The Nerdologues Present: Talking Games

Longtime listeners must have known, deep in their hearts -- for the final episode of Talking Games, Tim, Clayton, and Kellen lay bare the joys of Suikoden II. What better way to go out? Thanks everybody for listening. We appreciate you. 

In the penultimate episode of this podcast, Tim, Clayton, and Kellen rank their favorite titles since this show began in 2011! Their #1 pick probably won't surprise you, but who's to say about #2-10?? Thanks so much to Cards Against Humanity and the Chicago Podcast Coop for sponsoring us!

It's the throwaway bit that turned into three full episodes. This week, the TG lads say goodbye forever to Talking Musicals with its final installment, a discussion of Thoroughly Modern Millie with guest Nicole Vespa! Only two episodes left, dawgs.  Thanks so much to Cards Against Humanity and the Chicago Podcast Coop for their continued support!

Only four episodes remain before Talking Games says goodbye. This week, our boys look ahead to the future of probably their favorite game genre. We'll cover titles like Persona, Mass Effect, Witcher, and more! Don't cry yet; we've got some discussin' to get to! Thanks so much to Cards Against Humanity and the Chicago Podcast Coop for helping this show happen!

Talking Games is back, and they're covering a couple of the largest franchise releases of the past month. First, Tim recaps his experience with the newest Mass Effect title, and then Clayton digs into the experience of Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Is it as awesome as people say?? Well, Clayton is a people -- see what he thinks! Thanks to Cards Against Humanity and the Chicago Podcast Coop for sponsoring as always!

This week on Talking Games, the lads chat about the new hotness known as Horizon Zero Dawn, and Tim recounts his virtual reality experiences with a George Saunders novel. Tim and George are BFFs, if you didn't know. Thanks to Cards Against Humanity and the Chicago Podcast Coop for sponsoring this episode!

The Nintendo Switch drops this Friday. Who's excited? Will you still be excited after listening to this episode?? Who can say! But maybe Tim, Clayton, and Kellen aren't as amped on the Switch as the rest of the world. Hmmm... Thanks to Cards Against Humanity and the Chicago Podcast Coop for sponsoring the show!

Between his job, his social life, and his wonderful work for Chicago Loot Drop, Mike Chuck keeps busy. That's why he enjoys games that repeat themselves -- that follow simple variations on a theme over and over. Games like Majora's Mask or Dead Rising have entertained millions for hours -- and now we're going to entertain the lot of you by talking about them for one hour! Thanks to Cards Against Humanity and the Chicago Podcast Coop for sponsoring the show! And definitely take a look at Loot Drop's next event, building comfort kits for kids at Comer Children's Hospital. 

This week, Tim, Clayton, and Kellen discuss the creepy, moody, altogether excelled Inside, the latest puzzle-platformer from studio Playdead (who brought us Limbo a couple years ago). Listen to this one in the dark. Unless you're driving or something. That's a terrible idea.

On this week's Very Special Episode, host Tim and his SO Lisa Burton dive into the game that's become their current obsession, Stardew Valley (they're even playing it while they record this episode!!).  Thanks so much to Cards Against Humanity for sponsoring this ep and to the Chicago Podcast Coop for its continued support. 

This week, the Talking Games farewell tour continues with the return of one of our classic features -- Talking Musicals! Tim, Clayton, and Kellen dissect the recent hit LA LA LAND and dive into the crushing defeat of trying to do anything creative. Fun! Thanks to our sponsor for this week's episode, Cards Against Humanity, and thanks of course to the Chicago Podcast Coop!

On this week's Very Special Episode of Talking Games, Tim, Clayton, and Kellen share some of their favorite memories of doing the podcast. The countdown to the final episode continues! Thanks Cards Against Humanity for sponsoring this episode, and thanks as always to the Chicago Podcast Coop for being around!

This week, the Talking Games boys look forward to some of their most anticipated games of 2017. From Detroit: Become Human to (hopefully!) Red Dead Redemption 2 to the Final Fantasy VII remake, we're talking about probably some of the only escapes from the misery the next year is sure to hold for you! Thanks Cards Against Humanity for sponsoring this episode, and thanks to the Chicago Podcast Coop as always!

We love year-end best-of discussions! Love 'em! This week, Tim, Clayton, Kellen, and special guest John Patrick Coan bandy about their choices for game of the year. We'll discuss Overwatch, Doom, No Man's Sky, and even Pokemon Go! Two of those titles are discussed pretty derisively, though. Guess which ones! Thanks to Iron Galaxy for sponsoring this week's episode and thanks as always to the Chicago Podcast Coop!

Once upon a time, right before Talking Games became a Nerdologues podcast, the wonderful John Sabine came by the show to talk about one of his favorite gaming franchises, Civilization. As part of our farewell tour, he's back to talk about the newest entry in the series!  Thanks to the Harold Ramis Film School for sponsoring this episode, and thanks of course to the Chicago Podcast Coop for existing!

You guys heard of Final Fantasy XV? It's a pretty big release I guess. This week, Tim alone (no Clayton! no Kellen!) begins the Talking Games farewell tour with returning champ Aaron Amendola to discuss their experiences with the game! Thanks for kicking off our goodbyes, Aaron. You rock! Thanks also to Emporium for sponsoring this episode and to the Chicago Podcast Coop for existing. 

No ep this week, just a big announcement on the show from Tim Dunn. 

Talking Games hosts Kellen and Tim are so excited and honored to bring a totally fresh face to this podcast. Please join us in welcoming Clayton Margeson as he brings a favorite gaming franchise, Dark Souls, to the table in this Very Special Episode. Plus, marvel at Tim's new baritone voice! Thanks to the Harold Ramis Film School for sponsoring this episode and to the Chicago Podcast Coop for making that sponsorship happen. 

Do you romanticize a life of organized crime? Even if you do, you might not like Mafia 3! This week, guest Sean Peezick joins Clayton and Kellen to discuss the new game and its many shortcomings. I guess you'll have to act out your violent urges through some other digital medium. But no matter what, we can say for sure that this episode is certainly Timless.  Thanks to Cards Against Humanity for sponsoring us this week!

HUGE THANKS to everyone who donated to our Extra Life fundraiser on Saturday. Thanks to you, we made our $1000 goal and helped Extra Life have an incredibly successful day! On this week's Talking Games, you'll hear sporadic check-ins from throughout the day-long event, including a cavalcade of guest stars. Meet 420 Bear! Thrill to erotic games! Learn what "totally exhausted" sounds like in audio form! Thanks to Cards Against Humanity for sponsoring this week's episode! And don't forget to go vote today. 

Skyrim holds a special place in the hearts of Tim, Clayton, and Kellen -- that was the game that initially brought Kellen to Talking Games in the first place! With the recent announcement of the Skyrim Special Edition, our lads take a look back on one of their favorite games, including discussing its legacy.  Also! Don't miss the Talking Games Extra Life 24-hour fundraiser this Saturday! You don't want Normy to come after you... Thanks to our sponsor for this week's episode, Cards Against Humanity via the Chicago Podcast Coop!

Last week, Nintendo dropped some pretty big news with the announcement of the Switch. We couldn't not talk about it! So we're joined by a spectrum of gamer guests -- Rob Grabowski, Jeremy Kanne, and Nicole Vespa -- to debate the Switch's merits (or lack thereof). Take bets with your friends on whether Tim, Clayton, or Kellen is interested in buying this thing, then listen to the episode to find out. Gambling's fun! Thanks so much to Cards Against Humanity and the Chicago Podcast Coop for sponsoring this episode.  Also, it would mean a lot to us, dear listeners, if you wanted to support our Extra Life fundraiser. 

It's time for another questions episode! This week, Tim, Clayton, and Kellen tackle YOUR queries, like "Should I buy a WiiU or an NX?", "Are there any good political video games?", and the everpresent "What up? What's good?" Thanks to our sponsors for this week, Basecamp, and thanks to the Chicago Podcast Coop for the assist! Check out the Nerds on Patreon!

From Resident Evil to Resident Evil 2... and beyond!... this week's Talking Games is all about the survival horror genre of video games. Trapped in an abandoned building, zombies set on you from all sides... what's left to do? Listen to our podcast, ya jerks! Big thanks to Cards Against Humanity and the Chicago Podcast Coop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you think the Nerdologues are kewl, you can check us out on Patreon!

This week, Kellen and Tim are joined by Kellen's longtime Destiny friend Rob Churchwell to cover a bunch of gaming topics Rob loves, from the TI-99 (remember those?) to Disney Infinity to board games like Imperial Assault and Splendor. Also, learn Kellen's shocking opinions on the quality of Serial season 1 vs. season 2.  This week's Talking Games is sponsored by Basecamp via the Chicago Podcast Coop. Thanks for everything, guys! If you like the Nerdologues' shows, head over to our Patreon page, eh? 

It's time for another round of questions, friends! This week, Tim, Clayton, and Kellen field more things you're dying to know, mostly about whether certain games/franchises (Pokemon Go, Street Fighter V, Destiny) are over. If you have opinions about these subjects, listen this episode! Thanks so much to our sponsors for this week's ep, Cards Against Humanity, and thanks of course to the Chicago Podcast Coop. Check out the Nerdologues on Patreon!

MMORPGs are a thing. A big thing. A thing big enough to give them their own episode with guest Sammy Tamimi, who shares with us his passion for all things World of Warcraft, except maybe the panda expansion. That was kind of silly. Thanks so much to our sponsors for the episode, Cards Against Humanity, and thanks of course to the Chicago Podcast Coop for making it all happen! And hey, check out the Nerds on Patreon!

It's a news grab bag on this week's Talking Games! From Mario on the iOS to the Playstation Slim/Pro to yet another delay for The Last Guardian, hosts Tim and Kellen have you covered with the last few days of major gaming news. THEN, the two face adversity head-on when they read and discuss a truly scatching iTunes review of their show. Drama!!! Thanks so much to Basecamp for sponsoring our show, and thanks to the Chicago Podcast Coop for all the support! If you like the Nerds, check us out on Patreon, yeah?

Do you know Eric Garneau? He edits this podcast every week and also does these stupid write-ups. Well this week, you're gonna hear his voice too, as he joins Tim, Clayton, and Kellen to talk about the rise and fall of the rock music genre of video games, specifically Guitar Hero and Rock Band. How did Rock Band almost lead to Eric playing Lollapalooza? What did Clayton's home rock star setup look like? Why does Tim hate Twin Peaks so much? Both of these questions plus probably a couple more will be answered! Thanks so much to our sponsors for this week's episode, the Harold Ramis Film School at Second City, and thanks of course to the Chicago Podcast Coop for existing! You can find the Nerdologues' new podcast Blank Cassette, hosted by Eric, here!

It's been a joke for so long it had to happen eventually -- this week, Talking Games becomes... something different. Tim plus guests Rob Grabowski and Mike Chuck Bretzlaff spend an episode at the theater for Talking Musicals! They're going to look at the Resident Evil stage play, Biohazard: The Stage, which you can watch on YouTube if you're a brave individual! Thanks to Cards Against Humanity for sponsoring this episode, and thanks as always to the Chicago Podcast Coop for existing. 

We love Bit Bash, duh. This week, Tim and Clayton unpack this year's festival with its project manager, Jamie Sanchez; friend of the show and Blizzard fan Alex Honnet also returns to share what he loved about it! Thanks to our sponsor for this week's episode, Cards Against Humanity, and thanks as always to the Chicago Podcast Coop for hooking us up! If you'd like to support the Nerdologues and see more shows like this, check out our Patreon page! That helps a ton!

No Man's Sky is the game everyone's talking about. But according to our three hosts, it super sucks. Tim, Clayton, and Kellen spend an hour dissecting this mostly irredeemable game. Hot takes abound! Thanks to our sponsor for this episode, Field Notes, and thanks of course to the Chicago Podcast Coop for being the wind beneath our wings. 

Gen Con -- the San Diego Comic-Con of tabletop games -- was this past weekend, and our own Tim Dunn got to go! He'll reflect on the show (and meeting Jonathan Coulton! What a great guy!) with Clayton and Kellen plus special guest from the One Shot podcast network Kat Kuhl! Plus, make sure to listen for Patreon the Robot's glorious reapparance, and Tim gets to some hard-hitting journalism! Thanks to our sponsors for this episode, Jackbox Games, and thanks of course to the Chicago Podcast Coop for making it all happen! The Nerdologues are on Patreon (the website, not the robot)! If you like what we do, help us out? The One Shot network is also on Patreon and they are awesome!

We cover a lot of ground on this week's Talking Games, from essential desert island JRPGs (how many of them do you think were made by Square?) to puzzle games to engrossing game narratives and beyond. We've also got a super secret mystery guest who we'll never name! And guess what, it's Peter Kremidas! Thanks Cards Against Humanity for sponsoring this week's show, and thanks to the Chicago Podcast Coop for making it all happen. If you're at GenCon, don't miss the Concert Against Humanity!

On last week's episode we covered the NES Classic Edition. This week we keep the nostalgia rolling with a discussion of a couple newly announced Sonic the Hedgehog games plus other franchise updates and changes! This week's episode was sponsored by Cards Against Humanity via the Chicago Podcast Coop. Make sure to check out the Concert Against Humanity if you're going to GenCon, friends! One of this show's hosts may have a tiny stake in that...

Last week, Nintendo announced a November rerelease of the classic NES system with a twist -- it comes preloaded with 30 games and nothing more! This week, Tim, Clayton, Kellen, and guest Peter Durkin are gonna chat about what this means. Will the NES Classic Edition do well? Probably! Is it a good idea? Yeah, maybe! But what games are missing? All these questions and more will be answered. But not many more. Don't get greedy. Thanks to our sponsors for this week's episode, Jackbox Games, and thanks as always to the Chicago Podcast Coop for making it happen!

This week, guest Sarah Gorr (of the sweet new website The Cinessential) joins Tim, Clayton, and Kellen to cover a couple topics that can only be described as "epic": the Uncharted series and, of course, Pokemon Go! It's a good time. Enjoy it! Or else. Thanks to our sponsors for this episode, Field Notes, and thanks to the whole Chicago Podcast Coop for the hookup. If you like the Nerdologues and the shows we do, hit us up on Patreon, dig?

In honor of yesterday's holiday, and because it's a sweet topic, Tim, Clayton, and Kellen discuss games that make them think of the good old U S of A in this week's episode. Serious discussion is given to franchises like Fallout, Call of Duty, and Grand Theft Auto, and also we talk about Ken Griffey Baseball! Thanks to our sponsors for this episode, Cards Against Humanity, and thanks as always to the Chicago Podcast Coop! If you enjoy what the Nerdologues do, check out our Patreon and help us do more of it!car

Once again, dear listeners, we've turned to YOU to answer hard-hitting queries about the video game industry. This episode, thrill to Tim and Clayton musing on the future of Red Dead Redemption 2, reporting their most wild video game moments committed out of boredom, and more. PLUS, in a shocking Talking Musicals update, get ready for this -- Clayton saw Hamilton, and he's ready to talk about it! This is super relevant to video games!! Thanks to our sponsors for the episode, Cards Against Humanity, and thanks of course to the Chicago Podcast Coop for making it all happen. If you like what the Nerdologues do and would like to see more of it, check us out on Patreon, friend!

If you love video games, it's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year -- E3! This week Tim, Clayton, and Kellen tackle a bunch of news from the Electronic Entertainment Expo -- everything from The Fractured but Whole to Resident Evil to Zelda and beyond! PLUS, the very brief return of Patreon! Thanks to this week's sponsors, Iron Galaxy, and thanks also to the Chicago Podcast Coop for making it happen! The Nerdologues are on Patreon, if you really, really, really like us!

Blizzard's Overwatch has quickly become the game on everyone's mind. This week, the Campaign podcast's John Patrick Coan joins Tim, Clayton, and Kellen to explore the game, and it's a real love-fest, friends. Is Overwatch really flawless? You'll find out what these four dudes think! Plus, we read our most earnestly negative review yet. One star! Thanks to Iron Galaxy for sponsoring today's episode, and thanks to the Chicago Podcast Coop for making that all happen. 

In 1999, Sega stormed(?) the video game world with the release of their Dreamcast. Except no one really talks about it any more. Let's fix that with this week's Talking Games, in which Tim, Clayton, and Kellen invite guest Shawn Bowers to chat about the System that Kind of Was. Was the Dreamcast ahead of its time or just kind of weak? Also, what's up with Leonard Nimoy's Seaman? Thanks to our sponsors for this episode, Know Your Company, courtesy of the Chicago Podcast Coop! And hey, if you like this show, check out the Nerdologues' Patreon page and help us do more cool stuff?

DID YOU KNOW: War Games is not just a movie -- it's also a genre of game! This week, Tim and Clayton chat about some of their favorite examples as well as their hopes for the future (and come up with some rad ideas that aspiring game developers MUST NOT STEAL). Also, in a nostalgic throwback, the lads return to Clayton's basement to record this one! What mishaps will befall Tim?? Thanks to our sponsors for this episode, Cards Against Humanity, and thanks of course to the Chicago Podcast Coop for being amazing. And hey, if you like the Nerdologues, check out our Patreon page!

Just yesterday Kotaku released an article about "Final Fantasy Disease," which, according to Final Fantasy XV director Hajime Tabata, prevents both fans and Square employees from accepting any changes in a storied franchise. What do you think about that? How do you balance the desire to do something new with the long, beloved history of a popular gaming franchise? These are pretty deep questions, but the Talking Games boys are ready to tackle them -- plus Kellen talks a lot about Doom.  Thanks to our sponsors for this episode, Cards Against Humanity -- and thanks to the Chicago Podcast Coop for hooking it up! Hey, the Nerdologues are on Patreon! Help us make more cool stuff!

We love taking audience questions! That's because we love all of you! This week, we're answering a dozen or so sweet queries submitted by our loving listeners. Also, due to some recording issues, it kinda sounds like we sequestered Clayton in a tin kennel or something. Yeah... sounds like. Thanks to our sponsors for this episode, Cards Against Humanity, and of course thanks to the Chicago Podcast Coop as well! Check out the Nerdologues on Patreon if you want to help make more cool stuff like this!

Matt Young works for an app development company, and recently he was tasked with playing a diverse swath of indie games to see if he could learn anything from the experience. He's going to share his insights with our hosts today, plus talk some gaming news (Nintendo NX, anyone?), plus we once again see the return of Patreon the matronly robot, who had a rough weekend! Thanks to our sponsors for this episode, Cards Against Humanity, and thanks as always to the Chicago Podcast Coop! You can catch Matt Young on his fantastic podcasts Hello from the Magic Tavern and Improvised Star Trek.

#Gamergate sucks, right? I mean, we all know that. But there are few apeople better qualified to talk about why than an actual professor of ethics and video games, Columbia College's Jen Ellison. This week, she looks at the history of the... movement?... and where it is now. PLUS, the loveable robot Patreon reappears, and we talk about something other than Hamilton on Talking Musicals, kind of! Thanks Basecamp for sponsoring this episode, and thanks of course to the Chicago Podcast Coop for sponsoring! If you like this show and want to see more cool stuff, the Nerdologues are on Patreon. Check us out? It's not just Clayton's hilarious character!

James T. Green and Cher Vincent are the wonderful hosts of the Open Ended podcast and also two thirds of the creators of Post Loudness, a new podcast collective that represents "audio on the fringe." Today, they talk with Tim and Clayton about a couple of distinct gaming topics. First up, we tackle deception-based party games like Secret Hitler, which James and Cher are both great at (and Tim and Clayton are not!). Then we move into a discussion about representation in video games, and OF COURSE our ever-popular Talking Musicals (Hamilton) segment returns again! Thanks to Field Notes for sponsoring this week's episode, and thanks as always to the Chicago Podcast Coop for being great. If you enjoy this show and want to see more cool stuff, the Nerdologues are on Patreon now!

Talking Games is nothing if not topical, right? RIGHT? Right! This week, Tim and Kellen dive into a few of the larger news stories to come out of video game culture lately, including Ford commercials featuring the Metal Gear Solid franchise, a potentially soon launch for virtual reality sex robots, and some questionable comments on working conditions in the gaming industry from veteran Alex St. Johns. We've got opinions, and now you're gonna hear 'em! Thanks to our sponsors for this episode, Emporium Chicago, and thanks as always to the Chicago Podcast Coop for being amazing. Hey, the Nerdologues are on Patreon! If you want to help us make more cool stuff, check it out? 

It's the return of our monthly questions episode! This week, Tim, Clayton, and Kellen tackle queries like "What's the best game you've played with a significant other?", "What Mega Man villain power would you want?", and MANY MORE. Also, be prepared to meet Patreon, a matronly robot with a penchant for both stand-up comedy and hip hop! Today's Talking Games is sponsored by Basecamp with generous support from the Chicago Podcast Coop. Thanks, folks! Patreon (the character) has appeared on this show in part because the Nerdologues have launched a Patreon (the website) campaign! If you like this show and all the stuff we do, check it out and consider throwing in some support? 

If you listen to our show and its amazing, tight introductions, you know how much we love the Chicago Podcast Coop. This week, we're stoked to welcome the cohosts of another Coop show, Roboism, to the studio to chat about a bunch of stuff, but mostly Miitomo, a weird new app thing from Nintendo. Plus, fans of Talking Musicals won't want to miss this one! Thanks to our sponsors for this episode, Iron Galaxy. We love ya!