MisanthroPlay

We've got a thing for Spring. Alva and Robert discuss quality(?) TV programmes Gundam Unicorn, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, and Hannibal, before moving on to what games they've been playing (or not playing).Games discussed: Zanki Zero, Katana Zero, Heaven's Vault, Mortal Kombat 11, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and AI: The Somnium Files.

we talk smack on reactionary shitheads within game development, before we move on to discuss our thoughts on Resident Evil 2 Remake, Devil May Cry 5, The Division 2, and Warframe.follow Robert on twitter @nurvuss, Alva @vinomatic, and check out Robert’s Twitch stream, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday night.

Alva and Robert look at video game marketing from the 80s to the 00s in America and the UK, and ruminate on Sonic the Hedgehog pissplay and Rayman’s gargantuan dong. We also talk about how to host your AMA on a message board for racist paedophiles, and Ape Out’s troubling equation of jazz with primal savagery.We Play: Ape Out, La Mulana.

It’s the start of MisanthroPlay Season 5(!!) and we attended the Sunless Skies launch event at Failbetter Games’ South London office. We talk a little bit about that experience, and a whole lot about the first 10 hours of Sunless Skies, an unconventional and fiercely literary RPG that understands the potential of steampunk without stumbling down the usual pro-imperialist pratfalls. Also, We Talk about the latest Final Fantasy XIV announcements, Subnautica, Resident Evil 2, and Ace Combat 7.Shortly after recording this podcast, it was announced that Spatsz of the French cold wave duo KaS Product had passed away. The intermission music in this week’s episode is KaS Product’s “Loony Bin” in tribute.

We’re here to talk about the games of 2018, and read some listener mail.The Anticapitalism AwardBroken RealityFortune 499Donut CountyHoledownStop Trying So HardAgonyShadow of the Tomb RaiderGod of WarFar Cry 5Octopath TravelerRed Dead Redemption 2Detroit: Become HumanBest Art Direction428: Shibuya ScrambleCrossCodeDonut CountyDragon Quest 11Octopath TravelerPokemon Let's GoReturn of the Obra DinnBest Re-released 8/16-bit gameCrystalisPhantasy StarThunder Force IVBest Old GameMinecraftMega Man XLuminesNo Man's Sky NEXTShin Megami Tensei IfBiggest MessFallout 76 (GDPR)TellTale ClosureThe Quiet ManPlayStation MiniBiggest DisappointmentDeath MarkSega Classic Mega Drive CollectionFavorite MomentDrinking in Valentine, Red Dead 2Wulfric and the Old Lady, Xenoblade Chronicles 2Intro, Yakuza 6Pokemon in the worldQueerest GameHeaven Will Be MineAssassin's Creed OdysseyTiniest GameDonut CountyThe Haunted Island: A Frog Detective GameBlack BirdWorst TrendLate Stage CapitalismAlva’s Game of 2018Into the BreachRobert’s Game of 2018Monster Hunter: World

Happy Holidays! Robert Fenner and Alva Chua catch up on what games they want to (or don’t want to) play over the Winter Holidays; namely, Tetris Effect, Far Cry 5, Hollow Knight, Soul Calibur VI, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Hacknet.See you in 2019!

Alva Chua explains to Robert Fenner who Bungie are, from Alex Saropian’s bedroom game Operation Desert Storm, to Halo, to their beloved/maligned Paul McCartney-featuring Destiny, and how the developer has weaved their approach to storytelling throughout their history. Join us to learn about sword logic and waterbeds.

Robert and Alva discuss Red Dead Redemption 2, and how to examine a game surrounded by unacceptable labour practices.We Play: Pokémon Let’s Go, Evee! The Lost Child, Mega Man X, and SNK 40th Anniversary Collection.And hey. Nice.

Robert and Alva are back to share some of their favourite video game music with each other, and with you.Tracks featured:Hustlers’ Concept - “Loin” (from Black/Matrix)Atsunori Namba - “Samurai Gunman ~ Shin Za Zaan” (from Rising Zan: The Samurai Gunman)Masashi Hamauzu - “Aussenwelt” (from SaGa Frontier II)Rob Hubbard - “Loading” (from Sanxion)Masafumi Takada - “Where Angels Play” (from Killer7)Zuntata - “Daddy Mulk” (from The Ninja Warriors)Hidehito Aoki - “City 1 ~ School Revisited” (from Revelations: Persona)John Foxx - “Into the Wonderful” (from Gods)Kenichiro Fukui - “Badlands” (from Einhänder)Masashi Hamauzu - “DG - ‘Sadness’” (from Unlimited Saga)Jake Kaufman - “Caught Red Handed” (from Mighty Switch Force)Toshiko Tasaki - “Kuzunoha Detective Agency” (from Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner)

We bring out the calipers to talk about the problematic legacy of Howard Phillips Lovecraft, and how games such as Bloodborne, Cultist Simulator, Sunless Sea, and Garfield Kart make a case for cosmic horror to leave the author behind.We Play: Call of Cthulhu, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Death Mark.Music this week is “Imps of the Perverse” and “The Evil Clergyman” by Rudimentary Peni

Content Warning: discussions on dysphoria, dysmorphia, anorexia, depressionThis week, Robert and Alva have an extended discussion on their own experiences with gender dysphoria, body dysmorphia, and the general horror and malaise of existence, before exploring a trio of excellent games that explore these themes: Sundae Month’s Diaries of a Spaceport Janitor, Kitty Horrorshow’s Anatomy, and Anna Anthropy’s dys4ia.We also have a related conversation on the now-outdated Cyberpunk 2077 transphobic tweet debacle (since the recording of this podcast, CDPR’s social media manager has been outed as a proper bigot chud), and the trans character Rosetta seen in the Valkyria Chronicles 4 demo.We Play: Food Fantasy, Shin Megami Tensei Dx2, Dead Cells.

Robert and Alva are BACK, to talk about the symbiotic relationship between video games and tabletop games. We talk Steve Jackson Games, Operation Sundevil, the weird systems of Palladium's Robotech RPG, Baten Kaitos, Fallout's origins as a GURPS adaptation, and how apps are becoming more and more ubiquitous as gamemaster stand-ins.We Play: Cultist Simulator, Mad Max, and Battletech.

The servers may be dead, but MisanthroPlay lives: Alva and Robert discuss the impact of Demon's Souls, FromSoft's unlikely and esoteric action RPG that would forever change the face of video games. Even after all these years, we still don't know how World Tendency works.Also, We Play Far Cry 5, Swords of Ditto, Sky Rogue, and a return to No Man's Sky.

It's the second of the month, so grab this pod and come on! Robert and Alva reconvene after a month of thrills, chills, and spills, to tell you what they've been playing. This week, we chew over the new Shadow of the Colossus remake, Romancing SaGa 2, Celeste, Iconoclasts, Full Metal Furies, Zwei: The Ilvard Insurrection, and a certain re-release makes us bring out that age old chestnut: is Bayonetta feminist? We'll be back in two weeks with an episode on the recent server shutdown of Demon's Souls, so write in with your thoughts and memories.

Surprise! Cocoa Controller's Samer Farag joins Robert for an in-depth and spoiler-filled discussion of Doki Doki Literature Club, a romance visual novel about Japanese high school girls, poetry, and definitely nothing else. It's best that you play it before listening, and you definitely should, as it's both free and short.Happy Valentimes, MisanthroPals! NotesDoki Doki Literature Club websiteNeon Genesis Evangelion Episode 26 SnippetTeam SalvatoRPGFan: Doki Doki Literature Club Review (by Robert)DDLC Wiki: Monika's Talk (spoilers)Monika's TwitterItch.io: LOCALHOSTSteam: VA-11 HALL-A

Robert and Alva find a little time to break away from hiatus to discuss Monster Hunter: World, the latest in Capcom's genre-defining hunting franchise. Alva's well acquainted, while Robert has virtually no experience. Can these two knuckleheads get along? 9.30/8.30 central on MisanthroPop.

After a few delays, the third and final episode of our Supergiant Deep Look is here, with an examination of 2017's sleeper hit Pyre. A curious blend of visual novel, RPG, and sports, Pyre follows a group of exiles called the Nightwings, as they attempt to earn the right to escape a purgatorial plane called The Downside...through some sick slam dunks.

We kick off MisanthroPlay Season 4 the only way we know how: hurriedly trying to cram 35 games of 2017 into an hour and forty-five minute podcast. Happy New Year, from us to you!The Games of 2017: ARMs, Assassin's Creed Origins, Cuphead, Danganronpa V3, Dead Cells, Destiny 2, Detention, Dropmix, The Evil Within 2, For Honor, Hellblade, Golf Story, Gravity Rush 2, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Injustice 2, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, NieR Automata, Night in the Woods, Nioh, Observer, Persona 5, Prey, Pyre, Resident Evil 7, Ruiner, Shadow of War, Super Mario Odyssey, Tekken 7, WhiteDay: A Labyrinth Named School, Wipeout Omega Collection, Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus, Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Yakuza 0, Ys VIII

In the final episode we recorded in 2017, Alva and Robert look at Red Candle Games' debut Detention, a horror adventure set in a Taiwanese high school during the height of the White Terror. Beware of spoilers.We Play: Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and Horizon: Zero Dawn NotesThe White Terror228 IncidentUnder the Shadow trailerThe Diamond RealmMisanthroPlay Episode #47 Fear and Loathing on the Crusade Trail 1095-1099Cee-loHeibai WuchangChenghuangshenM.R James - The Haunted Dolls' House

Supergiant Season carries on with 2014's Transistor, a hybrid of turn-based strategy and real-time combat wrapped around an existential cyberpunk mystery. We walk through the game before sharing our interpretations of the story. It's a thoughtful and ponderous title brimming with style and substance, and one we're thrilled to dig into. NotesParadigm shiftEdward BernaysRobert's Bastion OST PicksTerminals MarchSlinger's SongBrusher Patrol

Somehow, Robert has never played a Supergiant game. Alva, in her infinite wisdom, suggested that MisanthroPlay spend the next 6 weeks looking at all three of their games. This week, we start at the very beginning with Bastion (2011), the Soul Blazer-meets-Spaghetti Western action RPG with the dynamic narrator. We talk about the mechanics, the plot, and the message at its core.In We Play, we play Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and have complicated (but ultimately positive) feelings about. Also, Robert loses his Vita and gets it back through a Faustian deal.Content Warning: It's flu season here in London, so regrettably we're pretty sniffly this week. We have fired each other from the podcast to make up for this grievous mistake. Please stay tuned for NotesSupergiantPxToneSupergiant BandcampKotaku: Xenoblade Chronicles 2 ReviewMisanthroPlay Episode #06 (Xenoblade Chronicles X discussion)

We talked about the striking games of witchy Portland-based developer Rani Baker back in Episode #51, so we thought it was about time to just have her on the show! Rani Baker joins Alva and Robert to discuss her games, her creative process, her inspirations, and haunted technology.You can find Rani's work at Itch.io, GameJolt, Bandcamp, and Cracked, among other places. Be sure to check out her upcoming game DEATH SWORD, which you can currently help to crowdfund, and please consider supporting her on Patreon. NotesPenguin SoftwareMacVentureAdventure Game Studio (AGS)Game EditorStencylEllie - Help Me Out, Please.... Android / iOSA Mind Forever VoyagingSuspendedThere Is No GameSteam: The Stanley ParableSteam: The Beginner's GuideThe Buzz Report: Why I think it's okay to get a refund for The Beginner's GuideCorrelated Contents: Is There a Community Outside this Text?LOCALHOSTArc SymphonyThe Milgram ExperimentSteam: Shadowgate 2014House of LeavesSomethingAwful: Instructions for a FruitStealth Redux198X XMAS WISHBOOK

Astral Era banner by Stephanie Sybydlo Robert invites Derek Heemsbergen of the Astral Era podcast and RPGFan to MisanthroPlay for a brief discussion of their individual histories with MMORPGs, before Robert prods Derek to explain what makes Final Fantasy XIV so special, as well as tips for newcomers on how to get to grips with its lush world.Be sure to follow Derek on Twitter, listen to his podcasts Astral Era and Random Encounter, and check out his OpenCritic. NotesSimutronicsSteam: Ragnarok OnlineGiant Bomb: Arcturus: The Curse and Loss of DivinityFFXIV Wiki: Hall of the Novice

Seeing as our last episode was late, we've decided to spoil you with another episode this week. Robert and Alva catch up on what they've been playing this week, starting with a shout-out to Jordan Reyne's 600,000 word interactive novel Choice of the Cat, before discussing how to navigate Chaos;Child's depiction of women through a post-Weinstein lens. We also have a frank discussion on whether Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus's "No More Nazis" advertising campaign is cynical, uplifting, or both; appreciate Natsume's fine localization work on Lufia 2: Rise of the Sinistrals; have unmitigated joy in Super Mario Odyssey; and we even do some investigation into the heart of the RuneScape cartel. NotesFighting FantasyGrailQuestPolygon: Touring the Living Remains of an 11-Year-Old MMO (Phil Kollar on Everquest 2)GameFaqs Estopolis (Lufia 1) Box ArtMisanthroPlay Episode #10 A Procedurally Generated PodcastRomhacking.net: Arabian Nights: Sabaku no Seirei OuHardcore Gaming 101: Chaos SeedThe Onion: ‘It’s Simply Bursting With Creative Wonder,’ Says Reviewer Of New Game Where Mario Sometimes Dresses As ChefPolygon: Sonic Forces ReviewGiant Bomb: Sonic Forces Quick Look polygon sonic forces review

Robert and Alva sit down with the multi-talented Jeremy Blaustein (Metal Gear Solid, Snatcher, Silent Hill 2, Shadow Hearts Covenant) to discuss his twenty-five year career in the Japanese games industry. We discuss the ups, the downs, the role of the translator as creator, the dilemma of translating Trump, and kiboshed Snatcher remakes and sequels.Check out Jeremy's localization company at Babydragon.jp. NotesWe think the English localization of Koudelka may have been handled by Koji Kawano, but we're unsure. If any listeners know who was responsible for this excellent job, please reach out!Richard EpcarMurakumo: Renegade Mech PursuitBanshee's Last CryNatsuko TodaJapan Times: Lost in Translation on Japanese ScreensPolygon: One of the Best, Weirdest Visual Novels is Finally Coming West (428 Shibuya Scramble)

It's our annual Halloween Haunt, so MisanthroPlay are looking at the ghostly cute `em up Kiki Kaikai, better known in the West as Pocky & Rocky. We look the series' origins as a Taito arcade shooter, before Natsume licensed the characters to create two gorgeous, if not frustrating SNES romps. We also learn you don't need to call Becky to have a good time.In this distinctly not horror-themed We Play, Alva plays Middle Earth: Shadow of War before we both dig into its micro-transaction tomfoolery and racism, Robert tries not to buy The Evil Within 2 and instead enjoys Ys 8. NotesHardcore Gaming 101: Kiki Kaikai / Pocky & RockyPsycho Soldier themeThe NewZealand StoryMister Vampire trailerMisanthroPlay - Valis episodeThe Seven Lucky GodsA Mortician's TaleAsk a MorticianMisanthroPlay - Castlevania episodeMisanthroPlay - Battle Mania episodeUbumeAltronGanbare Goemon: New Age Shutsudou!RPGFan: So You Want to Get Into YsMisanthroPop: October Terror Story

Alva guides Robert on a whistle stop tour of some of Compile's best known scrolling shooters: Blazing Lazers/Gunhed, M.U.S.H.A/Musha Aleste, Robo Aleste/Dennin Aleste, and Space Megaforce/Super Aleste. Join us on this journey through time and space in which we both falsely attribute Kim Cattrall to two movies she had nothing to do with.In We Play, Alva continues the shooter theme with Danmaku Unlimited 3, Robert reviews Blue Reflection and drunkenly buys Ruiner, while Alva does the same with Cuphead. NotesGunhed trailerSplit Second trailerFrontline Assembly - MindphaserBlade Eagle 3-DTakayuki HironoBlazing Lazers final bossRobot Carnival - OpeningRobot Carnival - A Tale of Two RobotsDangun FeveronBlue Reflection - Sephirot Boss FightTrio the PunchGenocyber Trailer

We're a little late this week after running into some editing trouble, but we managed to shoot through. Alva and Robert discuss Vic Tokai's Battle Mania duology, a pair of Mega Drive shooters that meld Forgotten Worlds with Dirty Pair. Prepare for more trouble!This week in We Play: Destiny 2, WhiteDay: A Labyrinth Named School, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana, the Etrian Odyssey V demo, and Amazon's Running Diet.If you enjoy MisanthroPlay and wish to buy some of the games we talked about on this week's episode, please consider purchasing through our affiliate links above! We get a tiny percentage of purchases made and it would help us keep the lights on. Alternatively, please leave us a positive review over on iTunes. NotesHardcore Gaming 101: Trouble Shooter / Battle ManiaDirty PairHaruka TakachihoCrusher Joe model kitsSlavorum: Yugoslav Computer Magazine CovergirlsHardcore Gaming 101: Keio Flying Squadron

Alva and Robert take some time pouring over the games of the wonderfully unique Rani Baker (Patreon, Itch, Blog), a solo developer who combines zinester sensibilities, sonic art, and 80s Macintosh aesthetics to create a body of work that's fresh, political, and kvlt as fvck. Help crowdfund her upcoming game Death Sword, and check out the demo here.We Play: Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, Vostok Inc., Rez Infinite, Downwell, Hitman 2016.We Drop: Ultra Despair Girls.Music in this episode comes from Rani's games Never Go To Work and The Corner of Sunny Lane and Easy Street. You can purchase her music at Bandcamp. Next Episode 29 September 2017: Trouble Shooter / Battle ManiaWrite in!NotesFuck Capitalism JamDemon's Forge remake (Rani Baker)Hardcore Gaming 101: Dark SeedHardcore Gaming 101: Nanashi no Game3D Monster MazeCompanions of Xanth / Superhero League of HobokenMobygames: JB Harold in Murder ClubMobygames: Private EyeMisanthroPop: Maison IkkokuAdam Cadre: 9:05Ian Finley: All AloneMisanthroPlay #29 A Kou Shibusawa PodcastShinju Forest: Illusion CityPlunderphonics: DabHauntologyDead Genre ChroniclesEmperor Tomato KetchupGoNNERUFO50Doomed Megalopolis Episodes 2-4Teito Monogatari

Life Begins at 50 A MisanthroPlay for the Discerning Mature Set We did it! Alva and Robert celebrate their milestone episode by talking about anything and everything. From the canonical MisanthroPlay Origin Story, to passport woes, `90s cyber cafes, sharks using keycards, and buying video games from a denim-clad Charlie Brooker, no topic is taboo.We Play: Sonic Mania, Ys Seven, the No Man's Sky patch, and Apathy ~Midnight Collection Vol. 1~. Nobody plays White Day because Robert's delivery goes missing.And we open the MisanthroMailbag to read your letters! A big thank you to everyone who wrote in, and to all of our listeners who've stuck with us for fifty episodes. Here's to you.Corrections: I (Robert) erroneously called Detention an Indonesian game, when it is in fact a Taiwanese game. Sincere apologies for this embarrassing foible. NotesNemesis to Go Review: Sixteens, Eve Black/Eve White, No KissesGamers with JobsHokuto no GotokuDemon Seed trailerMentallo and the Fixer - Power StruggleBukkoro (website of Taro & Yukiko Yoko)MobyGames: Crime WaveMobyGames: Socket (Time Dominator)Bomb the Bass - MegaBlastVNDB: Gakkou de atta Kowai HanashiGakkou de atta Kowai Hanashi Fan Translation ProjectGuardian's Paradise: Midnight Collection Fan TranslationDeer Captor trailerThe Act of Killing trailerMobyGames: The SentinelSquid Escape Vortex

In this mini-episode, Robert invites illustrator, whackademic, and prankster Justyna Burzynska for a discussion of Dominique Pamplemousse, the claymation point and click musical starring a genderqueer private eye. Even if you don't like musicals, there's a lot to enjoy here.Follow Justyna on Twitter, Tumblr, or Instagram. NotesSquinky.meKillscreen: Dominique Pamplemousse ReviewSquinky's YouTuberustle your leaves to me softlyCubert Badbone, P.I.NaNoReNoMisanthroPop: J.B Hairboll in Murder Flub

MisanthroPlay goes old-old-skool in a look at the history of Space Invaders, from its inception and imitators, to its numerous artistic revivals in honour of the game's 30th anniversary in 2008. We even talk about Cosmo Gang, just because we can.We Play: Polybius, My Father's Long, Long Legs, Tourist (Owlcave), Vostok Inc., and Dandy Dungeon.Just a reminder that you've got one more week to send in your letters for Episode #50's mailbag! NotesBabychamYMO - Computer GameMisanthroPlay #31 50 Years of Star TrekSpace Invaders PinballWired: Space Invaders Get Even: The Secretly Episodic GameWarning ForeverDanmaku Unlimited 2Bullet Hell MondayGroove CoasterArkanoid VS Space InvadersCosmo GangCosmo Gang: The VideoNine Inch Nails - Less ThanMisanthroPop: TxK Review (Alva Chua)They Look Like PeopleMisanthroPlay #36 Even in a Podcast, F-O-EMisanthroPlay #14 Guilty Pleasures

It's another Deep Dive episode as Alva and Robert sift through What Remains of Edith Finch, Giant Sparrow's quirky narrative adventure about a young woman returning home to delve into her family's tragic history. This episode is heavy on spoilers, so you've been warned.In We Play, Alva stays fresh in Splatoon 2, while Robert slices his way to joy in Severed. We also touch on the first few hours of Pyre and Root Double.Episode #50 is coming up, so don't forget to send us your letters! NotesMisanthroPlay Save Points: Virginia SpoilercastPlaystation 3 Ducks DemoFootage (warning, loud audio)Super Rub a DubThe Unfinished SwanBad Day on the MidwayKotaku: Is This New Anime Trolling South Korea and China? (on Super Sonico)Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs AttackRetro Encounter: Root Double Podcast

Sun's out? Buns out! In this quick and durrty trap sesh, Alva and Robert flaunt it in Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age, sneakily recycle tumors in Prey, wear fancy hats in Victor Vran, and debate cameraman abuse in Injustice 2.

Robert introduces Alva to one of his personal favorites: Exile, the existentalist Hashishin action RPG from the mavens at Nippon Telenet, and a criminally unrecognized one at that. Grab your hash, your LSD, and your copy of the Illuminatus!, and get ready for a crisis-of-faith road trip across time and space with Sadler the Sadboi. It's gonna be a bumpy ride that's holy-to-the-MAX. NotesHardcore Gaming 101: ExileMisanthroPlay #33 ValisHugues de PayensCathar BeliefsThe Cathar GenocideExile (Mega Drive) OST - Little RoomMisanthroPop: Article on Exile/KraftwerkExile: All CutscenesManiJaufre RudelBayonSamyazaNippaku: The Infamous Tantra Teachings of the Tachikawa-RyuMaster KukaiThe Mandala of the Two RealmsThe Cult of PythagorasHiram AbiffExile (Genesis) Ending (differing text) ...and soon we will realize our Cosmic Fantasy.

Alva and Robert discuss Netflix's Castlevania. What works? What doesn't? What's with the goat sex scene? Listen and find out.We Play: WipEout Omega Collection, Hot Tin Roof: The Cat Wore a Fedora, and Dishonored 2.

GET HYPED BOI Fashionably late, it's MisanthroPlay's E3 2017 episode! Robert was casing the floors of the Los Angeles Convention Center in the doughy pink flesh this year, and he's brought all the hot scoops you've probably already heard about. Alva and Robert discuss what's hot, what's not, and the sleeper hits that may have flown under the radar.We also have time to Play Dead Cells, River City: Knights of Justice, and ARMS.Finally, we crack open the mailbag to discuss favorite RPGs and Robert's traumatic childhood incident that will forever equate the beloved Phantasy Star IV with less-beloved racism. NotesMisanthroPop: The Cat in the Hijab (robert)RPGFan: River City: Knights of Justice Review (robert)RPGFan: Zwei: The Ilvard Insurrection Preview (robert)RPGFan: Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin PreviewGriftlands TrailerThe Crew 2 GameplayStarlink: Battle for Atlas TrailerThe Message: God Tier: Facebook Moms Run the Meme GameWaypoint: Nintendo Explains Why They DIdn't Focus on Indie Games at E3Kirby Switch Trailer13 Sentinels TeaserMobyGames: The SummoningWikipedia entryMisanthroPlay #40: Top Ten RPGs

Slightly delayed as Robert gets over jetlag, comes our episode on Treasure's classic Gunstar Heroes. Alva and Robert discuss their experiences with the game, what makes it so special, and how spiritual sequel Gunstar Super Heroes measures up.This week in We Play: Prey, Cosmic Star Heroine, Birthdays: the Beginning, Injustice 2, The Caligula Effect, and Strafe. NotesSega-16: Interview with Mac SenourBravomanLunatic DawnThe Starship DamreyNostalgio no KazeBlack SigilWhat Did I Do to Deserve This, My Lord?Hardcore Gaming 101: Chaos SeedKotaku: JoJo's Bizarre Adventure All Star Battle ReviewStray Cat

This week's episode is short n sweet, just like us! Robert and Alva let their hair down to gab over Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap, Tumbleseed, Flinthook, Prey and The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 3rd. We couldn't get around to Full Throttle Remastered, but we still had a LucasArts tangent.Correction: I (Robert) accidentally attributed Lumo to Tribute Games, but it was actually developed by Triple Eh? Sorry, Triple Eh?! NotesMisanthroPlay #18: Wonder Boy in Licensee LandMiracleWorld: Omar Cornut's Website (The Dragon's Trap developer)MEKAIndiana Jones and the Fate of AtlantisIce Cold BeerGreg WohlwendTribute GamesKongregate: Gravity HookThis Morning With Richard Not Judy: Norman Wisdom on AcidTrigun introKouta Hirano's Crossfire

What do you know, we've started a game music podcast. The Background Lounge is open, and it's jazz on the menu tonight. Robert Fenner hand-picks his favorite tracks from a variety of games and arranged albums.You can hear the first episode here at MisanthroPlay, but future episodes can be found at misanthropop.com/the-background-lounge/ Tracklist00:00 - 00:40 Toshiko Tasaki, Shoji Meguro, Tsukasa Masuko - Paradigm Bank (Soul Hackers)00:50 - 04:20 Daichi "Ace" Hasemi - Violet Cocktail (Tantei Jinguuji Saburo ~Kind of Blue~)05:15 - 09:17 Masafumi Takada - White Sugar (Killer7)09:53 - 14:05 MANYO - Criminal Investigation (Kara no Shoujo: The Second Chapter)14:43 - 19:36 Yoko Kanno - Catalina (Uncharted Waters 2, from KOEI Game Music Works: Kanno Yoko Collections)20:05 - 24:08 Shusei Murai - Reminiscence (Genso Suikoden II, from Genso Suikoden - Piano Collection - ~Avertunerio Anfes Lance Mao~) 24:38 - 25:58 Shoji Meguro - Roux (Catherine) 26:39 - 28:11 Shoji Meguro feat. Lyn - Wake Up Get Up Get Out There (Persona 5) 28:45 - 34:29 The Metamorphosis Jazz Band - Godot ~The Fragrance of Dark Coffee~ (Phoenix Wright: Trials and Tribulations, from Gyakuten Meets Jazz Soul)34:55 - 36:50 Kazumi Totaka - KK Jazz Aircheck (Animal Crossing)

It's no secret that NieR Automata set our hearts ablaze this Spring, so MisanthroPlay invited Heidi Kemps to get down to the brass tacks on what this wet-behind-the-ears Yoko Taro upstart's really all about.Be sure to check out Heidi's work at her website Gaming.moe, on Twitch, and at Patreon. NotesTocoToco #49: Yoko Taro"Shit, Square Enix!"Gaming.moe: Interview: Suda51 of Grasshopper ManufactureGiantBomb: Sugar & RocketsNieR Teaser/IntroGamespot: Heidi Kemps: Drakengard 3 ReviewDrag-On Dragoon: Shi ni Itaru Aka mangaJAST USA: Saya no Uta / Song of Saya (18+, NSFW)Critical Theory: "A Bitter Disappointment", Edward Said on his Encounter with Sartre, de Beauvoir and FoucaultGaming.moe: NieR Automata and the Risk of Pissing Players OffSiliconera: SINoALICE Shares Design Work...RPGFan: Robert Fenner: OZMAFIA!! ReviewDemons' ScoreDrakengard Mobile footageYoRHa Stage Play footageGaming.moe: Nostalgia for Sale: What You're Actually Buying

Alva takes Robert down the rabbit hole of Archon, Free Fall Associates' and Electronic Arts' mashup of chess and arcade dueling. We look at its influence on later titles such as Cyber Empires, The Unholy War, and Wrath Unleashed, as well as wonder if Archon inspired Godzilla: Master of Monsters or Vasteel.We Play: Hundreds of hours of Persona 5 between us. NotesStar Wars Chess SceneFree Fall AssociatesEpyxToys for BobCyber EmpiresFantasy EmpiresThe Unholy WarWrath UnleashedGodzilla: Monster of MonstersVasteel

MisanthroPlay has rolled forty episodes deep, so Alva and Robert count down their individual Top Ten RPGs. We've got your Final Fantasies, your Personas, your obscure Telenet RPGs...We won't spoil the whole list here, so dive right in and listen to all twenty!Write in with your own favorites at our contact page, and maybe we'll do a mailbag follow-up! NotesMisanthroPlay Episode #10 - A Procedurally Generated PodcastMisanthroPlay Episode #21 - The Persona 20th Anniversary Extravaganza (feat. Bob Mackey)Hyakumonogatari KaidankaiAlva Chua: Mass Effect: Andromeda, and What’s in Bioware’s Basement

Bob's a slow boy, so it's an ooooold episode of MisanthroPlay that only just got edited! But hey, considering the critical acclaim Breath of the Wild has received, it's nothing if not topical. Alva and Robert look back on Thirty Whole Years of Zelda Clones. What's blatant, what's original, what works, what doesn't!We Discuss: Golveillius, Zenonia, Times of Lore, Prophecy, Neutopia 1 & 2, Golden Axe Warrior, Startropics 1 & 2, Landstalker, Crusader of Centy, Sylvan Tale, Beyond Oasis, Legend of Oasis, Gunman's Proof, The Twisted Tales of Spike McFang, Alundra, Beyond Good & Evil, Okami, Darksiders 1 & 2, and 3D Dot Game Heroes. Phew!In a much-delayed We Play, Alva enjoys the vastly different Titanfall 2 and Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, while Robert loves the buggy-as-heck Xanadu Next. NotesGolvellius EndingRPGCodex forum post showcasing the art of Yoshitaka TamakiLady StalkerDark SaviorLinkle Liver StoryIsami NakagawaPoguriMakai Prince Dorabbochan (Japanese Spike McFang prequel)Joe MadureiraBattle ChasersKotaku: The 105 Loading Screens of 3D Dot Game HeroesMidoraRobert's Xanadu Next review

Here comes a new challenger! The Nintendo Switch is officially a thing, and Alva has one. We give initial impressions before gushing over The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.The outstanding releases haven't let up, as We Play Horizon: Zero Dawn and NieR Automata.

The first half of 2017 has sped by, bringing dozens of outstanding games along for the ride. We take a little time out to talk about some of the awesome stuff we've been playing. Namely: Nioh, Night in the Woods, Detention and For Honor.Be a total trash mammal and check it out! Notes"Vae Victis"NurikabeNioh (仁王) translates to "Benevolent King"Goodnight PunpunOver the Garden WallLost ConstellationUnder the Shadow trailerJiangshiStar Wars: Jedi KnightDie by the SwordBlade Symphony

We can hardly believe this, but Etrian Odyssey is a decade old, guys. We take stock of Atlus' Sim Cartographer series from its humble beginnings and discover just how much Etrian Odyssey revitalised the dungeon crawler genre. Also, We Play Dandy Dungeon, Nioh, Gravity Rush 2, Tales of Berseria and Yakuza 5.

MisanthroPlay sits down for an interview with industrial folk musician Jordan Reyne, vocalist of Resident Evil VII's memorable theme "Go Tell Aunt Rhody". Jordan talks to us about her creative process, her stage performance at the Resident Evil VII Launch Event in Tokyo, throwing up horns with the head of Capcom, and her own game which is currently in the works.Following the interview, We Play a whole bunch of Resident Evil VII. And guess what? It's really good.A big thank you to Jordan for joining us! NotesJordan Reyne - Official WebsiteJordan Reyne - BandcampPowertool Records - BandcampChoice of Games

Life's not all fun and games. In light of recent events, we feel it necessary to briefly weigh in on the current political climate.Stay tuned for a full-length episode tomorrow.

Robert and Alvin talk about Playdead's pair of atmospheric and lethal platformers in this double-bill episode of MisanthroPlay. Limbo sees a young boy navigate a hostile world in silhouette, while Inside recontextualizes Limbo's initial setup to raise some thought-provoking questions on the nature of free will.Are we individuals, or are we just a bunch of rubes living in Adam Curtis' Century of the Self? Who can say? Listen and find out.

Some kids grew up with Castlevania. Other kids had Valis. Robert explains to Alvin why he's so maladjusted in this tribute to Nippon Telenet's short-lived series of Beautiful Fighting Girls. In We Play, Alvin coaxes the catdogbird that is Trico of The Last Guardian, while Robert drunkenly staggers through Steins;Gate 0, before treating himself to Shantae: Half Genie Hero and Stardew Valley. NotesHardcore Gaming 101: ValisHiroki HayashiCreamy Mami introMagical Emi introLeda: The Fantastic Adventure of YohkoKid Fenris: The Forgotten Professional Gamer ("The Gaiares Guy", who wasn't named Thor [but I wish he was])Valis I intro (Mega Drive)Valis promotional video by Hideaki Anno & Katsuhiko NishijimaHardcore Gaming 101: Devil Hunter YohkoSugorokuValis III introUrotsukidojiKarasValis Box ArtValis I - Japanese / AmericanValis II - Japanese / AmericanSyd of Valis - Japanese / AmericanValis III - Japanese / AmericanSuper Valis IV - Japanese / AmericanHardcore Gaming 101: Psycho DreamKendo Rage!Storytron