Gametalk

Episode 198 Paid early access is becoming more commonplace in the games industry. Game development costs are skyrocketing and publishers are more eager than ever to employ unsavory monetization strategies. How do the three of us feel about paid early access, and what games have got us to opt-in early? Where do we see this paid early access trend going in the future? How do we feel about Civilizati...

Episode 197 Though dedicated handheld consoles are becoming a relic of a bygone era, today we take a nostalgia-fueled look back at our favorite handhelds and handheld games. We also discuss retro emulation hardware and how these consoles are keeping the dedicated handheld dream alive. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, Marvel's Spider-Ma...

Episode 196 Two more live-service games have been cancelled at Sony - a God of War live-service game developed by Bluepoint and an unannounced live-service game by Bend Studio. After the disastrous Concord and myriad other failed live-service projects like The Last of Us and Spider-Man, we have to ask: what on Earth is happening at Sony? Today, we take a look at PlayStation's failed pivot into liv...

Episode 195 After literal years of rumors, leaks, and speculation, Nintendo has finally announced the Nintendo Switch 2! Though it was an extremely brief first look, we discuss what was shown and speculate on some of the launch window games and unannounced features. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Dead Cells, Marvel Rivals, Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero). This episode was re...

Episode 194 2025 is looking to be a monumental year in gaming! Beyond the obvious topics like the imminent Nintendo Switch 2 and GTA VI, we discuss how the industry is rapidly changing, with exclusive games becoming less financially viable and AI becoming more relevant than ever in game development. AI and cloud technology continues to improve, and we predict how these technologies might shape the...

Episode 193 Happy New Year! 2025 is here, and there is already talk about next-generation gaming hardware. Whether it's NVIDIA's reveal of the upcoming 50-series graphics cards, leaked pictures of Nintendo Switch 2 hardware, or pie-in-the-sky rumors of an early next gen Xbox, there's some next generation news or rumors for just about everyone! As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (G...

Episode 192 2024 has been a year of killer releases, big and small. Today, we pit Gametalk's 16 favorite games of 2024 against each other in a tournament face-off to determine our Game of the Year 2024. If you want to follow along, check out the bracket here: https://imgur.com/a/jkXqwUg. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Warframe: 1999, Cyberpunk 2077, Helldivers 2, Project Wing...

Episode 191 The Game Awards 2024 show has come and gone, and what a show it was! Packed with heartwarming moments and megaton announcements, this Game Awards was easily the best one in recent memory. Today, we talk about the biggest winners and the craziest announcements! As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Super Mario Party Jamboree). This epis...

Episode 190 The rumor mill has kicked into overdrive for potential Valve hardware. Between the whispers of Steam controllers, VR headsets, new consoles, and new games, we discuss all the latest Valve rumors - and that naturally dovetails into a discussion on PC gaming, Steam, Linux, and more! As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Elite Dangerous, Helldivers 2, Indiana Jones and the...

Episode 189 Kadokawa, an anime and manga giant that owns the world-renowned From Software, is being eyed for acquisition by Sony. Today we dive deep into this potential acquisition and its implications for the fate of future From Software games. We also talk about the new PlayStation handheld in the works and the leaks for the new Steam controllers. As always, we conclude with the games we're play...

Episode 188 2024 is coming to a close, and our traditional game of the year tourney face-off is fast approaching. Today's episode sees us host a preliminary of sorts - we evaluate all of the standout games released in 2024 that we played this year and select 16 to proceed to our Game of the Year Tournament Bracket. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak,...

Episode 187 We are quickly approaching the end of 2024, and it's that time of year again! The Game Awards have announced their nominees for 2024, and the selections are a tad more controversial this time. Which of their nominees deserve to be considered for Game of the Year? Today, we predict the winners and losers of The Game Awards, and speculate on potential game reveals. As always, we conclude...

Episode 186 Circana, a well-reputed US market research company, has published the top 20 selling games each year from 2000 - 2023 (www.circana.com/intelligence/ente…ling-video-games/). On today's episode, we finish analyzing this list of titles from the dawn of the new millennium, reflect on popular trends that no longer exist, and discuss a plethora of games that shaped our taste throughout the y...

Episode 185 Circana, a well-reputed US market research company, has published the top 20 selling games each year from 2000 - 2023 (https://www.circana.com/intelligence/entertainment-top-10/2024/gaming-through-the-decades-us-top-20-best-selling-video-games/). On today's episode, we continue to analyze this list of titles from the dawn of the new millennium, reflect on popular trends that no longer...

Episode 184 Circana, a well-reputed US market research company, has published the top 20 selling games each year from 2000 - 2023 (https://www.circana.com/intelligence/entertainment-top-10/2024/gaming-through-the-decades-us-top-20-best-selling-video-games/). On today's episode, we analyze this list of titles from the dawn of the new millennium, reflect on popular trends that no longer exist, and d...

Episode 183 Although games preservation has come a long way, there are some online-based games that have been lost to time. Today, we reflect on games that are no longer playable and what those games mean to us. We also discuss the newly released Metaphor: ReFantazio and compare it to its sister Persona games. As always, we conclude with the games we are playing (Metaphor: ReFantazio, My Summer Ca...

Episode 182 We are halfway through October, and this much-anticipated month is delivering in spades with an onslaught of quality games. Today, we discuss all the imminent October releases, as well as October titles that we're already enamored with. There's so much to talk about, we even forget to mention some major upcoming games like Dragon Age! As always, we conclude with the games we're playing...

Episode 181 Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO is finally out and we could not be more thrilled! Although it has only been out for less than a day as of the time of recording, we have already played it for over nine hours and have a lot to say. From the gameplay to the art style to all the unique flourishes that make it a love letter to Dragon Ball, we discuss this game's many strengths. As always, we co...

Episode 180 September comes to an end with two engaging showcases - Sony's State of Play and Meta Connect. First, we discuss the standouts from Sony's latest State of Play, including games like Ghost of Yōtei, Alan Wake II, Monster Hunter Wilds, PS5 Pro games, and more! Then, we explore the tech revealed in the Meta Connect and hone in on Orion in particular - AR glasses that have the potential to...

Episode 179 We are healthily past the halfway mark of the current console generation, and recent rumors suggest next generation will see the debut of a portable PlayStation 6 and Xbox. With Nintendo blazing the trail for the triumphant return of the handheld and the Steam Deck proving that there is a healthy market for PC-quality games on the go, how will Sony and Microsoft's (rumored) next ge...

Episode 178 With the announcement of the Nintendo Switch successor seemingly imminent, tantalizing rumors are cropping up, each more outlandish than the last. Will the next Switch support DLSS? Will it be called the Switch 2? Does it have two screens?? After we dissect the latest whispers, we speculate on the console's price...and land on a somewhat suprisingly high number. As always, we concl...

Episode 177 The PS5 Pro has finally been revealed and it costs...$700?? Today, we dive deep into the (extremely) steep asking price for Sony's newest console and discuss the technology powering the machine, as well as offer our opinions on whether the value proposition is worth it for most consumers. In contrast to the somewhat tepid reaction to the PS5 Pro, we also talk at length about PlaySt...

Episode 176 Concord, the latest GAAS multiplayer offering from PlayStation, has crashed and burned. Today, we discuss this historic failure from multiple angles: What does this failure mean for Firewalk Studios? How should Sony shift their first party strategy? Can Concord potentially return one day? As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Super Mario Eclipse, Black Myth: Wukong, Tact...

Episode 175 The Nintendo 64 is one of the consoles we grew up on, and as such we have a lot of love for that weird little machine. Today, we each go through our top 5 Nintendo 64 games and share anecdotes from our respective childhoods. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Abiotic Factor). This episode was recorded in August 2024. Royalty free music from BenSound. Questions or comm...

Episode 174 "Gaming isn't fun anymore" - this is a phrase uttered frequently by lapsed or more casual gamers. Today, we delve into what this sentiment means and discuss whether or not it rings true. We then plunge into a lengthy, thorough debate about the quality (or lack thereof) of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Slay The Spire, The...