In recent years the 'deck builder roguelike' has become a crowded genre unto itself. One that Josh and Bryan really enjoy! While cards make a great framing device for a roguelike, In this podcast Bryan and Josh look at the roguelikes that take their inspiration from other games at the casino in our first 'Casino Cast' featuring Dicey Dungeons and Luck be a Landlord!

Three Word Reviews:

Dicey Dungeons:

Bryan - Generously Crafted Roguelike

Josh - A Paradise Lost

Luck Be a Landlord:

Bryan - Second Screen Sensation

Josh - Fast Slots Jackpot

For this podcast Bryan, Josh, and Clint don their best shiny green power armor and launch into a wide-ranging discussion of the entire run of the venerable FPS franchise, Halo! At first we thought we might revisit Halo: Combat Evolved since we were nearing the 20th anniversary. Then we thought we’d add in a discussion on Halo: Infinite since it has made waves with Bryan and Clint recently. Finally the crew made the decision to “Finish the Fight” and touch on the rest of the franchise as well. So listen in to a podcast we’re calling Halo One to Infinity!

Three Word Reviews:

Bryan - War Never Changes

Josh - The Gold Standard

Clint - Halo is Infinite

Show Notes:

Vice’s Halo Oral History

VG Dunkey’s Praise of the Grappeling Hook

If you have followed indie games at all over the course of the past several years, then odds are you have played or at least heard of Outer Wilds. A school project that became a Seaumas MacNally Grand Prize recipient at IGF in 2015, and then went on to be one of the most critically acclaimed games released in 2019. The team at Mobius Digital deserve every bit of that praise they received, because Outer Wilds is a truly special game. With superb physics simulation, an engrossing and complex mystery to solve, and a strong aesthetic and sonic style it punches well above its weight class as a first outing from a new studio. Bryan and Josh loved this game, and played right before the release of Echoes of the Eye, so that is not covered (though maybe we’ll revisit!).

Three Word Reviews:

Bryan - The Big Question

Josh - Wander the Yonder

Show Notes:

Epic’s Payouts to developers for their free games program

Story about an astronaut and cosmonaut who became friends

1927 Paramount Studio Map Of California Filming Locations That Look Like Foreign Countries & Regions

Card games and the secluded wilderness seem like a natural fit. You’re out camping with your friends, the day is over and everyone is gathered around the fire. Someone pulls out a deck of cards…

…or … after your long day of hiking you pass out and are suddenly awakened in a mysterious cabin with nothing but a strange glowing pair of eyes beckoning you towards your first hand of a card game that may be your last.

Inscryption’s framing device is certainly evocative, but its far from the most interesting thing about the game. We’ll say no more here, but listen in for Josh and Bryan’s spoiler-filled discussion on the indie game sensation, Inscryption!

Three Word Reviews:

Bryan - A Gimmick Transcendence

Josh - Fire Embers Ash

Show Notes:

Waypoint’s Inscryption Stream

In 2021 when Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy launched for PC and current gen consoles, Bryan was experiencing a bit of Marvel fatigue. This made him initially skeptical when Clint urged him to play the latest Marvel video game property, saying it was one of his top games of the year. After learning more and seeing it was a linear 3rd person single player-focused action game (an increasingly rare genre these days), Bryan joined Clint in playing the game and absolutely loving it. Guardians of the Galaxy earns its place among the best games of 2021 by moving away from the MCU’s well trodden territory and blazing new trails for the members of Star Lord’s team. Combine that with subtle narrative, mechanical, and thematic interplay and you’ve got yourself a special game. Listen in to hear what made Clint and Bryan enjoy this game so flarking much!

Three Word Reviews:

Bryan - Flarking Good Time

Clint - True GOTY 2021

Show Notes:

List of Licensed Music in GotG

Music:

Everybody wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears

Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley

Don’t Fear the Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult

Space Riders with No Names by Star Lord

Zero to Hero by Star Lord

In 2008, Turtle Rock studios brought a new kind of multiplayer experience to video gaming with Left 4 Dead. You and your friends took control of a group of four survivors and try to navigate a world overflowing with undead in a chaotic first person cooperative campaign. Thirteen years later and Turtle Rock are revisiting the idea with Back 4 Blood. We found that it iterated on the formula nicely in some places, and seems to have lost the plot a bit in others. Additions like the deck management system give character creation a bit more depth, while inattention to the personalities of the Cleaners removes some of the charm present in its predecessors. Overall its a great cooperative experience, so listen in as Bryan, Josh, and Clint talk through their experiences with Back 4 Blood.

Three Word Reviews:

Bryan - Satisfying Soulless Successor

Josh - Wrong Lessons Learned

Clint - Team Building Exercise

In 2019, Asobo Studio released A Plague Tale: Innocence, a story about a brother and sister navigating a plague and war torn 14th century France. Just months later the world would experience its own major pandemic event. For months after that Bryan and Clint had put off playing A Plague Tale, but during the Fall of 2021 they managed to play through and both are extremely happy they did. Providing a affecting emotional story (with a few supernatural elements to spice things up), A Plague Tale pulls off a cohesive blend of stealth, combat, and drama. Come for the gorgeous visuals of the French countryside, but stay for the story about how family, and found family, can make all the difference in an overwhelming world. Listen in for Bryan and Clint’s takes on A Plague Tale: Innocence and why they are excited for whatever’s next for this series and its studio.

Three Word Reviews:

Bryan - Sling Into Action

Clint - Beauty in Bleakness

Someone’s murdered Paradise and Bryan and Josh are on the case! Paradise Killer literally drops you into the shoes of Lady Love Dies, who is investigating one of the most bizarre and otherworldly mysteries that one could imagine. The game immediately sets you free to explore a city full of convoluted history and conspiracy, dripping in sun-drenched style, and set to the tune of a relaxing and evocative soundtrack. Kaizen Game Works first outing is not a perfect game, but it is an excellent ride that you’re sure to remember for the setting alone. Listen in as Bryan and Josh investigate what makes Paradise Killer a mystery to remember.

Three Word Reviews:

Bryan - What Main Quest

Josh - Vaporwave Occult Banger

Show Notes:

Vaporwave artist Saint Pepsi

Japanese City Pop

Japanese City Pop Example - Mariya Tekuchi - Plastic Love

Paradise Killer’s ‘killer’ OST

Join Bryan and Clint for a podcast on the latest game from Arkane Studios, Deathloop! It has all of their Arkane favorites: flavorful distinctive environments, a deep intriguing backdrop, and interlocking systems of stealth, combat and exploration to name a few, but it also brings plenty of new ideas all its own. Whether you’re breaking the loop or protecting it there’s plenty to love on the island of Blackreef. So pull up a chair, or perhaps, join us in our 70’s style conversation pit to hear how Deathloop weaves style, action, and unpredictability into an intoxicating new type of immsersive sim.

Three Word Reviews:

Clint: Mastery Through Repetition

Bryan: Save Scumming, Defeated

Its that spooky time of year and everyone playing games is looking for something to match the spirit of the season! The latest entry in Capcom’s long running, and often remastered Resident Evil series is Resident Evil Village. Clint, a longtime Resident Evil fan, and Bryan, a relative newcomer, both weigh in on the merits and shortcomings of this 2021 release. Sticking with the first person perspective from RE7, Village takes Ethan winters to a remote European hamlet where he squares off against four lords to save his kidnapped daughter. Well… there’s a bit more to it than that, but you’ll have to listen in to find out!

Three Word Reviews:

Bryan - A Horror Buffet

Clint - RE8: Identity Crisis