Video Games 2 the MAX

This was a week of anticipation for the industry focused more so looking forward to two major games that are coming in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and the Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. Not to mention, Nintendo finally dropped that Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase as well. Sean and Marc discuss all of these things, how reviews are shaping up for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, thoughts on t...

Randy Isbelle joins Sean and Marc on this week's big episode, as Microsoft had its business update and wound up announcing four games will be coming to other console platforms. And while they did not announce which ones they are, reports are already out there that namedrop Hi-Fi Rush, Sea of Thieves, Grounded, and Pentiment as the four coming over. There's also new console hardware being worked on...

This week has been a whirlwind of rumors, speculation, and reports centered around Microsoft's possible direction for the future of Xbox as a brand, as a console, and what that means for the gaming world in general. Gaming social media imploded so crazily that Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer had to reveal a business summit is occurring next week that will cover this. Sean and Marc discuss this p...

This week, Sony graced us all with a rather lengthy PlayStation State of Play showing off the promised games such as Stellar Blade and Rise of the Ronin, but also delivering a few surprises such as an almost 10-minute look at Death Stranding 2 among other announcements. Sean and Marc give their thoughts on the State of Play and if they are more hyped about anything that was shown than they were pr...

In a total shocker, the first big move from Microsoft acquiring Activision-Blizzard-King becomes 1,900 employees being laid off. Many of them involved Activision-Blizzard employees and also Xbox employees leading to a 9% cut in Xbox's total gaming division among all of their studios. They also canceled the Blizzard survival game, "Odyssey" due to the engine being used to make the game being far aw...

This week it feels like 2024 in gaming has begun in earnest with Microsoft's Xbox Developer Direct 2024 where they showed off Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, Avowed, Ara: History Untold, and the first look at the Machine Games Indiana Jones. Sean and Marc have their reactions primed and ready on the showcase itself, what they think of each game, if the surprise of Visions of Mana is a big deal or not,...

The new January 2024 game releases are nearly upon us, as this week, not one, but two demos dropped for major games releasing this month. Sean and Marc have played Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and Granblue Fantasy Relink. How do they stack up? Did they get them even more excited for their perspective releases? You'll want to tune in for this. Also, Xbox announced their now yearly Developer Dir...

On this episode of Video Games 2 the MAX, Sean, Marc, and Randy take a look ahead at what's coming in 2024. Each of the guys give out their Top 10 Most Anticipated Games, some honorable mentions, and perhaps some predictions for the year as well. Everyone has games they are excited about. Let us know which ones you are most looking forward to as well. Could the new Switch successor finally be comi...

On this edition of Video Games 2 the MAX, we bid farewell to 2023 by looking back at the year that was and also giving out as has become tradition, our 25 Best Games of 2023, which means you'll get our Game of the Year on this episode. Sean, Marc, and a surprise appearance mid-show by Randy Isbelle discuss the list from Game #, 25 all the way to Game # 1, as well as some of the big news stories of...

After an unintended week off due to Sean having an internet outage on the day of recording last week, Video Games 2 the MAX returns in a very hectic week in gaming. Between last week and this week, more information has put into question the sustainability of AAA gaming with budgets ballooning, the increased amount of layoffs in 2023, and if games still don't cost enough to offset all of this. Is t...

What a week it has been for the industry as the Game Awards 2023 has wrapped up, Grand Theft Auto VI had its trailer revealed a little early, and Day of the Devs happened too. Sean and Marc have a full discussion on Game Awards 2023, the announcements, and if there can be any changes made after the appalling way award winners were treated during their speeches on a "night that's meant to celebrate...

Although the game releases are winding down for the year, Video Games 2 the MAX is still going strong, as Sean and Marc have plenty to talk about on this episode. Microsoft CFO Tim Stuart caused a stir during an interview by mentioning that they want Xbox games on any screen where gaming exists, even if it means Nintendo and PlayStation. Should Xbox gamers be concerned? Or is this just more inform...

Hopefully, everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Sean is full and now refreshed after a long turkey-filled slumber to bring you another Video Games 2 the MAX. Marc joins Sean this week and there are quite a few games to discuss with Marc playing Armored Core 6 and Hogwarts Legacy. Also, he's beaten Final Fantasy XVI and Remnant 2 as well. Sean also has early impressions of the indie title In Stars An...

On this week’s Video Games 2 the MAX its the final big release window of the year and Sean is discussing both Super Mario RPG Remake and Persona 5 Tactica with early impressions of both titles. Randy Isbelle also joins Sean once again for this episode and he’s been playing some games too. So he’ll have thoughts on the indie darling Cocoon, as well as some of the big recently released games Marvel’...

On this week’s Video Games 2 the MAX, there’s a little bit of everything to discuss from new games to a big movie announcement, and more! On the gaming front, Sean’s been playing the newly released Like A Dragon: Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, is this shorter version of the Like A Dragon (formerly Yakuza) games worth checking out? Sean gives his thoughts on his early impressions, how fun the...

It is now November! Crazy how fast the year goes, but don’t worry Sean and Marc are here with another Video Games 2 the MAX. Sean’s been playing a slew of indie titles that have hit Xbox Game Pass in Thirsty Suitors, Headbangers: Rhythm Royale, and the climbing game, Jusant as well. Not to mention, he’s now reached the Alan Wake portion of Alan Wake 2. Marc's been playing a bunch of Remnant 2 and...

On this episode of Video Games 2 the MAX, Sean is joined by Marc again after he missed the last three weeks. Sean's been playing the newly released Alan Wake II and has some early impressions of the game (Spoiler Free), also, he has thoughts on the new character Saga, if the game reaches the heights of Survival Horror, and how her gameplay differs from Alan's. Sean also has more thoughts on Super...

One of the biggest release weeks of the entire year is upon us, as Nintendo’s main man, Mario, releases his first 2D title in more than a decade with Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Sean’s been playing it and has plenty of first impressions of the Flower Kingdom, the elephant powers, the cool moments with the Wonder effects, and more! But that’s not all as Randy Isbelle joins Sean again this week and he...

Well, it is finally done. Microsoft has completed the 68.7 Billion dollar purchase of Activision-Blizzard King, trailers exist, statements have been made, and we now even know that ABK CEO Bobby Kotick is only sticking around until the end of 2023 as well. So what's next? Randy Isbelle once again joins Sean to discuss that very thing, what they'd like to see occur with some game franchises from th...

On this week's Video Games 2 the MAX, Sean is joined by a longtime friend of the show and host of the R & R Sports Report and Chapter Select, Randy Isbelle, as the guys discuss some fun things such as their time with Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis and Sea of Stars, and what they enjoy about the two games, plus also moving on to talking about Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, how to pronounce Cait Sith...

On this week's Video Games 2 the MAX, Sean and Marc discuss the end of an era at PlayStation, as SIE President and CEO announced that he is retiring. We examine his time with the company, what it means for Sony going forward, and if we could see them perhaps take a more consumer-friendly approach with the next SIE CEO. Sean's also been playing the newly released EA Sports FC 24. Does changing the...

This episode of Video Games 2 the MAX is well, a lot, specifically for Microsoft as someone accidentally uploaded documents from their trial against the FTC, and then the court uploaded them to their website, which made a large amount of information regarding mid-gen consoles, the next Xbox console, a new controller, a list of upcoming Bethesda games, and more available to the public. The guys go...

On this episode of Video Games 2 the MAX, Sean, and Marc discuss Sea of Stars and Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, among some other games. Also, a huge surprise from Unity has game developers in a major outcry over the game engine pursuing charging fees if a game hits over a certain number of installs. And even though Unity has now backtracked on some of the initial wording and clarified som...

Sean and Marc are back to discuss what's been happening in gaming and happy Starfield release day to all who have been waiting for it! Sean meant to play some prior to the podcast, but couldn't wake up early enough before recording. But the guys do go over Review Round-Up what some critics, friends, and others have been saying about it. Also, Sean, the resident One Piece fan did watch the Netflix...

This was originally recorded on Tuesday August 29 * Apologies it is just now getting posted. Sean and Marc are back again to discuss several things going on in gaming. Firstly, Sean's been playing the newly released Turn-based JRPG Sea of Stars, is all of the hype justified? Could it really be a GOTY contender? Also, Marc's been playing another type of RPG, Strangers of Paradise: Final Fantasy Ori...