Level 857 Video Game Podcast

Matt Schulz - Owner and Executive Producer of indie dev/pub, Jurassic Sunset Games, drops in to discuss the studio’s latest upcoming project, Vice: Magic City Mayhem! We talk with Matt about the game’s development, the creative vision behind Jurassic Sunset Games and what players can expect as the project moves toward release! Vice: Magic City Mayhem is a top-down, retro action-adventure indie gam...

We’re celebrating 10 years of Level 857 and our 400th podcast episode by looking back at the journey that brought us here. Join us as we react to a special retrospective montage filled with memorable moments, milestones, laughs, and highlights from the past decade. The Level 857 Video Game Podcast Ep-400: 400 Episodes & 10 Years of The Level 857 Video Game Podcast! 0:00 - Intro 3:41 - Indie Ga...

Can you still trust video game reviews, or has the line between honest criticism, hype, sponsorships, and online outrage become too blurred? In this episode, we break down how professional critics, influencers, user reviews, review scores, embargoes, early access, and review bombing can all shape the way a game is perceived before you ever play it. Level 857 Video Game Podcast Ep-399: Can You Stil...

This week, we’re taking a closer look at the games we’ve been playing and recently completed to answer one question: Are they actually worth your time? We’ll break down what we liked, what we didn’t, what kept us invested, and whether we’d ultimately recommend each game or tell you to pass. Level 857 Video Game Podcast Ep-398: Are These Games Actually Worth Your Time? 0:00 - Intro 1:30 - Indie Gam...

Nintendo, PlayStation and Konami all dropped major announcements, so this week we're breaking down the biggest reveals from all three showcases! We dive into the latest Nintendo Direct, PlayStation State of Play and Konami Press Start, including the newly revealed. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake and determine which reveals have us most excited! The Level 857 Video Game Podcast Ep-...

We break down the best reveals, biggest announcements, and standout games from the rest of Gamescom 2026 before reacting to the latest Grand Theft Auto VI news and what Rockstar’s highly anticipated release could mean for the gaming industry at large? The Level 857 Video Game Podcast Ep-396 | Gamescom 2026: Best Reveals + GTA VI Reaction 0:00 - Intro 2:02 - Indie Game of the Week Spotlight - Pizza...

Gamescom 2026 is underway! We break down the biggest Opening Night Live reveals, share what impressed us most, and discuss what we still hope to see before the event wraps up. The Level 857 Video Game Podcast Ep-395: Gamescom 2026 came out swinging on opening night! 00:00 - Intro 1:29 - Indie Game of the Week: Sea of Stars 7:55 - Gamescom 2026: Opening Night Reveals 1:02:32 - Golden Axe: First Loo...

Are AAA games getting too big for their own good? We discuss ballooning budgets, longer development cycles, massive teams, cutting-edge graphics, monetization, and whether the modern AAA model has become unsustainable. Level 857 Video Game Podcast Ep-394: Are AAA Games Getting Too Big for Their Own Good? 00:00 - Intro 1:40 - Indie Game of the Week Spotlight - Vampire Survivors 7:38 - Are AAA Games...

Is there really such a thing as a perfect video game? In this episode, we debate what it actually takes for a game to earn that label, whether a 10/10 score should mean flawless, and how much personal taste factors into the equation. Level 857 Video Game Podcast Ep-393: Does the Perfect Game Exist? 00:00 - Intro 03:03 - Indie Game of the Week Spotlight - OlliOlli World 06:38 - Does the Perfect Gam...

We discuss whether there is room for a new game console manufacturer and examine the chances of whether Sega, Apple, Samsung, Panasonic, and other companies would have competing against PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and PC gaming. We also debate what a new platform would need to offer, which company has the strongest chance, and whether gamers would actually support another console. Level 857 Video...

This week, we revisit the Nintendo Entertainment System to discuss the best co-op games that made sharing the couch, coordinating attacks, and occasionally sabotaging Player 2 unforgettable! Special shoutout to @Massproduc3 for suggesting this week’s main topic! Level 857 Video Game Podcast Ep-391: These Are The Very Best Co-Op Games on the 8-Bit NES! 00:00 - Intro 02:27 - Indie Game of the Week S...

We revisit the games that felt manageable when we were younger but seem nearly impossible to beat now! Level 857 Video Game Podcast Ep-390: Games You Beat as a Kid but Probably Can’t Beat Now! 00:00 - Intro 1:35 - Indie Game of the Week Spotlight - SIFU 5:14 - Games You Beat as a Kid but Can’t Beat Now 1:16:35 - God Of War To Recast Lead Kratos After Ryan Hurst Suffers Injury On Set Of Prime Video...

With rising prices, studio closures, mass layoffs, declining console sales, and a growing frustration from players, it makes you wonder: Is this truly the end of Gaming's Golden Age? Level 857 Video Game Podcast Ep-389 - Is this the end of Gaming's Golden Age?🔥 00:00 - Intro 02:20 - Indie Game of the Week Spotlight - Solar Ash 05:33 - Is this the end of Gaming's Golden Age? 1:14:39 - Games Played...

After a 5-month break, we return with a bombastic, leveled-up podcast experience and kick it off with our favorite announcements that came out of Summer Game Fest, Sony's latest State of Play, the Xbox Games Showcase and 6.9.26's Nintendo Direct!! Level 857 Video Game Podcast Ep-388 - We’re Back! Catching Up On Everything We Missed 00:00 - Intro 02:52 - Indie Game of the Week Spotlight - Bloodroot...

We’re looking ahead to the future of gaming! In this episode, we share our bold predictions for what 2026 might bring across Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, the industry and beyond! Level 857 Video Game Podcast Ep-387: What’s Next for Gaming? The Time Has Come For 2026 Predictions! 00:00 - Intro 03:16 - Al played Terminator 2D No Fate 07:56 - Choc played Marvel Rivals, Clair Obscur Expedition...

Level 857 Video Game Podcast Ep-386: Chillin and Chattin! - Indie Game of the Week Spotlight - The Messenger - Netflix Considers Warner Bros. Games To Be Pretty Much Worthless - Skyrim’s Nintendo Switch 2 Port Faces Backlash From Fans - Games Played Discussion - Marvel Cosmic Invasion, Neon Inferno - - Choc played Marvel Rivals, Claire Obscure Expedition 33 - Stal played Claire Obscure Expedition...

We break down our picks and predictions for each major category at the 2025 Game Awards! Level 857 Video Game Podcast Ep-385: Our Shocking Predictions for the 2025 Game Awards! 00:00 - Intro 02:41- Games Played Discussion - Absolum, Double Dragon Revive 10:20 - Stal played Claire Obscure Expedition 33, Marvel Cosmic Invasion 19:58 - Al played Assassins Creed Shadow 22:53 - Choc played Street Fight...

We’re revisiting the golden age of 8-bit gaming to rank Capcom’s entire NES lineup! From timeless hits to forgotten experiments, we’re debating which classics still hold up and which fall short in our ultimate tier list showdown! Level 857 Video Game Podcast Ep-384: Our Ultimate Ranked 8-Bit NES Capcom Game Tier List! 00:00 - Intro 03:04 - Indie Game of the Week Spotlight - Katana Zero 05:53 - Our...

We dive into the exciting world of video game creativity as we compare fan-made passion projects to official developer releases! From community-driven remakes and inspired reimaginings to big-budget sequels and reboots, we explore which ones capture the true spirit of gaming. Level 857 Video Game Podcast Ep-383: Fan Games vs. Official Releases: Who Did It Better? 00:00 - Intro 02:04 - Games Played...

We dive into the debate surrounding modern game remakes... are they revitalizing classic experiences or holding back innovation? From nostalgia-fueled reimaginings to one-to-one remasters, we explore whether the remake trend is helping or hurting the industry. Level 857 Video Game Podcast Ep-382: Do Video Game Remakes Promote or Stifle Creativity? 00:00 - Intro 03:57 - Al played Jitsu Squad, Clair...

We call out and breakdown the games that launched as buggy messes but became beloved masterpieces, thanks to the dedication of hardworking, tenacious developers! Stick around as we sound off on this week’s biggest gaming headlines and share what’s been keeping our controllers busy! Level 857 Video Game Podcast Ep-381: Broken at Launch: Games That Got Good After Release 00:00 - Intro 05:02 - Games...

We dive into the dark to rank the most iconic horror game series ever made in our very own tier list! 🎃 From terrifying classics to modern nightmares 👻, we decide which franchises are truly essential 🩸 and which ones deserve to stay buried ⚰️. Level 857 Video Game Podcast Ep-380: The Ultimate Ranked Horror Video Game Franchise Tier List! 00:00 - Intro 01:37 - Indie Game of the Week Spotlight -...

Local multiplayer is making a huge comeback! This week, we dive into why couch co-op experiences are resurging in popularity, what modern games are doing right, and why playing side-by-side still hits differently than online! Level 857 Video Game Podcast Ep-379: The Return of Couch Co-Op: Is Local Multiplayer Making a Comeback? 00:00 - Intro 05:06 - Games Played Discussion 07:20 - Choc played Resi...

As we bear witness to gaming's price of admission becoming more expensive, we explore how profit-driven tactics from major publishers have reshaped the industry and determine if corporate greed is destroying the passion and creativity that once defined gaming. Level 857 Video Game Podcast Ep-378: Has Corporate Greed Ruined Modern Gaming? 00:00 - Intro 04:46 - Game Giveaway Winner Announcement...

This week, we dive into the biggest gaming showcases of the season with our full Tokyo Game Show 2025 recap and reactions to the latest Sony State of Play! Level 857 Video Game Podcast Ep-377: Tokyo Game Show 2025 vs State of Play: Who Had The Better Show? 00:00 - Intro 03:04 - Games Played Discussion - Absolum, Marvel Cosmic Invasion, Heroes of Mount Dragon, Iron Meat 17:04 - Al played Adventure...