CORE - Core Gaming for Core Gamers

This week on CORE, the hosts are feeling the heat with only 42 days left until Nerdtacular 2026! Scott, Beau, and Jon dive deep into a massive week of gaming news, starting with the official launch of the Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred expansion. We break down the new classes and whether the Horadric Cube lives up to the name. How stoked are we for the Black Flag remake? Very. We also look ahead at a packed May release schedule, featuring heavy hitters like 007 First Light, Forza Horizon 6, and the Switch 2’s Yoshi and the Mysterious Book. Plus, we discuss the technical wizardry of Vampire Crawlers, the mysterious “”30-day check-in”“ from Sony, and the strange allure of Shapez 2’s new Manufacture Mode. From Resident Evil movie teasers to the ergonomics of the new Steam Controller, it’s a full show. Games we played!Scott• Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred• Vampire Crawlers• Resident Evil 9• Shapez 2• Crimson Desert• Avowed• WindroseJon• Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred• Vampire Crawlers• Dead as Disco (demo)• Mouse: P.I. for Hire• Halo: Combat EvolvedBeau• Vampire Crawlers• The 3• Boomerang FuUncut Video: https://youtube.com/live/NF129gFTt_A?feature=shareYT VIDEO: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

The Big Stuff:- Nerdtacular All-Stars trivia team, all three hosts ended up on the same team with Scott’s sister Wendy- Team name brainstorming (Cerebral Cortex, Obsessive Core Pulsive, Psycore Logical Corefare, etc.)- Trivia seeding test results and strategy- 500 episode milestone / mugs still available- Patreon/Core.show support plugGames Discussed:- Diablo IV’s new expansion (record-breaking second expansion, early buzz positive)- Vampire Crawlers- Windrose- Blacksmith Master- Mouse: P.I. for Hire- Lucky Tower Ultimate- Pragmata- The Witcher 3- Syntopia- Slave Spire 2Listener Stuff- Letter from EdOrange correcting Scott on Cockneys being from London, not Manchester, plus Dragon Warrior Monsters on Game Boy ColorSome chaos for you at the end:- Bo sharing weird Amazon product recommendations that escalated into adult toy territory- Ottawa sex shop / the Glebe neighborhood rabbit hole- Tax write-off bit inspired by a Conan podcast segment about buying nerd stuff and expensing itUncut Video: https://youtube.com/live/ZelO9DqJaFs?feature=share This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

We talk a bit about all this Windrose news in our feeds. But then to the deep stuff, like a visual grid of the kinds of gamers we are. Baldurs Gate 3 is getting modded with a remake of the original GB game, done by fans. Microsoft is rethinking gamepass, and saying its too expensive. Maybe they go with ads, bundles, and more? We kinda hate this. Rockstar got hacked and it was kinda lame what came out in the leak. Star Trek game PULLED from stores, and the larger story of running out of time on license deals. Scott and Jon played more Crimson Desert and Resident Evil 9. Scott also played Kulo Niku: Bowl Up! And some WoW raiding. Beau hit more Kiwami 3, Hades 2 Dream Dives, and Absolum. He also had some time in Replaced and Slay the Spire 2. Plus your milk bag emails and more!Uncut Video: https://youtube.com/live/TJrtOhxDFZ4?feature=share This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

No Man’s Sky adds Pokémon-style Xeno Arena minigame. Split Fiction studio hits 50M games sold. Graveyard Keeper is free on Steam. Brief OW announcements note. Swear word appreciation, Warhammer 40K musical announcement, StarCraft tabletop minis preorder, Barrett/Animal Crossing crossover bit, scissoring education, game you bounced off question, memorable NPCs question, EverQuest Legends hype, Transformers Matrix of Leadership replica preorder, Marble Madness remix song search. GAMES! RE Requiem week 2 with Scott and Jon. Crimson Desert (Jon hooked, Scott sucked in). Scott on Raccoin (coin pusher meets Balatro). WoW and DQ Builders 2. Jon played Eternal Life of Goldman demo. Beau on Yakuza Kiwami 3.Uncut Video: https://youtube.com/live/TN73cPiJdXk This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

Nerdtacular 26 tickets, bags, and CORE swag. Sony raising PS5 prices. Stormgate losing multiplayer after server partner pivots to AI. Super Mario Galaxy Movie reviews are bad. Classic Resident Evil games on Steam, go GOG instead. Scott and Jon played Resident Evil Requiem together (Tuesdays 1pm). Scott in WoW and Dragon Quest Builders 2. Jon hooked on Crimson Desert. Beau wrapped Pirate Yakuza, more multiplayer Slay the Spire 2. Uncut Video: https://youtube.com/live/Y98vYt90JpU?feature=share This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

Nintendo’s surprising decision to make physical Switch 2 games more expensive than digital versions. EverQuest is relaunching in a format designed for time-strapped adults and old farts like us, Capcom is patching out some “accidentally” written incest from Street Fighter 6, Clair Obscur’s devs confirm there’s no canon ending, new gameplay footage dropped for both Exodus and The Expanse: Osiris Reborn. And loads more on top of that!GAMES PLAYED:Scott- Crimson Desert- Dragon Quest Builders 2- WoW MidnightJon- Crimson DesertBeau- Crimson Desert- Slay the Spire 2- Diablo 4Uncut Video: https://youtube.com/live/Vib2ZOaBHvE?feature=share This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

Sometimes, it’s visually startling. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

Crimson Desert launched today, reviews are mixed as expected, amazing open world, minimal story, no traditional leveling, open-world jank. John is at Disneyland! DLSS 5 announced by Nvidia, AI-yassifies characters without permission from devs like Capcom. Listener indie game Garden and a Goat announced, wishlistable on Steam. WoW Midnight discussion, level boosts are hard without knowing your class…but maybe no more? Pinball FX Williams Collection recommended, Pinball Map app finds nearby machines. Evoker alt class tried and abandoned. And loads more!GAMES WE PLAYEDSCOTTWorld of Warcraft: Midnight - I have alt-itus in a big way, when I should be working on my ilvl. Also the Prey System is awesome I think.Dice with Death - Rad little dice-based roguelike that has a pretty good hold on me. I love dice games.Collector’s Cove - cozy farm and builder sim that is unique in a load of ways.JONJon is OUT! Probably somehow playing RE9 again from his hotel room for all we know.REMINDER check out his commentary playthrough on Patreon and Substack, with the first hour out for everyone.BEAUmore Slay the Spire 2big Timberborn 1.0 sessiongot into d4 season of slaughter after allUncut Video: https://youtube.com/live/E9ngMGlpytc?feature=share This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

Nerdtacular 2026 tickets holding at early bird pricing, plus a swag bag-only option now available at frogpants.com.News:- NetEase pulls funding for Gang of Dragon — future of the game unknown- Valve still targeting 2026 for Steam Machines despite RAM shortages; rumored to be a factor in Sony/Xbox strategy shifts- EA lays off Battlefield staff post record-breaking launch- Jeff Kaplan on his Blizzard exit — plus his one Overwatch regret: making it too team-focused when players want to shine individually- Fortnite raising V-Buck prices- Timberborn hits 1.0- Xbox pushing “everything is an Xbox” / Project Helix, leaning into Windows 11- Valve reports 6,000+ games made over $100k on Steam last yearShared Play: Slay the Spire 2 — all three played it, early GOTY contenderScott: WoW: Midnight (great time, nearly max level, campaign a little cheesy), Thysiastery (turn-based dungeon crawler, very positive on Steam). Also: The Instance now posting Fridays at frogpants.com/instance.Jon: Finished and 100%’d Resident Evil RequiemBeau: Slay the Spire 2, more Star Trek Voyageur, dipped into new Diablo IV season (may have bought the Doom skin)Feedback: Listener thinks he catches Scott being simultaneously terrified by AI and delighted by one-button AI rotations in WoW. And he is wrong about it.Uncut Video: https://youtube.com/live/_Ns-L3tlMd4?feature=share This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

This is just part one. To get it all, up on a paid tier and enjoy the full run! https://core.showCORE: About Them Video Games is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

Looks like Sony is officially getting out of the port business and going all Nintendo on us again. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag remake is indeed happening. Highguard is officially leaving in just a few days. MetaCritic got weird with AI over the last few days. The games we played, a lake correction, Zillow and WoW, and some Diablo 2 stuff!GAMES PLAYEDScott- World of Warcraft Midnight- RoadCraftJon- Resident Evil: RequiemBeau- Legend of Grimrock- Star Trek: Voyager- The Killing Stone- Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon- OverwatchUncut Video: https://youtube.com/live/7XXpkRKLr00?feature=share This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

March 2026 is shaping up to be a massive month for gaming, with big hitters like Crimson Desert, Marathon, Pokémon Pokopia, Slay the Spire 2, Solasta 2, Death Stranding 2 on PC, and the Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection all loaded up. Also, Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond are out at Xbox, while Sony raises a few eyebrows by signaling a potential end to PC ports. Our eyebrows are defiinately raised. Marvel’s Wolverine finally has a September release date, and Valve finds itself in legal hot water as New York’s Attorney General sues over alleged illegal gambling promotion to kids among other things. Also, Overwatch is going mobile with Overwatch Rush. Weird.Uncut Vid: https://youtube.com/live/ZMF9961hu2A?feature=share GAMES PLAYED:Scott- Overwatch- UFO 50 (with Van)- Abathor (with Van)- Worms WMD (with Van)- TowerFall (with Van)- Duck Game (with Van)- Boomerang Fu (with Van)Jon- Biorand Resident Evil 2- Resident Evil 6- Resident Evil RequiemBeau- Darkhaven (demo)- Vampire Crawlers (demo)- Dead Spies (demo)- Pragmata (demo)- Wanderburg (demo)- Underkeep (demo)- Esoteric Ebb (demo)- Arms of God (demo)- Armatus (demo)- Wild Blue Skies (demo)- Farever (demo)- Rune Dice (demo)- Twilight Imperium (demo)- John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando (demo)- Far Far West (demo)- Baldur’s Gate 3 (Honour Mode)- Overwatch- Marathon Server Slam This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

That ashes of creation thing is just getting messier and messier by the day. Also, Unity wants you to type your next casual video game. We will explain. Uncut Video: https://youtube.com/live/j-3haF8C_Ak?feature=shareGAMES PLAYEDSHARED PLAY THIS WEEK- Diablo 2 Resurrected – Infernal Edition- Overwatch- Dobbel DungeonSCOTT- Advance Wars 1+2 Reboot Camp- No Man’s Sky – Remnant Mode- Escape from Ever AfterJON- Mewgenics- TR-49 - Resident Evil 2- FortniteBEAU- Baldur’s Gate 3 – Honour Mode- Star Trek VoyagerCORE: About Them Video Games is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

As we prep for the State of Play today, we talk about the games we played this week, and hit the news about all the Warlocks coming to all the Diablos. Highguard and 2XKO getting big layoffs, and the upcoming Baldur’s Gate 3 TV show!Games Played This WeekShared Play- Jon & Beau: MewgenicsScott- Animal Crossing (on Switch 2)- Goblin Sushi- V-Rally 4Jon- Mewgenics- Dragon Quest III HD-2D RemakeBeau- Yakuza 3- Marathon- Crimson Desert- Game with Balls- Ravenswatch (as Merlin)- Skate Story- Overwatch- Enshrouded (Solo)- Deadlock This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

Join Scott Jon and Beau as we watch it with you! This is the audio podcast version, but if you are looking for the video archive, see below.CORE: About Them Video Games is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

Overwatch might be making a big play with some re-branding, a slew of new heroes, and loads more. Will it put things back on top for the team shooter to beat? We talk about that, plus the Ashes of Creation mess, Steam hardware talk from Valve, and what might be the end of all things Outer Worlds.Uncut Video: https://youtube.com/live/Lq2lyWM4Vzg?feature=share GAMES PLAYED- The Midnight Walk (Scott)- Butcher’s Creek (Scott)- LUNARK (Scott)- Resident Evil 2 (Jon)- Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth (Jon)- Super Nintendo (Jon)- Pirate Yakuza (Beau)- Overwatch (Beau)- Valheim (Beau) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

So, now that Highguard is out, what the hell is it? We have takes. Also, the games of Feb, new Mario trailers, Dispatch censorship worries, Hasbro up to no good, Bobby with a Mini Instance chat about the Midnight pre-patch and upcoming launch in WoW, all the games we played and more!Uncut Video: https://youtube.com/live/g5roTOvSwww?feature=share Shared Play- Highguard Scott- V Rising- Caravan SandWitchJon- Final Fantasy VII: RebirthBeau- Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii- Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords- Cobalt Core- Jump Space- Enshrouded This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

Let’s talk about the Xbox showcase today, as well as the dust up over CDProjekt Red and VR mods. Plus RE getting yet another remake, Highguard getting a freebie, Marathon maybe doing ok afterall, and Nintendo getting you guy another weird toy. Uncut Video: https://youtube.com/live/0-b9KxTKKP8?feature=share GAMES PLAYED:SCOTTStar Wars Dark Forces Remaster Fire Emblem: Engage Terra PitJONFinal Fantasy VII RemakeBEAU Elden Ring Shinobi Guild Wars Reforged Pirate Yakuza Heroes of the Storm Peak This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

Where the heck is Highguard? Also, Kratos has been cast, RE:R got showcased today, Tomb Raider series gives us a look at Sophie Turner in the role, Ubisoft doing more Ubisoft things, we have an end date for New World, the end of Anthem this week, and more. We played Cozy Caravan, Marble’s Marbles, Find my Buddy, OddCore, Trails in The Sky 1st Chap, FF VII remake, Yakuza Kiwami 2, FFI and IV, and a little Yakuza Pirates. Plus your emails and more!Uncut Video: https://youtube.com/live/EYptMOel7EA?feature=share This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

Scott sits down with Warren Davis for a deep look at the creation of one of the great arcade games of all time, Q*Bert, as well as his direct impact on everything from the Joust seires to Mortal Kombat to Terminator 2: Judgement Day. Check out his book: ‘Creating Q*bert and Other Classic Video Arcade Games’! Some amazing insight in this episode with Warren, and we hope enjoy it! Subs get this today! (Unlocks for free on Friday the 16th!) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

January Releases: Let’s mostly focus on Animal Crossing and FFVII Remake for Switch 2, plus Code Vein 2 and Highguard. (yeah, we kinda forgot about Highguard too.)StarCraft Shooter coming to Blizzcon? It might be Blizzard’s third attempt at a SC shooter, reportedly an open-world project led by Dan Hay (Far Cry fame).Other stuff: Awesome Games Done Quick, a Starfield Star Wars conversion, and FF Tactics: Ivalice Chronicles hitting 1 million players.We discuss games we played this week, including PlippUp, Fallout 4/New Vegas, Trails in the Sky, The Séance of Blake Manor, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, Voidigo and beating Powerwash Simulator 2. Uncut Video: https://youtube.com/live/FP156apJ8rU?feature=share This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

It’s time for our anual personal and group awards for the games of the last year, and a few that are not. :) Join Scott Beau and Jon as they look back and forward and somehow up and down as well. Oh and this is the first time this gets called The osCORES. Big thx to Taz for the post art! Jump in!Uncut Video: https://youtube.com/live/LVZhCd52ydE?feature=share Group Category #1 - ‘Games We Wish We Played More Award’ in 2025Scott:5. Two Point Museum (the DLC mostly)4. Moonlighter 23. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance2. Kingdom Come Deliverance 21. Expedition 33Jon:5. Absolum4. The Alters3. Split Fiction2. Kingdom Come Deliverance 21. Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice ChroniclesBeau:5. Hollow Knight: Silksong4. Sunderfolk3. ARC Raiders2. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 21. Pirate YakuzaScott’s Game of the Year Award Categories!The Games that Hype Kinda Wrecked for my interest level for now3. Oblivon Remake2. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth1. Expedition 33Top Chore Core Games3. Farm Together 22. Cash Cleaner Simulator1. Powerwash Sim 2Werido Games That Made Me HappySPECIAL MENTION: A Game About Digging a Hole3. Cloverpit2. Mutant League Football II1. Ball X PitFavorite Throwback Vibes3. Warside2. Old School Rally1. Slots & DaggersGames I loved the most that are not out of early access yet3. Fumes2. Rotwood1. Shapez 2The Crack Games of the year3. Diablo IV (late edition)2. Monster Train 21. Shapez 2 (EA)Biggest Bummers of the Year3. Date Everything2. Civ 71. Dune AwakeningThe games I just could not seem to get finished3. Avowed2. Doom The Dark Ages1. Ghosts of TsushimaJon’s Game of the Year Award Categories!Are you Ready for the Let Down in 2025 GamesClair Obscur Award: Scott didn’t play it and Beau took too long5. Final Fantasy XIV4. The Outer Worlds 23. Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection2. DOOM: The Dark Ages1. Civilization VIIJon is Playing What?Games that hooked me to some degree this year that normally aren’t my thingClair Obscur Award: Parry it!5. Dynasty Warriors Origins4. Battlefield 63. Sonic Racing Crossworlds2. Hollow Knight Silksong1. Magic: the Gathering ArenaBest “New” Character of 2025Favorite characters that debuted (mostly) in 2025Clair Obscur Award: TIE: Verso & Esquie5. The Rich Family - Like a Dragon” Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii4. Chronos - Hades 23. Pauline - Donkey Kong Bananza2. Henry - Kingdom Come Deliverance 21. Robert Robertson the Third - DispatchJon’s “Indie” Picks of 2025 (The Non-AAA titles that I loved)These are non-AAA games that didn’t make my top 10 that still deserve some loveClair Obscur Award: Clair Obscur: Expedition 335. No, I’m Not a Human!4. A Game About Digging a Hole3. Marvel Cosmic Invasion2. Slots & Daggers1. The Roottrees are DeadJon’s Non-Gaming of 2025I did consume some non-gaming stuff this year and here is what I likedClair Obscur Award: Watching others discover the gameComics: DC KO/Absolute Universe and Marvel Ultimate Universe show the power of focused storytellingStreaming: Game Changer on Dropout is an oddly specific sub I loveTelevision (Animated): Mighty Nein makes this category sillyTelevision (Live Action): Pluribus proves Vince Gilligan and Team know what they’re doingMovie: The Naked Gun, but special shout out to Weapons & KPop Demon HuntersBeau’s Game of the Year Award Categories!Best 2025 Game Scores4. Dispatch3. Hades 22. Clair Obscur: Expedition 331. Final Fantasy Rebirth (PC release Jan 2025, when it was first actually playable)2025’s Biggest Dissappointments3. Not enough VR playin on my part!2. Buying V Rising for friends to play V Rising and they all wimped out because they don’t like vampires.1. Dune: AwakeningBest Early Access4. Jump Space3. Titan Quest 22. Fellowship1. Path of Exile 2Favorite Characters5. Henry4. Esquie3. Hecate2. Barrett1. InvisigalGroup Category #2 - Most Anticipated Games of 2026 (1-3 games)Scott:Honorable Mention: GTA63. Slay The Spire 22. Total War Warhammer 40k1. Crimson DesertJon:Honorable Mention: Total War Warhammer 40K or Crimson Desert - whichever comes out3. Pragmata2. Marvel’s Wolverine1. Resident Evil RequiemBeau:3. Crimson Desert2. Slay the Spire 21. The Expanse: Osiris RebornGroup Category #3 - Best 2025 Gaming Moments (1-5 news stories, fights, experiences, etc)Scott:5. Building out CORE.SHOW and expanding the shows reach and content4. Having the most possible fun I have had gaming with Carter in Splitfiction.3. Jon’s suckling teet sound on the show for Nintendo fans.2. Discovering the video solution that is The Spoiler Baron.1. Hearing about the Steam Machine made me feel like a little kid.Jon:5. Finding new joy in an old favorite (Resident Evil)4. Being a Final Fantasy fan (lots)3. Weekly episodes! (Dispatch)2. Learning, Collecting, and Opening (Magic the Gathering)1. Discovering a new all time favorite game (Clair Obscur)Beau:5. Finishing a year and half BG3 playthrough with friends4. Getting emotionally blitzed by FF7rebirth3. Raiding in wow with the CORE guild2. Watching others play Dispatch1. Watching magic noobs open Magic cards (Jon, Kyle & Garrett)Group Category #4 - Best Non-2025 Games of 2025 (1-5 games)Scott:5. Hardspace Shipbreaker4. No Man’s Sky3. Superliminal2. Red Faction: Guerrilla1. Star of ProvidenceJon:Honorable Mention: No Man’s Sky5. Ghost of Tsushima4. Resident Evil (OG)3. Stellar Blade2. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth1. Final Fantasy XIIBeau:5. Slay the Spire4. No Man’s Sky3. Aliens: Dark Descent2. V Rising1. ValheimThe CORE Crew’s Top Games of the Year! (Up to 10)SCOTT10. Deep Rock Galactic Survivor9. Escape Sim 28. Jackbox 11 pack7. Shinobi Art of Vengence (still too early but I stand by it.)6. Tainted Grail Fall of Avalon5. Powerwash Simulator 24. Hades II3. Donkey Kong Bananaza2. Dispatch1. Spit FictionJON10. Kingdom Come Deliverance 29. Avowed8. Megabonk7. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance6. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii5. Donkey Kong Bananza4. Hades 23. Blue Prince2. Dispatch1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33BEAU10. Ball X Pit9. Elden Ring: Nightreign8. Battlefield 67. Hollow Knight: Silksong6. Farthest Frontier5. DOOM: The Dark Ages4. Clair Obscur: Expedition 333. Hades 22. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (PC Release date was Jan 23, 2025, when it was first actually playable and not in beta)1. DispatchCORE’s 2025 (Collective) GAMES OF THE YEAR:Clair Obscur: Expedition 33DispatchHades 2Split FictionDonkey Kong Bonanza This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

Diablo IV: Both Scott and Beau are back in for Season 11. Scott’s “Hot Take” is that the game is officially “very good now”, and he does not care who knows it. (Paladin to 46); Beau claims it’s the best season of “Diablo 3” yet. (lol)Scott: Revisiting Overload (on sale), playing Escape Room Simulator 2, and starting Banquet for Fools.Jon: Reached the new area in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and is impressed by the visuals.Beau: Mostly Jump Space outside of D4 play.And a CRAP ton of your emails and texts for our last episode of 2025!POSSIBLE SPOILER POINTS 00:44:19.73 - 00:52:06.9701:31:31.21 - 01:31:36.77Uncut Video Archive: https://youtube.com/live/IeTROQe-zz8?feature=share CORE: About Them Video Games is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

Get your ‘500+ Episodes’ mugs at Frogpants.shop now before its too late!. We recapped The Game Awards: Jon loved Resident Evil Requiem, Scott is into Total War Warhammer 40k, and Beau liked Gang of Dragon. We mostly bounced off Highguard.News: Steam Winter Sale is live. Fallout Season 2 has started. We discussed Netflix buying WB (details at core.show). Supervive is shutting down after 7 months.Played: Scott is on Path of Exile 2 and Mutant Football League 2. Jon is trying demos like Pragmata and back in FFXIV. Beau is on Witcher 3 and other sick-friendly games this week.Ozzfudd notes Scott can finish Far Cry 4 and 5 in minutes via secret endings. Just another Nick suggests Super Fantasy Kingdom. Email us at [email protected]!Uncut Video: https://youtube.com/live/0ir06F1FPf8?feature=share This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

Audio edition of our watch-a-long! Listen along with us! (Video version posting soon!) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

Welcome to episode 500! Finishing Dispatch, loving Split Fiction, playing Demeo DND, and the Hordes of Hel! Plus Shinobi is underrated, Divinity still has a lot of stuff on the ground, Witcher 3, and a LOT of prep for tonight’s Game Awards. (coming in a separate post.)(Preshow ends at 07:24 )Uncut Video: https://youtube.com/live/JPuWWxlbM-A?feature=share This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

🎉 500 EPISODE MUGS NOW AVAILABLE!Get yours reserved before we hit the limit!https://frogpants.shop⚠️ SPOILER POLICY CLARIFICATIONGoing forward:1. We’ll do our best not to offer major spoilers on narrative elements2. We’ll give ample warning to pause, skip ahead, or come back later3. We’ll front-load discussions with spoiler-free content- Scott will play BGM over spoiler sections for podcast listeners- Jon is doing YouTube chapters ASAP once the episode postsNOTE: This has never been a spoiler-free show, but we’re making extra effort for those asking. You have personal responsibility to avoid spoilers if they matter to you.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🎮 MAIN TOPICTHE FEW GAMES OF DECEMBER 2025Marvel Cosmic Invasion, Octopath Traveler 0, Metroid Prime 4, Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut, Terminator 2D: No Fate, & More.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━📰 NEWS ROUNDUP🐴 Indie Game “Horses” Keeps Getting BannedBanned from Steam, Epic, and now Humble. Still available on Itch.io and GOG.🎬 Justin Lin to Direct Helldivers MovieThe Fast & Furious director takes on the video game adaptation.🐺 SO MUCH WITCHER- Witcher 4 NOT coming in 2026- Witcher 5 and 6 also in the works- Witcher Remastered on the way🔞 WickedWhims Has 300K Daily LoginsSims’ biggest sex mod sees massive daily usage🧛 Paradox Takes Blame for Bloodlines 2Publisher says responsibility for poor sales lies fully with them, not developers━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🎮 WHAT WE’VE BEEN PLAYINGSCOTT⚠️ Possible Spoilers: Did I finish Dispatch? Have to wait and see!Split Fiction - Incredible co-op game. Most FUN game this year!PowerWash Simulator 2 - Still the best CHORE CORE of 2025.JONCyberPunk 2077 - Done everything in base game, Phantom Liberty awaitsMarvel Cosmic Invasion - Started and finishedSHINOBI: Art of Vengeance - Sleeper hit! (Scott confirms)BEAUWitcher 3: The Wild Hunt continuesNoobs Are ComingJump SpaceRocksmith 2014 - We’re backStar Citizen - I forgot about it... sorry━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━💬 LISTENER FEEDBACK━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━💎 SUPPORT THE SHOWPatreon.com/coreshow and http://CORE.ShowNEW SUPPORTERS THIS WEEK:Patreon: No new Patrons this week, but thanks to old timers: Aegis, Patrick, Jason DorrCORE.Show: derek999, Dcheck734, daniel, craig.olson5Benefits:- No commercials ever- Preshow content every week- Host special episodes- And loads more at CORE.show━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━📬 CONTACT USEmail: [email protected]: tenhams.comWeb: Frogpants.com/coreUncut YT Video: https://youtube.com/live/tFukfovKAXg?feature=shareUncut CORE.SHOW Video: https://www.core.show/p/live-core This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

Some video today. It’s also on the audio feeds for those that prefer it. Love to hear your feedback on this turn of events.CORE reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

PRESHOW STILL COMING: Tech issues delayed it. Will post on its own soon. (will include the Jon Show too.)Scott dropped a Patreon vs Core.show support comparison video—check it at Core.show for the breakdown. Also posted an article about RAM prices going absolutely bonkers right now. The advice? Wait it out. Don’t be the person overpaying because you can’t control yourself.News Roundup:WoW: Midnight Gets RealJon brought the news: World of Warcraft’s next expansion drops March 2nd, 2026. Mark your calendars, prepare your excuses for missing work.Half-Life 3 Copium IntensifiesPeople—including “insiders”—still think HL3 is getting announced this year. Spoiler: It’s not. It never is. Stop doing this to yourselves.CD Projekt Reality Check* No Witcher 4 or Cyberpunk 2 at the Game Awards. Shocking absolutely no one.* Cyberpunk 2077 hit 35 million copies sold, outpacing The Witcher 3’s trajectory* Cyberpunk 2 is still years away. Hang in there, chooms.GAMES PLAYEDScott’s GamesDispatchMoonlighter 2: The Endless VaultNo Way HomeGuild Wars 2 MilestoneJackbox Party Pack 11Jon’s GamesCyberpunk 2077?Beau’s GamesClair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Finished Witcher 3 Total ChaosAnd LOTS MORE!Contact: [email protected] | Text: tenhams.comLinks: Frogpants.com/core This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

Uncut Video: https://youtube.com/live/705d5z0UoNIMain Topic: Game Awards Nominees. Megabonk dev withdraws “Best Debut Indie” nomination (made previous games). Claire Obscur: Expedition 33 breaks record with 12 nominations. Notable snubs: ARC Raiders, Dispatch, Sonic the Hedgehog 3.Other NewsXbox Partners Showcase (Tides of Annihilation, Vampire Crawlers, Total Chaos)Epic/Unity partnership for Fortnite integrationKrafton AI controversy re: Subnautica 2 bonusesDispatch skill requirements discussionFirst live-action Zelda movie set photosOur Week in GamingShared: Dispatch progress (Beau completed, Jon restarted, Scott finished Episode 1)Beau: Claire Obscur Act 3, Slay the Spire boardgame, No Man’s Sky Normandy unlock, Vampire Survivors VRScott: Forestrike (standout), Shelldiver (incremental gem), Advance Wars binge, Moonlighter 2 purchased, Cleared Hot, Guild Wars 2 reinstalledJon: Cyberpunk 2077 continuesFallout 4 pricing clarification from NickLandry - Anniversary Edition upgrade options explained, Xbox Play Anywhere support added.Links: Patreon.com/coreshow | CORE.show | frogpants.com/coreNew article on CORE.show: Vegas conversation about AI threats + why GoldenEye is the GOAT.CORE.show vs Patreon (frogpants.com/core)Episode 500 commemorative mug dropping at frogpants.shop this weekend! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

Valve has three new hardware options for you, and we talk about them in detail today. Plus all the news and stuff you can stand, as well as a visit from Bobby for a nice little WoW update!GAMES PLAYEDSCOTTTavern KeeperJONDispatchCyberPunk 2077BEAUFarthest FrontierJump SpaceREPOARC RaidersVampire Survivors VR This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

All the details on CORE.show, and what you can get from it! WoW is not coming to consoles, says game lead at Blizz. Fortnite has all the cartoon dads now. Rockstar doing some devious firings. Your Steam Deck can now download while asleep! Warhammer Survivors is HAPPENING! Blizzcon tickets go up tomorrow. Playstation Portal finally does cloud. The return of Nexeopardy! All the games of the week and loads more.SCOTTHoop LandMech HavocUtopia Must FallJONThe Outer Worlds 2Cyberpunk 2077DispatchBEAUARC RaidersAliens: Dark DescentBall X PitDawn of War: Definitive EditionJump Space This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

Nintendo wants you to feel like those happy pandemic times again with a big update to Animal Crossing on Switch 2. Also, all the games of November, the Amazon Games layoffs and the apparent shutter of New World. Civ 7 trying to fix things. Claire and Cloud together at last. All the games we played plus all the usual stuff Enjoy!SHARED PLAY THIS WEEKSlots & DaggersSCOTTPowerwash Simulator 2WarsideJONThe Outer Worlds 2Mortal Kombat: Legacy KollectionDispatchBEAUAliens: Dark DescentFellowshipJump Space This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe

How does anyone make a definitive list of the best games? It’s impossible, but we talk about the latest attempt anyway. Plus, Remedy losing their CEO after Firebreak did so poorly, and Vampire Survivors adds DLC to DLC. We also field a load of your questions this week, along with the usual dork-athon, and the games we played to boot!SHARED PLAY THIS WEEKBattlefield 6SCOTTSuperliminal (beat it!)Battle-Suit AcesYet Another Zombie SurvivorsGeometry SurvivorDungeon ClawlerSlots and DaggersJONDispatchThe Outer Worlds 2AbsolumIt Has My FaceBEAUFellowshipNo Man’s SkyBall X PitFarthest FrontierVoid Crew This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.core.show/subscribe