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State of the Save
State of the Save episodes
- The Last of Us - Episode 2 (Pittsburgh - Fall)
Summer Games Fest 2026 - All Announcements and Trailers:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1GOaSEL1chVhc7_IyWvlYPhB3rO4hMwCJ4HkZ5hs7Z-E/edit?usp=sharing
LAST CALL FOR RPG SUMMER REQUESTS: https://forms.gle/EscNFfQSHfTR1eMy7
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CW: Discussions of Suicide and Child Death
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We continue our journey west to discuss the bulk of The Last of Us' story, as it takes us from a calm, relaxing journey through Pittsburgh, to a fun trip to school in the Autumn. Except, it isn't fun at all.
Michael sits back as Eric processes playing this game for the very first time, as they break down every masterful piece of worldbuilding and character development.
We also talk about James Bond movies due to the release of 007 First Light, Sayonara Wild Hearts, and, surprise, Resident Evil Requiem
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Next Episode: We finish the game.
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Follow @StateOfTheSave on Instagram and Bluesky for updates; catch streams, clips, and highlights on YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok. Subscribe and leave a review — every rating helps more listeners discover the show.
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Timecodes:
0:00 - Housekeeping: Summer Games Fest and RPG Summer
13:14 - Resident Evil Requiem: Lon Must Die
16:10 - Hitman: Freelancer
18:30 - 007 First Light/2026 Games looking good/James Bond movies
30:55 - The Last of Us
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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
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#videogames #games #gaming #retrogaming #thelastofus #tlou
2 hr 9 min - The Last of Us - Episode 1 (The Opening Hours)
SUBMIT YOUR REQUESTS FOR RPG SUMMER: https://forms.gle/EscNFfQSHfTR1eMy7
Leave it to The Last of Us to completely screw up the naming convention of this show. It's time for a game known for its levity, the legendary The Last of Us. Is it still deserving of its place among gaming's best 13 Years later, or are the cracks starting to show? Find out what we think! (Just kidding, we're hooked!).
Michael also talks about getting Sayonara Wild Hearts for cheap, and eric talks about how Cyclops coming to Marvel Rival has him hopping back in.
Next Episode: We cover until the START of Winter! Stop playing as soon as you have control after the "WINTER" title.
Follow @StateOfTheSave on Instagram and Bluesky for updates; 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 - RPG Summer!
9:48- Sayonara Wild Hearts
20:35 - Marvel Rivals
29:22 - The Last of Us
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
1 hr 54 min - Mortal Kombat II (2026)
SUBMIT YOUR REQUESTS FOR RPG SUMMER: https://forms.gle/EscNFfQSHfTR1eMy7
It's a BONUS SHOW!
GET OVER HERE as we talk about Mortal Kombat II! We were defenders of the first movie, so with everyone saying that this one was the better movie, we decided to add to the discourse.
Speaking of discourse, Eric finished Mixtape, a game that has been the target of some weird online culture war. Is it really worth the debate? FIND OUT!
Next Episode: We FINALLY play The Last of Us. Episode 1 will cover up to when you arrive in Pittsburgh.
Follow @StateOfTheSave on Instagram and Bluesky for updates; 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 - Housekeeping/RPG Summer!
3:30 - Kunistu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
10:04 - Resident Evil Dating Profile
12:20 - Mixtape and the exhausting discourse surrounding Mixtape.
33:15 - Mortal Kombat II
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
1 hr 21 min - Perfect Dark - Part 2
SUBMIT YOUR REQUESTS FOR RPG SUMMER: https://forms.gle/EscNFfQSHfTR1eMy7
State of the Save returns to Perfect Dark to discuss the game's second half, and the wild turns it takes from UFOs and ancient alien wars to Presidential Clones and laptop turrets.
We also talk about our plans for RPG Summer, how we got a working copy of The Last of Us, Pragmata, Stardew Valley Gamestop trying to buy eBay! - There's a lot to cover!
Next Episode: We FINALLY play the Last of Us. Part 1 will cover up to when you arrive in Pittsburgh.
Follow @StateOfTheSave on Instagram and Bluesky for updates; 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 - RPG Summer!
13:10 - Stardew Valley
22:00 - Pragmata
32:49 - Star Fox is back?!
36:50 - Perfect Dark
1:16:30 - The Last of Us Prep
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
1 hr 28 min - Perfect Dark - Part 1
Perfect Dark talk starts at 45:00.
Eric and Michael discuss the first half of Perfect Dark, the Rare N64 Classic that lives between the shadow of two monumental games of the FPS genre: Goldeneye and Halo. Does Perfect Dark earn its place as the 7th highest rated game on Metacritic, or is it the victim of a rapidly changing genre?
We also talk about selling Metroid Prime 4: Beyond to buy better games, if Exodus or The Expanse has the juice to be the next Mass Effect, and......Hello Kitty Island Adventure?
Next Episode: We finish Perfect Dark
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
4:00 - Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
15:25 - Hello Kitty Island Adventure
18:10 - The Witcher 3
27:10 - Metro 2039
32:23 - Exodus and The Expanse
45:00 - Perfect Dark
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
1 hr 33 min - The Big Update Show - Where's the Last of Us Episode?!
The cursed episode of State of the Save is here! Game disc errors, editing software crashes, random mid-show computer updates, it's all here!
We give an update on what happened to The Last of Us episode, as well as make a pivot to our next game, Perfect Dark. We couldn't leave you all hanging, so what we have here is a random episode where Michael gives his final thoughts on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Eric shames the Pragmata subreddit, we talk about our hopes for a Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake, and Michael talks highly of retro gaming's next big trend: decompilation.
Timecodes:
0:00 - Intro
0:40 - WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LAST OF US?!
7:50 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
18:25 - Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake 2026
25:25 - Classic Resident Evil
33:33 - Decompilation and Homebrew PC Ports
50:30: 2026 Games we're excited for
1:14:20 - Perfect Dark Prep
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.
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
1 hr 39 min - Resident Evil Requiem Spoilercast
Resident Evil 9: Requiem is here, and since Eric's copy of The Last of Us is late, we decide to gush over Capcom's newest game in the legendary survival horror franchise. Spoiler Warning around the 15-minute mark onwards, but yeah, we love this game.
Join us next time for The Last of Us Episode 1, where we discuss the game up to when you enter Pittsburgh.
Timecodes:
0:00 - Spoiler Free thoughts on Resident Evil Requiem
14:18 - SPOILER WARNING
14:55 - SPOILERS FROM HERE
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.
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
1 hr 21 min - Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Part 3
Here we go! It all came down to this: ~70 minutes of us talking about the legendary 71 Minute ending to the Metal Gear Solid Saga! Plus, we lay out the future of the show with our next game: The Last of Us!
Prep shows work a bit differently now! Keep an eye out on our socials for a Video Prep Show hosted by Michael, breaking down what you need to know before playing along with us.
Timecodes:
0:00 - Intro/Housekeeping
9:55- Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Act 5 and The Ending
1:37:04 - The Last of Us
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.
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
1 hr 45 min - Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Part 2
It was the best of games, it was the worst of games. The coolest reveals, and the lamest reveals. The best action, and the worst action.
Metal Gear Solid 4 is a tale of two games. What parts do Eric and Michael love and which ones make them wince? FIND OUT!
Timecodes:
0:00 - Intro/State of Play announcements
12:15 - Distant Worlds: Final Fantasy Concert
14:20- Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Act 3
57:25 - MGS4 Act 4
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.
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
1 hr 32 min - Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Part 1
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.
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
1 hr 43 min
About State of the Save
From the publisher's feed
State of the Save is a video game podcast and book club for gamers who love deep discussion. Hosts Eric and Michael play through a single game together and break it down over multiple episodes with spoiler-aware, long-form discussions. Every installment is a deep dive into the games worth talking about: from big AAA franchises like Metal Gear Solid, to indie darlings like Firewatch, to cult classics like Parasite Eve. Perfect for fans of fun, gameplay-rich, story-driven games who want more than a review.
Podcast art by HayleeLeonardArt
© 2026 Eric Suggs & Michael Cutts