Gametalk

Episode 222

From sequence breaks to randomizers to bingos, alternative ways to play are a great way to breathe new life into a game. What are some of our favorite ways to play, and what games do we enjoy playing in non-traditional ways? As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Monster Hunter Wilds, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Battlefield 6 (Beta)). This episode was recorded in August 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase.

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

Or email us at [email protected]

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

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

6:49 - Playing Games in Non-Traditional Ways

33:39 - Monster Hunter Wilds

48:32 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

54:54 - Battlefield 6 (Beta)

Episode 221

Battlefield is back with a vengeance! We played the highly successful beta and talk about how we enjoyed it and compare it to previous Battlefield entries. We then go on to reflect on other betas we have enjoyed over the years. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Donkey Kong Bananza). This episode was recorded in August 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase.

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

Or email us at [email protected]

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

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

16:38 - Battlefield 6 Impressions and Battlefield History

55:50 - Thoughts On Betas

1:14:21 - Donkey Kong Bananza

1:19:10 - Dungeon Crawler Carl

Episode 220

It's no secret that we at Gametalk (2/3 of us at least) are huge fans of FromSoft and Hidetaka Miyazaki. Today, we dive into our history with Miyazaki's games, and discuss what makes his projects so special. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Factorio). This episode was recorded in August 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase ([email protected]).

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

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

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

8:33 - Dark Souls

19:38 - Demon's Souls and Miyazaki's Earlier Games

28:44 - Dark Souls II and FromSoft DLC

36:24 - Bloodborne

44:12 - Dark Souls III and Déraciné

53:10 - Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

59:16 - Elden Ring

1:08:00 - The Duskbloods and Miyazaki's Future

1:12:47 - Factorio

Episode 219

We (or at least 2/3 of us) are big fans of Hideo Kojima. Between Metal Gear, Death Stranding, and P.T., he has cemented himself as one of gaming's true auteurs. Today, we dive into our history with Kojima's games, and dissect his unique brand of weird genius. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Donkey Kong Bananza, Abiotic Factor). This episode was recorded in July 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase ([email protected]).

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

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

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

1:41 - Our Fist Exposure to Kojima

14:04 - Kojima's Older Games and the Konami Fallout

25:42 - "Modern" Kojima

40:17 - Kojima's Quirkiness and his Future Projects

58:40 - Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

1:01:35 - Donkey Kong Bananza

1:08:39 - Abiotic Factor

Episode 218

In a controversial move, Steam has delisted scores of adult-themed games, spurred by external financial institutions to remove games deemed inappropriate. Is this move justified, or is this a slippery slope to something more sinister? As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Warframe, Donkey Kong Bananza). This episode was recorded in July 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase ([email protected]).

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

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

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

3:40 - Steam Delists Adult Games / Thoughts on Censorship

40:27 - Warframe

48:53 - Donkey Kong Bananza

Episode 217

It's hard to believe, but we are already over halfway through 2025, and what an eventful year it's been! Today, we look back at some of this year's standout titles, and look ahead to what we're anticipating in the back half of 2025. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Deltarune, Satisfactory). This episode was recorded in July 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase ([email protected]).

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

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

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

8:11 - Our Favorite Games of 2025 So Far

23:55 - Reflecting on Switch 2 and Mario Kart World

31:18 - Big 2025 Games That We Missed

38:02 - Upcoming 2025 Games We're Most Excited For

56:13 - Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

1:15:15 - Deltarune

1:27:44 - Satisfactory

1:32:49 - Closing Banter

Episode 216

Microsoft has laid off over 9000 employees, heavily crippling and outright killing some of their Xbox studios. Today, we discuss this tragic layoff, examining the ramifications for Xbox and where this leaves them in the broader games industry landscape. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Monster Hunter 4U, Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach). This episode was recorded in July 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase ([email protected]).

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

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

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

6:21 - Microsoft Layoffs and AI Ambitions

12:51 - Perfect Dark Canceled and The Initiative Closed

17:46 - Everwild Canceled and Rare Crippled

28:29 - Project Blackbird Canceled

32:55 - John Romero's New Game Canceled and Turn 10 Cut Down

38:53 - Halo and Call of Duty Studios Have Layoffs

53:59 - Monster Hunter 4U, Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, and Monster Hunter Wilds

1:05:55 - Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

1:18:32 - Streamer Support for Texas Flooding

Episode 215

Games like Phasmophobia, Lethal Company, and most recently, Peak, are indie projects with proximity chat-based multiplayer that seem to go viral thanks to the unpredictable and hilarious nature of playing these games with your friends. Today, we dive into these "friendlike" games and discuss what makes them tick, and why they seem to do numbers that punch way above their weight. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Monster Hunter Wilds, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33). This episode was recorded in July 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase ([email protected]).

Apologies for the slight audio syncing issues and lack of video - there were some technical hitches with this week's recording.

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

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

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

7:52 - "Friendlikes"

41:30 - Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

1:03:48 - Monster Hunter Wilds

1:15:41 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Episode 214

We're back after a three week hiatus, and there is much to discuss! Between Summer Games Fest and PlayStation and Xbox's showcases, there are a slew of games that caught our eye. This is also the first episode released after the Nintendo Switch 2 launch, so we dive deep into our first impressions with the new console and discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Mario Kart World, Pokémon Scarlet, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, PEAK, The Headliners). This episode was recorded in June 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase ([email protected]).

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

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

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

4:07 - Summer Games Fest Highlights

17:24 - State of Play Highlights

29:02 - Xbox Showcase Highlights

42:20 - Nintendo Switch 2 Impressions

1:01:39 - Mario Kart World

1:15:32 - Pokémon Scarlet

1:22:48 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

1:27:34 - PEAK

1:30:57 - The Headliners

Episode 213

Once in a generation, a video game comes along that reminds the industry what a game can be - a magnificent synthesis of art, technology, and passion that can have a profound effect on the player. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of those video games, and it is our privilege to discuss this masterpiece today. We discuss the game in its entirety, spoilers and all. This episode was recorded in June 2025. Intro and outro music composed by Lorien Testard and owned by Sandfall Interactive.

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

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

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

5:42 - SPOILERS - Discussing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33