Episodes
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459: Modern Warfare 4, Bioware Shuts Down and Marvel's Wolverine
Modern Warfare 4 tells one war from three perspectives: Captain Price going rogue, the North Korean side of the invasion, and a private fighting alongside South Korean forces. Halfway through the campaign, the intensity hasn’t let up. On PC, though, getting into multiplayer and DMZ can mean a...
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458: Star Wars Galactic Racer, Gears of War E-Day and WOW Forever
Episode 458 is all about fresh starts. Star Wars: Galactic Racer takes the most tired part of racing games, the campaign, and rebuilds it as a roguelite with real stakes, a revenge story that actually lands, and a boost system that makes every straightaway a decision. From there, we jump into…
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457: Control Resonant, WARDOGS and Marathon
Control Resonant dropped the Service Weapon, swapped the Oldest House for a warped Manhattan, and became a character-action game. We dig into whether Remedy's shapeshifting melee combat and Dylan Faden's story make it one of the boldest sequels of the year, and who it's for now. Then we go back…
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456: The Blood of Dawnwalker, Resonance A Plague Tale Legacy and Marvel's Wolverine
This week we dig into The Blood of Dawnwalker, the debut RPG from Rebel Wolves, where Coen is human by day and vampire by night and the whole game is built around that split. Different powers, different routes, separate skill trees, and a time system where every quest you take closes the door on...
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455: Star Wars Zero Company, Grain Rot and War Dogs
Star Wars Zero Company reviewed well, hit number one on Steam, and shipped with roughly 80% of its studio furloughed and unpaid. We came out of it in different places — one of us thinks the story is fine and the mechanics are genuinely great, one of us couldn't get past the characters and the…
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454: Fields of Mistria, Mouse P.I. for Hire and Marvel's Wolverine
This episode, Brett, Austin, and Jason open with Fields of Mistria, the cozy farming RPG that just closed out two years of Early Access with a full 1.0 launch. Rather than just recapping the new features, the crew digs into what two years of visibly community-shaped development actually produced,...
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453: Halo Campaign Evolved, Funnel Runners and Ghost Recon Wildlands
This week, Brett, Austin, and Jason cover four very different corners of gaming — starting with Halo: Campaign Evolved. Brett played the entire thing with zero nostalgia, and the remake genuinely won him over. But the three new prequel missions, the only original content in the release, tell a...
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452: Palworld 1.0, Black Flag and Garden College Creator Zac Harvey Interview
Palworld just did something almost no Early Access game manages — it actually finished. Roughly a quarter of Early Access games on Steam ever reach a full release, and Pocketpair's 60-person team crossed the line with a doubled map, a reworked progression system, and no price increase for…
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451: Soulframe, Gothic Remake and Assassin's Creed Black Flag
This episode, Brett, Austin, and Jason open with Soulframe, Digital Extremes' fantasy follow-up to Warframe — a game that's rough in the first few hours and genuinely unlike anything else once its combat and story systems click. With TennoCon 2026 just wrapped, they cover what's coming next for…
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450: Meccha Chameleon, Empulse and the XBox Reset
This week on The Inner Gamer, Brett, Jason and Austin start with the indie story nobody saw coming: Meccha Chameleon, a $6 hide-and-seek party game from a nearly-solo Japanese dev team, sold millions of copies in days with zero marketing spend. They break down the skill-based mechanic that made…
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449: 007 First Light, Windrose and Destiny 2's Final Update
This week on The Inner Gamer, we tackle a massive crossroad for the entire video game industry. We lead off with an in-depth review of 007 First Light, breaking down how IO Interactive successfully stepped away from their classic Hitman sandbox formula to deliver a tight, narrative-driven James...
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448: Forza Horizon 6, Subnautica 2 and Lego Batman
Welcome back to The Inner Gamer, the roundtable podcast dedicated to analyzing the ideas, trends, and time-value decisions shaping modern video games. This week, we are kicking things off by driving straight into the stunning landscape of Japan with our full critique of Forza Horizon 6. While...
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447: Mixtape, Embark Studios and 500 Hours in Deadlock
In this episode of The Inner Gamer, we pull back the curtain on the widening gap between stylistic hype and mechanical execution. We kick things off with a raw review of Mixtape, balancing its immaculate stop-motion aesthetic and killer soundtrack against a disappointing lack of player agency and...
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446: Pragmata, Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream and Blast Rivals 2026
Is it possible for a $70 blockbuster to feel like it was actually designed for people with jobs and families? This week, we review Capcom's Pragmata and discuss why its bite-sized mission structure and emotional "Dad Hook" make it a gold standard for time-value in 2026. Then, we dive into the...
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445: John Carpenter's Toxic Commando, Slay the Spire 2 and Starfield
Is a game only worth it if you can play it forever, or is "fun" enough? This week on The Inner Gamer, we’re diving into the blood-soaked, synth-wave world of John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando to see if this vehicle-combat hybrid is the perfect "popcorn game" for your squad. We also head back to the...
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444: Crimson Desert, Marathon and The Crew Motorfest
This week on The Inner Gamer, we dive into the "everything game" problem with our review of Crimson Desert. While it’s one of the most visually stunning open worlds ever made, does its overstuffed MMO-inspired DNA respect the time of a busy player, or is it just a beautiful collection of shallow...
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443: Pokémon Pokopia, DLSS 5 and SXSW 2026
This week on The Inner Gamer, we’re breaking down the big shifts in how we play, pay for, and perceive our games. First, we spend some time in Pokémon Pokopia, the life-sim spin-off that might actually be the best-crafted Pokémon experience in years. It’s Animal Crossing meets Minecraft, but with…
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442: Resident Evil Requiem, High on Life 2 and Marathon
What happens when a legendary horror franchise finds its footing by looking backward? This week, we dive into Resident Evil Requiem, exploring why its tight, 10-hour dual-protagonist campaign is a masterclass in modern survival horror—and a perfect fit for gamers with a busy schedule. We also…
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441: Mewgenics, Super Battle Golf and Roadside Research
In this episode, we’re breaking down a week that has fundamentally shifted the tectonic plates of the gaming industry. First, we tackle the "Dream Team" success of Edmund McMillen’s Mewgenics—a 14-year labor of love that proves deep, uncompromising design still wins. We also check in on the…
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440: Highguard, LORT and Dead as Disco
In this episode of The Inner Gamer, we dive into the high-stakes world of modern hero shooters and the indie revolution of 2026. First, we tackle the polarizing launch of Highguard—discussing how its "PvP Raid" loop is surviving a rocky start through a massive Episode 2 update. Then, we flip the...
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439: 2026 Game Releases, South of Midnight and Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
We kick things off by mapping out the 2026 gaming calendar—not with rankings, but with a realistic survival guide. From early-year sequel grinds like Nioh 3 and Resident Evil Requiem, to spring’s speed-and-stealth energy with Forza Horizon 6 and 007 First Light, and all the way to an end-of-year...
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438: Game of the Year 2025, Jump Space and Beyond Game Pass
Welcome to our first episode of 2026! In this episode we kick off with our official Game of the Year for 2025. Each one of us has our top 10 list and we explore all of our favorite games from 10 to our #1 game of the year. At the end, we aggregate the picks to reveal our official Game of the Year...
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437: Dying Light the Beast, The Game Awards and Two Point Museum
It's our last episode of the year! We'll back back in 2026 on January 13th, 2026 with our Game of the Year episode. In this episode, Jason reviews Dying Light the Beast. It's darker, more intense and hugely open. It follows Kyle from Dying Light 1 and highlights what happened to him after the...
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436: The Outer Worlds 2, Dispatch and Grand Theft Auto 6
In episode 436, Brett joins the Earth Directorate on a planet-hopping adventure in The Outer Worlds 2. Conspiracy is rampant and you must find and stop the people responsible. This game features a ton of player choice and the ability to shape your character in a variety of ways to suit your...
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435: Arc Raiders, PowerWash Simulator 2 and Steam Machines
Embark Studios is back and this time it's their shiny new extraction shooter called Arc Raiders. This is a long-anticipated game from Brett who fell in love with The Finals, also made by Embark. This is their next game which takes you topside from Speranza to loot and extract back with valuable...
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434: Dispatch, Silent Hill f and Battlefield Battle Royale
You may not have heard of Dispatch but after this podcast you surely will wish you had. Dispatch is a new interactive narrative from former Telltale Games devs about superheroes in a modern day office setting. It's one part Suicide Squad and one part The Office. AdHoc Studios shines in delivering...
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433: Battlefield 6, Borderlands 4 and Arc Raiders
Note: We had audio issues with this podcast. You may hear a low buzzing sound. We had a card reader interfering with our camera and therefore the audio is not our normal quality. We will check more closely next time! --- Battlefield 6 is back! We are thrilled that Battlefield is back and that it...
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432: Ghost of Yōtei, Hades 2 and Game Pass Increases
This week on The Inner Gamer, Brett and Jason share their first impressions of Ghost of Yōtei — the long-awaited follow-up to Ghost of Tsushima. You now play as Atsu, a warrior on a brutal quest for revenge against the Yōtei Six who murdered her family. The tone is darker, the world more open…
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431: Borderlands 4, Hollow Knight Silksong and Skate.
Borderlands 4 has finally arrived and with it we have the giant open world of Kairos to explore. Armed with 4 new vault hunters and a slew of missions, side quests and LOTS of guns we share what makes this game a huge step in the right direction. The open world is vast with plenty to do, the game...
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430: 007 First Light, The Witcher in Concert and Our 10 Year Anniversary!
007 First Light had it's first gameplay reveal. This is the new Bond game from IO Interactive, the creators of Hitman. It's looking good in some areas and not so much in others. How will it turn out when it releases next year? Brett revisits some older games. He dives back into No Man's Sky...
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429: Mafia The Old Country, Lego Batman and Battlefield 6
This week Austin is out for his birthday (happy birthday Austin) but Jason and Brett are here to dig into the games. We start with our first look of Mafia: The Old Country. This game takes us back to 1900's Sicily where the Italian mob got its start. You play Enzo working your way up in the…
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428: Wildgate, Grounded 2 and Battlefield 6
In this episode, we review the new game from Dreamhaven (former Blizzard devs) called Wildgate. It's a PvPvE shooter we're having a blast playing. You and 3 other players pilot a shop through The Reach with other ships in the battle with you. Find the artifact and take it through the Wildgate or...
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427: Donkey Kong Bananza, Death Stranding 2 and Mecha Break
Nintendo is back in the conversation with a banger of a game with Donkey Kong Bananza. Exclusive to the Switch 2, Donkey Kong Bananza is one of the best platformers probably ever featuring fully destructible environments and dopamine hits with every smash of a rock you do. With Pauline by your...
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426: Death Stranding 2, Rematch and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
We have a great episode this week featuring our first look at Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding 2. We dive into this beautiful world and explore the early hours of the strand game. Brett dives into Sloclap's Rematch. These are the developers of Sifu entering into the competitive scene with a soccer...
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425: Elden Ring Nightreign, Monster Train 2 and Peak
We have a returning guest on the podcast! Welcome back Joe Lambert from the Nerd Sloth Creative. He's here to talk about all the games we've been playing. Make sure and check out his podcast Indie Game Arcade, releasing weekly! We have an incredibly focused podcast today featuring 4 games. We…
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424: Nintendo Switch 2, Mindseye and Summer Games Fest
The Switch 2 is finally here! We've had it a little over week and talk about our first impressions of the hardware, the game library and what's coming. We also review Mario Kart World which is the premiere launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2. Jason reviews Mindseye, the new game from the…
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423: Revenge of the Savage Planet, Dreamhack and Dallas Fan Expo
We have a surprise review this week for a game called Revenge of the Savage Planet. This game was not on our radar, but we're glad we got it and played it. It's a third-person collect-a-thon where you fight bugs and other creatures, capture them and collect eggs, spool and more to level up your...
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422: Doom the Dark Ages, Elder Scrolls Oblivion and Wildgate
Doom the Dark Ages is here from iD Software. It's a prequel to Doom 2016 and is much more grounded than the previous entries but just as intense. The visceral action in this game and the technical gameplay is unlike anything else out there. The chain shield, the shotgun, the skullcrusher and more...
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421 Clair Obscur Expedition 33, Split Fiction and Arc Raiders
This week we try a new AA game from former Ubisoft developers called Clair Obscur Expedition 33. It's inspired by Belle Époque France and JRPG's. This is the best game we've played this year. From the art style, to the music to the complex turn-based combat, this game has it all to make for a…
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420: Schedule 1, Blue Prince and Marathon's Gameplay Reveal
This episode gets a little off the rails. We talk about drug dealing in the game Schedule 1. It couldn't be more perfect that it falls on Episode 420. Schedule 1 comes from Tyler's Video Game Studio and it's a simulator game where you start as a low-level drug dealer and work your way up in the...
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419: Assassin's Creed Shadows, Fragpunk and Nintendo Switch 2
Assassin's Creed Shadows is here! We really enjoyed Valhalla but it was an incredibly long game that had way too much content. The team behind Shadows recognized this and toned it down and brought us a feudal Japan story that is much more focused with an open world that's vast, but managable. The...
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418: R.E.P.O., Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii and Joseph Neville Interview
You've played Lethal Company. You've played Content Warning. But you haven't yet played a game like R.E.P.O. This game is from a Swedish developer called Semiwork. It's an online, co-op horror game that supports up to 6 players. Find and retrieve objects to satisfy your creator. Use your physics...
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417: SXSW 2025, Monster Hunter Wilds and Interview with Chandler Cooper
In this episode, we record from Austin, TX because we're here for SXSW 2025! We talk about all the fun experiences from the brand activations, to the great panels to the fun parties. The biggest reveal being Death Stranding 2 revealing the release date alongside a world tour concert. We also got…
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416: Avowed, Citizen Sleeper 2 and Underward
We have a few reviews this week, a reaction to some recent news and a look at the upcoming PlayStation games straight out of the State of Play. We review Avowed, the new game from Obsidian, the makers of Pillars of Eternity and The Outer Worlds. Some of us don't like it and some of us do so find...
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415: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Dicefolk and Battlefield 6
Brett reviews Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. This game has been a struggle as one part of it feels amazing and another part feels like it missed the mark. The game is beautiful, has some great cutscenes, interesting puzzles and worlds to explore but the combat leaves something to be desired....
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414: Path of Exile 2, Thank Goodness You're Here and Nintendo Switch 2
Path of Exile 2 is a Diablo-like ARPG out now in early access. It has a price tag and we talk about whether or not this game is fun to play and if it's worth paying the price tag for early access or if you should wait until it's in full release where it switches to free to play. Brett reviews the...
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413: Game of the Year 2024, 2025 Most Anticipated Games and Marvel Rivals
Our Game of the Year Awards are here! The Inner Gamer's official 2024 GOTY awards have arrived. We all share our 10 top list and at the end you get to hear our official list aggregated from all our picks. There are some fun surprises in here you won't want to miss! We also take a look at the…
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412: The Game Awards 2024 Reactions, Marvel Rivals and Secret Level
The Game Awards 2024 have concluded and they were quite the showcase this year. For the 10th anniversary, Geoff Keighley pulled out all the stops with some amazing reveals such as Naughty Dog's next game, the return of Okami, The Witcher 4 announcement and much more. We review NetEase's new game...
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411: Pokemon TCG Pocket, Dragon Age The Veilguard and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
NOTE: We had some audio issues in this recording where everything sounded like an AM radio. We decided to try some new AI tech and this is the output. It cleaned up the AM radio sound quite a bit but you may notice us sounding a little...foreign or merging words together, that's the AI making...
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410: Call of Duty Black Ops 6, The Lakehouse and Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Call of Duty Black Ops 6 is here! We never thought we'd have a Call of Duty game on this podcast again, but Treyarch and the other teams behind this game outdid themselves. Call of Duty Black Ops 6 is the full package. The campaign is solid, the multiplayer is super addicting and the zombies mode...
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The Inner Gamer is a video game podcast exploring the world of video games and the industry surrounding them. Built for the casual gamer, we dive into all the games to weed out the games that are worth your time.
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