Episode 232

Nintendo Switch 2 has been on the market for a little under half a year, we have some concrete sales data, and spoiler alert - it's a juggernaut. Today, we examine the hardware and software numbers at this very early stage in the Switch 2 lifecycle, and then offer our opinions on the device and its ecosystem after using it for the past several months. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Alan Wake 2, Crusader Kings III, ARC Raiders). This episode was recorded in November 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase.

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Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

2:22 - Latest Switch 2 Sales Data

11:06 - Our Current Thoughts on Switch 2

37:49 - Alan Wake 2

1:02:00 - Crusader Kings III

1:09:40 - ARC Raiders

Episode 231

From Nintendo vs Sega to PlayStation vs Xbox, the so-called "console wars" have been raging for decades. Now, with the announcement of Halo coming to PlayStation, is it finally time to put the idea of console warring to rest? Where does Xbox go from here, and what could their future hardware look like? As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Battlefield 6, Monster Hunter Wilds, Pokémon Legends: Z-A). This episode was recorded in October 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase.

Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Or email us at gametalkpodcastofficial@gmail.com

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Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

10:42 - How The "Console Wars" Ended

21:12 - Halo Remake On PlayStation

27:56 - Next Generation Xbox/PC Hybrid?

36:32 - Future Console Wars / AI Tangent

51:21 - Battlefield 6

58:24 - Monster Hunter Wilds

1:03:11 - Pokémon Legends: Z-A

1:10:22 - Ending Banter

Episode 230

Electronic Arts (EA) is being purchased by a private equity consortium for 55 billion dollars. Today, we discuss the implications of this purchase - what will happen to high profile EA studios like Bioware and Dice? Will EA's new owners "trim the fat" and reduce EA to Madden/FIFA factory? How will Saudi Arabia's influence impact future EA games? Also, we talk about notable Steam Next Fest games. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Battlefield 6, Monster Hunter Wilds, Yooka-Replaylee). This episode was recorded in October 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase.

Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Or email us at gametalkpodcastofficial@gmail.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk

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Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

4:11 - The EA Acquisition

38:47 - Steam Next Fest

47:26 - Battlefield 6

58:43 - Monster Hunter Wilds

1:21:47 - Yooka-Replaylee

Episode 229

The seemingly unstoppable downward spiral of Xbox continues with the latest salvo of bad news - a drastic price increase for Game Pass. Today, we analyze how the Activision deal ultimately led to Xbox's current situation and examine the current state of Xbox and Game Pass after the price hike. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Ghost of Yōtei, Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut, League of Legends). This episode was recorded in October 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase.

Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Or email us at gametalkpodcastofficial@gmail.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk

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Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

10:30 - Time to Cancel Game Pass?

20:42 - The Impact of the Activision Deal

27:58 - Xbox Leadership Has To Go

32:27 - Paid Online is a Scam

40:02 - Xbox Has Lost Consumer Trust

53:57 - Game Pass With Ads?

59:37 - The Xbox Brand is Dying

1:16:53 - Ghost of Yōtei

1:36:49 - Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut

1:46:16 - League of Legends

Episode 228

Sony's September State of Play has come and gone, and in addition to hotly anticipated first party games like Wolverine and Saros, they had an good variety of games to show. After we discuss the State of Play highlights and briefly go over the latest Monster Hunter Wilds update, we dive deep into another standout game released this year: Hades II. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Hades II, Cyberpunk 2077). This episode was recorded in September 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase.

Check out Connor's game jam game, EAT ROLL REPEAT! https://proudmomgames.itch.io/eat-roll-repeat

Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Or email us at gametalkpodcastofficial@gmail.com

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Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

8:11 - PlayStation State of Play

37:11 - Monster Hunter Wilds Update

46:56 - Hades II

1:27:51 - Mike's Vampire: The Masquerade Campaign

1:31:12 - Cyberpunk 2077

Episode 227

With the proliferation of modern graphics technologies like ray tracing, we increasingly see AAA games struggle to maintain respectable resolutions and frame rates. Silent Hill F and Borderlands 4 are the latest examples of new games using modern technologies that have image/performance issues. At what point do consumers decide they've had enough and demand better optimized products? Today, we dive deep into the image quality and performance issues that plague modern games, and discuss potential ways to course-correct. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (EAT ROLL REPEAT, Fortnite, Dragon Age: Origins). This episode was recorded in September 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase.

Check out Connor's game jam game, EAT ROLL REPEAT! https://proudmomgames.itch.io/eat-roll-repeat

Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Or email us at gametalkpodcastofficial@gmail.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk

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Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

17:51 - Trading Performance/Resolution for Ray Tracing

25:20 - Consoles Becoming Too Expensive

29:55 - Image Reconstruction Techniques Have Become A Crutch

35:09 - Companies Lack Monetary Incentive To Optimize

45:22 - Optimization Woes and Future Technologies

59:26 - EAT ROLL REPEAT

1:03:39 - Fortnite

1:05:49 - Dragon Age: Origins

1:16:31 - Things We're Looking Forward To

Episode 226

We have completed Silksong, and what a game it was. Today, we talk about our full, spoilery, in-depth thoughts on the bosses, lore, and impactful moments from the game. Then, we briefly give our impressions of the latest Nintendo Direct. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Mario Kart World, Fortnite). This episode was recorded in September 2025. Intro and outro music composed by Christopher Larkin and owned by Team Cherry.

Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

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Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

6:59 - Hollow Knight: Silksong Discussion (SPOILERS)

50:54 - Thoughts On The Nintendo Direct

1:00:07 - Mario Kart World

1:02:53 - Fortnite

Episode 225

Silksong is out and it proves once again that Team Cherry stands at the pinnacle of their craft. We give our (relatively) spoiler-free impressions of the game and gush about the world design, new mechanics, and much more. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Victoria 3). This episode was recorded in September 2025. Intro and outro music composed by Christopher Larkin and owned by Team Cherry.

Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Or email us at gametalkpodcastofficial@gmail.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk

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Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

10:47 - Silksong Launch and Initial Thoughts

21:00 - Difficulty and Mechanics

34:47 - Art, Music, and World Design

43:52 - Quests and NPCs

54:01 - Game of the Year?

1:10:42 - Victoria 3

Episode 224

One of the year's most anticipated games, Hollow Knight: Silksong, is imminent! As of this recording, it is two days before the game comes out and we have much to discuss! From the price to the release date to the "controversy" from indie devs around the release - we talk about the fervor surrounding Silksong and how it has immediately become the center of attention. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Victoria 3, Gears of War: Reloaded, Helldivers 2). This episode was recorded in September 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase.

Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Or email us at gametalkpodcastofficial@gmail.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk

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Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

11:48 - Anticipating Silksong

18:02 - Silksong Development, Pricing, and "Controversy"

45:48 - Connor's Spyro Update

52:12 - Victoria 3

58:42 - Gears of War: Reloaded

1:08:40 - Helldivers 2

Episode 223

Welcome to the first episode of a new series we're launching, "Games of Yesteryear"! In this series, we'll pick a year in the past, debate the best games, and crown a game of the year. We kick it off with one of the greatest years in gaming history, 1998. What was 1998's game of the year? As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (MapleStory, Sword of the Sea, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33). This episode was recorded in August 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase.

Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and Bluesky at @PodcastGametalk

Or email us at gametalkpodcastofficial@gmail.com

And chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

8:30 - Top 16

56:43 - Quarterfinals

1:13:25 - Semifinals

1:27:08 - Finals (Game of the Year 1998)

1:35:06 - Connor's Spyro Project

1:41:12 - MapleStory

1:44:14 - Sword of the Sea

1:49:08 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (SPOILERS)

Episode 222

From sequence breaks to randomizers to bingos, alternative ways to play are a great way to breathe new life into a game. What are some of our favorite ways to play, and what games do we enjoy playing in non-traditional ways? As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Monster Hunter Wilds, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Battlefield 6 (Beta)). This episode was recorded in August 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase.

Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and Bluesky at @PodcastGametalk

Or email us at gametalkpodcastofficial@gmail.com

And chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

6:49 - Playing Games in Non-Traditional Ways

33:39 - Monster Hunter Wilds

48:32 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

54:54 - Battlefield 6 (Beta)

Episode 221

Battlefield is back with a vengeance! We played the highly successful beta and talk about how we enjoyed it and compare it to previous Battlefield entries. We then go on to reflect on other betas we have enjoyed over the years. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Donkey Kong Bananza). This episode was recorded in August 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase.

Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and Bluesky at @PodcastGametalk

Or email us at gametalkpodcastofficial@gmail.com

And chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

16:38 - Battlefield 6 Impressions and Battlefield History

55:50 - Thoughts On Betas

1:14:21 - Donkey Kong Bananza

1:19:10 - Dungeon Crawler Carl

Episode 220

It's no secret that we at Gametalk (2/3 of us at least) are huge fans of FromSoft and Hidetaka Miyazaki. Today, we dive into our history with Miyazaki's games, and discuss what makes his projects so special. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Factorio). This episode was recorded in August 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase (dylan.robert.chase@gmail.com).

Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and BlueSky at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

8:33 - Dark Souls

19:38 - Demon's Souls and Miyazaki's Earlier Games

28:44 - Dark Souls II and FromSoft DLC

36:24 - Bloodborne

44:12 - Dark Souls III and Déraciné

53:10 - Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

59:16 - Elden Ring

1:08:00 - The Duskbloods and Miyazaki's Future

1:12:47 - Factorio

Episode 219

We (or at least 2/3 of us) are big fans of Hideo Kojima. Between Metal Gear, Death Stranding, and P.T., he has cemented himself as one of gaming's true auteurs. Today, we dive into our history with Kojima's games, and dissect his unique brand of weird genius. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Donkey Kong Bananza, Abiotic Factor). This episode was recorded in July 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase (dylan.robert.chase@gmail.com).

Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and BlueSky at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

1:41 - Our Fist Exposure to Kojima

14:04 - Kojima's Older Games and the Konami Fallout

25:42 - "Modern" Kojima

40:17 - Kojima's Quirkiness and his Future Projects

58:40 - Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

1:01:35 - Donkey Kong Bananza

1:08:39 - Abiotic Factor

Episode 218

In a controversial move, Steam has delisted scores of adult-themed games, spurred by external financial institutions to remove games deemed inappropriate. Is this move justified, or is this a slippery slope to something more sinister? As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Warframe, Donkey Kong Bananza). This episode was recorded in July 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase (dylan.robert.chase@gmail.com).

Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and Bluesky at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

3:40 - Steam Delists Adult Games / Thoughts on Censorship

40:27 - Warframe

48:53 - Donkey Kong Bananza

Episode 217

It's hard to believe, but we are already over halfway through 2025, and what an eventful year it's been! Today, we look back at some of this year's standout titles, and look ahead to what we're anticipating in the back half of 2025. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Deltarune, Satisfactory). This episode was recorded in July 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase (dylan.robert.chase@gmail.com).

Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and BlueSky at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

8:11 - Our Favorite Games of 2025 So Far

23:55 - Reflecting on Switch 2 and Mario Kart World

31:18 - Big 2025 Games That We Missed

38:02 - Upcoming 2025 Games We're Most Excited For

56:13 - Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

1:15:15 - Deltarune

1:27:44 - Satisfactory

1:32:49 - Closing Banter

Episode 216

Microsoft has laid off over 9000 employees, heavily crippling and outright killing some of their Xbox studios. Today, we discuss this tragic layoff, examining the ramifications for Xbox and where this leaves them in the broader games industry landscape. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Monster Hunter 4U, Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach). This episode was recorded in July 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase (dylan.robert.chase@gmail.com).

Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and Bluesky at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

6:21 - Microsoft Layoffs and AI Ambitions

12:51 - Perfect Dark Canceled and The Initiative Closed

17:46 - Everwild Canceled and Rare Crippled

28:29 - Project Blackbird Canceled

32:55 - John Romero's New Game Canceled and Turn 10 Cut Down

38:53 - Halo and Call of Duty Studios Have Layoffs

53:59 - Monster Hunter 4U, Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, and Monster Hunter Wilds

1:05:55 - Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

1:18:32 - Streamer Support for Texas Flooding

Episode 215

Games like Phasmophobia, Lethal Company, and most recently, Peak, are indie projects with proximity chat-based multiplayer that seem to go viral thanks to the unpredictable and hilarious nature of playing these games with your friends. Today, we dive into these "friendlike" games and discuss what makes them tick, and why they seem to do numbers that punch way above their weight. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Monster Hunter Wilds, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33). This episode was recorded in July 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase (dylan.robert.chase@gmail.com).

Apologies for the slight audio syncing issues and lack of video - there were some technical hitches with this week's recording.

Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and Bluesky at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

7:52 - "Friendlikes"

41:30 - Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

1:03:48 - Monster Hunter Wilds

1:15:41 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Episode 214

We're back after a three week hiatus, and there is much to discuss! Between Summer Games Fest and PlayStation and Xbox's showcases, there are a slew of games that caught our eye. This is also the first episode released after the Nintendo Switch 2 launch, so we dive deep into our first impressions with the new console and discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Mario Kart World, Pokémon Scarlet, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, PEAK, The Headliners). This episode was recorded in June 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase (dylan.robert.chase@gmail.com).

Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and BlueSky at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

4:07 - Summer Games Fest Highlights

17:24 - State of Play Highlights

29:02 - Xbox Showcase Highlights

42:20 - Nintendo Switch 2 Impressions

1:01:39 - Mario Kart World

1:15:32 - Pokémon Scarlet

1:22:48 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

1:27:34 - PEAK

1:30:57 - The Headliners

Episode 213

Once in a generation, a video game comes along that reminds the industry what a game can be - a magnificent synthesis of art, technology, and passion that can have a profound effect on the player. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of those video games, and it is our privilege to discuss this masterpiece today. We discuss the game in its entirety, spoilers and all. This episode was recorded in June 2025. Intro and outro music composed by Lorien Testard and owned by Sandfall Interactive.

Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and BlueSky at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

5:42 - SPOILERS - Discussing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33