Swapping Joysticks

Ep 108: Ed wrote the Eurogamer Lords of the Fallen review and extensively shares his reasoning behind the score, as well as diving into what went right for it, and what didn't. We also compare it to the superior Lies of P, Elden Ring and Dark Souls. Ed's also in love with Cocoon and hopes Ben perseveres with it. Plus, we chat about what you've been playing, and the latest in gaming and streaming n...

Ep 107: Devora Wilde and Jennifer English, the voice actors behind Baldur's Gate 3's Lae'Zel and Shadowheart join us for an extra special chat about voice acting, representation in games, working through lockdown, and even a bit of Kylie.   ▼ Devora Wilde's links ▼ ● Follow on Twitter - https://twitter.com/Devora_Wilde ● Follow on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/devorawilde/   ▼ Jennifer Eng...

Ep 106: Ed's able to talk about his hands-on with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and has a lot to say about it. We've also both played Lies of P and Party Animals, and have been frustrated by them in different ways. We also discuss the latest Kick / Ice Poseidon drama.   Plus, we chat about the latest in gaming and streaming news!   00:00:00 - Intro 00:10:34 - Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Hands-on! 00:21:57...

Ep 105: We've been playing a bunch of games this week - Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis, Marvel SNAP, Animal Crossing Pocket Camp, Baldur's Gate 3, Party Animals, F Zero 99...and we've also had a Nintendo Direct AND a Playstation Showcase. What a week! Also, we chat about what you've been playing, and the latest in gaming and streaming news! 00:00:00 - Intro 00:08:00 - Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis 00...

Ep 104: Ben's finished Starfield and has found it tough to enjoy when it comes to exploration. The main mission and city exploration are a different story, however. Also, Ed's finished Sea of Stars, and has had his previous doubts about the game quashed. He's also been getting terrified in Pikmin too! Also, what you've been playing, and the latest in gaming and streaming news! 00:00:00 - Intro 00:...

It's a big topic for a bite-sized podcast but let's chat difficulty in video games. Seems impossible to squeeze into 30 minutes but we'll try! Join us for Inbox, our weekly Q&A podcast where we discuss a different topic each week and answer your Qs from the Discord.  

Ep 103: We wanted this to be a little shorter, but were unsuccessful. Turn out there's a lot to talk about when you've just started playing 3 new games. We chat a lot about Starfield, Sea of Stars, and Armored Core 6. Also, what you've been playing, and the latest in gaming and streaming news! 00:00:00 - Intro 00:05:10 - Starfield 00:48:30 - Sea of Stars 01:00:08 - Armored Core 6 01:14:43 - What y...

It's a new format for Inbox and we're talking all about cons! Our favourite ones, tips for new con goers, and our worst experiences with con food!

Ep 102: It’s our bumper Gamescom special! Ben and Ed spent last week in Cologne for Gamescom and got to try out a bunch of games, and chat to some incredible people in the industry. Check out the list below to see all the games we discuss, plus our eventful trips there and back, and checking out the Cologne nightlife! 00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:18 - Gamescom 00:16:43 - Black Myth: Wukong 00:36:50 - Th...

Ep 101: It's Ed's birthday week and we've been to the theatre as well as the cinema seeing Cabaret and Barbie, respectively. One was amazing, the other more mixed. You can probably guess who enjoyed it more. Ben explains why he's finally deleted Marvel Snap from his phone, and what his new obsession is, and Ed's finally getting back into TotK, despite having a very grumpy 24hrs thanks to one shrin...

Ep 100: It's a very special milestone and we've got a bumper show for you. We've seen Oppenheimer and Red, White & Royal Blue, and have some strong opinions on both. We've also been playing some video games! Ed's been playing Kena: Bridge of Spirits, Baldur's Gate 3, and Stray Gods, while Ben's been obsessed with Pikmin 4. All this, plus what you've been playing, some very special Swapping Joy...

Ep 99: Like everyone else, we're both knee deep into Baldur's Gate 3 and have some very early impressions on this D&D masterpiece. We've also seen the new Gran Turismo movie and been to a Final Fantasy themed drag night. Quite the different evenings... All this plus the games you've been playing and the latest in gaming news.

Ep 98: It's a very special podcast as Ed is freshly back from Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival 2023 in Las Vegas and has had a fantastic time. Find out what he got up to, how the festival was, the people there, and also his thoughts on Vegas as a host city. What we've been playing and the latest gaming news will be back next week!

Ep 97: We're a little tender after a night out partying, but we still manage discuss No Man's Sky, Diablo IV, and Divinity: Original Sin 2! Also, Ed reveals he's going to Las Vegas next week for FFXIV Fanfest and we get attacked by a moth!   All this plus the games you've been playing, the latest in gaming news, and a whole dollop of everything else.

Your weekly bite-sized podcast where we answer any Qs you might have. This week:  The last few years have seen us finally get openly queer characters in mainstream games. Which historical gaming characters do you think would be LGBTQ+ if their games were released today? Did you see a cream pie at the theatre on Tuesday evening, Ed? Which thirsty tweets were too filthy for Ben Starr to read? Submit...

Ep 96: We've been to TwitchCon Paris and Develop: Brighton and it's time for a debrief. We chat about everything that went down there and what we've been playing over the past two weeks. Ed's got the FFXVI platinum and is now hate-playing through Diablo IV, while Ben is obsessed with his diving/sushi management indie game, Dave The Diver.   All this plus the games you've been playing, the latest i...

Your weekly bite-sized podcast where we answer any Qs you might have. This week:  Some pundits might say games in recent years have gotten more graphically violent - Callisto Protocol with its DLC of 52 additional death animations, the recently released Outlast Trials where you nail a naked man to a cross and then proceed to saw off his legs in real time . Do you see that as more gratuitous violen...

Ep 95: In this extra-special episode of Swapping Joysticks, we have an in-depth chat with Ben Starr, voice of Final Fantasy 16's Clive Rosfield. Join us as we dive into the world of voice acting and unravel the secrets behind bringing Clive to life. Also, prepare yourself for platinum trophy hunting, thirsty tweets, and a Final Fantasy Quiz!   ▼ Ben Starr's links ▼ ● Follow on Twitter - http://twi...

Ep 94: It's the first episode since Ben's birthday and we've got a LOT of Final Fantasy to talk about. We've both been playing more, with Ed playing through New Game+ and Ben preparing our Swapping Joysticks review. Ben's also been playing more F1 23 and we have a lot of announcements, including news about a very special episode later this week. All this plus the games you've been playing, the lat...

Ep 93: We've both finished Final Fantasy 16 and have our spoiler-free impressions. We chat about what we love, don't love, and opinion on everything else. Ben's also been playing some F1 23 and is completely obsessed with the story mode, Braking Point. Plus, we chat about this week's news and what you've been playing!

Ep 92: The Final Fantasy XVI demo is out and we're not the only people blown away - the number of people who've never played one before and bought it after playing the demo is astronomical. Also, Ed's finished Final Fantasy XIV Shadowbringers, Ben's got into Sea of Thieves, and we've both fallen off the Diablo wagon! Plus, we chat about the Summer Games Fest and Xbox Showcase, as well as what you'...

Your weekly bite-sized podcast where we answer any Qs you might have. This week:  You’re settling in for a weekend of uninterrupted gaming. Do you want to replay an old favourite, start a new game in a known franchise, or start an entirely new game? If you could have any game remastered for PC/Current gen, what game would it be and why. Also where do you go for gaming news? Websites/social media o...

Ep 91: We and everyone else in the world have been obsessed with Diablo IV over the past week and we're loving it, despite its missing humour. Ed's also been really enjoying Street Fighter 6 too - what a time for games! Plus, we chat about the Summer Games Fest, as well as what you've been playing!

Ep 90: Bobby Kotick, Beyoncé, Planet of Lana and Final Fantasy XIV patch quests. We really do talk about everything on this podcast. Plus, all the latest gaming news & views, as well as what you've been playing!

Ep 89: We've watched the PlayStation Showcase and were left a little empty... We definitely had our favourites, but where were all the Sony exclusives? Also, Ed can finally talk about his preview of Final Fantasy 16 and give his honest opinion on what could be the best game out this year. That said, we've both been playing a lot of Tears of the Kingdom. Plus, all the latest gaming news & views, as...