Option Menu Crew Podcast

On this episode, we continue our on-going discussion of monetization systems in the video game industry (from a consumer standpoint). We focus on Downloadable Content (DLC), season passes, expansions, and a little bit on microtransactions.

We discuss our thoughts and feelings on current industry practices, and discuss how we think things should be. Our primary question is what is fair and acceptable for consumers and developers and publishers.  

At the start of the episode, we briefly review our thoughts on the recent Playstation State of Play and the Pokemon Presentation.

Instead of doing a typical GAME OF THE YEAR! list or discussion, we go over the most notable games the crew played in 2020, regardless whether they came out that year or not. Discovering new fun video games, no matter the release date, is something to celebrate. In addition, we go over our thoughts on gaming in 2020, and for fun, we each make our own Gaming New Year's Resolution.

On today's episode, we go over our thoughts on the story and gameplay of The Last of Us Part 1 & 2, and yes, it's FULL OF SPOILERS.

We discuss the current state of multiplayer games, what we enjoy about multiplayer games, our personal preferences and issues with them, along with a wish list of features we hope to see more platforms and games take advantage of in the future.

We kick off a series of episodes in which the crew discusses their thoughts on the many aspects of the way video games are monetized. This episode starts us off with discussion subscriptions in video games. More specifically, we focus on the services allowing us to play libraries of games, rather than any one particular title. The likes of Xbox Game Pass, Playstation Now, and Nintendo Online are discussed by the crew, with pros, cons, and concepts for improving or expanding subscriptions.

On this episode, we pick up from our previous discussion of the Resident Evil series. We focus on our favorite (and least favorite) characters, along with sharing our thoughts on how we would like Resident Evil: Code Veronica to hopefully be remade someday.

One of has a Playstation 5 and Oculus Quest 2, but we've been playing new games on new hardware (in one form or another).

Games mentioned on the episode: 

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2

Crash Bandicoot 4: Its About Time

Spyro Reignited Trilogy

Fire Emblem Three Houses DLC Expansion: Cindered Shadows

Rachet and Clank (2016)

Half-Life Alyx

The Room VR: A Dark Matter

Spider-Man Miles Morales

BugSnax

On this episode, we discuss how video games can affect mental health, and the many aspects that go into this very nuanced topic.

On this episode, we discuss the video game series Resident Evil. We share our history with series, discuss the various game elements that make the series special to us, and dissect the features. Also, we get into what we would do to remake several of the games that haven't been remade yet.  We had so much to say that we decide to pick up the conversation in an upcoming follow-up episode. Like the zombies of the series, this conversation will be coming back to life!

On this episode, we talk video games that both use an anime art style, or are based off existing anime series. We talk our history with them, the evolution of the art as gaming generations progressed, and what dream anime games we'd like to see in the future.  

Get some recommendations on good games that just so happen to use Anime art styles:  

Disgaea series (Strategy RPG)

Odin Sphere Leifthrasir (Sidescroller RPG)

Asura's Wrath (Action)

Gravity Rush 1 and 2 (Action Adventure)