Ep 493 - Last week's Nintendo Direct brings up some heated feelings on the publisher's hardware and pricing. Meanwhile, the fall release flood is starting early as we check out Sonic Racing CrossWorlds, No, I'm Not a Human, and Henry Halfhead. Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-is-evil-139256630 00:00 - Intro 05:06 - Nintendo Direct Highlights 01:36:01 - No, I'm Not a Human Impressions 01:48:56 - Sonic Racing CrossWorlds Impressions 02:02:43 - Bubsy: The Purrfect Collection Impressions 02:13:36 - A Word From Our Sponsors 02:15:32 - Henry Halfhead Impressions 02:23:37 - Relooted Demo Impressions 02:35:57 - Little Nightmares III Demo Impressions 02:44:09 - Also This Week 02:58:13 - L&R: Nintendo's Eccentric Releases 03:03:54 - L&R Game: Pokédex Says What? 03:15:45 - L&R: Wait for the DLC? 03:23:32 - Bets 03:28:00 - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 492 - Nintendo has somehow been awarded patents for some laughably common ideas. Meanwhile, we check out the time-bending horror of Cronos, the new Kirby upgrade, and Adventure of Samsara. And of course, we dig deeper into Silksong now that we've had more time to play. Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-dumb-12-138729233 One-time donations: https://streamlabs.com/easyallies/tip 00:00 - Intro 13:42 - Nonsensical Nintendo Patents 28:45 - Cronos: The New Dawn Impressions 46:48 - Kirby and The Forgotten Land Expansion Impressions 01:01:44 - Adventure of Samsara Impressions 01:11:12 - Hollow Knight: Silksong Impressions 01:53:12 - Top 20 Sales on All PlayStation Consoles 02:11:14 - Top 20 Sales on Original PlayStation 02:18:23 - Top 20 Sales on Dreamcast 02:25:56 - Also This Week 02:36:18 - L&R: Hype Culture 02:45:31 - L&R Game: Avengers Part 2 02:58:49 - L&R: Best Reviewed Games 03:08:49 - Bets 03:16:19 - Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 491 - Silksong is so big it's killing all the storefronts, and we've played as much as we could before the show. Plus, Bloodworth is back from PAX with a full report and a ton of previews from what he played at the show. Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-has-sep-138197685 00:00 - Intro 05:41 - Hollow Knight: Silksong Impressions 27:17 - Bloodworth's First PAX 01:02:01 - Eclipsium Preview 01:05:18 - Carimara Preview 01:06:54 - Troleu Preview 01:08:34 - No, I'm Not a Human Preview 01:12:06 - Militsioner Preview 01:16:10 - Truckful Preview 01:19:22 - House Fighters: Total Mess Preview 01:21:17 - Beatdown City Survivors Preview 01:24:42 - Terrible Lizards Preview 01:29:12 - A Word From Our Sponsors 01:31:14 - Kirby Air Riders Preview 01:42:52 - Final Fantasy VII Remake on Switch 2 01:44:06 - Pokémon Legends Z-A Preview 01:51:13 - Bassai-Dai Preview 01:58:12 - Top 10 End Credits Songs 02:15:53 - Also This Week 02:31:37 - L&R: Have We Seen Enough of Resident Evil? 02:41:06 - L&R: Should Silksong Cost More? 02:46:42 - L&R Game: Pokémon or Prescription Medicine 02:59:03 - Bets 03:05:16 - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 490 - Composer Austin Wintory joins us to talk about his work on Sword of the Sea and the distinct language of writing music for games. Plus, we share our thoughts on Herdling, Shinobi, The Rogue Prince of Persia, and the July sales report. Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-sword-w-137615492 00:00 - Intro 02:59 - Austin Wintory, Sword of the Sea, and Music in Games 52:32 - Herdling Impressions 01:04:15 - Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Impressions 01:26:53 - RetroSpace Preview 01:33:39 - The Rogue Prince of Persia Impressions 01:49:44 - July Sales Report 02:06:27 - Also This Week 02:16:50 - L&R: Is Age Really to Blame? 02:30:50 - L&R: Differences in Interactive Music 02:35:51 - L&R: Favorite Soundtracks of 2025 02:45:00 - Bets 02:52:21 - Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 489 - Huber and Bloodworth are back from gamescom with stories from their trip and hands-on previews for 40 games, including Resident Evil, Silksong, Denshattack, and many more. Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-special-137298033 00:00 - Intro 01:41 - Gamescom Trip Overall 22:08 - Hollow Knight: Silksong 28:50 - Denshattack 33:49 - Death by Scrolling 36:50 - Monsters Are Coming! Rock and Road 41:14 - LEGO Party 48:38 - Last Flag 52:21 - Valor Mortis 01:00:07 - Morbid Metal 01:05:35 - Planet of Lana II 01:10:25 - Of Ash and Steel 01:14:06 - Borderlands 4 01:21:42 - Gothic Remake 01:26:04 - Flick Shot Rogues 01:31:06 - Rewilders: The Lost Spring 01:38:18 - Cinder City 01:44:46 - Outlaws Remaster 01:51:38 - A Word From Our Sponsors 01:53:45 - Reanimal 01:57:37 - Tides of Tomorrow 02:04:48 - The Eternal Life of Goldman 02:11:23 - Total Chaos 02:16:02 - Rising Heat 02:20:06 - Bubsy 4D 02:27:35 - Dead As Disco 02:33:55 - Into the Unwell 02:42:54 - Ground Zero 02:47:10 - Hark the Ghoul 02:50:07 - Routine 02:56:15 - Decadent 03:00:08 - Super Meat Boy 3D 03:04:14 - God Save Birmingham 03:06:51 - Industria II 03:09:15 - What the Clash 03:11:29 - Pizza Bandit 03:15:03 - Piggy One Super Spark 03:19:09 - Moros Protocol 03:22:02 - He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction 03:26:15 - Demonschool 03:30:46 - Pragmata 03:32:48 - Onimusha: Way of the Sword 03:38:46 - Resident Evil Requiem 03:46:47 - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 488 - Nexon reveals Woochi the Wayfarer with an impressive trailer, based on the classic Korean novel. Meanwhile, Isla and Bloodworth share their impressions of Tiny Bookshop, Jurassic Park has several impressive projects coming up, and arcade gambling roguelikes are anti-gambling. Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-is-next-136560053 00:00 - Intro 07:18 - Kitten Update from Damiani 18:31 - Woochi the Wayfarer Revealed 26:15 - Jurassic Park: Survival 40:49 - Jurassic World Coming to Flight Simulator 45:00 - Firebreak Struggles, Remedy Has a Plan 51:37 - Halo in Helldivers II 55:47 - Crimson Desert Delayed to 2026 01:01:18 - Raccoin Revealed 01:04:30 - CloverPIt Release Date 01:08:58 - House Fighters: Total Mess 01:13:09 - TMNT: Empire City 01:18:44 - PUBG Ditches Last Gen 01:22:23 - Henry Halfhead Release Date 01:25:44 - Tiny Bookshop Impressions 01:42:34 - 30 Days on Ship Impressions 01:49:27 - L&R: Aging and Gaming 02:03:17 - L&R: Favorites You're Bad At 02:10:20 - L&R: Dense Micro-Rewards 02:23:29 - Bets 02:26:26 - Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 487 - Bloodworth and Don have been breathing in the Fumes of an excellent new car combat game in early access. New sales tallies are in for Switch 2 and PS5. Darksiders is coming back, and we beat Donkey Kong Bananza. Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-tornado-136004248 00:00 - Intro 03:17 - Nintendo Indie World Showcase 24:37 - THQ Nordic Showcase 43:58 - Fumes Impressions 01:01:27 - A Word From Our Sponsors 01:03:27 - Donkey Kong Bananza Runback (Light Spoilers) 01:20:38 - Nintendo Quarterly Financials 01:28:18 - Nintendo Price Hikes 01:35:48 - Sony Quarterly Financials 01:37:41 - Sony "Lightens" Bungie's Independence 01:41:03 - Also This Week 01:53:00 - Game: Terminator 2D Difficulties 01:57:12 - L&R: Replayed, Re-addicted 02:04:07 - L&R Sidelined Nntendo Characters 02:10:04 - L&R: Favorite Names 02:15:29 - Bets 02:19:24 - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 486 - Battlefield is back and hitting hard. Ninja Gaiden is back and hitting hard. Katamari is back and... we'll find out later. We check out this week's Nintendo Direct, and share our thoughts on Dead Take, Wheel World, and Time Flies. Plus, our patrons' Top 10 Mini-Games. Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-6-ninja-135462413 00:00 - Intro 02:56 - Battlefield 6 Preview 27:20 - Dead Take Impressions 34:36 - Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase 56:34 - Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Impressions 01:09:15 - Wheel World Impressions 01:21:29 - Time Flies Impressions 01:27:47 - Top 10 Mini-Games 01:44:04 - Also This Week 01:56:44 - L&R: Who is Secret Level For? 02:06:27 - L&R Game: Dead or A Live Service: Judgment Day 02:15:34 - L&R: Popular to Hate 02:24:47 - Bets 02:30:27 - Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 485 - We're going bananas for Donkey Kong Bananza, Bloodworth gets an early look at Into the Fire, and Switch 2 sales numbers are in! Plus, Wuchang, Shadow Labyrinth, TennoCon, California Extreme, and more! Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-into-dk-134938537 (0:00) - Intro (4:33) - Isla's Trip to TennoCon (18:20) - Into the Fire Preview (33:20) - Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Impressions (50:30) - Donkey Kong Bananza Impressions (1:20:00) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:22:31) - Don's Trip to California Extreme (1:34:51) - Shadow Labyrinth Impressions (1:49:03) - June Sales Report (2:04:41) - Also This Week (2:23:40) - L&R: Late to the Party (2:30:11) - L&R: Arcade Mashups (2:38:52) - L&R: Modern Amenities (2:48:40) - Bets (2:53:55) - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 484 - Huber gets back in the groove with Patapon and Tony Hawk. Don and Blood check out the inventive new Ruffy and the Riverside. Plus, we check in on the May sales report, Blood's photos from Krakow and more. Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/134241157 (0:00) - Intro (4:38) - Blood's Trip to Krakow (17:35) - Patapon 1+2 Replay Impressions (34:24) - Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 Impressions (50:16) - Ruffy and the Riverside Impressions (1:04:56) - May Sales Report (1:16:57) - Also This Week (1:35:40) - L&R: Unplayed Recommendations (1:41:54) - L&R: New Game Anxieties (1:51:04) - L&R: Small Additions (1:59:49) - Bets (2:05:18) - Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 483 - From Donkey Kong and Wuchang to Metal Gear and Borderlands. Summer is upon us. So it's time to look ahead at the massive amount of games coming our way and mark our Sizzles and Fizzles. Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-summer-133781549 (00:00) - Intro (03:29) - July Game Preview (1:03:18) - UnderMine Impressions (1:08:08) - July Game Preview Continues (1:55:38) - August Game Preview (3:07:39) - A Word From Our Sponsors (3:09:11) - September Game Preview (3:43:06) - Also This Week (3:49:01) - L&R: What Would Sam Deliver to You? (3:53:31) - L&R: Locked in an Ecosystem (4:02:06) - L&R: Auteur Benefits and Risks (4:10:08) - Bets (4:14:53) - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Games discussed in this episode: EA SPORTS College Football 26 Islanders New Shores Patapon 1+2 Replay Striden Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 Kaizen: A Factory Story Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition Donkey Kong Bananza The Drifter Fretless: the Wrath of Riffson RoboCop Rogue City: Unfinished Business The Wandering Village Shadow Labyrinth World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria Classic Abiotic Factor Hell Clock UnderMine 2 Wheel World Killing Floor 3 S.p.l.i.t. Super Mario Party Jamboree Switch 2 Edition Wildgate Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Ratatan Star Racer Grounded 2 Tales of the Shire Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Time Flies Demon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles 2 Chained Echoes: Ashes of Elrant DLC Gradius Origins Tiny Bookshop Mafia: The Old Country Fresh Tracks Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 (PS) Drag X Drive Madden NFL 26 Sword of the Sea Void/Breaker Dying Light: The Beast Gears of War: Reloaded Goblin Cleanup Kirby and the Forgotten Land Switch 2 Edition Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater Lost Soul Aside Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Hirogami Hell is Us Indiana Jones and the Great Circle - The Order of Giants Everybody’s Golf: Hot Shots Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion Terminator 2D: No Fate Baby Steps Borderlands 4 Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Consume Me Silent Hill f Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 482 - Sweeping cuts take a toll across numerous Xbox studios. Bloodworth shares his final thoughts after finishing The Alters. Damiani gets to building infrastructure in Death Stranding 2, and we check out our patrons' Top 10 Water Levels. *Death Stranding 2 Provided by PlayStation Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-xbox-2-133328040 (0:00) - Intro (5:49) - Xbox Cuts and Cancellations (36:02) - AI Text Found in The Alters (55:58) - The Alters Impressions (1:12:16) - Death Stranding 2 Impressions (1:41:30) - Top 10 Water Levels (1:57:43) - Also This Week (2:09:45) - L&R: Disliked Characters (2:15:16) - L&R: Occupational Pressure (2:22:20) - L&R Game: Play That Funky Music, Game Boy (2:31:55) - Bets (2:45:37) - Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 481 - Blood Message and The Blood of Dawnwalker both showed off impressive trailers this week. Huber and Gabby are addicted to Rematch. We get Huber's thoughts on Lies of P: Overture, and Bloodworth checks out Cyberpunk on Switch 2. Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-week-of-132404316 (0:00) - Intro (3:11) - The Blood of Dawnwalker Gameplay Reveal (19:11) - Blood Message Reveal (24:18) - Press Release Me (28:32) - Lies of P: Overture Impressions (42:29) - Rematch Impressions (1:00:17) - Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2 Impressions (1:13:14) - Also This Week (1:29:24) - L&R: To Demo or Not? (1:34:53) - L&R: Watch, Not Play (1:39:15) - L&R Game: Mario Kart or Wario Fart - Vroomsday (1:48:05) - Bets (1:55:21) - Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 480 - Nintendo shares an extended look at Donkey Kong Bananza, unveiling a much bigger and bolder adventure than their initial demo let on. PlayStation sees record profits. Xbox starts talking next-gen. Plus, we give our takes on FBC Firebreak and finally dig deep into Mario Kart World and Switch 2 Welcome Tour. Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-donkey-131888671 (0:00) - Intro (3:39) - Donkey Kong Bananza Direct (27:08) - FBC Firebreak Impressions (51:11) - PlayStation's Record Profits (1:00:22) - Xbox Talks Next-Gen (1:17:15) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:19:22) - Mario Kart World Impressions (1:54:18) - Switch 2 Welcome Tour Impressions (2:17:20) - Also This Week (2:32:22) - L&R: DLC Preferences (2:43:30) - L&R Game: Was it on Stadia? (2:52:58) - L&R: Sony Buying WB Games? (3:03:00) - Bets (3:07:28) - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 479 - We look over our highlights from the Xbox and PC Gaming Shows as well as wrapping up our thoughts on this year's SGF overall. Plus, Switch 2 is the fastest selling console ever, and we check out Mina the Hollower from the team behind Shovel Knight. Get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-summer-131386496 (0:00) - Intro (2:38) - Xbox Showcase Highlights (52:47) - PC Gaming Show Highlights (1:41:23) - SGF Wrap Up (2:01:09) - Mina The Hollower Impressions (2:15:12) - Switch 2 Breaks Sales Records and More (2:31:04) - Also This Week (2:40:30) - L&R: Oops All Soulslikes (2:50:54) - L&R: Looking Back at the E3 of Dreams (2:55:45) - L&R Game: GTA VS Elder Scrolls (3:03:17) - Bets (3:06:45) - Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our impressions on over 20 more games that we saw and played at the show. (Streamed June 10, 2025) (0:00) - Intro (0:48) - Shadow Labyrinth (7:15) - Ambrosia Sky (14:03) - End of Abyss (24:16) - Sleep Awake (32:10) - Grave Seasons (38:10) - Gears of War Reloaded and Xbox Handheld (48:19) - Petal Runner (56:13) - Dark Pictures - Directive 8020 (1:01:27) - Sonic Racing CrossWorlds (1:14:51) - Exoborne (1:19:00) - Morsels (1:26:40) - Baby Steps (1:34:40) - TOEM 2 (1:38:40) - Possessor(s) (1:48:44) - Deadpool VR (1:55:05) - Mistfall Hunter (1:59:02) - Escape Academy 2 (2:02:26) - Dosa Divas (2:08:20) - Bounty Star (2:16:17) - Dying Light: The Beast (2:25:27) - FBC Firebreak Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back from the Summer Game Fest show floor, and Shuhei Yoshida hitched a ride. It's time to talk about over 20 games we checked out on Saturday. (Streamed June 8, 2025) (0:00) - Intro (1:05) - Reach (7:38) - Ratatan (10:40) - Sword of the Sea (19:08) - Mixtape (28:28) - Relooted (30:32) - Yooka-Replayee (36:28) - ChromaGun 2: Dye Hard (39:08) - Bandit Trap (43:54) - Crimson Desert (57:39) - LEGO Party! (1:10:10) - Shinobi (1:18:07) - Wuchang: Fallen Feathers (1:29:52) - OMUT (1:34:10) - Pathfinder: Abomination Vaults (1:39:23) - Warhammer 40,000: Darktide - New Class (1:43:20) - Crisol: Theater of Idols (1:48:25) - Thick As Thieves (1:56:21) - Snap & Grab (2:02:17) - Lou’s Lagoon (2:08:24) - Adventure of Samsara (2:12:43) - Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 478 - Summer Game Fest is here with loads of game announcements, and we've got four showcases to plow through. And oh yeah, Nintendo launched the Switch 2 this week, too! Watch the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-summer-130915873 (0:00) - Intro (2:18) - State of Play (1:08:03) - Summer Game Fest (2:52:58) - A Word From Our Sponsors (2:54:50) - Day of the Devs (3:12:12) - Devolver (Ball X Pit) (3:20:32) - Switch 2 Launch Impressions (3:40:28) - L&R: Console Launch Memories (3:45:42) - L&R: Consoles Active or Storage (3:51:26) - L&R Game: Never Skip Credits (3:58:39) - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 477 - Elyse Willems joins us on the desk to chat about what she's been playing including To a T and Doom: The Dark Ages. Elden Ring Nightreign keeps us running back for more, and EA has slashed another talented studio, cancelling their Black Panther game. Check out Answer for It podcast with Elyse! https://www.youtube.com/@answerforIt (0:00) - Intro (3:42) - What's Elyse Doing? (7:51) - Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Impressions (13:28) - Doom: The Dark Ages Impressions (17:10) - The Roottrees Are Dead Impressions (19:47) - EA Cancelled Black Panther (34:08) - Elden Ring Nightreign Impressions (1:02:21) - To a T Impressions (1:14:44) - TMNT: Tactical Takedown Impressions (1:25:23) - Top 10 Best Dressed Characters (1:43:25) - Also This Week (1:55:10) - L&R: Switch 2's Projected Legacy (2:11:43) - L&R: Dream SGF Reveal (2:15:35) - L&R Game: Nintendo Launch Games (2:26:15) - Bets (2:30:48) - Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We chat with Creative Director Jonathan Jacques-Belletête about his transition from Eidos Montreal to Rogue Factor, and the creative decisions behind not just Hell is Us, but how they're rethinking better ways to work on video games. Also be sure to check out our hands-on preview for Hell is Us:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T58VnYMkg0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices