Arcade Couch

We wrap E3 2021 by picking our favourite conference, trailers, moment and our top five games of the show.

Hosts:

Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil

Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

Episode Timecodes

INTRO

00:00:00 - Hello

MAIN TOPIC

00:06:17 - Top 3 Things You're Disappointed Weren't At E3

00:21:02 - Best Conference Or Show Of E3 2021

00:22:47 - What Is Our Best Moment Of E3 2021

00:25:49 - Top 2 Trailers From E3 2021

00:30:06 - Our Top 5 Games Of E3 2021

OUTRO

00:55:55 - Goodbye

Arcade Couch Credits:

Music by: Dylan Blight

Art by: Cherie Henriques

All Episodes:

https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

We discuss all the news and trailers from the Nintendo Direct in our last E3 2021 bonus episode.

Hosts:

Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil

Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Resources

Explosion Network

All The Trailer & Everything Announced At E3 2021 Direct

Arcade Couch Credits:

Music by: Dylan Blight

Art by: Cherie Henriques

All Episodes:

https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

We round up 25+ indies from E3 2021 that you may have missed.

Previews Mentioned:

Rainbow Billy: The Curse of The Leviathan

TOEM

Hosts:

Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil

Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Game Trailers:

A Little To The Left

Little To The Left is a cozy puzzle game that has you sort, stack, and organize household items into precise arrangements while you keep an eye out for a mischievous cat with an inclination for chaos. Check out this playful and intuitive puzzler with 40+ satisfying messes to tidy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyYVAwDXbfI

A Musical Story

‘A Musical Story’ is a rhythm game set against a 70s backdrop. Explore the memories of Gabriel, a young man trying to come to terms with his situation through the connections to his musical memory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_CWjfHy7co

A Walk With Yiayia

A Walk with Yiayia is a light adventure game/visual novel about taking your Greek grandmother on a walk after she's lost her confidence from having a scary fall. Connect through engaging conversations, explore a relaxing environment, and complete microquests in this thoughtful, bite-sized adventure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsHlTJtLhQ4

Battlecakes

Indulge in a delicious adventure as you choose to battle or befriend your enemies to save the day your way! Personalize your cupcake hero and meet charming friends along the way. Leave the world better off than you found it in this turn-based RPG.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GixEQOxZtk8

Bear & Breakfast

Bear and Breakfast is a laid-back management adventure game where you build and run a bed and breakfast...but you’re a bear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3OWseygAl4

Behind the Frame

Guide brush strokes and solve a variety of puzzles to help an aspiring artist complete her masterpiece amid her brusque neighbor’s gaze and his pesky cat. As her painting starts to take shape, uncover an emotional tale of chance and artistry revealed behind unrelated yet familiar moments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43E59MFCkBM

Bird Problems

A sitcom narrative game about an awkward and anxious canary trying to make friends and drink cold drinks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPvNxZplKjs

Dodgeball Academia

Dodgeball Academia is a sports RPG game featuring rookie dodgeball student, Otto. Join Otto and an eclectic cast of characters as they train to dominate on and off the courts of the academia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9h1g-nvTnY

Endling

As the last mother fox, keep your cubs alive and reach the only place on Earth where humans cannot harm them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rCLc-WXOFo

Garden Story

Unify a broken community as the newly-appointed Guardian of The Grove. Traverse a vibrant island to combat invasive Rot, inspire its inhabitants, and rebuild your home. You won't have to do this alone: fruity friends await, ready to lend a hand!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq1vq-SjBWE

Hoa

Hoa is a beautiful puzzle-platforming game that features breathtaking hand-painted art, lovely music, and a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5w3OiK_Ux4E

Lake

It's 1986 - Meredith Weiss takes a break from her career in the big city to deliver mail in her hometown. How will she experience two weeks in beautiful Providence Oaks, with its iconic lake and quirky community? And what will she do next? It's up to you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfmACVTGFv0

Lakeburg Legacies

Lakeburg Legacies is a social-based village management sim focused on pairing up your townsfolk to make the best, most effective families in order for your kingdom to grow and thrive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQSrutk9LBA

Letters

Letters is a fun word puzzle game about friendship, growing up and finding your place in life. Follow Sarah, a shy girl from Switzerland, by moving through her pen pal letters and chat messages. Use the power of words to solve riddles, interact with her friends and decide who she will grow up to be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy8ZbDYwTQA

Next Space Rebels

SPACE IS FOR EVERYONE. In Next Space Rebels, you will develop from a naive rocket hobbyist into an experienced space activist by designing, building, and launching rockets of increasing complexity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU7wOA2iMs4

Recoilt

Recolit is a pixel art mystery adventure game where you explore a strange town by following the trails of "light". Help out the mysterious residents of the town by using items illuminated by the "light" to progress through the story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjYw75rEuF8

Serial Cleaners

Serial Cleaners is a single-player stealth action crime story in which you alternate between playing four eccentric mob cleaners taking on the bloodiest jobs the carefree 1990s had to offer. If you remember the nineties differently, their dirty work is the reason why.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZDokDkbbMw

Shashingo

Shashingo is an edutainment game that teaches you Japanese through virtual photography. With your trusty camera, take photographs of the fictional streets of Japan to capture new words and images as fully translated flash cards!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKp63g_5oOk

Soup Pot

Cook freely with Soup Pot! Make food with a wide range of locally sourced or supermarket ingredients in traditional kitchens. Discover and learn about more than 100 recipes while streaming your cooking on Cookbook, the in-game social media platform.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTKaFnqVEjc

Tails of Iron

Tails of Iron is an epic RPG Adventure with punishingly brutal combat. As Redgi, heir to the Rat Throne, you must embark on a perilous quest to reclaim your Kingdom. Explore a deceivingly charming world. Assemble a band of brave companions. Banish the merciless Frog clan!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJT_EwJJz6g

The Wandering Village

In a world where mysterious toxic spores are contaminating the planet, a group of people seeks shelter on the back of a giant, wandering creature. Become their leader, build their settlement and form a symbiotic relationship with the creature to survive together in this hostile, yet beautiful world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q9DBW9YK7k

Unpacking

Unpacking is a zen puzzle game about the familiar experience of pulling possessions out of boxes and fitting them into a new home. Part block-fitting puzzle, part home decoration, you are invited to create a satisfying living space while learning clues about the life you’re unpacking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BG98e_w6d0

Vokabulantis

Vokabulantis is a puzzle platformer, you can play as co-op or single player and it’s targeted multiple platforms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPTxHxpaD38

Harold Halibut

Harold Halibut is a handmade narrative game about friendship, and life on a city-sized spaceship submerged in an alien ocean.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiN4n5a1xiE

We Are OFK

From indie pop band OFK: We Are OFK is the story of how four friends came together to release their debut music without throwing their phones at walls in frustration. A making-of-the-band series & Interactive EP about dreaming, dating, and paying rent in Los Angeles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77z6J6Jq-io

Yokai Inn

You are forced to take shelter in an abandoned inn, and the place springs to life with otherworldly patrons as soon as the sun sets! Yokai Inn is a slice-of-life sim game, inspired by titles such as Harvest Moon and Animal Crossing, that is currently in the early stages of development.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsSfUIzTAlA

Arcade Couch Credits:

Music by: Dylan Blight

Art by: Cherie Henriques

All Episodes:

https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

In our first bonus E3 2021 show, we break down all the news from Xbox & Bethesda + Square Enix.

Hosts:

Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil

Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Episode Timecodes

INTRO

00:00:00 - Hello

00:02:14 - Xbox & Bethesda Showcase Breakdown

01:54:55 - Square Enix Presents Breakdown

02:23:59 - Goodbye

Resources

Explosion Network

All The Trailers & Announcements From Square Enix Presents E3 2021

Another Xbox Games Showcase Is On Its Way This Friday

Everything Xbox And Bethesda Announced During Their E3 Showcase

Arcade Couch Credits:

Music by: Dylan Blight

Art by: Cherie Henriques

All Episodes:

https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

In our first podcast covering Summer Game Fest & E3 2021 events, we discuss Kickoff Live! Ubisoft Forward, Devolver Digital, Koch Media and Gearbox’s E3 showcases.

We also discuss the video game-related news from Netflix Geeked Week, plus the reveal of Playdate’s release date.

Hosts:

Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil

Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

Episode Timecodes

INTRO

00:00:00 - Hello

00:00:23 - Housekeeping

MAIN TOPIC

00:03:01 - Summer Game Fest: Kickoff Live!

00:51:05 - Ubisoft Forward: E3 2021 Edition

01:24:54 - Deolver Digital Forwarder

01:39:22 - Koch Media E3 Presentation

01:42:39 - Gearbox E3 Showcase

THE NEWS

01:50:15 - Playdate Gets Official Release Date & Price

01:55:07 - Battlefield 2042 Revealed

01:56:17 - Netflix Geeked Week Gaming Reveals & News

OUTRO

02:05:44 - E3 Week Plans

02:07:56 - Goodbye

Arcade Couch Credits:

Music by: Dylan Blight

Art by: Cherie Henriques

All Episodes:

https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

Our annual E3 predictions return but this time we’re counting the entirety of June & July with the added Summer Game Fest, and whatever else is happening.

Before getting to our predictions, however, Dylan Ashley and Ciaran discuss their time with Sherlock Holmes Chapter One, the update on WB Games, Far Cry VR in Australia and a couple of pre-E3 leaks/rumours.

Reviews/Previews Mentioned:

Sherlock Holmes Chapter One

Hosts:

Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil

Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Episode Timecodes

INTRO

00:00:00 - Hello

REVIEWS/PREVIEWS

00:02:02 - Sherlock Holmes Chapter One Preview

THE NEWS

00:17:40 - WB Games Is Safe

00:19:19 - Another Game That You Can Play Is RC'd In Australia Anyway

00:22:45 - Far Cry VR Is Out Now In Australia

00:27:26 - E3 Rumours: 2K Leaks Borderlands Spin-Off & XCOM Marvel Games

00:34:56 - Here's All The E3/Summer Game Fest Things

MAIN TOPIC

00:45:32 - Our E3 2021 + Summer Game Fest Period Predictions

OUTRO

01:05:01 - Goo-

01:06:11 - -dbye

Resources

Explosion Network

All The Australia Times For E3 2021 + Summer Game Fest & More

Kotaku

Far Cry VR Is A Full Body Experience That’s Only At Australia’s Zero Latency

PlayStation Lifestyle

WB Games Will Now Be Part Of ‘Warner Bros. Discovery,’ A ‘Pure Play’ Content Company

Press Start

Devolver Digital’s Sludge Life Has Been Refused Classification In Australia

VG24/7

Borderlands Spin-Off And Marvel XCOM To Be Announced At E3 - Rumour

Arcade Couch Credits:

Music by: Dylan Blight

Art by: Cherie Henriques

All Episodes:

https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

A jam-packed show filled with a ton of pre-E3 news including the gameplay reveals of Horizon Forbidden West and Far Cry 6.

This week Dylan also discusses his review of Biomutant and then he and Ashley talk about their time with Operation: Tango with their full review.

Ciaran is also back to join Ash and Dylan for a full cast on the couch for a while and they re-dig up the Overwatch 2 news from last week to get an experts opinion.

Reviews/Previews Mentioned:

Biomutant Review

Operation: Tango Review

Podcast Mentioned:

Horizon Forbidden West Episode Of Platinum Explosion

Hosts:

Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil

Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Episode Timecodes

INTRO

00:00:00 - Hello

00:02:07 - This Week On The Show

REVIEWS/PREVIEWS

00:02:27 - Biomutant Review

00:08:39 - Operation: Tango Review

THE NEWS

00:17:34 - Horizon Forbidden West Gameplay Reveal

00:22:15 - Far Cry 6 Gameplay

00:34:06 - Dying Light 2: Stay Human Re-Reveal

00:40:02 - Pokemon Games Got Release Dates

00:42:39 - The Dark Pictures: House of Ashes

00:48:44 - Sonic 30th News

00:55:55 - Overwatch 2 is now 5v5

01:08:14 - Werewolves Within Trailer

WHAT WE’VE BEEN PLAYING

01:10:49 - Knockout City Thoughts

01:23:12 - Mass Effect Updates

OUTRO

01:25:12 - Goodbye

Resources

Explosion Network

Pokemon Legends: Arceus & Pokemon Diamond/Pearl Remakes Release Dates

The First Gameplay From The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes Is Here

Kotaku

Overwatch 2 Will Only Have Five Players Per Team

Vooks

Sonic Colours Ultimate, Sonic Collection And New Sonic Game For 2022 Announced

Youtube

Dying Light 2 Stay Human - Official Gameplay Trailer

Far Cry 6: Gameplay Trailer - Rules of the Guerrilla

Far Cry 6: Introducing Dani Rojas

Werewolves Within Exclusive Trailer #1 (2021)

Arcade Couch Credits:

Music by: Dylan Blight

Art by: Cherie Henriques

All Episodes:

https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

Timesplitters is making a return and that news was randomly announced via Twitter. We discuss if and why this is an exciting announcement nonetheless.

This week Dylan and Ashley also discuss a Brisbane based developer’s upcoming game Phantom Abyss, the Skyward Sword amiibo locking fast travel behind its plastic base and much more.

Hosts:

Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil

Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

Shows mentioned:

Radio Watson

WellPlayed DLC Podcast

Reviews/Previews:

Hood: Outlaws and Legends

Episode Timecodes

INTRO

00:00:00 - Hello

00:00:33 - Today On The Show

00:00:44 - Housekeeping

REVIEWS/PREVIEWS

00:02:39 - Hood: Outlaws and Legends Review

THE NEWS

00:04:50 - What’s happening with WB Games?

00:10:22 - Skyward Sword Amiibo Is Some B.S

00:21:43 - Phantom Abyss Is A Competitive Indiana Jones Inspired Game Out Of Brisbane

00:27:20 - Starfield Release Date Rumours

00:32:02 - TimeSplitters Is Coming Back

OUTRO

00:37:26 - Dylan & Ashley Attempt To Talk Overwatch 2 News

00:41:51 - FFXIV Fan Fest News Discussion

00:42:54 - Goodbye

Resources

Eurogamer

Starfield Release Date Reportedly Late 2022

Kotaku

Phantom Abyss Is An Aussie-Made Race To Steal A Temple’s Treasure

Nintendo Life

TimeSplitters Fans Rejoice - Work On A New Game To Begin In The "Coming Months"

Press Start

A Zelda: Skyward Sword HD Amiibo Has Been Announced And Brings A Fairly Big Improvement To The Game

Push Square

Warner Bros' Gaming Division Will Be Broken Up As Part of Merger

Arcade Couch Credits:

Music by: Dylan Blight

Art by: Cherie Henriques

All Episodes:

https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

The release of Mass Effect Legendary Edition has seen old and new fans jumping onto the Normandy and travelling the universe, which is the case with Ashley and Ciaran with Ashley never playing a Mass Effect and Ciaran being a long time fan. Hear their different experiences of the game so far and some of Ciaran’s tips for new players

Also on the show, Disco Elysium gets unbanned, Katy Perry and Pokemon’s song has released and financial meetings reveal future plans for two big publishers.

Hosts:

Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Episode Timecodes

INTRO

00:00:00 - Hello

THE NEWS

00:01:10 - Disco Elysium unbanned because drug use has repercussions

00:08:51 - Katy Perry’s Pokemon song released

00:13:08 - Sega looking to Remake, Remaster and Reboot

00:18:14 - Ubisoft plans for more Free-To-Play releases

WHAT WE’VE BEEN PLAYING

00:33:25 - Resident Evil Village Thoughts

00:40:57 - Mass Effect Legendary Edition First Impressions

OUTRO

01:12:47 - Goodbye

Resources

Kotaku

"Katy Perry And Pikachu Travelling Through Time Singing Songs, As They Do"

"Sega Remembers It's Sitting On A Bunch Of "Dormant" Games That Need Reboots"

Polygon

"Ubisoft's free-to-play shift doesn't mean the end of AAA development"

Press Start

"Disco Elysium's Australian Ban Has Been Overturned And Will Be Rated R18+"

Arcade Couch Credits:

Music by: Dylan Blight

Art by: Cherie Henriques

All Episodes:

https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

It’s time to talk about the ‘Tall Lady’ with Resident Evil Village finally out the wild. Dylan’s played it, and reviewed it for the site and says it’s very good and scary.

On the opposite end of the scale, Dylan and Ashley have watched the Four Corners report on ABC and talk about the episode. Was it a full-scale fear-mongering attack on video games? Or something more nuanced?

Plus the two talk about the Epic v Apple court case and some random findings, the first teaser for the League of Legends anime, the Tribeca Film Festival adding games and much more.

Reviews/Previews Mentioned:

Resident Evil Village Review

Returnal Review

Hosts:

Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil

Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

Episode Timecodes

INTRO

00:00:00 - Hello

00:00:35 - Early Blooper Reel

00:01:56 - This Week On The Show

REVIEWS/PREVIEWS

00:02:23 - Resident Evil Village Review

00:18:13 - Returnal Review

THE NEWS

00:21:11 - How Much Did Epic Pau For All Those Free Games?

00:28:15 - Lots More Of The Division Is On The Way

00:33:06 - Tribeca Festival's First Game Award

00:42:25 - League of Legends Anime Teaser Released

00:45:29 - Australian Game Dev Tax Break Announced

WHAT WE’VE BEEN PLAYING

00:50:15 - Apex Legends Arena Impressions

MAIN TOPIC

01:01:17 - Four Corners Report Into Gaming

OUTRO

01:25:44 - Goodbye

Resources

Bleeding Cool

Tom Clancy's The Division Heartland Announced By Ubisoft

Kotaku

Here’s The Official Games Industry Response To The Four Corners Report

‘This Is A Huge Deal’: The Industry Reacts To Australia’s New Tax Break For Video Games

PC Gamer

League Of Legends Animated Series Arcade Is Coming To Netflix This Fall

Polygon

Here Are The Game Nominated For The First Tribeca Games Award

Here’s What Epic Game Stores Paid For Those “Free” Games

Arcade Couch Credits:

Music by: Dylan Blight

Art by: Cherie Henriques

All Episodes:

https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion