The Big Nerd Gaming Podcast

Westen, David, Andrew, and our special guest Andres discuss our recent experiences with The Big Walk, Fields of Mistria, Mafia: The Old Country DLC, and Rogue Eclipse.From there, in honor of Andres being on, everyone gives their top 5 indie games of 2026 so far.Timestamps:0:00 Intro3:56 Big Walk15:55 Mafia The Old Country DLC and Issues with Singleplayer DLC30:42 Rogue Eclipse33:30 Fields of Mistria45:51 Andres' Top 5 Indies of the Year1:02:23 Andrew's Top 5 Indies of the Year1:12:29 David's Top 5 Indies of the Year1:19:00 Westen's Top 5 Indies of the YearArticles Referenced:Andres talks about Big Walk https://pixelbytegaming.com/big-walk-is-the-perfect-outdoor-experience/Westen https://bignerdgaming.com/https://bsky.app/profile/bignerdgaming.bsky.socialhttps://x.com/BigNerdGaminghttps://www.threads.com/@bignerdgaminghttps://www.facebook.com/people/Big-Nerd-Gaming/61555495498714/Davidhttps://bsky.app/profile/dsundy.bsky.socialhttps://x.com/david_dsundyAndrew https://bsky.app/profile/themcmr.bsky.socialhttps://x.com/TheMCMRAndresPlayshttps://bsky.app/profile/andresplays.bsky.social https://www.twitch.tv/andresplays93https://andresplays.carrd.co/

Westen, David, and Andrew give their thoughts on Assassin's Black Flag: Resynced and Deer & Boy. Westen also discusses why he thinks Denshattack! kind of sucks.From there, they give their top 5 games they played in July, which has several big surprises.Timestamps:0:00 Intro3:30 Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced18:44 Deer & Boy27:54 Denshattack!30:50 David's Top 5 Games July48:33 Andrew's Top 5 Games July54:57 Westen's Top 5 Games JulyArticles and Videos Referenced: Westen Loves Skull and Bones https://bignerdgaming.com/2024/02/08/skull-and-bones-open-beta-impressions-lost-at-sea/AC Black Flag Resynced https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9EmVkQ5v54Deer & Boy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7XLv1lMtjI Denshattack! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gOL6y8iCHc inFAMOUS: Festival of Blood https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdr-mU63OEIThe Mermaid Mask https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNm7ZoxP22sWestenhttps://bignerdgaming.com/ https://bsky.app/profile/bignerdgaming.bsky.social https://x.com/BigNerdGaming https://www.threads.com/@bignerdgaming https://www.facebook.com/people/Big-Nerd-Gaming/61555495498714/Davidhttps://bsky.app/profile/dsundy.bsky.social https://x.com/david_dsundyAndrewhttps://bsky.app/profile/themcmr.bsky.socialhttps://x.com/TheMCMR

Westen, David, and Andrew once again FEARLESSLY dive into the all of the hot button issues that gamers are dealing with right now.With Xbox studio layoffs now more finalized, the crew discusses what the best path forward might be for all of the studios that are now facing new futures. They also discuss Sony ending physical games. Obviously, it's not good news, but are the doomsday predictions for the industry overhyped?Finally, the crew gives their top 5 most anticipated games for the rest of 2026. Timestamps 0:00 Intro 3:39 Double Fine and Compulsion 17:00 Undead Labs/State of Decay 3 And Ninja Theory/Senua 22:15 Arkane and Blade 28:38 Obsidian and id Software 41:28 Sony Killing Physical Games 1:07:33 Top 5 Anticipated Games for 2026 1:22:11 Outro Articles and Videos Referenced:Westen's 2026 Most Anticipated https://bignerdgaming.com/2026/07/01/my-14-most-anticipated-games-for-the-rest-of-2026/ Jason Schreier on team retention https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PiIggQ3aAo Jason Schreier on physical games https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sESfDf0My84&t=1043s Westen https://bignerdgaming.com/ https://bsky.app/profile/bignerdgaming.bsky.social https://x.com/BigNerdGaming https://www.threads.com/@bignerdgaming https://www.facebook.com/people/Big-Nerd-Gaming/61555495498714/ David https://bsky.app/profile/dsundy.bsky.social https://x.com/david_dsundy Andrew https://bsky.app/profile/themcmr.bsky.social https://x.com/TheMCMR

BNG Podcast Episode 9:Westen, David, and Paul from Boss Fights talk about all of the layoffs and price increases that have hit gaming in recent weeks. They discuss where gaming might be going from here. From there, Paul rants about Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, Westen rants about 13 Sentinels, and then everyone gives their top 5 games they played in June.Apologies for the lack of videos this week, our podcast editing software updated and broke bunch of things. Hopefully back to normal next podcast -DavidTimestamps1:58 What is wrong with the games industry16:11 AA Games and Nintendo21:06 $80 Games, Steam Machine, Xbox Price Increase, Paying for Early Access33:58 Paul Rants About Final Fantasy Chronicles37:41 Westen Hates Japanese Game Devs41:49 Our Top 5 Games of the Months56:12 Final Fantasy and Lufia 1 vs 2Articles and Videos Referenced:Hana's amazing article you should read yourself because David did a horrible job talking about it https://www.deargamers.net/blog/dear-gamers-are-we-being-priced-outJason Schreier https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvhmBqRjtBQ&t=14sVideo Links:MIO Memories in Orbit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cafPCloPgtcWesten https://bignerdgaming.com/ https://bsky.app/profile/bignerdgaming.bsky.social https://x.com/BigNerdGaming https://www.threads.com/@bignerdgaming https://www.facebook.com/people/Big-Nerd-Gaming/61555495498714/David https://bsky.app/profile/dsundy.bsky.social https://x.com/david_dsundyPaul https://bsky.app/profile/paulwall.bsky.social https://bossfights.substack.com/

Westen, David, and Andrew each give out one big takeaway from Summer Game Fest Week. From there, they have a few early debates centered around the 2026 Game Awards. Finally, they each give their top 5 most overlooked games from Summer Game Fest week. Timestamps: 2:22 Summer Games Fest Takeaways 12:03 GOTY Predictions 24:53 GTA VI and The Game Awards 35:01 September Releases 37:24 New The Game Awards Category? 41:05 Mixtape and TGA 45:02 Darkhorse GOTY Winner? 48:40 Top 5 Overlooked SGF Games Video Links: Mixtape https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQoEd5rnxiQ Control Resonant https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXRxroxfPJ8 ReVamp https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRCAWL2mKMk Toada Brava https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6adtv6q0mqk Arcane Eats https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sclG5mUD4g Apple Crumble https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hStzapj3ono Alarial's Blessing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E6Z5b4fAoo Magicians: The Devil's Deal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8b2Jd-2y54 Castlevania: Belmont's Curse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1YYTbciSD8 Kemuri https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWMwRfJj8So End of Abyss https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sytee6i3M9E Ninjala 2: The Uncharted Planet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9gIZwxCm-4 Gundam Rogue Orbit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J0_2eMtFQM Threads of Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PzQIM1DMeQ Stuntman Hollywood https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7NZpeAmdxk DOOM The Dark Ages Revelations DLC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL_JF1ZNllI

Westen, David and Andrew break down their thoughts from Forza Horizon 6, 007 First Light, and Lego Batman.From there, they each give the top 5 games they played in May, and argue about Kingdom Hearts and KCD2 for fun. Timestamps:1:33 Forza Horizon 6 18:25 007 First Light 39:02 Lego Batman 41:50 David's Top 5 55:45 Andrew's Top 5 1:05:19 Westen's Top 5 Articles Referenced: David's Way Too Early Predictions: https://medium.com/@dsundy/the-way-way-way-too-early-2026-game-of-the-year-award-nominee-predictions-a565bde52b41 Westen's Way Too Early Predictions: https://bignerdgaming.com/2026/01/17/my-way-way-too-early-2026-game-awards-nominee-predictions/ Westen's Replaced Review: https://bignerdgaming.com/2026/05/22/replaced-game-review-2026/ Terrible James Bond Take:https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/hear-me-out-what-if-james-bond-just-shouldnt-be-in-videogames/ Westen: https://bignerdgaming.com/ https://bsky.app/profile/bignerdgaming.bsky.social https://x.com/BigNerdGaming https://www.threads.com/@bignerdgaming https://www.facebook.com/people/Big-Nerd-Gaming/61555495498714/ David: https://bsky.app/profile/dsundy.bsky.social https://x.com/david_dsundy Andrew: https://bsky.app/profile/themcmr.bsky.social https://x.com/TheMCMR

The Big Nerd Gaming Podcast makes its EPIC return with a new look and a new crew.Westen starts off by introducing the new permanent crew of the show, Andrew and David. From there, the guys talk about Mixtape, MOUSE: PI For Hire, Vampire Crawlers, Replaced and Librarian: Tidy Up the Arcane Librarian. They also rank their top 5 games from the 2020s that will age the worst.0:00 Intro 06:22 Mixtape 26:00 MOUSE P.I. For Hire 33:55 Vampire Crawlers 44:30 REPLACED 49:45 Librarian: Tidy Up the Arcane Library! 55:28 Games of the 2020s That Will Age the Worst Video Links: Mixtape: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQoEd5rnxiQ MOUSE P.I. For Hire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5aA150iHkw Vampire Crawlers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mfFLQL3lVk&t=1s REPLACED: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YheMqHoeHVc Librarian: Tidy Up the Arcane Library!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh81e2oVZbM Articles Referenced: https://bignerdgaming.com/2026/05/08/indie-gaming-roundup-mouse-pi-for-hire-vampire-crawlers-and-tombwater/ https://bignerdgaming.com/2026/05/05/the-top-10-games-of-the-2020s-that-will-age-the-worst/ Westen: https://bignerdgaming.com/ https://bsky.app/profile/bignerdgaming.bsky.social https://x.com/BigNerdGaming https://www.threads.com/@bignerdgaming https://www.facebook.com/people/Big-Nerd-Gaming/61555495498714/ David:https://bsky.app/profile/dsundy.bsky.social https://x.com/david_dsundy Andrew: https://bsky.app/profile/themcmr.bsky.social https://x.com/TheMCMR

Westen and Jordan from CognitiveClips go through the official "BigNerdGaming and Friends" top 10 games of 2025. Which is actually over 20 games, but you'll have to listen to the podcast to find out how that happened.#10: 5:00#9: 16:39#8: 22:03#7: 29:56#6: 35:33#5: 40:05#4: 41:52#3: 43:17#2: 46:40#1: 52:45Please check out Jordan's Youtube page at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAKAFMcJ-yD28lJc1bH_vlQSpecial thanks to Michaela for helping to compile these ranks so that they could be a surprise for me. You can check out her blog at https://www.deargamers.net/

Westen and Chike from Bassicfun discuss their top 5 most overlooked video games from 2025. 6:30 - Discussions of the games we are currently playing. Kingdom of Night, Ball x Pit, Outer Worlds 2, and Silent Hill f are discussed.25:00 - Our top 5 most overlooked games this year, plus some honorable mentions.You can check out Chike's awesome YouTube page which focuses on indie games at the link below.https://www.youtube.com/@bassicfun78Also, be sure to check out www.bignerdgaming.com all month for tons of other end of year lists and coverage.

Westen (from Big Nerd Gaming) and Michaela (from DearGamers) go category by category and predict the nominees for every major Game Awards category. No one else is brave enough to do this! Game of the Year 6:00Best Game Direction: 11:50Best Narrative: 14:54Best Art Direction: 21:50Best Score and Music: 25:30Best Audio Design: 32:00Best Performance: 37:10Best Independent Game: 48:50Best Action Game: 56:37Best Action Adventure Game: 1:03:12Best RPG: 1:11:28Best Family Game: 1:21:50Best Sim/Strategy: 1:25:59Best Multiplayer: 1:29:30Best Accessibility: 1:34:53Wrap Up: 1:41:00Make sure to check out www,deargamers.net for more great content from Michaela and Jason. Also, keep an eye on www.bignerdgaming.com later this week for Westen's final predictions for all of these categories.

WARNING: This episode contains major Final Fantasy spoilers across the series (blame Paul). On episode 2, Westen and Paul from Boss Fights discuss what they are playing right now, and then rank their top 5 Final Fantasy games.0:00- Introduction To Paul3:00- Thoughts on "Trails in the Sky First Chapter", "Hollow Knight: Silksong", and "Hades 2"15:00 Our Top 5 Final Fantasy games. Including one dishonorable mention and two honorable mentions. You can find Paul on Substack: https://bossfights.substack.com/Also, Westen was recently on the Stage Select Podcast. You can check out that episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7tF5moO9IWx7X1K2pqkZ5m?si=cTLKEyovQMW7WOSRrTJHEw

Westen and our special guest AndresPlays discuss the games we are currently playing, going into Hollow Knight Silksong, Quartet, and Lost Soul Aside.From there, they go into their six biggest disagreements with game critics so far this year. With 3 positive disagreements, and 3 negative disagreements. Please like and subscribe if you enjoyed the video!You can find Andres in a bunch of different places!Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AndresPlays93Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/andresplays93Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/andresplays.bsky.social

A quick three minute pitch on why you should add the Big Nerd Gaming Podcast to your gaming podcast rotation.