The Game Deflators

John and Ryan return with a packed episode full of fresh pickups, tough gameplay impressions, and a look at the latest industry buzz. Ryan dives into his ongoing run through Returnal, breaking down the game’s relentless roguelike loops and the thrill of surviving its bullet‑hell chaos. John follows up with his experience playing Stellar Blade, sharing thoughts on its combat, pacing, and whether it...

In this episode of The Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan dive into a packed week of gaming chatter, starting with a look at their latest pickups. John reveals an unexpectedly massive haul of Dungeons & Dragons books, while Ryan contemplates purchasing a PlayStation Portal. The conversation then shifts to industry news, where John and Ryan unpack reports of rising RAM costs and what that co...

This week on The Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan dive into a packed lineup of gaming chatter, industry trends, and a retro review that hits all the right notes. They kick things off with their latest game pickups and what’s been dominating their playtime, setting the stage for a broader look at how modern gaming continues to evolve. From convoluted pre‑order bonuses to the growing mess of fr...

In this episode of the Game Deflators podcast, hosts Jon and Ryan dive into their latest game pickups, including the cult favorite Sky Gunner and a stack of retro gaming books. They also share fresh updates from their Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, highlighting new character arcs, unexpected encounters, and the chaos their parties have stirred up. From there, the conversation shifts to their fa...

In this week’s episode of The Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan bring a packed agenda to the table. The duo kicks things off with fresh updates from their ongoing Strixhaven D&D campaign, sharing the latest twists, character antics, and how the story is evolving. Looking ahead, they set their New Games Resolutions for 2026, laying out the titles they’re determined to play, backlog goals, a...

In this episode of the Game Deflators podcast, John and Ryan discuss their recent game pickups and titles they are currently playing. The guys then delve into the topic of nostalgia in gaming, questioning whether classic titles hold up to modern standards. The conversation shifts to industry news, including Mark Cerny's thoughts on Legend of the Dragoon and the ongoing lawsuit between Tencent and...

In this episode of the Game Deflators podcast, John and Ryan dive deep into the crossroads of creativity and commerce in the gaming industry. They explore how the Steam Machine’s pricing strategy could make or break its battle against heavyweights like the PS5, while reflecting on Dan Howser’s candid remarks about profit overshadowing innovation. The conversation shifts to the power of community a...

In this episode of the Game Deflators podcast, John and Ryan team up with Will from PlayStation Ain’t Dead for a lively crossover. The crew dives into pickups ranging from classic PS1 gems to modern horror titles, while debating the quirks of collecting sealed games. John and Ryan also share their experiences with Cyberpunk 2077, Metal Gear Solid, and The Witcher. The conversation heats up as the...

John and Ryan are back with another jam-packed episode covering the latest in gaming news, nostalgia, and industry trends. They kick things off by sharing their latest game pickups and games they are currently playing, before turning their attention to the newest updates and bans shaking up the Magic: The Gathering community.  The conversation then shifts to Valve’s bold return to hardware with th...

On this week’s episode of The Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan share the latest additions to their gaming collections before diving into what they’re currently playing—John continues his long trek through The Witcher, while Ryan experiences Metal Gear Solid for the very first time. The duo then shift gears to industry news, discussing Nintendo’s recent revelation about the percentage of Switc...

In this episode of The Game Deflators, John and Ryan welcome special guest Barry Carenza from PM Studios! Barry dives into the exciting lineup of upcoming titles from PM Studios and gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how ESRB ratings are set up for video games—yes, there's more to it than just slapping a letter on the box. The trio then tackles the latest legal drama surrounding Palworld,...

In this episode of The Game Deflators podcast, hosts John and Ryan unpack a wide range of gaming topics with their signature blend of insight and nostalgia. They kick things off by sharing their latest game pickups and current playthroughs, offering listeners a peek into what’s hot on their consoles right now. The conversation takes a chilling turn as they revisit survival horror staples like Sile...

In this electrifying episode of the Game Deflators podcast, John and Ryan sit down with legendary game designer and animator Brian Colin, the creative force behind arcade classics like Rampage and Arch Rivals. Brian takes listeners on a nostalgic journey through the unpredictable early days of game development—described as the "Wild West" of the industry—and shares how a twist of fate launched his...

This week on The Game Deflators, John and Ryan kick things off with their latest gaming pickups and a spoiler-filled discussion of Silent Hill f. The guys break down the ending and share whether it lived up to the series’ legacy—or left them scratching their heads. Next, it’s on to Magic: The Gathering, where recent comments from Mark Rosewater have reignited debate around Universes Beyond. Is Has...

In this episode of the Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan share their hands-on impressions of Silent Hill f, discussing their current progress in the game and how its unsettling atmosphere and narrative twists are stacking up so far.  They also dive into industry-shaking rumors, including speculation that Xbox may be shifting away from console hardware to focus exclusively on cloud gaming, and...

In this week’s episode of The Game Deflators, John and Ryan dive headfirst into the eerie world of Silent Hill f, sharing their early impressions and how the game’s unsettling progression is shaping up. But the horror doesn’t stop there—Magic: The Gathering’s Spider-Man set is spinning a web of disappointment with weak pre-release numbers and sluggish sales. The duo also tackles a major retail sha...

In this episode of The Game Deflators podcast, John and Ryan dive into a whirlwind of gaming topics.  Starting with their latest Magic: The Gathering pickups and Ray's experience with the Spiderman pre-release. The duo then shares what they’ve been playing lately, with John visiting the gritty fantasy world of The Witcher 1 and Ryan eagerly exploring the atmospheric depths of Hollow Knight: Silkso...

This week on the Game Deflators Podcast, John dives into some current gen PlayStation 2 accessories and his recent play of Prince of Persia Sands of Time. Meanwhile, Ryan’s deep into Silk Song, and he’s got thoughts—lots of them.  The duo also tackles Nintendo’s latest round of controversial patents, raising eyebrows across the gaming community. From overbroad language to stifling creativity, John...

This week, John and Ryan kick things off with some fresh gaming pickups. John dives into his full playthrough of Neva, sharing thoughts on its emotional beats and visual storytelling, and gives a first-timer’s take on Beyblade Episode 1—no nostalgia goggles, just curiosity about the hype. Ryan’s been hands-on with Hollow Knight: Silksong, and while the gameplay hits hard, the guys unpack the early...

This week on the Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan dive into a whirlwind of gaming goodness. Ryan returns from PAX West 2025 with fresh impressions, indie highlights, and a few surprises from the show floor. Meanwhile, John wraps up his journey through Final Fantasy VI with final thoughts on its legacy and storytelling, then jumps into the lush, emotional world of Neva PS5 for a first look at...

In this week’s episode of The Game Deflators, John and Ryan dive into their latest pickups—from video games to spicy new Magic: The Gathering cards—and share updates on what’s been dominating their playtime lately. But the real chaos begins with the ripple effect of Hollow Knight: Silksong’s release date announcement, as developers scramble to dodge the indie titan’s shadow. The duo also break dow...

This week on The Game Deflators Podcast – John and Ryan dive into the cardboard chaos of Magic: The Gathering, unpacking their latest pickups and sounding off on the absurdity of collector booster prices. Is Wizards of the Coast pricing out its own fanbase? Meanwhile, John shares his progress on Final Fantasy VI and The Witcher, revealing whether pixel nostalgia or monster hunting is winning his a...

In this week’s episode of The Game Deflators, John and Ryan dive into a treasure trove of gaming updates, pickups, and hot takes: Magic: The Gathering fans won’t want to miss the duo’s latest haul from Edge of Eternities, plus an update on the closure of Strixhaven Year Three in their long-running Dungeons & Dragons campaign. The Game Deflators also explore Hasbro’s initiative to attract more...

On this week’s Game Deflators episode, John and Ryan unbox their latest gaming hauls and share what’s hitting their shelves. The duo then dives into Wizards of the Coast's latest attempt to heal wounds in the D&D community by offering virtual tabletop map access across DnD Beyond. Is it a gesture of goodwill, or just clever cartography? Next, the guys give their unfiltered reactions to the new...

In this week's episode of The Game Deflators, John and Ryan tackle a dynamic mix of gaming news, nostalgic throwbacks, and anime hype. They kick things off with a breakdown of the latest One Piece anime episode and dive into their current progress reading the manga. Ryan then shares his newest Magic The Gathering pickups as John contemplates his next MTG purchases. The duo then dissect a recent jo...