Abnormal Mapping

We're joined this month by Nora Blake of Export Audio to talk about her and Em's favorite dead Konami franchise: Castlevania! We're playing the first PS2 game, a certified mid classic, a game that asks can you really get ten hours out of five rooms? The answer is: kinda????? Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Red Dead Redemption, Girls' Frontline, Persona 5 Royal, Pinfeather, Contra, Vampire Survivors Castlevania DLC, tons of Castlevania from all over the franchiseNext Month's Game Club: No Case Should Remain UnsolvedMusic this EpisodeLament of Innocence (Leon's Theme) by Michiru YamaneHouse of Sacred Remains by Michiru YamaneMelancholy Joachim by Michiru YamaneStatue Enchanted by the Darkness by Michiru Yamane

We played an old SNES game today and talk about the elemental qualities of RPGs and action games. Also, Jackson keeps gaming, and Em makes ambitious plans to tackle a too-big game.Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Metaphor Refantazio, Captain Commando, Warriors of Fate, Batman Returns, The Punisher, Denjin Makai, Armored Warriors, Guardians, Guardian Heroes, Die Hard Arcade, Battle Circuit, Dynamite Cop, Sengoku 3, Spike Out, Fighting Force, Gekido, Onimusha Warlords, Zone of the Enders 1, Castle Crashers, Scott Pilgrim vs The World, Double Dragon Neon, Ninja Gaiden Black, Devil May Cry 3, Towerborne, Monster HunterNext Month's Game Club: Castlevania: Lament of InnocenceMusic this EpisodeInto the Dream by Yukihide TakekawaWorld of Evil by Yukihide TakekawaBasement of Dr Leo by Yukihide TakekawaKoibito no Inaiyoru by Yukihide Takekawa

We're playing two not very classics of their respective genres today as we go back to the back half of the 90s to play an early action game and a relatively early 3D platformer. We're kind of split on which game we prefer along lines I expect you'd predict, but we both had a pretty good time with both games anyway! Also, before that, Jackson gives the MOTHER of all segment 1 updates. At 16:15 or so until 1:15:30 Jackson's Audacity file broke and we had to use the backup. Em's a little quiet during this section but it's mostly okay. I did my best with the edit. Sorry about that! Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Devil May Cry 1, The Bouncer, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, TMNT 89 Arcade, Oni, Maken Shao: Demon Sword, Final Fight, Double Dragon, Golden Axe, Double Dragon 2: The Revenge, Downtown Nekketsu Story, Shinobi, Black Belt, Rolling Thunder, Altered Beast, Aliens, Ninja Gaiden (NES), Contra, Super Contra, Double Dragon (NES), Shadow Dancer, Double Dragon 3: The Rosetta Stone, Mega Man 2, Galaxian, Defender, Scramble, Tempest, Ninja Gaiden 2: The Dark Sword of Chaos, Space Harrier, Shadow of the Ninja, Xevious, Devil Blade Reboot, Batsugun, Varyznex, The Hurricane of the Varstray: Collateral Hazard, Alien vs Predator, Shoot 1Up DX, Exed Exes, Gradius, Terra Cresta, Twinbee, Slap Fight, Ninja Gaiden 3: The Ancient Ship of Doom, Streets of Rage 2, Bare Knuckle 3, TMNT 4: Turtles in Time, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs, Final Fight 2, Final Fight 3, Knights of the Round, Jackson's shmup diaries on their youtube, Touhou 1 and Touhou 2, Rising Zan: The Samurai Gunman, Devil May Cry, Godhand, Croc: Legend of the Gobbos, Froggun, Lode Runner, Tomb RaiderNext Month's Game Club: Soul BlazerMusic this EpisodeJohnny No More byDavid Nowlin and Greg WeberRising Zan Them by Hironobu Kageyama, Atsunori Namba, Yoshichika ShimamuraVolcano Island 4 by Justin Scharvona, Karin Griffin and Martin Gwynn JonesBonus Theme 1 by Justin Scharvona, Karin Griffin and Martin Gwynn JonesSnow Island 4 by Justin Scharvona, Karin Griffin and Martin Gwynn Jones

We tackle a newer game this month as we talk about the critically acclaimed adventure game 1000xRESIST. We found plenty to love and plenty to pick at during our time with this one, but it's exactly the kind of messy game we tend to like around here, so we're glad we played it and I hope you enjoy listening to us talk through it!Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Balatro, Sonic Colors, Crash Bandicoot, Dynasty Warriors 9 and 3, Saga 1, 1080XRESIST, science fiction metaphors, queer reads, trauma and parents and children, a little bit about China and Hong Kong (but less than you'd think)Next Month's Game Club: Rising Zan: Samurai Gunman and Croc: Legend of the GobbosMusic this EpisodeWatcher Haunted by Drew RedmanThe Orchard - In Motion by Drew RedmanInside Sunrise by Drew RedmanFixer's Song -Extended- by Drew Redman

We close out the year by playing one of the most infamous games we've ever covered, a game that has been a running joke and shorthand for bad game for nearly twenty years. And yet, do we find the judgment of history fair? Do we believe in redemption for a certain blue hedgehog and the anime princess who loves him? We're going to try our best, as we finally play Sonic 06 (with as much help as modding can give us)!To install Legacy of Solaris for yourself, please watch this video! Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Stellar Blade, Infinity Nikki, Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction, Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty, Jumping Flash 1 & 2, Sonic Advance 2, Sonic Heroes, Sonic Unleashed, Sonic and the Black Knight, Sonic 06, Sonic at large, the video Jackson referenced Em had no idea about, game projects, controller preferences, dreaming up better worlds for video gamesNext Month's Game Club: 1000xRESISTMusic this EpisodeBoss Solaris Phase 2 by Hideaki Kobayashi, Tomoya Ohtani, et al.Wave Ocean ~ The Inlet ~ by Hideaki Kobayashi, Tomoya Ohtani, et al.Town Mission 3 by Hideaki Kobayashi, Tomoya Ohtani, et al.My Destiny (Theme of Elise) by Hideaki Kobayashi, Tomoya Ohtani, et al.

We're joined by Dia Lacina once again as Ryo continues the next leg of his quest to track down Lan Di, his father's killer. What strange challenges will he find in China? How does Yu Suzuki follow up one of the most ambitious, incredible games of all time? We find ourselves surprised at almost every turn as Shenmue II goes big and goes small and goes adventuring! Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Stalker 2, watch Dia and Em play Gabriel Knight 3 on Dia's YouTube channel, Vanishing Point, NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup, Super Mega Baseball 4, Streets of Rage, Some Sonic Games, Sonic X Shadow Generations, Mother, Ninja Baseball Bat Man, Arctic Eggs, Shenmue, Shenmue II, Shenmue 3 predictions, the most a game has ever made us laughNext Month's Game Club: Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), the Legacy of Solaris mod (install tutorial video)Music this EpisodeJoy by Takenobu Mitsuyoshi, Yuzo Koshiro, Ryuji Iuchi, et al.Queen's Street by Takenobu Mitsuyoshi, Yuzo Koshiro, Ryuji Iuchi, et al.Campfire Discussion by Takenobu Mitsuyoshi, Yuzo Koshiro, Ryuji Iuchi, et al.The Path to Destiny by Takenobu Mitsuyoshi, Yuzo Koshiro, Ryuji Iuchi, et al.

One of the hot new releases of … wait, 1999? That can't be right. Oh, it's a fan translation. One of the hot new fan translations hitting the inter-oh I'm being informed the fan translation is from three years ago! How embarrassing. Well, we've been meaning to play this one for a hot minute, and when Em finally tried it they were so instantly in love with it they insisted we cover it for the podcast. So we did! Turns out, we had a great time! Please join us as we try to discover what is beyond speed!Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Lollipop Chainsaw, Akiba's Trip, Oneechanbara,Oneechanbara 2, Ys IX Monstrum Nox, Etrian Odyssey, Ratchet and Clank 4 and 5 PS2, Air Comabat, Ace Combat 2, Ace Combat 3, Ace Combat 4, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Racing Lagoon, Racing Lagoon plot summary from Dungeon Chill, Ashita no Joe, Final Fantasy, Initial D, the lost generation and the bubble economy, fan translations, gallery of all the loading screens in Racing Lagoon Next Month's Game Club: Shenmue IIMusic this EpisodeLoop Demo by Takahito Eguchi & Noriko MatsuedaTaiman Battle by Takahito Eguchi & Noriko MatsuedaYuka Suzuki by Takahito Eguchi & Noriko MatsuedaForgethill by Takahito Eguchi & Noriko MatsuedaTimestamps(00:00:00) - Segment 1: We're Gaming!(00:54:20) - Segment 2: Racing Lagoon(02:00:45) - Segment 3: Questions

Sometimes you decide to finally pick up one of those games you've always heard of but never got around to, the curiosities that you are pretty sure aren't must plays, but stick in your brain anyway. Some might argue this has been the history of Abnormal Mapping at large! But this month we do one of the epitomes of this style of game as Em chose one of the big PS2 curiosities from the era of “I can't believe they localized that!”Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: PlayStation 5 Pro, Ratchet & Clank PS2 trilogy, Harmful Park, Ranger X, Haunted Castle Revisited, Castlevania Judgment, CybeRRRevolution, Phantasy Star Online, Astro Bot, Mister Mosquito, quirky gamesNext Month's Game Club: Racing LagoonMusic this EpisodePit of Peril by Kenneth C M YoungBossa 1 by Akihito Okawa and Houzou OkazakiJazz 1 by Akihito Okawa and Houzou OkazakiFunk 1 by Akihito Okawa and Houzou OkazakiTimestamps(00:00:00) - Segment 1: Gaming Catchup(01:03:00) - Segment 2: Cassette Beasts(01:43:20) - Segment 3: Questions

Jackson is joined today by official Final Fantasy Correspondant Austin Walker to talk about Final Fantasy XI - specifically the base game and Rise of the Zilart. It's been a busy MMO summer and we simply needed to get it out of our systems and into microphones somewhere. Please enjoy this three hour tribute to a game that's still around and still good as hell.Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Final Fantasy XI, Final Fantasy XIV, all the other Final Fantasies a little too, World of Warcraft and MMOs. It's mostly just FF11 though.This Month's Second Game Club: Mister MosquitoMusic this EpisodeOne Last Time by Nobuo UematsuThe Grand Duchy of Jueno by Naoshi MizutaVoyager by Naoshi Mizuta

Em is back from the month off to talk about the joy of a kind of cheesy mystery with a great sci-fi premise as we get to live out our Star Trek: The Original Series dreams by lecturing ancient peoples about how our modern world view is clearly the best one. This sounds like it's selling The Forgotten City short, but I promise it isn't, we really liked this game. Sometimes good things are also kind of silly things, is all, and we delight in the silliness in this episode.Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Dwarf Fortress, Neon White, Jackson's MMO Summer, The Forgotten City, Immortals of AveumNext Month's Game Club: A Bonus Final Fantasy XI episode, and then Mister Mosquito at the end of the month!Music this EpisodeThe Forgotten City by Michael AllenThe Die is Cast by Michael AllenThe Voice of the People by Michael AllenLife's Greatest Blessings by Michael Allen

This month it's just me, Jackson, being joined by Crystal to play Citizen Sleeper. Em is currently in Hospital after major surgery and so I'm taking over and organizing the podcasts while they recover! Please send them well wishes. It's time to talk about RPG systems, and the strange act of critiquing leftist video games that you mostly agree with. I think this is a good discussion about a fun game and I hope everyone enjoys it!Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Pokemon NetBattle, Dragon Age, Final Fantasy XI, Citizen Sleeper, Skyrim, Fallout New Vegas, DragonstomperNext Month's Game Club: ??? Possibly The Forgotten City, we shall seeMusic this EpisodePossible Futures by Amos RoddyEmber's Wake by Amos RoddyA Window to the Sun by Amos RoddyTimestamps(00:00:00) - Segment 1: Dragon Age/FFXI(00:31:21) - Segment 2: Citizen Sleeper

We enjoy one of the major modern attempts at making a Pokemon-style monster collecting and battling RPG with Cassette Beasts. We talk about surprising scope of the world, the intense battle system, what your numbers say about your priorities, the weirdness of dating mechanics, and much more! This game was a great surprise and a huge delight, so please check it out!Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Doom 4, Summer Games Fest, baffling Square Enix decisions, Cassette Beasts, Pokemon, rpg battle mechanics, open world design, dating mechanicsNext Month's Game Club: The Forgotten CityMusic this EpisodeCross Your Heart by Joel BaylisLike Chimeras by Joel BaylisWherever We Are Now by Joel BaylisSame Old Story by Joel BaylisTimestamps(00:00:00) - Segment 1: Summer Games Fest chat(00:16:40) - Segment 2: Cassette Beasts(01:21:20) - Segment 3: Questions

We find ourselves doing grunt work for Atrus once more as our favorite self-published author and god of his own realms begins reaping what he's sown over the last two games. We solve some puzzles, enjoy Brad Dourif, and talk about the kind of guy who keeps going around birthing entire worlds. Exile was good fun, happy to dip back into the world of Myst once again. Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Balatro, Yu-Gi-Oh Master Duel, Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Panzer Dragoon, Shinobi, Shadow Dancer, The Revenge of Shinobi, Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi, The Cyber Shinobi, The G.G. Shinobi, The G.G. Shinobi 2, Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master, Shinobi Legions, Nightshade, Shinobi 3D, Alex Kidd in Shinobi World, Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars, Alex Kidd: High-Tech World, F.I.S.T.: Forged in Shadow Torch, Animal Well, Little Kitty Big City, Crow Country, Broken Reality, Ace Combat 2, Myst, Riven, Myst III: Exile, The RoomNext Month's Game Club: Cassette BeastsMusic this EpisodeMain Theme by Jack WallLibra's Lever by Jack WallSaavedro's Theme by Jack WallExile (Bonus Track) by Jack WallTimestamps(00:00:00) - Segment 1: Games Played(00:43:40) - Segment 2: Myst III: Exile(01:18:04) - Segment 3: Questions

We leap back in time to the Mega Drive to talk about two action classics back when action games meant jumping and avoiding and not perfect parries. Not exactly divisive that we enjoy these types of games, but the generational split is very real as we talk about these two classics of game. Join us, for a walk down memory lane (Sega edition).Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Roboquest, NiER: Reincarnation, Final Fantasy XVI: The Rising Tide, Needy Streamer Overload, Blazing Lazers, Felvidek, Binding of Isaac, Dynamite Headdy, Ristar, Gunstar Heroes, Beyond Oasis, Zelda, Angry Video Game NerdNext Month's Game Club: Myst III: ExileMusic this EpisodeOpening Theme by Katsuhiko Suzuki, Yasuko, et alYou're Izayoi by Katsuhiko Suzuki, Yasuko, et alIndication by Yuzo KoshiroEnding by Yuzo KoshiroTimestamps(00:00:00) - Segment 1: Games Played(00:33:30) - Segment 2: Dynamite Headdy and Beyond Oasis(01:32:10) - Segment 3: Questions

We finish our long Final Fantasy adventure by playing Square's largest single player Final Fantasy yet. But does size equal quality? Does it equal ambition? We have many thoughts about this and about where the entire Final Fantasy VII Remake Project has gone and is heading in this enormous podcast about an equally enormous game. After dozens of hours, we are left with one simple question: why do we do this to ourselves? 1. Because we were ready to game2. Because we were sure of quality3. Because we were cluelessTrick question. The correct answer was: because it's our job.Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Balatro, Cosmo Cheats at Poker, Rise of the Ronin, Jackson's piece on the ending of FF7 Rebirth, Jackson's Rise of the Ronin review, Final Fantasy Tactics, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, every other Final Fantasy on earth but ones with specific spoilers include: Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Intergrade, and Crisis Core, Final Fantasy VIII, Final Fantasy X, Final Fantasy X-2, Final Fantasy XII, Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XIII-2, Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XV, Final Fantasy XVINext Month's Game Club: Beyond Oasis and Dynamite HeaddyMusic this EpisodeThe Fight for Naming Rights by Mitsuto Suzuki, Masashi Hamauzu, and othersLet's Go, Mt. Corel! by Mitsuto Suzuki, Masashi Hamauzu, and othersQueen's Blood by Mitsuto Suzuki, Masashi Hamauzu, and othersCrazy Chocobo by Mitsuto Suzuki, Masashi Hamauzu, and othersTimestamps(00:00:00) - Segment 1: Games Played(00:30:00) - Segment 2: Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth(01:57:34) - Segment 3: Questions

We're joined by Molly for the return of one of the classics, a guy who just needs to jump over every spike in all the world, conveniently located in a beautiful palace. That's right, we're here to talk about the return of Prince of Persia, and the surprising ways Ubisoft have melded the last ten years of exceptional platforming games into something with its own identity. Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Granblue Fantasy: Relink and Granblue Fantasy, Pseudoregalia, Iconoclasts, Monster World IV, Prince of Persia, Immortality, Another Code: Recollection, Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, a bunch of Metroidvania stuff broadlyNext Month's Game Club: Final Fantasy VII RebirthMusic this EpisodeManagarmr, Sequestrian Primal by Tsutomu NaritaHanging Gardens of Mont Qaf by MentrixFrozen as it Falls by MentrixEnd Credits by MentrixTimestamps(00:03:30) - Segment 1: Games Played(00:37:10) - Segment 2: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown(01:33:15) - Segment 3: Questions

We interrupt your regularly scheduled coverage with a special announcement: Jackson has played the Final Fantasy XIII games, at last. Despite the frankly illegal amount of Final Fantasy content lately they were not going to let that go to waste. They are joined by Erin (@Woodabris, Woodaba on Youtube) to discuss the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy, with a little Type 0 in there. It's time to get remember: Fabula Nova Crystallis.Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XIII-2, Final Fantasy Type-0, Lightning Returns Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XVI, Final Fantasy XII, Mass Effect (lol).Next Month's Game Club: Prince of Persia: The Lost CrownMusic this EpisodeThe Promise by Masashi HamauzuCaius' Theme by Naoshi MizutaZero by Bump of ChickenTimestamps(00:00:00) - Intro(00:10:30) - Final Fantasy XIII(00:51:00) - Final Fantasy XIII-2(01:30:00) - Lightning Returns Final Fantasy XIII(02:27:10) - Questions

We're going back to the heady days of licensed multi-platform games in the early 00s this month as we play 007: Everything or Nothing and talk about the era of arcane save processes, weird genre mashups, awful final missions, and the ways in which the whole medium could turn on a relatively short dime to become something new. Was this game an unheralded prelude to the next-gen era? Maybe! We talk about it. Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XIII-2, Final Fantasy Type-0, Final Fantasy XIV, GoldenEye, The Binding of Isaac, Star Ocean The Second Story R, Octopath Traveler II, 007: Everything or Nothing, 007: NightFireNext Month's Game Club: Prince of Persia: The Lost CrownMusic this EpisodeGun Barrel by Sean Callery and Jeff TymoschukEverything or Nothing by MyaTheme of RENA by Motoi SakurabaThe Leaflands (Day) by Yasunori NishikiNearly Civilized by EstheroTimestamps(00:00:00) - Segment 1: Games Played(00:32:00) - Segment 2: 007: Everything or Nothing(01:58:10) - Segment 3: Questions

We close out the year with a podcast years in the making, as Molly joins us and we take a road trip with the king to be and his homies and play the much maligned but beloved by us Final Fantasy XV! This podcast will cover the main game and the first three episode DLCs (Gladio, Prompto, Ignis), and there'll be a follow up podcast on the patreon (free for everyone) in about a week covering the movie, the anime, Episode Ardyn, and the Awful Book. Please look forward to it!Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Coral Island, Granblue Fantasy Versus, The 3rd Birthday, Oboeshoesgames video on The 3rd Birthday, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2, Air Combat, The Binding of Isaac, Final Fantasy XV, Final Fantasy broadlyNext Month's Game Club: James Bond 007: Everything or NothingMusic this EpisodeAPOCALYPSIS NOCTIS by Yoko ShimomuraValse di Fantastica by Yoko ShimomuraSomnus by Yoko ShimomuraMain Theme from FINAL FANTASY by Yoko ShimomuraTimestamps(00:00:00) - Segment 1: Games Played(00:29:10) - Segment 2: Final Fantasy XV(01:58:10) - Segment 3: Questions

We keep gaming as we tackle a bunch of small games in a classic grab bag and talk through a whole mess of games that are interesting and worthwhile but often have one or two extremely obvious parts that hold it back. Some of them are reasonable critiques, some of them are just the unfortunate realities of game production, some are just The Times. I think the array of responses and games really makes for a solid episode however, and I hope you'll agree!Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Here's Where To Get All Four Games This Month:BETON BRUTAL The Red Lantern Inertial Drift (+ DLC) Silent BomberThings Discussed: Signalis, Heretic, Jusant, Valis III, The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Mario Bros Wonder, The Red Lantern, Firewatch, Beton Brutal, Getting Over It, Inertial Drift, production values in video games, Silent Bomber, the PSX aesthetic, Sean Seanson's video on Silent Bomber, TheGamingBritShow's video on Silent Bomber, petting the dog, Oboe Shoes Games a guy we like a lot, watch Em and Dia play The Dagger of Amon Ra Next Month's Game Club: Final Fantasy XV and the four Episode DLCsMusic this EpisodePractice by MicfrogMission 03 by Chikayo FukudaComing Home by Hrishikesh HirwayShooting Star Overdrive by TurboTimestamps(00:00:00) - Segment 1: Games Played(00:32:00) - Segment 2: Grab Bag 2023(01:48:59) - Segment 3: Questions

It's Jackson here with a surprise episode of Abnormal Mapping! This was meant to be a bonus anniversary surprise but scheduling woes got it pushed back a week, but that's not important: I finally played Majora's Mask. And I'm joined by my good friend Crystal to talk about it. Things Discussed: Majora's Mask, most Zeldas, some Resident Evil.Next Month's Game Club: Grab Bag! 2023BETON BRUTAL The Red Lantern Inertial Drift (+ DLC) Silent Bomber Music this EpisodeOpening by Koji Kondo, Toru MinegishiEnd Credits by Koji Kondo, Toru Minegishi

We've been doing this for ten years! Damn, that's a long time to be doing a monthly game club. But we'll keep trucking into our second decade as we start a series that neither of us have played before. We're joined by a guest, Shenmue superfan Dia Lacina, to talk about Ryo and his ridiculous quest for vengeance. Please enjoy this supersized episode, and thank you for however long you've been listening!Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: a decade of excellence!, Retro Mystery Club Vol 1: The Ise-Shima Case, Shadow the Hedgehog: Reloaded, Half-Life, Journal Updated's episode on Half-Life, Digital Eclipse's new Wizardry remaster, The Lamplighters League, The Secret History of Mac Gaming book, Letterforms & Illusions, Drakmyth Castle, Forza Motorsport (2023), Game Tengoku CruisinMix Special, Jet Set Radio Future, Ys VIII, Shenmue, arcade games vs computer games, a history of being too online in gamesNext Month's Game Club: Grab Bag! 2023BETON BRUTAL The Red Lantern Inertial Drift (+ DLC) Silent Bomber Music this EpisodeShenmue by Ryuji IuchiWorking Man by Ryuji IuchiNightfall by Ryuji IuchiWish... (Vocal Version) by Yumiko YamamotoTimestamps(00:00:00) - Segment 1: Games Played(00:47:45) - Segment 2: Shenmue(01:40:50) - Segment 3: Questions

We celebrate a century and a half of excellence this month as we talk about 3D platforming as we take a thorough look at Demon Turf and talk about platforming for sickos, designing games around the expectations of Nintendo Polish, and what that means in terms of expectations and the war within ourselves to appraise a thing. Demon Turf is really good, if you like 3D platformers, absolutely check it out, it's something really special! Ambitious in a way few other games in this space are.Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Paradise Killer, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, The Misadventures of Tron Bonne, El Viento, Top Gear 2, Donkey Kong 94, getting into the weeds about Donkey Kong, Demon Turf, 3D Mario games, Spark 3, 3D Sonic games, Lunistice Next Month's Game Club: ShenmueMusic this EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodLets Get Porked Up by Fat BardHot N Cold Beats by Fat BardDamps Sea Dog Shanty by Fat BardTimestamps(00:00:00) - Segment 1: Games Played(00:33:30) - Segment 2: Demon Turf(01:24:45) - Segment 3: Questions

We're back with one of the obvious classics of all time, a game neither of us had played before this month but came like a lighting strike into our lives with its charm and brevity and interesting vision of early 3D RPG design. That's right, it's time to servbot up some exploration, with a dash of adventure, you dig? Okay, okay, I'll stop. Please enjoy!Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Deathsmiles, Prehistoric Isle II, Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, Thronefall, Bowser's Fury, Duke Nukem 3D, Holocure, Venba, En Garde!, go check out Em and Dia playing Gabriel Knight 2 and Flower Sun and Rain!, Mega Man Legends, Ocarina of Time, Metal Gear Solid, Tomb Raider, Metroid Prime, the Mega Man franchise at large, making 3D games from 2D franchises, the reviews of yesteryearNext Month's Game Club: Demon TurfMusic this EpisodeAnother Sun by Makoto TomozawaThe Main Gate by Makoto TomozawaThe Apple Market by Makoto TomozawaAnata no Kaze ga Fuku Kara by Morishita ReikaTimestamps(00:00:00) - Segment 1: Games Played(00:38:39) - Segment 2: Mega Man Legends(01:16:16) - Segment 3: Questions

Em is joined by anime gaming expert Olivia today to talk about a classic of Visual Novels, the Muv Luv trilogy of games! We have a brief RPG checkin first, nothing especially spoiler-heavy so don't worry if you're not also 7 games into Kiseki, but the Muv Luv sequence is, of course, exceedingly spoiler heavy by nature. Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Kiseki, Persona, Donkey Kong Country 3, Octopath Traveler 2, Muv Luv Extra, Muv Luv Unlimited, Muv Luv AlternativeThis Month's Game Club: Mega Man LegendsMusic This EpisodeMuv-Luv by Taku Iwasaki, Hikaru Nanase, Hijiri Anze, et alCampus Life by Taku Iwasaki, Hikaru Nanase, Hijiri Anze, et alCreeping Anxiety by Taku Iwasaki, Hikaru Nanase, Hijiri Anze, et alAsu he no Houkou by JAM Project(00:00:00) - Segment 1: Games Played(00:30:30) - Segment 2: Muv Luv(02:13:00) - Segment 3: Questions

We're joined by post-gamer and friend of the show Austin Walker to talk about the latest and greatest in the long running Final Fantasy series. That's right, it's Clive time! Join us as we try to grapple with this large action RPG and talk mostly about its story and themes. Some mechanical talk, but this is very writing centric as an episode. Enjoy!Check out Austin's podcasts Friends at the Table, A More Civilized Age, and Shelved by Genre! They're all good!NOTE: This episode released a bit early, so maybe think about sending in Muv Luv emails if you're hearing this week of release, okay?Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Lakeburg Legacies, Last Epoch, Valis: The Fantasm Soldier, Castlevania: Rondo of Blood, Top Gear, Final Fantasy XVI, Hollow by Brian CatlingNext Week: A bonus Abnormal Mapping talking about Muv Luv with friend of the show Olivia!Next Month's Game Club: Mega Man LegendsMusic This EpisodeFinal Farewells by Nobuo Uematsu & Takafumi ImamuraTo Sail Forbidden Seas by Masayoshi SokenOur Terms by Takafumi ImamuraMy Star by Masayoshi Soken(00:00:00) - Segment 1: Games Played(00:27:35) - Segment 2: Final Fantasy XVI(02:02:10) - Segment 3: Questions

We're joined by blogger of the year and adventure game maestra Dia Lacina to talk about one of the most iconic games of the LucasArts era, Monkey Island 2! There's plenty of other games besides, but it's really mostly this one, because it's worth it.You can watch Dia play Monkey Island 1 for free HERE, and support her Patreon to watch her play all of Monkey Island 2 right now!Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Diablo 4, Diablo 2 and 3, Dia's review of Diablo 4 for Paste, Em was on Novel Not New to talk about Private Eye Dol (listen on the Scanline Media patreon), Chorus, Plague Tale Requiem, Alone in the Dark, Battlefield Bad Company, Street Fighter 6, Citizen Sleeper, Cyberpunk 2077, Monkey Island 2, Monkey Island, adventure games, Gabriel Knight, Space Quest,Next Month's Game Club: Final Fantasy XVIMusic This EpisodeMonkey Island 2 Intro Theme by Michael LandCaptain Kate's Boat by Michael LandThe Cemetery by Michael LandMonkey Island 1 Main Theme by Michael Land(00:00:00) - Segment 1: Games Played(00:30:46) - Segment 2: Monkey Island 2(01:26:53) - Segment 3: Questions

We're joined by special guest Niamh to talk about one of the classics of video game, infamously one of only two games we bailed on playing in history, and one of the once most divisive RPGs of history now mostly considered one of the greats. That's right we're revisiting Final Fantasy VIII playing Chrono Cross! FOR THE TIMELINE AND STORY SUMMARY VIDEO IF YOU NEED IT, CHECK THIS OUT We do NOT summarize the story and assume people are familiar with the plot, for time reasons. Even still it's one of our longest episodes!Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Dynasty Warriors 4, Tears of the Kingdom, Secret of Mana, Kirby's Dream Land 3, Chrono Cross, Radical Dreamers, Chrono Trigger This Month's Game Club: Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's RevengeMusic This EpisodeScars of Time by Yasunori MitsudaAnother World by Yasunori MitsudaThe Girl Who Stole the Stars by Yasunori MitsudaRadical Dreamers -Le Tresor Interdit- by Noriko Mitose and Yasunori Mitsuda

Em's been so busy gaming we had to break out segment 1 into its own podcast to spare our Chrono Cross episode the world's most topheavy structure, but we ended up having a great time. Second half of the pod is all Resident Evil talk if that's not your speed, but before that is more normal. Spoilers for RE through Village, though!Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: the (at the time) upcoming Sony show, Until Dawn, the Ranged Touch LP for Until Dawn, Ridge Racer Type 4, Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos, Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom, Final Fight, Flowers - Le volume sur printemps, Marvel's Avengers, Pokemon Emerald Rogue, a fake Xbox "E3" leak we found hilarious, Resident Evil 2 Remake, Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3 Remake, Resident Evil 3, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and its DLCs, Resident Evil: Village and its DLCThis Month's Game Club: Chrono CrossMusic This EpisodePrologue Theme by Ryuichi Nitta & Mayuko OkamuraUrban Fragments by Kohta Takahashi feat. Kimara LovelaceEnding Theme 2 by Ryuichi Nitta & Mayuko Okamura

We're back to talk about a small game about chilling out and brewing potions and what it says for the act of gaming itself to engage in a relaxing sort of simulated labor. There's a whole world of games out there we don't really touch on, and it was nice to brush up against it for once. Also, as usual, lots of gaming talk in general.Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Tears of the Kingdom, Resident Evil 2, Jackson was on Journal Updated for Return of the Obra Dinn, Returnal, Saya no Uta, Atelier Sophie, Potion Craft, busywork games, modding games for your own enjoyment, getting grounded from games, controller memory, questions about potions, gaming during climate changeThis Month's Game Club: Potion CraftNext Month's Game Club: Chrono CrossMusic This EpisodeThe Front Hall by Masami Ueda, Shusaku Uchiyama, and Syun NishigakiCampanella of Sun Through Trees by Ryudai Abe, Daisuke Achiwa, Hayato Asano, et alSong of Saya II by ZIZZ STUDIOLiela Xea by Ryudai Abe, Daisuke Achiwa, Hayato Asano, et al

We're back with a normal episode of Abnormal Mapping as we dig into our backlog a bit and then talk about a very low key narrative adventure game and have a pleasant time digging into gardening, melodrama, and narratives about guilt and responsibility. Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Resident Evil at large, Muv Luv, Final Fantasy Mystic Quest, Hi-Fi Rush, Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin (spoiler talk ends at 36:00, Jackson's Paste piece they reference, Frogun, Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Return of the Obra Dinn, Saya no Uta, Mutazione, limited edition consoles, memories of playing games, gardening vs farming in games, A Good Gardener, Dia's LP of Space Quest with Em This Month's Game Club: MutazioneNext Month's Game Club: Potion CraftMusic This EpisodeTitle Theme by Alessandro CoronasLong Song by Alessandro CoronasThe Trip by Alessandro CoronasMy Way by Frank Sinatra

On this very special episode Em is joined by Dia Lacina and Emrys to talk about Sega's iconic JRPG franchise Phantasy Star. We talk about the banging soundtrack, the innovations it brings to the genre, and the ways it has been forgotten by time. Because it's four games, it's a little lighter than usual, but it was great to settle in and talk about these truly fantastic games.For reference, the versions of Phantasy Stars Em used and recommends:Sega Ages Phantasy Star for Nintendo SwitchPhantasy Star II Improvement by FlamePurgePhantasy Star III Retranslated by R. Capowski, Peaches, and lory1990Phantasy Star IV General Improvement by FauntleroyThank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!This Month's Game Club: MutazioneMusic This EpisodePhantasy Star 2 Title Screen by Tokuhiko UwaboPhantasy Star 3 Title Screen by Izuho NumataPS3 Town Theme by Izuho NumataPS3 Overworld 1 by Izuho NumataPS3 Battle Losing by Izuho NumataPS3 Wren Transforming by Izuho NumataPhantasy Star 4 Machine Center by Izuho Numata and Masaki NakagakiPhantasy Star 4 Credits Theme by Izuho Numata and Masaki Nakagaki

We're joined by Dia Lacina to talk about foundational survival horror classic Resident Evil, and mostly talk about genre and the strange legacy of having a remake that's more popular than the original. It was nice to be able to dig into a classic like this and find plenty to talk about both as a game and as a cultural object.Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!This Month's Game Club: Resident Evil (PSX and REmake)Next Month's Game Club: MutazioneThings Discussed: future plans and Jackson's injury, Phantasy Star episode coming soon, check out the Forspoken VoIP Life for the Forspoken story discussion, Granblue Fantasy, Destiny 2, Ys 2 and Ys 3: Wanderers of Ys, Fire Emblem Gaiden, Resident Evil, Resident Evil Remake, Resident Evil 2 and 0 and 4, adventure games vs action games, horror games big and small, what is a survival horror, demakes, CRT filters, remasters and aspect ratiosMusic This EpisodeBe Careful by Mieko IshikawaFirst Floor Mansion by Makoto Tomozawa, Koichi Hiroki, Masami UedaSave Room by Makoto Tomozawa, Koichi Hiroki, Masami UedaStill Dawn by Makoto Tomozawa, Koichi Hiroki, Masami Ueda

We're joined by Ember to talk about a game at the intersection of those two most contentious genres: soulslikes and Metroidvanias. This intersection itself is now a vibrant sub-genre, and in talking about this entry we talk about the ways these games tell stories, the platformer vs combat tension inherent in them, and why good art can often set up frustrated expectations. Really happy with this cast, I hope people enjoy!Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!This Month's Game Club: Ender Lilies: Quietus of the KnightsNext Month's Game Club: Resident Evil (PSX mainly, but also REmake)Things Discussed: Fire Emblem, Final Fantasy 2, Final Fantasy 3, Final Fantasy 4, Space Quest continues with Em and Dia, A Little to the Left, Forspoken, Ender Lilies, Metroidvanias as a term, Metroidvanias as an idea, Metroid, Hollow Knight, Soulslike as an idea, Soulslikes in reality, which RE2 to play, gifting games, Indie Game the Movie 2, navel gazing about genreMusic This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodHarmonius by Yamato Kasai; Cassie WeiCompounding by Yamato Kasai; Cassie WeiThe Sun - Outro by Yamato Kasai; Cassie Wei

We end out the year by going hard on going fast through 3D spaces as we talk more about where 3D Sonic is at, and also about the array of interesting 3D time attack platformers coming out inspired by Sonic's spotty but beloved reputation in the third dimension. This is a meaty episode covering a lot of cool indie games, hopefully people check them out, most of them can be found very cheaply on various digital stores!Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!This Month's Game Club: Spark the Electric Jester 2 and 3, Lunistice, Toree 3D and 2Next Month's Game Club: Ender Lilies: Quietus of the KnightsThings Discussed: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Crisis Core, Plague Tale: Innocence, Sonic Frontiers, Mega Man X4, Karate Champ, Final Fantasy III, Spark the Electric Jester 2, Spark the Electric Jester 3, Lunistice, Toree 3D, Toree 2, Super Kiwi 64, guns and games, air dashes, the tastes of the timesMusic This EpisodeHistoria Hysteria by TuddForest (Melancholy) by KnasibasBackstory Cutscene by R3Linework Fight by Paul Berthers

It's nearly Christmas time and thus we settle in for that most famous of Christmas games, Hideo Kojima's sci-fi detective classic SNATCHER! No, really, this is a Christmas ass Christmas game in the same way Die Hard is so I'm claiming it. We finally did a timely Christmas game.On top of that, we have a huge amount of games to talk about, a lot of rambling about various gaming-related things, Em revealing an embarrassing amount about their buying habits for the past ten years they thought about cutting from this show and didn't, and more. Also, we ask YOU to help us fill in any potential gaps for our next episode. Thank you so much as always for listening, please rate and review the podcast, and tell all your friends on whatever social media you call home that they should check us out. See you next month!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!This Month's Game Club: SnatcherNext Month's Game Club: Spark the Electric Jester 3, Toree 3D and Toree 2, Lunistice, and who knows what else????Things Discussed: Sonic Frontiers, Sonic Adventure, Valkyria Chronicles, Butterfly Soup 2, Scorn, Grace's piece on Scorn, Halo 5: Guardians, Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth, Em doing capsule reviews on Cohost now, Mega Man's Game Boy quintet, Mega Man The Power Battles & The Power Fighters, Mega Man Battle and Chase, Castlevania Legend, Sonic Heroes, Flywrench, Gridrunner Revolution, Atari 50, Jeff Gerstmann playing Atari 50 if you want to see some of it, Snatcher, Portopia Serial Murder Case, Metal Gear (all of it), J.B. Harold Murder Club, Death Stranding, celebrity video game show hosts, many questions about Kojima and potential projects, funny games, note-taking for podcasts, video game merch, favorite swordsMusic This EpisodeSega CD Model 2 BIOS by David JavelosaSignature by Konami Kukeiha ClubBio Hazard by Konami Kukeiha ClubPleasure of Tension by Konami Kukeiha ClubInnocent Girl by Konami Kukeiha Club Theme of Ending by Konami Kukeiha Club

We ring in our ninth anniversary with a new-ish game, the dystopian magical realism adventure game Norco! There's plenty of navel gazing about life, podcasts, gaming, and capitalism to be had, that heady Abnormal Mapping special brew, as we bring you this super-sized episode. Honestly, there isn't much to say, this game just rips and people should play it. Here's to many more years of podcasts!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: it's our ninth anniversary!, reflections on the time and Em's birthday wish that you rate and review us on your podcast app (not a bit, please do this!), Final Fantasy XVI, Parasite Eve, Steam Deck time, Castlevania Bloodlines, Blaster Master Zero 2, Mega Man X3, 1942, 1941: Counter Attack, Littlewood, Norco, Disco Elysium, Kentucky Route 0, Phantasy Star 3 talk, the worst XBLA games we've ever bought, adventure games and visual novels as forms, 7 Tips for Surviving Dead Rising, celebrity RPG Maker games, video game pets, a visit from the game genie, rogue-like checkin, what to do when people tell you not to look up a thing you're about to play/watch/readThis Month's Game Club:NorcoNext Month's Game Club: Snatcher (Sega CD)Music This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodDelirious Eyes by Gewgawly IOne Night in New Orleans by Gewgawly IHomunculus by Thou

We have another huge haul of games as we talk about seemingly everything under the sun but also two games for the lengthening nights as we do a sort of horror month talking about two moody classics of the RPG Maker indie games scene: Yume Nikki and Ib! It was great to be able to talk about such a fun genre, get out of our comfort zones a bit, and explore some real gaming history. Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Novel Not New has moved to Scanline Media!, please check that out and also listen to Journal Updated and The Safe Room, Em got a MiSTer, for $1 you can get a special VoIP Life where we rated the aesthetics of consoles, Pac-Man, Altered Beast, Mega Man X2, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge, Omori, Mother 3, Deltarune, Phantasy Star III, Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright, R-Type, Pokemon Sun & Moon, Yume Nikki (longplay we recommend here), Moon, Ib (let's play of Ib we recommend here), adventure game design, horror games and horror memes, the best introduction to Kojima, best world building, the act of waiting in stealth games, RPG Maker odds and endsThis Month's Game Club:Yume Nikki and IbNext Month's Game Club: NorcoMusic This EpisodeDining Room by YASUpochiAbandoned Desert Town by KIKIYAMACorelli La Folia by YASUpochiRooftop Rhythm by KIKIYAMAThe Littel Doll's Dream by YASUpochi

It's gaming season as we dip into a sequel to one of the most classic games of the 90s and find that maybe lighting truly does strike twice. On top of that, a dozen other games played between us, and a bunch of other fun besides including which PlayStation is canonically the Best Looking. The answer will not surprise you in the slightest. Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: the PS5 price hike, upcoming game clubs, go listen to Novel Not New on Scanline Media, go listen to the upcoming Journal Updated on Hypnospace Outlaw, Fate Extra, Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation: Code Fairy, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, Resident Evil 6, Ghostrunner, Guilty Gear Strive, Phantasy Star II (spoilers start at 29:45 and run to 35:15), The House in Fata Morgana: A Requiem for Innocence, Tsukihime, Phantasy Star II, Pokemon Black, Pokemon Black 2, The Looker, Pokemon Y, Riven, the Riven retrospective we reference this episode, CD Rom games, the ranking of PlaystationsThis Month's Game Club:Riven: The Sequel to MystNext Month's Game Club: Ib (we're playing the remake, but the original should be fine)Music This EpisodeMoiety Theme by Robyn MillerVillage Entrance Theme by Robyn MillerAccumula Town by Shota KageyamaRise and Fall by Tokuhiko Uwabo

We try to beat the heat by playing a game about the sweltering jungle and the fight for survival, but y'know … it's cute! Also, we declare an early end to our Year of Handhelds because of a Gaming Injury, but we'll still be delivering banger episodes every month as always. Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Pokemon popularity, gaming injuries and a change of plans, Pokemon Platinum, Elden Ring, The House in Fata Morgana, Paradise Killer, The Pedestrian, Stray, Gato Roboto, Uncharted 4, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Survival Kids, Zelda, Mother, podcast navel gazing, early gaming memories, Minesweeper, games we wish we had time forThis Month's Game Club:Survival KidsNext Month's Game Club: RivenMusic This EpisodeBreeze With U by Barry ToppingJungle by Atsushi Fujio & Yasuhiro IchihashiChoose A Character by Atsushi Fujio & Yasuhiro IchihashiThis is My Time by Lecrae

I'm joined once again by my friend and fate-bestower Kim as we cover the only sequel to Fate/stay night, Hollow Ataraxia! We talk about where my fate-pilling is at, the power of stories that aren't about anything, the evolution of guys, and the general experience playing the miracle game. Truly one of my new favorites. Spoilers of course for FSN, Fate Zero, and Hollow Ataraxia within! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Monster Hunter Rise, AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – nirvanA Initiative, Flowers -Le volume sur printemps-, House of Fata Morgana, Fate Extra, Fate Hollow AtaraxiaThis Month's Game Club:Fate/hollow ataraxiaNext Month's Game Club: Survival KidsMusic This Episodehollow by NUMBER201 feat.rhuLight Step by James HarrisholLow wORlD by Aimer

One of the most infamous Japan-only RPGs finally gets its turn as Abnormal Mapping heads back to a simpler time of GBAs, Nintendo being good, and a little boy with magical PSI powers as we finally get to the game we've been putting off for nearly eight years: Mother 3! We must be so exhausted.Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Deltarune, Dicey Dungeons (still not on iOS btw), Slay the Spire, Star Wars the Force Unleashed, Pokemon, Marble it up!, Clustertruck, Mother 3, Earthbound, Moon, Live a Live, FFX stuff (spoilers for X and X-2 from 1:12:50-1:17:00), Brave Fencer Musashi, Final Fantasy VIII, The Frog for Whom the Bell Tolls, Ace Combat, Rogue SquadronThis Month's Game Club:Mother 3Next Month's Game Club: Survival KidsMusic This EpisodeMom's Hometown by Shogo SakaiAs you Wish by Shogo SakaiDangerous Guys by Shogo SakaiHis Highness' Theme by Shogo SakaiIt's Over by Shogo Sakai

We delve into the power of healing and the demands of the DS touch screen as we scrub up and try to save people by playing doctor and … NGO front line crime fighter? Look, anime is complicated. Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Rogue Legacy 2, The Stanley Parable, Sable, Caligula Effect 2, Gris, Prey 2006, Star Trek Legends, Lost Planet, Trauma Center, Persona a bit, handheld attachments and peripherals, Capcom revivals, Atlus crossovers, and the inevitable decline of gamesThis Month's Game Club:Trauma Center: Under the KnifeNext Month's Game Club: Mother 3Music This EpisodeTrauma Center Main Theme by Shoji Meguro, Kenichi TsuchiyaJudgement Day by Shoji Meguro, Kenichi TsuchiyaThe Cutting Edge of Medicine by Shoji Meguro, Kenichi Tsuchiya

We remember the basics of CQC one draw at a time as we go back to the long road of woe that is Metal Gear to play the strange PSP tactical spin-off Metal Gear Acid 2! There are ABSOLUTELY talk about the entire franchise, because we just love/hate Metal Gear too much not to go all over, so be warned about the spoilers. But otherwise, enjoy this ridiculous episode!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Pomu playing MGS2, Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, Elden Ring, Devil May Cry V, Death Stranding, Sable, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Metal Gear Acid 2 (and some 1), Metal Gear overall, cheat codes, goofy bonus modes, the Next Kingdom Hearts (not to be confused with the next Kingdom Hearts), Labo and Let's Tap, gacha Metal Gear Acid potential, Chain of Memories, SMT Devil SurvivorThis Month's Game Club:Metal Gear Acid 2Next Month's Game Club: Trauma Center: Under the KnifeMusic This EpisodeMain Menu by Akihiro Honda, Hiroshi Tanabe, Nobuko TodaVenus by Akihiro Honda, Hiroshi Tanabe, Nobuko TodaResurrection by Akihiro Honda, Hiroshi Tanabe, Nobuko TodaMy Love by Akihiro Honda, Hiroshi Tanabe, Nobuko Toda

Abnormal Mapping is here to talk about two Sonic games that were designed for the Game Gear and the first generation of dedicated handheld games and why they often were saddled with the reputations they would carry with them for decades to come. These games are all right tho! Also an extended what we've been playing, featuring Jack Chaos and Metroid herself. Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Elden Ring, Gran Turismo 7, Jackson's piece on GT7, Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin, Devil May Cry 5, Metroid Dread, controllers, Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies, Guardians of the Galaxy, Sonic Chaos, Tails Adventure, Mario Land, Wario Land, handheld games in general, pinning games to quick resume, Pokemon Dash, vaporware games are always real, Final Fantasy bullshit, when to give up, when games started getting finished, and there's a brand new game club coming to our network!This Month's Game Club:Sonic Chaos and Tails AdventureNext Month's Game Club: Metal Gear Acid 2Music This EpisodePlace of Amalgamation by Ryo Yamazaki, Masashi HamauzuTurquoise Hill Zone by Kojiro Mikusa, Masayuki NagaoCaron Forest by Kojiro MikusaBurenia II by Soshi Abe, Sayako DoiSimon Blackquill ~ Distorted Swordsmanship by Noriyuki Iwadare

A special mid-month Abnormal Mapping is summoned into the grail war! Em is joined by their friend Kim to talk about the humble origin of a massive media franchise and the experience of playing a massive visual novel with a lot of competing ideas that might not always gel together perfectly. That said, Fate is pretty cool, so we had a great time! If you'd like to hear people talk much more thoroughly about Fate/stay night and other Type-Moon VNs, please check out Fate-Moon Archive, another podcast on our network! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts!Things Discussed: Elden Ring, Yu-Gi-Oh Master Duel, Higanbana no Saku Yoru ni, Hatsune Miku, DEEMO, Taiko no Tatsujin, Sound Voltex, Fate/stay night, Fate Zero, Fate/hollow ataraxia, visual novels generally, Otherside Picnic, PlanetarianThis Month's Game Club:Fate/stay nightNext Month's Game Club: Sonic Chaos and Tails' Adventure (Both on Game Gear)Music That EpisodeIn the Sunlight by Keita HagaMadder Town by Keita HagaEmiya by Hideyuki FukasawaARCADIA by Earthmind

We opened up our GBAs and DSes for a parade of classic Nintendo bangers as we talk about when video games were joyful and rhythm games were about learning actual ass rhythm. It's a big episode, with lots of music, and I hope everyone enjoys! Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! hings Discussed: Dark Souls 2 and 3, Sekiro, Sonic Generations and Sonic Unleashed, Final Fantasy II, WarioWare and Rhythm Heaven, Nintendo, a bunch of other stuffThis Month's Game Club:WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! and Rhythm Tengoku (GBA)Next Month's Game Club: Sonic Chaos and Tails' Adventure (Both on Game Gear)Music That EpisodeThat's Paradise by Tsunku and Masami YoneMona's Pizza by Ryoji Yoshitomi and Kyoko MiyamotoDribble's Highway Jazz by Ryoji Yoshitomi and Kyoko MiyamotoKat & Ana Music by Ryoji Yoshitomi and Kyoko MiyamotoAshley's Song by Ryoji Yoshitomi and Kyoko MiyamotoWrestler Interview by Tsunku and Masami YoneFan Club by Tsunku and Masami YoneSpaceball by Tsunku and Masami YoneCheer Readers by Tsunku and Masami YoneDreams of Our Generation by Tsunku and Masami Yone

Sacred time is here! We light the fires and huddle our tula around the ring as we tell tales of old and mishaps aplenty in the dangerous world of Glorantha as we talk about this classic narrative strategy game! Also, because it's us, lots of JRPG updates and many other things besides in this lengthy episode. Praise to Orlanth!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: the year of handheld games, Nameless Game, Sonic Generations, Dragon Quest 2 and 3, Final Fantasy, Dark Souls, King of Dragon Pass, grand strategy games, Cart Life, Reigns, getting people to experience your favorite media, the next Pokemon element, favorite dragons, nightmare Dragon Pass-alikes provided by the Dragon Pass twitter account, an incredible anecdote about Sony marketing, much discussion of Duck peopleThis Month's Game Club:King of Dragon PassNext Month's Game Club: WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! and Rhythm Tengoku (GBA)Music This EpisodeOverture by Stan LePardSea Season by Stan LePardIs It Adventure by Stan LePardQuite an Adventure by Stan LePard

The end of the year of JRPGs ends with a game exploring the very limits of the genre and pushing into the modern conception of RPG meta text. Gone are the battles and dungeons, remaining are quests and levels and the question of what is it all for. Also, some really funky guys. So many cool, funky guys. Join us as we close the book on this strange year with a strange game, and have a great ol' time.Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: The Year of JRPGs, Sonic Advance, Updated Game Gallery, Halo Infinite, Analogue Pocket and other handheld hardware, Moon, Yume Nikki, Undertale, adventure games, RPG Maker, video game food, Pathologic 2, finishing games and managing timeThis Month's Game Club:Moon: Remix RPG AdventureNext Month's Game Club: King of Dragon PassMusic This EpisodePromise (Dream Version) (MoonDisc Version) by Hirofumi Taniguchi, Miki Higashino, Taro Kudo, and Masanori AdachiD.J. Saike's Dance Mix - Mexican Beats - Tilt - Celestial Body (MoonDisc Version) by Hirofumi Taniguchi, Miki Higashino, Taro Kudo, and Masanori AdachiI'm Waiting for the Night (MoonDisc Version) by Hirofumi Taniguchi, Miki Higashino, Taro Kudo, and Masanori AdachiKera-Ma-Go (Full Version) by Hirofumi Taniguchi, Miki Higashino, Taro Kudo, and Masanori Adachi

We're back as we take a sharp left from our projected game club and play the newest of new releases, the hot new Microsoft Tentpole, HaForza Horizon 5! Please enjoy this sprawling conversation about everything from driving mechanics, to radio stations in games, our problems with live service games, to liberal progressive ideas of tourism and representation, to a lazy history of the getting in cars digitally genre, we go long and cover a lot of topics. Appropriate, because Forza Horizon is a framework for you to make your own fun. Or so I'm told. Just give me Twin Ring Motegi tbqhSend us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: ResetEra, Dark Souls, Halo Infinite, Undernauts, Lego Builder's Journey, Forza Horizon, Forza Motorsport, Gran Turismo, Burnout, Outrun, Dirt, Need for Speed, Project Gotham Racing, Ridge Racer, Wipeout, Mario Kart, iRacing, Banjo Kazooie Nuts & Bolts, F-Zero, Final Fantasy 5, radio stations (gaming and otherwise), Wave Race, Episode 1 Racer, the Far Cry idea that would get us to play it, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Final Fantasy Tactics, learning new genres, the state of game remasters, Amr's patreon, go support it!, playing new games once in a while, Super EurobeatThis Month's Game Club:Forza Horizon 5Next Month's Game Club: Moon: Remix RPG Adventure

Rushing this one out the door because of scheduling problems, it's a new Abnormal Mapping! We played a game that has been on Em's to do list for years, and we discover that sometimes digging into the past isn't all it's cracked up to be. Also, the characters of Star Ocean? Discover that sometimes digging into the past isn't all it's cracked up to be. Anyway, enjoy! Happy Anniversary, Abnormal Mapping!Send us questions about our game clubs, other games, or gaming in general to abnormalmappingpodcast@gmail.com!If you would like to support us please visit patreon.com/abnormalmapping for exclusive podcasts, writing, and even opportunities to be on an episode as a guest! Things Discussed: CRTs, Metroid, RPGs, Star Ocean 1 and 2, controllers, many other things besides.This Month's Game Club:Star OceanNext Month's Game Club: A Plague Tale: InnocenceMusic This EpisodeBlown Away by Kevin MacLeodInnocence by Motoi SakurabaDancin' Sword by Motoi SakurabaCalm Time by Motoi Sakuraba