The Inner Gamer Podcast

The Switch 2 is finally here! We've had it a little over week and talk about our first impressions of the hardware, the game library and what's coming. We also review Mario Kart World which is the premiere launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2.Jason reviews Mindseye, the new game from the larger experience Everywhere, but unfortunately the game doesn't quite deliver the big promise we had hoped. It has an interesting story and a beautiful world, but falls flat with the AI, gameplay and bugs.There was also a ton of showcases for Summer Games Fest and we cover all the highlights. From Silent Hill f to Resident Evil Requiem, Clockwork Revolution to Call of Duty Black Ops 7, there's a lot to discuss and we share our favorite reveals from the State of Play, Summer Games Fest and Xbox Games Showcase.Show Notes:0:59 - Housekeeping2:12 - Nintendo Switch 2 First Impressions28:36 - Mario Kart World Review53:15 - Mindseye Review1:12:43 - State of Play June 20251:26:32 - Summer Games Fest 20251:47:28 - Xbox Games Showcase 20252:14:43 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

We have a surprise review this week for a game called Revenge of the Savage Planet. This game was not on our radar, but we're glad we got it and played it. It's a third-person collect-a-thon where you fight bugs and other creatures, capture them and collect eggs, spool and more to level up your character. It's on Xbox Game Pass and can be easily played with a friend!We also dove back into the 8 year old Star Wars Battlefront 2. It's been getting some popularity recently because of Star Wars in Fortnite, Andor Season 2 and Star Wars Day. We quickly realized how much we enjoyed that game despite it's commercial failure due to poor business decisions. We hope the resurgence is enough to bring it back and do it right.Splitgate 2 is officially out in open beta. They had some issues with the launch but after it was fixed, it feels good jumping back into this game. We predict when the game will release and talk about what we love and don't love about the sequel to the much anticipated arena shooter.Lastly, we share our experiences both at Dreamhack Dallas and Dallas Fan Expo. One focused on gaming and esports and the other on nerd culture in comic books, sci-fi, anime and more. Show Notes:0:55 - Housekeeping4:35 - Revenge of the Savage Planet Review28:44 - Why We Need Star Wars Battlefront 351:38 - Splitgate 2: Open Beta Launch Woes and Launch Predictions1:07:56 - Dreamhack Dallas Recap1:36:10 - Dallas Fan Expo Recap1:59:07 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

Doom the Dark Ages is here from iD Software. It's a prequel to Doom 2016 and is much more grounded than the previous entries but just as intense. The visceral action in this game and the technical gameplay is unlike anything else out there. The chain shield, the shotgun, the skullcrusher and more make for an epic game with a gorgeous world.Elder Scrolls Oblivion got a full remaster. Travel back in time to the 2006 RPG from Bethesda and play the game in 4K 60FPS graphics with a lot of new enhancements to the UI, NPC's and more. Austin shares his review of this beloved title.Wildgate is a new game coming later this year from Dreamhaven, former Blizzard devs. We got a chance to play the community preview and it was way better than we expected. We had a blast commanding our ship with our crew, collecting loot in the procedurally generated world. Once we felt good with our loot, we engaged in combat with other ships to win either by eliminating all enemy ships or finding the artifact and existing the Wildgate. We had a good time and can't wait for the full release on this one!In the news, we talk about Nintendo Switch 2's new EULA that seems to say they can brick your console if they find you doing something they deem resulting in piracy or unauthorized modification. Is this justified or too much reach for a corporation for a console you own?Lastly, we talk more on Marathon with new details coming to light about how this could be Bungie's final mistake. Show Notes:1:09 - Housekeeping2:20 - Doom the Dark Ages Review26:47 - The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered44:03 - Wildgate Preview: Nonstop Action and Jaw-Dropping Art Design1:10:03 - Nintendo's Switch 2 Warning: Break the Rules, Lose Your Console1:27:53 - Bungie's Final Mistake: Why Marathon Will End It All1:55:54 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

This week we try a new AA game from former Ubisoft developers called Clair Obscur Expedition 33. It's inspired by Belle Époque France and JRPG's. This is the best game we've played this year. From the art style, to the music to the complex turn-based combat, this game has it all to make for a great game. The storytelling is incredible and the world they built is stunning. You have to see it to believe it. It will be hard to beat this game this year!We also review Split Fiction, the follow up to the 2021 Game of the Year: It Takes Two. In Split Fiction, you play either Mio or Zoe. Both are writers, one of science fiction and the other fantasy who end up in a simulation of their own stories. They have to work together to escape. It has great gameplay, gorgeous graphics and is a fun ride start to finish.Brett also gets his hands on the tech test for the extraction shooter Arc Raiders from Embark Studios. Embark is known for the game Brett is obsessed with called The Finals and this is their take on an extraction shooter genre. This game is hard but full of style. The graphics are incredible, the performance is outstanding and the world is very immersive with great sound design. We can't wait for this one to release later this year.Lastly, we talk about Borderlands 4 and our hype from the State of Play. It is going more open world than before and we can't wait to see what's around the corner. It looks great! We also have some not so fun news from Xbox where they have announced price increases for their consoles and video games later this year. Will this make it harder to sell new games? Or will people gravitate away from AAA and towards the AA space?Show Notes:1:09 - Housekeeping2:45 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Review40:05 - Split Fiction Review57:48 - Arc Raiders: Proving What Extraction Shooters Can Be1:31:57 - Borderlands 4: Do They Still Have What it Takes?1:47:18 - Microsoft Xbox Price Increases2:09:30 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

This episode gets a little off the rails. We talk about drug dealing in the game Schedule 1. It couldn't be more perfect that it falls on Episode 420. Schedule 1 comes from Tyler's Video Game Studio and it's a simulator game where you start as a low-level drug dealer and work your way up in the criminal empire to operate your own distribution system in Hyland Point. It has a silly art style that makes for lots of laughter about trying to get the whole town high as a kite on everything imaginable. Brett dives into his puzzle game obsession with Blue Prince. It's another indie game from a film studio turned game developer. The story revolves around you trying to reach Room 46 to get your inheritance left behind by your recently departed relative. This old estate has a lot of mysteries to uncover when everyday brings a new design and layout to explore to reach that final room.Bungie has finally showcased gameplay for Marathon and it has people divided. The game has a really unique artstyle and some fantastic gunplay. No surprise there. However, we can't get past the extraction shooter being the focus. This feels too hardcore and niche for Bungie to tap into so we're worried it won't find the right sized audience.Lastly, we're still hooked on Marvel Rivals. We talk about the latest from Season 2: the Hellfire Gala. We also talk about what's coming in future, shorter seasons and much more! Show Notes:1:28 - Housekeeping2:52 - Schedule 1 Review39:36 - Blue Prince Review59:47 - Marathon Has People Divided1:36:04 - Diving Into Marvel Rivals Season 2 and Beyond2:03:41 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

Assassin's Creed Shadows is here! We really enjoyed Valhalla but it was an incredibly long game that had way too much content. The team behind Shadows recognized this and toned it down and brought us a feudal Japan story that is much more focused with an open world that's vast, but managable. The comparisons to Ghost of Tsushima can't be ignored, but this game does manage to find it's own identity. It's not Tsushima by any means but it is a game that brings through a story and a world that feels surprisingly mature for Ubisoft. Is this a new direction for the franchise? We hope so!We also look at a not-so-good experience with Fragpunk. This is a 5v5 hero shooter akin to Valorant which was inspired by Counter-Strike. The main mode is a plant the bomb style of mode and it's fun, but the game is plagued by predatory microtransactions and gambling style mechanics that it takes away from what is otherwise a good game. We also talk extensively about the Nintendo Switch 2 direct. We first discuss the hardware and what all comes with it as well as our feelings toward the price point and the reveals of how much games may cost on the device. We also talk about the games themselves which honestly look amazing. There's a lot of good stuff happening here and if we can stomach the price point of investment, it could be a worthy console to own.Lastly, Dreamhaven is a studio you may not have heard of, but it's made up of some veteran talent including the former Blizzard CEO and co-founder Mike Morhaime. They had a direct showcasing some new games, one being Wildgate that looks really good and we're wondering...will this bring some of the Blizzard magic back? Only time will tell.Show Notes:1:07 - Housekeeping2:44 - Assassin's Creed Shadows Review53:59 - Fragpunk Review1:21:14 - Nintendo Switch 2: A Mix of Hype and Concern1:55:43 - Nintendo Switch 2 Games: Off to a Great Start2:31:48 - Can Dreamhaven Bring Back the Blizzard Magic?2:49:55 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

You've played Lethal Company. You've played Content Warning. But you haven't yet played a game like R.E.P.O. This game is from a Swedish developer called Semiwork. It's an online, co-op horror game that supports up to 6 players. Find and retrieve objects to satisfy your creator. Use your physics hand to pick up things in the world and deliver them to the extraction zone. This game is a blast to play. With a variety of monsters, procedurally generated levels and hilarious talking robot characters, we're having so much fun playing with friends.We also review Like a Dragon Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. This is a standalone DLC ultimately for Infinite Wealth. It's a shorter experience with real-time combat and a new seafaring mechanic in ships. The game is good, but not quite as good as expected. Despite its flaws, its still fun to play and be a pirate for awhile in Hawaii.We also talk about Xbox and their new initiative to bring AI to games in the form of CoPilot for Gaming. This is meant to guide you in installing games, finding games to play and ultimately making you a better gamer. It sounds neat but is this too much like training wheels for gamers? Isn't part of the fun discovering how to play the game?Lastly, we have a special guest on the podcast again. This time we have Joseph Neville. He's a Fort Worth-based singer/songwriter who you may have seen playing shows around town. His most recent endeavor is Y2K Prom, a concert event where you get to go back in time to the year 2000, drop your phone at the door and enjoy a bit about what life was like 25 years ago with some amazing live music. His current project is a band Crying in the Car which is a mix of TLC and bands like Good Charlotte. In this conversation, we talking about how he got into music, his influences and a lot about the Switch and why it's a perfect console for casual gamers like himself. If you want to follow Joseph Neville you can find all of his social links on his website joepatnev.com.Show Notes:1:05 - Housekeeping2:15 - R.E.P.O. Review32:14 - Like a Dragon Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Review59:07 - Xbox CoPilot for Gaming: Training Wheels for Gamers1:18:32 - Joseph Neville Interview on the Switch, Making Music and More2:24:52 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

In this episode, we record from Austin, TX because we're here for SXSW 2025! We talk about all the fun experiences from the brand activations, to the great panels to the fun parties. The biggest reveal being Death Stranding 2 revealing the release date alongside a world tour concert. We also got to see a great talk from Geoff Keighley and much more.We also review Monster Hunter Wilds. This is an early review or first impressions of the follow up to Monster Hunter World. We're having a great time once we get past the poor menu design and challenging multiplayer accessibility. WB Games has announced they're closing Monolith Productions, who was working on the Wonder Woman game, as well as the studio behind Multiversus and WB San Diego working on a yet to be announced AAA, free-to-play game. This is unfortunate news so we talk about what was lost with this closure and what we hope for the future with these studios and some of these properties as well as the adored Nemesis System.Lastly, we have a special guest on the podcast! We welcome Chandler Cooper to the show. Chandler is a musician who was born in Cleburne, TX and just released his single "Looking for Sarah". He's a talented musician who has been making music since the age of 15. He also happens to play a lot of games and joins us to discuss The Last of Us franchise, the future of GTA and much more. it's a great discussion with a lot of fun topics!If you want to follow Chandler on social media you can find his links below...give him a follow!Instagram: @chandlercooperTikTok: @chandlercooperSpotifyShow Notes:0:59 - Housekeeping2:03 - SXSW 2025 Recap35:49 - Monster Hunter Wilds Review1:02:15 - WB Studio Closures: The Future We Lost1:28:32 - Chandler Cooper on GTA 6, The Last of Us and More2:38:27 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

We have a few reviews this week, a reaction to some recent news and a look at the upcoming PlayStation games straight out of the State of Play.We review Avowed, the new game from Obsidian, the makers of Pillars of Eternity and The Outer Worlds. Some of us don't like it and some of us do so find out which one you agree with based on our discussion. We also review Citizen Sleeper 2. It's the indie dice-based game with an incredible story and immersive characters. Finally, we dig into Underward. It's a new co-op game with inspiration from Lethal Company. It's spooky and a ton of fun.Greg Miller shared some colorful language during the Dice Awards. Is gaming getting too political? Finally, watch us talk about our favorite games from the State of Play which gives us a look at the future of PlayStation! Show Notes:1:00 - Housekeeping2:24 - Avowed: Gold or Garbage?47:31 - Citizen Sleeper 2 Review1:06:43 - Underward Review1:24:52 - Is the Gaming Industry Too Political?1:47:35 - Best of the PlayStation State of Play2:04:15 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

Brett reviews Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. This game has been a struggle as one part of it feels amazing and another part feels like it missed the mark. The game is beautiful, has some great cutscenes, interesting puzzles and worlds to explore but the combat leaves something to be desired. Is it worth buying into it or holding off for something else?We also review Dicefolk, a dice-building roguelike creature game. You control Chimera's in battle, rolling dice to determine your attack and your opponents attacks. Fight through waves of bad guys, level up your party and see how far you can last before dying and starting over.Some analysts predict that GTA6 will be $100 and other game companies will follow suit. Should games be $100? What will make us gamers shell out that higher price? Is it worth games to increase their prices?Veilguard was called a failure by EA. We liked the game but the people of the world did not. What is next for Bioware and can they redeem themselves or is this it?Lastly, we've played some more Delta Force and find it doesn't quite capture the magic that Battlefield does. It's fun and it does a lot of the right things but there's something missing that gives us hope for Battlefield 6 now that they've revealed some more details and launched Battlefield Labs, their early access playtesting program.Show Notes:1:09- Housekeeping3:03 - Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Review30:14 - Dicefolk Review45:14 - Should Video Games Cost $100?1:08:11 - Veilguard Deemed a Failure by EA: What's Next for Bioware?1:30:32 - Where Delta Force Went Wrong and Our Hope for Battlefield 61:56:41 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

Path of Exile 2 is a Diablo-like ARPG out now in early access. It has a price tag and we talk about whether or not this game is fun to play and if it's worth paying the price tag for early access or if you should wait until it's in full release where it switches to free to play.Brett reviews the "slapformer" Thank Goodness You're Here. It's a little British comedy game that is a short jaunt through the town of Barnsworth. We also review Secret Level on Prime Video in its entirety and speculate what will come in Season 2.Nintendo finally revealed the Switch 2 and it was a little lackluster, but maybe that's a good thing? Finally, Sony is pivoting away from live service games after canceling 2 more studios focused on live service games included a God of War live service from Bluepoint Games.Show Notes:1:02 - Housekeeping2:57 - Path of Exile 2 Early Access: Is It Worth It?27:27 - Thank Goodness You're Here Review41:08 - Secret Level Full Review1:08:59 - Nintendo Switch 2 Revealed! 1:41:07 - PlayStation Backtracks On It's Live Service Future2:13:53 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

Our Game of the Year Awards are here! The Inner Gamer's official 2024 GOTY awards have arrived. We all share our 10 top list and at the end you get to hear our official list aggregated from all our picks. There are some fun surprises in here you won't want to miss! We also take a look at the future and talk about our most anticipated games of 2025. However, we do it differently this time. We try out the website Fantasy Critic where we draft our own games into a "publishing house" with the hope that our games score highest as they release. Some games may not come out, some games will bomb, other games will be spot on. What will our predictions yield by the end of the year? Tune in in December to find out.Lastly, Marvel Rivals has taken over our lives. We officially think it's the Overwatch killer and we talk about why. We're in love with this game, the characters and the continual updates. Find out why in this episode!Show Notes:1:25 - Housekeeping2:38 - Game of the Year 20241:12:53 - Most Anticipated Games of 2025: Fantasy Critic1:36:27 - Marvel Rivals Has Killed Overwatch2:21:26 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

The Game Awards 2024 have concluded and they were quite the showcase this year. For the 10th anniversary, Geoff Keighley pulled out all the stops with some amazing reveals such as Naughty Dog's next game, the return of Okami, The Witcher 4 announcement and much more. We review NetEase's new game Marvel Rivals. This is pretty much an Overwatch clone but brings a lot of new features that Overwatch is lacking in a polished and fun hero shooter experience in third person. Featuring over 33 heroes and villians, this game is a blast to play.As we near 1 year with Helldivers, the Illuminates have finally arrived and we dive into the frontlines to fight back. It's a new foe that throws new challenges our way. We also talk about live services games and what makes them successful like Helldivers 2.Lastly, Secret Level is finally out in part 1. We review the first half of the anthology series from the creators of Love, Death and Robots featuring short animations from games like Sifu, Crossfire, Unreal Tournament and more.Show Notes:1:13 - Housekeeping3:17 - The Game Awards 2024 Reactions53:47 - Marvel Rivals Review1:22:07 - The Illuminates are Here: Looking Back on the Year of Helldivers 21:50:32 - Secret Level Part 1 Review2:08:27 - What Makes a Live Service Successful?2:34:28 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

NOTE: We had some audio issues in this recording where everything sounded like an AM radio. We decided to try some new AI tech and this is the output. It cleaned up the AM radio sound quite a bit but you may notice us sounding a little...foreign or merging words together, that's the AI making assumptions :-D Fun experiment for sure, enjoy the show!In this episode, we have a lot of reviews such as Pokemon TCG Pocket on iOS and Android and we have our full review of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Brett also ventures down a rabbit hole into the sim genre with reviews of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and Star Trucker both available on Xbox Game Pass.Star Wars Outlaws recently dropped a huge update changing a significant portion of the game. We figure it's worth discussing those changes and asking the question: will this bring players back? Lastly, The Game Awards are around the corner. We share some of our favorite world premiere game predictions as well as take a guess at what will win the major categories including the big title of Game of the Year.Show Notes:1:12 - Housekeeping2:34 - Pokemon TCG Pocket Review27:21 - Dragon Age The Veilguard Full Review52:43 - Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Review1:20:25 - Star Trucker Review1:32:53 - Will the Star Wars Outlaws Changes Bring Players Back?1:50:20 - The Game Awards 2024 Predictions2:27:58 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

Call of Duty Black Ops 6 is here! We never thought we'd have a Call of Duty game on this podcast again, but Treyarch and the other teams behind this game outdid themselves. Call of Duty Black Ops 6 is the full package. The campaign is solid, the multiplayer is super addicting and the zombies mode is a blast. Best of all? This is all available on Xbox Game Pass.We also dig into Alan Wake 2's new DLC called The Lakehouse. This one follows a Federal Bureau of Control agent through The Lakehouse. Jason played this game and shares his thoughts of this creepy return to the Alan Wake world. Brett plays Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Bioware returns with a different art style, a more linear world and several gameplay changes that provide a differnet, but fun direction for the game. Is this the best Dragon Age ever? Maybe not. Is this a great game? It definitely is. Despite the sometimes poor script, the gameplay is great, the world is gorgeous and the game plays better than any game in recent years.We also get our hands on Deadlock, the 3rd person MOBA from Valve. This game is incredibly well designed bringing all the best of MOBA's with a true hero shooter twist. We can't wait to get our hands on the full release.Lastly, Austin dove back into Tears of the Kingdom. In this, he highlights the well-designed starting area. Tutorials are varied in our games and sometimes hold your hand too much or are too annoying you want to ignore them. This tutorial does it just right having you discover as you play. You can follow their Kickstarter here when it goes live or wishlist it on Steam.Show Notes:1:14 - Housekeeping2:36 - Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Early Review35:22 - Alan Wake 2 The Lakehouse DLC48:05 - Dragon Age: The Veilguard Early Review1:21:39 - Deadlock: A Fun Twist on the MOBA from Valve1:37:24 - Tears of The Kingdom 1 Year Later: A Masterclass in Starting Zones1:57:46 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

Brett reviews The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. It's from the folks that brought us the remake of Link's Awakening. This game puts you in the shoes of Zelda creating "echoes" of enemies and objects in the world to rescue everyone from the rifts. We also talk about Jason's review of the PlayStation Portal. Does he agree with Austin?We take a look at Delta Force: Hawk Ops in the Steam Next Fest. It's somewhat of a Battlefield clone, but it is a great holdover until we get the new Battlefield. We talk about all about what it does better than Battlefield in the free to play package. Brett also reviews TCG Card Shop Simulator in a surprise change. It lets you setup and run your own card shop. You buy inventory, stock the shelves and sell the content to the world. Can you bring in the profit? Lastly, Off the Grid is a free to play battle royale in Early Access. It took the world by storm real quickly, largely by paid sponsorships, then suddenly it's not getting much press. This could be the veil behind it where it's powered by Web 3 with it's own coin and NFT system. Will this game find an audience?You can follow their Kickstarter here when it goes live or wishlist it on Steam.Show Notes:1:00 - Housekeeping2:16 - The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Review27:49 - Jason's Review of the PlayStation Portal51:48 - Delta Force: Hawk Ops Demo First Look1:07:12 - TCG Card Shop Simulator Review1:24:03 - Off the Grid: A Battle Royale with Crypto?1:40:20- Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

In this episode, Brett gives an early review of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. This game dropped back in January but we're just now getting to it. He's only 8 hours in so there is still 50 some more hours to enjoy but we share a lot of the early gameplay, talk about the story, experience the minigames and more. Austin gets his hands on the early access of the Witchfire game which is a soulslike extraction style game. There's a lot going on here and it seems promising! Brett also talks about The Finals and how after 4 seasons of content, it's still on fire and showing even more success with this latest season. It brings a new map, a new approach to the world tour, a new sponsor contract system and much more.343 Industries has renamed to Halo Studios. This means they're all in on Halo. is this a good thing or a bad thing? We are expecting multiple Halo games in the future and they're built in Unreal Engine 5 now. We're also disappointed both in Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown which is so bad that Brett has uninstalled it. The game disconnects, the patches don't do anything significant and the AI sucks. We also talk about the PlayStation Portal and Austin is upset that it doesn't deliver the quality he had hoped. You can follow their Kickstarter here when it goes live or wishlist it on Steam.Show Notes:0:58 - Housekeeping3:08 - Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Review23:53 - Witchfire Early Access Review38:00 - The Finals Remains Strong 4 Seasons Later1:08:06 - Halo Studios is Why the Industry is Crashing1:26:36 - Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is a Big Disappointment1:40:51 - Austin's Take on the PlayStation Portal: It Failed Him1:56:04 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

In this episode, we review Sony's answer to Mario with their cute Astro Bot game made by Team ASOBI. This game is brilliant in so many ways and we talk about the innovative gameplay mechanics, the gorgeous graphics and the fun surprises celebrating Playstation's history. We also review Age of Mythology Retold available on Xbox Game Pass. This game released in 2002 and has been remastered for PC's. It was a successor to Age of Empires and was a ton of fun back then, does it hold up? Lastly, Brett continues the train of reviews with Monster Train now out on Apple Arcade. This originally released in 2020 but has been released in a mobile form on Apple Arcade and it's still a ton of fun today!Ubisoft has had a lot of issues as of late with Star Wars Outlaws seeing poor reception at launch and Assassin's Creed Shadows delayed to February. Also did you know Skull and Bones came out this year? We forgot too. We talk about what could be plaguing the teams and how they can redeem themselves if at all.Sony has finally unveiled Ghost of Yotei by Sucker Punch. This is the follow up to Ghost of Tsushima and although we're a little bummed we won't see a Jin continuation, this game looks incredible already and will be the first built from the ground up for PS5. We also talk about the other surprises from the State of Play.Finally, EA and DICE have revealed early concept art of the next Battlefield game. Releasing in a beta form next year, it's going back to its roots and we're incredibly hyped for this potential new direction. It sounds a lot like Battlefield 4 and if that's the case, count us in! You can follow their Kickstarter here when it goes live or wishlist it on Steam.Show Notes:1:06 - Housekeeping2:38 - Astro Bot Review30:30 - Age of Mythology Retold Review45:04 - Monster Train Review58:55 - Ubisoft is in Major Trouble1:29:02- Ghost of Yotei and the Sony PlayStation State of Play1:51:10 - What's Next for the Battlefield Franchise? 2:19:05 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

Concord was killed by Sony so we didn't do a follow up review. Sorry to those looking forward to it! Maybe it'll come back in the future?That being said, we have a great show for you. First, we review Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2. This game from Saber is a truly brutal, action packed thrill ride. It features a campaign, cooperative missions and full PVP. We share why it's not our game of the year, but a damn good game worth picking up.Brett reviews Star Wars Outlaws. A game not worth picking up. We look at the story, gameplay and why although the game has a lot of good to speak of, they failed with the stealth which is the dominant part of the game. The look and feel is so incredibly Star Wars, but it fails to deliver on some fun combat and exploration.We also review Lockdown Protocol, a game similar to Among Us but in 3D. It's a ton of fun for early access. We can't wait to see what's next for this game! Speaking of reviews, why not throw in a early review of Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown? It's not quite ready for primetime, with some bugs and graphical glitches, but there is potential there even if it did convince Brett to go back to The Crew Motorfest.Finally (I told you it was jam packed), we look at the announcement of the PS5 Pro. It's slightly better than the PS5 for a whopping $700. Is it worth the cost of entry?You can follow their Kickstarter here when it goes live or wishlist it on Steam.Show Notes:1:11 - Housekeeping2:29 - Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2 Review43:51 - Star Wars Outlaws Review1:17:04 - Lockdown Protocol Review1:32:39 - Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown Early Review1:53:11 - PS5 Pro is Here: Too Much for Too Little?2:15:35 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

We review the start to the World Saga called "World of Warcraft The War Within." Is it a huge step forward for the MMO? No. Is it fun to play? Sure is! We also share our first impressions of Black Myth Wukong. It's hard. But it looks amazing and apparently inspired Dragon-Ball Z! Brett gets into the alpha of Splitgate 2 and it's ready for primetime even though it's not coming out until 2025. We can't wait to play this!Gamescom Opening Night Live took place in Cologne, Germany and had some fun surprises for us. We got Borderlands 4 announced, a new show called Secret Level featuring some of our favorite franchises and the reveal of Mafia: The Old Country.We went to the United States only virtual reality eSports arena called EVA. This place is in Flower Mound and we went for a party. The experience was fantastic! Up to 10 people can play in a 5400 square foot arena with HTC headsets. It was super immersive both with the Zombie game and the team-based arena shooter.Finally, Concord is having a rough launch. Player count is low on Steam but we're still going to give it a try. That being said, we talk about some of what could've kept people from buying the game, what the roadmap looks like and will it stay alive?You can follow their Kickstarter here when it goes live or wishlist it on Steam.Show Notes:1:02 - Housekeeping2:59 - World of Warcraft: The War Within Review17:08 - Black Myth Wukong First Impressions35:00- Splitgate 2 First Impressions51:36 - The Biggest Surprises from Gamescom Opening Night Live1:13:49 - EVA eSports Arena: A Glimpse Into the Future1:36:11 - Concord Launches with Poor Numbers: Can It Be Saved?1:56:29 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

We saw the Borderlands movie so you didn't have to. It's a mess. This review will feature spoilers but let's be honest, we're helping you.Brett also reviews Against the Storm, available on Xbox Game Pass. It's a dark fantasy citybuilder with roguelike elements and it's a ton of fun. He also reviews Teardown, a game where you literally tear things down. There is a lot of destruction all centered around heist gameplay. The best part? The mods ya'll. They're insane.Jason also played Ghost of Tsushima 10 times. He walks through why it's timeless and what we want to see from Ghost of Tsushima 2. Lastly, we have a special preview of a game coming soon to Kickstarter called Celestial Return. From Steam:"Celestial Return is a narrative driven Sci-Fi Noir RPG where you roll as 3 lost souls scheming the Heist of the Millennia. Roll the dice, mix and match your skills, make tough choices, and steal the "Titan Core" to rule a cyborg army!"You can follow their Kickstarter here when it goes live or wishlist it on Steam.Show Notes:1:10 - Housekeeping2:23 - Borderlands Movie Review (SPOILERS)39:31 - Against the Storm Review1:04:23 - Why Ghost of Tsushima is Timeless After 10 Playthroughs1:47:52 - Teardown Review2:07:05 - Celestial Return Game Preview2:15:58 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

We play the final chapter in the light and darkness saga of Destiny 2 called The Final Shape. The First Descendant brought us back into the world of Destiny. We also discuss where Bungie goes from here. What does the future look like for them? Will we see a Destiny 3? Will Marathon be good? What else are they working on?Austin revisits World of Warcraft after awhile of not playing the game. The War Within expansion drops later this year so he's preparing to get into that this Fall while catching up with Dragonflight. Brett and Jason play Ready or Not's new DLC "Home Invasion." This DLC adds 3 new maps and several quality of life updates to an already great game. Check out our stream on our Twitch channel!Lastly, Gamestop shuts down Game Informer. The magazine has been around for 33 years and this marks the end of an era where print is offically becoming a part of the past. We look back on some of our memories and talk about what this means for the future of games media.Show Notes:0:58 - Housekeeping2:27 - Destiny 2 The Final Shape Review40:01 - The Future of Destiny and Bungie1:08:34 - Revisiting World of Warcraft in 20241:37:40 - Ready or Not: Home Invasion DLC Review1:53:21 - The End of an Era: Gamestop Shuts Down Game Informer2:21:20 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

This week Brett reviews Once Human, an MMO survival game that is a mix of Control and Death Stranding for the story. It also gains influences from The Division, Palworld, New World and many other games to make for a surprisingly compelling and engaging experience. The progression is impressive, the building is expansive, the world is fun to explore and you can jump in and out of the game with friends with no problem. We also share our first look at Concord on PS5. It's a new live service game that PlayStation is pushing. Firewalk Studios is the developer with veterans from Destiny. The game features a futuristic, 70's vibe with a variety of characters in a hero shooter that feels really high-quality but doesn't quite deliver on anything revolutionary. Will it find an audience? We'll see when the game launches in August.After playing the First Descendant, we decided to jump back into Destiny 2 and compare the two looter shooters. They have a lot of similarities but utlimately only one can win our time so find out which one we landed on in this episode.Lastly, Brett reviews a game called Humanity. It's an indie game where you guide a dog around to lead a group of people to this light in the sky. You must creatively maneuver them through the world to get to their destination. It's ok if some falloff, they'll come back. It's a charming, relaxing game that's worth trying out on Xbox Game Pass!Show Notes:1:14- Housekeeping3:23 - Once Human Early Review33:32 - Concord Beta Review: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly1:05:04 - The First Descendent or Destiny 2: The Battle of Looter Shooters1:37:15 - Humanity Review1:49:27 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

We have some fantastic conversations this week. First, we play Nexon's new looter shooter called The First Descendant. Brett played it in beta back in October of 2022 and now it's out in full release. It's part Warframe and part Destiny. Will it be good enough to take some player's away from the other games? Brett also gets into the closed beta for FragPunk. It's a Valorant-like game with a mix of Counter-Strike and Overwatch making a fun, gorgeously designed hero shooter with fast combat and a card system that really changes the game.We go back 10 years to Dragon Age: Inquisition. In preparation for Dragon Age: Veilguard, we wanted to see how this game held up and why or why not we think this new direction is the right one for Veilguard. Brett also beat both Baldur's Gate 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 and these games have truly redefined RPG's for him. What does this mean for the future of RPG's? Will they ever be able to live up to these games?Lastly, Helldivers 2 has lost 90% of its active players. Can they come back? What do they need to regain people's interest? We still love it but will it stay that way after a year?Show Notes:1:18 - Housekeeping2:29 - The First Descendant Early Review: Destiny Meets Warframe34:20 - Can FragPunk Go Up Against Valorant?1:00:02 - Dragon Age Inquisition in 2024: Did It Age Well?1:25:11 - Redefining RPG's: Baldur's Gate 3 and Cyberpunk 20771:49:36 - Helldivers 2 Lost 90% of Its Active Players: What Can Bring It Back?2:14:29 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

Welcome to Episode 400! Jason dives back into Bright Falls with the Night Springs DLC for Alan Wake 2. It features 3 distinct stories in the Alan Wake multiverse. Brett and Austin play Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2 at Dallas Fan Expo. It's a ton of fun and we can't wait for this game to come out this Fall! We also review the roguelike Crab Champions. It's a early access game made by another solo dev that is a blast to play!In the news, Xbox had their Games Showcase with tons of new games from Call of Duty Black Ops 6 to Doom to Gears of War E-Day. We also talk about Ubisoft Forward focusing on Assassin's Creed: Shadows and Star Wars Outlaws. Then we focus in on Dragonage: The Veilguard. It has a different artstyle than past games. Is it the right direction for hardcore fans? Finally, Nintendo had their direct featuring some fun new games like Mario and Luigi Brothership, a new Zelda game and the first gameplay reveal of Metroid Prime 4 Beyond.Show Notes:1:42 - Housekeeping5:46 - Alan Wake 2: Night Springs DLC21:18 - Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2 First Look42:32 - Crab Champions Review52:15 - Our Top 15 Games of the Xbox Gaming Showcase1:29:40 - Ubisoft Forward featuring Star Wars Outlaws and AC Shadows 1:57:50 - Dragon Age The Veilguard: Will it Hit Home with Diehard Fans?2:12:06 -Metroid Prime 4. Legend of Zelda and Mario and Luigi | Nintendo Direct2:27:13 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

This week review No Rest for the Wicked. It's a game in early access from the team that brought us Ori and the Blind Forest. Austin played it and is loving it so far. Brett also jumps into Tekken 8 after seeing it at DreamHack Dallas. It's a blast from the past with a ton of content to keep people busy. From a story mode to arcade mode to online versus, its a dense game with a ton of replayability. We went to DreamHack Dallas and saw some of our first eSports tournaments. We watched the Overwatch Championship Series, Tekken 8 tournments, Counter-Strike 2 and Starcraft 2. There was a lot of fun games to watch, play and more. We also talk about Summer Games Fest and it was a little underwhelming, but still a good time. There were some great indie highlights. We also watched the Sony State of Play where the biggest games were Astro Bot which looked great and Concord which looked...okay. Then of course Suicide Squad is still struggling in the news with stories of it having a rough development with a lot of misguidance and misdirection. It even was supposed to feature drivable vehicles and that was pulled last minute. It's such a shame.Show Notes:1:25 - Housekeeping3:46 - No Rest for the Wicked Early Access Review21:03 - Tekken 8 Review32:36 - Our First Real eSports Experience: DreamHack Dallas55:56 - What You Missed in Summer Games Fest1:15:33 - Concord: Not Another Hero Shooter 1:32:01 - Suicide Squad was Shamefully Misguided1:49:18 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

Austin reviews Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2. Xbox had a lot riding on Ninja Theory deliving a banger with this game but unfortunately it doesn't live up to the  first one aside from a mega graphics upgrade. Brett also dives into xDefiant, the new shooter from Ubisoft featuring characters from all their major franchises such as Watch Dogs, The Division, Ghost Recon, Splinter Cell and Far Cry. We also review Content Warning. A game developed by a few people and costing under 8 dollars, this game provides hours of fun with friends. Record something scary, record it and go viral. That's the pitch but unfortunately it rarely ever goes your way!We also talk about the reveal of Assassin's Creed Shadows. No gameplay yet but this game is set in feudal Japan where you can play either a female Ninja or a male Samurai. We're not sure how this mixture of characters will play into the Assassin's Creed lens, but we're waiting to see gameplay. We also look at the leaked footage of Deadlock from Valve. It's a hero shooter that mixes MOBA mechanics with a third person shooter game. It looks really good with a unique art style that has us intrigued.Show Notes:1:02 - Housekeeping2:23 - Senua's Saga Hellblade 2 Review: It's Boring. Xbox Failed.26:39 - xDefiant First Look: Not Quite the Call of Duty Killer50:45 - Content Warning Review: Silly and Scary Fun with Friends1:09:12 - Is It Too Late for Feudal Japan Assassin's Creed?1:33:46 - Valve's Next Game is a Hero Shooter Called Deadlock1:49:18 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

Austin gives his full review of Stellar Blade, the game from Korean mobile game developer SHIFT UP. He talks about the story, gameplay and how the world actually opens up beyond the demo. Brett also reviews Manor Lords. It's a indie title made by one guy where you build a medieval city and survive through the seasons. Brett also jumps into the early access version of Hades 2. It's here and it's better than ever. Brand new characters, new mechanics and a beautiful art style make us mostly excited to play this game.In the news, we talk about some unfortunate events. Sony made a huge mistake by requiring PSN logins for PC users. Then they pulled the game from 177 countries. Then they removed the requirement, but the game is still unavailable in those countries that PSN doesn't exist. People were upset for good reason. Can Sony redeem themselves from this? We also talk about Microsoft's surprise decision to close down 4 studios from their Bethesda/Zenimax acquisition. Those studios include Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks, creators of Prey and Hi-Fi Rush. It's a surprise mood that makes people wonder...can we trust Xbox anymore?Show Notes:1:03 - Housekeeping2:17 - Stellar Blade Review32:51 - Manor Lords Review56:02 - Hades 2 First Look1:06:25 - Helldivers Win the Fight for Freedom Against Sony1:26:53 - Microsoft Fooled Us All: 4 Studios Get Shut Down1:53:09 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

We've made it to the end of the Fallout TV show on Prime TV and have a lot of great things to say about it. We have a full spoilercast here so if you haven't finished the show, please skip forward to the next segment! Speaking of which, Fallout has brought us back into the universe so we revisit Fallout 76. Is it worth jumping back into in 2024? Brett then dives into indie games with Dave the Diver. It released last year but he finally got into playing it and has so many good things to say about this clever game that is way deeper than expected. Following that up, we talk about how indie games are starting to gain more press and news headlines than AAA games. This is great for the industry and we explain why!Finally, we revisit The Crew Motorfest. They've launched new content since it released in the Fall of last year and it's better than ever. If you have been on the fence with this game, it's worth jumping in if you don't have an Xbox for Forza Horizon 5.Show Notes:1:13 - Housekeeping2:40 - Fallout TV Show Full Review (Spoilers)36:33 - Should You Return to Fallout 76?1:02:34 - Dave the Diver Review1:16:20 - The Tipping Point: Indie Games Are Better Than AAA Games1:41:09 - The Crew Motorfest in 2024: Is It Worth Returning?1:54:54 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

Brett reviews a cozy farming game called Lightyear Frontier. You get a mech that looks an awful lot like a tractor transformer and collect resources, farm and explore the world. It's a fun game available on Xbox Game Pass for you and up to 3 other friends.We also go down a rabbit hole with TV Shows. We review Season 2 of the Halo tv show as well as the new Prime series for Fallout. Both are good in their own ways, with Fallout really blowing us away with their attention to detail in capturing the feeling of Fallout. The characters are mostly great, but the world building is what really blew us away.We also look at live services games and talk about a surprising statistic that 60% of games played in 2023 were 6 years or older. What does this mean for the future of story content and gaming in general? Are we going to see less bets on new IP as a result of this? We also later talk about WB's plan to go all in on live service gaming and how we think this is the wrong move for them.Lastly, Austin plays Stellar Blade from a Korean studio and is blown away by how much fun it is. There's no message here other than a great story with great combat and a fresh, new experience.Show Notes:1:01 - Housekeeping3:11 - Lightyear Frontier Review22:51 - Halo Season 2 Review39:33 - Fallout Prime Series Episodes 1-4 Review (Mild Spoilers)1:19:33 - Why is 60% of Gaming Spent on Older Games?1:52:02 - Stellar Blade Demo: This is Entertainment2:11:09 - WB Games is in Freefall2:31:01 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

We review the weirdly satisfying Tingus Goose mobile game. It's created by SweatyChair with illustrations by Master Tingus. It's an idle game where you grow a goose tree out of a person to reach a certain height. It's weird but satisfying? We also have been dropping a lot for democracy in Helldivers 2. With our cumulative 100+ hours in the game, we share 10 things we wish we knew before starting Helldivers 2. Hopefully there are some tips we share you may not have been aware of too!We also talk about NetEase's new game Marvel's Rivals. It's very much going after the Overwatch market with a 6v6 hero-style shooter. Will it outrival Overwatch or will it fall short it delivering the experience we all want to play?Finally, Suicide Squad released Season 1 of their game featuring the Joker. Unfortunately, it's not what we expected and even more so there isn't really any new story content. There is a battle pass though (actually 2!) and it was enough to make us want to jump back into Arkham Knight.Show Notes:1:03 - Housekeeping2:14 - Tingus Goose Review15:15 - 10 Things We Wish We Knew Starting Helldivers 255:34 - Marvel's Rivals: Will It Outrival Overwatch?1:15:51 - Suicide Squad Brought Us Back to Arkham Knight1:44:20 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

We went to SXSW 2024 this year. It's a big conference and festival that occurs in Austin, TX featuring interactive, film, tv and music. We went and attended a ton of gaming sessions about Roblox, Fortnite, streaming and more. We also experienced some awesome brand activations such as a promo for the Fallout TV show where we entered a version of Filly from the show itself.We also talk about the dark side of Roblox. There is a lot of targeted marketing in Roblox designed to keep kids more and more engaged in brands. Is this good for their future? We also look at the Borderlands trailer featuring a collab with the Skip, Rent, Buy podcast and we share our thoughts on the canceled Spider-Man multiplayer game.Show Notes:1:09 - Housekeeping3:03- Best of SXSW 2024: AI, Roblox, Immersive Tech, & Protests51:14 - The Fallout Experience for Prime's New Show59:34 - ROBLOX is a Hunting Ground for Your Kids1:25:35 - The Borderlands Trailer Impressions featuring the Skip, Rent, Buy Podcast1:41:54 - What Could've Been with the Canceled Spider-Man Multiplayer Game1:56:52 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

We review a mobile game evolved into a full console and PC game called Granblue Fantasy: Relink. Austin played this game and is enjoying the gameplay, the JRPG mechanics and the world to explore. Is it a 10/10? Not really but is it worth playing? Very much so.Brett also plays the deck builder roguelike Balatro. It's inspired by Poker but it's much deeper than that. It's quite the addiction and he can't get enough of this $20 game.We have several exciting discussions this time around. We open with the dark side of an all digital future. With games now being afforded the option to change them post-release, what is the line we draw where it's no longer ok to modify the game we paid money for? Will we ever actually own a game again?We also talk about how Pokemon on Pokemon Day missed a huge opportunity to try and garner some excitement away from Palworld. Instead it was the same old formula for all their game anouncements, including little hype for their upcoming mainline title Pokemon Legends Z-A. Finally, we discuss a new era in gaming. From Helldivers 2 to Baldur's Gate 3, games lately have been changing the formula of what we've come to expect for certain genres. We talk about those genres and games and how they're redefining future games.Show Notes:1:04 - Housekeeping2:32 - Granblue Fantasy: Relink Review32:12 - Balatro Review52:10 - The Dark Side of the All Digital Future1:24:46 - Pokemon Failed to Outshine Palworld1:39:24 - A New Era in Gaming2:12:38 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

We revisit Sucide Squad: Kill the Justice League. We've all beaten the game and dive into a SPOILERCAST about the final parts of the game, the endgame content and what is coming for the future! We also have another segment where the team is split about whether this game is a success or not. Will it succeed long term? Only time will tell.We also review Helldivers 2. This game we've been really excited for and it truly delivers in a live service experience that is worth every penny. They hit the nail on the head with this game and it's so much fun with friends!Jason reviews Banishers Ghost of New Eden. This is a game from Don't Nod, the developers of Life is Strange and Vampyr. He is enjoying his experience diving into the story, gameplay and more. In the news, we talk about Disney investing $1.5 billion in Fortnite to bring new experiences from the Disney franchises into Fortnite. Also, Xbox hosts a podcast where they set things straight with all the rumors and stories that came out the week prior about Xbox going multi-platform, their potential console-less future and more. Show Notes:1:21 - Housekeeping3:50 - Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League Endgame Review39:06 - Helldivers 2 Review1:02:30 - Why Suicide Squad was DOA (Or Was It?)1:32:16 - Banishers Ghost of New Eden Review 1:50:09 - Disney's Bet on Fortnite2:04:50 - Xbox Saves Face from Public Outcry2:35:25 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

Palworld is taking over the world with over 600k active players. It's a game that pulls inspiration from Pokemon and Breath of the Wild, but brings all of this in a survival game packaging. We're having a blast and think you should too before Nintendo tries to shut them down.We also review Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League. We're mixed on this game. Some of us love it, some of us have problems that need answers.  Find out whether or not this is Rocksteady's next gem or if it's a wait for the sale kind of game. We also review the SWAT game Ready or Not. It's only on PC but it's one you shouldn't skip. It's a blast to play, with dark themes and a lot of tactical gameplay that you can't find in many other games. There were also many layoffs and we talk about why this could be happening and Sony had their State of Play featuring several new game showcases such as Death Stranding 2 and first gameplay from Judas.Show Notes:1:06 - Housekeeping2:25 - Palworld Review29:38 - Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Review1:12:31 - Video Game Industry Layoffs: Why Does This Keep Happening?1:33:48 - Ready or Not Review1:49:44 - Death Stranding 2 Leads the State of Play 2:04:02 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

It's time for the Game of the Year 2023! The Inner Gamer shares their biggest and worst games of the year as well as our defacto Top 10 list. We also talk about our most anticipated games of 2024. Suicide Squad lifted the NDA for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. We played the alpha and have a lot of good things (and bad) to say about it! We also review the Xbox Developer Direct featuring Indiana Jones.Finally, we've been playing a lot of Party Animals so we spend some time diving into Party Animals and why it's become one of our favorite games to play with friends!Show Notes:1:37 - Housekeeping4:31 - Game of the Year 2023: The Inner Gamer Edition2:00:13 - The Most Anticipated Games of 20242:33:09 - Suicide Squad Preview: Alpha Better Than Expected2:58:15 - The Indiana Jones Game Looks Promising: Xbox Developer Direct 20243:11:27 - Party Animal Review: Crazy Fun with Friends3:20:46 - Upcoming Video Game Releases  Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

In this episode, we talk all about The Game Awards. We dive into the winners and losers and discuss a bit about the show format and what could've been done to make it better. We also talk about all the world premieres, some exciting and some less than exciting for the team here at The Inner Gamer.We also talk about what we want from Grand Theft Auto 6 now that the trailer is here. We digest the tiny details and go into what we hope they deliver with this next-gen game. In regard to cancelations, The Day Before was pulled 4 days after it went on sale. It was a bit of a disaster and everything thinks it was a scam. Was it? We also talk about the cancelation of The Last of Us Factions, their multiplayer experience that was in full production.Finally, Fortnite is back and with it a ton of new games literally inside of the game. We have Lego Fortnite, Fortnite Festival and Rocket Racing to talk about as well as the exciting new season. Show Notes:1:27 - Housekeeping3:30 - The Game Awards Reactions: The Winners30:26 - The Game Awards Reactions: The World Premieres52:55 - What Do We Want to See from GTA 6?1:14:55- The Day Before It All Came Crashing Down1:36:41 - The Last of Us Factions Canceled1:56:23 - Fortnite's Platform with Lego Fortnite, Rocket Racing and Fortnite Festival2:16:42 - Upcoming Video Game Releases  Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

We review Lethal Company, the new game made by one developer that's beating out Call of Duty on Steam. It's a creepy game where your goal is to collect scrap to sell to the company while avoiding things trying to kill you. We also play Awakened King, the DLC from Remnant 2. Austin plays the indie game Cocoon from the art director behind Inside and Limbo.We pivot a bit to tv and movies reviewing both Super Mario Bros Movie and Five Night's at Freddy's. We also talk about the newly released trailer for Fallout coming soon to Amazon Prime.Show Notes:1:15 - Lethal Company Review19:31 - Remnant 2 DLC Review28:20 - Cocoon Review42:11 - Super Mario Bros Movie and Five Night's at Freddy's Review1:00:28 - First Look at the Fallout TV Show Trailer1:13:04 - Upcoming Video Game ReleasesBecome a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server.Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop.Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

FINISH HIM. We dove into Mortal Kombat 1 this past week with some friends. We competed against each other in a fierce battle in this beautiful, new fighter game. Does it bring anything revolutionary to the franchise? Not really. Is it a blast to play? Most definitely. We also review Super Mario Bros Wonder on the Switch. This is a fun, accessible 2D Mario game with a ton of variety in enemies, worlds and amazing music.Rocksteady released a video about Suicide Squad. We break down the video, the gameplay and the graphics to talk about whether or not this video put them back on the right track.Lastly, The Game Awards are coming December 7th. We look at the predictions and also come up with what future games we want to see revealed in a World Premiere.Show Notes:1:17 - Housekeeping4:03 - Mortal Kombat 1 Review24:48 - Is Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League on the Right Track?45:20 - Super Mario Bros Wonder Review1:03:00 - The Game Awards Predictions and Who Will Win?1:41:11 - Upcoming Video Game ReleasesBecome a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server.Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop.Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

We give our full review on Spider-Man 2 and compare it to the original. Which game had a better story? Did this one deliver all we wanted? What about the gameplay? We also give our first look at Alan Wake 2. This game is frightening but incredibly well done with a lot of unique new features we haven't seen in many games. Is it walking simulator? Sure. Does it have a great story? 100%! Brett is really excited about an Animal Crossing mini-game coming to Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth but the rest of the guys aren't. We also talk about all the other announcements at the Xbox Partner Preview. Brett and Austin played The Finals for the open beta. Austin likes it! We had a good time playing and share some of our stories, dive deeper into the gameplay and talk about when we may see the release date.Finally, we look at Blizzcon 2023 and all the announcements for Overwatch, Diablo 4, World of Warcraft and more. There are a lot of updates coming post-Xbox acquisition but is it enough? Where was Starcraft?Show Notes:1:12 - Housekeeping3:51 - Spider-Man 2 Review31:21 - Alan Wake 2 First Look1:05:59 - Like a Dragon Meets Animal Crossing in the Xbox Partner Preview1:19:28 - The Finals is a Unique Twist on the Arena Shooter1:36:17 - Blizzcon 2023: The World Soul Saga and More1:53:03 - Upcoming Video Game ReleasesBecome a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server.Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop.Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

Cyberpunk 2077's DLC has arrived called Phantom Liberty. The game may finally have reached true RPG status with the 2.0 update and this new DLC. It's more tactical, with more mechanics that makes for a greater, more diverse set of gameplay moments. Spider-Man 2 is also here and we dive into this wonderful playground of New York as Peter Parker and Miles Morales. Our target is Kraven the Hunter among others and this adventure is sure to capture the hearts of Spidey fans all over.Brett is back into Battlefield 2042. Recently, they reached over 100k players on Steam which begs the question...is Battlefield 2042 back? We think so. Also, Warhammer 40k Darktide released a brand new skill system. This big overhaul is way better and makes it feel like a different game. Is this game returning back from the dead?Show Notes:1:13 - Housekeeping3:32 - Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty Review and CDPR Redemption41:01 - Spider-Man 2 First Look1:18:59 - The Battlefield 2042 Redemption Story1:36:36 - Is Warhammer 40k Darktide Back from the Dead?1:58:32 - Upcoming Video Game ReleasesBecome a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server.Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop.Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

We have a lot of game reviews this episode! We open with Assassin's Creed Mirage. It's a toned down version of the recent RPG focused Assassin's Creed games. This is a prequel to Valhalla following the story of Basim. Does the game bring back the nostalgia we wanted or does nostalgia leave a sour taste in our mouth?We also played the multiplayer co-op game Payday 3. This is a light review, focusing on a few of the levels in the game. It's a ton of fun to play but does have some issues that are worth noting. Will this game keep us engaged long-term?Brett and Austin play Counter-Strike 2. This is the surprise follow up to Counter-Strike Global Offensive. It features a lot of new quality of life updates with refreshes of all the maps from GO, but people are upset they totally removed GO from the store. Was this the right move for them?Finally, we discuss the Meta Quest 3 and if it will be enough to bring us back into the VR fold. It has a lto of promising features but it may be that VR as a whole needs an evolution a hardware upgrade can't provide.Show Notes:1:08 - Housekeeping2:02 - Assassin's Creed Mirage Review39:50 - Payday 3 First Impressions1:05:47 - Counter-Strike 2 First Impressions1:31:04 - Will the Meta Quest 3 Bring Us Back to VR?1:56:35 - Upcoming Video Game ReleasesBecome a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server.Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop.Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

Say hello to our new look! This podcast is the first one with our fresh, new branding! We hope you enjoy it as much as we had fun creating it. In this episode, Brett returns to Oahu for The Crew Motorfest. The last time he ventured into Oahu in a game was with Test Drive Unlimited. This isn't exactly that game, but it still brings back some of the excitement of TDU! Austin plays Lies of P, the souls-like game from the Korean based developer Neowiz Games. It's actually very good, available on Game Pass and definitely something you may want to have your eye on! Brett also reviews the TV Show Twisted Metal on Peacock. Based off the Sony PlayStation game franchise, this tells a more grounded story and expands on the universe of Twisted Metal. It's a fun ride to watch and something we definitely recommend you check out!Finally, we dive into news about Unity's controversial new business model and the mega leak from Microsoft Xbox. New consoles, future games and much more was leaked in this massive 200+ page document. We share all the goods from the leak!Show Notes:1:11 - Housekeeping3:40 - The Crew Motorfest Review19:38 - Lies of P Review35:46 - Twisted Metal TV Show Review48:58 - Unity's Controversial New Business Model1:08:26 - The Microsoft Xbox Mega Leak1:33:46 - Upcoming Video Game ReleasesBecome a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server.Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop.Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

Xbox's most anticipated game of the year has finally arrived: Starfield. Starfield is Bethesda's first new universe in 25 years and it leaves the team...divided. Some like it, some say it leaves a lot to be desired. Will it have the staying power that Skyrim had in gaming history or will it quickly be forgotten? We also review Pikmin 4 on the Switch. This is a cute little game featuring tiny plant-like creatures. You adventure around a planet trying to rescue the Rescue Corps and find the Pikmin of all types. It has a great art style, fun gameplay and a breath of fresh air when playing all these super demanding games.In the news, we anticipate some gaming talks coming from the iPhone 15 announcement but we also discuss a software release earlier this year that allows easier gaming on the mac. Will we finally see gaming officially come to Mac computers? We discuss rumors of the Switch 2 with a new camera feature, new cartridge types, backwards compatibility and more. Finally, what's with this PS Plus price hike? Is it warranted? We talk about all this and more! Show Notes:1:07 - Housekeeping2:58 - Starfield Early Review1:00:25 - Pikmin 4 Review1:18:19 - Is the Super Switch Real? 1:44:08 - Gaming on a Mac2:00:23 - What's the Deal with the PS Plus Price Hike?2:25:02 - Upcoming Video Game ReleasesBecome a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server.Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop.Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

Baldur's Gate 3 has consumed our lives. We invite our friend Joe from the Nerd Sloth Podcast onto the show to talk about this incredible CRPG from Larian Studios. This game has so much content, great choice-driven gameplay and amazing classes that create a ton of diversity in the content. We also share our first impressions on Texas Chainsaw Massacre the game, available on Xbox Game Pass.We then discuss Gamescom Opening Night Live. There was another stage crasher at a Keighley event which we hoped they had learned from at The Game Awards. Regardless, the show was overall very good with nothing exciting and new, but we saw some great gameplay and extended trailers from some of our most anticipated games.Jason picks up the $50 Red Dead Redemption conversion and it turns out it may actually be worth the price of admission. Finally, we dive into the new features in Cyberpunk 2077 2.0 and talk about Playstation Portal.To hear more of Joe and his crew, check out their podcast at NerdSloth.com.Show Notes:1:05 - Housekeeping3:32 - Baldur's Gate 3 Review51:01 - Texas Chainsaw Massacre Impressions1:10:19 - The Geoff Keighley Effect: Stage Crashers1:28:26 - The Top 5 Trailers from Gamescom Opening Night Live 20231:48:50 - Is the Red Dead Redemption “Conversion” Worth the $50?2:01:17 - The New Features of Cyberpunk 2077 2.02:12:09 - Playstation Portal: Better Than Expected?2:27:53 - Upcoming Video Game ReleasesBecome a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server.Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop.Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

In this episode, Brett heads to the past to play a game from Crytek called Hunt: Showdown. This game released in 2019 and it has taken us awhile to get there. Jumping into this game, we're sad it took us this long. This is a great game with a really fun gameplay loop that keeps us coming back. Hunt monsters, fight other hunters and try and escape alive with your bounty. We also talk a lot about the new cRPG Baldur's Gate 3 from Larian Studios. This is as close to D&D in a video game as you'll probably ever get and it's so much fun. We share first impressions of the game and talk about how devs are a little worried that this may set a new standard that they can't achieve with future games.Red Dead Redemption is officially releasing August 17th but not as a remaster or a remake. Instead it's simply a re-release on PS4 and Switch. How silly is that! Jason is excited but the rest of us are not. One of the greatest games of all time is getting a re-release for 50 bucks with no upgrades. Oh well.THQ Nordic had a showcase where they launched two new games we were stoked to learn more about. One is TMNT: The Last Ronin and another is South Park Snow Day. We're hopeful these two games really show up and blow us away!Finally, Brett has beat Cyberpunk 2077 and talks about the ending (SPOILERS) and whether or not Phantom Liberty can bring the game back into the public's positive eye.Show Notes:1:18 - Housekeeping2:38 - Hunt Showdown23:30 - Baldur's Gate 3 First Impressions57:19 -Baldur's Gate 3: The Gaming Industry's Kryptonite1:29:49 - The Red Dead Redemption Re-Release1:44:34 - THQ Nordic Showcases Surprises with South Park and TMNT1:58:30 - Will Phantom Liberty Bring Back Cyberpunk 2077?2:21:21- Upcoming Video Game ReleasesBecome a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server.Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop.Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

We're back! This is round 2 of Episode 378 because our audio broke on the last podcast. We missed a week, but this podcast is still as exciting as ever! We review our hotly anticipated game Remnant 2. It delivered on all fronts and we're having a blast with this Dark Souls-like game. Brett also reviews the indie game Viewfinder. It's a puzzle game where you use photography that becomes part of the real world. It's sometimes hard to believe this is even real! Jason has been playing Final Fantasy 16. It's a brand new release in the Final Fantasy series but it's a bit more basic than past titles. The story is incredible but it left us wanting a bit more depth in the combat system. We also talk about remasters coming from Rockstar. Unfortunately, news broke already that the first remaster is Red Dead Redemption on PS4 and Switch. Not what we wanted, but you can listen to the podcast to see what we truly wanted! We end with a spoilercast on Star Wars Jedi Survivor. It's a great game, but left us leaving a lot to be desired. MAJOR WARNING: we spoil the entire story so if you don't want to be spoiled, check the timecodes below! Show Notes:1:06 - Housekeeping3:31 - Remnant 2 Review43:44 - Viewfinder Review1:00:12 - Final Fantasy 16 Impressions1:16:53 - What We Want from Rockstar Games Remasters1:42:34 - Star Wars Jedi Survivor SPOILERCAST2:04:18 - Upcoming Video Game ReleasesBecome a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server.Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop.Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

Welcome to the latest episode of The Inner Gamer! In this episode, we review Exoprimal, a sci-fi action-adventure game, discussing its unique storyline, dynamic combat, and great visuals with amazing performance. Does it have longevity? We also dive into The Division 2 in 2023, exploring its evolution and why it remains a top choice for cooperative online gaming, with engaging endgame content and notable improvements like the Descent gamemode. Additionally, we debate and unveil our pick for the Game of the Year so far, considering gripping narratives, stunning visuals, and innovative gameplay mechanics through June 2023.Looking ahead, we share our excitement for upcoming games in 2023, discussing highly anticipated sequels and promising new IPs that are set to make a splash in the gaming industry. Finally, we assess whether next-gen consoles have lived up to their promise, analyzing advancements, features, and the overall console experience. Join us for this thrilling episode of The Inner Gamer as we delve into these captivating gaming topics. Happy gaming, everyone!Show Notes:0:59 - Housekeeping2:14 - Exoprimal Review31:38 - Revisiting The Division 2 in 202353:44 - GOTY 2023 Mid-Year Review1:18:30 - Upcoming GOTY Contenders in 20231:55:01 - Did Next-Gen Consoles Live Up to Their Promise?2:17:17 - Upcoming Video Game ReleasesBecome a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server.Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop.Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

In episode 376 of The Inner Gamer, we dive into the latest and greatest in the world of gaming. We kick things off by discussing the highly anticipated release of Battlebit Remastered, a brick-like game that harkens back to the days of Battlefield 2. We then explore the intriguing concept of Midnight Ghost Hunt, a unique multiplayer game where players can take on the role of either a ghost or a ghost hunter, adding a thrilling twist to the gameplay experience.Next, we delve into the recent announcements from Nintendo Direct, and the upcoming release of Super Mario RPG, a title that has long been requested by fans of the iconic plumber. We also take a deep dive into the fascinating topic of AI in gaming, discussing its potential to enhance gameplay and create more immersive experiences. We also talk about the darker side of AI in gaming.However, it's not all positive news, as we address the prevalence of broken games released in the past year. We express our frustration as gamers and emphasize the need for better quality assurance in the industry. Join us in this episode of The Inner Gamer as we engage in an insightful and entertaining discussion on these diverse gaming topics.Show Notes:1:04 - Housekeeping3:57 - Battlebit Remastered Review30:28 - Midnight Ghost Hunt Review48:05 - 5 Biggest Announcements from June's Nintendo Direct1:01:47 - AI in Gaming1:35:40 - Gaming Apology Tour: Why Are Games Releasing Broken?2:02:49 - Upcoming Video Game ReleasesBecome a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server.Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop.Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

In this episode, we review Blizzard's new MMO Diablo 4. It's a wonderful departure of past games, working great at launch with some fun gameplay. We discuss this gameplay and what is in store for the future of the franchise. We also get access to The Finals closed beta. We share first impressions from this first-person shooter coming from former Battlefield devs Embark Studios.Summer Games Fest just concluded and we talk about our impressions of the Summer Games Fest opening day, the Xbox Games Showcase and Ubisoft Forward. From Star Wars Outlaws to Fable to Starfield, there's a lot to be excited about!Lastly, we discuss Apple's new Vision Pro and what it means for the future of AR/VR. Will it take us to the next level or is it a $3500 novelty?Show Notes:1:01 - Housekeeping2:50 - Diablo 4 Review35:13 - THE FINALS Closed Beta Impressions54:26 - Summer Games Fest 2023 Recap1:26:37 - Xbox Games Showcase Recap1:51:22 - Starfield Direct: Is this the Next Space Epic?2:11:41 - Ubisoft Forward Showcase Recap2:40:28 - Apple Vision Pro Impressions: Game Changer for VR/AR?2:59:34- Upcoming Video Game ReleasesBecome a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server.Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop.Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

This week we invite a local musician who has an exciting track record in the industry. His name is TRVR? and he hails from Fort Worth. At the age of 16 he was on American Idol and made it to the top 24, he continued his music career and now makes a full-time living playing music. In this episode, we chat about some Tears of the Kingdom and how games truly can be an artistic medium. We also discuss music in games, some of TRVR's favorite indie games and much more! His new single "Better Off Alone" is an awesome song for the summer, stay tuned for the end of the podcast to hear the song and make sure you follow him on YouTube and his Instagram! We review the early access game Starship Troopers: Extermination. This game is great, we've had a blast taking down bugs with up to 15 other players in our squads. It hits the feeling of the movies well. The content is a bit light, but it's got a great foundation!We also dig into our favorite reveals from the Playstation Showcase and the Meta Quest showcase. There were a lot of new games revealed, although it was not as exciting as we had hoped...especially on the Playstation front.Lastly, is Battlefield 2042 finally good? Yes, yes it is. Brett is back into it and he wants you to do the same. It has come a long way since release and the game is incredibly fun to play now. The map designs are great, the weapons are plentiful and the Battlefield moments are epic. It's time now more than ever to pick this game up and join us on the battlefield! Show Notes:1:30 - Housekeeping2:44 - TRVR? Interview on Tears of the Kingdom, Music in Gaming and More1:01:06 - Starship Troopers: Extermination Review1:28:07 - Playstation Showcase Reactions2:19:31 - Meta Quest Showcase  Reactions2:26:24 - Why You Should Return to Battlefield 20422:43:57 - Upcoming Video Game ReleasesCheck out TRVR's new single "Better Off Alone" on Spotify.Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server.Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop.Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64