Video Game Generations

We start out, as always, with a bit of off-topic warm-up talk, mostly about Addie's efforts to choose an instrument to learn in band. In my pre-recorded game update, I have initial thoughts on the Rare Replay collection (Xbox One), and a wrap-up for Alien: Isolation (PS4) after finishing the main game on Hard. Listener Pawel writes in to talk about The Witcher III and the Fallout series this week, and then it's feedback from Jon of the One Track Gamers podcast to answer prior Questions of the Week and very generously provide us with a fun audio quiz. This was a late-day addition to the show schedule, so we decided to also go ahead with a second quiz. It's one I had prepared for Addie about movie and TV characters that have appeared in games. This week's feature segment is mostly me talking about my hopes and fears for Nintendo's next console, codenamed the NX. Several listeners have already weighed in with their opinions, so now it's my turn to predict what Nintendo should and shouldn't do. Email: podcast@vgg

Everybody's playing Scribblenauts Unlimited. Well, the kids are, at least. This comes up twice in this week's episode: once in Heath's Mini-Gamers segment and again in a discussion with Addie. They also played one of this month's free PlayStation Plus games, Sound Shapes (PS4). In my pre-recorded segments, it's my initial impressions of Odin Sphere (PS2) and Alien: Isolation (PS4). I also have final wrap-ups for three games I finished. These are The Guardian Legend (NES), No More Heroes (PS3), and Suikoden (PS1). Add to that a short discussion about Splatoon (WiiU) and Lego Jurassic World (Xbox 360), and it's one game-filled episode. This episode's new Question of the Week comes from listener email. What game do you think would be fun to practice for a speed-run? We also have news, listener email, and a quiz where Addie tries to guess video game characters based on a series of clues. Email: podcast@vggpodcast.com Web: http://www.vggpodcast.com

We're back to our usual hour-ish episode length this week, still with plenty on the agenda. In news, we talk briefly about a couple of new releases, plus the free PlayStation Plus line-up for August. In listener email, prior weeks' questions are answered and long-time listener Jason sends in another quiz. We do that late in the episode, with Addie naming game trophy titles and me attempting to guess the game it's from and what a player must do to earn the trophy. Game talk in my pre-recorded segment includes The Guardian Legend (NES, which I've only been playing once in a while) and No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise (PS3, which I finished, but may revisit to earn more trophies). This week's trio of end-theme tunes are taken from The Guardian Legend (MIDI arrangements). Another trio: Questions of the Week! Write in with your thoughts and answers to one or more of these, so we can read and discuss on an upcoming episode. (1) What single-player game would benefit from a co-op mode? How would co-op change and impr

This episode features links galore, including a list of my current favorite podcasts. It's an all-around over-sized episode, with several listener emails answering prior Questions of the Week (and posing new ones as well). News is light, but includes next month's free Xbox Games with Gold lineup. In Heath's third episode of Mini-Gamers, we talk about the new Adam Sandler movie Pixels, and about Playstation game Entwined. My own pre-recorded segments include a review of Rule of Rose (PS2), my opening thoughts on No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise (PS3), and brief spoiler-free thoughts on Life is Strange: Episode 4 (PS4). We also have a fun quote-related quiz late in the show, this time provided by a long-time listener, which Addie presents and I guess. Questions of the Week include the following, if you can't think of any reason to write in otherwise. Have an answer? Let us know! 1. A game you'd welcome an aftermath-explanation game, but not a sequel. 2. A game with horrible controls that might have been great o

"Don't make me say it again. I'm a Cleaner." So says Garcian Smith in the main review topic this week, Killer 7 (PS2). As an M-Rated game that's certainly not for kids, it's relegated to my pre-recorded segment (which also includes updates on The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D (3DS) and Fallout Shelter). We have plenty of email this week, too, which includes some answers to the listener questions of prior weeks. One listener's thought-provoking question about "Groundhog Day" types of plots in games (and in movies/TV) prompts a lengthy discussion and becomes our new question of the week for other listeners. Are there any games you've played where repeating the same period of time over and over is part of the plot, aside from the ones we already mentioned? In this episode, Addie presents me with a new quiz. She describes a series of ten games based on their cover art, challenging me to figure out what game she's talking about. There are hints involved where needed, and listeners can play along. I also challe

It's an episode one year in the making! In addition to most of our usual segments, we look back at our first year of podcasting (flashback clips included). In a disappointing twist, none of our long-time listeners wrote in for this episode. It's never too early to email questions and feedback for our next episode, though. This week, we have two QotW's for listeners: what are your favorite quotes from video games, and do you have suggestions on things we should add, change, remove, or bring back as we continue into our show's second year? In our What We're Playing segment, Addie has nothing, but I give a wrap-up on Batman: Arkham Knight (PS4) after finishing it recently. I also have more thoughts on The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D (3DS) and Fallout Shelter (iOS). Heath's "Mini-Gamers" segment returns for a second mini-episode, where we talk briefly about eight different games. This includes opening thoughts on Lego Jurassic World (Xbox 360) and his wrap-up on Splatoon (WiiU) after finishing the story lev

Game discussion this week includes my opening thoughts on Batman: Arkham Knight (PS4) in a pre-recorded segment, and we compare our ongoing experiences with Fallout Shelter (iOS). Addie's only other notable mention is triva game QuizUp (iOS), but I have a variety of 3DS games to talk about in another pre-recorded segment. These include Pushmo, Gunman Clive, and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D. We read our one listener email for this week, and list off July's free games for subscribers of Xbox Gold and Playstation Plus (which we totally forgot to do last week). The show ends in a quiz of Addie's making, which challenges me (and you as a listener) to guess game titles based on brief clues or plot points. Next week is our one-year anniversary episode, so if you want to write in for that, please send email by Monday so we can have everything ready for Tuesday's recording. Exactly what we're going to include in the show is still a work in progress. Email: podcast@vggpodcast.com Web: http://www.vggpodcast.com

This week, we talk about Splatoon (WiiU). We're joined for that by the "Mini-Gamers" Heath and Hadleigh. In my post-recorded stuff, it's mainly about The Witcher III: Wild Hunt (PS4), where I wrap it up and give my (possibly) final thoughts on this epic RPG -- at least until its story-content DLC is released. There's a bit more, too, with Addie talking a little about Dance Dance Revolution Universe (Xbox 360) and my update on my brief time spent with The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D (3DS). This episode also has the distinction of being the last time we'll do Video Game Twenty Questions. Heavy editing keeps it interesting, but half of the audio was cut just to keep the game moving forward. I haven't entirely given up on the concept of games or quizzes -- I think they're fun, when they work -- but it needs more thought. I'm a fan of sticking to a routine, but this week's episode arrives one day early because of scheduling conflicts. We recorded most of it on Sunday (rather than Tuesday) and then my solo ga

In the first half of this week's episode, we talk about our favorite announcements from this year's E3. Bill is here to share his thoughts on some of the highlights. We discuss XBox One backwards compatibility, Fallout 4, Star Wars: Battlefront, The Last Guardian, Dishonored 2, possible SKU revisions for XB1 and PS4, and more. In What We're Playing, we talk about Fallout Shelter (iOS), which then makes a second appearance in my pre-recorded segment. I also have a Witcher 3 (PS4) update in that same segment. Afterwards, Bill and I talk about a game we both feel is underrated, The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct (Xbox 360). Bill also talks about another mobile game called Rebuild (Android), which is similar in concept to Fallout Shelter, except that it's set in a zombie apocalypse instead of a nuclear one. Addie talks briefly about her latest trophy hunting efforts in LittleBigPlanet 3 (PS4), and then Bill wraps it up with quick thoughts on the original Shadow Warrior (PC) and Super Meat Boy (PC). This episode

E3, the Electronic Entertainment Expo, is in full swing this week, and this oversized episode focuses heavily on seven of the biggest E3 press conferences. These pre-recorded recaps are laced into the episode between other segments, such as this week's listener email. If you're interested in the latest announcements from Bethesda, EA, Microsoft, Sony, Square Enix, Ubisoft or Nintendo, you've come to the right podcast. My pre-recorded weekly gameplay update is short this week. I talk briefly about The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (PS4), The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D (3DS), and Suikoden (PS1 on Playstation TV). I also wrap up my final thoughts on Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. (3DS), which I finally finished. Addie's trophy-hunting efforts result in a recap of the latest LittleBigPlanet 3 (PS4) trophies she's earned. Don't forget to write in for our next episode and let us know your favorite news and announcements from this year's E3. We'll read and discuss those, and give our own thoughts on some of our favorites of th

Addie is back, but she fails to properly introduce herself this time (you'll see). She also isn't impressed by my enthusiasm over the recent reveal of Fallout 4. After that and a brief news segment, it's time for a long listener email segment. One of our listeners was a long-time player of my browser-based multiplayer RPG Lunatix Online (available from 1999 to 2010), and wants to know more about its history and the decision to shut it down in his response to a recent Question of the Week about your favorite developer behind-the-scenes stories. My answer, while not as in depth as it could have been, is still pretty lengthy. In our What We're Playing segment, Addie has nothing to share this week. For me, it's more Witcher III (PS4) and my wrap-up on a PC point-and-click adventure game I started playing years ago and finally finished, called Lost Horizon (Deep Silver and Animation Arts). I also have a brief update on progress in Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. (3DS) and a recommendation for a tiny, experimental PC and DSi

Addie is still away on vacation, but she was at least able to call in and open this week's episode. After that, Bill is here with his daughter Natalie to talk about a variety of games and recent news topics. This includes the Fallout site countdown, which -- after the recording of this episode -- has turned into the actual announcement of Fallout 4, complete with a teaser trailer (which I've already watched ten times). BEST. DAY. EVER! Other topics of discussion include recent Nintendo 3DS announcements, the upcoming Steam summer sale, and a new Kickstarter for The Bard's Tale IV. We also go over this month's free game offerings for subscribers of Xbox Gold and Playstation Plus, which I just barely missed last week due to the timing of those announcements. This week's pre-recorded segments are my wrap-up for Xeodrifter (3DS eShop) and my ongoing thoughts about The Witcher III: Wild Hunt (PS4). Natalie has a lot to say about the games she's been playing, which include Bastion (Xbox 360), Crossy Road (iOS) and

Addie is on vacation this week, living it up at Disney World with her mom and her brother and sister. She wasn't able to be here for this week's episode, and even Plan B (calling in for it) didn't work out. She wasn't even able to call briefly just to say "hi" and introduce the show (Plan C), and since I was a little too tired to have Bill over later in the evening (Plan D) and Tracy didn't want to do it (Plan E), it's a one man show this time. This makes it a shorter-than-normal episode, and perhaps a slightly awkward one, but at least we didn't skip a week. I read and comment on listener email and introduce a new Question of the Week. I also include my now-standard pre-recorded segment, where I give an update on progress in Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. (3DS), my wrap-up on Broken Age (PS4) after getting its platinum trophy, and my lengthy opening thoughts on recently-released fantasy RPG The Witcher III: Wild Hunt (PS4). The plan for next week may or may not include Addie, depending on how much fun she's having. T

The Witcher III: Wild Hunt is here, and it's sure to consume all of my free time. I haven't actually started it yet, but since the mere mention of it made Addie stray off topic, that's this week's show title. In listener email (one of my favorite segments each week), we read more feedback about prior weeks' topics. One listener suggests this week's Question of the Week: what are your favorite game developer stories (the story about how a game actually got made, why a game got cancelled, and other interesting behind-the-scenes stuff). Then, when another listener asks about how I started collecting games and what my goals are, I do my best to remember how it all started and explain my take on this strange hobby. "What We're Playing" this week was Syndicate (Xbox 360) and Life is Strange Episode 3 (PS4), although those were just me. Both of us played more Broken Age (PS4), which I completed (aside from the platinum trophy). Addie also played more of Little Big Planet 3 (PS4), where her trophy-hunting efforts wer

It's the usual stuff this week: a little news, listener email (where two listeners submit game recommendations), and game talk in our "what we're playing" segment. I give a wrap-up on Wolfenstein: The Old Blood (PS4) and my initial impressions of Syndicate (Xbox 360). Addie and I also talk some about Broken Age (aka The Double Fine Adventure). We forgot to ask a Question of the Week for listeners (again), but the episode ends with a single drawn-out round of Twenty Questions. This time, Addie struggles to figure out the game I'm thinking of. Did this go well, or was it a train wreck? Listen to find out! In addition to the podcast itself, we're now putting related videos on YouTube. So far, these are a tour of my game collection, a look at my thirty-one copies of Perfect Dark Zero, and a how-to video for a trophy in the newest Wolfenstien game. I have more ideas, and if these are popular enough, we'll continue making more. Email: podcast@vggpodcast.com Web: http://www.vggpodcast.com

With no listener email or voicemail this week, we spend the episode talking about many different games. First, though, a new month means new free games with Xbox Gold and Playstation Plus, so those line-ups are covered early in the show. In game talk, Addie has been trophy hunting in Octodad: Dadliest Catch (PS4). In my pre-recorded segments, I give a (final) Bloodborne update (PS4), my first impressions of Wolfenstein: The Old Blood (PS4), and a wrap-up on fun Metroid-inspired indie game Axiom Verge (PS4). Heath, Addie's younger brother, is with us briefly to talk about some of his recent favorites, including Lego Batman 3 (Xbox 360), Portal 2 Co-Op (Xbox 360), Super Smash Bros. (WiiU), and Little Big Planet 3 (PS4). Following that, we play two rounds of Twenty Questions, where Addie thinks of games that I have to guess. Our Question of the Week for listeners is a little uninspired, but hopefully will lead to a few good responses. Is there a game you'd like to recommend to other listeners? Maybe one you've b

Being better prepared this week, we start out by talking about several recent bits of news and current events, including the Golden Week sale on PSN, and GameStop testing the waters of retro game sales. Then, in our listener feedback segment, we have one long email to read and discuss (thanks, Pawel!) In game discussion, it's entirely me this week. Addie didn't have anything new to share, but I finished Shadow Warrior (PS4) and Soul of Darkness (DSiWare), so I give my wrap-up on both. Aside from quick updates on other games that I didn't really play much since last time, I have opening thoughts on Axiom Verge (PS4) -- a Super Metroid-inspired indie 2D action/exploration game with more complicated controls than the series that inspired it. The show ends in an extended segment where we try something a little different. Rather than a multiple choice quiz, we play two rounds of 20 Questions. Addie tries to guess the games I'm thinking of by asking yes/no questions to narrow it down. This segment is a work in prog

This week, we start off talking about magic tricks and Star Wars. After a little news, we read this episode's listener email, where last week's questions are answered and we find out some about PC adventure game Gemini Rue. The rest of the episode is all about what we're playing. I give my wrap-up on Bloodborne (PS4), an update on Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. (3DS) and Soul of Darkness (DSi), and initial impressions of Shadow Warrior (PS4) after playing through the first half. Addie played some co-op in Never Alone (PS4) with younger brother Heath, which is free with Playstation Plus this month. Heath and I also finished the last of the co-op levels in Portal 2's Peer Review DLC (Xbox 360), so we talk about that and about Addie's progress in the first Portal. She also started playing graphic adventure game Edna & Harvey: The Breakout (PC), which is the predecessor to Harvey's New Eyes (which she already finished, months ago). Still no quiz prepared for this week, so I turned it into this week's listener question

Bill is back again, to talk about a number of recently-played games, including Red Dead Redemption and its Undead Nightmare expansion (Xbox 360), Valiant Hearts (iPad version), Heroes Rise (an interactive novella / choose-your-own-adventure trilogy), and Beyond Good & Evil HD (Xbox 360 - and we speculate on whether or not we'll ever see BG&E 2). Before that, I include a pre-recorded segment where I give a brief update on my time spent in Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. (3DS), my initial thoughts on DSiWare game Soul of Darkness, and my current thoughts on BloodBorne (PS4) after many more hours spent to bring me near the end of the game. Somewhere in the middle, Addie talks briefly about a new iOS game she discovered, and Bill's daughter Natalie tells us a little about the first episode of TellTale's Sam & Max Season 2 (Beyond Time and Space). It's another week with no quiz, but we do have two new Questions of the Week. First, have you ever made your own meta-game within a game? For instance, going around pr

No news, no quiz, no SpeakPipe yet, but we have plenty of game talk, including my lengthy opening thoughts on PS4 exclusive BloodBorne. I also give my wrap-up on the post-game content in Sleeping Dogs (PS4 Definitive Edition), and a bit about The Guardian Legend (a classic NES game I've been playing off and on for a few weeks, on Retron5). Addie gives her Portal 2 (Xbox 360) single-player wrap-up, her initial thoughts on the original Portal, an update on her progress in Costume Quest 2 (PS4), and a bit about a puzzle game called Back to Bed (iOS). Before all that, we read this week's listerner email, which includes more wish-list hopes for the next Fallout game. Our question of the week also comes from this week's email. What are your thoughts on game characters crossing over into other games, where they may not necessarily belong? Suggest a game where this worked, or where it didn't, and we'll discuss on a future episode. The ending music this week is a selection of MIDI arrangements of a few tunes from The