The Experience Points Podcast

2013 is coming to a close and it was, well, a strange one. As is tradition, it is time to choose and discuss our personal selection of favorite games! Join us this week as we revisit some of this year's best, and be sure to come back next week when we talk about all the big games that didn't quite make our list. Of course we would love to hear from you. What were your top three games of 2013?

Show notes:

- Runtime: 40 min 07 sec

- Music by: Brad Sucks

Santa came early to the Experience Points household and he brought a shiny new PlayStation 4 with him! This week, we dip a toe into the next generation and report back with some early impressions of the new system's controller, operating system, and social features. I don't know if you heard, but this thing also plays games! With this in mind, we share some thoughts on a few of the early releases. As always, feel free to jump into the comments with your thoughts!- Subscribe to the EXP Podcast via iTunes- Find the show on Stitcher- Here's the show's stand-alone feed- Listen to the podcast in your browser by left-clicking here. Or, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format.- Subscribe to this podcast and EXP's written content with the RSS link on the right.Show notes:- Runtime: 37 min 33 sec- Music by: Brad Sucks

The infamous and controversial David Cage of Quantic Dream is at it again! This time, he's got Ellen Page and Willem Dafoe on his side. Is this a huge departure from Heavy Rain? Has Cage achieved his vision? Is Aiden the ghost dad we've always wanted? Join us this week as we explore the "Infraworld" and let us know your thoughts on the game below!

Show notes:

- Runtime: 59 min 42 sec

- Music by: Brad Sucks

It took two months, but we finally did it: Jorge and I both finished Grand Theft Auto V. It was a massive game by any measure: its development time, the scope of its open world, it's sales numbers, etc. This week we devote an entire episode to GTA V's sprawling pseudo-Californian world. We cover everything from targeting mechanics to the game's unrelentingly degenerate cast and throw in some classic open-world stories for good measure. GTA V sparked some strong opinions from us, so we're interested to hear what you thought. Feel free to jump into the comments with your stories from Los Santos.- Subscribe to the EXP Podcast via iTunes- Find the show on Stitcher- Here's the show's stand-alone feed- Listen to the podcast in your browser by left-clicking here. Or, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format.- Subscribe to this podcast and EXP's written content with the RSS link on the right.Show notes:- Runtime: 54 min 52 sec- "Two Important Things GTA V Is Still Getting Wrong," by Kirk Hamilton, via Kotaku- Music by: Brad Sucks

Who let the dog out!? Infinity Award apparently. This week on the podcast, Scott and I are joined by Riley, our lovable canine companion, to discuss Call of Duty: Ghost. This Triple-A behemoth is always worth a visit, and now maybe more than ever. Join us this week to chat about the best new addition to the CoD formula, the political ramifications of "Space Rod Technology", and the death of single-player shooters!

Show notes:

- Runtime: 40 min 46 sec

- Music by: Brad Sucks

Theoretically, sequels exist because we want something familiar. But what exactly are we seeking when we play games that are part of established franchises? Is it the next chapter of an ongoing story, a new adventure for a familiar character, or something more mechanical? This week, we use L. Rhodes' article as inspiration to explore these questions and attempt to suss out the difference between an uninspired rehash and an exciting follow-up. If you have thoughts on this latest installment of our ongoing series of podcasts, feel free to jump in with your comments.

- Subscribe to the EXP Podcast via iTunes

- Find the show on Stitcher

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed

- Listen to the podcast in your browser by left-clicking here. Or, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format.

- Subscribe to this podcast and EXP's written content with the RSS link on the right.

Show notes:

- Runtime: 31 min 18 sec

- "Opinion: Why sequels are sometimes good for gamers — and how they can be better," by L. Rhodes via Polygon

- Music by: Brad Sucks

I ran over a deer today in GTA V and I felt nothing. What monster have a become!? This week on the podcast, we're inspired once again by a Gameological Q&A to discuss our animal-killing ways. Join as we talk about tiger royalty, scarcity, cute baby animals, and so much more. As always, we encourage you to hop into the comments and let us know your strategies for making people feel guilty for the slaughter of digital creatures.

Show notes:

- Runtime: 27 mins 28 secs

- "Why Can't We Be Friends?", via The Gameological Society

- Music by: Brad Sucks

We have plenty of heroes in the video game world, but how many of them are likeable? That's the question the Gameological Society staff recently discussed. We run through their picks and throw a few of our own personal picks in the mix. It turns out that there are plenty of video game heroes that range from a bit annoying to downright terrible. Join us with your picks as we talk about sociopaths, 90s baditude, and the Gorton's fisherman.

- Subscribe to the EXP Podcast via iTunes

- Find the show on Stitcher

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed

- Listen to the podcast in your browser by left-clicking here. Or, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format.

- Subscribe to this podcast and EXP's written content with the RSS link on the right.

Show notes:

- Runtime: 28 min 40 sec

- "The Heroes We Don't Deserve," by via The Gameological Society

- Music by: Brad Sucks

The Master Chief has been floating in space for the past four years, but the entire time, the folks at 343 Industries were busy thinking of ways to reinvigorate the franchise without pissing off millions of fans. This week on the podcast, with a healthy heaping of post-release distance, Scott and I discuss the much anticipated Halo 4. As always, we give ample spoiler warning for those cautious about the narrative, so hop on in and let us know what you thought of 343's first efforts and making Halo their own!

Show notes:

- Runtime: 36 min 58 sec

- Music by: Brad Sucks

Technically, you could play GTA without breaking any laws, but wouldn't that be like playing Mario without jumping? This week, thanks to Mitch Krpata's article about verbs in games, we talk about the gap between the theoretical potential of a game's rules and the practical realities of the actions you can take. Along the way, we do a check in on some recent open world games we've been playing, as that genre seems particularly prone to tension between what you could do and what your available actions steer you towards. We're not here to get in the way of your action, so feel free to jump into the comments with your thoughts.- Subscribe to the EXP Podcast via iTunes- Find the show on Stitcher- Here's the show's stand-alone feed- Listen to the podcast in your browser by left-clicking here. Or, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format.- Subscribe to this podcast and EXP's written content with the RSS link on the right.Show notes:- Runtime: 31 min 28 sec- "Verbs," by Mitch Krpata, via Insult Swordfighting- Music by: Brad Sucks