Deleted Saves

On this episode, I dive back into the NES and SNES Classic Collection app on the Nintendo Switch and try out a motley collection of games I never had, never tried in their first time in the public forum. What ones landed and what ones should have stayed buried? Stop by and give it a listen!

Got a short and sweet one this week folks! I dive back into the backlog of Sega Genesis games on the app for the Nintendo Switch, reviewing three games I didn't really get to play back when they first debuted on the system. Were they worth the effort to try out almost 30 years later? Stop by for a short time and find out!

Believe it or not, there are still a few SNES titles I have yet to weigh in on, and these might be some of the most well known and well trod titles in video game discussion. But I'm here to talk about them anyway. These are titles you know and likely, if sales numbers are accurate, probably ones you owned or player yourself even back when the SNES was new. But on this episode, I will try to add fresh words to the topic discussion, and maybe, you'll want to go back and play them again afterwards.Feel like supporting the show?: patreon.com/u85201589

Boy, those added pay channel on the Nintendo Switch sure are something, huh? You can play NES, SNES, Game Boy and other classics for just a few more of your hard earned dollars. Or some not so classics. Or some genuine head scratching picks from obscurity. But not everything is there. On this episode I put forth four SNES titles I feel would fit the scattered logic of the SNES Classics Channel on the Nintendo Switch's console marketplace with all the same logical thought as I'm sure went into making available whatever is on there now. Stop by and feel free to give my argument a listen. You may even have a few of your own in the comments you'd like to see up there too; let us know!Want to join the Patreon? Cool, if you like: patreon.com/u85201589

On this episode I take one more tour of my personal childhood NES collection with five games that weren't ready for their own episode but are nonetheless important to my personal gaming history. Neither good not really that bad, these titles are odd ducks, genre orphans, arcade classics or series starters whom I just couldn't get past, but I spent way too long on them anyway. Stop by and take a listen for yourself!Interested in supporting the show further on Patreon?: patreon.com/u85201589

We don't always make great choices when we get games, dear listeners. Great merchandising, hype cycles, allusions to other properties we do like, and clever marketing can all feed into trying to gloss over a sub-par title and get us to buy into it. That's the point, after all. Best understand that once in a while you'll pick up a bad game and not realize it until you are already playing it. On this episode, part two of three, I go back to the NES for some games that weren't very good but were not bad enough for a verbal takedown elsewhere. Maybe they are your favorites, but they certainly aren't mine. Give it a listen, and let's commiserate.

A lot of the games I played as kid on the NES sure were focused on friendly critters beating the tar out of villains of various varieties, when it wasn't pastiche plumbers and Astro Boy knock-offs. On this episode I focus on four "animal heroes" games I didn't review in my original time talking about the NES. Did your favorite make the list? Listen in and find out!

It's finally time to put the Blue Bomber in the spotlight of all of the games and series I have played. In this retrospective review I give my thoughts on my time with the mainline Mega Man games, Legends series and X series. Does the fighting robot hero hold up to the passage of time for me or does he need to be put back into storage? Listen in and find out!

This week I'm talking FPS titles; Wolfenstien, DOOM, Quake, all the classics and not so classics I have ever tried my hand at. I admit I'm not an FPS guy or a keyboard and mouse warrior, but there is good to be had here. Stop by for some talk about the games as I experienced them in the times I experienced them, and of course, my hot and cold takes on the genre as a whole and the games themselves.

There is a small but determined sub-sub-genre of games based on The Legend of Zelda named "Zelda-likes". Usually their own thing, a few have been fused with some of the Dark Souls game mechanics to form something altogether different and their own thing. On this episode I will be looking briefly at two of them: Tunic and Death's Door. Do the protagonists of these titles, a little fox in green and a little crow that reaps souls, have what it takes to overcome the impossible odds against them? Stop by for a listen and find out!

Ho there wanderer, stay thy course a moment and let me tell thee of yet another Dungeons and Dragons: Forgotten Realms set of game from over 20 years ago. On this episode I discuss my time with and thoughts on the Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance titles, side stories to the more well-known entries in the hallowed halls of CRPG royalty. Do the heroes of these hack and slash ARPGs have what it takes to stand shoulder to shoulder with their more popularized and overly dramatic counterparts, or if this the kind of campaign that fizzles out after a few sessions? You'll only get to find out if you stay and listen!

Were you aware that Cyberpunk 2077 was not the only cyberpunk-theme tabletop role-playing game that was turned into a video game? On this episode I talk about my time with the odd Shadowrun Returns trilogy of games. Get ready for a somewhat different type of cyberpunk, where elves jack in to the Internet as digital holograms to do real world battle and shamans turn natures spirits against the technocracy around them.

On this episode I will be taking a short look at the games revolving around The Evil Dead cinematic universe and offering my thoughts on these titles as a fan of the movies. What are they exactly? Are they even any good? Were you even aware there were games based on a B-movie horror franchise starring the most well-known B-movie actor of our time? I'm here to talk just that, so grab your chainsaw and shotgun and let's see if we can clean up the streets and woods of Dearborn, Michigan once again. Groovy!

Like anyone who has had one too many drinks at a dive bar can tell you, at some point the rowdy folks get tossed out to brawl in the parking lot. And a lot of arcade and home console videogames have reflected that "spirit" of competition. On this episode I wax nostalgic about all the fighting games I have played over the years, at least one I didn't do an entire individual episode on. This list is hardly exhaustive, but did your favorite make the cut? Stop by for a listen; I have a few stories to tell you.

Sometimes a studio becomes a massive developer churning out dozens of famous titles. Other time a studio remains small, making a name for itself with smaller titles, cozy puzzles, and mid-level role playing games. That is where Level-5, Inc., has found itself in the current gaming sphere and was where I was introduced to them. On this episode I talk about the early titles of theirs that I played, their impression on me, and where they left me all within the life cycle of the PlayStation 2. Come by and let's relive the early days of Level-5.

The tree of survival horror in games has borne many a twisted, dark and delectable fruit, but not all of them are for me. The what I call run and hide horror game is one of those subgenres. You know, the kind where you cannot fight, but must only flee, usually in first person view, while looking for a cabinet to hide in. In this review I discuss my time with Amnesia: the Dark Descent and Outlast, and why I had an adverse reaction to these games unlike the many fans out there of scary survival sims.

This is a long one, listeners. Can one podcaster do 25 micro-reviews of various brawlers in one episode? Should they do such a thing? Well, I did! On this episode I micro-review a slew of brawlers I have played over the years that don't really need their own episode for. However, I have collected them in this one episode for your discovery and enjoyment. Tape up your knuckles, put on your best denim and sweat bands, and get ready to punch evil, vigilante style!

On this retrospective review, I discuss the somewhat forgotten games Koudleka and Shadow Hearts, a series of horror role-playing games in the Japanese fashion. Deeply themed with loss, tragedy, hope, Japanese and European themes, Lovecraftian monsters and the time honored trope of kicking a god in the face, this is a series that deserved more love than it got. Stop by for a listen and relive a set of cult classics - or maybe get introduced to the for the first time!

Do you love point and click adventure games? Do you love typing fast on keyboards? The this episode if for you. I render my thoughts on the stand out games I played from the collection of Sierra On-Line (later Sierra Entertainment) that influenced my PC gaming years. Ken and Roberta Williams (mostly Roberta, I think, no offense) did all of us a solid as gamers and helped push the medium forward in difficult times for games. Stop by for a listen on a cozy topic of titles.Also, I didn't swear once in this episode. So you can share it with the family. Mostly.

In this retrospective review, I talk about my history with the Metal Gear Solid franchise, or what I have played of it. Do I come out the other side a worshipper of Kojima-san and his giant galaxy brain? Uh, no. But, you know, I certainly experienced these titles like everyone else did! Drop by and give it a listen, you just may gain some perspective.

Well howdy fellow consumers! Seems we have a special today over at Cap-Co: an all-you-can-kill zombie plague! On this episode, I talk about my short stay in the Dead Rising universe of games, how it riffs on the media that inspired it, what the games have to say to us, and how I think they hold up today. Be ready for some thoughts, because I have plenty of them about these titles.

I walked with a zombie last night...On this episode, in what is my longest show to date, I offer my thought, recollections, and mini reviews of the Resident Evil games I have played that I didn't cover as their own single episodes, as well as some of the media surrounding this nearly 30 year old series of games. How did the games fare? Are some of these your favorite titles or could you do without them? Did you play just the main entries or any spin-offs like I did? Stay a while as I opine on this august series. Just make sure to keep a shotgun handy.

Dante may not have had to go through the nine circles of Hell, but after multiple titles of thumb-blistering action, I was certainly feeling like I had to. On this episode I give my thoughts on the games of the Devil May Cry series I have played. How did it do, and where do I think the series is going from here? Drop in for a slice of (digital) pizza and watch the fireworks, baby!

Man, do vampires ever suck. On this episode I give my retrospective review of the remaining games of the five entries to the Legacy of Kain series - did you know there were five mainline titles? - and some tidbits about the cancelled games we missed out on. How do they fit together as a series, and does it hold up? Listen in and I'll give you all the information on this topic.

This was how the world ended; not with a whimper, but with a whole series of bangs. On this episode I talk about my time with the remained of the Fallout games I haven't otherwise covered previously. How did they stand up over time? And what does this mean for the future of the series? Come by and give it a listen!

Stick 'em up and then drop the gun! This week I'm covering my time with a smattering of crime simulator and police simulator games from various franchises or one off games, mostly brought to you by Rockstar Games. I haven't covered too many games before from these genres, but hopefully this episode can explain why.

On this episode I try and tackle, in the best way I can, my time with the three main line entries of the Kingdom Hearts series of games. I know there are way more than that, but this is what I could do, alright? Stop by and listen to a little bit of history and a lot of convoluted storytelling.

Okay, it's time to tackle the remainder of the Square Enix library of Final Fantasy games I've played. On this episode I do just that, touching on main line series entries, a few side story games, and a few more odds and ends related to the long-running franchise. Love them, hate them, or somewhere in-between, I at least gave them a fair shot to see how fantastic they could be.

On this episode, I delve into my time and history with some of BioWare's best known and most beloved titles, to see where I stand on them, and where I stand now having experienced them. Will they come out well and stand the test of time, and am I still a fan after all these years? Give this a listen to know more.

On this episode I give a retrospective on the remaining games in the Legend of Zelda series I have not otherwise reviewed, and my thoughts on the scope of this legendary series. It's dangerous to go alone! Take this episode with you!

On this first retrospective review episode, I talk about my thoughts on the history and future of the Castlevania series, and all the games I played but never reviewed on an individual basis.

It's time for Season 6, folks. Strap in.

Alright chooms, prepare to get merced as I brain rot speak my way through one of the most anticipated but disappointing titles of the 2020s, Cyberpunk 2077, with the Phantom Liberty update. What did this game turn out to be, anyway, after all the patches and updates to fix the issues came along, and what did we get in the end? Are we better for it? Settle in with a synthsirloin burrito and an energy drink because clean water is a rarity as I discuss my time and waning interest in this title.

This week I review Doki Doki Literature Club like I'm in a cage mach with it. Episodes like this are the reason I don't have and can't get sponsors.

On this episode I discuss my time with the remake of System Shock, the original, from Nightdive Studios. It's certainly something, I'll say that much.

In space pretty much your entire squad can hear you scream. This week I give my thoughts on Aliens: Dark Descent, a tactical squad based role playing game. As far as games based on this aging franchise go, this is a really good one, and despite a few minor issues really should be on the radar of more folks. Give the episode a listen, you might even earn some Company shares doing so!

On this episode I render my verdict on Final Fantasy XVI, or 16 if you like, and my time with it. Note that I didn't say opinion, I said verdict. This game needs to go before some kind of court for something, I'm just not sure what. But I'll be happy to make my case for you in the episode.

Ready for yet another Dungeons and Dragons game review, listeners? Well consider it done, guv'nah! On this episode I discuss the oddly beautiful BioWare mess that is Neverwinter Nights, where the game literally doesn't get good until 80 hours in and you load up a completely different game as DLC. This one's a bit of a spicy D&D take, but give it a listen, won't you?

On this Powered by the Patrons of Deleted Saves episode, I render my opinion and thoughts on Pentiment, a whodunnit set in the 1500s and made to look like an animated illuminated manuscript. I had a lot of thoughts on this one, so be ready. If you would like to become a patron of the show, please got to Patreon.com and look for Deleted Saves Podcast. All donations go directly towards maintaining the show itself.

On this episode I go way back into the PlayStation 2 pile to review a game I probably should have reviewed a long time ago, but I didn't think there would be any real interest. I believe I was wrong about that, so I will correct it now. This week I give my thoughts on the 2005 game The Punisher, based on Marvel's skull-wearing, Mafia killing anti-hero. Oh boy, let's see how this one fared in the fullness of time!

On this episode, I offer my thoughts on the latest entry into the Alone in the Dark franchise, a remake of the 1992 original survival horror title known as Alone in the Dark 2024. How did this game do in reviving its dormant franchise, and were the faces of known actors able to help get players interested? Go on, guess. When you are ready, go ahead and listen to the episode and I'll tell you all about this remake.

Here we are back in remake territory with a JRPG I don't think a lot of people we asking for. I offer my thoughts on Star Ocean: the Second Story R, what has changed since the 1999 original, if anything, and what it was like to finally complete this game 25 years after I was unable to complete the original. Drop by for a listen and see how it all turned out.

This week special guest Kermit the Grog discussed his love for organizing and inventory management with Backpack Hero. Will you catch the organization bug? And just how does this indie title hold a place next to Resident Evil 4? Take a listen to find out! Kermit the Grog can be found as a co-host of That Time I Got Reincarnated In The Same World As An Anime Podcaster and hosts his own segment there called Shonen Jumping The Gun

Just when your thought it was safe to be a bit cheeky about people's religious faith, Blasphemous 2 comes in to put the scare in sacred. In this episode I offer my thoughts on this Metroidvania religious horror sequel. Did it live up to the theme set by its predecessor? Will we all be struck by lightning for playing it? Come listen and find out.

This week is a special episode by long-time Patron and friend of the show/fellow podcaster Isekai Sensei-Sama, a.k.a. Brad, as he discusses his time with and impressions of breakout hit Helldivers II. Will the combined forces of bug, robots and gaming controversies outwit the People of Super Earth? Come by for a listen and find out! If you are curious (and you should be) about what Isekai Sensei-Sama and his crew are doing over in the anime and manga world, check them out on their show That Time I Got Reincarnated In The Same World As An Anime Podcaster, available on all major podcast platforms. Also check them out at: animepodcasterreincarnation.com and find the man himself on Twitter/X.

Oh look, another fantasy epic. Where'd I leave my sword and shield this time? On this episode, I offer my thoughts on my time with Divinity: Original Sin, a successfully Kickstarted title by the folks who recently brought the world Baldur's Gate 3. Just what was this title about and was it worth the effort? Drop by to listen and we'll all learn about it.

This episode is Powered by the Patrons of Deleted Saves, and I thank them very much for their donations. This week I talk about my time with Crow Country, the indie darling of the moment, and how I made my way through this little PS1 demake style haunted theme park. Is it the bright spark we were told it is, or is it just another questionable indie title that no one will remember? Come by and sit a spell and I'll tell you what I think. If you too would like to become a Patron of the show, search for Deleted Saves Podcast on Patreon. All donations go directly towards maintaining the show itself.

On this episode, I give my thoughts on one of the best Soulslikes of 2023, the puppet-driven Lies of P. Will the story of Pinocchio survive a grimdark world of murderous machines and monstrous men? Come by, take a listen and find out for yourself. I'll tell you no lies, just personal opinions.

We're all drowning in remakes and remasters, and combing the desert landscape looking for new ideas in the gaming world, and while indies have helped, they are not the whole solution. In this episode, I throw out some franchise ideas to weary developers looking for something new, or something old made new again, to try and keep this decrepit engine that is Triple A gaming going for just a bit longer before it crashes. Listen close, I'm dropping some wisdom.

I have been fascinated by the idea of the speedrunning of video games since I found it several years ago. In this episode, I take an outsiders view of this corner of the hobby and what it could mean for retro gaming and for the historic preservation for games as a whole.