The Experience Points Podcast

War never changes - the streaming television war, that is! This week we do a deep dive on the new Fallout series. Who knew the post-nuclear wasteland would have so many cameos in it? And are those the jingle of spurs I hear? Looks like The Man with No Name has become The Man with No Nose.

The Wii U, one of the worst selling consoles of all time, is finally shutting down its servers and turning off the lights. Today on the podcast we poor one out for a console ahead of its time, a messy, imperfect, but maybe a little prescient attempt by Nintendo to transform the gaming landscape. Show Notes: - Music by Brad Sucks

I meant to publish the show earlier, but I thought I could squeeze in a few more hands of Balatro. 48 hours later, I realize two things: that was a mistake and I'm now starving to death. This week, we dip into Balatro, make our stage debut with Princess Peach: Showtime!, and evaluate Red XIII's surreal attempt at acting like a human. Now, just a few more hands and then I swear I'll go to sleep.

Everyone's favorite lovable stoners are coming to Call of Duty, about 50 years too late to be culturally relevant. This week on the podcast, we try to draw a line between interesting and relevant in-game partnerships and the pup-culture goop that is Content with a capital "C". Don't puff, puff, pass on this one! Show Notes: - "Everything is Content Now," by Patrick (H) Willems via YouTube - Music by Brad Sucks

It's finally Spring again around these parts, which means it's time for one of our favorite annual rituals: the yearly Journey playthrough! For whatever reason, Jorge and I both had cautionary tales of resource scarcity and environmental collapse on the brain (I blame Barrett and the rest of Avalanche) and it just goes to show that you can still get something new out of a game every time you play it. Twelve years on and we're still finding new treasures in the desert.

We discuss why Final Fantasy VIII is actually awesome, how the remake is changing the legacy of the franchise, and what's up with the best (and worst) Final Fantasy games. Show Notes: - Music by Brad Sucks - "Final Fantasy is the Best, Area Man Claims," via Polygon

Reports of us rejoining the lifestream have been greatly exaggerated. We're back after being under the weather, but we return having played a bunch of new games. We have Helldivers, Donkey Kong, and more, including 2024 gamiest-game contender Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. While we're only a few hours into what will undoubtedly be an enormous game, there is plenty to talk and speculate about. Grab a comfy cushion to soften this rickety old bench and join us!

Last week the internet was buzzing with Xbox speculations that was quickly deflated by corporate-speech-laden "podcast" from Phil Spencer and his team at Xbox. Yes, some Microsoft games are coming to other consoles, but is that it? What does this, and could this have meant? Join us and Mr. Businessman to discuss the future of Xbox. Show Notes: * Music by Brad Sucks

We are back this week catching up on Sony's latest State of Play, which featured not one but TWO Hideo Kojima announcements. 2024 really is starting strong! Join as we discuss Judas, Sonic, and Kojima's amazing fashion-sense. Show Notes: - Music by Brad Sucks

Watch out, that pikachu is driving a tank and it looks disgruntled! But perhaps not as disgruntled as Nintendo and the Pokemon Company's lawyers must be right about now. Yes, it's time to talk about Palworld. Part catching monsters and putting them in your pocket, part hitting trees and crafting gear, and all the rage on the Internet - Palworld has clearly tapped into something that both Pokemon and survival game fans have been searching for!

It feels like we just caught our breath from the game release whirlwind of 2023, but there's no time to delay. 2024 is here and it's bringing a pretty unique list of games with it. This week, we talk about some of our most anticipated games and make some predictions about the unknown unknowns lurking out there.

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

We made it! 2023 is over, which means it's time to talk about our top games of the year. Every year we challenge ourselves to embrace brevity and pick our top three. 2023's landslide of great games made this an even more fun challenge than usual, as did the ongoing meta game of trying to predict if our picks will overlap. Next week we'll talk about some of the other great games that we didn't get to highlight, but for now, join us for the brightest of all the shining stars.

The most prestigious and important video game awards ceremony is back again. From the best doofus', to awards in elegance, to the best waifu/husbandu, we are once again celebrating the end of the year with the Gamey Awards! Show Notes: Brad Sucks

Just in time for the end of the year, we reach the end of another story: Alan Wake II! This week we debrief on a game created by and for humanities nerds. Nothing like contemplating the death of the author while rocking out to Norse mythology inspired heavy metal!

We're head to Vice City, where the sun is shining, drugs are plentiful, and you might get eaten by an alligator. Also, we retroactively predict the Game Awards winners. Show Notes: Grand Theft Auto VI trailerBrad Sucks

This week we emerge from our holiday haze and talk about the ways in which some large publishers are trying to foster a fuzzy feeling by appealing to a sense "the good old days" of established games and franchises. This kind of packaged nostalgia is clearly popular; just ask the people paying actual currency to play the original version of World of Warcraft. But what does it mean that we're drawn to these time capsules and does it mean we're headed toward a looping cycle where we reset franchises once every seven to ten years? If so, then I can't wait for my Cow Clicker remake.

Do you feel that tingle of excitement? No, not that weird green dude. It's Nintendo's latest announcement that Legend of Zelda is getting a big screen adaptation and it's... live action!? This week on the podcast, we foretell both the bright and dark future this announcement portends. Also, what storyline should the Zelda movie focus on? Who knows, they're all weird! Show Notes: - Feel It Now PS5 Trailer - Pokémon Concierge Trailer - Music by Brad Sucks

2023's absolute deluge of games continues this week and we hanging on for dear life! This week we web sling our way around Spider-Man 2, piece together the mystery of Alan Wake 2, welcome a special end-credit guest in Lies of P, and conclude our trip in Super Mario Bros. Wonder.

We also knew all the mushrooms would catch up to Mario. This week on the podcast, we take a wonder seed trip into Super Mario Bros. Wonder! Show Notes: Super Mario Bros. Wonder launch trailerBrad Sucks