The Last King Podcast

Bleeding Edge is the latest videogame from Ninja Theory, the studio behind Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice and DMC. It's a multiplayer-only team-based melee/shooter game released this year in late March. Set in the year 2057 as society struggles to exist in a dystopian and corporate world. Entertainment and survival coexist in televised battles to the death. It is here that Daemon and his team of augmented combatants form the Bleeding Edge!

On the surface, it's Smash TV for the current generation, and with the pedigree of Ninja Theory, there is a high expectation for the game. And with publisher Xbox Game Studios behind the team, will this be the hit multiplayer game of 2020?

And in our main segment, we review Resident Evil 3, the remake of the 1999 Capcom classic, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. Following the success of last years, Resident Evil 2: Remake. We expect the same level of detail and enhancements that made that game such a runaway hit. While the original RE3 did receive mixed reviews back in the day, fans are eager to see how Capcom can take the franchise to new heights. Especially with the games legendary antagonist Nemesis, who ranks among some of the greatest videogame villains of all time.

Still, fans are worried that a year to develop a game might not be enough time to release a product of quality. And with several insider leaks and reports revealing specific cost-cutting measures to meet deadlines. Is the new game going to live up to the expectations set forth by Capcom, or will lofty ambitions crush it?

Half-Life: Alyx has arrived ushering a new wave of triple-A VR games. It's a prequel set before the events of Half-Life 2. Following protagonist Alyx Vance on her journey through the dystopian remains of City 17. Developers promise a new way to play with the game solely released on VR. And while there have been several attempts to push the technology. It still feels like many of them are just banking on the gimmickry overall.

Also, most old-school gamers still clamour for Half-Life 3 to be released. It's been over 15 years since the last Half-Life game was released. With it leaving behind also one of gaming's greatest cliffhangers. Will this game reinvigorate interest for the legendary series? And will it's success be enough to convince Valve to deliver some closure for diehard fans?

And, we also address the state of VR, especially the high price point entry. With the Valve Index priced close to a hefty one thousand US dollars. And that's not including the investment for the PC rig necessary to power it. In light of the current pandemic still ongoing, we ask if now is the best the time to invest in VR gaming?

So tune in now, as we review Half-Life: Alyx and also speak on the state of VR and it's future.

This week we review Ori and the Will of the Wisps and Doom: Eternal, both sequels to critically acclaimed videogames.

Moon Studios are back with the second chapter of the Ori series. Now with added combat mechanics and promising a world more extensive than it's predecessor. Ori and the Will of the Wisps guarantee more action-packed Metroidvania styled gaming with sprawling levels, new abilities and bosses. With the success of the first game, can Moon studios deliver a worthy if not improved upon sequel?

And, in our main segment, a game we have been eagerly anticipating since 2016. Doom: Eternal finally arrives and has been winning perfect scores with other publications. Marty Stratton, one of the directors of Doom(2016) has taken a back seat this time around. With Hugo Martin now leading the project on his own, fans have been speculating a shift in the game's direction because of this, Does Doom: Eternal match the quality of the previous game? Or with rumoured production problems and delays spell the end of the doom slayer?

It's the Anniversary of one of the greatest videogames of the 16-bit Era. Chrono Trigger arrived on the Super Famicom (SNES) this very day exactly 25 years ago. From the "Dream Team" of Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of Final Fantasy, Yuji Horii of Enix's popular Dragon Quest series and Akira Toriyama, an acclaimed manga artist who most will know for Dragon Ball.

Along with, Kazuhiko Aoki who produced the game, Masato Kato wrote most of the story, with music from Yasunori Mitsuda and Nobuo Uematsu. The game was a critical hit as well as an essential item for all lovers of JRPGS. It's an episode a quarter of a century in the making, so join us as we travel back in time to pay tribute to this masterpiece.

Parasite did the unthinkable and swept the Academy Awards bagging four Oscars. While we here all loved the film, we can't help but think if it deserved all those accolades, especially with strong contenders like Scorcese and Tarantino delivering some of their best work. Now that all the hype has died down, we reanalyze Bong Joon Ho's latest and ask the questions. Did it genuinely deserve the win or just the academy trying to stay relevant in light of falling ratings? The discussion will be a SPOILER filled analysis and review, so you've been warned if you're still intent on watching it. And if you haven't seen it, please do, it's a fantastic film.

It's our Sonic the Hedgehog episode where we review the recent film. But it's the last king so we will reminisce about the games that built his legacy. Faster than a visual effects studio turnaround after a disastrous trailer. And only slightly less recognisable than a pokemon. The blue speedster arrives in theatres in a live-action adaptation. While many are wondering who asked for this, we speculate the reasons for its existence.

The Oscars have come and gone, giving praise to the best in films for 2019. From Joker, 1917 to Parasite, there have been some quality movies to watch. We look at the categories and nominees, and especially the wins, and discuss which was most deserving. No spoilers for any of the films discussed, but plenty if you haven't seen the Academy Awards.

As we gear up for the upcoming Academy Awards, we decide to review Bad Boys for Life and Birds of Prey because we hate ourselves.

Bad Boys for Life is the third chapter of the Will Smith vehicle, joined as usual by trusty sidekick Martin Lawrence. This time the Bad Boys are older men and are facing a new threat from the poorly written past. This new film, however, doesn't see the return of auteur Micheal Bay to helm directorial duties. We ask how it stacks against the first two movies, and discuss who asked for this?

And in our main segment, it's our review of Birds of Prey, aka The fantabulous emancipation of DC from the pretentious Jared Leto. What was originally a spin-off solo Harleyquin film, now becomes a tale of her life after ending her relationship with the Joker? Plus we shoehorn several other characters from DC comics, that have some semblance of brand recognition, as we try to start a new franchise in the DCEU. It's the early year slump again until something good comes along. Watch Jojo Rabbit or 1917 instead.

We finally get to reviewing 1917, the WW1 epic from director Sam Mendes. The film's been generating some well-deserved buzz, taking the Golden Globe for Best Picture. Now with sights set on this Years Academy Awards. Many say this film is the prime contender to take the Oscar as well.

With the ambition of shooting the movie as a single shot, we can't help but gush about the technical achievement at work. And, we must also pay respects for the effort of one of the greatest cinematographers of all time, Roger Deakins. This review will be spoiler-heavy, so be warned.

You can find Reuben on twitter @kidon0, and check out his main hustle, www.sparrowexchange.com.

Dustin can also be found on twitter @luminoir, or check out his daily grind at kommerce.com

The final part to our 2019 recap where we reveal the films that we loved so much.