Gametalk

Episode 172

It has been over two years since Sony purchased Bungie for 3.6 billion dollars in an effort to bolster its live-service efforts, and the results have been...less than stellar. Now in the wake of mass layoffs, we take stock of where Bungie is as a studio and discuss why their crown jewel, Destiny, has lost much of its luster. We also discuss Bungie's now-uncertain future, and how Marathon may hold the key to their survival. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (A Plumber For All Seasons, Linkito, Super Mario Odyssey). This episode was recorded in August 2024. Royalty free music from BenSound.

Questions or comments? Check us out on Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Bungie Downsizing and The Current State of Destiny

7:58 - The Acquisition

13:20 - Marathon and Sony's Ill-Advised Pivot

20:26 - Bungie and Destiny's Uncertain Future

33:14 - Bungie's New Splinter Studio and Bloated AAA Dev Times

38:52 - A Plumber For All Seasons

42:55 - Linkito

48:26 - Revisiting Super Mario Odyssey

Episode 171

As of July 29, 2024, the Xbox 360 marketplace has shut down, marking the end of a historic run in the console space. Now at the end of the 360 marketplace's near-twenty year run, we look back fondly on our memories of the 360 and discuss some of the games that shaped our teenage years. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (No Man's Sky, Cataclismo, Mario Tennis). This episode was recorded in July 2024. Royalty free music from BenSound.

Questions or comments? Check us out on Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - 360 Memories, Offline Consoles, Xbox Live

24:10 - Graphics, Kinect, 360 Hardware, Game Shoutouts

43:21 - No Man's Sky

46:09 - Cataclismo

49:18 - Mario Tennis

56:43 - The Controller Debate

Episode 170

Though not our platform of choice, mobile gaming is far and away the largest sector of the games industry. Today, we discuss the current state of mobile gaming, the economics of mobile games in contrast to the rest of the industry, and the future of gaming on mobile devices. As always we conclude with the games we're playing (EA Sports College Football 25, No Man's Sky, Slay The Spire, FIFA 22). This episode was recorded in July 2024. Royalty free music from BenSound.

Questions or comments? Check us out on Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Mobile Gaming in 2024 and AAA Games on iPhone

20:28 - The Economics of Mobile Gaming vs The Rest of the Industry

32:04 - Microtransaction Practices Popularized By Mobile

45:20 - Netflix and Mobile Games

53:37 - Skibidi Tangent

57:11 - EA Sports College Football 25

1:08:04 - No Man's Sky

1:10:28 - Slay The Spire

1:16:10 - FIFA 22

1:19:51 - PICO-8 Fantasy Console

Episode 169

Microsoft has announced a slew of changes for Xbox Game Pass, including a price increase and changes to their day-one offerings. In today's episode, we do a deep dive into Xbox Game Pass and its value, and discuss Microsoft's ever-evolving strategy for the service. As always, we conclude with the games we are playing (Elden Ring, Teardown). This episode was recorded in July 2024. Royalty free music from BenSound.

Questions or comments? Check us out on Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Gamepass Deep Dive and Price Increase Analysis

25:03 - Lack of PC Parity for Gamepass Games and the Future of Gamepass

36:10 - Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree

45:12 - Teardown

47:00 - Game Development and Learning to Draw

Episode 168

With the year (somehow) already over halfway over, we reflect back on the big games of 2024 and talk about what excites us in the latter half of the year. As always, we conclude with the games we are playing (Myst, Noita, Elden Ring). This episode was recorded in July 2024. Royalty free music from BenSound.

Questions or comments? Reach out to @PodcastGametalk on Instagram, Twitter, or Tiktok

Timestamps:

0:00 - Notable Games of 2024 So Far

18:55 - 2024 Casualties

23:40 - Looking Ahead to the Rest of 2024

36:32 - Myst

43:57 - Noita

50:04 - Elden Ring - Shadow of the Erdtree

Episode 167

Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree is finally out, and once again developer From Software shows everyone that they are in a league of their own. Today we discuss the masterful DLC - we talk spoiler-free impressions, our characters' journeys to the DLC, and spoilers up to where we currently are in the game. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (X4: Foundations). This episode was recorded in July 2024. Royalty free music from BenSound.

Questions or comments? Check us out on Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Shadow of the Erdtree Initial Impressions (Spoiler-Free)

6:39 - Journey to the Shadow Realm

17:02 - Controversy Surrounding the DLC

23:40 - Shadow of the Erdtree Discussion (SPOILERS)

54:11 - X4: Foundations

58:25 - Testing FSR 3.1

Episode 166

Summer games season comes to a strong close with Nintendo's (presumably) last Switch-centric Nintendo Direct - and they certainly close things out on a high note. From Zelda to Metroid to Mario & Luigi to Dragon Quest, there seems to be something for just about everyone in this packed games showcase. In today's episode, we discuss all the games shown at the Nintendo Direct. As always, we conclude with the games we are playing (Linkito, Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak). This episode was recorded in June 2024. Royalty free music from BenSound.

Questions or comments? Reach out to @PodcastGametalk on Instagram, Twitter, or Tiktok

Timestamps:

0:00 - Mario & Luigi: Brothership, Nintendo World Championships NES Edition, Fairy Tail 2, Fantasia Neo Dimension

6:22 - Nintendo Switch Sports Basketball, Neo Memories in Orbit, Disney Illusion Island, Hello Kitty Island Adventure

11:45 - Looney Tunes Wacky World of Sports, Among Us, Farmagia, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

21:24 - Dragon Quest III HD 2D, Funko Fusion

30:57 - Luigi's Mansion 2 HD, The New Denpa Men, Metal Slug Attack Reloaded, Darkest Dungeon II

39:02 - Nintendo Switch Online Update, Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero, Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics, Super Mario Party Jamboree

45:01 - The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Just Dance 2025, Lego Horizon Adventures, Stray

51:17 - Tales of the Shire, Ace Attourney Investigations Collection, The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy, Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven

55:52 - Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Final Nintendo Direct Thoughts

1:04:13 - Linkito and Next Fest June 2024 Games

1:08:52 - Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak and Shadow of the Erdtree Hype

Episode 165

June is always a festive month for games announcements, and this year is no different. Today, we discuss Summer Games Fest 2024 and Ubisoft Forward, and offer our impressions on all the games shown. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Civilization VI, Monster Hunter Rise). This episode was recorded in June 2024. Royalty free music from BenSound.

Questions or comments? Check us out on Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - LEGO Horizon Adventures, Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions, Cuffbust, No More Room In Hell 2

8:53 - Civilization VII

15:07 - DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO

21:03 - Batman: Arkham Shadow, Monster Hunter Wilds, Metaphor: ReFantazio

29:47 - Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind, Phantom Blade Zero, The Fist Descendant, Slitterhead, Skate

36:09 - Dune: Awakening, Cairn, Wanderstop, Sonic X Shadow Generations, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Palworld

47:33 - Neva, Black Myth: Wukong, Killer Bean, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess and Final SGF Thoughts

55:41 - Star Wars Outlaws, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake, Assassin's Creed Shadows

1:04:11 - Everything Else at Ubisoft Forward

1:13:52 - Civilization VI

1:20:58 - Monster Hunter Rise

Episode 164

In the midst of the summer games frenzy, Xbox delivers what could be their most impressive showcase ever. Today, we discuss this historic Xbox showcase and all of the games that were shown. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Enshrouded, Alan Wake 2: Night Springs). This episode was recorded in June 2024. Royalty free music from BenSound.

Questions or comments? Check us out on Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Overall Impressions of The Xbox Showcase

3:46 - Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Doom: The Dark Ages

12:52 - State of Decay 3, Dragon Age: The The Veilguard

23:09 - Starfield: Shattered Space, Fallout 76: Skyline Valley, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

30:20 - South of Midnight, World of Warcraft: The War Within

35:02 - Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater, Sea of Thieves, Flintock: The Siege of Dawn, Age of Mythology: Retold

40:07 - Perfect Dark, Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred, Fable

48:13 - Fragpunk, Winter Burrow, Mixtape, Microsoft Flight Simulator

52:25 - Life is Strange: Double Exposure, Indiana Jones and The Great Circle

59:41 - Mecha Break, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, Avowed, Atomfall, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

1:05:26 - Gears of War: E-Day and Final Thoughts on Xbox

1:11:24 - Enshrouded

1:16:19 - Alan Wake 2: Night Springs

Episode 163

Summer is just around the corner, and that means "E3" season is here! While E3 may be gone, the Summer Games Fest lives as its spiritual successor; and Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo all have games to show as well. In today's episode, we discuss last week's PlayStation State of Play and make predictions for the upcoming Nintendo, Microsoft, and Summer Games Fest showcases! As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Monster Hunter Rise, Assassin's Creed III, Destiny 2). This episode was recorded in June 2024. Royalty free music from BenSound.

Questions or comments? Check us out on Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Concord First Gameplay Trailer

6:27 - God of War Ragnarok PC and FSR 3.1

12:46 - Discussing State of Play Games

28:26 - Monster Hunter Wilds First Gameplay Trailer

36:31 - Astro Bot Announced

45:43 - Xbox Showcase Predictions

56:37 - Nintendo Showcase Predictions

1:04:19 - Summer Games Fest 2024 Predictions

1:13:13 - Monster Hunter Rise

1:18:47 - Assassin's Creed III

1:29:04 - Destiny 2