Maximum Hearts

We try to have some topics at the ready, but surprise surprise, a big new RPG several of us are playing just eats up most of the runtime. We do find some time to talk about uncomfortable approaches to race in fantasy RPG settings, as well as the news that multiple major gaming expos and events turned out to be COVID superspreaders. But speaking of spreading: have you heard about Baldur's Gate?

We return after several weeks off to talk about some motherlovin' video games, positive changes within Square Enix, and reliable reports (we swear) of new Nintendo and Playstation hardware coming late 2024. Time is an illusion.

It's been a few weeks since our Final Fantasy 16 review, and having had some time to digest Finn and Derek return to talk about if they still feel the same way about the game as they did the last time we heard each.

This is a companion piece to our Pre-Review and Review podcasts, which you should listen to gain the full context of this recording.

Derek, John, and Finn are joined by frequent guest (and podcast friend) Grant Stoner to discuss Final Fantasy XVI (again? surely not?), accessibility in gaming, and the latest verdict in the battle between the FTC and Microsoft.

Finn, John, and CJ share their final thoughts on one of this console generation's most anticipated games yet. Does Final Fantasy XVI soar or stumble? This is a follow-up to our Pre-Review discussion, which together with this Review fully captures the context of our time with the game.

Curious responses on a Capcom investor call lead us to speculate what dormant Capcom games and franchises could see a comeback this generation... although most of it might just be hopes and wishes. Also, we talk about how live service games have broken people's brains, and the futility of trying to develop a Forever Game.

Spoiler alert my good buds: yes they can.

Finn, John, and Derek are a healthy chunk of the way through Final Fantasy XVI, and are ready to begin weighing in on the game. In this "Pre Review" we'll talk about our feelings on the game so far, including story elements, characters, and gameplay. Story details are kept as abstract as possible. Initial impressions may change when it comes time for our final review, which we are aiming to put together as soon as possible.

Thanks to Square Enix for providing us with a review code.

It's Final Fantasy XVI launch day, and somehow the podcast quit playing in order to drag itself together for a show. We talk a bit about what we've been playing (guess what), the death of E3, the projected end of the console generation, and our favorite reveals from Wednesday's Nintendo Direct.

To celebrate the launch of Season 3 of Castle Bravo, we're bringing you an earlier episode where CJ joins Derek and Charlotte to talk about King Kong Escapes. You can find the full library of episodes over on its own feed at Castle Bravo: A Godzillaverse Retrospective.