Branching Path Podcast

John hosts his first episode, and he asks Kyle some ball-crushingly hard video game trivia questions. He also waxes poetic about some game called Wizardry for PS2 while Kyle quietly shakes his head (you can hear it if you listen closely!)

Branching Path Podcast listeners, come on down! Kyle tries to stump John with 23 of the hardest (testicle) hitting video game trivia questions he could come up with. Will John embarrass himself and reveal to everyone he isn't even a "Real Gamer (TM)"? (They also talk about games they've been playing for the first 30 minutes or so - but don't skip that and go right to the trivia. Please.)

John and Kyle have a wide-ranging discussion about a bunch of different games they've been playing over the past few months, like Pokémon Scarlet, God of War Ragnarok, Ys (Falcom), Vampire Survivors, Stellaris, and Chained Echoes. They have lots of games to recommend! And others to not!

John and Kyle give their hot takes on AI, AI art, and the Mick Gordon/Marty Stratton controversy at id Software over Doom Eternal's music and OST release. It's a heavy one, folks. Strap in.

John and Kyle talk about some of their favorite horror games this Hallowe'en, and examine what aspects of the horror genre they most appreciate and look for in a "horror" game. Kyle also talks about his recent sessions with "Scorned" and "Grounded" - two very, very different games that spooked him in different ways.

John and Kyle went full-bore on Terraria for the past couple of weeks - and they loved it!... mostly. John laments the limits of his turtle build, Kyle loves minion builds, and they both complain about the pillars (and the Moon Lord). Also, The Final Fantasy VII Extended Universe sees it's first death in the family, and God of War: Ragnarok approaches!

John and Kyle discuss video game compulsion, unhealthy relationships to virtual worlds, and what it's like to unplug... for the last time? They also dance around the uncomfortable topic of their official playtime. Because they're ashamed.

John and Kyle talk about their evolving, complicated relationship with Elden Ring (and maybe with Souls games in general?). Then, time for a nostalgic look-back at the PSX-era Final Fantasies - Kyle has strong opinions about FF8, and he's playing FF9 right now.

We kept you waiting for 2 whole months, but it's finally happening (queue Rand Paul meme). John and Kyle give you their unabridged Elden Ring thoughts. Though they both liked it a lot, in keeping with tradition they also have lots of nit-picks and gripes. Get out your bingo cards for such classics as, "F**k that sh!t", "dude that's the worst", and "generic compliment followed by a massive BUT". Enjoy!

John listens to Kyle (mostly) gush about Pokémon Legends Arceus and his childhood Pokémon dreams. Last week's discussion about SoulsBorne games continues with John and Kyle's take on the invasion mechanic, which eventually turns into giddy excitement for Elden Ring.