Surprise Mechanics

This is it, Game of the Year 2024 with the Surprise Mechanics! Billy, Mikaela, and Roman share the best games we played in 2024 and y'know its been one heck of a year. The Backlog is complete* and 2025 is here. *not really there's always a new game Send us an email - surprisemechanicspod@gmail.com Follow us on BlueSky - @surprisemechanics.bsky.social

It's that time of year again, folks! Gather around the fire with your hot cocoa, your cheesesteak sammich, and some other thing I can't think of atm to discuss, as we always do, the works of American filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan. It's the holiday tradition that we all know and love!!

The rails have come off completely, chaos reigns, and rules no longer have power in this realm. Mikaela's still going on about Silent Hill 2 twenty years later and Roman cannot put down Vampire Survivors, Stardew Valley, and Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On! And to that I say, "Right on! Listen to this episode y'all, it's silly!" I was supposed to put our email address here but I dropped it :(

Bill Hyland returns to talk dice rolls, romance-able NPC's, insatiable bloodlust, and more in Baldur's Gate 3. It's like Dungeons and Dragons except you don't need to talk to anyone else to play it. That's right! The only friend I need is right here: the computer. The computer will never leave me, nor get angry at me for refusing to check on her cat when she's out of town. That's why I love my best friend, the computer. Check out Billy's new game! https://billdo.itch.io/loop

The spooky time is over, do you hear me?! It's FINISHED. We're DONE with it! We're not spending another second talking about zombies, or blood sucking vampires, or whimsical spirits. We're leaving all that behind and focusing on what lies ahead. No more scary stuff for us, just the real world and all of it's very real, very literal implications... ...Oh no... This week it's WEBFISHING and Remnant II.

Wrapping up the spooky season with a spooky combo! OOoooOooooOOoooOo Have a happy Halloween!

Welcome back to another episode of Late Night with the Surprise Mechanics! Tonight we conjure the devil to talk about the 2023 found footage horror Late Night with the Devil and by conjure the devil I mean using forbidden technology like computers. Our email address is hiding and waiting for the perfect moment for a jumpscare!

Spooky Mechanics continues and it's time to exorcise some demons. And you know what else, we're going to exercise our bodies, too! That's right, gang. Let's get those heart rates up. Drop and give me twenty. Jumping jacks, let's get 'em going! Tickle fight!! Whose with me?!

Autumn is here, Halloween is looming in the near future, and we have thoughts about Alan Wake. Like, the whole series. And then some! Follow us on Bluesky

Sonic Summer is OVER! We are DONE with that beautiful blue bastard. For real this time!!* Yeah, a summer full of Sonic games would have kept a lot of gamers busy, but not us. We had time on our hands. What did we do with that time? This is our story... Follow us on Bluesky! Just search for the show, idk what you want from me. *See Sonic the Hedgehog 3 only in theaters December 20

We're closing out this special Sonic Summer with a Sonic Murder Mystery! Sonic Summer may have come to an end but the blue blur will always remain a part of us all. Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail.com Follow us at social media!

Sonic Battle is a 2003 beat 'em up video game developed by Sonic Team for the Game Boy Advance. It is the second fighting game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, the first game being Sonic the Fighters. It was released in Japan in December 2003 and in North America and Europe in early 2004. The game received a lukewarm response from critics. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_Battle) #DeadpoolandWolverine #LFG Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail.com Find us on Bluesky, I dare you.

Sonic Summer continues and takes us through even more deep cuts of Sonic media. Matt Slanaker joins the Surprise Mechanics this time to lend his Sonic expertise and help us sort through all this lore!

Man, it is way too hot! This is nuts! The hell is a heat dome? Dimmsdale Dimma-ass sounding weather. ~~hEaT dOmE~~ what are you telling me that for? What am I supposed to do about that? Get out of here! It's HOT and I'm CRANKY. We played Sonic 3D Blast.

Welcome to Sonic Summer, a series devoted to talking about the speediest, blurriest, spin-offiest Sonic the Hedgehog media we can get our white gloved hands on! And who better to talk about some weird Sonic stuff than our good buddy, and resident Hedgehog mega fan, Kaleb?! When we asked him he wanted to start the whole thing he said Tails and the Music Maker and we said: Okay. Then he said it was for the Sega Pico, remember the Sega Pico, and we said: Sure, Man. And the rest, as they say in the podcast industry, was content. Sit back, grab a (non-expired) chili dog, and enjoy us talking about a video game that tricks you into going to school.

Celebrate Mikaela's birthday with the Surprise Mechanics as we try to figure out if it was the movies or the games or the Super Mario 64s. We don't know! Help!

Mikaela, Roman, and their shared Sleep Paralysis Demon Samuel are back in studio! They're coming at you LIVE to talk about all that stuff I already listed out. What, you want me to do it again? Nah nah nah. Not doing it. Give it a listen. Or don't! That's fine!! Stop being so weird about it.

Dude, where's my hoverbike? Today the Surprise Mechanics return from their gliding to talk about Sable. Anyway, did you watch Fallout? Follow us on Bluesky @surprisemechanics.bsky.social Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail.com

Michaela thought this was just going to be another episode...another walk in the freakin park...but nope! Roman had other plans! This ain't your grandma's Surprise Mechanics! She thought she could get away with just talking about Like a Dragon: Ishin! and Roman would be normal about it. Maybe he would talk about Helldivers or some bullshit comic book he read, but nope! He had to go SICKO MODE and do something TWISTED. Matthew Rao makes a surprise appearance and from there...well let's just say it gets preeeetttyyyy interesting, okay? That's right: they go all in on The Walking Dead. I'm talking Rick, I'm talking Michonne, and zombies? Uhhhh yeah, we're talking about those too! Is anybody out there? Does anybody care? wth is a Def Leppard anyway?

It's Roman's birthday! Everyone wish Roman a happy birthday! Today, Mikaela and God Emperor Roman Buetel talk about going to the moon in another Apple TV original For All Mankind. Follow us on Bluesky @surprisemechanics.bsky.social Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail.com

You're telling me a monkey made this island? You're telling me a dave built this diver? What the!!

Oh no it's happening again! They let Roman and Mikaela ramble about The Last of Us Part 2 and Final Fantasy 7 Remake. Who was on the clock? You had one job! We can't let them continue this conversation the very fabric of space time will erode. Fire [REDACTED] and get these two nerds talking about their backlog again! Check out Mikaela's band at https://open.spotify.com/album/0Kd34W5fUkapSGQE8hWQOb?si=2C-7rbr0R0aoxRrdRVroXw Follow us on Bluesky @surprisemechanics.bsky.social Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail.com

We're back, babyyyy! Our Gamers Rest has ended and now we're ready to talk video games. But things are going to be a little different this time, that's for sure. This time, get this, this time it's all about the backlog. Surprise Mechanics 2024: The Backlog. That's the stuff. We're talking old games, old-ish games, and probably some new ones too. The backlog stretches ahead as it does behind. The backlog is all around us, spreading endlessly through time and space. It uncurls, hungry, desperately reaching for more of the sweet nectar it craves: media. It lives to consume, it needs to consume. It is us and we are it. We love the Backlog. We Are The Backlog. man that avatar game did a number on me. Follow us on Bluesky @surprisemechanics.bsky.social Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail.com

Here we are once again, talking about the best games this year with friends. The Surprise Mechanics return to tradition with guest Billy Hyland to figure out the best games we played in 2023. Those honorable mentions though Follow us on Bluesky: @SurpriseMechanics.bsky.social Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail.com

The Cinema Enjoyers (TM) have just returned from their latest trip to the local theatre where they had the pleasure to watch Godzilla Minus One. And folks...it rules. Seriously. It's so, so good. You should go watch it. Get your tickets right now. You're already on your phone. Just hop over to Fandango or whatever. Also, we're not sponsored by Fandango, but are open to conversations. After that, Kaleb Grine returns to get silly with Marvel's Spider-Man 2, a game that we haven't had a chance to discuss yet because it wasn't spooky enough at the time of release. That's a deep cut only the OG's will get. I'm talking the people who have been here for a LONG time. Like, 'they-listened-to-the-last-few-episodes' long time. Follow us on Bluesky: @SurpriseMechanics.bsky.social Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail.com

Spooky Mechanics 2023 concludes with our first ever Gamers Debate (TM) discussing Bend Studio's Days Gone. Lines are drawn and friendships are tested as Roman argues in favor of this underappreciated game and Mikaela chuckles along, mostly not really caring. There is also mention of Jurassic Park and food. Follow us on Bluesky @surprisemechanics.bsky.social Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail.com

Spooky Mechanics persists as time and space gets weird and we end up back at The Thing but its 2011! Matthew joins Roman and Mikaela today to talk about the prequel to one of the greatest horror films of all time John Carpenter's The Thing. Can you figure out which one of us is The Thing? Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail.com Follow us on BlueSky: @surprisemechanics.bsky.social

In space no one can hear you game... Halloween may be over, by Spooky Mechanics continues as Roman and Mikaela talk about Dead Space, a video game released in the year 2023. Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail.com Follow us on BlueSky: @surprisemechanics.bsky.social

Here we go again! we're watching Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 so get some popcorn, join us and watch along! Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail.com

Spooky season is back, babyyy! We're kicking off our annual festival of frights with Rose Engine's Signalis. It's basically go everything: robots, zombies, robot zombies, gun. Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail.com

It's time for another Weekly Check-in with Roman and Mikaela. This week we're talkin' Tears of the Kingdom. Can you believe this game has an ending? Featuring special guest: a cricket trapped in Roman's basement. Follow us on Twitter @SurpriseMechPod Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail.com

"It's not easy to be me." When Vladimir John Ondrasik III sang this line in the hit song "Superman" by his band Five for Fighting, he wasn't necessarily talking about the turmoil of being a Gamer, but he wasn't explicitly NOT talking about it either, and sometimes that's enough. What I'm trying to say is sometimes games don't grip you. It happens to the best of us. It's normal! I'm normal! The best we can do is work through the pain. A new game will eventually come along that excites you. It has to, otherwise what am I going to talk about on this show? I need something to talk about on the show otherwise there isn't a show. (Note: Mikaela, can you clean this up a little before you post? Feels a little unhinged. Thanks! - R) (Note: No. - M) This week Roman and Mikaela talk about Gaming Ruts, Street Fighter 6, The Flash, fourth of July, and Pabst Blue Ribbon. Follow us on Twitter @SurpriseMechPod Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail.com

Star Wars is back! And/or its Mikaela's birthday and she's forcing it upon Roman. We're talking about the Disney+ Star Wars television series Andor and could you believe its a Star Wars? Follow us on twitter @SurpriseMechPod Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail.com

It's Roman's Birthday, sorta! Better late than never, I guess. We all remember how funny it was when Roman forced his good friend Mikaela to watch Vanderpump Rules last year. It was a total riot! We all loved it! This year he chose a new tactic and picked a program he thought she might actually like, which is Apple TV's Severance. Spoiler alert: it's a really cool show. Also spoiler alert: there are spoilers in this episode. But not until later, so don't even trip. Just relax, alright? Follow us on twitter @SurpriseMechPod Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail

Just because it's not our GOTY episode doesn't mean Billy can't have a little fun! I don't know who keeps saying that, but it's not true, okay? Billy is allowed to talk about video games whenever he wants! This time we're talking about that Zelda game everyone in the world is playing, before spiraling into a barrage of sponsored content, blockbuster movies, professional wrestling, and Vanderpump Rules. Good stuff. Find Billy on Itch.io! https://itch.io/profile/billdo Find us on Twitter @SurpriseMechPod Or drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail.com

Mikaela's roommate and bonafide cyberpsycho Gwyn stops by the Surprise Mechanics Elder Castle to discuss DC Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077, a video game that works now! How about that! Follow us on Twitter @SurpriseMechPod Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail.com

Klaatu barada nikto someone has read out loud from the Book of the Dead once again! The demons decide to take on the big city this time around in Evil Dead Rise. Roman and Mikaela definitely were not scared at all while watching this film. Follow us on Twitter @SurpriseMechPod Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail.com

Where's everyone going? Bingo!! That's right, folks, it's time to talk about Resident Evil 4 Remake. Resident Evil 4 is a very good video game again, still. Leon Kennedy is really cool and good at suplexing cultists again, still. Ashley and Luis are here, too! Remember them? They're great! And Ada! You know Ada! From Resident Evil! Follow us on Twitter @SurpriseMechPod Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail.com

Zombies are back folks and this time they're fungi, again. Roman and Mikaela are here clickin' all about HBO's The Last of Us Season One and it's a doozy! Show Notes: So, Should we Stop Staying JRPG? (Jimquisition) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpDyONiXSjM&ab_channel=JimSterling Follow us on Twitter @SurpriseMechPod Deliver us a message across a perilous post apocalyptic environment: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail.com

The Combo Pack(TM) returns with an episode about our favorite comic book freaks! Look at them, these freaks! Bask in their glory! Fear Them, as they fear You. Follow us on Twitter @SurpriseMechPod Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail.com

Our newly promoted Warner Bros Correspondent Wisam Awadallah (@HobbsnShawarma) returns to discuss HBO Max's Velma and the comic series Scooby Apocalypse, two very different stories that attempt to reimagine the Scooby Gang for a more contemporary audience with varying results! Mikaela and Roman welcome Wisam to the PS5 family by sharing their top 5 PS5 game recommendations before moving on to discuss Vanderpump Rules (because it wouldn't be an episode of SM without that), Everything Everywhere All At Once, and MILF Manor, a real show made by real people! Follow us on Twitter @SurpriseMechPod Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail.com Notes: Trans Witches are Witches game bundle - https://itch.io/b/1712/trans-witches-are-witches Problematic Tropes and Harmful Stereotypes in the Harry Potter Series - https://wealthofgeeks.com/harry-potter-series/ Why I'm Not Buying the Harry Potter Game by Stacey Henley - https://www.polygon.com/2020/9/24/21452826/harry-potter-video-game-hogwarts-legacy-warner-bros-jk-rowling-transphobia Lead Designer of Hogwarts Legacy Used to Be an Anti-Social Justice YouTuber by Natalie Flores - https://www.fanbyte.com/games/news/lead-designer-of-hogwarts-legacy-used-to-be-an-anti-social-justice-youtuber/ It's Time to Call Modern Anti-Trans Laws What They Are: Attempted Genocide by Vienna Austin - https://www.outfrontmagazine.com/its-time-to-call-modern-anti-trans-laws-what-they-are-attempted-genocide/ The Ten Stages of Genocide - https://www.hmd.org.uk/learn-about-the-holocaust-and-genocides/what-is-genocide/the-ten-stages-of-genocide/ JK Rowling's New Friends by Shaun - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou_xvXJJk7k&ab_channel=Shaun Hogwarts: A Legacy of Hate (The Jimquisition) by James Stephanie Sterling - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNKyQVsgKLg&ab_channel=JimSterling

Rise and Grind, Gamers! Surprise Mechanics is back from our winter hiatus to talk about everyone's favorite sicko: Sonic the Hedgehog! Kaleb Grine returns to bring us breakfast and chat about this super fast freak! We close out, per usual, with a Heated Gaming Moment where we discuss Sonic Prime, That 90s Show, and Kaleb's growing addiction to G-Fuel. Follow us on Twitter @SurpriseMechPod Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail

Can you believe time marches forward? Well, we're joined by Billy Hyland once again and we're making a list and checking it twice giving recognition to the games we thought were quite nice! Number 3 is SHOCKING

We got a real gamer's potpourri this week, a real pop culture stew, a cosmic gumbo, even! We're talking Fallout 4 mods, we're talking about the future, our hopes and dreams, and we're checking back in with our good friend Jim Cameron. Wowza that's a lot of stuff in just fifty two minutes and forty five seconds! Do you think these bozos can handle it?? Follow us on Twitter @SurpriseMechPod Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail.com

I Made A Game With Zombies In It is free to download on steam! You read that right! It's FREE! This is not a drill! Follow us on twitter @SurpriseMechPod before what's his name destroys the place. You know, the apartheid guy. With the murderous automobiles. Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail

This one's got everything: werewolves, batmen, man bats, a child militia, and one tall, tall woman! AWOOGA! Follow us on Twitter @SurpriseMechPod Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail.com

Well, it's time to end Roman's Never Seeing Indiana Jones streak. This week the Surprise Mechanics throw Matt a bone and watch the movie that was actually promised. Despite what might be our most chaotic opening, we finally sit down and watch Temple of Doom. Turns out Indiana Jones rocks! Follow us on Twitter @SurpriseMechPod Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail

Did you know a thermos can do anything? On the final Spooky Mechanics of 2022 our friend Matthew joins us for a Hubie Halloween watchalong! Sync it up to the movie and join us for a spooky time! Follow us on Twitter @SurpriseMechPod What's that behind you?: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail

Hot dog! We're talking about two bite sized, but still mondo satisfying, indie horror titles today. Which ones, you ask? The ones in the title, silly! No One Lives Under the Lighthouse! Summer of '58! Also our first ever Spooky Kaleb's Korner! Oh wow!! Follow us on Twitter @SurpriseMechPod Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail.com

Hope you're hungry for some more horror films, cuz we got 'em! This week on Spooky Mechanics, we watch The Cured (2017) and The Sadness (2021). Also introducing Deku the cat who was a good boy for exactly one minute before chewing on my headphone cable and being banned from Surprise Mechanics Studios. Follow us on Twitter @SurpriseMechPod Tell us about your day: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail

Chance "Pance" Duffy returns to discuss the new collection from the Haunted PS1 community! Go check it out! https://hauntedps1.itch.io/demo-disc-spectral-mall Follow us on Twitter @SurpriseMechPod Drop us a line: SurpriseMechanicsPod@gmail