Wow! Hard to believe we reached a sum total of 50 episodes! 6 out of the 50 have been non-Hall-centric, but to think we've played and covered so many games in the last 3 years is hard to believe. And what an awesome journey it's been as well. Thanks for coming alongside us. To celebrate, we're giving out "Best Of" awards to our Hall of Games entries, crowning only the best of the best. Plus, some trivia to stump Jared! We also discuss Lance Reddick, Fortnite updates, and of course our pick, Vampire Survivors! Here's to 50 more games!

Timestamps:

02:47 - Housekeeping

05:17 - Q: What is the future of the Hall of Games?

11:49 - The Games We Playin'

19:56 - {DEFAULT} - 50th Episode Extravaganza!

21:55 - Best World

35:05 - Best Story

48:37 - Best Art Direction

58:29 - Best Characters

1:12:10 - Best Gameplay

1:24:04 - THE PICK: Vampire Survivors

Our first AAA game of 2023 is one near and dear to Josh's heart. Jared, however, has no deep love for Star Wars or Souls knockoffs. Will Fallen Order, Respawn's first foray into action adventure, be a contender for the Great Hall? Or will the game's elements not come together into a cohesive package worthy of such an honor? Listen and find out! We also discuss gaming's golden age, the tragedy of the Star Wars sequels, and tha games we never finished!

Timestamps:

00:38 - Housekeeping

03:31 - Q: Are we living in gaming's golden age?

12:03 - The Games We Never Finished (NEW!)

25:04 - {DEFAULT} - Can the Star Wars franchise be saved??

41:03 - THE PICK: Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

This week we tackle the wholly original Doki Doki Literature Club!

Timestamps:

05:45 - Housekeeping

07:37 - Q: Fiction vs. nonfiction

15:10 - The Games We Playin'

26:44 - {DEFAULT} - Anti-bucket list items

35:13 - THE PICK: Doki Doki Literature Club

1:27:05 - Jared's Poetry Corner

I cannot explain how glad I am to have tricked Jared into playing Inside--and I'm even more glad at the episode's results! Some of the best episodes are the most surprising ones. Inside resides in a haunted part of our souls, so listen as we break down what makes this delightfully unnerving experience a classic. We also chat about Jared's racism, Valentine's Day plans, game-to-TV adaptations, and a lot of Games We Playin!

Timestamps:

04:20 - Housekeeping

08:08 - Q: Valentine's Day preferences and plans

12:50 - The Games We Playin'

41:53 - {DEFAULT} - Game-to-TV adaptations: predictions, hopes, and pipe dreams

53:51 - THE PICK: Inside

This episode's topic is one long in the making--we FINALLY cover Deathloop! With a presence more powerful than Black Adam, Deathloop made its mark with the way it struck gamers with either immense love or the depths of hate. Jared (disclaimer: he gets motion sick with FPS games lulz) and Josh have takes that may surprise you. We also discuss what we're most excited for in 2023 (so much yet to come!), what we want done with our bodies when we die, and of course, ELDEN RING.

Timestamps:

02:45 - Housekeeping

08:32 - Q: What should be done with our bodies after we die??

13:25 - The Games We Playin'

36:11 - {DEFAULT} - Our Top 5 Most Anticipated 2023 Games

1:08:16 - THE PICK: Deathloop

2:16:41 - Deja Vu

A new year, a new look and sound! Enjoy the aesthetic updates while we chat through our picks for Game of the Year! Here's to an exciting 2023!

Timestamps:

00:40 - Housekeeping

04:38 - Listener email!!

11:45 - The Games We Playin'

45:50 - {DEFAULT}: 2023 hopes and dreams

52:49 - GOTY Awards

55:15 - Biggest Moment award

1:12:15 - Most Frustrating Moment award

1:24:29 - Best AAA Game award

1:32:50 - INTERLUDE

1:33:44 - Best Indie Game award

1:43:59 - Best Story award

1:49:00 - Best Character award

1:56:03 - Most Addicting award

2:01:40 - Most Disappointing award

2:08:00 - Best Music award

2:11:38 - Game of the Year Award

A GOTY contender is on the chopping block! Will Jared and Josh's affinity for From Software get in the way of this evaluation? Does Ragnarok's PS4 roots keep it from new heights? Ragnarok is a powerful contender, but the Hall of Games is sacred indeed! Listen and hear Jared and Josh's reasoning for their decision!

TIMESTAMPS:

00:35 - Thanksgiving chat

06:55 - Housekeeping

08:50 - Q: Game Award winner predictions

25:03 - Tha Games We Playin'

35:30 - {DEFAULT}: Is gaming a weaker storytelling format?

50:17 - THE PICK - God of War: Ragnarok

Forbidden West is up next on the chopping block. Can the sequel to one of Jared and Josh's most-praised games make it into the esteemed Hall? Has enough changed / improved, or no? Listen to see!

TIMESTAMPS:

00:35 - Housekeeping

02:29 - Q: favorite soda?

07:33 - Tha Games We Playin'

16:12 - {DEFAULT}: Is the world we live in unfair?

25:30 - THE PICK - Horizon: Forbidden West

Jared and Josh reunite after some time off for another episode! This time, we discuss the controversial remake of Link's Awakening. Released in 1993, has too much time passed to enjoy this old Game Boy original? The 2019 version may be pretty, but it is still the original at its core. Or has Nintendo updated enough and softened its edges enough to make it a timeless classic? Perhaps the most zany Zelda game, and Jared's 3rd so far--listen and see if it makes it into the Hall of Games! Plus: Jared is back in Connecticut, Josh is rehearsing Shakespeare, and we FINALLY chat Horizon Forbidden West!

TIMESTAMPS:

04:45 - Housekeeping

06:12 - Q: favorite theatre production?

15:55 - Tha Games We Playin'

35:22 - {DEFAULT}: Jared Lore

42:57 - THE PICK - Link's Awakening (2019)

Returnal has a loop unlike any other; what else would you expect from Housemarque? Its slick colors, intense difficulty, and rewarding gameplay all come together into one vibrant PS5 package, but is it enough to allow it entry into the Hall of Games? How come Jared is so much better at this game than Josh is?! Plus--poopy pants, the dreamscape, and Mario Kart DLC!

TIMESTAMPS:

00:30 - Housekeeping

03:22 - Q: so scared we soiled ourselves?

10:03 - Tha Games We Playin'

15:42 - {DEFAULT}: What are dreams??

24:49 - THE PICK - Returnal