The Joy of Gaming Podcast

Episode 30 - And We're Back: Saints Row 4, Dragon's Crown, Tales of Xillia, etc.

The Joy of Gaming Podcast, Episode 30 -

And We’re Back: Saints Row 4, Dragon’s Crown, Tales of Xillia, etc. 

Welcome back to the Joy of Gaming Podcast. After more than a month-long hiatus (due to a recording studio change and other minor technical difficulties), we (Rich, Tim and Jordan) are extremely happy to be back in the business of talking about video games – and business, dear listeners, is decidedly good. This last month has seen the release of many much-anticipated games - including Tales of Xillia, Saints Row 4 and Dragon’s Crown - and we are ready to dig into some lively discussion about these games, and many more.

In fact, we this episode is all about the games, especially the games we’ve been playing recently. They include Tales of Xillia, Saints Row 4, Borderlands 2, Gone Home, Super Hexagon, Sly Cooper 4: Thieves in Time, Guacamelee!, Assassin’s Creed 3, Far Cry 3, Mini Ninjas, Civilization 5, The Unfinished Swan, Disgaea 4, and much more!

Then it’s on to gaming news, where we discuss the US release dates of Xbox One and Playstation 4 (and how much difference a week makes), how long the Xbox 360 and PS3 will continue to be supported after next-gen hits (2016? Really?), not one - but two - new Shantae games (one is a Kickstarter project called Half-Genie Hero), Mega Man creator Keiji Inafune’s just-announced Mighty No. 9, a new 30-minute ending to Final Fantasy X/X2, Ratchet and Clank: Into the Nexus, Assassin’s Creed: Liberation HD, a new Metal Gear/Hideo Kojima controversy, and some Pokemon news. Oh, and how could we forget the Nintendo 2DS!?!

Then, to round out the festivities, we take a look forward to the rest of the Fall Gaming Season, at games like Assassin’s Creed 4, Watchdogs, Pokemon X/Y, Beyond: Two Souls, Arkham City: Origins, Grand Theft Auto 5, and more. 

Yes, we were gone for a little while, but the important thing is that we are back, in a new studio, and with lots of new content to release in the weeks to come. This is, and will always be…the Joy of Gaming!

Episode 29 - The Co-op Episode

The Joy of Gaming Podcast, Episode 29:

The Co-op Episode

On this episode of The Joy of Gaming Podcast, we (Rich, Tim and Jordan) discuss one of the biggest joys of gaming today – co-op. Whether you’re on the couch playing New Super Mario Bros. and stomping on your friend’s Toad, or playing Borderlands 2 with three friends over Xbox Live (or PSN, of course), co-op generally makes gaming much more fun.  It turns a stereotypically solitary activity into something collaborative, competitive and social, and the best co-op games also introduce new ideas and mechanics that would only be possible with 2 or more players.

On this episode, we count down our favorite co-op gaming experiences of all time – from classics like Contra and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 to modern-day masterpieces like Left 4 Dead and Minecraft - and discuss what it takes for a co-op game from any era to be great.

But first, we talk about the games we’ve been playing recently, including Dead Island: Riptide, Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon’s Keep, Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection, Antichamber, The Last of Us, Civilization 5, The Walking Dead: 400 Days, Lego Star Wars III, and more.

Then it’s on to news, including talk of a Strider HD-remake, More Xbox One news, flip-flops and vagueness, Arkham City: Origins Villains, Indie Game: The Movie - Special Edition, and more. And if the news sestion seems a bit light at the moment, get ready, because the fall gaming season is right around the corner.

In the meantime, why not  fire up some Dead Island: Riptide, Borderlands 2 or Left 4 Dead 2, grab a co-op partner, and do-si-do.  This…is the Joy of Gaming!

Episode 28 - The Last of Us and Game Sequels Wishlist

The Joy of Gaming Podcast, Episode 28:

The Last of Us and Game Sequels Wishlist

On this episode of The Joy of Gaming Podcast, we (Rich, Tim and Jordan) battle against undead clickers, angry post-apocalyptic hunters and massive expectations as we discuss The Last of Us, the newest game from developer Naughty Dog. The game has received nearly unanimous raves across the board, from critics and gamers alike, and is being hailed by some as the best game of the past few years, or even of this console generation. Yeah – it’s supposed to be that good. But massive hype and godlike praise have a tendency to set expectations sky-high, so is it possible for any game to live up? We answer this question and many others, as we discuss the game in great detail (but without spoilers). We talk about Joel and Ellie, the combat, the crafting and upgrade systems, the stealth gameplay, and much, much more.

But no episode of TJOG would be complete without a look at the other games we’ve been playing, and this week they include: Remember Me, Metal Gear Solid HD Collection, Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon’s Keep, Joe Danger Touch, Dead Island, Dynasty Warriors 7, Contra: Evolution, and Plague Inc.

We also talk about some new video game news, including the Xbox One 180, Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD, shakeup at ID Software, Atari Graveyard Documentary, and Ouya launch issues.

And finally, in light of the variety of game sequels announced at this year’s E3 2013, we take a look at the games sequels that were not announced, but that we’d love to see in the near future. From Intelligent Systems’ Advance Wars to Rockstar’s Bully, Square-Enix’s The World Ends with You to Team Bondi’s LA Noire, Quantic Dream’s Heavy Rain to Grasshopper Manufacture’s Shadows of the Damned, we wish upon a gaming star for the sequels that would make our lives better.

So take cover behind a burned out car, jump out to shiv a hunter, and then grab a wooden pallet so that Ellie can cross the river – this…is The Last of Us, and ultimately, The Joy of Gaming!

Episode 27 - The Epic E3 2013 Episode

The Joy of Gaming Podcast, Episode 27:

The Epic E3 2013 Episode

On this episode of The Joy of Gaming Podcast, we (Rich, Tim and Jordan) sit down at the bountiful table of gaming goodness that was this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo, and we don’t leave until we taste a little bit of everything. This year’s E3 2013 was expected to be all about the new console generation, and the Xbox One and Playstation 4 were indeed a major focus of Sony’s and Microsoft’s press conferences. But what we here at TJOGP care most about are the games, and this year’s event was bursting at the seams with new game reveals, great new info about previously announced titles, and enough new IPs to send gamers’ minds into a tailspin. It was almost too much awesome for just one week, but somehow we’ve managed to fit all of the best, most exciting information into one epic podcast episode.

And therefore, if you care about the games themselves above all else, you have once again come to the right place. We talk about all of the big game news from Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony, including: Final Fantasy XV, Kingdom Hearts 3, Sunset Overdrive, Quantum Break, Beyond Two Souls, Murderer: Soul Suspect, the new Xbox One Halo game, Yoshi’s New Island, Killer Instinct, Titanfall, Tom Clancy’s The Division, Super Mario 3D World, Swery’s new game D4, The Legend of Zelda: A Link between Worlds, Mirror’s Edge 2, Bayonetta 2, Dead Rising 3, Bungie’s new IP Destiny, The new Super Smash Bros., Ryse, Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare, The Witness, Star Wars Battlefront, and many, many, more.

But the fun doesn’t stop there –oh, far from it. If you have been on the internet this past week, you are of course aware that the Playstation 4 vs. Xbox One battle has reached new heights of competitive ire. Microsoft has stood firm regarding the always-online, used-game-regulating nature of their new console, and many gamers are furious. Sony, meanwhile, has included no such limitations on their new console, and has gone a step further, proclaiming that online passes (which have become more and more prevalent in current-gen gaming) are completely banned on the PS4. The console wars have begun anew, and the battle lines have been drawn in indelible ink – but on which side of the debate will you choose to stand? We have some characteristically strong opinions of our own on these issues, and we share them with reckless abandon to close out the show.

So join us, as we follow gaming into its next generation. The consoles have been revealed, the games look amazing, and it’s all about to begin. Tune in and get excited, because this…is the Joy of Gaming!

Episode 26 - Xbox One, Kinect 2, (and our 3 opinions)

The Joy of Gaming Podcast, Episode 26:

Xbox One, Kinect 2 (and our 3 opinions)

After a brief summer hiatus, The Joy of Gaming Podcast is back, and we (Rich, Tim and Jordan) have a lot to talk about. Microsoft has finally shown its Next Generation cards, or at least some of them, and their vision for the future of gaming is Xbox One.  But are gamers really their target market? At their recent live event held in Redmond, Microsoft revealed the name of their new console (Xbox One), their plans for the future of Kinect, hardware specs, and a slew of new applications and functionality, allowing users to watch live TV and surf the web at the same time, communicate with the system via new simplified voice commands and gestures, and play fantasy football and Madden at the same time. All cool stuff, sure… but can it play games? The obvious answer is yes – but aside from Call of Duty: Ghosts (again) and a tease that there will be “15 Xbox One Exclusives released in the first year,” almost nothing game-related was discussed.

Microsoft has said that this was merely the roll-out event for the Hardware, and that E3 will be the time for them to talk about the games and everything game-related, but choosing to announce a gaming console that will likely cost between $400-$600 at launch and not showing the games it will be capable of playing, is decidedly an interesting choice.

Speaking of interesting choices, since the event, Microsoft left many other crucial aspects of their next-gen strategy rather vague at the event, and has spent the weeks following the event clarifying their stance on used games, always-online requirements, game sharing with family and friends, Achievements and how they will change, and even what the new buttons on the controller (It’s not “start” and “back” anymore, folks) do.  We will share our thoughts on what Microsoft has announced so far, speculate on what we expect to hear at E3, and discuss the Xbox One in the context of the current gaming market, and in contrast to its most intimidating competitor: the Playstation 4.

But before we get carried away by dreams and concerns for the future of gaming, there are current gen matters to attend to, including the games we’ve been playing. Tim has been playing some PC games, including Lone Survivor and Marvel Heroes, and Rich and Jordan have been playing a variety of games new and slightly old, including Remember Me, New Super Mario Bros. 2, Dead Space 2, Arkham City, Triple Town, Darksiders 1 and 2, and more. We also discuss some news items, including a massive Xbox One game title leak pre-E3, including some crazy heavy hitters like Mirror’s Edge 2, Beyond Good and Evil 2, Killer Instinct 5, and more!

So join us, as a new generation is (somewhat) revealed. This…is The Joy of Gaming!

Episode 25 - Horror in Gaming: Past, Present, and The Evil Within

The Joy of Gaming Podcast, Episode 25:

Horror in Gaming: Past, Present and The Evil Within

On this episode of The Joy of Gaming Podcast, we (Rich, Tim and Jordan) huddle into a creepy side studio with 70’s Vinyl on the walls and scary wails echoing in from the studio next door…to talk about horror in video games.

But first, we gather our composure just long enough to discuss the games we’ve been playing, including Injustice: Gods Among Us, DMC: Devil May Cry, Shin Megami Tensei: Soul Hackers, Poker Night 2, New Super Mario Bros. 2, Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, Xenoblade Chronicles, the new Star Trek game, and Android: Netrunner (a Living Card Game).

And then in news, we talk about Scribblenauts DC, the Ratchet and Clank movie, more Xbox always-online rumors, and all the announcements from the latest Nintendo Direct, including Zelda: A Link to the Past 2, a new Yoshi’s Island game, Mario and Luigi: Dream Team, Bravely Default, Earthbound on the Virtual Console, and more. We also answer a few listener-submitted questions before diving headlong into our exploration of the gaming macabre.

Earlier this month, Shinji Mikami (creator of the Resident Evil Series) announced that his next game will be called The Evil Within, and will return to the “roots” of survival horror where horror was the focus rather than action. And, on the very opposite end of the horror-gaming spectrum, game designer Swery has just released the Director’s Cut of his campy-but-brilliant Deadly Premonition – a game that defies definition, but takes its cues from games of the survival horror persuasion, with a few B-movie tropes thrown in for good measure. In other words, the subject of horror in gaming has come to the forefront again, and we are never ones to jump out of the way of a speeding trend.

So we delve deep into our twisted subconscious minds to reminisce about our favorite horror and horror-themed video games. From Resident Evil 4 to Zombies Ate My Neighbors, we’re covering a lot of ground here, and as we discuss each game, we dig deep into our own haunted psyches to talk about the impact these games have had on us, as well as what makes a good horror game, the overall significance of horror in gaming, and where we think the horror genre is headed.

So close your eyes and imagine that you have just been chased out of Raccoon City by ravenous zombie dogs, and have stumbled upon a creepy haunted mansion that seems to be your only hope of safety and salvation. You enter tenuously - the front door swings shut behind you with a BANG!! - your body stiffens and fills with dread - and you suddenly realize that this…is The Joy of Gaming!

Episode 24 - Bioshock Infinite

The Joy of Gaming Podcast, Episode 24:

Bioshock Infinite

After a wait that seemed at times to be interminable, Bioshock Infinite is finally here, and we at The Joy of Gaming Podcast (Rich, Tim and Jordan) could not be more excited. But is it a worthy spiritual successor to the original Bioshock? The possibilities are infinite as we explore the game in depth on this very spirited episode.

Before we get to the main event, however, we discuss the games we’ve been playing that were not directed by Ken Levine, including Tomb Raider, League of Legends, Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, The Witcher 2, BattleBlock Theater, and Starcraft 2: Heart of the Swarm. Then it’s on to news, where we discuss the demise of Lucasarts as a game developer, Microsoft’s potential “always-online” next gen strategy, and much more.  Rich and Tim also get down and dirty, arguing over the merits of Valve Software’s recent gaming output (or lack thereof). And then…we look to the sky.

Whether you agree with Rich that the first Bioshock was a gaming masterpiece, or with Tim and Jordan that it was great (but a bit overrated), you cannot argue that the game has had a monumental impact on gaming as a whole. Bioshock took gamers on a journey to the strange and beautiful underwater city of Rapture – a world inhabited by Little Sisters, Big Daddies, deranged genetic splicers, and the misguided humans who created it all. It was an experience that set new high watermarks in the areas of story, tone, characters, environment and originality in gaming, and it transported gamers to a place that few ever wanted to leave.

About three years ago, series creative director Ken Levine and the team at Irrational Games in Boston announced a spiritual successor to the game, called Bioshock Infinite, and the countdown to potential gaming nirvana began. Well, the time has finally come, and Bioshock Infinite has been released to a great deal of fanfare and universally positive reviews from gaming publications. But does the game live up to its predecessor? In fact, is it possible for any game to live up to the legacy of the original Bioshock?

We have all finished Bioshock Infinite, and we each have some strong answers to these questions. We talk about every facet of the experience, from Elizabeth’s tear mechanic and the Songbird, to the skylines that hover above Columbia’s streets, to the characters, voxophones, boss battles, vigors, gear, and weapons that serve as the core of the gaming experience. We even throw caution to the wind and talk full story spoilers for the last 30 minutes of the podcast, so if you haven’t finished the game yet, listen up to that point and save the finale until after you have.

Join us, as we take a foreign and fantastic journey into the sky - to the heart of human ambition and disappointment. This… is the Joy of Gaming!

Episode 23 - Prequels of War and Heart of the Swarm

The Joy of Gaming Podcast, Episode 23:

Prequels of War and Heart of the Swarm

On this episode of The Joy of Gaming Podcast, we (Rich, Tim and Jordan) talk about March’s biggest games releases, God of War: Ascension, Gears of War: Judgment, and Starcraft 2: Heart of the Swarm. It’s been a huge month for blockbuster prequels and sequels, and we weigh in on the latest adventures of Kratos, Baird and Kerrigan.

But first, we talk about the (other) games we’ve been playing, including Tomb Raider, Fire Emblem: Awakening, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate, The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct, and more.

Then it’s on to gaming news, including the announcement of Saint’s Row 4, the future of Playstation trophies, Beyond: Two Souls, Battle Block Theater, and…wait for it…Ducktales news!?! Yeah.

And in our main segment, we talk about the new prequels just released in the Gears of War and God of War series. For Gears of War: Judgment, Epic handed the reins over to (Bulletstorm developer) People Can Fly, and although the combat is almost identical to previous entries in the series, the overall storytelling and mission structure has been changed dramatically. God of War: Ascension, on the other hand, kept development team Sony Santa Monica at the helm, but certain key aspects of the combat (like weapons and magic, for instance) have been overhauled. We discuss whether these changes are welcome, and discuss our overall thoughts on these two prequels, and on prequels in general.

We also discuss the biggest PC release of the season, Starcraft 2: Heart of the Swarm, and the many challenges Blizzard faced moving forward with a series so beloved by fans. Topics include: multiplayer balance, character customization, the evolution of the Zerg, the story in general, and much more.

It’s a great time to be a gamer, and this…is The Joy of Gaming!

Episode 22 - An Ode to the JRPG

The Joy of Gaming Podcast, Episode 22:

An Ode to the JRPG

On this episode of The Joy of Gaming Podcast, we (Rich, Tim and Jordan) talk about a subject that is near and dear to our gamer hearts: Japanese Role-Playing Games. With recent games like Fire Emblem: Awakening, Persona 4: Golden, and Ni No Kuni in our gaming consoles, and Fire Emblem X Shin Megami Tensei and the next Final Fantasy announced and on the next-gen horizon, now seems like the perfect time to sing an ode to one of our all-time favorite genres.

First, of course, we talk about the games we’ve been playing recently, which include, Crysis 3, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, Halo 4’s Spartan Ops, and Fire Emblem: Awakening. Then we delve into a few updates to news stories from last episode, most importantly Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag. That’s right – no Assassin’s Creed 3: (Insert Ridiculously Self-Important Subtitle Here), as Ubisoft is moving right along to the official fourth installment in the series, which is probably a good call.

And finally, when you think of JRPGs, what games and series do you think of? Well for us, the list is as follows: the Tales series, Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Suikoden, Xenogears, Xenosaga and its sequels, the Mana series, the Megaten games, Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross, Ogre Battle and Tactics Ogre, Fire Emblem, the Mario and Luigi games, the Paper Mario series…and the list goes on. We discuss these games and more, and innumerate the many reasons why we love them, as well as their individual contributions to the genre as a whole.

So whether you play JRPGs for the story, or always skip through the cutscenes to get back to the grind, you should find a lot to love here. This…is The Joy of Gaming!

Episode 21 - Playstation 4 and the Advent of Next Gen

The Joy of Gaming Podcast, Episode 21:

Playstation 4 and the Advent of Next Gen

On this episode of The Joy of Gaming Podcast, we (Rich, Tim and Jordan) look into gaming’s crystal ball (aka the recent Sony event), and see the future of console gaming. And the future, apparently, is Playstation 4.

But first, we talk about the games we’ve been playing, including the Fire Emblem series, Heroes of Might and Magic, Playstation All-Stars: Battle Royale, Aliens: Colonial Marines, System Shock 2, and Persona 4. We also look ahead, to the upcoming month of March in game releases: Bioshock Infinite, Tomb Raider, Starcraft: Heart of the Swarm, God of War Ascension, Gears of War: Judgement, and more…it’s pretty ridiculous.

Then we cover a few news stories, including Xbox 720 rumors and the next Assassin’s Creed, before moving on to the only news story that really matters.

The Playstation 4 was officially announced at a Sony event on February 20^th, and the system’s features and specifications were also revealed. We discuss the new console in detail, including its technical specs, Sony’s plans regarding cloud streaming of content, the new Dual Shock 4 controller and its myriad capabilities, and the next gen games that will utilize them. From Bioware’s Dragon Age 3 to Bungie’s Destiny to Ubisoft’s Watchdogs to a controversial console port of Blizzard’s Diablo III - the most important aspect of any gaming system is its catalogue of game titles, and we weigh in on each.

Whether you’re ready or not, the next generation of gaming is fast approaching. This… is the Joy of Gaming!