Markers on the Map: A Gaming Adventure

A seventh generation anomaly. This week, join us for a look back at some seventh generation games as we revisit the middle of the year 2013. We discuss some absolute classics like Borderlands 2, Red Dead Redemption, Final Fantasy XIII, Metal Gear Solid 4, and rattle off a few more favorites. Plus, we've got a classic game, too: Godzilla Monster War for the Super Famicom. Yes, a game only released...

E3 may be gone, but Anime Expo is stronger than ever. But first, take a look at the past in our latest lore cutscene! This week, we talk all about our trip to Anime Expo 2024, including what we did, what we saw, and what we bought. There was also tons of lore drops at the Sonic x Shadow panel, and a look at some upcoming games through demos. These include Metaphor Re: Fantazio, Dragon Ball Sparkin...

We cannot ignore the fact that there's a Bubsy collection now. This week, it's the return of the Launch Lineup! This time, we're taking a look at the rollout of GameCube launch titles across Japan, North America, and Europe - but only the actual launch titles, so you won't see things like Melee or Pikmin here. What you will see is Luigi's Mansion, Super Monkey Ball, Batman Vengeance, and even Tarz...

Marvel, baby. This week, it's the greatest Nintendo Direct of all time. It's got a little something for everyone. The grand reveal of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. A new installment in the Mario and Luigi series. A Zelda game where you actually play as Zelda. A remaster of the one missing Donkey Kong Country game on Switch. A collection of seven legendary Marvel classics by Capcom. The English debut of...

Activision, why? This week, we take an in-depth look at an admittedly great Xbox Showcase for this year's Summer Game Fest. There's lots to be excited about coming out of Microsoft Game Studios, Bethesda, and their partners such as Gears of War E-Day, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Interesting new IPs get thrown in the mix like the endearing South of Midnight and a ne...

A Valorant Moment. This week, we're delving straight into Summer Game Fest's opening showcases - the main show and Devolver's annual Direct. It's definitely a year that's light on surprises, but big on updates to things like Monster Hunter Wilds, Street Fighter 6, Alan Wake 2, Dragon Ball Sparking Zero, Anger Foot, Cult of the Lamb, Metaphor Re: Fantazio, Skate, Batman Arkham Shadow, Sonic x Shado...

Just what we needed, another live service. This week, we're taking a look at Sony's latest State of Play, which featured 14 games from PC ports to live service worries, remakes, and highly anticipated sequels. Throw in a few VR games, some Soulslikes, and some free-to-play stuff, and you've got an okay show. That's not all this week, though, as we delve into the full release of Multiversus, discus...

At last, the glorious return of SNES Revival. This week, we take a super deep dive into Todd McFarlane's Spawn for the SNES. It's a short but memorable 2D platformer and beat 'em up hybrid that those who have played both Street Fighter and Mega Man X will feel right at home with. Big sprites, vivid visuals, interesting life systems, and even more unique powers translate very well from the moody in...

The time has come: Bigmode. This week, we take a look at the first game published by Bigmode, Animal Well, a puzzle-based Metroidvania where a tiny blob must navigate the mysteries and strange horrors of an underground world. It may not be perfect, but it's one of the most interesting games in the genre we've seen in a while. That's not all, though, as we return for more Stellar Blade, Rise of the...

Come on, games industry. This week, it's a full episode of news as Microsoft is closing studios, including Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks and RedFall developer Arkane Austin. We go in-depth with our thoughts on these closures, as well as other closures, and the live service model. What's more, there's some wild news about Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League's missteps. It's not all bad, th...

Directly in competition with Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. This week, we take a look at, among other Star Wars-related topics, many of the Star Wars video games over the years. From Battlefront, to Republic Commando, and even Episode I Racer on the GameBoy Color, we weave through the endless history of Star Wars in the gaming space. We've also got Shiny Pokemon, a Donkey Kong Country 2 replay co...

Our own little rock band. This week, we're delving into Stellar Blade, the latest PS5 action exclusive. EVE and her companions travel a ruined world full of monsters in an exciting blend of Devil May Cry and Dark Souls. It's stylish, it's fun, and it's one of the best first impressions in a while. We're also taking a look at the new PDP Riffmaster guitar controller - is it worth the asking price?...

Join us for a few distractions. This week, we've got a special bit of lore for the world of the podcast before the episode begins. After that, we go down the rabbit hole of cartoons and old programming blocks. And if that's not enough, we both built a really cool model kit recently. We're battling some gaming burnout here at the start with a bit non-gaming-related goodness. Then, it's onto the ind...

You gotta parry every piece of the combo. This week, we've got a special segment with some big news on No Man's Sky. After that, it's right back into more Rise of the Ronin and the interesting things that Team Ninja's open world samurai game is doing. We're also discussing some more transformations in Princess Peach: Showtime. It's a blend of genres all around, and it doesn't stop, as we also talk...

Quite the unexpected duo. This week, we're looking at two brand new releases: Nintendo's Princess Peach: Showtime and Team Ninja's Rise of the Ronin. One is an exciting and ever changing romp through different plays with fresh, surprising, and simple gameplay. The other is a journey through 1850s Japan with complex systems, massive amounts of loot, and style that's hard to beat. From patisserie to...

It had to be done. This week, we delve into the complete overload of content that is Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. It's overwhelming, it's exhausting, and it's also a pretty great game, all things considered. Combat, exploration, traversal and more highlight this extensive look at Square Enix's biggest game of 2024. We're also talking about the unfortunate aspects of Skull and Bones from back in the...

Rock the dragon. First this week, some words and memories on Akira Toriyama and his legacy. For both of us, Dragon Ball is a huge deal, so we have a big discussion at the start. After that, join us for more rants against the current state of battle passes. Then, we get into initial impressions of Helldivers 2, one of the year's biggest surprises so far. We wrap up with news on more announcements,...

The stuff that dreams are made of. This week, the Launch Lineup finally returns with a look at all of the games that came out for Dreamcast back on 9/9/99. Sonic Adventure is there and SoulCalibur is there, but then you've got some real wild releases, like Blue Stinger, Pen Pen TriIceLon, Ready 2 Rumble, and no less than five or six racing games. Throw in your flying sims and multiple football rel...

Top video game announcement betrayals of all time. This week, we take an in-depth look at a pretty big Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase. We've got some remakes, like Epic Mickey's return, some long-lost series making a comeback, like Endless Ocean Luminous, and some rereleases of more recent games full of brand new content, like Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance. Battlefront and Monkey Ball are back...

It's time for the mid-generation check-in... already? This week, we look at three big news stories coming out of the major console manufacturers. Xbox is putting some of their games on other platforms, as well as discussing some of their future strategies. Playstation's going a year without their legacy franchises. Nintendo's potentially delaying their Switch successor to 2025. We go in-depth with...

So you wanna be a Foamstar? A turtle? A superhero? Well, get that premium currency ready to go, because things are getting out of hand. This week, we go a little more in-depth with the recent State of Play. Then, we tackle some current goings-on in the game industry, such as the latest in overpriced microtranscations, the good and bad decisions of a few publishers, and a pretty great demo for a ga...

The best of the best. This week, we continue our look at the top 10 games we played last year, with each of our numbers 5 through 1. It's a list that features some of the pinnacle of certain genres or themes, like super hero games or stealth action games. It brings a familiar fighter to the table and a platformer that's not afraid to get weird when it counts. Co-op delights, RPGs-turned-action spe...

The first part of the moment you've been waiting for. This week, we explore five games each that we loved in 2023 - in true Markers on the Map fashion, these games don't necessarily have to come from 2023. In fact, a few of them are quite old. In this week's numbers ten through six, we've got things like a modern kind of FPS game, a really old racer, a remaster so good it could be a remake, robots...

Live from the Icy Mountains, this is the first ever Markers on the Map Top 10 Plays Pre-Show! There's just way too much to talk about from last year, so we've made an entirely separate episode for some interesting categories. So join us for the best news stories, the best DLC, the games that were fun co-op experiences, the funniest games, and even the worst games we played in 2023. We've also got...

What's next - Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Remastered? This week, we're back! We've got some catching up to do with Game Awards news and reveals, GTA6's long-awaited trailer, and the massive, world-changing announcement of a particular remaster. Some things to be on the lookout for - a foray into the world of PC gaming, the potentially imminent unveiling of a new Nintendo console, and a Q1 2024...