Maximum Hearts

We break down the best announcements of Playstation's recent, Japanese-dev-oriented State of Play stream. Spoiler alert, anime fans are eating good. Also, John reports back on multiple recently released (and soon to be released) Square Enix published projects.

Look we talk about a couple things this episode but inevitably this is a big ol' episode mostly about Elden Ring. Fated to be one of the most consequential releases of the generation before it was even out, everybody has a take now that it's in their hands.

With the release of the final Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster, John and Finn sit down and mull over how the project as a whole has turned out, and where things might go from here.

One of the year's most anticipated games is already upon us. Does Elden Ring stumble or soar? Will this game break through to people who have bounced off of From's earlier games, or is it just red meat for the crowd? John has been playing the game nonstop for the past week, and Derek and Finn have questions.

Thanks to Bandai Namco for providing us with a review code in order to cover the game.

This week we discuss the mystery Capcom countdown and what it could be leading up to, and discuss the wide-reaching consequences of Nintendo shutting down old eShop stores and what can be done in the face of losing digital games.

Finn and John join up to discuss the merits of Techland’s new zombie parkour open world sequel Dying Light 2. How did Finn enjoy the game? Did it stack up against the original? Finn gushes about all of those and more in our official SDGC review.

We're joined by friend of the show (and original Gamedad) Josh aka Anoriand to talk about this week's Nintendo Direct, and the roughly seven thousand JRPGs that will be dominating out backlogs for years to come.

Finn sits down with Hunter Bond and Mike Ducarme from Berzerk Studio about their upcoming game Infernax, inspired heavily by black sheep NES titles like Zelda 2 and Castlevania 2.

Playstation buys Bungie and everyone is losing their minds. The consolidation fever is spreading in this industry and it's driving everyone mad. John actually thinks Bandai Namco is getting bought by anyone. Also, with the launch of Pokemon Legends Arceus, one of gaming's biggest franchises is finally shaking up its formula. For better or for worse? Time will tell.

Finn cracks open Dying Light 2 to walk us through the first experience of getting into the hotly anticipated sequel. What's clicking for us on that all-important first session, and what's falling flat? This is a big game, and we're far from done; full review to come later.

Special thanks to Square Enix and Techland for providing a code for our review.