Welcome to the first Punished Podcast of the new year! The Backlog crew is back and better than ever, and we’re excited to show you what we’ve been cooking up.



The Punished Podcast Episode 5



For episode 5 of The Punished Podcast, we’re taking a look ahead at 2024 in gaming—and running it back with our annual Fantasy Gaming draft.



Will Sam go back-to-back this year? What’s up with Hollow Knight: Silksong, and will Amanda strike out on it, yet again? Will David finally draft a decent team?



Take a listen and gauge for yourself.







MP3 Download | Spotify | Apple Podcasts



(Note: We recorded this podcast on January 6, 2024, before the releases of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Tekken 8, and Persona 3 Reload. This podcast also predates Microsoft’s “Direct”-like showcase, which saw Hellblade II, Avowed, and MachineGames’ Indiana Jones and the Great Circle all get 2024 release windows.



You’re hearing our thoughts and analysis before ANY of the above occurred—so keep that in mind while listening!)




Timestamps








* 0:00 – Intro



* 3:15 – Thoughts on 2024?



* 7:53 – Unannounced or Speculated Games You’re Anticipating?



* 13:27 – Sam Rants About George R.R. Martin



* 18:28 – 2024 Fantasy Gaming Draft: The Rules



* 22:38 – 2024 Fantasy Gaming Draft: The Draft



* 57:01 – 2024 Fantasy Gaming Draft: Vibe Check



* 59:44 – Sam’s Hall of Fame Nominee



* 1:17:15 – What Are You Currently Playing?



* 1:20:28 – Outro





David Silbert | Sam Martinelli | Amanda Tien



2024 Fantasy Gaming Draft – The Recap



Want the Sparknotes version of our Fantasy Gaming draft? Here’s a quick play-by-play:




* David — Final Fantasy VII Rebirth



* Amanda — Hades II



* Sam — Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth



* Sam — Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown



* Amanda — Persona 3 Reload



* David — Dragon’s Dogma 2



* David — Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II



* Amanda — Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door



* Sam — Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024



* Sam — Princess Peach Showtime



* Amanda — Hollow Knight: Silksong



* David — Rise of the Rōnin



* David — Avowed



* Amanda — Star Wars Outlaws



* Sam — The Plucky Squire