As 2019 comes to a conclusion Brett and Walker look back over the top 5 games that mattered most to each of them throughout the year. These are the games that Brett and Walker found the most significant, regardless of genre, platform, or release year.

Email the hosts at [email protected]
Music by Misha Zarins https://mekzvsbear.wixsite.com/mekz
Art by Riley O’laughlin [email protected]

Finding a game that you can be fully immersed in is one of the most rewarding experiences in gaming. What builds immersion? What breaks it? Join Brett and Walker as they explore this idea by looking the Far Cry Primal, open world Ubisoft games in general, and more.

Email the hosts at [email protected]
Music by Misha Zarins https://mekzvsbear.wixsite.com/mekz
Art by Riley O’laughlin [email protected]

What does a title do to make you select it out of your Steam library? With such a variety of games to play these days, there are just as many reasons we are compelled to play. Brett and Walker talk about recent games they have been playing and why they find themselves trying in the first place and in some cases going back for more.

Email the hosts at [email protected]
Music by Misha Zarins https://mekzvsbear.wixsite.com/mekz
Art by Riley O’laughlin [email protected]

In a world of games with infinite playability, what constitutes the end of a game? Brett and Walker dive into how they approach sandbox and automation games, followed up with a conversation on how gaming in general can help you have a space to process difficult life situations in a healthy way.

Email the hosts at [email protected]
Music by Misha Zarins https://mekzvsbear.wixsite.com/mekz
Art by Riley O’laughlin [email protected]

Klei Entertainment is a truly unique game developer that has created some of the most charming (yet brutal) games out there, such as Don't Starve and Oxygen Not Included. With an excellent blend of sound and visual design it's almost easy to forget that their games are some of the hardest out there. Brett and Walker love Klei games and have a robust discussion about the various Klei titles on the market.

Email the hosts at [email protected]
Music by Misha Zarins https://mekzvsbear.wixsite.com/mekz
Art by Riley O’laughlin [email protected]

Whether it be character design, watching sims run around the city, or the Zealots ponytail in Starcraft 2 bounce, games are full of enjoyable distractions. Brett and Walker dive into the enjoyable distractions that they lose themselves in while playing games and explore how these elements can be just as important as the core gameplay loops that games are built on.

Email the hosts at [email protected]
Music by Misha Zarins https://mekzvsbear.wixsite.com/mekz
Art by Riley O’laughlin [email protected]

Mobile games account for a significant share of the gaming market these days. Brett and Walker have seen the whole trip from Snake on a Nokia to the modern world of app stores and monetization schemes. Listen in on the conversation about mobile games and why they have mattered.

Email the hosts at [email protected]
Music by Misha Zarins https://mekzvsbear.wixsite.com/mekz
Art by Riley O’laughlin [email protected]

Blizzcon 2019 has generated plenty of buzz with its major announcements regarding Diablo 4, World of Warcraft: Shadowlands, and Overwatch 2. All three franchises are taking some interesting risks that Brett and Walker were eager to discuss.

Email the hosts at [email protected]
Music by Misha Zarins https://mekzvsbear.wixsite.com/mekz
Art by Riley O’laughlin [email protected]

Brett and Walker discuss the immersion of emergent gameplay in games that don't have a strong narrative. To some extent role playing in games that aren't necessarily designed to be RPGs but that are fun to do so in. Walker also shares a story about a faked death in an MMO that included an in game funeral for the fake deceased and a return a later date from the falsely deceased.

Email the hosts at [email protected]
Music by Misha Zarins https://mekzvsbear.wixsite.com/mekz
Art by Riley O’laughlin [email protected]

Minecraft is a wonderful game that is greatly enhanced by mods. Brett and Walker jump into a discussion about Brett's latest Minecraft game and the highs and lows of getting just the right mods. Mods are not exclusive to Minecraft and the conversation about mods looks at mods as a whole and key examples outside of Minecraft where they have added value.

Email the hosts at [email protected]
Music by Misha Zarins https://mekzvsbear.wixsite.com/mekz
Art by Riley O’laughlin [email protected]