A Video Game Odyssey
Video Games
A Video Game Odyssey is a podcast that is light on spoilers, bias and nostalgia but heavy on being concise, clear and professional. Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AVGOdyssey Every other Wednesday, A Video Game Odyssey broadcasts short 7 to 10 minute retro reviews that scrutinise famed, forgotten or forgettable works of video games' past. Game length, genre, difficulty and critical reception are all handled in the first 30 seconds so that the rest of the time can be spent dissecting what each game tries to do differently, assessing a game's successes or shortcomings therein. Additionally, Coherent Rants, in which matters of the video game industry are considered within the framework of popular media as a whole, will be uploaded around once per month. Reviews adhere to one of two scoring systems. Reviews #1 to #16 are based on a 10-point scoring system, while reviews #17 and onwards use a named scoring system. Please listen to the "Quick Look at the Rating System" episode for more info and to hear the new scores for the original 16 reviews. The named score can either be a single or split score between: Abysmal - would not recommend to anyone Poor - would only lightly recommend to hardcore fans of the genre/series Average - would only recommend to hardcore fans of the genre/series Good - would recommend to general fans of the genre/series Great - would highly recommend to fans of the genre/series Excellent - would recommend to anyone interested in the game, genre or series Masterful - not perfect, but a game that consistently demonstrates such a high level of quality that I would urge anyone to at least give the game a chance regardless of genre/series. Inspirations for this podcast includes: Super Bunnyhop, Satchbag's Goods, Game Maker's Toolkit, Easy Allies and Edge Magazine UK. Logo by Grace Sandford (http://www.gracesandford.com)
Location:
Norwich, United Kingdom
Description:
A Video Game Odyssey is a podcast that is light on spoilers, bias and nostalgia but heavy on being concise, clear and professional. Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AVGOdyssey Every other Wednesday, A Video Game Odyssey broadcasts short 7 to 10 minute retro reviews that scrutinise famed, forgotten or forgettable works of video games' past. Game length, genre, difficulty and critical reception are all handled in the first 30 seconds so that the rest of the time can be spent dissecting what each game tries to do differently, assessing a game's successes or shortcomings therein. Additionally, Coherent Rants, in which matters of the video game industry are considered within the framework of popular media as a whole, will be uploaded around once per month. Reviews adhere to one of two scoring systems. Reviews #1 to #16 are based on a 10-point scoring system, while reviews #17 and onwards use a named scoring system. Please listen to the "Quick Look at the Rating System" episode for more info and to hear the new scores for the original 16 reviews. The named score can either be a single or split score between: Abysmal - would not recommend to anyone Poor - would only lightly recommend to hardcore fans of the genre/series Average - would only recommend to hardcore fans of the genre/series Good - would recommend to general fans of the genre/series Great - would highly recommend to fans of the genre/series Excellent - would recommend to anyone interested in the game, genre or series Masterful - not perfect, but a game that consistently demonstrates such a high level of quality that I would urge anyone to at least give the game a chance regardless of genre/series. Inspirations for this podcast includes: Super Bunnyhop, Satchbag's Goods, Game Maker's Toolkit, Easy Allies and Edge Magazine UK. Logo by Grace Sandford (http://www.gracesandford.com)
Language:
English
Episodes
A Quick Look At The New Rating System (from a Numbered to a Named Review Rating System)
4/18/2016
In this episode I take a brief look at how and why I have chosen to do away with the 10-point review score in favour of a label-based review score. Enjoy! Below is a list of my review history thus far, in chronological order, complete with their original score out of 10 and their newly updated score. -- Tomba, was a 7/10, now a good quality game -- Resident Evil 4, was a 9/10, now an excellent/masterful quality game -- Comix Zone, was a 5/10, now an average quality game -- Metal Gear Solid...
Duration:00:04:11
Review #16: Pokemon Red, Blue and Yellow Versions (1996 to 2000 / GB)
4/1/2016
Developer: Game Freak // Publisher: Nintendo // Status: Very Well-Known // Genre: Turn-Based RPG / Shooter // Players: 1 // Difficulty: Above Average // Length: 27 - 32 hours. Pokemon Red, Blue and Yellow mark the beginning of the phenomenon known as Pokemon. Known by fans simply as Generation 1, or Gen 1, these games introduce the first 150 Pokemon and establish the progression system of the mainline series games: wherein the player must choose one of three starter Pokemon, acquire 8 gym...
Duration:00:08:32
Review #15: Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (2007 / Wii)
3/16/2016
Metroid Prime 3 is a first-person action-adventure game that rewards precise observations, combing the environment and revisiting old areas with new abilities. The game follows a simple repeating formula of (a) enter a new area, (b) come across out of access areas, (c) find a way forward, (d) be confronted by a boss encounter, (e) unlock a new weapon or ability, (f) use new ability to enter either a new area or allow access to new regions of existing areas. The Metroid franchise influenced...
Duration:00:09:40
Review #14: Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (2004 / Gamecube, later Wii / Wii U)
3/2/2016
This is a review of the single-player game. The multiplayer aspect is completely separate to the main game, is offline-only and of a generally poor quality. Those wanting a multiplayer first-person shooter should look elsewhere. Metroid Prime 2 is a first-person action-adventure game that rewards precise observations, combing the environment and revisiting old areas with new abilities. The game follows a simple repeating formula of (a) enter a new area, (b) come across out of access areas,...
Duration:00:10:22
Review #13: Metroid Prime (2002 / Gamecube, later Wii / Wii U)
2/17/2016
Developer: Retro Studios // Publisher: Nintendo // Status: Very Well-Known // Genre: First-Person Adventure // Players: 1 // Difficulty: Average - adjustable // Length: 12 - 16 hours. Metroid Prime is a first-person action-adventure game that rewards precise observations, combing the environment and revisiting old areas with new abilities. The game follows a simple repeating formula of (a) enter a new area, (b) come across out of access areas, (c) find a way forward, (d) be confronted by a...
Duration:00:11:27
Review #12: Half-Life 2(2004 / PC, et al.)
1/27/2016
Review #12: Half-Life 2 (2004 / PC, et al.) Developer / Publisher: Valve // Status: Very Well-Known // Genre: First-Person Shooter // Players: 1 (also includes mutliplayer mode - not reviewed) // Difficulty: Adjustable at any point in-game // Length: 14 - 18 hours. Half-Life 2 is the culmination of immersive story-telling, an innovative use of physics and technical achievement in terms of texture detail and facial animation. It is also an enjoyable, serious, sometimes solemn, occasionally...
Duration:00:13:23
Review #11: New Super Mario Bros. 2 (2012 / 3DS)
1/13/2016
Developer / Publisher: Nintendo // Status: Very Well-Known // Genre: Platformer // Players: 1 // Difficulty: Average // Length: 6 - 10 hours. it is very easy to be cynical about New Super Mario Bros. 2. Not only does t borrow heavily from the Mario Bros. archive in terms of music, art assets, levels, themes and map layout but the new gimmick of turning everything into gold, and subsequently asking the player to feverishly collect coins, feels more than a little telling of a developer wanting...
Duration:00:07:32
Review #10: Ufouria: The Saga (1993 / NES)
12/9/2015
Ufouria: The Saga is an adventure-platformer developed and published by Sunsoft and released late in the NES’s life cycle. The game takes heavy inspiration from Metroid, Super Mario Bros. 2 and early Mega Man games. What separates Ufouria from other NES platformers is the emphasis on exploration and the utilisation of four characters, wherein certain regions cannot be fully investigated until the player has acquired either the correct character or power-up. This means that, like many of the...
Duration:00:08:09
Review #9: Dragon Quest VIII: Journey Of The Cursed King (2006 / PS2)
11/18/2015
Developer: Level 5 // Publisher: Square Enix // Status: Somewhat Cult // Genre: Japanese Role Playing Game // Players: 1 // Difficulty: Above Average // Length: 75 - 85 hours. Dragon Quest VIII is a turn-based traditional Japanese role playing game developed by Level 5 (makers of Ni No Kuni, Yo-Kai Watch and the Professor Layton series) and published by Square Enix. The game does not seek to “reinvent the wheel” as it where, instead setting it’s sights at elegantly blending RPGs of yore in a...
Duration:00:10:43
Review #8: Grim Fandango (1998, 2015 / PC, Etc)
11/4/2015
Developer / Publisher: LucasArts (Remastered by Double Fine Productions) // Status: Cult // Genre: Point-and-Click Adventure // Players: 1 // Difficulty: Above Average // Length: 10 - 14 hours. Music was sourced by: "Odyssey" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Other music includes "Manny and Meche", "Gambling Glottis", "Mr. Frustration Man", "Bone Wagon" and "Blue Basket Bop" found on the Grim...
Duration:00:08:36
AVGO Countdown: “Top 10 Legend of Zelda Games”
10/26/2015
In this very special episode of A Video Game Odyssey I take a long look at the history of the Legend of Zelda series, ranking my personal favourite games. Get in touch via Twitter, YouTube or SoundCloud to let me know what your favourite Zelda game(s) is/are, what your favourite Zelda moment is and what you think would be the best Zelda game to recommend a Zelda newcomer. Music was sourced by: "Perspective" and 'Odyssey" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By...
Duration:00:38:04
Review #7: Klonoa: Door to Phantomile (1997 / PSOne)
10/21/2015
Developer: Namco // Publisher: Namco/SCEE // Status: Cult // Genre: 2.5D Platformer // Players: 1 // Difficulty: Below Average // Length: 5 - 7 hours. Klonoa: Door to Phantomile is a side-scrolling platformer developed by Namco in 1997 for the Playstation. The game’s difficulty cap is kept fairly low and the game can be played through in around 5 hours. The game uses a 2.5D aesthetic, whereby protagonist Klonoa can move left or right across a 3D rendered stage, interacting with elements in...
Duration:00:09:48
Review #6: Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword (2011 / Wii)
10/7/2015
Developer/Publisher: Nintendo // Status: Very Well-Known // Genre: Third-Person Action Adventure // Players: 1 // Difficulty: Average // Length: 35 - 45 hours. Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is an adventure game available on the Wii. The game takes around 40 hours to complete and has a moderate fixed difficulty level based on testing a player’s combat skills, puzzle solving ability, logic and manipulation of elaborate 3D environments. The game shares themes, lore, mechanics and iconography...
Duration:00:09:57
Review #5: Alien Soldier (1995 / Mega Drive)
9/22/2015
Developer: Treasure // Publisher: SEGA // Status: Cult // Genre: Side-Scrolling Run and Gun // Players: 1 // Difficulty: Advanced // Length: 2 - 8 hours Alien Soldier is a side-scrolling platformer-cum-shoot-'em-up released on the Mega Drive/Genesis and developed by Treasure. Treasure are the same company behind similar hidden gems such as Gunstar Heroes, Ikaruga and Radiant Silvergun. Depending on skill level, the game can take anywhere between half an hour to upwards of ten hours to...
Duration:00:08:58
Review #4: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008 / PS3)
9/16/2015
Developer: Kojima Productions // Publisher: Konami // Status: Very Well-Known // Genre: 3rd-Person Stealth // Players: 1 // Difficulty: Average (adjustable) // Length: 15 - 18 hours. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is a single-player, stealth-based, narrative-driven action game that takes around 15 hours to complete and can be played on various difficulty settings. In the game the player controls Solid Snake, a rapidly ageing spy mercenary living in a not-so-distant future. Similar...
Duration:00:09:48
Coherent Rant #1: What Is The Video Game Answer To Citizen Kane?
9/6/2015
The video game industry, as a burgeoning artistic and technologically pioneering medium, has modelled itself closely on cinema. Despite being an active, interactive medium that sees the audience have their own agency, many of the highest grossing video games have pursed what journalists like to call "cinematic storytelling". Wherein acting, lighting, scenery, framing, dialogue and action lend themselves a level of immersion and realism seen in mainstream narrative cinema. With it's desire to...
Duration:00:06:40