Welcome back to The Games That Made Us! This week, we are joined by The Mancunian Nightmare to talk about the game that left an indelible mark on his gaming journey: Final Fantasy VIII.

We discuss everything from unwrapping a PlayStation 1 on Christmas 1999 to the unforgettable music, the evolution of Squall's character arc, the intricacies of the GFs and combat mechanics, and why this atmospheric JRPG holds a permanent place in our hearts. Tune in for a fantastic retro gaming trip down memory lane!

In this episode of The Games That Made Us, we take a nostalgic look back at Phantasy Star Online with veteran player Gunblade Lad. We explore the massive undertaking of getting online during the dial-up and broadband adapter era, the differences between offline and online play on the Dreamcast and GameCube, character classes, rare item hunts like the Twin Chakrams, and the enduring legacy of a true pioneer in online console gaming.

Tune in for an incredible dive into one of gaming's greatest cult classics!

In this episode of The Games That Made Us, we take a nostalgic trip back to the 1996 PlayStation classic, Resident Evil. From discovering the game through grainy magazine screenshots to the absolute terror of the first zombie, we unpack everything that makes the original survival horror icon so legendary. We discuss inventory management, classic puzzle design, the haunting save room music, memorable boss fights against Plant 42, and our thoughts on the wider franchise and future adaptations.

Tune in as we sit down with David from the retro gaming channel Game in Time to explore how this defining title shaped a whole generation of horror fans!

• 00:00 – Introduction: UK weather, getting hooked on Resident Evil via 90s magazines, and the Alone in the Dark connection

• 03:33 – The Blockbuster weekend rental experience & playing without a memory card

• 07:15 – Growing up on horror films vs. video game violence

• 11:35 – Mechanics, fixed camera angles, and mastering inventory management

• 18:25 – The legendary soundtrack, dog footsteps in the halls, and soothing save room themes

• 21:30 – Iconic enemies: Plant 42 and the terrifying Hunter introduction

• 32:15 – Narrative style, B-movie inspirations, and X-Files vibes

• 38:10 – Sequels: Why Resident Evil 2 and 3 redefined the series

• 43:30 – Survival horror in VR (Resident Evil 7 & Half-Life: Alyx)

• 51:15 – The future of Resident Evil, upcoming movie adaptations, and final thoughts

• 56:00 – Outro & checking out David's channel, Game in Time

In this episode of The Games That Made Us, we sit down with Momentus to unpack the monumental legacy of Final Fantasy VII. From finding the game on late-90s PC and PlayStation physical copies without a memory card, to the magic of Nobuo Uematsu's soundtrack, the intricacies of turn-based JRPG mechanics, and the complex psychological layers of Cloud Strife, we cover it all. Plus, a trip down memory lane comparing the classic PS1 trilogy and discussing why the original still holds a crown above the remakes!

• 00:00 - Welcome & Guest Introduction

• 00:21 - Discovering FF7

• 02:45 - Visuals & The Legendary Score

• 06:40 - The Guard Scorpion & Difficulty Spikes

• 10:10 - World-Building & Comparing the PS1 Era

• 12:56 - The Enigma of Cloud Strife

• 16:38 - Original vs. Remake

• 21:35 - FF8, FF9, and FF10 Memories

• 26:15 - Wrap-up: The Games That Define Us

Join us on this episode of The Games That Made Us as we sit down with guest Swishbone to discuss the iconic arcade light gun game, Time Crisis. We dive into the nostalgia of the arcade scene in the late 90s, the thrill of the peripheral’s signature kickback, and the technical challenges of bringing the arcade-perfect experience to the PlayStation 1 at home. From mastering the foot-pedal mechanics to the "drip" of the legendary boss, Wild Dog, we break down why Time Crisis remains a cornerstone of retro gaming and how its fast-paced design influenced our approaches to later action titles

The Game That Changed Everything | The Games That Made Us: Ep. 1 (feat. Nilsia)What was the exact moment video games evolved from a simple hobby into a legitimate art form?In the premiere episode of The Games That Made Us, I sit down with Nil to look back at the legendary 1998 masterpiece, Metal Gear Solid on the original PlayStation.From a pre-internet, two-year search just to find out what the game was called, to having his mind completely blown by Kojima's cinematic storytelling, Nil shares how Solid Snake completely redefined his perspective on gaming forever. We dive into the emotional weight of Sniper Wolf's defeat, the fourth-wall-breaking genius of Psycho Mantis, and the fascinating dynamic of revisiting classics as an adult versus experiencing them as a kid.If you grew up in the 90s console era or just appreciate masterclasses in game design, this one is for you.

new episode FRIDAYS!