The Chompcast

What the hell, Fish? You decided to leave us alone this week while we recorded the podcast? How could you do this to us? We talked about real-life scenarios in video games and if they are more affecting, but you weren’t even there to weigh in on that. It really hurts, man. On top of that, we had our wonderful Chompers weighed in with some tasteful and interesting perspectives, but you weren’t there to hear them. The polls were fun as always, but you were off gallivanting around, traipsing off to Montana to go to some wedding or something. Well… I hope that you’re at least here next week. We missed you. No one can fill your shoes.

This week we discuss what causes some old games to hold up and others to feel like last year’s sack of crap. Join us to hear Morgan be wrong, Fish make metaphors out of the unmetaphorable, Josh be an asshole, and Shea wander off to swipe right.

Show times:

Intros - 0:27

How Games Hold Up - 14:39

Listener Comments - 48:35

Weekly Polls - 1:22:53

TGS! Spiderman! Playstation Classic! Moral choices! All that and more are featured in this week’s episode of the Chompcast. We discuss some of the most difficult moral choices that we have made in gaming to date. With the return of Shea, we finish the Playstation Classic conversation as we eagerly await subsequent announcements of what games will be on the system. We manage to fit in some last-minute Spiderman conversation. We catch up with Shea, as he spent last week at Tokyo Game Show. We end the show with the Patreon shout-outs to our lovely subscribers. Thank you to you, the listener, and chomp on!

Intro: 0:27

PS1 Classic discussion: 11:01

Moral Choices in Gaming: 31:56

Social Media: 1:03:18

Spiderman: 1:23:15

Patreon Shout-outs: 1:56:56

Tokyo Game Show discussion: 2:04:03

This week we Rich Meister drops by to discuss the PS1 titles we’d like to see on the Playstation Classic.

There comes a time in life when change happens. It is inevitable, as the universe continues to expand and increase in entropy. Some people attempt to avoid it at all costs. Other embrace change and dive headfirst, looking for new opportunities. What’s for certain is that it cannot be stopped; change happens.

The turn of the seasons, aging, sublimation. Change is constantly occurring. What about change makes some people resistant and others ecstatic? Is it the thought of a new start is both comforting and frightening? Is a change to the norm really that terrible? Are the opportunities offered by change that enticing and valuable? Are we sounding pretentious enough by asking these pseudo-existential questions?

Change is the name of the game of this week for the Chompcast, as we discuss changes in video game franchises, having been prompted by the recent announcement of boss battles being introduced in the Assassin’s Creed franchise. We change the format up a bit this week as we decide to have a friendly 2-on-2 debate about whether change is good or bad for video game franchises. Next, we reach into our proverbial media bag and yank out some responses to the week’s question, along with results from the polls. Morgan and Shea briefly discuss their time with No Man’s Sky. Last, we had the pleasure to get early access and work on the entertaining Flamberge, a not-yet-completed game from developer HYDEZEKE.

We want to give a special shout-out to Michael Savage-Benoist to giving us early access to Flamberge. Be on the lookout for this game as HYDEZEKE continue to work on it and get it out as soon as possible!

Show Sections and Times

Intro - 0:27

Show Topic: Change in Video Game Franchises - 21:10

Community Comments - 1:25:10

Morgan and Shea talk NMS – 1:43:40

Flamberge - 1:50:40

Do you long for the simpler times, a simpler taste, simpler packaging, and simpler "food" preparation? Take a leisurely stroll from your freezer to the microwave, and bask in its glow while General Mountain Time's Fish Flavored "All" "Fish" Fish Sticks take a leisurely stroll round and round inside. In just one, short minute your leisurely stroll will end in flavor town.

General Mountain Time's Fish Flavored, "All" "Fish" Fish Sticks
Now with 19% more "Fish"

Throwing a big party for the big game, a small party for the small game, or a solo party for that big promotion you got by neglecting everyone who used to love you? Need the guests to say "wow" without the wallet saying "ow?" Bring home a sack of the only snack that fits that bill.

General Mountain Time's Fish Flavored, "All" "Fish" Fish Sticks
"Fish" tested, Fish "approved"

This week we talk about locations in games, the Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay trailer, and Disenchantment. Enjoy the show.

Steam pours through the open entrance arch of a bustling train station. The thick miasma concealing anyone who wishes from the notice of prying eyes.

Morgan steps onto the platform, and scans the faces of passengers boarding the midnight train. Craning his neck above the crowd, he makes eye contact with Josh who is leaning against a wall watching the exit. Josh touches the brim of his hat in return, and he goes back to pretending to read his paper.

A short man with a brushy moustache puts on his shabby bowler as he hurries out of the station to catch a cab.

"Not him," Josh thinks.

A well dressed business man barrels through a family, knocking a small girl sprawling over her rolling suitcase, and steps directly into the cab hailed by the moustached man.

"Not him."

A blue haired old lady grasps the handrail with both hands, and shakily steps onto the train.

Morgan leers, trying to see her face more clearly. "Just an old bat; not him."

The whistle blows, and the last passenger runs to board. Morgan grabs him by the arm and spins him around to see his face.

"Not him."

"You dropped your ticket" Morgan says, and hands him the ticket he had just lifted from the man.

"Thank you, sir" he says, and rushes through the closing train doors.

The few remaining stragglers shuffle off to their respective destinations. Josh neatly folds his paper, and walks to the canteen as the smoke and steam (no longer being stirred by determined feet) begin to fall back to rest on the station floor.

"Barkeep. Scotch." Josh sighs as he hoists his carcase onto a barstool.

"Rocks?" the barkeep asks, and Josh glares back disappointedly.

"Will I need them?"

The barkeep chips a large, basically clear, chunk of ice off a large block, and puts it in the glass. He pours a malnourished finger of whisky into the glass, and slides it across the counter.

"Thanks... Rich." Josh says, looking at his name tag.

After taking a piss, Morgan joins Josh at the bar swirling his glass in attempt to water it down further. Morgan raises a finger at the barman and says "whatever's cheap."

"I can't believe we missed him, Josh." Morgan says, checking his fly, "He's one slippery... uh-"

"Fish?"

"What? Uh, yeah."

"How do we miss a bastard in a red trenchcoat?"

"I don't know, but I do know he didn't get on a train. He must have got through your way."

"Sure he did, Morgan. He sure couldn't have snuck past under your perceptive gaze"

Rich brings a clean but scratched and worn glass full of what smells like cleaner, and he sets it in front of Morgan. Morgan takes a large swig, and exhales in a growl to recover from the taste.

"Looking for a Filipino in a red trenchcoat, huh?" Rich asks, wiping down the bar.

Josh, his chin resting on the counter, looks at him through his drink and raises an eyebrow.

"I don't recall saying he was Filipino."

"That's right, mister," Morgan says. "What do you know about it?"

"He got a big hat, a small beard, and black glasses?" Rich continues.

"You seem awfully well informed, Richard." Josh says as he sits up straight and eyes the man.

"I see what I see."

"I see," says Josh. He pushes a larger bill than his glass of swill deserves into Rich's palm.

"I saw the guy come through here earlier. He kept looking over his shoulder... you should too."

"What's that?" Morgan says putting his hand on his hip, letting his coat fall open enough for Rich to see his gun holstered inside.

"Naw, naw, naw... Turn around, genius." Rich says, nodding back towards the station.

Josh swivels around on his stool.

There, through the plate glass window, lies Fish, asleep on a wrought iron bench that was covered by the thick smog until now.

This week on the Chompcast we discuss the sequels we wish beyond hope to see. Enjoy.

Money, money, money. Money was the topic of the Chompcast this week as we discuss effective ways to game on a budget. We squeeze in some gaming talk with Dead Cells and Fallout 4. We discuss our social media polls, alluding to a stream of No Man’s Sky this past weekend. Come join us as we help you be frugal in your gaming exploits.

While Shea is out trying to have the summer camp experience all the movies told him about, the rest of the Sword Chomp crew debate early access. We have been playing a recent notable example, Dead Cells. Our initial impressions, spirited debate about early access, and enough No Man's Sky love to fill a ten hour show are headed straight to your eardrums with intent to kill. Enjoy the show.