The GameClub format has returned! It's time that we wrapped up the Metal Gear saga with Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. This conversation covers the game's FIRST TWO ACTS!

We briefly talk about the games we played over the Holiday break, with Michael talking about the flawed but ambitious Shadows of Doubt and the insane highs of completing Death Stranding 2: On The Beach. Eric also shares his time with Battlefield 6.

Timecodes:

0:00 - Intro

2:00 - Death Stranding 2

3:45 - Shadows of Doubt

7:50 - Battlefield 6

9:45 - Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater

11:05 - Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Follow @StateOfTheSave on Instagram and Bluesky for updates, and catch streams, clips, and highlights on YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok. Subscribe and leave a review—every rating helps more listeners discover the show.

It's time for our End of the Year Holiday Special!

Join State of the Save, as we break down our favorite games of 2025, our personal Game Awards highlights, and the game's we're looking forward to most next year.

Also, our GameClub format returns in 2026! Join uas as we finish our multi-year long Metal Gear saga with Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots!

Want to play along:

Finish ACT 2 by the next episode!

Follow @StateOfTheSave on Instagram and Bluesky for updates, and catch streams, clips, and highlights on YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok. Subscribe and leave a review—every rating helps more listeners discover the show.

This week on State of the Save, Michael and Eric dive into two famously ambitious but undeniably flawed games: Hulk for the PlayStation 2 and Obsidian’s cult-favorite spy RPG Alpha Protocol. From chaotic superhero destruction to branching espionage gone off the rails, both titles spark a deeper conversation about what makes broken-but-bold games so fascinating.

Michael also shares his time with Guilty Gear Strive, exploring its insane characters and bonkers style, along with the surprisingly deep Kirby Air Riders. Eric checks in with an update on his growing CloverPit addiction and how it’s shaping his week in gaming, and his return to Night City in Cyberpunk 2077.

Looking ahead, our next episode will be our annual Holiday Special, where we break down our favorite games of the year and highlight the releases that defined our 2024 playlists.

Then, starting in January, we’re bringing back the classic GameClub format for a full three-part deep dive into Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Just like our earlier GameClub series, we’ll take the game section by section, analyzing story beats, gameplay systems, major themes, standout moments, and the legacy it left behind.

Follow @StateOfTheSave on Instagram and Bluesky for updates, and catch streams, clips, and highlights on YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok. Subscribe and leave a review—every rating helps more listeners discover the show.

Timecodes:

0:00 - Intro

4:02 - Guilty Gear Strive

15:03 - Kirby Air Rider

21:30 - Cyberpunk 2077

30:20 - CloverPit

37:47 - Hulk (2003)

1:00:33 - Alpha Protocol

1:23:40 - Game of the Year Show/METAL GEAR SOLID 4!

In this episode of State of the Save, Michael finally plays Halo 3: ODST… but before he can even talk about the game, he drops a long-kept secret about his personal history with the Halo franchise that changes everything.

Eric takes on Return of the Obra Dinn, the critically acclaimed investigative adventure from Lucas Pope. With its meticulous logic puzzles and unforgettable art style, it pulls him in like a gripping mystery novel he can’t put down.

The guys also delve into the 2025 games they missed, along with the 2026 games worth looking forward to, the ways Call of Duty Black Ops 7 falls short, and Michael’s sudden obsession with Hypnospace Outlaw.

To wrap it up, they trade picks for the next episode—two flawed but fascinatingly ambitious games from the PS2/Xbox 360 era.

Follow @StateOfTheSave on Instagram and Bluesky for updates, and catch streams, clips, and highlights on YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok. Subscribe and leave a review to help more listeners discover the show!

Timecodes:

0:00 - Intro

3:15 - Call of Duty: Black Ops 7

9:00 - 2025 Games as the year wraps up

19:30 - Final Fantasy XVI

21:20 - Hypnospace Outlaw

31:54 - Return of the Obra Dinn

55:10 - Halo 3: ODST

1:30:15- Michael's Pick for Eric

1:34:30 - Eric's Pick with Michael

Michael and Eric return for another episode of State of the Save, diving deep into two wildly different retro experiences. Michael takes on Metal Gear Acid for PSP—a tactical, card-based spin on the Metal Gear Solid series with a plot twist no one will see coming. He also celebrates rolling credits on Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles and admits to falling into Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate thanks to some questionable impulse control.

Meanwhile, Eric embraces the Halloween spirit with Haunting: Starring Polterguy, a Sega Genesis cult classic full of ghoulish humor and haunted hijinks. He also shares his thoughts on Ninja Gaiden 4, exploring how it stacks up to the series’ legendary past.

To close out the episode, the duo trade picks once again—this time featuring a spooky ghost-ship mystery and a game from one of Eric’s favorite series.

Follow @StateOfTheSave on Instagram and Bluesky for show updates. Watch full episodes, clips, and live playthroughs on YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—every rating helps more gamers discover the show.

Timecodes:

0:00 - Intro

3:03 - Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles

13:30 - Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate

16:55 - Ninja Gaiden 4

27:05 - Outer Wilds 2 looks interesting/Obsidian Games

35:22 - Mass Effect Andromeda

40:19 - Haunting: Starring Polterguy

58:30 - Metal Gear Acid

1:13:35 - Eric's Pick with Michael

1:23:28 - Michael's Pick for Eric

Eric and Michael revisit the golden PS2 era with two very different titles: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, the groundbreaking Ubisoft action adventure, and The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age, EA’s cinematic RPG with, perhaps, too many ties to the legendary film trilogy.

In this episode of State of the Save, the hosts explore what made these games unforgettable, from fluid parkour mechanics and movie-licensed storytelling to the signature early-2000s style that defined the generation. Eric shares his frustrations with Xbox’s new pricing model, while Michael returns to Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, reflecting on an unfinished journey from his youth.

The episode also set up the next Game Trade, where Eric challenges Michael to test out a spin-off of one of his favorite series, and Michael introduces Eric to a spooky Sega Genesis game perfect for Halloween season.

Follow @StateOfTheSave on Instagram and Bluesky for show updates. Watch streams, clips, and highlights on YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—every rating helps us bring you more gaming podcasts, reviews, and retrospectives!

Timecodes:

0:00 – Intro

1:45 – Xbox Game Pass Price Increase

15:55 – Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles

37:05 – Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

49:50 – The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age

1:16:08 – Michael's Pick for Eric - A Spooky Sega Genesis Game

1:20:55 - Eric Bullies Michael into playing a spin-off

Music:

Jungle Mood — Peyruis [Audio Library Release]

Music provided by Audio Library Plus

Watch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/AE4AWGTNa-A

⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Download / Stream: ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://alplus.io/JungleMood⁠⁠⁠⁠

Metro — Scandinavianz [Audio Library Release]

Music provided by Audio Library Plus

Watch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/NPKwINq8D_4⁠⁠⁠⁠

Free Download / Stream: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://alplus.io/metro⁠

It’s game swap time on State of the Save! This week, Eric planet-hops his way through Super Mario Galaxy, while Michael battles against the AI in NFL Blitz 2001 to figure out how the classic football game cheats.

In a fun twist, the guys swap unexpected picks—Eric hands Michael an RPG, and Michael drops Eric into a once-beloved franchise that’s due for a comeback.

Along the way, they dive into nostalgic discussions about two iconic retro titles: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Halo 2. If you love classic Nintendo and Xbox games, quirky game swaps, and deep-cut gaming conversations, this episode has it all.

Follow @StateOfTheSave on Instagram and Bluesky for show updates. Watch streams, clips, and highlights on YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—every rating helps us bring you more gaming podcasts, reviews, and retrospectives!

Timecodes:

0:00 – Intro

2:00 – The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

11:35 – Halo 2

16:15 – Super Mario Galaxy

27:40 – Retro Game Talk

32:40 – Back to Mario Galaxy

35:30 – NFL Blitz 2001

50:25 – Michael’s pick for Eric

53:08 – Eric’s pick for Michael

Music:

Jungle Mood — Peyruis [Audio Library Release]

Music provided by Audio Library Plus

Watch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/AE4AWGTNa-A

⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Download / Stream: ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://alplus.io/JungleMood⁠⁠⁠⁠

Metro — Scandinavianz [Audio Library Release]

Music provided by Audio Library Plus

Watch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/NPKwINq8D_4⁠⁠⁠⁠

Free Download / Stream: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://alplus.io/metro⁠

Michael takes on Resident Evil: Revelations while Eric dives into Ace Combat: Assault Horizon—and the results are hilarious, confusing, and surprisingly deep. In this episode of State of the Save, the guys trade games in another Game Swap, share their takes on the latest Nintendo Direct announcements, and dig into Gears of War: Reloaded with some personal stories along the way.

If you love retro games, classic franchises, and modern gaming deep dives, this episode has it all:
Nintendo Direct Recap — surprises, highlights, and big reveals
Resident Evil: Revelations — Michael’s baffling experience with the survival horror spin-off
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon — Eric’s unexpected existential journey through the skies
Gears of War: Reloaded — gameplay talk, nostalgia, and personal lore

Follow @StateOfTheSave on Instagram and Bluesky for updates, and check us out on YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok for streams, clips, and more gaming shenanigans.
Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—it helps us bring you more gaming podcasts, reviews, and retrospectives!

Timecodes:

0:00 - Intro

2:10 - Nintendo Direct

14:03 - Chibi-Robo

17:08 - Gears of War: Reloaded

27:55 - Ace Combat: Assault Horizon

42:45 - Resident Evil: Revelations

58:45 - Eric's pick for Michael

1:01:02 - Michael's pick for Eric

Music:

Jungle Mood — Peyruis [Audio Library Release]

Music provided by Audio Library Plus

Watch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/AE4AWGTNa-A

⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Download / Stream: ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://alplus.io/JungleMood⁠⁠⁠⁠

Metro — Scandinavianz [Audio Library Release]

Music provided by Audio Library Plus

Watch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/NPKwINq8D_4⁠⁠⁠⁠

Free Download / Stream: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://alplus.io/metro⁠

It’s time for our very first Game-Swap! Michael dives back into his Blockbuster rental nostalgia with Project: Snowblind, while Eric realizes the crew of Final Fantasy XV feels a lot like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in black coats.

The swap continues with a portable spin-off and a questionable Call of Duty clone that alienated a fan base. Plus: Michael shares why UFO 50 is his current obsession, and Eric breaks down his excitement for Battlefield 6 after an intense Beta Weekend.

If you love retro games, shooters, and discovering hidden gems, this episode is packed with laughs, hot takes, and plenty of nostalgia.

Follow @StateOfTheSave on Instagram and Bluesky for podcast updates, and check us out on YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok for streams, clips, and more gaming shenanigans!

Timecodes:

0:00 - Intro

2:40 - UFO 50

13:20 - Battlefield 6 Beta

26:00 - Looking forward to Metal Gear Solid Delta

33:50 - Project: Snowblind

46:45 - Final Fantasy XV

1:00:20 - Michael's pick for Eric

1:05:50 - Eric's pick for Michael

Music:

Jungle Mood — Peyruis [Audio Library Release]

Music provided by Audio Library Plus

Watch: ⁠⁠https://youtu.be/AE4AWGTNa-A⁠⁠

Free Download / Stream: ⁠⁠http://alplus.io/JungleMood⁠⁠

Metro — Scandinavianz [Audio Library Release]

Music provided by Audio Library Plus

Watch: ⁠⁠https://youtu.be/NPKwINq8D_4⁠⁠

Free Download / Stream: ⁠⁠https://alplus.io/metro

The horrors persist, but SO DOES STATE OF THE SAVE, with a new, sustainable show format.

Hosts Eric and Michael reunite to swap video games they want the other to experience, bringing fresh perspectives, laughs, and plenty of friendly debate.

In this comeback episode, we:

If you love gaming podcasts, video game reviews, retro gaming discussions, and genuine co-op chemistry, you’ll feel right at home.

Follow @StateOfTheSave on Instagram and Bluesky for show updates, and catch us on YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok for streams, podcast clips, and other schenanigans.

Welcome back. It's been a while. Let's have some fun.

0:00 - Intro

4:54 - Games we played on hiatus

39:25 - Explaining the new format

41:50 - Michael's pick for Eric

46:28 - Eric's pick for Michael

Music:

Jungle Mood — Peyruis [Audio Library Release]

Music provided by Audio Library Plus

Watch: ⁠https://youtu.be/AE4AWGTNa-A⁠

Free Download / Stream: ⁠http://alplus.io/JungleMood⁠

Metro — Scandinavianz [Audio Library Release]

Music provided by Audio Library Plus

Watch: ⁠https://youtu.be/NPKwINq8D_4⁠

Free Download / Stream: ⁠https://alplus.io/metro