Video Game Generations

Reviews in this episode are for Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice (PS4), Super Mario Odyssey (Switch), South Park: The Fractured but Whole (PS4), Don't Knock Twice (Switch), Dead Synchronicity: Tomorrow Comes Today (Switch) and Thimbleweed Park (Switch). I've also added eight more Steam codes to the game give-away page. Listen for the password. If you can't use them or don't want them, share with a friend. The new plan is to give listeners one week to redeem the games you want, and then I'll share the link on Twitter, which will work until the password changes on the next episode. 00:00:00 - Game Audio Clip (from South Park) 00:00:47 - Welcome to the Podcast (Intro) 00:06:27 - Hellblade - Senua's Sacrifice (Review) 00:12:44 - Super Mario Odyssey (Review) 00:24:30 - South Park - The Fractured but Whole (Review) 00:33:20 - Don't Knock Twice (Review) 00:37:40 - Dead Synchronicity - Tomorrow Comes Today (Review) 00:43:53 - Thimbleweed Park (Review) 00:52:05 - Closing Remarks (Wrap-Up) 00:53:52 - Game Music Clips (from Super Mario Odyssey) 00:57:44 - Post-Episode Outtake (with Addie) Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

It's a change of pace this time. Rather than an all-reviews episode, Bill joins me to talk about our favorite games of 2017 (and prior years). We read some listener email, which prompts several tangents and discussions about Nintendo Labo, 8-bit Castlevania games, the future of Playstation VR, and more. We recap our 2017 predictions to see how well we guessed the world of gaming at the beginning of last year. We also have a few new predictions for 2018. With no end to the games on the horizon, we talk about quite a few upcoming releases, with rankings on how likely it is they'll release this year. Oh, and if you're a PC gamer, you're in luck. Sixteen games have been added to the codes give-away page. They're free to the first listener able to solve a little scavenger hunt made up of clues in the episode. Listening late? Play along anyway, because the Steam codes usually last days, weeks, even months before being redeemed. It never hurts to check. 00:00:04 - Welcome to the Podcast (Intro) 00:05:40 - Intro and Agenda for 2017 Wrap-Up 00:10:47 - Listener Email (Jason G) 00:14:51 - Listener Email (Pawel) 00:29:23 - Listener Email (Judge Greg) 00:32:55 - Mike's 2017 Honorable Mentions 00:49:23 - Bill's Best-Of-Played in 2017 01:06:03 - Mike's Best Of 2017 Top 10 List 01:18:49 - Mike's 2017 Didn't-Play List 01:24:57 - Bill's Ongoing Backlog List 01:32:13 - Bill's 2017 Predictions Recap 01:34:21 - Mike's 2017 Predictions Recap 01:38:27 - Bill's Predictions for 2018 01:44:29 - Mike's Predictions for 2018 01:48:44 - Looking Ahead to 2018 and Beyond 02:12:45 - Closing Remarks (Wrap-Up) 02:15:00 - VGG Podcast MIDI Music Clip 02:17:21 - Post-Episode Outtake (with Addie) Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

The first three reviews this episode are for point-and-click adventure games. I review The Uninvited, a classic NES adventure game now available as part of the 8-Bit Adventure Anthology (PS4). After that, another from the same collection, Shadowgate (PS4). Then I review Subject 13 (PS4), Wolfenstein: The New Colossus (PS4), and Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle (Switch). In the intro, several more game codes on Steam have been added to the codes give-away page, and I talk a little about plans for our 2017 year-end wrap-up episode, where Bill will return to co-host. If want to participate, email us your best-of list, predictions for 2018, or just whatever seems appropriate for a year-end wrap-up. 00:00:00 - Game Audio Clip (from Wolfenstein 2) 00:00:46 - Welcome to the Podcast (Intro) 00:05:24 - 8-Bit Adventure: The Uninvited (Review) 00:15:20 - 8-Bit Adventure: Shadowgate (Review) 00:21:30 - Subject 13 (Review) 00:32:22 - Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus (Review) 00:41:08 - Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle (Review) 00:50:28 - Closing Remarks (Wrap-Up) 00:51:13 - Game Music Clips (from Mario + Rabbids) 00:52:11 - Post-Episode Outtake (with Addie) Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

After more than two months, I'm back with the latest "reviews" episode of Video Game Generations. This week, I review Dishonored: Death of the Outsider, Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony, and Assassin's Creed Origins. I had also planned to review several of the entries in this year's Interactive Fiction Competition, but only got around to three of them, which are also included. For the first time, I'm also including segment timestamps in these show notes. I may go back and add timestamps retroactively for the last four episodes also, if I get the time. I hope this helps any listener wanting to skip a review, or skip to a specific review. 00:00:00 - Game Audio Clip (from AC Origins) 00:00:31 - Welcome to the Podcast (Intro) 00:04:12 - Dishonored: Death of the Outsider (Review) 00:17:14 - Danganronpa V3 - Killing Harmony (Review) 00:30:04 - Interactive Fiction Competition 2017 (Intro) 00:34:26 - IFComp 2017 - Just Get the Treasure (Review) 00:38:09 - IFComp 2017 - Eat Me (Review) 00:42:39 - IFComp 2017 - Hexteria Skaxis Qiameth (Review) 00:44:25 - Assassin's Creed Origins (Review) 00:57:02 - Closing Remarks (Wrap-Up) 00:58:46 - Game Music Clips (from Danganronpa V3) 01:03:58 - Post-Episode Outtake (with Addie)Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

This time on VGG Reviews (which is really what I should call the podcast, for now), I talk about Parascientific Escape: Cruise in the Distant Seas (3DS), Agents of Mayhem (PS4), Bulb Boy (Switch), Last Day of June (PS4), Danganronpa v3: Killing Harmony (demo on PS4), and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy (PS4). But first, some preliminary house-keeping includes an update on what's keeping Addie busy (to be clear, Addie isn't here -- it's just me letting you know what she's up to these days), and several new Steam game codes added to the codes give-away page. The ending music is a catchy, silly tune from Agents of Mayhem, which is also the source of the series of puns at the start of the episode. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

There was plenty of game review content this time, so no top-10 list or special feature (sorry). Reviews include Lithium: Inmate 39, Yooka-Laylee, Spec Ops: The Line, and Hitman: Season 1. Before that, I give out the new password for the game codes page, where four new games have been added (three on Steam, one for Vita). The ending music for this episode is the main theme from Yooka-Laylee. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

This episode, I review The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo Switch), Shadwen (PS4), and Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls (PS4). A review of Tokyo Jungle (PS3) submitted by Jason G. is also included. After the reviews, I list the top ten features missing from the Nintendo Switch, and the ten games releasing later this year that I'm most looking forward to playing. The ending music this week is the title theme for Danganronpa AE:UDG. Enjoy! Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

We're back! Well, I'm back. This is the first review-only solo episode after the end of our regular format last time. It's no longer weekly, but I plan to release an episode as often as I can. Until Heath is ready to co-host and we can return to a weekly schedule, the next few weeks or months or years will be like this. I hope you like game reviews! This week, I review Prey (PS4), Syberia II (PS3), and The Surge (PS4). That's most of the show. First, though, this week's feature is a top ten list of the most exciting announcements (for me) from this year's E3. Listen afterwards for this week's code give-away password. Up for grabs are Steam codes for Good Robot, Manual Samuel, and Dreamscapes: The Sandman - Premium Edition. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

This milestone marks not only our one hundred and fiftieth episode, but also the last episode for Addie. When the podcast continues (probably in the next month or two), the format is changing to an all-review pre-recorded show with just me. That will probably continue for a while, with occasional Mini-Gamers segments with Heath or other special episodes possibly co-hosted by Bill. Then, when the time is right, the show will return to a weekly schedule, with Heath as the permanent co-host. Anyway, that's the plan. It might take months or even years before he's ready, or it may end altogether before that. It's impossible to express how grateful we both are for everybody who listened to and enjoyed our podcast over these past three (almost) years. Whether you were a recent listener, a lapsed listener from early on, or there from the beginning to the end, we never would have kept going without you as an audience. It means the world to us both that you helped make this possible for so long. This week's show starts with our usual news and new releases, followed by an update on what I've been playing. That's Syberia II (PS3) and Prey (PS4). After that, we switch gears to email, which is the focus of this week's episode. We also received several audio clips from listeners, which are included too. After that, we reminisce for a bit before closing the show. It may not truly be the end, but with Addie stepping away from co-hosting duties, it sure feels like it. We hope you enjoy this "final" episode. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

After a real-world month and 121 in-game hours, I finished Persona 5. My epic spoiler-free pre-recorded review is here at last. Before that, though, Addie's back for our penultimate episode. I talk a little about plans for the future, to keep the podcast going in some form even though it's reached an end for her. I'm sure we'll talk more about that next week, too. After talking briefly about this week's new releases, we read listener email. This includes a couple great questions about weapon durability in games, and frustrating game mechanics in general. We also get brief impressions of The Fall, The Last Tinker, and Fruit of Grisaia from Nikhil. Several Steam codes from prior weeks may still be available, and six new ones have been added this week. They are for Outlast, Mushroom Men: Truffle Trouble, Atonement: Scourge of Time, Atonement 2: Ruptured by Despair, Sword of the Stars: The Pit - Gold Edition and Bardbarian. The ending music this week is an assortment of several clips from Persona 5. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

It's the end of an era, but maybe the start of something new. This version of the Video Game Generations Podcast will come to an end in two weeks, with episode 150. Addie is old enough now that her priorities have changed, and Heath isn't quite old enough to take it seriously, contribute in a meaningful way, or even just sit still for an hour. The future is uncertain, but I hope to keep the podcast alive in some form. I may do occassional episodes that are entirely made up of my pre-recorded reviews for multiple games, or maybe we'll do a bonus special episode once in a while. The goal, though, is to put the current format on pause for some period of time, until Heath is old enough to make it work. Of course, that assumes he'll still want to, when that time comes. He's here this week, and probably next, but Addie should be back for episode 150. If you have email or voice mail (using our SpeakPipe link or by sending your own .MP3 file) for our "final" episode, be sure to get it to us by May 22nd, prior to our recording on May 23rd. It's a shorter episode this week, because I'm still not finished with Persona 5 (PS4). I talk a little about it this week, but I'm saving most of my thoughts for the review. News consists of this week's new game releases. Then I read an email regarding the differences in walking simulators, Dreamfall Chapters impressions, and the PSVR-compatible game GNOG. My plan for this week's feature segment is a little rushed, but it involves Game Informer's top 100 RPGs of all time in their latest issue. I mention just the ones I played until reaching the top 10. I had intended to say more about each game, but by that point in the show, Heath was too restless for that. The password for this week's addition to the Steam codes page is given out very late in the episode. Five games have been added this week, and as always, the first first listener to redeem them gets them. Up for grabs are Sudeki, Jurassic Park: The Game, Candle, Guardians of Victoria and ZombieCarz. Quite the eclectic mix. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

May the Fourth be with you! It sure wasn't with us, in our first attempt to record on the usual night. I thought it would be a good idea to try dual co-hosts with Addie being unavailable, so Tuesday night, both Heath and Hadleigh sat with me in what I can only describe as a fiasco to end all fiascos. Stay tuned after the ending music for a few select bits from that first attempt. The rest of those painful twelve minutes will most likely remain unreleased, since there was a good amount of yelling, complaining, and silliness in general. In our second attempt, Heath and I stick to the plan. Without a well-intentioned sibling for him to argue with and complain about, it went better. I talk a little about last week's emails to follow up on a couple things, and then we do the Steam code give-away for Child Phobia: Nightcoming Fears and Her Story. After news, new releases, and the free Xbox and Playstation game line-ups for May, we talk about what we're playing. I skipped Persona 5 this week, even though I put a lot more time into it. We start with my pre-recorded review segment where I talk about Late Shift (PS4) and What Remains of Edith Finch (PS4) -- spoiler-free reviews for both of them. Then, we talk about Heath's first experience with Virtual Reality (VR) last weekend, and a few games he's playing. These include Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch), C.A.T.S. - Crash Arena Turbo Stars (iOS), King of Thieves (iOS), and more. It's mainly just a brief mention of each. This week's feature is something a little different. Because I've been in an "interview" mindset lately, I decided to interview Heath for the open (and entirely made-up) "gamer" position. Questions include trivia/facts, personal preferences, and more. Some of his answers surprised even me. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

Something weird happened with the audio for this week's podcast. I use a Polycom speaker phone currently (maybe now's a good time to get a real mic), and something was wrong with it this time. Maybe the handset wasn't on right, or there was an issue due to prior use that caused some distortion and feedback or something. The problem wasn't evident until listening back and editing, so the entire episode is like that. Luckily, the noise removal feature in Audacity helped quite a bit, making the audio a little more robotic and hollow but taking care of most of the distortion and background static. You may still notice it, especially if listening with headphones, but all things considered, it could have been a lot worse. Plenty of new game releases make up this week's news segment. After that, we read several really great emails from listeners. Topics include Double Fine's Amnesia Fortnight, a Double Fine display at the game exhibition in Hamburg, the Nintendo SNES-Mini rumor, the portability of digital downloads on the Nintendo Switch, and what happens when the online servers for games are shut down. That last topic was supposed to be more about the lack of fanfare when the Disney Infinity servers were taken down, but I somehow manage to turn it into a rant about online services in general, and my fears about digital-only content and game patches when current-gen and last-gen servers are eventually shuttered. It seems I'm nowhere close to finishing Persona 5 yet (PS4), or Syberia 2 (PS3) for that matter, so I talk a little about both games, but without a pre-recorded review segment this week. In particular, I talk about the small-scale criticism about P5's English translation, and my thoughts on the puzzle design in S2. Addie talks a little about Little Alchemy (iOS) and Clash Royale (iOS), with me asking questions to better understand what she's playing. Then in our final segment, I count down my personal Top 10 List of the games released this year (so far) that have already hit my ever-growing backlog. The point here is to maybe provide some insight on a few games I'll be playing and talking about in the weeks to come. Steam codes given away this week are Dexodonex, Operation KREEP, and Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2. If you're the first listener to enter this week's password (given out during the show) into the box near the bottom of our website's main page, you can redeem these codes on Steam. It never hurts to check, even if you're a few days late. Sometimes, the codes go unclaimed longer than you might expect. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

Heath fills in for Addie once again in this week's episode. The neighbor's lawn mower fills in as an annoying bit of bad luck. We don't have a sound-proof recording studio or anything, unfortunately, so I apologize in advance for the droning buzz that can be heard through most of the show. At least my pre-recorded segment, with a spoiler-free review of Mass Effect: Andromeda (PS4), isn't affected by that. In this episode, I rant about YouTube's cryptic "inappropriate content" complaint about one of our recent episodes, which resulted in its removal from YouTube. Even after disputing it, an uninformative and unhelpful cookie-cutter response was the only result. Since our content doesn't actually voilate their content policy, and no specifics were given, it's impossible to continue uploading to YouTube because I have no idea what the issue was. As a result, we're no longer on YouTube. My first thought was the ending music in that episode (from Blaster Master Zero), but I generally only include stuff that others have set a precedent by uploading already. Even so, a "copyright strike" is an entirely different thing on YouTube, so the specifics of what went wrong may forever remain a mystery. After news and new releases, I include my previously-mentioned pre-recorded review. We had no email this week, which may have been for the best, since Heath was very anxious to move ahead into game discussion. Much of his gaming time has been spent on the Nintendo Switch, so he talks a little about The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch) and Snake Pass (Switch). Most of the discussion is about Lego City Undercover (Switch), which prompts us to talk about collectibles and completion percentages in games. This week's Steam code give-aways include Puzzle Agent, Puzzle Agent 2, and The Silent Age. The ending music is the Mass Effect: Andromeda title theme. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

Game code give-aways have been streamlined (even though you wouldn't know it from my lengthy explanation in this episode). Instead of solving clues and filling in the blanks, just listen for the password each week, and enter it in the box near the bottom of our main page (www.vggpodcast.com). This week, we're giving away one copy of Christopher Brookmyre's Bedlam and a copy of Lichdom: Battlemage, both on Steam. Plus, last week's codes are still available, as far as we know. Addie doesn't have much to say about the Xbox Scorpio announcement, but I share my thoughts during our news segment. After that, she helps me with this week's list of new game releases. In email, I talk more about the Mass Effect: Andromeda faces/animation controversy (a topic that comes up again later in my pre-recorded segment), math, and Pawel's thoughts on Psychonauts and Blackwood Crossing. Also in my pre-recorded segment, I give first impressions of Thief Town (PS4) and Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime (PS4), plus a brief update on my progress in Syberia II (PS3) and Mass Effect: Andromeda (PS4). Being busy as usual, Addie played very little and doesn't really have anything to add. In fact, this episode may be a bit more monolouge-y than usual. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

This week's free Steam codes are for Just a Cleric, Just Bones, and Monster RPG 2. As always, if you're the first listener to fill in the blanks using show-related clues, you can redeem one or two or even all three of these on Steam. Sometimes the codes don't get redeemed for days or weeks, so it's always worth checking them out, just in case. This week's news is a recap of April's free PlayStation Plus games, and the games releasing this week for various platforms. In email, listeners share opinions about several games, including Limbo, The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing, Guacamelee, TellTale's Batman, Night in the Woods, and L.A. Noir. Blaster Master Zero (Switch) gets a review in my pre-recorded segment. After that, Addie talks a little about The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch) and I Love Hue (iOS), which is her Mobile Game of the Week. Without adequate time to prepare, we have no top ten list or quiz this week. But we do have some Blaster Master Zero music. The show ends with the title theme and a sampling of early level music in all its retro-inspired glory. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

Even though it's still March, I think Addie considers this our April 1st episode. Rather than spoil anything, I'll just leave it at that. After news and new releases, an email from Pawel gives us a chance to talk briefly about Addie's role as co-host. Nothing is decided, and she's here for now, but the time may come when it's just me and Heath, as Addie's priorities change with school, friends, and various other activities and interests. The same email also gives me a chance to disagree with him about Horizon: Zero Dawn. I have a brief update on Blaster Master Zero (Switch) and opening thoughts on Mass Effect: Andromeda (PS4). In my pre-recorded segment, I review Nier: Automata (PS4). After that, Addie has a short game review of her own. Then, in a new quiz, I challenge her to name the exclusive gaming platform (Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo) associated with each of sixteen iconic game characters. Bonus points are awarded if she can name a game featuring that character. Listeners can play along too. Steam game codes given away this week are Time Mysteries: Inheritance Remastered and Broken Sword 1: Director's Cut. As always, the first person to fill in the blanks using simple show-related clues (the answers to which can be found at our website) gets one or both of these free games. The ending music this week is the amusement park theme from Nier: Automata. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

Addie's back, but it's our shortest episode ever due to limited prep time and Addie getting a bit sick. I have no pre-recorded review segment this week, but I talk a little more about Blaster Master Zero (Switch) and my opening thoughts on NieR: Automata (PS4). Addie's gaming time was spent mainly on the 3DS with Stretchmo and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, but she also played a bit of Castle Crashers (Xbox 360) with Heath and Hadleigh. In email, we talk about the ways we relate the similarities in games, losing cohesive storytelling in open world games, and the possibility of Horizon or Zelda copycats after the recent success of those games. That's after news and new releases. Two Steam game codes are given away early in the show. These are Poker Night at the Inventory and Poker Night 2. If you're the first listener to solve the simple clues to fill in the blanks, you can redeem these PC games on Steam. Last week's Steam codes may still be available too, since I haven't received word yet that they're redeemed (as of this posting). Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

Heath returns again to guest-host in Addie's place, due to yet another scheduling conflict. We're trying to get things back on track, though. Next week, the plan is to return to our normal Tuesday night recording, with Addie back on the show. Somehow, the show runs longer with Heath. Keeping him focused on the subject at hand has been a challange. This week, we talk about the upcoming PLAY Collective games on PS4, this week's new releases, more on the Nintendo Switch and upgrading your memory card, listener feedback about Horizon: Zero Dawn, and thoughts on recent events involving the co-host of a much more popular podcast. In my pre-recorded segment, I give opening impressions of Blaster Master Zero (Switch) and a review of Horizon: Zero Dawn (PS4) -- without spoilers, of course. Heath talks briefly about everything he's playing, including Super Bomberman R (Switch), Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 (PS4), Tearaway Unfolded (PS4), Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch), and Snipper Clips (Switch). In this week's top ten list, I count down my favorite 80's movies, but with one constraint. I choose movies that also happened to have an associated video game. This excludes many of my 80's favorites, but those are mentioned in a lengthy honorable mentions section. Two Steam game codes are given away early in the show. These are Rest in Peace and the classic puzzle-platformer Limbo. If you're the first listener to solve the simple clues to fill in the blanks, you can redeem these PC games on Steam. And finally, the ending music this week is from Horizon's title theme. Enjoy! Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

In a surprise twist, Addie had a second scheduling conflict on our alternate recording night, so younger brother Heath fills in as a guest host. It looks like next week will also be one day late, before we're back to our normal schedule of releasing on Wednesday, but at least Addie should be back to her regular hosting duties then. With Heath here, though, we talk about the Nintendo Switch late in the show. We share our thoughts and early impressions of the new handheld/home hybrid console. Heath talks a little about The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and I try to steer him clear of anything that might be a spoiler. Before that, my pre-recorded segment is a few opening thoughts on Horizon: Zero Dawn (PS4). I'm saving a more in-depth review of the game until I finish it, hopefully by next week. For this week's new game releases, Heath tries to guess what each game is about. There's some confusion, though, because at one point he thinks he's supposed to predict what it is without even hearing the title. After that, email dominates the show in what's probably this week's longest segment. Of all the weeks to get a whopping five emails from listeners -- some with questions specifically to Addie -- it's the one week she isn't here. Topics are interesting and varied, including recent movie recommendations, how we recommend games based on similarities to other games, a different take on Horizon: Zero Dawn, a recommendation for Super Mario 3D Land (3DS), what age is right for kids to start learning games with more advanced mechanics, the paradox that is game developer Spiders, and a mini-review of the recently-released game Night in the Woods. This week's Steam game give-away, early in the show, is for TellTale's The Wolf Among Us. Solve the clue to be the first listener to redeem and win the code. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

With the Nintendo Switch releasing tomorrow, we combine a history lesson with this week's top ten list to bring you the ten best launch games on Nintendo consoles. They're ranked based on the one best game per console launch, so a weak launch might still rank highly if it included one stellar title. That's up late in the show. Before that, email includes feedback about last week's list of hypothetical game character cross-overs, Gravity Rush 2, Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin, and a preemtive Nintendo friend request for when Mario Kart releases on the Switch. News includes this week's new game releases (half of those being Switch launch titles) and the free games line-up for Xbox Gold and PlayStation Plus. In gaming updates, Addie has very little to say about what she played (Splatoon on Wii U and The Last Tinker on PS4). My pre-recorded segment includes a wrap-up for Nioh (PS4) after I managed to finish it late last week, and a spoiler-free review of the Portal-inspired first person puzzle game The Turing Test (PS4). Steam game codes given away this week are The Last Tinker: City of Colors and S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Shadow of Chernobyl. Listen for that early in the episode and solve the clues to be the first person to claim the codes on Steam. The ending music this week is from a hidden radio in The Turing Test. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

Topics from email this week include Sort the Court from Ludum Dare 34, Picross 3D, Broken Age, Nintendo's current place in the console wars, and the recent absence of video games featuring Disney princesses. We have no news this week (although the Xbox Games With Gold for March were announced and I forgot to include them), but plenty of new releases to talk about. Addie's gaming time has still been very limited. She started over in The Sims Freeplay (iOS), and that's about it. My pre-recorded segment is more ongoing coverage of my time in Nioh (PS4), which is starting to throw some really tough late-game bosses at me. Inspired by last week's question about video game crossovers, this week's top ten list imagines games where an important character gets replaced by a different character from some other game, leaving that character to invade a different game, and so forth. What crossovers would you find most interesting? Steam game codes given away this week are BoneBone: Rise of the Deathlord and Insurgency. Listen for that early in the episode and solve the clues to be the first person to claim the codes on Steam. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

We haven't been without a top ten list or a game/quiz in several weeks, but the streak is broken. Hopefully we've made up for it in the other segments, including email topics that cover last week's QotW about mid-generation console updates, the next game from Spiders, PS4 remote play using Playstation TV, and video game characters stumbling into a different game's world. Before all that, we have the usual news and new game release segments. And before that, even, listen for more codes given away for a Nioh PS4 dynamic theme and some Walking Dead games on Steam. My pre-recorded segment this week is all about Nioh (PS4). I haven't finished it, and I'm likely not even half-way through, but I cover quite a bit more than last week. We also talk more about Borderlands 2 (PS4) from The Handsome Collection, after Addie decided to try it out in split-screen co-op with her brother and me. Addie's Mobile Game of the Week is Color Switch (iOS). She also talks about another tough-to-describe mobile puzzle game called Paper.io (iOS). After looking at it post-show, it seemed kind of like a blockier multiplayer version of Qix, at least in its basic concept. This week's ending music is from the Nioh title screen. Next week, more Nioh talk (if there's anything left to say), and it'll be our third of five weeks recording on Wednesday evening for a Thursday release. We're almost half-way back to our usual schedule of a day earlier. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

This episode starts a five-week span where we'll be releasing on Thursday instead of the usual Wednesday. After Addie's volleyball season is over, we should be back to the normal schedule. After all the usual segments (including my thoughts on mid-generation console updates in response to an email, which is also our Question of the Week), I talk about what I've been playing. This includes a pre-recorded spoiler-free review of Resident Evil VII (PS4). Addie hasn't had time to play anything again this week. I count down some of the best crowdfunding/Kickstarter success stories in this week's top ten list. After that, we have codes for two more games on Steam, courtesy of Bill, which happens very near the end since the games up for grabs kind of relate to the top ten list. To wrap up, this week's ending music is the safe room song from Resident Evil 7. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

We have a plan for working around Addie's volleyball schedule. Starting next week with episode 135, we'll record one day late (Wednesday) and release on Thursday. After five weeks of this, we should be back to our usual Wednesday releases in mid-March with episode 140. So just a heads up on that. After three more Steam code give-aways, news and new releases, we have several emails from listeners to share. This includes many suggestions for family-friendly tech/geek/game podcasts, thoughts on the Nintendo Switch as it relates to the more mainstream consoles from Sony and Microsoft, a suggestion for a new top ten list for a future episode, another reaction to a prior top ten list, and thoughts on TellTale's Batman and the cult of Pokemon (disclaimer: not a real cult). In game chat, I talk a little about the split-screen co-op I played with Addie's brother Heath this weekend (Perfect Dark Zero backwards compatible on Xbox One, and Borderlands 2 from The Handsome Collection on PS4). Addie played nothing, or so she says, so all that's left is my pre-recorded wrap-up on Gravity Rush 2 (PS4). It's a great game with a time-consuming platinum trophy I haven't quite earned yet. This week's "top" list is a follow-up to another recent top ten. This time, it's my top 13 video game tropes that would be horrible in real life. This was a lot of fun to discuss. Addie believes she may be living out one of these tropes for real. The show wraps up with the title theme from Gravity Rush 2. And don't forget: next week begins a five-episode run of posting one day late. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

Two more games on Steam are given away, scavenger hunt style, in this week's episode. From the looks of things, we have Steam codes to last a long time. Then after the news, Addie helps out with this week's new game releases in a segment you might consider Alternate Facts. In email, we learn that last week's top ten list about video game abilities I wish I had in real life was a hit, and we talk a little about what influences us to buy any new game console. That's our question of the week for listeners. Write in and let us know what you look for when deciding if a brand new console is right for you. For instance, are you getting a Switch? Addie talks about Call of Duty 2 split-screen again (Xbox 360) and AdVenture Capitalist (iOS). My pre-recorded segment is a partial review of Gravity Rush 2 (PS4), or, if you prefer, my lengthy opening thoughts on what I've played so far. This week's top ten list is inspired by Pawel's list from last week's email. This time, I count down my favorite 1000 gamerscore or platinum trophy in games, with the longest list of honorable mentions ever -- thankfully relegated to the post-show outtake section. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

A big topic this week is the Nintendo Switch. Addie missed the details we've been getting lately about this upcoming hybrid handheld/home console, so it's mainly me filling her in on the launch line-up, future releases to be excited about, and more. We also go over this week's new releases. Email returns in a big way, with comments and questions from new and long-time listeners alike. To answer one, we need your help. Can you suggest and recommend any other family-friendly podcasts that would be suitable for listening when kids are around, such as for a long commute? It doesn't have to be just video games. Anything tech or geeky works too. Movies? Comics? New gadgets? Let us know, and we'll share the suggestions on our next episode. In other email, it's a duo of top ten lists. Bill writes in with the top ten games he missed in 2016 but hopes to play this year. Pawel includes his top ten favorite platinum trophies earned, in an email that also includes The Last Guardian, made-up languages in games, and the odd things we notice regarding voice acting in games. Addie talks about what she's been playing, which is The Witness (PS4), Call of Duty 2 split-screen (Xbox 360), and A World of Keflings (Xbox 360). My pre-recorded segment includes a Gravity Rush Remastered wrap-up (PS4), a brief update about Phoenix Wright (3DS), and my review of a cult classic last-gen action RPG called Nier (Xbox 360). This week's ending music is from Kaine's theme in Nier. Such a great soundtrack. Late in the show, we have a new top ten list of our own. This time, we talk about the seemingly mundane or standard abilities that video game characters have that would be awesome if they were real. There's even an honorable mention! Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

Free game codes return this week, with Broken Age on GOG and Eidolon on Steam. They're one-use codes, so the first listener to redeem them gets them. Let us know via email or Twitter if you redeem one or both. There are plenty more to come over the next few weeks, mostly for games on Steam. If you have an OUYA, though, let me know, because I also have a Broken Age code on OUYA you can have. There wasn't any email this week, but we have news, new releases, and a long-dormant Time Travel segment where I correct and revisit a few things from last week's huge year-end wrap-up episode. This leads into my top ten list for the week, in which I talk briefly about the games from 2016 I didn't play, but hope to in 2017. Addie's Mobile Game of the Week is Bowmasters (iOS). In two separate pre-recorded segments, I review The Fall (PS4) and Gravity Rush Remastered (PS4). The ending music this week is from Gravity Rush. It's the old town theme, from the game's first area, and it somehow reminds me of music from Ni No Kuni! Our feature this week is a new quiz for Addie. Rather than just list off the twelve categories and ten winners of the 2016 Steam Awards, I make a game of it for Addie. I tell her the game and the award it won (one real, one fake), and she tries to guess which is which. It's informative and fun! Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

Wow. What a year! Don't believe the naysayers when they complain that 2016 was a poor year for video games. It was superb. Fantastic. Incredible. So many wonderful games came out in 2016, and in this episode, we remember many of the very best. And the less-than-best. And a ton more. First, though, it's our usual segments, including the free PlayStation plus offerings for January, and listener email. Email includes another audio recording from Christian, thoughts on how the podcast has changed since our early episodes, the games our listeners are playing, whether TV and movies should factor into understanding a game's story, whether trophies and achievements should factor into game reviews, and listerners' top games played in 2016. There's a lot to discuss here. In game updates, Addie talks about Rolling Sky (iOS), I have a pre-recorded wrap-up for VVVVVV (3DS/Vita), reviews of Battlefield 1 (PS4) and Titanfall 2 (PS4), and Bill recaps everything he played in 2016. I should have mentioned earlier that part-time third chair guest host Bill joins us again for this oversized year-end wrap-up; and oversized it is. We should be back to a normal hour-long show next week (give or take), but this week you're getting a show that's two or three times longer than usual. We know that's a big commitment, but we think it's definitely worth your time. So many games. So much chat! Our features this week include lists of our favorite games of 2016, which includes games released in 2016 as well as games from a prior year we played in 2016. Mine is actually two separate lists, with part of it in a pre-recorded segment due to a large number of honorable mentions. We also talk about our 2016 disappointments, our most anticipated games of 2017, a tally of our successes and failures from our 2016 predictions, and a new batch of gaming predictions for 2017. We have tangents, disagreements, and yeah, plenty of game chat. Plus, Heath talks about his favorite games of 2016 in Mini-Gamers episode 16. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

In our last episode of 2016, most of our usual segments are absent; no news, just one new release, and no new email this week. I do have impressions of the Assassin's Creed movie, so there's that. Addie talks about Ms. Splosion Man (Xbox 360) and Escape From Adventure Island (Wii). My pre-recorded segment includes a short review of VVVVVV (3DS - also free on Vita with PlayStation Plus this month), although I haven't finished it yet. After that, I have a much longer review of Final Fantasy XV (PS4), without any story spoilers. It's yet another reason why 2016 has been a great year for games. Following that is a new top ten list, combined with a quiz for Addie. I list ten common elements from the Final Fantasy series, and Addie tries to guess what each one actually means. We wrap up with some reflection and fond memories of the year in gaming, but a more complete year-end wrap-up and 2017 look-ahead will be next week, when Bill joins us for episode 130. The ending music this week is straight outta Final Fantasy XV's in-game car radio. So with this final episode of the year done and out, there isn't much time left to send us your own thoughts on the year in gaming. Let us know what you enjoyed, what disappointed you, what surprised you, and your favorite games of the year! Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

With 2016 nearly over, we have just one more episode next week, before the start of 2017. There's still plenty of time to email us your top 3 or 5 or even a whole top 10 favorite games of 2016 list, and we'll read those on episode 130 at the beginning of January. Be sure to include a line or two about each game, so we know why they're your favorites. After this week's usual news, new releases and email segments, Heath and Hadleigh are back with a pre-recorded Mini-Gamers episode 15. It's much longer than usual. It ends with a surprisingly difficult round of 20 Questions, despite the game I thought of being pretty much their favorite game ever. After that, Addie and I talk more about JumpStart's Escape From Adventure Island (Wii), which has been nostalgic for Addie as a game she first started way back when she was new to video games. Her Mobile Game of the Week is Adventure Capitalist (iOS). We also talk a little about Super Mario Run (iOS), although neither of us play much of it. My pre-recorded segment is a quick update on the latest Phoenix Wright (3DS), some opening thoughts about Final Fantasy XV (PS4), and a review -- sort of, since I didn't finish it but have moved on -- for Suda 51's new free-to-play game Let it Die (PS4). I also came prepared with a top 10 list this week. This time, it's my favorite robots in video games. Are there any obvious choices I missed? Write in and let us know. Then, after wrapping up, we end the show with some Christmas-inspired music from the 1998 PC game Jazz Jackrabbit 2: Holiday Hare. Oh, and there's a final message from the kids of Video Game Generations, in their own unique way. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

Finally, after a decade of waiting made longer by a business trip the week of its release, I played The Last Guardian (PS4). Late in the episode are my thoughts on this much-hyped, long-awaited follow-up to Ico and Shadow of the Colossus. Was it worth the wait? I answer this and more in my spoiler-free review. This week's assortment of listener email makes up for last week's absence of any. This includes an audio message from Christian, where he talks briefly about two games he's currently playing (Broken Age and Grim Dawn). Before that, Addie once again makes up stories about this week's new releases. We have no gaming news this week, but two download codes are given out, fill-in-the-blank style, where you can get either Wasteland 2 Director's Cut on Stream, or a couple extras for The Last Guardian on PS4, even if you don't have the game. That code is for the mini-soundtrack sampler, and a desktop theme. If you redeem either of these, be sure to let us know! My pre-recorded segment includes an update on Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Spirit of Justice (3DS), in addition to The Last Guardian review. In honor of the game, a short orchestral song from the game's 2016 trailer is our ending music this week. At the very end, though, is a marathon of outtakes snipped from the show -- mostly Addie taking the show in unnecessary directions. It's getting more and more difficult to keep her on-topic. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

More news than usual this week is a result of the recently-held PSX (PlayStation Experience). It's no surprise that we couldn't attend, but we're rounding up some of the best announcements. This also includes my pre-recorded impressions of the 2016 Game Awards in a recap/wrap-up segment. This week's new releases and the December free games for PlayStation Plus round out the news. We had no email this week, but there's plenty to talk about, gaming-wise. Addie played a few missions in the campaign for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered (PS4). It seems that she's enjoying this more grown-up game, although I spend a while afterwards openly wondering whether or not she needs to wait a couple more years. In my pre-recorded segment, I have opening impressions on Suda 51's latest, a free-to-play action RPG called Let it Die (PS4). The segment also includes two reviews of shorter games I played this week, Virginia (PS4) and The Unfinished Swan (PS4/Vita). Bookending the episode, I give out an Ultraviolet digital download code for Final Fantasy XV: Kingsglaive (a movie) early on, and we end things with one round of video game character Twenty Questions. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

Getting a later start than usual for recording, we decided to skip 20 Questions. I didn't have a Top 10 list prepared either. We're here with all the other usual stuff, though, including email, where Addie and I get an excuse to reminisce about Castle Crashers (Xbox 360). Heath's segment, Mini-Gamers, returns for its fourteenth episode. I also have a pre-recorded review of Watch_Dogs 2 (PS4) late in the episode. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

IFComp 2016 has ended, so this week includes a countdown of the official top ten winners, plus listener Nikhil's IFComp wrap-up in email. We cover this week's news and new releases too, as usual. In game chat, Addie has plenty to talk about. Her Mobile Game of the Week is The Sims Freeplay (iOS), which she also talked about last week. Plus Poptropica. Plus Virginia (PS4), which she played start to finish. Plus Psychonauts (PS2 on PS4), which she only just started. We recorded early due to a scheduling conflict, so I didn't know at the time that my post-recorded review of Dishonored 2 (PS4) was going to be a twenty minute epic. Sorry about that. Or you're welcome, depending on how you feel about long reviews. Toward the end, Addie plays video game "Who Am I?" (twenty questions). After we wrap up, I thought it fitting to include a sad little song from the Dust District in Dishonored 2. Enjoy! Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

We have a lot going on in this episode. I found a safe solution for fixing loose discs in unopened PS4 cases, which I explain in detail. Then it's the usual segments of news, new releases and email. Email topics include the one-year anniversary of the Star Wars Battlefront podcast (friends and long-time listeners of Video Game Generations), the physical vs. digital future debate, Steins Gate, the recently-crowdfunded Wasteland 3, feedback about my Mafia III review, PSVR, and more. We also have a PSN code for the Playstation 4 version of Dishonored: Definitive Edition to give away. No fill-in-the-blanks show trivia this week, but we do make a game of it. We split the code into six parts, which you'll have to put together by listening to most of the episode. At least they're in order. If you piece it together and redeem it, please let us know! Addie talks about The Sims Freeplay (iOS) and Stretchmo (3DS). After that, my pre-recorded segment has very brief opening thoughts about Dishonored 2 (PS4), plus a recap of the seventeen IFComp 2016 entries I played (out of the fifty-eight total entries). I even make a list of it, with my score for each one. The show wraps up with one round of video game "Who Am I?" played in 20-questions form. Can Addie guess the mystery character I'm thinking of? Listen to find out. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

Show notes this week are a bit short. I lack the motivation to be creative today, as Election 2016 has come to a close. But while you're being depressed / surprised / confused / sad / angry / happy / scared / embarrassed / outraged / ambivalent / worried / unaffected about the results -- depending on who you are -- escape for an hour and listen to Addie and me talk about the world of video games. So just a brief rundown: Intro and off-topic. News & new releases. Listener feedback (email). Addie talks Mario Kart 7 (3DS). I review Mafia III (PS4). Top ten video game sidekicks. Republique Steam code give-away. Wrap-up, ending music, old outtake. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

On the technical side, things are back to normal this week. On the scheduling side, though, we had to record most of the podcast on Sunday, since Addie wouldn't be available at the regular time Tuesday night. Then we added email afterwards, and my game review segment. It all worked out in the end. This week features a new top ten list, where we envision non-episodic games that might actually work if released over time in multiple episodes. That's also our question of the week. Did we miss an obvious choice? Let us know what game or series you think would work well episodically. Afterwards, with a litle more time to spare, we played video game Who-Am-I (aka 20 Questions), with Addie guessing. In addition to talking about the PlayStation Plus line-up for this month and the new games releasing this week, our lone email has inspired me to move The Saboteur higher on my backlog. It ends with his rapid-fire impressions of five more IFComp 2016 entries. In my review segment, I talk about two more IFComp entries, Quest for the Traitor Saint and Pogoman GO! That starts around the 21:53 mark. I'm still playing Mafia III (PS4) and the latest Phoenix Wright (3DS), but I don't have anything new to add since last week. Still, I wanted to include a little more music from Phoenix Wright at the end. The theme for The Steel Samurai is just as catchy as ever. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

Technical difficulties made this week's episode a little rushed. We got a super late start, after finally getting things set up to record on a different computer than usual. Hopefully the audio level and quality is at least similar to normal. For many reasons, most of which weren't talked about here, it was an all around bad luck day. But it's not all bad! Episode 120 is here! We talk about new releases, the Xbox Games with Gold for November, listener email, and some news. News includes a pre-recorded segment from a few days prior, after the reveal of the Nintendo Switch, where Addie and I talk about the new console -- what's known, what isn't, and our general impressions. In another pre-recorded segment, I have initial thoughts on Blues and Bullets episode 1 (PS4) and Mafia III (PS4). I also talk a little more about Wasteland 2 (PS4) and Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Spirit of Justice (3DS). Addie and I then talk about Broken Age (PS4), which she finally finished this weekend. Following that, in a pre-recorded review segment that starts around the 42:30 mark, I have reviews of two more IFComp 2016 entries. To wrap up the show, I've included several more tunes from the latest Phoenix Wright. Due to many factors, we don't have a quiz or a new top ten list this week. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

You won't want to miss this week's top ten list. Addie reads through these ten great tips for surviving a zombie apocalypse, courtesy of my friend Justin on Facebook. Some day, you'll thank us! IFComp 2016 coverage continues this week, in a pre-recorded review segment that starts around the 37:25 mark. We also have a few mini-reviews for other entries from listener Nikhil, which I read during our email segment a bit earlier, at around 33:38. Other email includes game updates from our listeners, plus two new questions of the week. First, has there ever been a game or game series that you've played back-to-back for the purpose of getting ready for the release of the latest game in the series? Two, what's your favorite death sequence or death quote in a video game? Write in and let us know! In an increasingly rare on-topic moment for Addie, she talks about an educational quiz game called Kahoot! It's her Mobile Game of the Week, but apparently it can also be played online. Then in a second pre-recorded segment, I have a short review of Gears of War 4 (Xbox One), which is a great start to a new Gears trilogy. Oh, and with Halloween just around the corner, we once again plug our own Halloween-themed interactive fiction, Hallowmoor and A Trick-or-Treat Adventure, which you'll find linked below the show notes for this episode, at our website. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

This week, Addie throws honesty out the proverbial window in pretty much every segment of the podcast. She seemed to enjoy herself, and it kept her talking, but don't get too excited when she announces the release of Portal 3. After a Steam code give-away for Suda51's The Silver Case (fill in the blanks by solving simple show-related trivia questions), we do news, new releases, and email. Email includes Jason's response to last week's question about mobile game genres we need to see more of, and Pawel writes in with hands-on pre-launch impressions of PlayStation VR. In gaming chat, we talk more about Stacking (Xbox 360) and Wasteland 2 (PS4). My pre-recorded segment breaks records when it comes to the longest pre-recorded segment ever. It starts at around 27:04 and runs until almost the end, a whopping forty-eight and a half minutes. Half of my three-day weekend was spent playing and reviewing Interactive Fiction Competition games, so that makes up the entirety of this oversized segment. In total, there are six reviews, or seven if you count the joke game about toilets. Since it ran so long, I didn't bother preparing a quiz or a new top ten list. Maybe next week. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

Unlike last year and the year before, I actually made time to play some of the entries in the annual Interactive Fiction Competition, which is going on now. This pre-recorded segment starts with a few thoughts about interactive fiction in general and the competition in particular, at around the 36:27 mark. Hopefully I'll be able to include more IFComp reviews as the competition continues. In a later segment, I have ongoing thoughts on Wasteland 2 (PS4). Addie's gaming time was limited over the past week, but she played a lot of Disney Crossy Road. Early in the episode, after some off-topic updates, we give out the final two codes for free copies of Retro City Rampage DX -- one for Playstation and one for Steam. Like last week, the codes have a few blanks to fill in by answering a few simple show-related trivia questions. Most of them are easy to get just by looking at our prior show notes. If you're the lucky listener to redeem either of these codes, please write in or message us on Twitter so we know. After news, which includes this week's new releases and the free Playstation and Xbox game line-ups for October, we have quite a bit of listener email. You too can write in and have your email read and discussed on the show. Let us know what you're playing, give us your opinion about some recent happening in the world of video games, or answer one of our prior Questions of the Week. This episode, we ask two new questions. First, has there ever been a game where your opinion changed, for better or worse, based on the opinions of other people after the fact? Second, what kinds of games do you most like to see on mobile platforms (phones and tablets)? Is there anything you feel is underrepresented on mobile? One of our long-time listeners has embarked on a journey to create interesting mobile games, and he's looking for opinions. Closing out the episode this week is a new top ten list. This time, I'm counting down the most interesting games that were food and beverage product tie-ins. This includes fast food. Any theory on what will take the top spot? Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

Free game codes return this week, with a give-away for Retro City Rampage DX on Steam (PC/Mac/Linux/MS-DOS) and PlayStation (PS4/PS3/PSP/Vita). It's just one of each this week. Will you be the lucky listener to solve the puzzle, fill in the blanks, and redeem one of the codes? If not, we're giving away two more codes the same way next week, so be sure to listen! We talk a little about the annual Interactive Fiction Competition, which is just around the corner. These text-based adventure games are always free and range in quality from great to abysmal, and there's a possibility I may review or discuss some of them during the competition. After that, Addie reads this week's new game releases with her own commentary. Then our one listener email for the week is full of content, including an answer to last week's QotW about games with mismatched elements. We have no quiz or top ten list this time, but game chat is abundant. My pre-recorded segments include a wrap-up on Recore (Xbox One), short spoiler-free reviews of Gone Home (PS4) and Bound (PS4), a quick update on Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Spirit of Justice (3DS), and opening thoughts on God Eater Resurrection (PS4) and Wasteland 2: Director's Cut (PS4). Addie's Mobile Game of the Week is Smash Bandits (iOS). Following that, we talk about the two other games she's playing. Those are Alice: Madness Returns (Xbox 360) and Stacking (Xbox 360). Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

Occasional guest-host Bill joins us this week for an oversized episode full of game discussions. We relegate most of this to a post-recorded segment that appears late in the show, although it's as long as the main show, so that happens about halfway through the episode. That starts with a new top 10, courtesy of Bill, where he lists out the ways Xbox One has recently gotten a proverbial leg up on the Playstation 4. This leads into a general discussion about the Sony vs. Microsoft console war (sorry Nintendo; you're not even involved). After this, Bill catches up on several months of gaming, with some talk about Wofenstein: The New Order and The Old Blood, the previous Wolfenstein on Xbox 360, The Banner Saga, Zombi (the PS4 version of ZombiU), Gone Home, To the Moon, Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor, The Order 1886, The Last of Us Remastered, Life is Strange, The Cave, Costume Quest 1 and 2, Broken Age, and Remember Me. Our usual segments before that include this week's new game releases, listener email, and a new Question of the Week. Write in and let us know if you've ever played a game that had some element or aspect that just didn't fit. Music that didn't match the tone of the story? Some gameplay hook that just didn't even need to be there? We'll talk about that on a future episode. Addie's Mobile Game of the Week is Hay Day (iOS). In my pre-recorded segment, I have a wrap-up for Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (PS4), opening thoughts on Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Spirit of Justice (3DS), and my impressions so far of Recore (Xbox One). We also have a review of Roguelands (PC) courtesy of listener Christian. If you'd like to record a short two or three minute review of a game you've recently played, send it to us in .MP3 format (or whatever) for use in future episodes! The music at the end includes a few tunes from this latest Phoenix Wright game. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

News for this week includes the PlayStation 4 Pro, the release of PS4 firmware version 4.0, and the announcement of mobile game Super Mario Run. After a long list of this week's new releases (which is made even longer by a tangent discussion about Black Friday), we read this week's one and only listener email. It's about Fallout 4 and Skyrim mods not coming to PS4 after all, and a bit about earning trophies or achievements in games. My pre-recorded segment is a review of point-and-click adventure Deja Vu II (GameBoy Color), and a partial review of Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (PS4). I haven't quite finished this latest Deus Ex, but felt it was time to give more than just surface-level impressions. With luck, I'll wrap it up for next week with some final thoughts. Addie and I then talk about the recently-released Ghostbusters game again (PS4), and Addie talks briefly about Roblox (PC) and Splatoon (WiiU). This leads into a new top ten list. This week, I count down my favorite point-and-click adventure games, with a few obligatory honorable mentions. This week's ending music is a selection of tunes from Deja Vu II. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

Featured this week are a podcast-related new top ten list, a challenging round of video game "Who Am I?", and a bit of monologue about retro game collecting. First, though, it's the usual segments: news, new releases, and email. News this week includes the free games line-up for September, for PlayStation Plus and Xbox Gold subscribers, which we just missed last week due to recording a few days early. My pre-recorded segment includes more brief thoughts on Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (PS4), which I'll still be playing a week or two more. Also, I finished Deja Vu (GameBoy Color on Retron5) and Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands (PSP on PlayStation TV), so I have reviews for both. Addie's first Mobile Game of the Week for her new iPad is Tiny Tower (iOS). Apparently it's pretty great. This week's ending music is a selection of tunes from retro classic point-and-click adventure game Deja Vu. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

Despite recording this episode earlier than usual, we have plenty to talk about. For Addie, it's more Roblox (PC), more Minecraft (PS4), and her Mobile Game of the Week, Word Trace (iOS). My pre-recorded segment is a No Man's Sky wrap-up (PS4) and a review of classic 8-bit action adventure game Xexyz (NES). In a second segment, post-recorded and added to the episode afterwards, I have opening thoughts on three more games I started playing. These are Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (PS4), Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands (PSP), and Deja Vu (NES). Eight-year-old Heath, Addie's younger brother, is also back with a new episode of Mini-Gamers. It's episode 13, and as usual, he goes from game to game quickly. Unless I missed one, this includes Tennis in the Face, Headlander, Seralim, Minecraft, Bakugan Battle Trainer, and Armikrog. In off-topic or tagentially-related discussions, Addie is amazed that people can actually build a PC, I discovered a few DOS 3.5" disk-based games in some old boxes for my collection, I explain Hatsune Miku to Addie, and she recaps the plot of her favorite commercial. Also, a new top-ten list this week is about all the ways that games are easier now than they used to be. The ending music is a selection of tunes from Xexyz. For such a great game, the music is less memorable and more repetitive than many other NES classics. Still, it seemed appropriate after reviewing the game. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

More off-topic stuff than usual opens this episode of the Video Game Generations Podcast. Part of that is due to Addie's well-intentioned question about my favorite books, which I answer thoroughly; not too thoroughly, though, because I can think of a dozen more favorites I didn't even mention. After Addie reads the news and new releases, we have plenty of listener email to read and discuss. This includes questions about kids and their attraction to games based on movies and other non-game IP, a Playstation humble bundle, the games our listeners are playing, and answers to last week's QotW about which thing would be more welcomed: reviews or impressions of games outside my comfort zone (fighting, sports, racing, etc.) or more retro game coverage. Our new Question of the Week comes from email as well. As a gamer, how do you keep from getting sore and uncomfortable while playing? Do you have a tip to share? Or is it just a matter of getting up to stretch frequently? My pre-recorded segment is a final wrap-up on Suikoden II (PS1), and my continued impressions of No Man's Sky (PS4). Addie talks about two games. These are Best Fiends (iOS) and NoNo Islands from Illusion Labs (iOS), the latter of which is her Mobile Game of the Week. We ran out of time to include my latest top ten list, so we'll try to do that next week. Oh, and if you listen after the music, you might want to check back next week to find out whether or not Addie wins the donut bet. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

We have no quiz or top ten list this week, but in its place early in the show, it's the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine awards! It's a brief off-topic bit where I name DS9's most deserving characters in several categories: most changed, most annoying, most useless, and best acting. Guess which character gets the coveted Wallace Shawn award. Then we have news, new releases, and email. Christian's android-based mobile game AsteroidDefense has been released. Pawel keeps it brief this week with his thoughts on Murdered: Soul Suspect and Shutshimi. Finally, good friend Bill (who needs to return as a guest host again) answers our recent QotW about favorite Double Fine / Tim Schafer games. Game talk begins with my pre-recorded segment, in which I have very favorable opening thoughts on No Man's Sky (PS4). Next week, I hope to dive deeper into a discussion on the game's systems and what I'd like to see improved. After that, Addie and I talk about Stacking (Xbox 360) and Ghostbusters (2016/PS4). It's always nice when Addie has more to say about recently played games, but back-to-school could mean that her time will become even more limited. In a half-formed, open-ended Question of the Week, I'm looking for opinions about what would be a better choice for the podcast: getting back into more retro games for review and discussion (NES, SNES, Genesis), or sometimes leaving my comfort zone and trying out games in genres that usually don't appeal to me (sports, racing, fighting, strategy, and multiplayer-only). Write in and let us know your thoughts on the matter, or for any gaming related reason. Email makes up an important part of the show. Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

Did you know that a limited edition of Unravel for PS4 and Xbox One was recently released in small quantities as a BestBuy exclusive? I managed to get one, only to find out that the box only contains the Yarny figure. It doesn't actually come with the game, which they provide separately as a download code. We already have it digitally, and due to a mix-up in the process, I ended up with two codes. Both are given out in this episode, but as of posting this, the first one is already redeemed. If you're quick, and if you want Unravel on PS4, listen for the second code a short ways into this episode. After news and new releases, it's our Fall Games Preview segment. It's that time again, when many big new games are scheduled for release in the last few months of the year. At the end, I share my top five most anticipated games coming out this year. Write in and let us know yours! Then, our solitary email this week is a great, thorough answer to last week's QotW about your favorite Double Fine games. In game talk, Addie talks briefly about the multiplayer mini-games in Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon (3DS) and Stretchmo (3DS). My pre-recorded segment wraps up Resident Evil 5 (PS4) after playing the two extra story missions. I also finished Lichdom: Battlemage (PS4), which I review in the same segment. To end the show, this week's top ten list, inspired by Resident Evil, is my favorite zombie-themed games. This includes a few obligatory honorable mentions. So enjoy, and we'll see you next week! Have feedback? Write to us at [email protected] Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com