The Last King Podcast

It's the second part of our recap of 2019 where we talk about our favourite videogames of the year.

It's the first part of our recap of 2019 where we talk about our favourite televised shows, streaming or otherwise, of the year.

Happy New Year to all our Last King fans! Bringing in 2020, we have an all technology and gaming episode. We also have returning guest host Dustin and a legendary CSGO coach, Reuben Conceicao, as we cover the recent launch of Google's Stadia.

As of this recording, things aren't looking good based on current reports and articles. Media outlets have all jumped on Stadia's inability to deliver real "no latency" gaming and its misguided attempt to compel gamers to jump aboard.

However, the potential is still there for a game-streaming service that could potentially shake-up the current videogame landscape. And while others have tried and failed, how could the monolithic Google not learn from the past?

It's an in-depth look into the business model of the Stadia, as well as the ongoing marketing misfires. And, we also unpackage the "predictive" technology feature that has everyone scratching their heads. All that and more in this week's Last King podcast, listen now!

Reuben, cut his teeth in the Singapore Counter-Strike scene, culminating in him coaching the national team to compete internationally. 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

This week, we talk about The Irishman, the new Netflix funded film from Martin Scorsese.

Based on the book I Heard You Paint Houses, The Irishman tells the story of Frank Sheeran. A truck driver who rises through the ranks of the criminal underworld. Under the tutelage of the notorious mobster, Russel Bufalini, Frank soon gets promoted from deliveryman to hitman for hire. He eventually rises to power and ends up working for the powerful teamster, Jimmy Hoffa.

The film is directed by Martin Scorsese, with a cast comprising of Robert Deniro, Al Pacino, Harvey Keitel and Joe Pesci. You can only expect powerhouse performances from these legendary performers. However, the film received a small theatrical run, despite the star power behind the scenes.

We ask if movies like The Irishman should be limited to streaming platforms like Netflix. Or with the current state of mainstream films and trends in the box-office, is this a paradigm shift in cinema? Are streaming platforms the place to go for filmmakers to achieve creative freedom while attaining the budget needed, outside the current studio system?

It's our long-awaited Star Wars bumper episode where we review The Mandalorian, Jedi Fallen Order and The Rise of Skywalker.

First up, we talk the Disney+ killer app, The Mandalorian, a spin-off series set in a galaxy far away. We follow the exploits of a Mandalorian bounty hunter, played by Pedro Pascal. After a particular mission forces him to rethink his current occupation, this killer for hire now turns lethal protector for a very fragile and adorable target.

Next, we discuss the Dark Souls/Unchartered inspired videogame, Jedi Fallen Order. The game has been garnering very positive reviews upon release. And, while it makes no qualms about its influences. We put the game through its paces and ask if this could be the Star Wars game fans have been waiting to play for so long.

And, in our main segment, it's our thoughts on the final chapter to the current Star Wars trilogy. The Rise of Skywalker aims to correct the backlash from the last film, with JJ Abrams returning to direct. Taking over duties from Last Jedi director, and writer, Rian Johnson. While the previous movie was very polarising in its attempt to take the series in new directions, we are very curious about how well this film will fare. How will it appease fans and where its place is in one of the most successful film franchises of all time.

The Game Awards 2019 just happened and we have plenty to say about the nominations and winners, plus our reviews on the final season of Bojack Horseman and the Amazon Prime show Undone.

First, we remind everyone we are still a videogames podcast by recapping the events of The Game Awards. Despite very controversial nominations, this year had a few pleasant surprises. And no, we're not talking about the obnoxious amount of ads or marketing material that padded out the show.

Next, we finally get round to talking about our favourite self-destructive stallion, Bojack Horseman. The show is wrapping up with its final redemption arc underway, but there is a second parter to the season coming next year. We look at the narrative trajectory and speculate how the writers are looking to conclude the series.

Lastly, we review the Amazon Prime series Undone, starring Rosa Salazar and Bob Odenkirk. The show featuring a familiar, rotoscoped animation style akin to Richard Linklater's Waking Life and A Scanner Darkly. It tells the story of a young woman, after surviving a near-fatal car accident, who starts seeing visions of her deceased father. He sets her off on a mission to discover how he died, as she struggles with her inner demons and mental illness.

Shenmue 3 has finally arrived, and what better time to talk about not only the groundbreaking game series but also its creator, Yu Suzuki. A game developer for so many achievements in gaming, from his early arcade excellence to his crowning achievement for the Dreamcast. We go back to the heyday of Hang On, Afterburner and also spend time paying tribute to his masterwork, Virtua Fighter.

Then in our main segment, we review Shenmue 3, now available on the Epic games store. It's been almost two decades since we last say Ryo and Shen Hua in their quest for the phoenix mirror. Continuing right where Shenmue 2 left off, does the long-awaited sequel finally provide the closure fans were waiting for?

We return to the cinema with our thoughts on Knives Out and James Mangold's Ford vs Ferrari.

Following up the very polarising Star Wars: The Last Jedi. comes the new film Knives Out by Rian Johnson. The director made waves early in his career with films like Brick and Looper. And this film seems like a return to the familiar, with an all-star cast rounding up this quirky whodunit. The filmmaker has displayed on occasion a penchant for taking established ideas and putting his spin on it. So does his take on the classic murder mystery offer something new, or is it just a shot in the dark?

Next, we discuss Ford vs Ferrari the new film by James Mangold, director one of our favourite superhero films ever, Logan. The film retells the friendship of Caroll Shelby and Ken Miles, two men commissioned by Ford motors to build a car to win the legendary Le Mans endurance race. Christian Bale and Matt Damon play Miles and Shelby respectively, joined by Jon Bernthal and Tracy Letts in the supporting cast. It's a battle for the ages as two giants of the motoring world go head to head, in one of the most gruelling and difficult race circuits in history.

In part2 of our miniseries "Netflix is Dead" Shafique continues the conversation with a friend of the show, and industry expert, Dustin Lau @luminoir.

Disney+ is finally here, well only if you live in the few territories selected for the launch. But availability aside, there are concerning reports of technical issues plaguing the new combatant in the ongoing "Streaming Wars". And speaking of availability, and full disclaimer, our discussion does not include personal experience, seeing as how the service is yet to arrive in Asia.

With articles regarding login problems, hacking, missing content and other glitches. And social media rife with complaints from many furious users, stranded and still waiting to hear from the helpdesk. It has left many wondering how a company like Disney did not foresee or prepare for the potential malfunctions in the platform.

We also delve into the quality of content available, with the inclusion of ads for Starz, the mishandling of the Simpsons, to the evidence of the version of Star Wars where Han doesn't shoot first. Also, the possibility of not seeing any of the acquired films from the FOX merger, likely being locked up in the notorious Disney Vault.

Useful Links:

Useful Links

https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/disney-plus-launch-errors-what-went-wrong-1203402270/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-50461171?ocid=socialflow_facebook&ns_source=facebook&ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbcnews

https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/5/20941540/disney-plus-starz-ads-star-wars-force-awakens-espn-streaming-wars-licensin

https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/11/13/20963415/disney-plus-star-wars-han-shot-first-greedo-edit

https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/15/20967429/disney-plus-simpsons-feedback-older-episodes-original-aspect-ratio-2020

https://www.vulture.com/2019/10/disney-is-quietly-placing-classic-fox-movies-into-its-vault.html

https://screenrant.com/edgar-wright-criticizes-disney-fox-vault/

The highly anticipated Death Stranding is finally here. From the visionary game director Hideo Kojima, this comes hot after a highly publicized exit from Konami. Famed for his work in the legendary Metal Gear Series, this new IP has much of the gaming public intrigued. While early teaser revealed much to the imagination, in terms of gameplay and narrative. Is this a new era for the critically acclaimed auteur, or will it fall short of his immense legacy?

Also, we review Disco Elysium, a throwback to classic roleplaying games like Planescape Torment. It arrived with very little hype but has been gaining critical acclaim from several game publications. We have little information about the game studio ZA/UM, but we take the game through its paces and see what all the noise is about. Does it mark the resurgence of classic point and click adventure games, or will it fade into the oblivion of its contemporaries?