Normandy FM

With the group still reeling from Weisshaupt, we do our best to try and ease some tensions and minds. We help Neve, Davrin, and Lucanis settle some of their affairs, and we start to learn some terrifying truths about the Wardens and Crows along the way. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Bluesky: Normandy FM: @normandyfm Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr

We had to take a brief detour from our Dragon Age: The Veilguard journey to head to Boston for PAX East. For the fourth year in a row, Normandy FM hosted Video Game Tinder, in which we and a group of panelists swiped left and right on all your favorite video game heroes and villains. This time featuring Giant Bomb's Jan Ochoa, Perfect Garbage's Son M., and Yaniir's Jen Vinson. We've also included the Google Slide presentation for you to follow along with here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1WcUZgrVjPn2AnjRHLjHkcI3s29h6zSvvj8cdnUXlaKE/edit?slide=id.g3da35a75db2_2_45#slide=id.g3da35a75db2_2_45 Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Bluesky: Normandy FM: @normandyfm Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr Jan: @janochoa Son: @bogboogie Jen: @yaniir

The Evanuris are descending upon the Grey Warden's home base, and thanks to the First Warden's stubbornness, they have no idea what they're up against. GamesRadar's Rollin Bishop joins us as we head to Weisshaupt, fight hella Darkspawn, and put our team's bonds to the test. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Bluesky: Normandy FM: @normandyfm Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr Rollin: @rollinbishop.com

Before we get on with the plot, we wanted to check in with all Dragon Age: The Veilguard's party members and set the stage for future episodes. We talk the split between Neve and Lucanis after the dragon choice, the awkward realness of Taash's relationship with their mother, and end up getting philosophical about death with Emmrich. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Bluesky: Normandy FM: @normandyfm Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr

As we head back out into Thedas, we meet two new friends...and one old one. This episode we recruit Taash and Emmrich, and then meet up with Morrigan, who has smuggled someone into Minrathous for a quick meet and greet that picks at old Dragon Age wounds. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Bluesky Normandy FM: @normandyfm Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr

As word of a new Blight spreads across Thedas, it was only natural the Wardens would show up asking questions. In this episode, we try to find a Warden who will listen to us about the gods, and make one of Dragon Age: The Veilguard's most difficult decisions. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Bluesky: Normandy FM: @normandyfm Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr

If we're gonna take down the elven gods, we're gonna need some help. Time to start building the Veilguard. This episode Harding may have found a new connection to her ancestors, Neve investigates Venatori schemes in Minrathous, and we go underwater to find a mage killer. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Bluesky: Normandy FM: @normandyfm Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr

After five years, we're heading back to Thedas. In the first episode of our feature-length Dragon Age: The Veilguard retrospective, we're sorting through a ton of conflicting feelings. We talk about the RPG's reported development struggles, getting used to being in Rook's shoes, our feelings on the series' hard pivot into an action RPG, and much, much more. Today is Dragon Age Day, so we're uploading this episode a little earlier than planned. We'll be picking up our regular biweekly cadence at the beginning of 2026, and if you want early access to episodes, you can get them by becoming a patron. http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Bluesky: Normandy FM: @normandyfm Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr

Happy N7 Day? This year BioWare showed some concept art of angry Krogan and not much else. We talk about what we do and don't know about Mass Effect 5, as well as talk a little bit about the upcoming Dragon Age: The Veilguard season. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Bluesky Normandy FM: @normandyfm Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr

After a few delays and breaks in between, we are finally at the Nier finale. In this episode, Eric gives Ken a crash course in all the extended Nier universe and we try and come to a conclusion as to what it all means. If you want to follow along, here's Eric's presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/161hdqsQAW6lr5TDVpxoGvwivXFbKLQaev3EBAyjk1PQ/edit?slide=id.g39da7802510_1_0#slide=id.g39da7802510_1_0 Enjoy the show! We'll see you back in Thedas when we start Dragon Age: The Veilguard in the new year. Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Bluesky: Normandy FM: @normandyfm Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr

Remember how we said Nier Replicant had a new ending added to it? We decided to save it for the last. Well, almost. We still have the external media episode after this. Michael Higham returns for the final gameplay episode of our Nier season in which we go back and play Replicant's Ending E, discuss how it connects both Nier games in new surprising ways, and lament once again that we didn't get to play as Kaine before. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Bluesky: Normandy FM: @normandyfm Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr Michael: @brazyazn

All roads lead to Ending E. In our Nier Automata finale we talk about the final endings, Devola and Popola's big hero moment, and prepare to go back to Nier Replicant for one final showdown. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Bluesky: Normandy FM: @normandyfm Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr

Before we head to the end of Nier Automata, we have to go check up on an old friend. It's the Emil episode as we talk about the game's secret boss and all it implies about the state of the world. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Bluesky: Normandy FM: @normandyfm Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr

It is getting worse for our android heroes as we keep going through Route C. Diego Argüello returns to talk about A2 learning to care and 9S falling into madness. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Bluesky: Normandy FM: @normandyfm Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr Diego: @diegoarguello

The reigning guest champ Natalie Checo returns after a long hiatus as we talk about the beginning of Nier Automata's Route C. We talk about passing the torch to the final playable character, unpack the surprisingly timely themes of Automata, and somehow find a way to talk about KPop Demon Hunters. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Bluesky: Normandy FM: @normandyfm Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr Natalie: @heartimecia

We did all of Route A over again...as 9S. This episode covers the broad strokes of Nier Automata's Route B, so if you haven't played through the whole thing, come back later. Moises Taveras returns alongside first-time guest Sam Greszes as we talk about 9S, the reveals of his hacking abilities, and wonder what the **** those asterisks are. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Bluesky: Normandy FM: @normandyfm Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr Moises: @platanoranger Sam: @sam.robotsfightingdinosaurs.com‬

We finished Nier Automata. The credits rolled, so it's over. Right? Riiiiiight? Nah. We finished Route A and returning guest Sam Greer joins us to talk about Automata's first closing chapter. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Bluesky Normandy FM: @normandyfm Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr Sam: @sammgreer

This episode we close the book on Adam and his attempts to roleplay humanity. We head down to the Copied City and pontificate on Nier's vision of synthetics trying to figure out what humanity was all about long after the humans are gone from this world. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Bluesky Normandy FM: @normandyfm Eric: @seamoosi Ken:@shepardcdr

As 2B and 9S explore more of Nier Automata's desolate world, we find new ways that robots try to imitate humanity and speculate about what it all means. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Bluesky: Normandy FM: @normandyfm Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr

Another PAX East, another Video Game Tinder panel. Well, until they stop letting us make fools of ourselves. This year we're joined by Michael Higham, Jenna Stoeber, Asa GreenRiver, and returning swiper Anya Combs as we swipe left and right on fake dating profiles for real video game characters. We've also included a Google Slides link of the presentation so you can follow along and see the profiles Eric made. Enjoy the show! Slideshow: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1rdr4Oa2P6Ui5fvcPOTg_ThOhXDR6azk_7HlrCmCUbvg/edit?slide=id.p#slide=id.p Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Bluesky: Normandy FM: @normandyfm.bsky.social Anya: @anyacombsherhair.bsky.social Eric: @seamoosi.bsky.social Ken: @shepardcdr.bsky.social Michael: @brazyazn.bsky.social Jenna: @thejenna.bsky.social Asa: @agreenriver.bsky.social

As we make our way through Nier Automata's post-apocalyptic world, we stumble upon an amusement park. Here we find some interesting wrinkles in how Automata frames its android vs. machine war and ponder if it succeeds in some of the ways we felt The Last of Us didn't. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Bluesky Normandy FM: @normandyfm Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr

BioWare has been hit with layoffs and reassignments as it pivots to Mass Effect 5, and that includes veteran talent that helped make the Dragon Age series what it is today. Ken and Eric sit down to try and figure out what it all means, ponder the future of the studio, and look toward our upcoming Veilguard season. Follow us on Bluesky: Normandy FM: @normandyfm Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr

Now that folks are rolling credits on Dragon Age: The Veilguard, we wanted to take some time to break down our spoiler-filled overarching thoughts. Ken and Eric are joined by returning guests Ash Parrish and James Whitbrook as we talk about Rook, the ending, Varric, Solas, and all the other big reveals in The Veilguard. Think of it as an appetizer before our full season covering the game next year. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Bluesky: Normandy FM: @normandyfm.bsky,social Eric: @seamoosi.bsky.social Ken: @shepardcdr.bsky.social Ash: @adashtra.bsky.social James: jwhitbrook.bsky.social

It's time to head back down to Earth as we learn more about what's happened in the world of Nier since the events of Replicant. This episode we talk the beginnings of the connections between games, how Automata uses UI for storytelling, and how we're feeling about the game's genre-blending. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Bluesky Normandy FM: @normandyfm Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr

Oh, hey. Don't know if y'all heard but a little game called Dragon Age: The Veilguard is out on October 31. Ken and Eric both got review copies for the game, and so we had to come together for a (spoiler-free, except for what BioWare has already talked about) review. We talk Rook, the party, the game's limited carry over from previous games, and the action RPG combat. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Twitter/Bluesky Normandy FM: @normandyfmshow Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr Read Ken's review on Kotaku: https://kotaku.com/dragon-age-veilguard-4-review-dreadwolf-rook-action-rpg-1851681954

We're back in the trenches of Nier, but things look a little different this time. It's time to start Nier Automata and unpack the apparent genre shift between the sequel and Replicant, 2B and 9S' dynamic, and how much better the game feels to play. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Twitter: Normandy FM: @normandyfmshow Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr

The boys got to go hands-on with Dragon Age: The Veilguard and talked with some of the developers at BioWare. In this BioBit, we talk about the many hours we got to play, our feelings on Rook, the action RPG pivot, the state of Dragon Age, and what the next two months mean for BioWare. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Twitter: Normandy FM: @normandyfmshow Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr

We finally finished Nier Replicant (until Ending E, which we'll be covering at the very end of the Nier season). It took us a lot longer than it was supposed to, but Alex Donaldson is here to help us unpack endings C and D as we finally prepare to head into Nier Automata. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Twitter: Normandy FM: @normandyfmshow Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr Alex: @APzonerunner

We beat the game...again! Julie Muncy returns to talk about Nier Replicant's Route B, the merits of the game's replayability, Kaine's perspective, and we get into a big ol' lore dump midway through. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Twitter: Normandy FM: @normandyfmshow Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr Julie: @juliemuncy23

The boys went to Summer Game Fest this year, but Ken saw an hour of Dragon Age: The Veilguard behind closed doors. In this very special BioBit, we talk about the name change, the cinematic trailer, and everything Ken saw in Los Angeles. But we also talk about some of the cool games we saw at Summer Game Fest, from Game of the Show Sonic X Shadow Generations and some cooler indie games coming this year. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Twitter: Normandy FM: @normandyfmshow Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr

We've reached the ending. Well, one of them. This episode we're talking about Nier Replicant's ending A. Ken finally gets some answers on questions he's been asking all season, but Eric assures him there will be more questions to ask in the future. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Twitter: Normandy FM: @normandyfmshow Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr

First time, long time friend of the show Jesse Vitelli joins Normandy FM as we collect the final pieces of the key to the Shadowlord's castle in Nier Replicant. This episode we head back to the Aerie and do a war crime, then we head back to Facade to wrap things up there. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Twitter: Normandy FM: @normandyfmshow Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr Jesse: @jessevitelli

Nier is still in its Zelda era as we continue revisiting different areas of Replicant's big world. This episode we head back to Facade, the Junk Heap, and the Forest of Myth as we explore Nier's revenge-driven obsession, the humanity of the shades, and celebrate Emil as Normandy FM's latest gay icon. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Twitter: Normandy FM: @normandyfmshow Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr

They didn't ban us last time, so we did Video Game Tinder at PAX East 2024. With the help of returning guests Kate Sánchez and Jenny Windom, as well as newcomers Anya Combs and Ben Starr, we swiped right and left on some of your favorite video game characters. Since the panel has a visual element, we've included a link to a Google Slide doc of the presentation for you to follow along. Slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ZqG-RbtP1DmXx1tRt5rV_4MS2yPZPyij48c0zqtIYPk/edit#slide=id.p Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Twitter: Normandy FM: @normandyfmshow Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr Kate: @OhMyMithrandir Jenny: @kimchica25 Anya: @AnyaynA Ben: @The_Ben_Starr

Now that we've reassembled our party, it's time to get back to trying to save Yonah. This episode we start our grand re-introduction tour as we search for missing pieces of a device that may help us reach the Shadowlord's lair. But we'll also be revisiting some old friends, learning stuff about the team, and dealing with some of the new stuff added to Replicant. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Twitter: Normandy FM: @normandyfmshow Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr

Time has skipped and Nier is older, somehow. Michael Higham returns to join us as we learn the truth about Emil's power, discuss body horror, and Nier Replicant's pacing. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Twitter: Normandy FM: @normandyfmshow Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr Michael: @michaelphigham

Happy Holidays, folks. We wanted to give you all a surprise gift before we take off to our respective corners: a Baldur's Gate 3 spoilercast. Ash Parrish returns alongside Normandy FM newcomer James Whitbrook to talk about Larian's D&D epic, and we barely got to scratch the surface of everything we wanted to talk about. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Twitter: Normandy FM: @normandyfmshow Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr Ash: @adashtra James: @Jwhitbrook

Isaiah Colbert, The Otaku without Borders joins us as we talk about Nier Replicant's time skip and just douse the episode in anime references. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Twitter: Normandy FM: @normandyfmshow Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr Isaiah: @ShinEyeZehUhh

Hey, sorry we were a little late with this. We are here to talk about the N7 Day reveals, from the teaser trailer, the transcripts, the art, and also the state of BioWare as it deals with layoffs, pickets, and lawsuits. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Twitter: Normandy FM: @normandyfmshow Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr

It's time to meet "the best boy." This episode Tatum joins us to head to Emil's manor, where we find a spooky subplot and a lengthy Resident Evil homage. We also talk about the merits of Brother Nier and Dad Nier and wonder if the distinction really matters if both of them are 1000+ years old. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Twitter: Normandy FM: @normandyfmshow Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr Tatum: @NoWayTatum

Our journey to curing Yonah continues as we head to the Forest of Myth. This week we talk about Nier Replicant's different approaches to shaking up the hacking and slashing, and how it sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Twitter: Normandy FM: @normandyfmshow Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr

Hello. We're back in Night City for an episode because Cyberpunk 2077 got an expansion. Michael Higham joins us to talk about Phantom Liberty, the 2.0 update, and that new ending in a jam-packed episode. We assess the state of Cyberpunk 2077 and what a "redemption arc" in the era of live-service games even means. This episode has full spoilers for Phantom Liberty starting at the 24:30 mark, so if you haven't finished the expansion yet, come back when you have. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Twitter: Normandy FM: @normandyfmshow Eric: @seamoosi Ken: @shepardcdr Michael: @michaelphigham Read our Phantom Liberty reviews: Eric: https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-cyberpunk-2077-phantom-liberty-pc/ Ken: https://kotaku.com/cyberpunk-2077-phantom-liberty-update-review-idris-elba-1850852291 Michael: https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/cyberpunk-2077-phantom-liberty-review-the-songbird-sings/1900-6418116/

This episode we're headed to Facade and get to talk about the cultures that sprout up in Nier Replicant's version of the post-apocalypse. Also in this show, we talk about episode rollout for the Nier season, and try our best not doomsay about BioWare in a mini BioBit. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Twitter: Normandy FM: @normandyfmshow Eric: @seamoosi Kenneth: @shepardcdr

In our second episode we take a look at some of the towns throughout Nier Replicant, talk about the core mechanics, and meet Kaine. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Twitter: Normandy FM: @normandyfmshow Eric: @seamoosi Kenneth: @shepardcdr

Hey. We're back! Sorry it took so long. This season we're diving into the Nier series, starting with Nier Replicant, the remaster of the original game. In this first episode we talk through the series' Drakengard backstory, our history with the series, and play through the first section of the story of Nier and Yonah. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Twitter: Normandy FM: @normandyfmshow Eric: @seamoosi Kenneth: @shepardcdr

Hey folks! It's been a minute. At this year's PAX East we had a fun panel with returning guest Janet Garcia and newcomers Carli Velocci and Jarrett Green. Eric made Tinder profiles for a handful of video game characters and the panel decided whether or not they'd swipe right or left on your faves. We've included a Google Presentation link of the slides for y'all to follow along with the audio. Hope y'all enjoy! https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/196Pi8T2ylJo6c5G2gkdVUqgzmNbx_36keYoIXMpinkM/edit#slide=id.p All that being said, you might be wondering "where's the Nier season?" This is basically us giving you some signs of life that Normandy FM still exists and we're looking to come out of hibernation soon. Ken has been healing up well, and while he's still not quite at 100%, as you can tell from this panel, he can speak pretty well, again. Thanks for your patience, and we'll be back soon. Follow us on Twitter: Normandy FM: @normandyfmshow Eric: @seamoosi Kenneth: @shepardcdr Janet: @Gameonysus Carli: @velocciraptor Jarrett: @Jarrettjawn

And so V and Johnny Silverhand's story comes to an end. In our Cyberpunk 2077 finale, we talk about all the games' endings and why we picked the ones we did in the end of our respective playthroughs. We touch on the inner politics of Arasaka, finding a new family in the Aldecaldos, and what it means to stay in Night City after everything V has been through. We also close out the episode by talking about what's next for Normandy FM. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Twitter: Normandy FM: @normandyfmshow Eric: @seamoosi Kenneth: @shepardcdr

Hey everyone. We wanted to take a moment ahead of the Cyberpunk 2077 finale to set some expectations, as the show will have to go on a brief hiatus ahead of the Nier season. Some life stuff has come up and we're not going to be able to pick up right after Cyberpunk as we planned, so we wanted to take a quick second to put this announcement on the podcast feed where everyone would hear it. But don't worry! We will be back as soon as we're able. This isn't goodbye. Follow us on Twitter: Normandy FM: @normandyfmshow Eric: @seamoosi Kenneth: @shepardcdr

Before we head into the finale, we've got some odds and ends to clean up. Collin MacGregor and Sam Greer join us to talk through some of Cyberpunk 2077's Act 3 side quests, and we work through our feelings on the uneven segment of the game, and hypothesize why it ran out of steam at the very end. Enjoy the show! Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Twitter: Normandy FM: @normandyfmshow Eric: @seamoosi Kenneth: @shepardcdr Collin: @BeguiledGamer Sam: @SamMGreer

After patiently waiting for a dozen episodes, it's time for Ken's V to find love. This episode is all about Kerry Eurodyne, his feelings about the life he's made, how Johnny's return has thrown a wrench into it, and how Ken's V can fix him. Enjoy the show! Send questions for our upcoming Q&A to [email protected] Become a Normandy FM patron: http://patreon.com/normandyfm Follow us on Twitter: Normandy FM: @normandyfmshow Eric: @seamoosi Kenneth: @shepardcdr