Hopped-Up Gaming: East

December is Game of the Year homework month! In an effort to try and mix up our GOTY formula a bit, we're addressing an issue we've been feeling with the process, which is that we never actually get to talk about the games on the GOTY double header, we're too busy arguing with each other and plotting coups (and getting drunk).

So to help fix that, we're spotlighting 2 games each week in December, giving us time to just chill and shoot the breeze about some of our favourite games of the year, without the pressure of trying to force a vote before one of us passes out at our desks or run the risk of going so long that we cant post the episode on Spotify (yes, its possible, we've done it).

This week, the games on the docket are Dave The Diver and RoboCop: Rogue City. Tune in and find out what we thought, and why we think they were something special this year.

"A podcast is never late, nor is it early, it arrives precisely when the editor remembers to upload it!"

December is Game of the Year homework month! In an effort to try and mix up our GOTY formula a bit, we're addressing an issue we've been feeling with the process, which is that we never actually get to talk about the games on the GOTY double header, we're too busy arguing with each other and plotting coups (and getting drunk).

So to help fix that, we're spotlighting 2 games each week in December, giving us time to just chill and shoot the breeze about some of our favourite games of the year, without the pressure of trying to force a vote before one of us passes out at our desks or run the risk of going so long that we cant post the episode on Spotify (yes, its possible, we've done it).

This week, the games on the docket are Cocoon and Chants of Sennaar. Tune in and find out what we thought, and why we think they were something special this year.

The gang has clearly learned nothing from last week, because they left Ben and Tim unsupervised, AGAIN.

At this point they really can't be held responsible for what happens.

Beer Discussed:

Biere De Garde - Boxing Rock

Winter Beard Double Chocolate Cranberry Stout - Muskoka Brewing

Leviathan Triple IPA - Propeller Brewing Co

Someone left Ben and Tim unsupervised around the mics again, and wouldn't you know it those scamps have gone and recorded a podcast episode.

They also somehow managed a conversational leap from the Game Awards to signing a pact to watch two of the saddest movies on the planet together. They're still not sure how that happened exactly so you'll just have to listen and find out so you can tell them over at bit.ly/hoppedupdiscord! Beer This Week: Galaxy - Propeller Brewing Co. (GEE WHAT A SHOCKER, TIM)

Lindemans Raspberry/Cherry Lambics

Ben finally snapped and kidnapped all of his friends and forced them to play Baldur's Gate 3 with him. He's not a total monster though, he allowed them to take a break... and then forced them to use that break to record this week's podcast episode! They all told him they had a real fun time though so I'm sure it's fine.

Now officially graduated from Slasher School, the gang collectively takes a beat to put their feet up and shoot the breeze with a Regular Show about all of the things they've been playing. Evan finally puts Starfield to bed, Ben and Tim talk Star Trek games both new and old, and the whole gang has gone to a deep dark place with Alan Wake 2.

Featured Beer: Space Puffin - Banished Brewing

Tim's IPA - Big Spruce

In the blood curdling final session of Slasher School, Tim serves up a double header of Wes Craven meta-slashers with New Nightmare and Scream. It's a mind bending ride that's full of ups and downs and unexpected twists, including a surprise appearance from... Chad Kreuger? You may need to see it to believe it, so go ahed and hop on into our discord at bit.ly/hoppedupdiscord, we have such sights to show you! Match of the Batch Theme: "What's Wes Cravin'?"

Classes are back in session as Professor Tim serves up another killer selection of required viewings, this time it's Friday The 13th Part VI: Jason Lives followed by Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street.

Will Ben, Dylan, and Evan survive another session of Slasher School? You'll have to tune in to find out! For next week, Slasher School goes meta! Our homework for the final episode will be a Wes Craven double header, Wes Craven's New Nightmare, and Scream!

Professor Tim takes the gang to Slasher School and teaches the gang what makes slasher movies tick and why he likes them so much. On the syllabus this week, Halloween (1978) and Friday the 13th, two of the most seminal flicks to the genre. We're also doing special Match of the Batch contests for each Slasher School, this week's prompt was "Behind the Mask". If you wanna follow along, next week's readings are A Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives!

Now that our vacation in Silent Hill is over, the gang gets back together for a good old fashioned Regular Show (TM) and shoots the breeze about what they've been playing and watching over last month or so. We also have surprise guest appear just in time for Tim to tell us what dastardly plans he has for us this month. Topics Discussed (roughly in order of appearance):

Ahsoka

Talk To Me

Gen V

Mortal Kombat 1

Cocoon

Chants of Sennaar

Blasphemous 2

Lies of P

Sea of Stars

Starfield

Goodbye Volcano High

Alan Wake