played Fallout Shelter in a strange way

Episode 59 is also available as an MP3 here.

08/19/2015 - "Episode 58: Let's-a-Go! This Is Fun!"

We start out, as always, with a bit of off-topic warm-up talk, mostly about Addie's efforts to choose an instrument to learn in band. In my pre-recorded game update, I have initial thoughts on the Rare Replay collection (Xbox One), and a wrap-up for Alien: Isolation (PS4) after finishing the main game on Hard.

Listener Pawel writes in to talk about The Witcher III and the Fallout series this week, and then it's feedback from Jon of the One Track Gamers podcast to answer prior Questions of the Week and very generously provide us with a fun audio quiz. This was a late-day addition to the show schedule, so we decided to also go ahead with a second quiz. It's one I had prepared for Addie about movie and TV characters that have appeared in games.

This week's feature segment is mostly me talking about my hopes and fears for Nintendo's next console, codenamed the NX. Several listeners have already weighed in with their opinions, so now it's my turn to predict what Nintendo should and shouldn't do.

Mentioned in this episode:

Stan Lee's Superhumans is on the History Channel
Many a True Nerd plays the Fallout series in odd ways on YouTube

Episode 58 is also available as an MP3 here.

08/12/2015 - "Episode 57: Scribblenauts Fever / Batman and Robinhood"

Everybody's playing Scribblenauts Unlimited. Well, the kids are, at least. This comes up twice in this week's episode: once in Heath's Mini-Gamers segment and again in a discussion with Addie. They also played one of this month's free PlayStation Plus games, Sound Shapes (PS4). In my pre-recorded segments, it's my initial impressions of Odin Sphere (PS2) and Alien: Isolation (PS4).

I also have final wrap-ups for three games I finished. These are The Guardian Legend (NES), No More Heroes (PS3), and Suikoden (PS1). Add to that a short discussion about Splatoon (WiiU) and Lego Jurassic World (Xbox 360), and it's one game-filled episode.

This episode's new Question of the Week comes from listener email. What game do you think would be fun to practice for a speed-run? We also have news, listener email, and a quiz where Addie tries to guess video game characters based on a series of clues.

Mentioned in this episode:

A Beginner's Guide to Doctor Who at IGN
We may be getting a new A Boy and His Blob
Sony is bringing PS Plus subscribers Vote to Play

This week's ending music is from Scribblenauts Unlimited found at YouTube

Episode 57 is also available as an MP3 here.

08/05/2015 - "Episode 56: Hitting Dumpsters to Get T-Shirts"

We're back to our usual hour-ish episode length this week, still with plenty on the agenda. In news, we talk briefly about a couple of new releases, plus the free PlayStation Plus line-up for August. In listener email, prior weeks' questions are answered and long-time listener Jason sends in another quiz. We do that late in the episode, with Addie naming game trophy titles and me attempting to guess the game it's from and what a player must do to earn the trophy.

Game talk in my pre-recorded segment includes The Guardian Legend (NES, which I've only been playing once in a while) and No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise (PS3, which I finished, but may revisit to earn more trophies). This week's trio of end-theme tunes are taken from The Guardian Legend (MIDI arrangements).

Another trio: Questions of the Week! Write in with your thoughts and answers to one or more of these, so we can read and discuss on an upcoming episode. (1) What single-player game would benefit from a co-op mode? How would co-op change and improve the experience? (2) What are the toughest or just plain ridiculous trophies or achievements you've seen in a game? Impossible to earn? Fifty hours of grinding? Completely random? (3) What are your thoughts on Nintendo's next console, code-named the "NX"? What do you think it will be? What should it be? Are you even interested in a new Nintendo home console?

Mentioned in this episode:

Suggestions for Interactive Fiction "Groundhog's Day" plots at the IFDB
Free Playstation Plus games for August 2015 at the PlayStation Blog

Episode 56 is also available as an MP3 here.

07/29/2015 - "Episode 55: After I Say This, I'm Going To Laugh"

This episode features links galore, including a list of my current favorite podcasts. It's an all-around over-sized episode, with several listener emails answering prior Questions of the Week (and posing new ones as well). News is light, but includes next month's free Xbox Games with Gold lineup.

In Heath's third episode of Mini-Gamers, we talk about the new Adam Sandler movie Pixels, and about Playstation game Entwined. My own pre-recorded segments include a review of Rule of Rose (PS2), my opening thoughts on No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise (PS3), and brief spoiler-free thoughts on Life is Strange: Episode 4 (PS4). We also have a fun quote-related quiz late in the show, this time provided by a long-time listener, which Addie presents and I guess.

Questions of the Week include the following, if you can't think of any reason to write in otherwise. Have an answer? Let us know!

1. A game you'd welcome an aftermath-explanation game, but not a sequel.
2. A game with horrible controls that might have been great otherwise.
3. A game where some story-based mechanic detracts from actual gameplay.

Mentioned in this episode:

Free Xbox Games with Gold for August 2015 listed at Major's Nelson's Blog
Awesome trailer for the Oregon Trail "movie" on YouTube
How to fix Xbox 360 battery packs that won't charge
The "UFA" Mensa riddle was from Isaac Asimov
The best mistranslated lines from Zero Wing
Now we can be heard on TuneIn Radio

Rule of Rose analysis
Rule of Rose abuse
Rule of Rose plot

These are my current favorite podcasts:

Episode 55 is also available as an MP3 here.

07/22/2015 - "Episode 54: The New Games of Charm"

"Don't make me say it again. I'm a Cleaner."

So says Garcian Smith in the main review topic this week, Killer 7 (PS2). As an M-Rated game that's certainly not for kids, it's relegated to my pre-recorded segment (which also includes updates on The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D (3DS) and Fallout Shelter).

We have plenty of email this week, too, which includes some answers to the listener questions of prior weeks. One listener's thought-provoking question about "Groundhog Day" types of plots in games (and in movies/TV) prompts a lengthy discussion and becomes our new question of the week for other listeners. Are there any games you've played where repeating the same period of time over and over is part of the plot, aside from the ones we already mentioned?

In this episode, Addie presents me with a new quiz. She describes a series of ten games based on their cover art, challenging me to figure out what game she's talking about. There are hints involved where needed, and listeners can play along. I also challenge Addie (and listeners) with a riddle that plagued me for years as a kid: what common English word contains the letters "UFA" in that order, no other letters between them, somewhere at the beginning, middle, or end of a word? Names, products, and obscure phrases don't count. Hint: The word is common enough that it's even said somewhere in this episode.

Mentioned in this episode:

Killer 7 - The Widipedia page
Killer 7 - A short plot analysis
Killer 7 - A very long plot analysis
Killer 7 - A possible official explanation
Killer 7 - Why it's one of the finest games ever

Episode 54 is also available as an MP3 here.

07/15/2015 - "Episode 53: One-Year Anniversary"

It's an episode one year in the making! In addition to most of our usual segments, we look back at our first year of podcasting (flashback clips included). In a disappointing twist, none of our long-time listeners wrote in for this episode. It's never too early to email questions and feedback for our next episode, though. This week, we have two QotW's for listeners: what are your favorite quotes from video games, and do you have suggestions on things we should add, change, remove, or bring back as we continue into our show's second year?

In our What We're Playing segment, Addie has nothing, but I give a wrap-up on Batman: Arkham Knight (PS4) after finishing it recently. I also have more thoughts on The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D (3DS) and Fallout Shelter (iOS). Heath's "Mini-Gamers" segment returns for a second mini-episode, where we talk briefly about eight different games. This includes opening thoughts on Lego Jurassic World (Xbox 360) and his wrap-up on Splatoon (WiiU) after finishing the story levels.

In another cruel twist of fate, other obligations meant that despite all my planning and note-taking prior to the episode, we weren't able to start recording until around 9:30 PM Tuesday night. It was after 11:00 PM when we finished, and a very-tired Addie could barely keep her eyes open, let alone participate to the extent that would have been fitting our anniversary episode. I've had a "talk" with the responsible party, stressing the point that we do this podcast every Tuesday, and the earlier the better. During the school year, this would have meant delaying the episode or missing it entirely.

Mentioned in this episode:

We now appear in a video on YouTube

The One Track Gamers Podcast
All of the Cave Johnson quotes at the Portal Wiki
Enter or judge the 2015 Interactive Fiction Competition
The TyeDyeSheepFilms Minecraft Party video on YouTube

Episode 53 is also available as an MP3 here.

07/08/2015 - "Episode 52: What's This Corpse Doing Here?"

Game discussion this week includes my opening thoughts on Batman: Arkham Knight (PS4) in a pre-recorded segment, and we compare our ongoing experiences with Fallout Shelter (iOS). Addie's only other notable mention is triva game QuizUp (iOS), but I have a variety of 3DS games to talk about in another pre-recorded segment. These include Pushmo, Gunman Clive, and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D.

We read our one listener email for this week, and list off July's free games for subscribers of Xbox Gold and Playstation Plus (which we totally forgot to do last week). The show ends in a quiz of Addie's making, which challenges me (and you as a listener) to guess game titles based on brief clues or plot points.

Next week is our one-year anniversary episode, so if you want to write in for that, please send email by Monday so we can have everything ready for Tuesday's recording. Exactly what we're going to include in the show is still a work in progress.

Mentioned in this episode:

Playstation Plus free games for July listed at the Playstation Blog
Xbox Gold free games for July listed at Major Nelson's Blog

Episode 52 is also available as an MP3 here.

07/01/2015 - "Episode 51: Splatoon or Splatoot?"

This week, we talk about Splatoon (WiiU). We're joined for that by the "Mini-Gamers" Heath and Hadleigh. In my post-recorded stuff, it's mainly about The Witcher III: Wild Hunt (PS4), where I wrap it up and give my (possibly) final thoughts on this epic RPG -- at least until its story-content DLC is released. There's a bit more, too, with Addie talking a little about Dance Dance Revolution Universe (Xbox 360) and my update on my brief time spent with The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D (3DS).

This episode also has the distinction of being the last time we'll do Video Game Twenty Questions. Heavy editing keeps it interesting, but half of the audio was cut just to keep the game moving forward. I haven't entirely given up on the concept of games or quizzes -- I think they're fun, when they work -- but it needs more thought.

I'm a fan of sticking to a routine, but this week's episode arrives one day early because of scheduling conflicts. We recorded most of it on Sunday (rather than Tuesday) and then my solo game talk segments were done later. It's also one of our shortest episodes (sorry).

Mentioned in this episode:

The TyeDyeSheepFilms channel on YouTube
Hadleigh's Splatoon picture on Twitter

Episode 51 is also available as an MP3 here.

06/24/2015 - "Episode 50: More Vault Dwellers"

In the first half of this week's episode, we talk about our favorite announcements from this year's E3. Bill is here to share his thoughts on some of the highlights. We discuss XBox One backwards compatibility, Fallout 4, Star Wars: Battlefront, The Last Guardian, Dishonored 2, possible SKU revisions for XB1 and PS4, and more.

In What We're Playing, we talk about Fallout Shelter (iOS), which then makes a second appearance in my pre-recorded segment. I also have a Witcher 3 (PS4) update in that same segment. Afterwards, Bill and I talk about a game we both feel is underrated, The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct (Xbox 360). Bill also talks about another mobile game called Rebuild (Android), which is similar in concept to Fallout Shelter, except that it's set in a zombie apocalypse instead of a nuclear one. Addie talks briefly about her latest trophy hunting efforts in LittleBigPlanet 3 (PS4), and then Bill wraps it up with quick thoughts on the original Shadow Warrior (PC) and Super Meat Boy (PC).

This episode also marks the beginning of a new mini-podcast, featuring Addie's seven-year-old brother Heath. I wanted to call it the Heath-Cast, but he decided to go with Mini-Gamers. Games discussed include Robot Wants Kitty (iOS), Battle Block Theater (Xbox 360), Max and the Curse of Brotherhood (PS4), and Race the Sun (PS4).

Next week, a business trip means we can't record at our usual time on Tuesday night. My plan is to record the main show early -- possibly as early as Sunday afternoon -- and then post-record my own What We're Playing segment to include during the final edit. Worst case scenario is that we have to skip the episode, but we'll see.

Mentioned in this episode:

A trailer for Indie Game: The Movie at YouTube
Low ratings for The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct at MetaCritic

Episode 50 is also available as an MP3 here.

06/17/2015 - "Episode 49: E3 Overload"

E3, the Electronic Entertainment Expo, is in full swing this week, and this oversized episode focuses heavily on seven of the biggest E3 press conferences. These pre-recorded recaps are laced into the episode between other segments, such as this week's listener email. If you're interested in the latest announcements from Bethesda, EA, Microsoft, Sony, Square Enix, Ubisoft or Nintendo, you've come to the right podcast.

My pre-recorded weekly gameplay update is short this week. I talk briefly about The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (PS4), The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D (3DS), and Suikoden (PS1 on Playstation TV). I also wrap up my final thoughts on Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. (3DS), which I finally finished. Addie's trophy-hunting efforts result in a recap of the latest LittleBigPlanet 3 (PS4) trophies she's earned.

Don't forget to write in for our next episode and let us know your favorite news and announcements from this year's E3. We'll read and discuss those, and give our own thoughts on some of our favorites of the show.

Mentioned in this episode:

The announcement trailer for Final Fantasy VII Remake at YouTube
The E3 gameplay trailer for Firewatch at YouTube
Nintendo has launched a site called Let's Super Mario

An article about it always raining in TV/movie funerals at TVTropes.org

Episode 49 is also available as an MP3 here.

06/10/2015 - "Episode 48: Excited on the Inside"

Addie is back, but she fails to properly introduce herself this time (you'll see). She also isn't impressed by my enthusiasm over the recent reveal of Fallout 4. After that and a brief news segment, it's time for a long listener email segment. One of our listeners was a long-time player of my browser-based multiplayer RPG Lunatix Online (available from 1999 to 2010), and wants to know more about its history and the decision to shut it down in his response to a recent Question of the Week about your favorite developer behind-the-scenes stories. My answer, while not as in depth as it could have been, is still pretty lengthy.

In our What We're Playing segment, Addie has nothing to share this week. For me, it's more Witcher III (PS4) and my wrap-up on a PC point-and-click adventure game I started playing years ago and finally finished, called Lost Horizon (Deep Silver and Animation Arts). I also have a brief update on progress in Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. (3DS) and a recommendation for a tiny, experimental PC and DSi/3DS game called Gravitation.

Mentioned in this episode:

Jason Rohrer's Gravitation is free at SourceForge

A few free DOS and Windows 3.1 games that I wrote
Lunatix Online was a multiplayer browser-based RPG here
Screenshots, news, and info about Lunatix Online was here
There is a Lunatix Online group on Facebook

Episode 48 is also available as an MP3 here.

06/03/2015 - "Episode 47: Totally Bananacakes"

Addie is still away on vacation, but she was at least able to call in and open this week's episode. After that, Bill is here with his daughter Natalie to talk about a variety of games and recent news topics. This includes the Fallout site countdown, which -- after the recording of this episode -- has turned into the actual announcement of Fallout 4, complete with a teaser trailer (which I've already watched ten times). BEST. DAY. EVER!

Other topics of discussion include recent Nintendo 3DS announcements, the upcoming Steam summer sale, and a new Kickstarter for The Bard's Tale IV. We also go over this month's free game offerings for subscribers of Xbox Gold and Playstation Plus, which I just barely missed last week due to the timing of those announcements.

This week's pre-recorded segments are my wrap-up for Xeodrifter (3DS eShop) and my ongoing thoughts about The Witcher III: Wild Hunt (PS4). Natalie has a lot to say about the games she's been playing, which include Bastion (Xbox 360), Crossy Road (iOS) and Toca Kitchen (iOS). Aside from playing Bastion together with Natalie, Bill talks about his recent run-through of both seasons of TellTale's The Walking Dead series (Xbox 360) and Warcraft II (PC). Our one listener email this week answers last week's QotW about how you react to other people's opinions of games you've yet to play. After this, Bill wants to know what PS4 games he should play first, when he (hopefully soon) picks up a PS4. I've convinced him, easily enough, to play The Last of Us Remastered before anything else, but write in and let him know your suggestions too!

Mentioned in this episode:

YES! Fallout 4 is officially announced
An article about Scottish accents for dwarves
The Bard's Tale IV is going strong on Kickstarter
June's free Xbox Games with Gold listed at the Xbox Wire
June Playstation Plus free games listed at the Playstation Blog

Episode 47 is also available as an MP3 here.

05/27/2015 - "Episode 46: Alone and Gaming"

Addie is on vacation this week, living it up at Disney World with her mom and her brother and sister. She wasn't able to be here for this week's episode, and even Plan B (calling in for it) didn't work out. She wasn't even able to call briefly just to say "hi" and introduce the show (Plan C), and since I was a little too tired to have Bill over later in the evening (Plan D) and Tracy didn't want to do it (Plan E), it's a one man show this time.

This makes it a shorter-than-normal episode, and perhaps a slightly awkward one, but at least we didn't skip a week. I read and comment on listener email and introduce a new Question of the Week. I also include my now-standard pre-recorded segment, where I give an update on progress in Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. (3DS), my wrap-up on Broken Age (PS4) after getting its platinum trophy, and my lengthy opening thoughts on recently-released fantasy RPG The Witcher III: Wild Hunt (PS4).

The plan for next week may or may not include Addie, depending on how much fun she's having. There's a good chance Bill will join me for plenty of game chat. I think we'll be back to normal the week after that, provided she's back in time.

Mentioned in this episode:

A speed run walkthrough for Broken Age at PSN Profiles
The Double Fine Adventure Documentary on YouTube

Episode 46 is also available as an MP3 here.

05/20/2015 - "Episode 45: The Witching Hour"

The Witcher III: Wild Hunt is here, and it's sure to consume all of my free time. I haven't actually started it yet, but since the mere mention of it made Addie stray off topic, that's this week's show title.

In listener email (one of my favorite segments each week), we read more feedback about prior weeks' topics. One listener suggests this week's Question of the Week: what are your favorite game developer stories (the story about how a game actually got made, why a game got cancelled, and other interesting behind-the-scenes stuff). Then, when another listener asks about how I started collecting games and what my goals are, I do my best to remember how it all started and explain my take on this strange hobby.

"What We're Playing" this week was Syndicate (Xbox 360) and Life is Strange Episode 3 (PS4), although those were just me. Both of us played more Broken Age (PS4), which I completed (aside from the platinum trophy). Addie also played more of Little Big Planet 3 (PS4), where her trophy-hunting efforts were mostly fruitless. After all that, Addie has two games for me to try guessing in Twenty Questions.

Our second question of the week for listeners is one that came up in my talk about Syndicate. What are the top qualities of your "favorite" games of all time? Are they of a certain genre or style? For me, the common factor seems to be that they were all games that were unlike anything I'd played before (at the time), and they were all really memorable experiences. If you have your own answer for either of our questions this week, or if you just want to write in to talk about anything we've discussed, suggest a topic, ask a question, or just say "hi" then please email us or leave us a SpeakPipe voice mail.

The next two episodes may be a little off, since Addie will be out of town on vacation with her mom. This may mean short delays in getting them recorded and posted, or Addie sounding distant due to calling in remotely, or me having a guest host, or me going it alone, or something. We'll be back on a regular schedule after that, until July 1st, when it's me who'll be out of town trying to figure out how to make the episode happen.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the GamersVantage podcast

Episode 45 is also available as an MP3 here.

05/13/2015 - "Episode 44: Your I'm Thinking Face"

It's the usual stuff this week: a little news, listener email (where two listeners submit game recommendations), and game talk in our "what we're playing" segment. I give a wrap-up on Wolfenstein: The Old Blood (PS4) and my initial impressions of Syndicate (Xbox 360). Addie and I also talk some about Broken Age (aka The Double Fine Adventure).

We forgot to ask a Question of the Week for listeners (again), but the episode ends with a single drawn-out round of Twenty Questions. This time, Addie struggles to figure out the game I'm thinking of. Did this go well, or was it a train wreck? Listen to find out!

In addition to the podcast itself, we're now putting related videos on YouTube. So far, these are a tour of my game collection, a look at my thirty-one copies of Perfect Dark Zero, and a how-to video for a trophy in the newest Wolfenstien game. I have more ideas, and if these are popular enough, we'll continue making more.

Mentioned in this episode:

A tour of my game collection on YouTube
My 31 copies of Perfect Dark Zero on YouTube
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night on KickStarter
A short article about the ending of TellTale's The Walking Dead

Episode 44 is also available as an MP3 here.

05/06/2015 - "Episode 43: Trophy Hunting With Addie"

With no listener email or voicemail this week, we spend the episode talking about many different games. First, though, a new month means new free games with Xbox Gold and Playstation Plus, so those line-ups are covered early in the show. In game talk, Addie has been trophy hunting in Octodad: Dadliest Catch (PS4). In my pre-recorded segments, I give a (final) Bloodborne update (PS4), my first impressions of Wolfenstein: The Old Blood (PS4), and a wrap-up on fun Metroid-inspired indie game Axiom Verge (PS4).

Heath, Addie's younger brother, is with us briefly to talk about some of his recent favorites, including Lego Batman 3 (Xbox 360), Portal 2 Co-Op (Xbox 360), Super Smash Bros. (WiiU), and Little Big Planet 3 (PS4). Following that, we play two rounds of Twenty Questions, where Addie thinks of games that I have to guess.

Our Question of the Week for listeners is a little uninspired, but hopefully will lead to a few good responses. Is there a game you'd like to recommend to other listeners? Maybe one you've been playing recently, which doesn't get enough attention elsewhere? What's the game, and why do you like it?

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out how old Microsoft thinks you are
May 2015 Free Xbox Games With Gold at the Xbox Wire
May 2015 Free Playstation Plus games at the Playstation Blog

Episode 43 is also available as an MP3 here.

04/29/2015 - "Episode 42: The Mario Gamey Thingie"

Being better prepared this week, we start out by talking about several recent bits of news and current events, including the Golden Week sale on PSN, and GameStop testing the waters of retro game sales. Then, in our listener feedback segment, we have one long email to read and discuss (thanks, Pawel!)

In game discussion, it's entirely me this week. Addie didn't have anything new to share, but I finished Shadow Warrior (PS4) and Soul of Darkness (DSiWare), so I give my wrap-up on both. Aside from quick updates on other games that I didn't really play much since last time, I have opening thoughts on Axiom Verge (PS4) -- a Super Metroid-inspired indie 2D action/exploration game with more complicated controls than the series that inspired it.

The show ends in an extended segment where we try something a little different. Rather than a multiple choice quiz, we play two rounds of 20 Questions. Addie tries to guess the games I'm thinking of by asking yes/no questions to narrow it down. This segment is a work in progress, but we may bring it back next week with the roles reversed. Wish me luck!

Mentioned in this episode:

An illuminating article about Shadow Warrior
A NintendoLife review of DSi game Soul of Darkness

Episode 42 is also available as an MP3 here.

04/22/2015 - "Episode 41: A Grape Vine"

This week, we start off talking about magic tricks and Star Wars. After a little news, we read this episode's listener email, where last week's questions are answered and we find out some about PC adventure game Gemini Rue.

The rest of the episode is all about what we're playing. I give my wrap-up on Bloodborne (PS4), an update on Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. (3DS) and Soul of Darkness (DSi), and initial impressions of Shadow Warrior (PS4) after playing through the first half. Addie played some co-op in Never Alone (PS4) with younger brother Heath, which is free with Playstation Plus this month. Heath and I also finished the last of the co-op levels in Portal 2's Peer Review DLC (Xbox 360), so we talk about that and about Addie's progress in the first Portal. She also started playing graphic adventure game Edna & Harvey: The Breakout (PC), which is the predecessor to Harvey's New Eyes (which she already finished, months ago).

Still no quiz prepared for this week, so I turned it into this week's listener question. Suggest a topic for a quiz, or if you want, send us all the questions for a quiz of your own! You can email us, or use SpeakPipe and I'll chop it up into segments and put them in interactively.

Mentioned in this episode:

There's going to be another Adventure Time game
An article about Dying Light and how games are amazing

Episode 41 is also available as an MP3 here.

04/15/2015 - "Episode 40: Walking Around With No Head"

Bill is back again, to talk about a number of recently-played games, including Red Dead Redemption and its Undead Nightmare expansion (Xbox 360), Valiant Hearts (iPad version), Heroes Rise (an interactive novella / choose-your-own-adventure trilogy), and Beyond Good & Evil HD (Xbox 360 - and we speculate on whether or not we'll ever see BG&E 2). Before that, I include a pre-recorded segment where I give a brief update on my time spent in Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. (3DS), my initial thoughts on DSiWare game Soul of Darkness, and my current thoughts on BloodBorne (PS4) after many more hours spent to bring me near the end of the game.

Somewhere in the middle, Addie talks briefly about a new iOS game she discovered, and Bill's daughter Natalie tells us a little about the first episode of TellTale's Sam & Max Season 2 (Beyond Time and Space).

It's another week with no quiz, but we do have two new Questions of the Week. First, have you ever made your own meta-game within a game? For instance, going around pretending to arrest people for ridiculous reasons in Sleeping Dogs (The Year of the Snake expansion). Second, what are your thoughts on first person versus third person games? Do you have a preference, and why? If you have comments or feedback on either of these topics, or on anything else we've discussed (or, just to say "hi"), please send us an email or leave us a voice message on SpeakPipe.

Mentioned in this episode:

Inventory your games online at Darkadia.com

Episode 40 is also available as an MP3 here.

04/08/2015 - "Episode 39: My Brain Clicked"

No news, no quiz, no SpeakPipe yet, but we have plenty of game talk, including my lengthy opening thoughts on PS4 exclusive BloodBorne. I also give my wrap-up on the post-game content in Sleeping Dogs (PS4 Definitive Edition), and a bit about The Guardian Legend (a classic NES game I've been playing off and on for a few weeks, on Retron5). Addie gives her Portal 2 (Xbox 360) single-player wrap-up, her initial thoughts on the original Portal, an update on her progress in Costume Quest 2 (PS4), and a bit about a puzzle game called Back to Bed (iOS).

Before all that, we read this week's listerner email, which includes more wish-list hopes for the next Fallout game. Our question of the week also comes from this week's email. What are your thoughts on game characters crossing over into other games, where they may not necessarily belong? Suggest a game where this worked, or where it didn't, and we'll discuss on a future episode.

The ending music this week is a selection of MIDI arrangements of a few tunes from The Guardian Legend. The game does have great 8-bit music, and much more than I've included here. Enjoy!

As mentioned in this episode:

Addie talks about iOS game Back to Bed
Kotaku explains mirror textures in Watch_Dogs

Episode 39 is also available as an MP3 here.

04/01/2015 - "Episode 38: The Potential of a Potato"

In this week's news, I talk about some of the interesting new features in the recent PS4 and Vita system firmware updates. Then, a new month means new free games for subscribers of Playstation Plus and Xbox Gold, so I list those and talk a little about them. Then, after listener email, we talk about the games we're currently playing.

For me, that's still Code Name S.T.E.A.M. (3DS) and Sleeping Dogs (PS4), but I also played through the just-released second episode of Life is Strange (PS4), and I do my best to discuss it in general, without spoilers. Addie has only played Portal 2 (Xbox 360), and not much more of that since last week, but she's excited to possibly finish it over the next week.

I also give my initial hands-on impressions of the Amazon Fire TV Stick and the Oculus Rift Dev Kit 2 -- very different pieces of tech, each pretty cool in their own way. To wrap up the episode, I talk about my wish list for the next Fallout game (Fallout 4?) with the hopes that Bethesda will announce it soon (at E3?) Plus, listener feedback on what they'd like to see in the next game.

As mentioned in this episode:

Amazon's Fire TV Stick
PS4 and Vita system update features
Playstation Plus free games for April 2015
Xbox Games With Gold free games for April 2015

Episode 38 is also available as an MP3 here.

03/25/2015 - "Episode 37: Cave Johnson Quips"

We have plenty to discuss this week. More listeners write in about recent questions of the week, and later in the episode we introduce another one: do you think this will be the last console generation? Some people do, but it's hard to imagine a time when "set-top boxes" and alternative gaming devices have replaced the home console market.

Addie made it quite a bit further in Portal 2 (Xbox 360) since the last episode, and I try my best to keep her from spoiling the story for listeners. She also played a little more Resogun (PS4) and Alice: Madness Returns (Xbox 360), the latter of which we discuss why it received an ESRB "M" rating and whether or not it really fits. I also talk in depth about Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. (3DS) and Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition (PS4), which are the two games I've been playing since last time.

This week's quiz is all about NES game titles. Can you tell the real ones from the fakes? Oh, and this episode's after-the-ending outtake is a little unusual (and a little longer than normal), but it was entirely Addie's idea.

As mentioned in this episode:

Fallout 3 song list
PlayStation Mobile is shutting down, as reported by IGN

Episode 37 is also available as an MP3 here.

03/18/2015 - "Episode 36: Hey, Nifty America"

This week's episode is a little shorter than normal, in part because Addie hasn't played anything recently for our "what we're playing" segment, and because we don't have a new quiz this week. But we do talk a little about recent Nintendo announcements, and I give a tip about a product that lets you use your home's electrical outlets as network jacks. This helped my Playstation TV remote play stability quite a bit. In my pre-recorded game talk segment, I give my opening thoughts on Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. (3DS), my closing thoughts on Fallout 3 (Xbox 360 - after playing the Point Lookout and Mothership Zeta expansions), and quite a bit about an odd but fun little game called Attack of the Friday Monsters! A Tokyo Tale (3DS).

We read more great listener email too, which includes more answers and opinions on prior weeks' topics and some game recommendations. Our newest question of the week comes from this segment, when one listener asks if we've ever just been burnt out on playing video games, and if so, what do we do to cope with it? Share your game burnout stories with us for a future episode!

Last week's question is still open as well. With the possibility that Bethesda may soon announce the next game in the Fallout series, what kinds of features, changes, or game specifics are you hoping for in Fallout 4? Let us know in email, or by leaving a message for us on SpeakPipe. We can include those messages directly in the show, if you'd like to be heard on the podcast.

As mentioned in this episode:

Podcast listener Ken has a game stream on Twitch
The TP-Link powerline network adapter at Amazon
Now, you can leave us a voicemail on SpeakPipe

Episode 36 is also available as an MP3 here.

03/11/2015 - "Episode 35: Don't Let Me Keep You"

This episode starts with more off-topic stuff than usual, but we do finally get into the main stuff -- news, listener email, and what we've been playing. In email, two listeners answer recent QOTW (Questions of the Week), which includes last week's topic about game review scores and prior topics about moral choices in games, emulation, and "let's play" videos.

Addie's contribution to the game-specific discussion is minimal this week, since she really hasn't done any gaming since the last episode, but mine is overly long. I played through Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (PS4), and I have plenty to say about that. I also continued past the end of Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney (3DS) for several of the extra post-game episodes. I wrap up with a Fallout 3 update (Xbox 360), where I'm once again exploring the game's Capital Wasteland for a few more achievements, quests, collectibles, and DLC expansions.

This week's question for listeners is specifically about the Fallout series. With many high hopes that Bethesda will announce the next in the series at their first-ever E3 press conference this year, what are you hoping for in the next Fallout game? A specific location? Gameplay improvements? I have my list, but let's hear from other fans first.

As mentioned in the podcast:

The upcoming Nvidia Shield console
Wolfensten: The Old Blood at Wikipedia
Harmonix is bringing the music back with Rock Band 4

Episode 35 is also available as an MP3 here.

03/04/2015 - "Episode 34: Lewis and Clank"

This month's free game line-up for Xbox Games with Gold and Playstation Plus is a strong one, and we go over those lists near the top of the episode. Then, without any listener feedback this week, we get right into our What We're Playing segment. Among these, I finished Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright (3DS), The Order: 1886 (PS4), and Escape Trick: The Secret of Rock City Prison (DSi). I give a Suikoden update too, then Addie talks about playing Sports Friends (PS4) with younger brother Heath. Oh, and Heath started Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham (Xbox 360), which I played with him co-op for one level.

Resogun (PS4) is also a big topic this week, when Addie says that the game doesn't really explain how you're supposed to "save the last humans." This is a PS4 launch game that I really enjoyed at the time, so I go into detail with tips and strategies for playing Resogun, explaining how the whole human-saving loop works.

Addie also tries her luck at my videogame hero sidekick quiz. Over the course of twenty questions, she attempts to figure out the hero and/or game that each sidekick goes with. It's a quiz that listeners can play along with as well. After this, I introduce a new topic of the week, inviting listeners' opinions about review scores on games. Does it help? Does it hurt? If the professionals take a stance against scoring their own reviews, will aggregate sites like Metacritic continue to show averages -- just less reliable scores from less knowledgeable reviewers? What do you think? Write in and let us know, or to answer a previous Question of the Week, or just to check in, say hi, and let us know you're listening.

As mentioned in the podcast:

The science behind the color of the dress
Major Nelson's Blog shows this month's free Xbox Games With Gold
The Official Playstation Blog shows current freebies for Playstation Plus

Episode 34 is also available as an MP3 here.

02/25/2015 - "Episode 33: Kaitlyn / Not an Elf"

Addie's friend Kaitlyn joins us remotely for this episode. I predicted it wasn't going to work, but she ended up talking rather than texting, so it was fine. Episode 33 is chock-full of game talk, which includes several iPad games Kaitlyn has been enjoying. Addie tried out Kirby and the Rainbow Curse (Wii U), played more Alice: Madness Returns (Xbox 360), and together we played more of Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris (PS4). My multiplayer time with Heath and Hadleigh (Addie's younger brother and sister, twins) was spent on Super Smash Bros. (Wii U) and Disney Universe (Xbox 360), respectively.

I give my final thoughts on Mutant Mudds Deluxe (PS3) after collecting the last trophy, and my wrap-up on Dying Light (PS4). I also talk about a short adventure game called The Starship Damrey (3DS) and bit more about the other games I've been playing. To close out the segment, I give my first impressions of The Order: 1886 (PS4), which is a game I'm really enjoying, but which seems to be getting a lot of criticism, not all of which seems deserved to me.

Earlier, with listener email, we have a new question of the week. Hypothetically, if you didn't already have a new-gen console (PS4, Xbox One, Wii U), what would be the tipping point to cause you to buy one? Or, not hypothetically, if you don't have one, what are you waiting for? A particular game? A particular price point? A new model of the hardware (ex: "slim" version)? Let us know, and we'll read your comments on a future episode.

Episode 33 is also available as an MP3 here.

02/18/2015 - "Episode 32: Daddy Dictionary"

In this episode, I give my initial hands-on impressions of Nintendo's "New 3DS", including a discussion about the many mistakes they've made with their product naming and their policies in general. I also talk about the problem with PlayStation's DualShock 4 triggers, with a tip on how to fix a broken one. Then we read listener email. One of those includes an answer to last week's question about games that disappointed you.

But it isn't all negative. We also have great things to say about the games we've been playing. Addie was convinced by her best friend to try the popular mobile game Draw Something. I beat Mutant Mudds Deluxe on the Vita (via PlayStation TV), although I still have one more trophy to earn, once I finish all the bonus "CGA Land" levels. I also finished Dying Light on the PS4, but again, I'll probably spend a little more time with it to try out "Be the Zombie" mode, and pick up a couple more trophies.

The show wraps up with a top-10 list of the games I've enjoyed, that most others didn't. Addie takes a guess at each one's average review score as we work our way to the bottom. For our question of the week, we want to know how you handle moral choices in games that offer them. For instance, light side or dark side in Star Wars? Friendly or aggressive in The Walking Dead? Let us know!

As mentioned in the podcast:

How to transfer your 3DS data to the New 3DS
PS4 DualShock 4 Replacement Triggers (L2/R2) at Amazon.com

Episode 32 is also available as an MP3 here.

02/11/2015 - "Episode 31: Professor Lincoln and the Burnt Eggs"

Highlights from Episode 31 include more listener feedback with answers to last week's question (most underrated game consoles) and a new game quiz: match the game series to the publisher. In game talk, Addie talks a little about Child of Light (PS4), Professor Layton and the Curious Village (DS), and Dance Central 3 (Xbox 360). I played more Dying Light (PS4), and I started playing Suikoden (PS1 on PSTV) and Mutant Mudds Deluxe (PSTV). In my gaming time with the younger kids, Heath and I played more Lego Batman 2, while Hadleigh had me help out with Disney Universe.

Our new question of the week asks what game has been the biggest disappointment for you so far? Have an answer? Write in!

As mentioned in the podcast:

The trailer for Persona 5
Missile Toe on YouTube
Duck and Grapes on YouTube

Episode 31 is also available as an MP3 here.

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