Hey everyone! We look at everything we love about Monster Hunter and then dive into all the positive changes they made to Monster Hunter World. This is part 1, and in part 2 we will look at the negative changes from Monster Hunter World and specifically address all of the changes we want for the next Monster Hunter entry after Iceborne so stay tuned for part 2. We also discuss very briefly about our gaming club game Katana ZERO! An episode entirely dedicated to Katana Zero will be coming soon. 

We recommend this episode for anyone curious about Monster Hunter! Or, anyone who has played Monster Hunter but maybe has skipped World up until this point. Or! Anyone who loves Monster Hunter World and wants to hear about all the good things they did!

What do you enjoy about Monster Hunter? What is holding you back from jumping in, to the series in general or to World specifically? Did we miss anything? Let us know! 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NextLevelGamingPodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nextlevelpodc

Email: [email protected]

 Huge shout to TheOneUps for letting us use their Shadow Man theme for our intro! Their new album is out and it is fantastic.

Also a shoutout and credit goes to Wiesty and the OC Jazz Collective for letting us use their song Dream of Green for our outro. 

http://www.theOneUps.com

http://Chronology.OCRemix.org/

Chapters/Time-Stamps: 

02:08 What we Love about Monster Hunter

19:45 Great Changes from Monster Hunter World

51:26 Gaming Club Check-In: Katana ZERO

Hey everyone! We look at the games that are great and maybe surprisingly not so great to play with significant others who maybe do not self-identify as a "gamer"! We give a top 5 list that is tailored to us specifically and talk about the various genres that we have had good experiences with personally. We also discuss our gaming club game Katana ZERO! 

Episode disclaimer: we tried to have at least one of our wive's on for the episode but could not get it to work at that time. Future episodes we'll have them on for sure! Sorry if any of this comes off as brash or condescending, none of that is intentional and I apologize.

What do you enjoy to play with your significant other, whether they’re a “hard-core” gamer or not? Did we miss any in our list? Let us know! 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NextLevelGamingPodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nextlevelpodc

Email: [email protected] 

Huge shout to TheOneUps for letting us use their Shadow Man theme for our intro! Their new album is out and it is fantastic.

Also a shoutout and credit goes to Wiesty and the OC Jazz Collective for letting us use their song Dream of Green for our outro. 

http://www.theOneUps.com

http://Chronology.OCRemix.org/

Chapters/Time-Stamps: 

01:12 Beat Em Ups (Stranger Things 3)

05:03 Single-player games (Zelda, Puzzlers)

10:10 Cinematic Games (Doom, the Last of Us)

13:59 Multiplayer Co-op (Overcooked, Mario)

20:50 RPGs

24:07 Party Games (Ultimate Chicken Horse, SnipperClips)

33:08 Surprising Games (Mario Kart)

39:19 Rhythm Games (Rhythm Heaven, Taiko) Simulation Games

43:18 Games not to play together? (Shooters, Competitive Games)

48:49 Our Lists

1:06:35 Gaming Club Update: Katana ZERO

Games Discussed: Stranger Things Season 3, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, Lego Star Wars Complete, Skyrim, Twilight Princess, Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Portal, Portal 2, Doom, Wolfenstein, Overcooked 2, Super Mario Galaxy, Jet Force Gemini, Super Mario Odyssey, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Super Mario 3D World, Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy IX, Final Fantasy VIII, Octopath Traveler, Final Fantasy VIII, Valkyrie Chronicles, Mario Party, Wario Ware, Ultimate Chicken Horse, Snipperclips, Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., Mortal Kombat, Forza, Rhythm Heaven, Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun!, Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley, The Sims, Counter Strike, Left 4 Dead, Killing Floor, Halo 3, Splatoon, Fallout, Mario Odyssey, King’s Quest, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, Overcooked 2, Spider-Man, The Last of Us, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Pokemon Go, Lovers in a Dangerous Space Time, Monster Hunter, Pico Park, Turtles in Time, Castle Crashers, Katana ZERO

Hey everyone! We look at the Top 5 things we want from the Next Generation of consoles/gaming! We talk about the upcoming streaming services and the next stage of the console wars (minus the consoles now). We also discuss our gaming club game Baba is YOU as well! 

What’re you excited about for the next generation? Did we miss any in our list? Let us know! 

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NextLevelGamingPodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nextlevelpodc

Email: [email protected]

Huge shout to TheOneUps for letting us use their Shadow Man theme for our intro! Their new album is out and it is fantastic.

Also a shoutout and credit goes to Wiesty and the OC Jazz Collective for letting us use their song Dream of Green for our outro. 

http://www.theOneUps.com

http://Chronology.OCRemix.org/

Games Discussed: Stadia, Epic, Double Fine, Iron Man VR, Beat Sabers, Mario Kart VR, Dragon Ball Z VR, Dragon Quest VR, Ghost in the Shell VR, Evangelion VR, Gundam Unicorn VR, Extreme Courage Test VR, Hospital Escape Terror VR, Final Fantasy VII VR, Baba is YOU, Katana Zero

Chapters/Time-Stamps: 

02:56 Console Wars

07:47 Developer, Indie Power

13:42 Conservation of Games

22:56 VR, Current state and Future

38:27 #5 Controller Button Innovation, more makers

41:48 #4 Suspend games indefinitely

46:19 #3 Indies Thriving

48:07 #2 Modular Technology

50:16 #1 Universal Crossplay and No Exclusives

55:47 Game Club: Baba is YOU

1:11:37 Next Game Club Game: Katana Zero Preview

Hey everyone! We look at all of the games coming out this year including all the gameplay (and many cinematic trailers) we saw during E3 to give you top 5 lists of what we’re excited about. We talk Smash, Pokemon, Marvel, and in general top 5 for 2019 and even some 2020.

What’re you excited about from E3 or for the rest of the year? Did we miss any in our list? Let us know!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NextLevelGamingPodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nextlevelpodc

Email: [email protected]

Huge shout to TheOneUps for letting us use their Shadow Man theme for our intro! Their new album is out and it is fantastic.

Also a shoutout and credit goes to Wiesty and the OC Jazz Collective for letting us use their song Dream of Green for our outro.

http://www.theOneUps.com

http://Chronology.OCRemix.org/

Games Discussed: Pokemon Sword and Shield, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, Marvel Avengers, Stadia, Elder Scrolls 6, Starfield, Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order, Mario and Rabbids 2, Gods and Monsters, Dragon Ball Z Kakarot, Spirit Farer, Psychonauts 2, Death Loop, New Lego Star Wars, Lego Forza, Outriders, Sonic and Mario at the Olympics, Witcher 3, Dauntless, Romancing SaGa 3, Secret of Mana 3, Daemon X Machina, Tales of Arise, Tales of Vesperia, Link’s Awakening, Cadence of Hyrule, Astral Chain, Outer Worlds, Cyberpunk 2077, Phantasy Star, FFVII Reunion (Remake),  Animal Crossing Deserted Island (New Horizons), Songs of Conquest, Midnight Ghost Hunt, Luigi’s Mansion 3, BOTW 2, Metroid Federation Force, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, Baba is YOU

Chapters/Time-Stamps:

00:41 Pokemon Sword and Shield

07:56 Smash Characters!

12:34 Marvel Games, Thoughts on Actors in Games

21:26 No Sony, and Stadia

30:25 E3 Disappointments

37:55 Honorable Mentions

45:19 Paul’s Top 5: Secret of Mana 3, Daemon X Machina, Tales of Arise, Link’s Awakening, Cadence of Hyrule

53:21 MJ’s Top 5: Astral Chains, Outer Worlds, Cyberpunk 2077, Phantasy Star Online II, FFVII Reunion (Remake)

1:04:43 Mark’s Top 5: Animal Crossing Deserted Island (New Horizons), Songs of Conquest, Midnight Ghost Hunt, Luigi’s Mansion 3, Breath of the Wild 2

1:16:00 Missed at the show

1:20:57 Hot Minute- E3 Hot Takes

1:32:07 Game Club Check-in: Baba is YOU

Episode 5 - Posted again from the Archive.

Hey everyone! We did an expansive study and looked at the Top 5 Best, Worst, and Meh video game movies of all time! We talk about Detective Pikachu, Sonic, the new Monster Hunter movie, and what history has given us so far with video game movies. Check out our top 5 lists and let us know what you would rank higher or if there are any good ones you enjoy.

Huge shout to TheOneUps for letting us use their Shadow Man theme for our intro! They're coming out with a new album soon and we're all very excited about it. Also a shoutout and credit goes to Wiesty and the OC Jazz Collective for letting us use their song Dream of Green for our outro.

You can find the OneUps at theOneUps.com. If you don't know them already, look them up. You'll be so happy you did.

http://www.theOneUps.com

http://chronology.ocremix.org/

We have started a gaming club! We're playing through Transistor and will talk about it further in our next episode. Play along with us and let us know how you enjoy it.

Give us a shout!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NextLevelGamingPodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nextlevelpodc

Email: [email protected]

Credit to Sebastian von Buchwald for the awesome Pyramid Head vs. Mario episode art! He has lots of other great stuff too, you can find it here: https://www.instagram.com/sebastianvonbuchwald/

Games discussed: Detective Pikachu, Pokemon, Sonic, Monster Hunter, Doom, Hitman, Tomb Raider, Mortal Kombat, Silent Hill, Resident Evil, Prince of Persia, Street Fighter, Need for Speed, Angry Birds, Final Fantasy, Rampage, Warcraft, Starcraft, The Legend of Zelda, Assassin’s Creed, DOA Beach Volleyball, Double Dragon, Super Mario Bros

A quick note: there were some drops in our audio for some reason so some of this has been edited to hide those facts.

Chapters/Time-Stamps:

00:47 Detective Pikachu Review

07:24 Sonic Trailer… Thoughts...

14:10 2020 Monster Hunter Movie Wishes

22:43 Top 5 Best Video Game Movies

41:30 Top 5 Meh Video Game Movies

59:42 Uwe Boll

1:06:19 Top 5 Worst Video Game Movies

Episode 4 - Posted again from the Archive. 

Hey everyone! We're looking at the characters that we want and expect to see most as the remaining 4 DLC Characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. We look at the recent addition: Joker and what we can expect out of other DLC characters that we're really excited about. We talk about other modes and changes we want as well, there are some good ones (SKINS!). Check out our top 5 list of characters that we want to see! Let us know what characters you would enjoy and any other changes you want to see.

We also have our first go at our new segment hot minute where we dissect some of the hottest takes around Smash Ultimate right now.

We're also starting a gaming club! We're playing through Transistor and will talk about it further in mid-May or so. Play along with us and let us know how you enjoy it.

Give us a shout!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NextLevelGamingPodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nextlevelpodc

Email: [email protected]

Games discussed: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Okami, Dragon Ball FighterZ, Advanced Wars, Mario and Rabbids, Halo Collection, Pokemon Sword and Shield, Fire Emblem 3 Houses, Monster Hunter World/Generations

A quick note: this was recorded before learning the stupid decision that Persona 5 S is not going to be a switch port of the main Persona 5 game. So really, any character the creator Sakurai likes could make it into Smash. Marketing be damned!

Chapters/Time-Stamps:

Joker Impressions 1:05

Stage Builder 6:55

Other Modes We Want 12:38

Gameplay Changes Smash Needs 15:52

Assist Trophies and Pokemon 19:15

Skins 22:36

Hot Minute! 29:25

#5. Amaterasu (Okami) 37:05

#4. Kid Son Goku (Dragon Ball) 40:56

#3. Rabbid Andy (Advanced Wars, Rabbids) 43:37

#2. Master Chief (Halo) 47:39

Honorable Mentions 51:03

#1. Monster Hunter 53:45

Episode 3 - Posting again from the Archive. 

Hey everyone! We're looking at the best and worst crossovers that have ever happened in the video game world. We're really excited about the new prospect of Cadence of Hyrule and hopes it opens the door for many more crossovers in the future between series. We have made a top 5 list of crossovers that we want to see! Check em out and let us know what crossovers you would enjoy.

We looked back at the best April fool's day jokes the video game industry has put out as well.

We're also starting a gaming club! We're going to play through Transistor and come back and talk about it in May. Play along with us and let us know how you enjoy it.

Give us a shout!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NextLevelGamingPodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nextlevelpodc

Email: [email protected]

Games discussed: Transistor, Sonic 100 man battle royale, Street Fighter V, For Honor, Twilight Princess, League of Legends, Starcraft, Skyrim, Mario and Rabbids, Crypt of the Necrodaner, Cadence of Hyrule, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Dynasty Warriors, Pokemon Conquest, Project X Zone, Mario and Sonic at the Olympics, Starlink, Pokemon, Harvest Moon, Stardew Valley, Shovel Knight, Majora’s Mask, Ocarina of Time, Animal Crossing, Shantae, Hyper Light Drifter, Celeste, Undertale, Steamworld Dig, Steamworld Heist, Steamworld Quest, Overcooked, West of Loathing, Monster Hunter, Armored Core, Xcom, Civ, Heroes of Might and Magic, Bioshock, Mortal Kombat, Captain Toad Treasure Tracker

Chapters/Time-Stamps:

This Year’s VG April Fools 0:59

Best April Fool’s Day VG Gags: 6:12

Crypt of the Necrodancer 11:18

Best and Worst Crossovers 13:11

#5. Pokemon (Harvest) Moon 26:25

#4. Legend of Evil (Zelda and Resident Evil) 32:49

#3. Animal Crossing Nindies 39:09

#2. Pokemon Hunter (Monster Hunter) 44:43

Honorable Mentions 48:33

#1. Mortal Kombat Dating Sim: Matchmaker Toad 53:44

Episode 2 - Posting again from the Archive. 

We've all been playing some game, even a great or classic one, and thought "why didn't they do this better?" or "why did they include this game mechanic, couldn't this have been improved?" The crazy thing is, even though gaming has been around for so many years, many bad game mechanics still persist! We go through some of the worst game mechanics we can think of and whether they're still appropriate or have a place or not in any circumstance.

Any we missed? Give us a shout!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NextLevelGamingPodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nextlevelpodc

Email: [email protected]

Games discussed: Celeste, Tomb Raider, Resident Evil 2God of War, Call of Duty, Halo 5, Dark Souls, Hollow Knight, Pokemon Let’s go Pikachu/Eevee, Pokemon Sword/Shield, Octopath Traveler, Final Fantasy IX, other Final Fantasies, Spider-Man, Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap, Diablo 3, Warframe, Skyrim, Bethesda Games, Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Monster Hunter, Tom Clancy The Division, Horizon Zero Dawn, Red Dead Redemption, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Human Fall Flat, Sekiro Shadows Die Twice, Chrono Trigger, Resident Evil 4, Super Mario Odyssey, Donkey Kong: Tropic Thunder, Balloon Fight, Smash Bros. Ultimate, Overcooked, Middle-earth: Shadow of War, Classic Pokemon

Chapters/Time-Stamps:

Significant Death-Timers (0:25)

Quick-time events (3:03)

Cinematics (unstoppable, should be playable, or vice-versa) (4:26)

Save-Points before Bosses (6:54)

Random-Encounters (9:03)

Automatically picking-up loot (18:03)

Healing yourself when fully-healthy (22:49)

Real-time inventory management (24:23)

Difficulty-Levels (26:11)

Not being able to-climb something we should be able to-climb (28:54)

Open-world games (30:09)

Must-lose battles (33:11)

Game-overs (35:36)

Arcade-style points (37:55)

Grinding (39:58)

Yes, all hyphens are intentionally shoehorned for style

Hey everyone! As part of our gaming club we finished playing Transistor, the atmospheric action RPG by Supergiant games. We talk about what we like, didn’t like, what they did well and give a deep dive into the mechanics and enemies. This was part of our gaming club and next up is Baba is YOU! Play along with us-- book club but with games!

Any strong feelings about Transistor? Agreed or disagreed on our takes? Let us know!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NextLevelGamingPodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nextlevelpodc

Email: [email protected]

Huge shout to TheOneUps for letting us use their Shadow Man theme for our intro! Their new album is out and it is fantastic.

Also a shoutout and credit goes to Wiesty and the OC Jazz Collective for letting us use their song Dream of Green for our outro.

http://www.theOneUps.com

http://Chronology.OCRemix.org/

Chapters/Time-Stamps:

01:15 First Impressions/Overview

17:06 Narrative driving Gameplay

25:48 Skill Loadouts

41:55 Enemies

47:26 Bosses

55:01 Art, Music

59:34 Final Thoughts

Episode 1 - Posting again from the Archive. 

With many classics being remade including Resident Evil 2, Link's Awakening, and FFVII, we're looking at what classic and great games we want to see given a full remake! These are the top 5 games in video game history that deserve to be made again. We look at what made the game so good originally, why they deserve to be remade, and what additions or changes we would want. We also talk about some games that people want for a remake, but why it wouldn't really be successful.



Any we missed? Agree or disagree or want to see any others remade? Give us a shout! 


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NextLevelGamingPodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nextlevelpodc

Email: [email protected]


Games discussed: Resident Evil 2, Link's Awakening, Final Fantasy VII, Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic, Starcraft 1, Warcraft 1-3, Golden Sun, Smash Bros. Melee, Smash Bros. Ultimate, Project M, Bubble Bobble, Hybrid Heaven, Zelda Four Swords, Castlevania 3, Bomberman 64, Super Metroid, Chrono Trigger, FFVI, Twilight Princess, Custom Robo, Ocarina of Time, Lunar Silver Star Story, Perfect Dark, Samus Returns (Return of Samus), Legacy of Goku, Threads of Fate, Metroid Zero Mission, Banjo Kazooie, Nuts and Bolts, Jet Force Gemini, Resident Evil 4, Skyward Sword, Mario Kart



Chapters/Time Stamps:


00:05:00 Starcraft vs. Warcraft Remakes


00:11:02 A good REmake, Resident Evil 2  


00:15:05 Nintendo Remakes, Metroid and Link's Awakening  


00:21:48 #5, Super Metroid  


00:28:20 #4 Swords (Zelda Four Swords)  


00:34:00 #3, Custom Robo  


00:39:43 #2, Knights of the Old Republic


00:50:05 Honorable Mentions  


00:57:03 Remakes we don't want, RE4, Skyward Sword  


01:04:36 #1, Golden Sun (hey that rhymes)