February is packed with highly anticipated game releases, but which ones are actually worth your time? We dive into Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Monster Hunter Wilds, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Civilization VII, and Avowed to see what’s hype and what’s overrated.

Join us as we break down gameplay, features, and whether these titles deserve a spot on your must-play list.

The Island Boys talk about the big issue with Photorealistic Graphics vs Stylization in video games

The guys share their thoughts on the new Mario Party. Theres a ton of awesome, but some things kinda suck. Let's talk about it.

I think black ops 6 might be a better RPG than 80% of the games released in the last 10 years...

Episode 7: Deep Dive into Monster Hunter Wilds, Yakuza, and Gamers' Love for Mario Party

In this episode of Arcade Island, Atlas, Cash, and Marksman Crusader explore the buzzing anticipation for 'Monster Hunter Wilds' as they discuss its unique combat and weaponry. The crew dives into Black ops 6 & classic childhood games with an extended conversation about 'Mario Party's latest release and its stellar family-friendly features. The spotlight then shifts to 'Yakuza’s' gripping storyline and character development as Cash recounts his playthrough experiences. The trio also touches on surviving the sprawling missions of 'Dishonored' and navigating its chaotic world, rounding out the episode by sharing their current watch lists and gaming recommendations. Tune in for a vibrant discussion packed with thrilling game reviews, childhood nostalgia, and anime reflections.

00:00 Introduction and Game Confusion

00:04 Pre-Order Debate

00:29 Game Features and Weapons

01:06 Combat Mechanics and Anime Vibes

02:44 Beta Details and Fact Checking

03:32 Monster Hunter World Comparison

06:52 Call of Duty File Size Rant

11:01 Multiplayer Mechanics and Frustrations

22:02 Mario Party Jamboree

33:48 Xenoblade Chronicles Overview

36:31 Discussing Japanese Themes in Wonder Fight God

37:05 Exploring the Halo Series and Its Themes

37:26 Diving into the Xenoblade Chronicles

39:21 Breath of the Wild: Overcoming Challenges

41:23 The Appeal of Mech JRPGs

43:08 Yakuza Series: A Deep Dive

01:00:34 Watching and Playing Recommendations

01:06:39 Dragon Ball Super and Dishonored

01:18:47 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

Join us as we dive into the intriguing world of stealth games, examining their evolution and current state in the gaming industry. From classics like Metal Gear Solid and Splinter Cell to modern pseudo-stealth games like Ghost of Tsushima and The Last of Us, we discuss what makes a stealth game truly memorable. We also review Dragon Ball Sparking Zero, discussing its gameplay mechanics, visuals, and how it compares to other Dragon Ball games. Additionally, we share insights on what we're currently watching and playing, including Baldur's Gate, Lord of the Rings, and more. Tune in for a comprehensive look at gaming and Nerd culture!

00:00 Introduction to Stealth Games

00:46 Nostalgic Stealth Game Memories

03:37 Stealth Mechanics in Modern Games

07:04 Challenges and Rewards of Stealth Gameplay

11:09 Stealth Elements in Popular Titles

13:48 The Future of Stealth Games

29:26 First-Person vs Third-Person Stealth

39:29 Debating Stealth Mechanics in Games

39:55 Miles Morales: Stealth and Invisibility

41:14 Spider-Man Stealth Game Ideas

42:16 Favorite Stealth Games: MGS5 and Splinter Cell

43:04 Konami and Silent Hill 2

43:55 Dragon Ball Sparking Zero: First Impressions

44:46 Gameplay Mechanics and Challenges

46:51 Fighting Strategies and Techniques

56:27 Anime and Manga Adaptations

01:04:31 Dragon Ball Sparking Zero: Visuals and Comparisons

01:07:21 Final Thoughts and Ratings

01:13:39 Podcast Wrap-Up

01:14:12 Introduction and Podcast Naming

01:14:50 What We're Watching: Lord of the Rings

01:15:57 Gaming Adventures: Metal Gear and More

01:16:27 Owl House and Other Shows

01:19:03 Baldur's Gate and Other Games

01:20:02 Ghost of Tsushima and Gaming Tips

01:23:11 Final Fantasy and Other Gaming Highlights

01:29:00 Anime and Manga Discussions

01:37:18 The Proud Family: Worst Friend Group?

01:40:32 Conclusion and Sign-Off

Is HALO back? Is Dragon Ball Z Sparking Zero the best arena fighting game ever made? The Arcade island boys break it all down! Other topics include the enduring charm of Skyrim but we are getting the same bad graphics in star field...Wokeness vs storytelling in games. Finally, the boys wind down the show with their Watch, Play, Vibe list. You might be shocked to see what some of the guys are watching in their free time... 00:00 Is Halo Back? 01:00 Halo's Legacy and Impact 03:35 343 Industries' Challenges 06:03 Halo's Art Style and Mechanics 08:12 Halo Infinite and Player Experiences 23:33 Inclusivity and Representation in Games 27:24 Fan Service and Game Design 36:00 Diverse Characters and Storytelling 38:14 Gaming Brightness Settings: A Common Mistake 38:38 Diversity in Gaming: Sucker Punch's Approach 39:47 Marksman Crusader's Take on Second Son 42:48 Celeste & Representation 44:55 Dragon Ball Z: Sparking Zero Review 54:12 Dragon Ball Daima: New Animation Insights 01:02:00 Watch, Play, Listen: Our Recommendations 01:07:31 Metal Gear Solid V: A Deep Dive 01:13:00 Closing Thoughts and Sign-Off

#HaloStudios

#HaloRebrand

#Haloinfinite

#DragonBallZSparkingZero

#Kojima

#VideoGameDiscussion

This might be the end of Ubisoft and they are blaming gamers? The company that brought you amazing titles such as FarCry 3, Splinter Cell, Rainbow Six, & Assassin's Creed can't seem to get out of their own way. From repetitive formulas across multiple games to the most vanilla "mid" games scubas StarWars Outlaws, Ubisoft has quickly become a meme to gamers in the know. But is it too late.. can they recover and retake their title as a top publisher known for quality and pushing the limits on game design? Lets talk about it here on Arcade Island EP 4!

00:00 Intro

00:08 Ubisoft's Controversies

00:36 Blaming Gamers

02:44 Ubisoft's Recent Failures

03:00 Assassin's Creed Shadows Delay

04:29 Star Wars Outlaws Disappointment

08:25 Watch Dogs Series Analysis

11:51 Cyberpunk and The Witcher Comparisons (CD Project Red)

14:30 Ubisoft's Future

21:22 Sony and Nintendo Pricing Strategies

25:55 Ubisoft's Missed Opportunities

46:18 Link's Personality (The silent Protagonist of Zelda vs FarCry 5)

49:21 Consequences in Modern Games (good vs Evil in video games)

01:00:59 The Evolution of Game Engines

01:07:16 Ownership and Monetization in Gaming (gamers need to get used to not owning games)

01:18:54 What We're Watching and Playing

01:28:56 Final Thoughts and Sign-Off

Horizon Zero Dawn was listed at $20 buck ( or lower on steam) for the last few months but when Sony announced a "remastered" version the price doubled.. Is this because Concord failed? or is this just capitalism... Let's talk about it in this episode of the Arcade Island podcast. wait.. this game is 7 years old.. Why are we remastering a game that looks great??? Unless its to sell the PS5 Pro

The guys break down the recent Switch 2 rumors & recently leaked files.. Will the next switch be a game changer?