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We discuss LA Noire, Terraria and get involved in a sci-fi dilemma with The Witcher 2. I'd class the show as spoiler free.  Explanation at the start. Watch the LA Noire review on YouTube LA Noire-section music: Dances and Dames, Night on the Docks - Sax, Walking Along, Backed Vibes Clean. All by Kevin McLeod .   End music is Pushin' Daises by Jeris .

In this short, solo, book review you'll hear about Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City. A story about the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, a talented architect and a ruthless serial killer. The Devil in the White City (Wikipedia)

We imagine the different ways and materials through which videogame powers and characters' abilities can be represented.  We also have a spoiler-free discussion on what it felt like to play Portal 2 compared to Portal.  Music is 'I Will Rise Above The World' by Zapac. Edward Tufte Russian gangsters and tattoos Battle High: San Bruno, Xbox indie game Loss aversion (I think this is the cognitive bia...

In this extremely short, solo show, you'll hear a brief review of Paul Chadwick's comic book 'Concrete: Depths'. Touching and thought provoking, Chadwick's work about a man trapped in a concrete body is worth checking out. Paul Chadwick's website

In our discussion of Dragon Age 2, we cover subjects such as dialogue and emotional intent, whether RPGs are just job simulators and how every character in the game is constantly horny.  There is a mild, thematic, spoiler about a side quest.  We talk about the issues it raises rather than what the quest entails or how it ends. Music is Eye Magic Mix by Lasswell Tweet

We handbrake turn with racing game Fuel, Danjo turns blue with excitement talking about Gargamel and procedurally generated worlds, then we hyper combo into Marvel Vs Capcom 3. Music is L.T.H. (AA's Refix) by Abstract Audio YouTube video on how Fuel's world might have been generated An seven-second K.O. in MvC3.  High-level play at its deadliest? Tweet

We kick sand in Bulletstorm's face, power up some love for Crysis 2, limp along in FPS Breach, get deja vu with Modern Combat: Domination and trade hits with David Sirlin's card game Yomi. 1hr 2min / 59mb Music is Late Night Volition by Phonnovo Breach by Atomic Games Modern Combat: Domination  trailer Sirlin Games  home of Yomi / Play Yomi online for free HatchetJob Sirlin interview

We knife Assassin's Creed Brotherhood's multiplayer, try to remember Amensia: The Dark Descent, go full throttle with Need for Speed Hot Pursuit, get lost in Dungeons and Dragons' Castle Ravenloft and hide in foxholes with Combat Commander Europe. Music is 'I refuse to give up' by Rocavaco ft. MiElle Amnesia: The Dark Descent Castle Ravenloft Combat Commander Europe

We start by comparing Fable 3 to Fallout New Vegas and, spoiler, one comes off *very* badly indeeed.  Super Meat Boy captures us in his fleshy grasp and we discuss good games that have bad demos.  We even see how Civ 5 is more like a boardgame than a PC game and find out about a Civilization-style boardgame called 'Through the Ages'. Music is 'Outside Poolside' by Lasswell 1hr 33mins Ascension rev...

Humans have played boardgames for thousands of years - civilisation and gaming are indivisible. I speak to Dr. Irving Finkel, a British Museum expert in ancient Mesopotamian script, languages and cultures, about his interest in games and their development, genres and history. 1hr 29mins  Music is 'Oh Dear Mr Williams - Tango? by Unreal Dm  

We discuss Frozen Synapse, a top-down, quasi-realtime tactical shooter, sidestep with the demo of Platinum Games' Vanquish and tease you about a video review of Puzzle Strike aka Puzzle Fighter the board game. 34 mins.   Puzzle Strike video review   The Worst Date Ever   Frozen Synapse website   Staats' Frozen Synapse video.  Uploaded with the game's YouTube feature.  He is the green player.  Noti...

Is Castlevania: Harmony of Despair a new game with a retro heart?  How come someone who hates JRPGs can play Squeenix's 'The World Ends With You'? And what if George Lucas made The Lion King?   39 mins.   Castlevania HoD   The World Ends With You / gameplay video

We cover open worlds and 'emergent' gameplay Minecraft, talk about the best support character in gaming with Monday Night Combat and, sadly, end up being a bit mean about Moon Taxi - a game that's all about stories, but doesn't tell them very well.   49 mins.   Music is 'I Don't Hurt My Love (pseudo-format Mix)' by Vidian

In this in-depth interview, we speak to David Sirlin, author and videogame / boardgame designer, about Playing to Win, balancing games and more. He was lead designer on Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix and re-balanced Puzzle Fighter HD. His boardgames are partially inspired by videogame genres.  Note: the iTunes entry may mistakenly say he was lead designer on Puzzle Fighter HD.   1hr 27min /...

We rock up with an alternative to 'traditional' game of the year awards - you came up with the categories, you chose the winners.  From the weird to the wonderful, these awards are as much about you as they are games - can you guess which title won 'best stubble'?   42  mins / 50 mb Music Recommender by Dokashiteru Parks on Fire (California Burning mix) by DJ Rkod Pulse (George Ellinas Mix) by Geo...

Yes, we're taking on 'game of the year' awards.  They're done too early, have plodding categories and don't reflect what we really feel about games.   Come up with a category for an award and tell us which 2009 game wins it and why. Tell  us  Your name and where you're from The category you've come up with and game you've chosen to win it Your explanation of the category and game How to send them...

We drive by ModNation Racers, mosey on down to Red Dead Redemption (with some light-ish spoilers) and zoom through Race for the Galaxy.    1hr 2 min / 59 mb   Music is 'Revolve' by hisboyelroy .   Red Dead glitches.   Race for the Galaxy on PC and Mac   Rftg tutorial videos   Rftg overview video   Understanding the symbols in RftG

  We chat about buying a PSP 3000 and rumoured PSP2; argue about Halo Reach and whether its gameplay lets it down; get an AMerican perspective on FIFA 10 (and indulge in some class warfare) and talk about killing demons and fisticuffs in Hell in Arkham Horror. 1hr 11min. / 59mb Music is ' Bored on Your Backside' by Trifonic.

We touch on Super Street Fighter IV, crack up at Danjo's Dwarf Fortress adventures, get confused by Power Grid and feel bad about killing creatures in Monster Hunter Tri.    69 min. / 59 mb   Music is 'Lies' by BlakeHT .     Dwarf Fortress tutorial vids (thanks to Tiger Walts).  

We review Apple's iPad and some games, discuss Splinter Cell: Conviction, talk about Kingdom Hearts on the DS and more.   As an experiment, this show is unedited.  Please let us know what you think.   1hr 20min / 67 MB   Music is ' Inspire Me Forever (Secret Anomaly Jonez Mix) '. >

We chat about boardgames Pandemic, Dominion, Cash 'N' Guns, Bang and Puerto Rico.  We also talk about FPS tactics and leadership and laugh about Just Cause 2 on the 360 and PS3. 1hr 12 min. / 58 MB Music is 'Brad and Chuck' by MC Jack in the Box . HatchetJob.com YouTube channel.  

We discuss the idea that games should be bundled with books and movies that deepen the player's understanding of the game and the world at large. Music is 'How Do I Make You See v1' by Ivan Chew. 55 min. / 45 MB Music is 'How Do I Make You See v1' by Ivan Chew  

We chat about BioShock 2, specifically whether it works as a sequel and the things they could have done instead.  We also touch on its multiplayer.  We then talk about MAG, a PS3-exclusive FPS. 60 mins / 57mb Music is Brad Sucks - Never Get Out (Kirill Skovpen remix) .  

We discuss Mass Effect 2 and RPG Cliches, touch on Bayonetta and its health mechanics and talk about the Battlefield Bad Company 2 demo.  46 min. / 40 MB Music is 'These Are The Moments' by Omni Vista .    

We discuss Dragon Age: Origins, Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes, The Saboteur, iPhone games, Star Trek Online and its lifetime subscription and read out your emails. 54min / 51mb Music is Souls of Da Insects by M3roadworx