The Experience Points Podcast (general)
A weekly video game podcast from the co-writers of ExperiencePoints.net

Our GOTY-cast is out, but before we leave 2023 behind we need to spotlight some of the great games that almost made our lists. It was a fantastic year for games, so be sure to try some of these games soon before you move on to the hot new thing!

Show Notes:

- Music by Brad Sucks
Direct download: EXP_Podcast_726_-_2023_Game_of_the_Year_Leftovers.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:46pm PDT

Even after a busy spring and summer, video games refuse to take a break and just chill.  There's just so much to play and it can get distracting.  Maybe that's what happened over there at Microsoft - someone was so distracted trying to master their mech in Armored Core that they forgot to properly secure all the links in their public court filings.  This week it's a gaming grab bag and a rare look at what goes on in the Xbox team's internal pitch meetings.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_713_-_Microsoft_Leaks_and_gaming_grab_bag.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:06pm PDT

Mer-people, a strange dog (?), and more on this week's games discussion!

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_710_-_Pikmin_4_Dave_the_Diver_and_Baldurs_Gate_3.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:11pm PDT

It's time to hit the street with Street Fighter 6!

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_706_-_Street_Fighter_6_Debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:53pm PDT

Grab your bugs, horns, and fire peppers because this week on the EXP Podcast, we're brewing a love elixir for Zelda!

 

Show Notes:

- Music by Brad Sucks
Direct download: EXP_Podcast_704_-_Hyrulian_Love.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:10pm PDT

I'm still totally fine with people saying "Happy New Year" at this point in the year, so you better believe I'm still good with game of the year discussions! This week we wrap up the season with some of the best games that didn't quite make our top 3 this year. And you know what, I won't even judge you for the Christmas tree I still see in the corner over there.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_689_-_GOTY_2022_leftovers.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Oh snap, it's time to get obsessed with a new card game! What's that you say? You think you're fully saturated by Marvel already? Well check out these foil-variant chibi avengers cards and then despair at your own weakness as you begin another game. Yes, this week we talk about Marvel Snap and its impact on the current gaming landscape.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_685_-_Marvel_Snap_Chat.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:47pm PDT

It's officially Fall, which means we have precious few weeks to wrap up some of the other games we've been playing before the end of year release bounty arrives. This week we come with a pretty wide selection, both thematically and mechanically. We explore the goofier side of cult-life with Cult of the Lamb. We have a snack at the end of the world with Kirby and the Forgotten Land. And we get side eye from our significant others as we painstakingly scrub through full-frontal sex scenes in Immortality.

Direct download: exp_podcast_679_-_imortality_cult_kirby.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:29pm PDT

We couldn't move past Gamescom without taking a look at some of the announcements that got our attention. But really, we should all acknowledge the elephant in the room Hideo Kojima's new podcast. We implore you: find room in your heart for two podcasts. But if you can't, we get it: morbid curiosity alone is enough to check out Kojima's new show. Just know that, after it's revealed that his podcast was just an elaborate way to get all your Internet-connected devices trapped in a massive botnet dedicated to forming a strand-based compute cluster for optimizing egg recipes while listening to mp3s of Bauhaus vinyl records, we will welcome you back with open arms.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_677_gamescom_2022.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:50pm PDT

Sometimes you just make one of those wholesome internet finds that completely derails your afternoon in the best way possible. My most recent example is my realization that a bunch of old video game manuals and guides have been lovingly digitized on Archive.org. Not only has this enabled me to pump those sweet nostalgia chemicals into my brain, it allows me to harass my family about how cool retro game art was with complete visual aids. This week we dive into some of our favorite instruction manuals and game guides and attempt to not sound a million years old.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_675_-_Manual_Nostalgia.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:05pm PDT

The Iron Giant is back and this time it's personal. But first, he's going to go on a late night Jack in the Box run with Shaggy. This week, we talk about the MultiVersus announcement, what it says about media megacorp crossovers, and who we think we could take in a video game fight. Watch your back, Kojima.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_665_-_Multiversus_madness.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:42pm PDT

Every year, Jorge and I play Journey on the anniversary of its release. We don't always talk about it since, honestly, if you took a drink every time we mentioned Journey on any randomly-selected show you'd probably be rushed to the hospital before the episode ended. However, this year is special: we are celebrating a decade of Journey! We're ten years in and still finding new things to appreciate about one of the medium's truly outstanding works. We hope you can join us in continuing the discussion and perhaps even go with us on next year's trip through the desert?

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_657_-_Journey_decade_debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:26pm PDT

Santa arrived early this year friends: It is time once again for the Gamey Awards. It's our loving tribute to/roast of the end-of-year awards season, complete with custom categories, long debates about subjective art, and pseudo slash fic. Join us in donning your tuxedos (or at least your tuxedo t-shirts), pour a glass of champagne mixed with Mountain Dew, and get ready to turn this show into an NFT.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_647_-_Gameys_2021.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:27pm PDT

Shuffle those decks and bust out your floppy drives: it's time to talk about Inscryption!  This week we talk about the Fall's most popular deck building/horror/meta narrative.  Let's just say there are quite a few layers to excavate on this one, so expect a healthy amount of both mechanical and story spoilers in this debrief!

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_645_-_Inscryption.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:49pm PDT

This week we're enjoying a grab bag of games that are getting us through the dog days of summer. What better way to pass the time than watching a Pikachu viciously dunk on a Snorlax? Or how about experimenting with recreational drugs in a cyberpunk wasteland? Or if that's not your scene, could I interest you in some material that was "liberated" from Shinra's R&D facility? Maybe you could use it as currency in your favorite free-to-play game?

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_629_-_pokemoba.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:48pm PDT

I have my issues with our particular dimension of reality and all its various...quirks...but games like Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart prove that there is definitely fun to be had.  We've finished the game, so this week we're doing a full debrief on both the mechanics and the plot.  Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to converting my sprinkler system into an anti-robot security network.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_627_-_Ratchet_and_Cland_rift_apart_debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

2020 is almost behind us, but before we go, it's time to take another look back at some of the games that didn't make it to the very top of our lists. Unlike almost everything else that happened this year, video games were pretty good, which means that we have some very tasty leftovers to sample. Throw on those sweatpants, plant yourself on the couch, and let's run the clock down on this year and look forward to the next.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_604_-_2020_leftovers.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:30pm PDT

It's a news-y sort of week around here, so let's dive right in. Don't look for this podcast on Mixer: we've already made the jump to hyperspace and are on our way to reclaim our Guinness World Record for podcasting and share one last chili dog with our favorite influencer.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_578_-_Mixer_and_Sonic.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

Sometimes, you just have to do your job. Hopefully that job isn't storming the beaches at Normandy, but if it is, hopefully you can take solace in the fact that you're doing your commander proud. This week, we use the WWII sim Post Scriptum as a starting point to talk about hierarchy in video games. When do you follow orders and how is a chain of command set up in a medium that is usually obsessed with individual agency? How will I get those sweet cheevos of my CO has be peeling potatoes?

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_574_-_Following_Orders.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:35pm PDT

Knock knock: there's a delivery for you...a smart delivery! Now that we've seen the recent announcement of the first batch of Xbox Series X games, it's time to take stock and partake in some recreational speculation. Vikings, fancy cars, and grotesque body horror: There are more games than you can swing an enchanted barbed wire bat at.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_572_-_Series_of_Series_X.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:05pm PDT

I often worry about the next generation and the world they're inheriting, but then I realize that they don't need my concern: they have Pokémon to protect them! This week, we talk about a few recent news stories: Riot is getting into the tactical shooter business, Twitch is weird, and the children are Pokémon savants. We live in strange times.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_562_-_Pokemon_Kids.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:16pm PDT

The world may feel cold and desolate. The days are filled with alternating episodes of terror and inconvenience: you escape the grasp of creatures straddling the line between the living and the dead only to notice your boots have holes in them. But don't worry: you're not alone. You see a flickering strand gently wafting through the chiral dust. It's a podcast from a more innocent time: the Death Standing Debrief. Finally!

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_556_-_Death_Stranding_Debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

Rise and shine, adventurers! Your dream has come true: a debrief on this year's Link's Awakening remake. We ask the hard-hitting questions: Who is this game for? Has Breath of the Wild ruined everything? Why would a banana man want dog food? Don't worry about it too much; just enjoy the adorable tilt-shift goodness.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_546_-_Links_Awakening_debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:43pm PDT

Another month, another Nintendo Direct full of the hottest, most delectable morsels a person could ask for.  Or at least that's the case for fans of Terry Bogard (you weirdos).  This week we offer our takes on all of the recent announcements as well as try our hand at some international cultural analysis by way of region-specific Smash character requests.  Apparently there's a huge diversity of opinion out there, except when it comes to Kingdom Hearts.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_540_-_Terry_Bogus.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

Bust out your grill and put some sandals over those socks, Guardian: it's time to build the dad loadout. This week, we discuss the phenomenon of the "dad build." It's a concept that has arisen from players pursuing in-game equipment that is useful but also attainable in the hopes that they can stay competitive without having to neglect their real-world responsibilities.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_536_-_Dadstiny.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:52pm PDT

This week on the EXP Podcast, we duck, dive, and dodge our way through the endless levels available in Super Mario Maker 2. We are both big fans of the first game on this show and we're thrilled not just to talk about the new features and experiences available in the latest game - but to invite you to try our levels as well!

Find Scott's levels Mario Maker code SWD-HY5-1HG and my levels at JH4-TKG-DRG. If you've got some levels to try, send us an email!

- Runtime: 42 min 34 sec

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_533__Super_Mario_Maker_2_Debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:09pm PDT

The sun is shining, the fireworks are popping, and I'm desperately trying to avoid the genetically engineered ultra-mosquitos released by one of the many tech CEOs/super-villains that live on the west coast. That's right, it's summer and with it comes a specific set of games that just feel right during those long warm days. Seasonal gaming is a topic we've covered before, but this time to dissect a recent Esquire list and revisit some of our historical summertime picks.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_532_-_Summer_Gaming_2019.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:55pm PDT

From the red stone bluffs of Cosmo Canyon to the strange "underwater" ruins of the Forgotten City, we continue our journey through Final Fantasy VII in Part 3 of our ongoing debrief. This week we experience one of, if not the, most important deaths in video game history. But is it how we remembered?

 

- Runtime: 52 min 15 sec

- Music from Final Fantasy VII OST

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_531_-_Final_Fantasy_VII_Debrief_Part_3.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:00pm PDT

It wasn't so long ago that we were seriously questioning the future of the single player game. "All those multiplayer live games are taking our precious single player games!" we wailed. Fast forward a couple years and single player, predominantly story-based games are thriving on both the indie and big publisher sides of spectrum. But, as Daniel Friedman points out, games like Anthem, Destiny, and Apex Legends are struggling to keep the pace and find the space needed to compete against the Fortnite juggernaut. Take a break from grinding through your battle pass and take a listen!

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_530_-_Live_Game_Long_View.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

The yearly gaming extravaganza of E3 has come and gone! But was it really that extravagant? With EA, Activision, Sony, and Microsoft all absent from the show floor, we had a lot more space to sit on couches and think about the handful of 2019 games that we're excited to see. Join and let us know what games you were excited by (or disappointed by) from E3 this year!

 

- Runtime: 53 min 51 sec

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_529_-_E3_2019_Debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:55pm PDT

This week we make use of the calm before the E3 storm to check in on some of the games we've been playing.  Space-faring AI, paper craft dinosaurs, samurais, t-blocks, and a whole shit ton of rats all make an appearance.  It's been a pleasantly surprising year so far and we're not even halfway done.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_528_-_Swarm_of_Games.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

The hottest next-gen console is here. It's small, yellow, and has a crank. 

 

This week on the EXP Podcast, we discuss the strange little gaming console called the Playdate, a tinny little console that will launch with 12 games by some indie gaming luminaries. It's a boutique item for a niche audience, but is it right for us? And would we really want to shell out $150 just to get one?

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_527_-_Playdate_Debate.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:33pm PDT

Your favorite game is more than likely watching and reporting on everything you do, but is that a problem?  I guess it depends on how much of a pro you are when it comes to pulling off 360 no-scopes and how strongly you feel about being identified as someone who likes to "do the Dew."  This week we explore the murky world of data mining and in-game telemetry.  It's a largely invisible part of our games that has quietly become ubiquitous, so Jorge and I try to confuse our algorithm overlords by shining a light on them.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_526_-_Data.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:05pm PDT

This week we dig into two recent news stories: The Valve Index VR system and the Sonic movie. While I'm a bit skeptical of each one in isolation, I just realized that combining the two would be a transcendent experience. Or one that might make you violently ill. I guess those things aren't mutually exclusive...

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_524_-_Sonic_Index.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:51pm PDT

Grab your materia and ready your chocobo listeners, we're headed to Gaia! This week on the EXP Podcast, we kick off the first in an ongoing debrief of Final Fantasy VII. If you are playing along with us (and you really should!), this episode reviews the beginning of the game through escaping Midgar. It's a renowned introduction to a game world - and for good reason.

Give it a listen and send us your thoughts via email. We'd love to know about your memories and experiences with Final Fantasy VII!

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 47 min 35 sec

- Music from the Final Fantasy VII OST

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_521_-_Final_Fantasy_VII_Debrief__Part_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:29pm PDT

OnLive is dead. Long live Google Streaming! We are back after a short hiatus to bring you thoughts on Google's announcement of Stadia, a games streaming service that looks is aiming to transform the way we buy, play, and sell video games. There's a lot to be excited about! But, we also have some big concerns - many of which are related to Comcast.

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 45 min 36 sec

- Music from Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_519_-_Stadia_Ready.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:56pm PDT

This week on the EXP Podcast, we debrief the artfully crafted Gris, one of our top contenders for prettiest game of 2018. The first game from Nomada Studios, Gris brings a ton of inspiration from Journey, drawing not just themes, but almost entire sequences - so you can imagine why Scott and I would be so interested in this game. Check out the podcast then try out the game and let us know what you think!

- Runtime: 36 min 52 sec

- Music from the Gris soundtrack

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_513_-_Gris_Debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:57pm PDT

2019 is here and the future is bright! Well, at least for games. This week on the EXP Podcast, we look at some of our most anticipated games of 2019 - from underground platformers to weird space indies, there are many, many, games to look forward to this coming year. What are you most excited to play?

- Runtime: 38 min 27 sec

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_511_-_The_Year_Ahead_2019.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:30pm PDT

The best games of 2018 are here! This week on the EXP Podcast, we kick-off 2019 with a discussion of our top 3 games from 2018. Some of these choices are predictable and some might surprise you. 

There have been a ton of great games this year, so honing down our favorites took some serious work. Let us know your top games of 2018! Also, be sure to toon in next week when we discuss some of the leftover games that didn't make the list but are worth thinking about (and playing) in 2019.

 

 

Show Notes (SPOILERS):

 

 

 

- Runtime: 41 mins

- Music by Brad SucksThe MessengerSpider-ManInto the BreachReturn of the Obra Dinn, and God of War

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_509_-_2018_Games_of_the_Year.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:47pm PDT

Geoff Keighley hosted his annual Game Awards show again this year, which is half awards show and half massive promotional event. Not only has the show gotten more lavish since its inception, but more publishers are using the platform to make huge announcements.

Today on the EXP Podcast, we go over some of the more exciting game trailers and updates from the show. Journey with us to the far reaches of space to the depths of Hades.

 
 

Show Notes:

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_507_-_The_Game_Awards_2018_Debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:25pm PDT

If there's one thing that takes longer than downloading Red Dead Redemption 2, it's playing it. With all this time spent playing Red Dead, it's hard not to notice how the game marks its own passage of time. The sun rises and sets, animals rot, and townsfolk walk around town on some personal errand.

How does the passage of time make a game feel more real? And how do some games convey the passage of time better than others? All of this and more in this week's episode!

Show Notes:

Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_503_-_Game_Time.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:32pm PDT

Shocking revelations from Nintendo this past week with the news that Princess Peach is, in fact, a mushroom-person who is merely granted a human form using the powers of her royal crown. This week on the podcast, we discuss the latest news from Nintendo.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_495_-_Peachette_Direct.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:13pm PDT

It's September, which means it's back to school and back to games!  This week to do a check in on three current games we've been playing: Marvel's Spiderman, Donut County, and Into the Breach.  Now that I look at it, I find the variety between those games extremely cool.  Hopefully I can use this bounty to redirect my urge to binge on donuts into an urge to binge on games.  My waistline will thank me.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_494_-_Donut_Man.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:15pm PDT

Fishing? Who needs it. Crafting? No thanks. Alchemy? That's someone else's job.

This week on the EXP Podcast, we're discussing all the wonderfully crafted game systems we just never seem to care about. From skinning animals to make larger wallets to harvesting herbs to brew all kinds of potions. With so much to do, how could we possibly do all of it? 

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_493_-_Hard_Pass.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:50pm PDT

The future is here! Again. For at least the third time this year. It's like the future doesn't want to leave us alone. This week on the EXP Podcast, we discuss the MagicLeap, a new pair of Alternate Reality goggles that promise to change the way we see the world - and the way we play in it.

 

Show notes:

- Runtime: 33m
- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_490_-_Technophilia.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:45pm PDT

This just in! Hackers have broken into the mega-city of Inkopolis and illegally modified their Splattershot weapons to fire ludicrous volumes of ink! And just went we thought Nintendo had built an impenetrable squid-city.

This week on the EXP Podcast, we dive into the reasons for and ramifications of the sudden increase of Splatoon 2 hackers. Will this tarnish the Switch or is Nintendo capable of weathing this storm... Tune in and join the discussion!

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_486_-_Hacking_Inkopolis.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:55pm PDT

This week on the show, we discuss some of the recent games we've been playing, which includes some of the best games of 2018 so far. Journey with us to Jurassic World Evolution where we care and nurture dinosaurs, to the land of the Nintendo Switch where we play such games as CelesteWest of Loathing, and the soon-to-be-released Octopath Traveler. We also spend a bit of time with Minit, a game where your play sessions are only 60 seconds long.

It's a big batch of games this week. Join us!

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_484_-_Dinosaurs_Switch_Games_and_More.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:34pm PDT

We have journeyed the highest peak in midgard and battled the fiercest emissaries of Odin himself to bring you this week's episode. Today on the EXP Podcast, we review God of War

When you and your son are ready, turn up the volume and listen close to the full debrief, spoilers and all.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_479_-_God_of_War_Debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:23pm PDT

Quick: tell me everything you know about cryptocurrency and the buying and selling of video games! Joke's on you: while you've been struggling to put together an explanation that is simultaneously cogent without making you sound like a snake oil salesman, I've mined all those precious digital coins you covet so much. I'm off to buy all the sweetest games. Maybe if you're lucky, I'll sell them to you. Yes; this week we're talking about a trifecta of topics we have only a vague grasp on: blockchain, cryptocurrency, and the used games market. Join us in trying to figure out this exhausting new world!

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_477_-_Blockchains_and_Buybacks.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

I declare Parley! Which I think means you have to stop what you're doing and listen to this episode. This week on the EXP Podcast, we discuss the unspoken rule of Parley in Sea of Thieves that is making the waters a little more sailor-friendly.

 

Show Notes:

 

- Runtime: 46 mins 22 sec

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_475_-_Rules_of_Parley.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:48pm PDT

The yearly "beefcake" parade of video game protagonists is in full swing. In just two days, we get to become as Gods and rip arms off Viking deities. But are the power fantasies God of War provides really all that satisfying? How complex and interesting are the power fantasies video games provide and what other kinds of power can we find in games?

 

Show Notes:

 

- Runtime: 35 mins 20 sec

-  "Games Need More Power Fantasies Beyond Beefy Dudes with Big Guns" by Cameron Kunzelman via Waypoint

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_473_-_Power_Hungry.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:28pm PDT

This week on the EXP Podcast, we set sail on the Sea of Thieves! Bounty, plunder, adventure, and swashbuckling abound. But is there really enough to sink our scurvy-ridden teeth into? And if these waters are shallow, what treasure awaits the Sea of Thieves players when the crew at Rare give it the update it deserves? All this, and more, as we monkey around per usual.

 

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 40 mins 37 sec

- Music from the Sea of Thieves OST

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_471_-_Sea_of_Thieves_Debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:17pm PDT

Everything old is new again! This week on the EXP Podcast, we talk about some of the old classics we've been playing, from the Journey anniversary celebration to some high-heel-action in Bayonetta

 

Music from Bayonetta and Journey OST.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_469_-_Remaster_Blasters.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:22am PDT

In a time where in-game purchases, DLC, and loot boxes are everywhere, does warning consumers about gaming monetization provide much value? The ESRB thinks so! This week on the EXP Podcast, we discuss why the ESRB wants to make some labelling changes and what types of notifications we'd like to see on our games.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_367_-_Rated_P_for_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:36pm PDT

Our blades are sharp and our bellies are full with cat food. You know what that means? It's time to go a-huntin'! This week on the EXP Podcast, we dive deeper into Monster Hunter World and review some of the game's more complex offerings.

 

Show Notes:

 

- Runtime: 45 mins 06 sec

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_465_-_Monster_Hunter_World_Debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:09pm PDT

The first three signs of the video game apocalypse have arrived. "And so it will be, that false peace, false heroes, and falses hats herald the end of days." This week on the EXP Podcast, we discuss this year's ill portents and what could possibly be inside Toad's head? And more importantly, is it edible?

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_463_-_The_Toad_Revelations.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:28pm PDT

We are back from a one-week break, where we busied ourselves by constructing a massive functional Jaeger mecha out of cardboard. Then we come back to Nintendo's big announcement stealing our thunder! This week on the EXP Podcast, we chat about liquid snake, paper cuts, shitty kids toys, and a whole lot of Nintendo news.

 

 

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 39 mins 32 sec

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_461_-_In_the_Labo.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:17pm PDT

It's not every day when you see a new genre emerge. Kart racing, fighting games, and now perhaps battle royal? This week we start off with a visit to our favorite vaguely post-apocalyptic eastern-European island and eventually travel to the limits of how we categorize some of our favorite types of games.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_460_-_A_genre_is_born.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:29pm PDT

It's time to put the old behind us! 2017 was a great year for games, but who's to say 2018 won't be even better. With God of WarWattam, and maybe even Red Dead Redemption around the corner, there are a ton of games to look forward to. This week, we count down our most anticipated games of the new year.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_459_-_The_Year_Ahead_2018.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:43pm PDT

One of the best years in gaming is coming to a close. Seriously. Throw a dart at a pile of 2017 games and you're likely to hit an absolute classic. Polygon even called 2017 "the best year in games since 2007," and that brought us The Orange BoxBioShockSuper Mario GalaxyRockband, and Mass Effect - and it's true. In other words, it was really difficult to cull down our favorite games to just three each.

Enjoy this week's podcast (we sure did). And hey. Let us know your 2017 GOTY!

 

 

Show Notes:


Run Time: 52 mins 50 sec
Intro and Outro music by Brad Sucks
Additional music from each game's respective trailers

 

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_457_-_2017_Games_of_the_Year.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:52pm PDT

It's that time of the year where friends and families gather around an offensively large portion of food and give thanks. This time, Scott and I are joining the festivities by serving up some of the things we're thankful for in games. From esports money to in-game settings, here are some of the underappreciated life-changers we're glad to have in our gaming habitat.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_453_-_Giving_Thanks.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:08pm PDT

Put on your travelling cap, it's time to take an Odyssey with Mario to save Princess Peach from a bad Tinder date. This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I discuss the much-anticipated Mario Odyssey. Join us while we discuss the dark origins of this particular tale. If you listen to this whole episode, you get a Moon.

 

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 39 mins 08 sec
- Music from Super Mario Odyssey

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_452_-_Mario_Odyssey_Debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:06pm PDT

This week on the EXP Podcast, we have reports from Destiny 2's first raid, our thoughts on the upcoming slate of Nintendo games as well as the company's bizarre approach to streaming, and a conversation about Red Dead Redemption 2. Will "Juan" Marston make an appearance? I sure hope so. All this and more, so give it a listen!

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_448_-_Too_Cool_To_Be_True.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:02pm PDT

In space, no one can hear you scream against unsafe working conditions and unethical labor contracts with faceless multinational corporations. This week on the podcast, we put on our space pants and drift into Tacoma. What does this short little follow-up to Gone Home have to say about AI, humanity, and the corporatocratic future? Join us and find out!

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_444_-_Tacoma_Debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:10pm PDT

This week on the EXP Podcast, we pay a visit to Titanfall 2 and wonder where everyone went. Was it the dull brown of the landscape that cleared the room? Would this game be more popular if it had brighter colors, cooler names, or banana rockets? The answer is clearly yes.

 

Everything is better with banana rockets.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_442_-_Titanfall_2_and_Mecha_Boredom.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:48pm PDT

The endless war between Mayonnaise and Ketchup continues in this EXP Podcast debrief on Splatoon 2. After we get into a heated discussion about condiments, we weigh in on the splatfest design, Nintendo's trouble relationship with online support, and the elements of Splatoon 2 that make this game so damn special.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_440_-_Splatoon_2_Debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:54pm PDT

Summertime means relaxing on an island.  After murdering the 99 other people on that island of course.  This week we dive out of a plane and into Player Unknown's Battlegrounds.  Along the way we learn about abbreviations, Twitch drama, and that there's a high correlation between a game having someone's name in the title and its quality. 

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_439_-_PUBG.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:57pm PDT

This week on the EXP Podcast, we put on our space helmets and meet up in the Tower to discuss the Destiny 2 beta. How do the new classes feel? Is this a significant departure from the first Destiny? How money hours will we spend farming motes of light? Who knows!

Show Notes:
* Music from Destiny 2
* Run time: 43 mins 15 secs

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_438_-_Destiny_2_Beta_Debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:35am PDT

It's time once again for our annual E3 debrief! This year we have some father-son drama, some good ol' fashioned pirate swashbuckling, hardware announcements, and so much more. Did we mention Mario? We've got some Mario too. Join us in the discussion and let us know your favorite games out of E3!

Show Notes:

- Music by Brad Sucks

- Runtime: 66 mins 50 sec

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_433_-_E3_2017_Debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:18pm PDT

Overwatch is one year old! Come celebrate by checking in on the state of the game and remembering those other year-old games that none of us can remember.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_430_-_Overwatch_Anniversary_Party.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:49pm PDT

This week on the EXP Podcast, we journey to find the dark soul, deep in the Ringed City. It's the last time we delve into a Dark Souls game. What does this foray hold besides numerous deaths? Where will the adventure lead us? What will we do if it leads us to Midir?

 

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_426_-_Dark_Souls_3_The_Ringed_City_Debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:57pm PDT

The gaming industry has suffered another loss, this time in the form of (in)famous peripheral manufacturer Mad Catz. What have we gained from their past creations? And what have we now lost, that is, besides controllers seemingly made from rubbish found at some estate sale? All this and more in this week's episode!

 

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_422_-_Going_Mad_Catz.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:28pm PDT

Greetings from Mount Olympus, where I preside with the other Bloodborne Platinum Trophy owners over the casuals down on the muck you call Earth. This week on the EXP Podcast, I deign to speak with Scott about trophies and the place of achievements in gaming culture today. You may give it a listen, but take care, lest my seraphim-like voice shatter your feeble mind.

 

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 34 mins 12 sec

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_420_-_The_Trophy_Case.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:30pm PDT

The Nintendo Switch is out and playable for those not living in Atlantis, a radio tower, or some combination of the two. This week on the EXP Podcast, we check-in on the public reaction and look ahead at some coming games. 

 

 

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 29 mins 28 sec

- Music by Brad Sucks

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Direct download: EXP_Podcast_418_-_The_Nintendo_Switch_Sitch.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:22pm PDT

This week we are inspired by a Waypoint article arguing that Nioh proves that Dark Souls has created a genre. If so, what does that genre include and what should we call it? Does it bring any value to games to classify genres like this? These are important questions, but not half as important as this one: What ever happened to the Bro-Shooter?

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_416_-_Dark_Souls_and_Genre_Defining_Games.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:14pm PDT

You've waited nearly a decade, and we made you wait a little longer, but finally our debrief for The Last Guardian has arrived. How does the game measure up against Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, two of our favourite games of all time? Was it worth the wait? And more importantly, did we see Trico poop? All this and more on this week's episode!

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_412_-_The_Last_Guardian_Debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:02pm PDT

2016 is over at long last. Before we ready ourselves for the cold nuclear winter ahead of us, let's take a look back at the notable games that didn't make out 2016 Game of the Year list. They might not have topped our personal charts, but all of these are games are worth your attention for one reason or another.

 

Show Notes:

 

- Runtime: 36 mins 55 sec

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_410_-_2016_Game_of_the_Year_Leftovers.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:40pm PDT

Happy holidays everyone! It's time again for the second annual Gamey Awards. One of the most prestigious and sought-after awards in the games industry. Will this be the first year an AI wins the Waifu/Husbandu award? What game might actually be Frog Fractions 2? Is your best buddy in Final Fantasy XV? All this and more in the premier EXP event!

Quick note on this episode. We did have to leave you a cliffhanger before we reveal the Gamey-est Game of 2016, but we'll be back next week with more. In the mean time, you know where to find us.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_408_-_The_2016_Gamey_Awards.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:07pm PDT

Somehow Sony turned their small-ish fan event into a major venue for big video game news. This year's PlayStation experience brings us a bunch of new trailers, announcements, and (tangentially) another bizarro look into Kojima's latest, Death Stranding

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 35 mins 12 sec

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_406_-_The_PlayStation_Experience_2016_Debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:58pm PDT

While your reeling under the weight of the recent presidential election, we bring you this belated discussion of the Nintendo Switch. Consider it a memory of an earlier, more peaceful time, when all we did was go to rooftop parties and play videogames. 

 

Show notes:

  • Music by Brad Sucks
  • Run time: 35 mins 16 secs
Direct download: EXP_Podcast_404_-_The_Nintendo_Switch_Itch.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:43pm PDT

If you're a fan of bizarre or surreal television, then we have a game for you! This week on the EXP Podcast, we debrief on Virginia, a narrative-based game that's part Twin Peaks and part X-Files. Is this short little game worth your time? And more importantly, what's the buffalo and the weird racist cult? All this and more in our journey to the Old Dominion.

 

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 34 mins 15 sec

- Music by Lyndon Holland via Virginia OST

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_398_-_Virginia_Debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:37pm PDT

I recently went on an extended vacation. While I was gone, Sony dropped the big news that Project Neo would actually be called the PS4 Pro. And not only is this fancy new piece of hardware selling for $399, it's launching this November. What does this mean for early adopters and folks who don't make the upgrade? Will VR games take a hit on old hardware? All this and more on this week's podcast!

 

 

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 32 mins 59 sec

- Music by Dan Deacon and Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_396_-_PS4_Professionals.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:51pm PDT

This week on the EXP Podcast, Kotaku's Nathan Grayson has us exploring the very depths of Overwatch's elo hell. Down there in the cold, dark abyss, one man sought to lower his rank to zero. And like some mortal man who sought to count himself among gods and demons, he achieved his dream. What does that mean for us? And what does it tell us about the worst fans of Overwatch? All this and more!

 

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 32 mins

- "The Guy With The Lowest Possible Rank in Overwatch," by Nathan Grayson via Kotaku

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_393_-_The_Hanjo_Dilemma.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:38pm PDT

This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I look at friendliness by the numbers. Thanks to a recent survey by research firm Quantic Foundry, we have some data about the ideal way gamers like to play with other people. Some of the results are actually surprising, but are they accurate? And what does this say about games that bridge the competitive/cooperative divide? And what about VR? All this and more!

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_389_-_Getting_Friendly.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:31pm PDT

Med kits and healing rays are the topic of this week's EXP podcast. What games have the most interesting healing mechanics? And why can't you damn Overwatch players just protect the Mercy already, yeesh. Christopher Gile fuels our conversation this week. Be sure to check out his Health 101 piece over on Gamasutra. 

 

Show Notes:

 

- Runtime: 29 mins 18 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_381_-_For_Your_Health.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:55pm PDT

We did it! Scott and I have linked the flame (maybe), and beaten Dark Souls III. How does it hold up to Bloodborne? Did I ever figure out Sorcery? Has Scott stopped spamming R1 attacks all day in PVP? These questions and more in our epic Dark Souls III debrief.

 

 

 

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 1 hr 8 mins

- Music from the Official Dark Souls III Soundtrack

- You Died: The Dark Souls Companion by Keza MacDonald and Jason Killingsworth

- "Praise the Sun: On Yoga & Dark Souls," by Charlene Putney via Existential Gamer

- "Dark Souls and doughnuts – what video games taught me about vegan cookery," by Kat Brewster via The Guardian

- "Getting Social with Dark Souls," by ME (deal with it) via PopMatters

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_379_-_Dark_Souls_III_Debrief_Part_2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:21pm PDT

Welcome, Ashen One, to another Experience Points Debrief. This week on the podcast, Scott and I eat some ember and get fired up about Dark Souls III. This is a hefty game, and it will take us both some time to complete our journey through Lothric, but we want to bring you some early thoughts on the game as we regain our footing in the Dark Souls universe. There are some tough new lessons to be learned after Bloodborne, oh yes. Namely don't stick your face in treasure chests that aren't yours.

 

Show Notes:

 

- Runtime: 36 mins 54 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks, Dark Souls III OST

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_375_-_Dark_Souls_III_Debrief_Part_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:14pm PDT

It's nearly Thanksgiving here in America. Today, Scott and I are both thankful we are not the last survivors of humanity wandering an irradiated wasteland. It's the small things, y'know? Let's celebrate by discussing the game everyone's been playing: Fallout 4. And what would Fallout 4 be without bugs? They define Bethesda games! But do they break them? All this and more in this week's EXP Podcast!

- Runtime: 33 mins 59 secs

- "Fallout 4 Is Full of Bugs, But Fixing Them Could Ruin It," by Zak McClendon via Wired

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_356_-_The_Fallou_4_Bug_Bite.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:57pm PDT

Halo 5: Guardians just release, and for the first time since the series began, the latest entry in the franchise does not feature split screen co-op. I only just learned of this travesty moments before recordings, so feast your eyes this week on some shock and anger as it happens. Of course we also discuss ways to bring the benefits of couch co-op to the online space, so maybe there's hope yet!

 

Probably not...

 

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 35 mins 02 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_352_-_Split_Ends.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:41pm PDT

At long last, it is time to cleanse these foul streets good hunter. This week on the EXP Podcast, we discuss the much anticipated system-seller: Bloodborne. Did it meet our expectations? Did Scott prove himself a "filthy casual?" Did we even make it out of this game alive!? Listen to find out. Also, if you are interested in reading more about the lore of Bloodborne, I encourage you to check out the short treatise on the game in the show notes.

 

Show Notes:

 

- Runtime: 53 mins 11 sec
- "The Paleblood Hunt: A Bloodborne Analysis," by "Redgrave"

 

- Music via Bloodborne OST

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_330_-_Bloodborne_Debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:14pm PDT

In the span of about a week, Valve rolled out a program for monetizing video game mods on Steam.  Then, the Internet kind of blew up and they rolled it back.  Now that the dust is finally starting to settle, we recap what went down and where we should go from here.  How do you balance creative freedom with compensating creators?  What are the consequences of Valve's domination of the PC space?  Who will make us a  mod that replaces the puts Earthbound sprites into Hotline Miami?

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_327_-_Mod_world.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

This week on the podcast, our very own Jorge Albor creates a new genre: "big small games."  Don't worry, it actually makes sense.  We've been laboring under the majestic weight of sprawling epics like Dragon Age: Inquisition and Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor, so we decided to take a break with some games that have a smaller scope.  We talk about Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, Infamous: First Light, Monument Valley and the overall concept of going for design depth rather than breadth.  Have any favorite games that fit somewhere between free indie and blockbuster status?  Let us know in the comments!

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_313_-_Big_Small_Games.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I get up out of our seats and jump around! It's time to dissect the art and design of the perfect jump.

Oh! One other thing we forgot. The EXP Podcast has reached 300 episodes! Thanks to each and every one of you that have listened to the show over the years and jumped into this crazy experiment with us. We appreciate each and every one of you and look forward to filling your ear holes with more of "serious but not humorless" chatter.

 

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 40 mins 43 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_300__-_Jumping_Around.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:47pm PDT

You thought buying a full priced game was expensive? Microsoft just bought Mojang, and Minecraft along with them, for 2.5 billion dollars. That is way more money than I spent to play the game. So how does Microsoft plan on making it worth their while? This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I are joined by a guest to discuss the future of Minecraft, what it can mean for players, and the secret life of Notch.

 

Show Notes:

 

- Runtime: 39 mins 3 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_294_-_The_Minecraft_Money_Show.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:46pm PDT

Babysitting has never been so stressful.

It’s been a long and deadly road, but we’ve finally made it to the finale of The Walking Dead, Season 2. It’s the culmination of all the big questions: How does Clem adapt to increasingly adult responsibilities? How do you know when to stick with the group and when to strike out alone? Is alcohol the solution to dealing with the zombie apocalypse? We wouldn’t blame you if you needed a stiff drink after this one and we’re looking forward to hearing your responses in the comments!

 

- Subscribe to the EXP Podcast via iTunes

- Find the show on Stitcher

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed

- Listen to the podcast in your browser by left-clicking here. Or, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format.

- Subscribe to this podcast and EXP's written content with the RSS link on the right.

 

Show Notes:

 

- Runtime: 1 hr 3 mins 52 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_293_-_WDS2E5.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:03pm PDT

Did you see that amazing and gorgeous looking trailer from Gamescom!? It was a fully rendered marvel! I can't wait to see how it will look in the much more limited and realistic setting of the actual game, you know, we can finally know what it is, right? This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I discuss cinematics in games, what they can offer games before and after release, and more. Have some thoughts on CG trailers or cut scenes? Let us know in the comments below, especially if you have a favorite! And if you actually do want to see a cool trailer, check out the one for Rime below.

 

 

 

Show notes:

 

- Runtime: 35 mins 05 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_290_-_Cinematic_Concerns.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:18pm PDT

Image from Tell Tale

Join us “Amid the Ruins” for a discussion on episode 4 of The Walking Dead's second season.  As the title suggests, this episode deals with the consequences of some very dramatic events.  Characters come and go and we talk about our interpretations of Clementine’s development and her potential fate.  We also posit some pretty innovative dairy farming theories.

 

- Subscribe to the EXP Podcast via iTunes

- Find the show on Stitcher

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed

- Listen to the podcast in your browser by left-clicking here. Or, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format.

- Subscribe to this podcast and EXP's written content with the RSS link on the right.

 

Show notes:

 

- Runtime: 46 mins 45 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_287_-_WDS2E4.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

Destiny is still more than a month away from release, but already there is so much to talk about! This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I delve into our early thoughts about the game. Is it living up to the anticipation? Does the look and feel adhere to the high standards we've set for Bungie? Where is that wizard from again? The Moon?

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_286_-_Destiny_Beta_Debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:34pm PDT

Twenty-five years ago, Nintendo gifted upon us mere mortals the Game Boy, defining handheld gaming for years to come. Today on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I go into our histories with the portable device, what we've been playing now, and what has us most excited for the future.

 

Show notes:

- Runtime: 37 mins 19 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_280_-_Portable_Power.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:00am PDT

Games for Change, the organization dedicated to games that seek to impact society in some positive way beyond the production of entertainment, just hosted its 11th annual festival in New York this year. I was lucky enough to attend in person and check out a host of speakers discuss this surprisingly large subset of the industry. This week on the podcast, Scott and I discuss some of the festival highlights, insights, and controversies. 

 

Show notes:

 

- Runtime: 34 min 36 sec

- Music by: Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_274_-_Games_for_Change_2014_Debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:26pm PDT