Next Gen Basecast

It’s time for our annual recap of the year in gaming, and we’re going to do it the only way we know how – with a bunch of awards!

Today’s list includes the categories of Best Looking, Most Disappointing, and Best “Old” Game, so without any more meandering, let’s get on with it!

BEST LOOKING GAME

A couple of contenders for this crown, with Gari saying about God of War: God of War is not only the best looking game of 2018 but one of the best looking games we’ve ever seen in gaming. The art that has been created for the world you dive into with Kratos and Atreus is simply stunning in every way. Everything in the game has been crafted with such love that it shines through in the game. Detailed environments, incredible animations and an overall crafted world that we’ve never seen in a video game before. Breathtaking. However, there was really only one winner to come from this, with an unbelievable open world being created with the type of intricate detail normally reserved for small, linear games, and that game is…

WINNER: RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2

Jonny: Almost unnecessarily detailed, and a world as real as there’s ever been in video games., and it’s hard to disagree. A world that has been polished to within an inch of its life, it’s a game that demands that you pay attention to it, while also allowing you to soak in the atmosphere and take it steady.

Kieran: Red Dead Redemption 2 offers an open-world that’s seldom seen in games these days. The attention to detail in this game is next to none and it all equates to a world that genuinely feels alive. From its sprawling vistas to its lived-in towns, RDR2 showcases one of the most realistic open-worlds that I’ve ever seen in a game. It truly is stunning.

Deb: Playing Red Dead Redemption 2 is without a doubt one of the best cinematic experiences from this years game releases. From the very start, the world is one of the most realistic I have seen so far, from the snowy opening to the vast landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see, it is a stunning and beautiful visual masterpiece. The attention to detail that is found in every nook and cranny is amazing, and all I have found myself doing is pitching up in perfect spots and staring out at the landscapes before me in awe, taking in that moment of tranquility, the story itself can always wait a bit more!

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

This one was a runaway category really, it breached both “Worst Game” and “Biggest Disappointment” all in one. But let’s take a look at the other nominations:

Andy: The constant push for games as a service and the additional post launch monetisation.

I get it, game development is expensive and I’m getting old with less expendable time but, good lord – there is literally no time in a calendar year to dedicate oneself to games like Destiny 2, RDR Online, Fortnite and others and get maximum enjoyment, and the constant push to monetise these games post launch makes players feel like they’re missing out. Hell, even Splatoon 2 had post launch content added FOR FREE and I STILL feel like playing that properly is a second job! Games should be fun, but the constant nickel and diming and “games as a service” threatens to turn players into workers rather than thrill seekers…

Robin: Starlink

For a title that was meant to revive the dying toys-to-life genre, Starlink has been an abject failure. The most disappointing aspect of the title though, seems to be that it isn’t an awful game – it has just been saddled with an awful set of toys. Most people I know who have played it think the game is decent, but don’t want the high price tag and don’t want to collect another series of toys, just to play the title. If released as a low-pricepoint, standalone game, this could have been ok.

Ben and Kieran are your voices this week, with them discussing:

The Game Awards!

Fortnite!

The Epic Games Store!

Starlink!

Hitman 2!

Red Dead!

The Pathless!

Ben’s cat!

And More!

As ever, like share and subscribe, we’ll see you next week!

NOTE FOR LISTENERS: We initially had a better one liner planned for the title but it was too expensive to write. We aren’t planning on doing anything about it.

In this edition of the podcast, Ben and Jonny have a chat about videogame related stuff such as:

* Hitman 2!

* Fallout 76 and its bags!

* Playstation Classic!

* Superman!

* Agent!

* …and more!

Don’t forget to subscribe and drop us a review on your podcast app of choice!

Ben, Kieran and Jonny get together in a belated episode 144 of the Next Gen Basecast!

We talk about Hitman 2, Battlefield V, Fallout 76, Tetris Effect and MORE! For more bantz, get subscribed and drop us a review on iTunes!

Andy and Jonny get together to talk about the weeks gaming news, including:

* Fallout 76

* Mother Russia Bleeds

* Destiny 2

* Flat pack furniture and meatballs

* Hatstands

* Emulation

* Spider-Man

* PUBG on PS4

* Abzu

* Nintendo Online

* Smite and Paladins

* Command and Conquer

* E3 2019

* Detective Pikachu

* The Witcher

Ben, Jonny and Kieran get together in episode 142 of the Basecast and discuss the world in gaming right now, including:

Red Dead 2! (Still)

Hitman 2!

Tetris Effect!

Diablo Immortal!

Your Questions!

Be sure to share and subscribe, and we’ll see you next time!

Join Ben, Andy and Jonny for this week’s Next Gen Basecast! They talk about:

Red Dead Redemption 2! (obviously)

Diablo 3 on Switch!

Football Manager 2019!

Grip: Combat Racing!

The tiny PlayStation!

And more!

As ever, drop us a review on iTunes, subscribe and tell a friend, and we’ll see you next week for more!

Episode 140 of the Next Gen Basecast sees Ben, Gari and Kieran talking about things that aren’t Red Dead Redemption, but not a whole lot… Including:

Red Dead Redemption 2 Reviews!

Hitman 2!

Fortnite! (Yep, Kieran’s involved)

Overwatch Lego!

More Red Dead!

FIFA and PES updates!

Don’t forget to pop over and give us a like and a review wherever you listen to us and we’ll see you next week!

Ben’s back in the host’s chair and on the verge of sacking Andy this week – But before that happens, we talk about:

Call of Duty!

Laser League!

Destiny 2!

F.E.A.R!

Rockstar Games!

GamesMaster and GamesTM

Ben’s on holiday, so Andy rebelliously takes the reigns of the podcast! Joined by Jonny and Kieran, it’s time for chaotic ramblings on subjects such as:

* Fortnite

* Assassins Creed Odyssey

* Quantum Break

* Streaming games

* Guacamelee! 1+2 on Switch

* Everyone’s playing Super Mario Party

* Switch Online NES games

* The Walking Dead – The Final Season

* Motorbikes in No Man’s Sky

* Metal Gear Solid 2 & 3 go back compatible

* Assassins Creed Odyssey Microtransactions

* 100Gb-gate

* Rez and Lumines “full body experiences”

* Phone fingers?

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, drop us a comment and review on iTunes, and we’ll see you next week!