Drop Rate - Video game reviews that'll make you think

With fun combat that never gets old, UNICORN OVERLORD by Vanillaware combines a dash of FIRE EMBLEM, some FINAL FANTASY XII and even a bit of auto-battler genre into a game that makes you change your plans again and again. Chris Button sits down with SIFTER Executive Producer Gianni Di Giovanni to explore the world of Fevrith, making allies and the unfortunately pervy character designs in overall wonderful game. You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by ☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ 👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/ 💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Borrett, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

The second entry in the ambitious modernisation of Final Fantasy VII series feels like it finally captures that wonder and fun of the original game. With plenty of fun silly moments and tight compelling combat that encourages variety, FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is the game you’ve been waiting for. Leah Williams (GamesHub) joins Chris Button on the latest episode of Drop Rate to race on chocobos, chill in Costa Del Sol and take the fight to Sephiroth A copy of FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH on PlayStation 5 was provided to SIFTER for the purposes of this review. You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by ☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ 👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/ 💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Borrett, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

Yordles are fae-like creatures from Bandle City, a magical land where wondrous events occur. If you’re not careful, you may fall into one of the portals leading to the home of the Yordles. BANDLE TALE: A LEAGUE OF LEGENDS STORY captures the magic and whimsy of the lore behind one of League of Legends’ cutest and most mysterious races. You’ll craft, explore and converse with a sentient sock, and if that doesn’t convince you to play, maybe we’ll be able to with this episode of Drop Rate. Drop Rate host Courtney Borrett is joined by Emily Spindler and Sofia Casanova as they discuss this charming RPG A copy of BANDLE TALE: A LEAGUE OF LEGENDS STORY on PC was provided to SIFTER for the purposes of this review. You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by ☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ 👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/ 💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Borrett, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

The first time is an accident, one of your fellow soldiers stands just a little bit too close to the blast zone as you call down artillery from outer space. HELLDIVERS 2 actually makes it a little bit too fun to explode your allies. Whoops. It's all part of the shtick which really amps up the forever war jingoistic world of Super Earth as you blast across planets in the name of 'Managed Democracy'. There has to be sacrifice in the name of freedom right? Good, well jump in this pod soldier. Drop Rate host Chris Button is joined by SIFTER's Adam Christou as they dig it just why everyone is playing this game. A copy of HELLDIVERS 2 on PlayStation 5 and PC was provided to SIFTER for the purposes of this review. You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by ☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ 👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/ 💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Borrett, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

Like someone made a joke then just massively committed to the bit, LIKE A DRAGON INFINITE WEALTH has just so much in it you can spend ages just chasing what you find fun. Charlie Kelly (Checkpoint Gaming) and Jam Walker (Kotaku Australia, GamesHub) join Chris as they visit Yokohama and Hawaii in search of madcap adventures. You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by ☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ 👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/ 💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Borrett, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

It's hard to match the combat and minute to minute gameplay in the THE LAST OF US PART II and the new PlayStation 5 version offers more of the excellent nailbiting gameplay and deeper insights into the developer's creative process. If you treat this new version as premium DLC for the game you already own, the cut content, commentary and new roguelike mode No Return makes for an enjoyable return to this series. Chris Button sits down with SIFTER Executive Producer Gianni Di Giovanni as they enjoy a look behind the curtain. A copy of THE LAST OF US PART II REMASTERED on PlayStation 5 was provided to SIFTER for the purposes of this review. You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by ☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ 👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/ 💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Borrett, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

It's been a massive year for video games, with some of the very best games ever made packed into 2023. In our annual special we've collected the entire SIFTER team like Pokémon into one massive end of year episode. We've got massive titles and smaller indies plus our honourable mentions. What ever you choose to play next from this list you'll have a great time. MitchFiona & KyleAdam Courtney Gianni Chris What is your favourite game released this year? Let us know by leaving us a review on your favourite podcast player and we'll give you a shout out when we return in 2024. You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by ☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ 👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/ 💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Borrett, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

Mario has been jumping on platforms now for a really long time, and SUPER MARIO BROS. WONDER takes everything you know and mixes it up, with some incredible design that'll challenge and thrill you in equal measure. Ruby Innes (Pocket Buds) and Adam Christou (SIFTER) join Chris for a big discussion about finding representation in Daisy, why elephant Mario is hot and the incredible sound design that wraps it all together. You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by ☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ 👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/ 💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Borrett, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

Remedy has had a great run lately, the Finnish studio have build their wild and somewhat spooky games into a shared universe which reaches it's apex in ALAN WAKE 2. If you're a fan of genre television like Twin Peaks or the metanarratives in games like IMMORTALITY you'll get a kick out of this sequel. James O'Connor (Kotaku, Gameshub) and Fergus Halliday (Reviews,org) join Chris for a wild ride that pushes the boundaries of video games. You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by ☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ 👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/ 💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

Can MARVEL'S SPIDER-MAN 2 up the ante once again? Now both Spideys are back for some dual arachnid action in this PlayStation 5 exclusive. Have Insomniac been able to mix up the gameplay for this third game? Fiona Bartholomaeus (SIFTER, RTRFM) joins Chris Button in an ultimate team up as they take on their experiences with webslinger. You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by ☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ 👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/ 💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

You'd be hard pressed to find someone who cares as much about the Forza series as Alice Clarke. This diehard racing sim fan joins Chris for a discussion of the new entry in the more serious technical half of the franchise with FORZA MOTORSPORT, a game where there is a little bit more fog on the road ahead. Find out if the track is full of potholes, or if Alice thinks Turn 10 Studios racing game can make up for lost time. You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by ☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ 👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/ 💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

ASSASSIN'S CREED MIRAGE is explicitly for those players wanting the simpler stealth action game play of the original games. Originally a DLC chapter for ASSASSIN'S CREED VALHALLA, Basim's adventures through Baghdad are a simpler, tighter experience with lots of the great improvements from 15 years of history. Read our review of the game, then listen to Chris and Gianni share their thoughts. A copy of ASSASSIN'S CREED MIRAGE on Xbox Series X|S was provided to SIFTER for the purpose of this review. You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by ☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ 👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/ 💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

It's a massive universe to explore in STARFIELD a game that builds on many of the gameplay systems you've come to enjoy in Bethesda's roleplaying games. Does it live up to the hype after years of development and delays? Well it depends on what type of player you are, but there is lots of fun to be had here. Jess Zammit (Player2.net.au) joins SIFTER's own Gianni Di Giovanni for a galaxy spanning adventure. You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by ☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ 👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/ 💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou, Omi Koulas and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

It's one of the most accessible entries in the From Software's library with ARMORED CORE VI: FIRES OF RUBICON showing a clear lineage of game design skill acquired in the ten years since the last entry. The mech combat genre isn't for everyone, but if you're an ELDEN RING fan wanting to branch out into some of the best feeling combat yet, this might be your opportunity. Omi Koulas (Checkpoint Gaming) joins Chris to discuss why this is was such a delight. You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by ☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ 👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/ 💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou, Omi Koulas and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

Musical theatre isn't to everyone's tastes, and neither is STRAY GODS: THE ROLEPLAYING MUSICAL, the highly anticipated debut release from Australian indie team Summerfall Studios. Twisting Greek Mythology into a modern day tale of existentialism with songs, Stray Gods follows Grace, a young woman suddenly thrust into godhood - all while being framed for murder. Christie McQualter (GamesHub) and James Wood (WellPlayed) joined Drop Rate to discuss their nuanced perspectives on a game that will divide opinions. Narratively and thematically, Stray Gods resonates deeply, and the on-screen representation shines through the diverse talent behind the game. Musically, however, is where Stray Gods lands inconsistently. A copy of STRAY GODS: THE ROLEPLAYING MUSICAL on PC was provided to SIFTER for the purpose of this review. You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by ☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ 👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/ 💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou, Omi Koulas and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

There are few game developers in the world who make more compelling murder mysteries than those at Too Kyo Games. Comprised of team members responsible for the DANGANRONPA and ZERO ESCAPE series, there's a lot of pedigree behind MASTER DETECTIVE ARCHIVES: RAIN CODE. An absolute mouthful of a title aside, Rain Code delivers on the high stakes drama and convoluted murder mysteries expected of the talent behind the scenes. And while the overall presentation and strong aesthetic is arguably the best I've seen from this development team, not everything has progressed quite so linearly. Taking the analysis even further, Oliver Brandt (GLFH, Vooks) and Jess Zammit (Player 2, Represent Me) discuss Rain Code in even more depth You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by ☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ 👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/ 💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Omi Koulas. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

Japanese role-playing games specialise in grandeur. Epic tales of warring nations that often involve the direct intervention of godly beings, the genre usually entertains even if the execution doesn’t match its lofty ambitions. Final Fantasy XVI is one such game. Despite a grimdark fantasy setting that stumbles on multiple fronts it’s the combat and overall spectacle that truly exhilarates. Sharing more in common at times with the Devil May Cry series and God of War reboots than its predecessors, Final Fantasy XVI is a fascinating shakeup of a long-beloved franchise. Many legacy touchstones persist, like the summons system – in addition to adorable Chocobos and Moogles – but the epic action-based combat is an unlikely highlight. Series admirers Adam Christou (SIFTER, Triple R) and Persephone Ranson (GamesHub) join this episode of DROP RATE to discuss just how the Final Fantasy series got to this point, and why despite its problems, XVI captivates more than it grates. We don't even mention naked chain-bound muscly protagonists, but that we were all definitely thinking of them. You can listen to DROP RATE wherever you get your podcasts from, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. A copy of Final Fantasy XVI on PlayStation 5 was provided to SIFTER for the purpose of this review discussion. You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by: ☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ 👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/ 💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou , Omi Koulas and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

STORY OF SEASONS: A WONDERFUL LIFE revisits the 2003 farming simulator GameCube classic. In the years since its original release, farming games have risen in popularity: Stardew Valley, Wylde Flowers, and Disney Dreamlight Valley, just to name a few. Ruby Innes (Back Pocket) and Courtney Borrett (Power Up, Kotaku Australia) join us this episode to explain why this modern take on the classic game is one of the best in the series to revisit. You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by ☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ 👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/ 💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou , Omi Koulas and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

Welcome to Drop Rate, SIFTER’s review podcast. My name is Chris Button and I’ll be your host as we explore the biggest and also smaller new release video games on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch and PC. I’ll be joined each episode by some of the best games writers the internet has to offer and together we talk about how each game made us feel and importantly what it made us think. So buckle up and get ready for some great conversations about games. You can get every episode for free just search for Drop Rate and SIFTER on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, on YouTube or head to our website SIFTER.com.au. -- You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by ☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ 👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/ 💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou and Omi Koulas. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

What is a game without it's soundtrack? Meena Shamaly, composer and host of ABC Classic's The Game Show joins Gianni for a musical journey through some of the best sounds in video games. Check out the full list on our website: The Best Video Game Soundtracks of 2022 with Meena Shamaly Support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by buying us a coffee on KoFi or some merch on the SIFTER STORE Join the SIFTER Discord to be part of the conversation SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Omny Studio for their support of SIFTER. Support the show: https://sifter.store