Workforce Gaming Podcast

We dive into the newest PS Plus game Animal Well, a 2D indie game that takes a lot from the Metroidvania genre. Doug looks to see if this is the 2D game that convinces him there can still be great new ideas in that space. Support us on Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/workforcegaming

With a small slowdown in major 2024 games, Brad goes back a decade and a half to revisit one of our favorite classic FPS horror games in F.E.A.R. First Encounter Assault Recon. Does this game hold up and remain as one of our all time favorite horror games or has it started to show its age? Support us on Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/workforcegaming

Doug goes on a mission to deliver a letter as a nun in the new indie game Indika. This game feels more a piece of art at times than a game, and we are very excited to see how this game challenges our thoughts on faith. Support us on Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/workforcegaming Code provided by EvolvePR

Brad jumps into the newest Metroidvania Tales of Kenzera: Zau to see how a game in this genre can handle a delicate subject matter like the loss of a loved one. Is this new indie games touching emotional story able to help it live up to the greats of this genre? Support us on Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/workforcegaming

Doug caught up with an old friend at Pax East to talk about motion capture in gaming. Haptix Studio in Michigan does all sorts of work in creating, utilizing, and teaching the art of motion capture. Check out Haptix Studios at: https://haptixstudio.com/ Support Workforce Gaming on Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/workforcegaming

At Pax East, Doug talked with the composer of Turbo Overkill and Littlelands. We learn more about the process and inspiration for making music in games as well as the differences in making music for hyperviolent and cozy games. For more about Chapman Hammond's work: https://www.chapmanhammondmusic.com/ Turbo Overkill available now on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1328350/Turbo_Overkill/ Wishlist Littlelands on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2083660/Littlelands/ Support Workforce Gaming on Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/workforcegaming

We jump back into Final Fantasy XVI for the last time with The Rising Tide DLC. Finally, we find Leviathan The Lost and we discover if it is truly worth being the final ending for Final Fantasy 16. Support us on Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/workforcegaming

We went back and explored what Star Wars meant to those of us kids in the 90's with Star Wars: Rebel Assault 2 The Hidden Empire. This game might be horrible but we had a great time exploring a Star Wars classic and revisiting what the old Star Wars expanded universe was all about. Support Workforce Gaming on Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/workforcegaming⁠

Continuing our Pax East interview series, Doug chats with one of the developers of the new horror game Sorry We're Closed. They talk about the influence of games like Silent Hill on this modern horror indie game. Wishlist Sorry We're Closed here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1796580/Sorry_Were_Closed/ Support Workforce Gaming on Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/workforcegaming

We go back in time to finally achieve a long standing goal. Actually finishing a game in the Contra series. We talk through how that was possible in Contra Operation Galuga and what Contra in 2024 looks like. Support Workforce Gaming on Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/workforcegaming Game code received through Keymailer

We go back to one of the best games of 2023 and talk through all the story, ending, and general spoilers of Alan Wake 2. We break down the themes of Alan Wake 2, Alan Wake and Saga's story, what on Earth the ending is, and who is Scratch. Time Stamps: 0:00 Intro 1:02 General Game Themes 11:24 Side Characters 20:50 Saga 31:46 Alan Wake 40:00 The Ending

Doug talks with one of the creators of Kind Words and it's sequel Kind Words 2. What lessons have they learned from fostering a community of kindness and how do they plan to evolve from the original game? Wishlist Kind Words 2 here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2118120/Kind_Words_2_lofi_city_pop/ Support Workforce Gaming on Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/workforcegaming

We've seen the ending, we've followed Sephiroth, and done dozens of hours of side quests, so it's time to talk about Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth spoilers. In part one of our spoiler discussion we walk through the main story line of FF7 Rebirth. 0:00 Intro 1:22 Lets Get Into It 13:21 Junon 24:58 Costa Del Sol 28:21 About Zack 33:30 North Coral 35:02 Gold Saucer 43:10 Gongaga 47:40 Cosmo Canyon 51:47 Nibelheim Pt 2 57:55 Gold Saucer Pt 2 1:05:32 Temple 1:13:38 Ending Support us on Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/workforcegaming

At Pax East Doug took some time to talk with the developer of Juice. This upcoming indie game is described as "the angriest game at Pax East". Wishlist JUICE here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/28... Check other cool stuff from Colorfiction: https://www.colorfiction.co/ Support Workforce Gaming on Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/workforcegaming

At Pax East Doug took some time to talk with the developers of Heartworm, an upcoming PS1 inspired horror game. They discuss how PS1 style graphics can create a game more tense and scary than modern games. You can wishlist Heartworm or play the demo on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1257030/Heartworm/ Support Workforce Gaming on Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/workforcegaming

At Pax East Doug took some time to talk with the developers of Nirvana Noir, the sequel to Genesis Noir. They discuss the ways they have changed up the formula with this new game. There Kickstarter for the game is launching soon so keep an eye out! You can wishlist Nirvana Noir on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1287610/Nirvana_Noir/ Support Workforce Gaming on Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/workforcegaming

Brad takes a drive through his home state of Michigan to uncover hidden family secrets in Open Roads. This new Annapurna game staring Kaitlyn Dever & Keri Russell has us exploring different areas in our families past as we discover who our grandma really was. Support us on Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/workforcegaming

Kill Them All a new unannounced game was shown off at PAX East 2024. Doug took a moment to sit down with one of the members of the team on this new Vampire Survivors & Serious Sam inspired indie first person shooter. Support us on Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/workforcegaming

Brad takes a break from giant RPGs to step into the fairy tale style world of platforming and puzzles in Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy. This small series has been around for a while so does Trine 5 live up to the rest of the Trine series? Support us on Ko-fi: ⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/workforcegaming

We are finally back to the world of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Where will this middle chapter take Cloud and friends and could this be even better than the original remake (it is...). Support us on Ko-fi: ⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/workforcegaming