Gametalk

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...

Episode 173 Streaming has become one of the dominant forms of games content consumption, and as such has become a significant part of our lives. Today, we talk about the streamers we watch and dive into the challenges of streaming and content creation. As always, we conclude with the games we are playing (Slay The Spire, Warframe). This episode was recorded in August 2024. Royalty free music from...

Episode 172 It has been over two years since Sony purchased Bungie for 3.6 billion dollars in an effort to bolster its live-service efforts, and the results have been...less than stellar. Now in the wake of mass layoffs, we take stock of where Bungie is as a studio and discuss why their crown jewel, Destiny, has lost much of its luster. We also discuss Bungie's now-uncertain future, and how Marath...

Episode 171 As of July 29, 2024, the Xbox 360 marketplace has shut down, marking the end of a historic run in the console space. Now at the end of the 360 marketplace's near-twenty year run, we look back fondly on our memories of the 360 and discuss some of the games that shaped our teenage years. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (No Man's Sky, Cataclismo, Mario Tennis). This ep...

Episode 170 Though not our platform of choice, mobile gaming is far and away the largest sector of the games industry. Today, we discuss the current state of mobile gaming, the economics of mobile games in contrast to the rest of the industry, and the future of gaming on mobile devices. As always we conclude with the games we're playing (EA Sports College Football 25, No Man's Sky, Slay The Spire,...

Episode 169 Microsoft has announced a slew of changes for Xbox Game Pass, including a price increase and changes to their day-one offerings. In today's episode, we do a deep dive into Xbox Game Pass and its value, and discuss Microsoft's ever-evolving strategy for the service. As always, we conclude with the games we are playing (Elden Ring, Teardown). This episode was recorded in July 2024. Royal...

Episode 168 With the year (somehow) already over halfway over, we reflect back on the big games of 2024 and talk about what excites us in the latter half of the year. As always, we conclude with the games we are playing (Myst, Noita, Elden Ring). This episode was recorded in July 2024. Royalty free music from BenSound. Questions or comments? Reach out to @PodcastGametalk on Instagram, Twitter, or...

Episode 167 Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree is finally out, and once again developer From Software shows everyone that they are in a league of their own. Today we discuss the masterful DLC - we talk spoiler-free impressions, our characters' journeys to the DLC, and spoilers up to where we currently are in the game. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (X4: Foundations). This epis...

Episode 166 Summer games season comes to a strong close with Nintendo's (presumably) last Switch-centric Nintendo Direct - and they certainly close things out on a high note. From Zelda to Metroid to Mario & Luigi to Dragon Quest, there seems to be something for just about everyone in this packed games showcase. In today's episode, we discuss all the games shown at the Nintendo Direct. As always,...

Episode 165 June is always a festive month for games announcements, and this year is no different. Today, we discuss Summer Games Fest 2024 and Ubisoft Forward, and offer our impressions on all the games shown. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Civilization VI, Monster Hunter Rise). This episode was recorded in June 2024. Royalty free music from BenSound. Questions or comments?...

Episode 164 In the midst of the summer games frenzy, Xbox delivers what could be their most impressive showcase ever. Today, we discuss this historic Xbox showcase and all of the games that were shown. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Enshrouded, Alan Wake 2: Night Springs). This episode was recorded in June 2024. Royalty free music from BenSound. Questions or comments? Check u...