RPGrinders

I decided to play a bunch of Metroidvanias for May, for Maytroidvania month, but this spilled over to June and July, and soon to be August for Search-Action Soulsvania Summer! That leaves us with a whopping 6 games to cover! In order(I didn't bother putting in timestamps, don't have the time!) 125 - Islets 126 - Crypt Custodian 127 - Biomorph 128 -  Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus 129 - Afterimage 130 - Nine Sols  

I reviewed the Switch 1 and 2, and Xbox versions of this amazing, but somewhat flawed soon to be classic RPG!

I reviewed the Xbox version of this fun WarioWare-esque platform action game!  

I reviews the Switch and Xbox versions of this fun retro-styled metroidvania! P.S. - I keep calling the subtitle Tear of the Fallen Earth, when it's just Tears of the Earth. My bad!

In this mostly Game Night only, the crew ditches the usual format to just do news, followed by El Chupacabra's Quest to just rest in peace after winning a match. Be sure to tune in live to listen to the hilarity and dice rolls as they happen in real time! 

Edited from a live RPGrinders segment, I reviewed Shadow Labyrinth for the Switch/Switch 2 and Xbox! Other versions include PS5 and PC!

In this shorter ep of RPGrinders the guys have a very short news cycle so they can possibly get to game night (didn't happen), Frank Eric and Break discuss the next console generation and its relation to late stage capitalism, and finally Breaks internet crashes so the guys decide to do a pure game night in June!  Thanks for listening!  Join our chat usually first 3 Fridays of the month http://twitch.tv/RPGrinders and check us out on youtube either Mexican Long Hair or RPGrinders!  Stay safe!   Happy Early Berfday Breakman!!!!!!

After a too long hiatus the Grinders are back, baby! We know we've been missed during these hard times, so we have a lot of making up to do! Tons of news, Stinkos, Sweetos, and reviews! We were gone for most of April. The curiosity is eating you alive. What have the Grinders been doing for the last month? Fighting fascism? Sitting on our asses? Became crypto millionaires only to realize crypto is a scam and we are all much poorer than when we started? Was Frank drunk and wandering around Vegas lost? Did Break live his lifelong dream of finally finding the Colonel's secret recipe? Was Eric just taking a very, very long nap? Maybe.  So much time lost can only mean one thing for sure. A lot of news. A crap ton of news. New release dates and even a movie. The summer is heating up (yes, I'm sorry for the terrible pun) with July release dates for Culdcept: The First Saturn Tribute, and Annihilated, as well as an Aug release of the Switch 2 version of Final Fantasy 14. Did I ask if the Grinders spent the last month sitting on our butts? Cause I have some proof! Movie, television, and gaming reviews! The Grinders watched and played everything from the relaxing game Spirit of the North to the gory season 4 of Invincible. Not to mention the Stray cats, mummies, and a world saving science teacher. How could they have time to do anything else?  If the Grinders spent a month on our butts, we might want to slowly stand and be outraged by these Stinkoes. If we stand up to fast, we will have to add pins and needles to the list. The list is already long and horrendous, there is no need for anymore. The evil American government continues its assault on minorities and facts. With attacks on the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Holocaust Museum as just a couple of the latest examples. Speaking of racists, the evil RFK Jr. has told a lot of lies but none as blatant. And FUCK Caitlyn Jenner! Well, whatever we were doing, it wasn't as fun as this! The Grinders are back to shine a little bit of light on all this darkness. The dark side is NOT more powerful. They just have more money.   One last thing... RIP Roger Sweet, the Father of He-Man. I HAVE THE POWER!               Am I the only one frustrated that both live action He-Man movies take place in fucking America??? Neither exclusively happen in America but I'm just irritated that Earth is even involved. 

I review the Xbox version of the the most recent flagship game in this series!

I review this game as a video since it's also an unboxing! Don't get used to it folks! And sorry about the toe/leg!

In this special canned episode of RPGrinders, Eric exclusively gets through weeks worth of news before Break does his review of the Pixel Remaster of Final Fantasy IV. Then Break and Eric get through there shared stinkos of the various acts of corruption and anti-LGBT laws still being committed against the populace. It goes on so long, we skip Sweetos and go straight to the Free for All Topic of this terrible political climate that is full of cruelty, doublespeak, and hypocrisy. Be sure to turn in next time as the full crew will be back and live once again, Fridays at 7 PM EST on Twitch(RPGrinders) and Youtube(MexicanLongHair)!

Hi gang, it's the final part of the Metroid retrospective series for quite some time. While we have run out of Metroid games proper to talk shop, Eric is joined by guest Fanboymaster from RPGamer's Q and A podcast to talk about the genre that the Metroid series created. while we don't go over every game, and gloss over some I really wish would have been remembered to be mentioned, I hope you enjoy this bit of discussion! P.S. - Sorry for the lack of intro compared to the last part, I'm missing the file!

In the last show until May 1st, the gents breeze thru the news, Break has a copious amount of stinkos, Eric and Frank both get new PS5 Pros, and Frank explains the small hiatus!  See you all May 1st!  Thanks for listening!

It's been four years since the last retrospective, but we are back to discuss the last few games in the franchise! Since Prime 4 wasn't out yet, it was finally time to return. But first we go over Fusion and Other M before diving in to the most recent games in the series. Frank and Eric are joined by guest Fanboymaster101 from RPGamer's Q and A podcast! Enjoy! Here are the links to both previous retrospectives: Part 1:  Part 2:  Dread review:  

it's just Eric and Frank in this super short show for RPGrinders. After a decent chunk of news, Frank has a review for Shit Happens or Scared Shitless, as it may be called elsewhere. Eric reviews the live action One Piece's second season. Stinkos and Sweetos are brisk, but thery are not lacking for qualitatively. And finally Eric comes up with an impromptu Panic Zone scenario. If you want to catch all the details live, be sure to listen in Fridays at 7 PM EST on Youtube(MexicanLongHair) and Twitch(RPGrinders)! 

Happy Spring, or Second Winter, or Third Winter, or whatever crazy weather pattern our ill environment throws at us. For example, here is Southern Ohio it was a beautiful day of mid 70s weather but tomorrow we are expecting highs in the 30s. Our climate is in danger, what will we do to save it? Also, what does any of that have to do with another new episode of RPGrinders??? I mean, besides the fact that we all need this planet to survive! What could possibly be a better way for man to fight back against an environment on the brink? That's right. WAR! Nothing does the world better than blowing shit up. America is doing its part to help as we have started another war. Killing, destruction, and making the environment toxic. What could be better for saving the planet than blowing it the fuck up? (Normally, I would combine the former and latter paragraphs. This time, I felt like it would be in poor taste.) So instead of a stupid line about dropping bombs, I'm just going to get right into the news. Today's news is music to gamers ears because today we announce a bunch of release dates! We have release dates as early as this month, including Pokemon XD Gale of Darkness, and survival RPG Everwind. Release dates for April, like Pokemon Champions and Valorborn. We even have release dates for May and all the way into 2027, such as Pokemon Wind Waves and Celestial Return. Pokemon fans have a few reasons to look forward. If the war wasn't bad enough to destroy the environment, the American government has decided to help speed up the process with laws legalizing banned chemicals and deregulating chemical use and disposal. This is but one example of the string of grievances we refer to as the Stinko of the Week. We have many more things to complain about in and outside of the gaming industry. Ok, mostly outside because the United States has started another war. This country has a long history of starting wars and engaging in acts of regime changes across the globe. The vast majority of the American people do not want us involved in any wars. No more innocent people dying because wealthy people only want more. We have nothing but condemnation for one of the most horrific and avoidable atrocities committed by the vile Trump administration. The bombing of an Iranian school is a horrific act that should never again be repeated! Killing innocent people seems to be the only thing our government knows.  Between the bombs and the climate deniers, the planet Earth his moving closer to a tipping point. Unlike this episodes Panic Zone, running away is not an option. We prefer to end the show on a more positive note, because we all must have hope. There is a lot of hard work to do but it isn't all lost. Just like a run in with Jason Vorhees, we still have a small chance to survive. The chance is growing smaller all of the time.  We are all in this one together. We can't be complacent. Earth is our home. Will we continue to let a small group of greedy assholes destroy it for their own personal gains or will we stand up and force them to face accountability?              I know I started off having fun, but I couldn't make light of war. Will humanity ever fucking learn??? When will we stop allowing ourselves to be nothing but pawns to corrupt governments and their wealthy donors?      And yes, I did mean to make it all about the environment. The war was just too important not to mention and I'm too angry not to rant!      

I reviewed the Switch version of this fun but somewhat lacking Metroidvania game! 

I review the new updated PS5 and Switch 2 releases for this update to 2024's latest Ys title! review for the original can be found here: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-7b5py-170e989 Score for this release: 9/10  

Getting old really does suck!  The guys have a really good discussion based on BreakMan's question for Drivers Seat, The news is short and sweet, Eric brings us sad news in his Stinko's for Shutaro Iida, and Frank sees the end of his gaming "career" in his sights......      Join us LIVE first 3 Fridays of the month twitch.tv/rpgrinders  or search YouTube:  Mexican Long Hair OR RPGrinders!!   Thanks for listening!

in this new filled episode of RPGrinders, the crew has a lot of news no thanks to a State of Play, the the really important news is that Castlevania is back, baby! Break also has a review of the second season of Fallout. Stinkos are the usual suspects, but at least there are Sweetos to even that out. Frank also has a Driver's seat question for you all that you don't want to miss! Be sure to catch the show live on Fridays on Twitch(RPGrinders) or Youtube(Mexicanlonghair) at 7PM EST! 

Twenty Twenty-Six has only been with us for a month but it has already worn out it's welcome! Military in our streets, internment camps in our cities, an environment that is clearly reaching a tipping point, and a corrupt government run by pedophiles and their protectors. As we watch as our freedoms and rights disappear, take comfort in the fact that the Grinders are still here to spread cheer. It isn't much but we are all in this together. We all have to oppose fascism in our own ways, and deal with our own personal stresses.  A gaming podcast may not be much, but we can help spread the truth and distract the mind from the horrors of reality. Even as our country is fighting for it's life the gaming industry is still thriving. When the weather starts to improve (hopefully) we will see the protests grow to sizes that force change! Strikes, boycotts, and whatever it takes to bring Freedom for All to every person living in this country. A long list of news stories as the number of 2026 releases grows. For the Spring, look forward to the releases of Utawarerumono: Past & Present Rediscovered and Dosa Divas. The Summertime also has a couple of new releases, in Another Eden Begins and Kyoto Xanadu.  With everything going on in America, the Stinkos are growing at an alarming rate. Soon they will need their own show. We are surrounded by so many horrors that it has become impossible for anyone to keep up. America has a corrupt government that is directly responsible for the deaths of millions. A wannabe dictator is changing the rules while no one seems willing to challenge him. The Epstein files continue to be blocked from proper release; the FBI even attempted to hurt the victims. On top of all that, the Grinders say goodbye to an icon. RIP Catherine O'Hare.  After a January that temporarily derailed the show, the Driver's Seat is back to start us off right. Eric want's to know, what are some bad habits you see from gamers you wish they’d get over? The Grinders give you ours. Send us feedback and let us know yours! A special shout out to everyone brave enough to fight fascism and doubly for those fighting it in the bitter cold weather! Jack Frost, puppy killers, and White Supremacists won't stop the spirit of the American people! We sure as hell won't submit to people who abuse children! Join us next week as we dream about Spring and a world without oppression. We love living in a country with such a large diversity of people. We can't let them take away what makes us great, each other.                (Sorry, if this seems disjointed but I didn't want to do my usual spin. The shit that is happening in America is far too important for my silliness.) I feel like I should still say something smartass... You know who isn't in the Epstein files? US!      

I review the PS4, 5, and Switch 2 versions of the latest entry in Van's arc!

I review the Switch 2 version of this long awaiting follow up to Prime 3!  

I review the Switch 2 update and DLC! Original review: https://rpgrinders.podbean.com/e/rpgrinders-review-19-kirby-and-the-forgotten-land/  

In this breezy ep of the Grinders, the guys blast through a few news stories, Break's Stinkos include ICE ramping up their nonsense, Frank reviews Predator Badlands and Stranger Things S5 (spoiler free) and brings up some of all time fav anime series and movies!   Join us LIVE first 3 Fridays of the month http://twitch.tv/RPGrinders or search Mexican Long Hair on YouTube 7EST!  Thanks for listening!

After several weeks of malaise, the crew finally pulls itself together to start off the year with more nonsense! The news largely consists of digital game soundtrack releases, patches and another anime turned videogame. For reviews Frank reviews Marshmallow, Break reviews Aztec Batman, and Eric reviews Wake Up, Dead Man, and also previews the Dragon Quest VII Reimagined demos. For Stinkos, the usual crap being done by the Fascist Party and thier minions, ICE(fuck ICE btw). At least it's the first show of the year! Then we have a Free for All before cycling back to Driver's Seat next month. To catch all of the shenanigans live, be sure to tune in Fridays at 7 PM on Twitch(RPgrinders) or Youtube(MexicanLongHair)!   

I reviewed the Switch 2 port of the late 2024 remake of Persona 3! Link to the original review here: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-e7pqf-17278dc  

I reviewed the Switch and Switch 2 versions of this great follow-up to Super Giant Game's previous hit!

I reviewed the Switch version of this long lost and previously unreleased GBA sequel to the Gameboy Color Shantae!

Happy Christmas and Merry Holidays to all! It's the 2025 season finale of RPGrinders and it is one of the best of the year! Don't worry, because we will be back in 2026. Until then, enjoy this last episode of the latest news, reviews, and some special surprises. (That aren't actually surprises because we already said we would do them!) With only a week left in this weak ass year, there are no new releases to announce. That's okay because 2026 will soon be here and with it, new games a plenty. The next few months alone will see the releases of Escape From Ever After, Ariana and the Elder Codex, and MegaMan Starforce Legacy Collection. Enough games to keep us all occupied through the long winter months. In the holiday spirit of "scary ghost stories," Frank reviews one of most popular horror franchises of all time. I won't spoil the surprise, but I will say that Santa Claus isn't the only thing keeping children up late at night.  Every year, the Grinders give our top pics in RPG gaming. Even a crappy year like 2025 has had some fantastic releases. For the first time ever, the Grinders all choose a game from one certain franchise. Retro games remade for the modern error without losing the charm of the originals. What were once just 2D pixels are now rich 3D worlds to explore. Stagnant enemies are now in full motion and looking far better than ever. What are those games? I won't spoil the holiday fun! Go sit on Santa's lap, maybe he'll tell you.  Santa Claus has a Naughty List of all the children who misbehave; however, it pales in comparison to the RPGrinders weekly 2025 Stinkos. Genocidal mad men are murdering innocent fishermen and trying to start wars. Racist losers are kidnapping and disappearing innocent people off the streets. Government agencies protecting wealthy pedophiles. Government agencies weaponizing our courts against their political enemies. All of those and a country that loves its guns more than its children. Maybe this whole country should be on his Naughty List.  With so many reasons to be exhausted, like the holidays and fascism, we all need a release. What better way to bring people together for fun than gaming? This episode is the finale episode of the RPGrinders version of gaming fun, Game Night! After 2 weeks of wrestling entertainment, the Grinders finally determine the winner of our final game of 2025. Will it be Frank's wicked El Chaupacabra? Or maybe Break's grunty Beast? What about Eric's badass Johnny 5 Bigelow? Or could it be one of the chatter's wrestlers who cleaned house and took home the championship belt?? No hints and Santa can't help you this time! With that, the Grinders give a Merry Middle Finger to 2025 and wish nothing but the best to all our friends, family, and listeners. May whichever holiday you celebrate be filled with love and joy.                     The only thing that kinda sucks about Game Night is that I write a bunch of stuff that never even gets used. It took me a couple hours to write the *redacted* ending but no one will hear its glory! lol Oh well, as long as I am still having fun, I see no real need to complain!