EXP Podcast #552: The 2019 Gamey Awards

Expressing my love of the Gameys via interpretive dance

This is it: the moment we've been anticipating and/or dreading all year.  It's the 2019 Gamey awards!  At the end of the year, everyone (including us) starts to get really serious about bestowing accolades, so we think it's fitting to hand out some of the most ridiculous awards we can think up.  Join us in recognizing the essence of what makes video games so great and so silly: the inherent gameyness of it all.

Spoilers for categories, nominees, and winners are at the very bottom of this post for those who want to follow along!

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.



 - Runtime: 1 hr 31 min 56 sec
 - Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #551: State of Play 2019

Birdney Mullen

Small birds, big geese, boyfriends swords, and more this week as we discuss some end-of-the-year news out of Sony's State of Play 2019 and Nintendo's recent indie games showcase. While some of these games are exciting, 2020 remains a big question mark. What does the future hold!?

Well, for one, it holds the annual Gamey Awards! Join us next week when we discuss the gameyist games. If you have a game nominee, send us an email and let us know!

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.



 - Runtime: 38 min 18 sec
 - Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #550: A Decade of Characters

Ah, simpler problems from a simpler decade.

As we continue our headlong sprint towards the decade's end, we pause to recognize some of the memorable characters of the past 10 years.  Using Polygon's list as a starting point, we discuss some standout examples and take stock of where games are in terms of character development.  After all, this might be the last decade where we can safely treat these things as fictional characters rather than sneaky AIs waiting for us to drop our guard long enough for them to launch their conquest of humanity.  You hear that, Shovel Knight?  I'm on to you.

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.



 - Runtime: 44 min 01 sec
- "The 70 best video game characters of the decade," by Polygon Staff, via Polygon
 - Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #549: Sonic, VR, and Tall Grass

War Machine himself, Don Chewtle

It's American Thanksgiving this week, and I know one thing that I'm thankful for: a new version of Sonic that doesn't look like the monkey-kid from Jumanji. This week on the EXP Podcast, we emerge from the uncanny valley unscathed and carrying a VR headset and some pokeballs!

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.



 - Runtime: 36 min 00 sec
 - Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #548: Strands, Gooigi, and Outer Worlds

Stay out of the November Rain, Gooigi.

All the sudden it's November and we find ourselves in the thick of release season.  This week we took a break from delivering packages long enough to do an in-progress check-ins on Luigi's Mansion 3, The Outer Worlds, and Death Stranding.  Now that I think of it, Gooigi seems like the sort of thing that would be right at home in a Kojima game. 

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.



 - Runtime: 42 min 16 sec
 - Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #547 - 21st Century Greats

The best game of the 19th Century

The decade is almost over and we've come a long way since Y2K crashed our computers and sent modern civilization spiralling towards a Mad Max Oblivion. This week on the EXP Pocast, we discuss the games that got us through the last 20 years and why picking our favorite or the most important games of the 21st century is so damn hard.

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.



 - Runtime: 36 min 16 sec
- "The 50 Best Games of the 21st Century," by Keith Stuart and Keza MacDonald, via The Guardian
- Music from the The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening soundtrack

EXP Podcast #546: The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Debrief

Don't call me a funko pop.

Rise and shine, adventurers!  Your dream has come true: a debrief on this year's Link's Awakening remake.  We ask the hard-hitting questions: Who is this game for?  Has Breath of the Wild ruined everything?  Why would a banana man want dog food?  Don't worry about it too much; just enjoy the adorable tilt-shift goodness.


- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.



 - Runtime: 48 min 02 sec
- Music from the The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening soundtrack

EXP Podcast #545: Sayonara Untitled Debrief

Become the Goose!

We are back after a brief work/life-induced hiatus! And we brought an obnoxious feathered friend with us and... uh... also a girl on a motorcycle.

This week on the EXP Podcast, we review Untitled Goose Game and Sayonara Wild Hearts in a double debrief! While very different, both games are well worth your attention. Especially if you're into either A) pop albums or B) being just a total asshole to strangers.


- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.



 - Runtime: 38 min 57 sec
- Music from the Sayonara Wild Hearts OST and Untitled Goose Game Trailer

EXP Podcast #544: Control Debrief

"Mondays, am I right?"

If there is one thing I've learned from years working at a white-collar job, it's to never underestimate the destructive power of a thrown office chair. This week on the EXP Podcast, we toss around all kinds of office equipment using the telekinetic power in Control, the latest game from Remedy Entertainment.

For good and bad, this is an interesting game full of excellent ideas (some of which are readily available online via the SCP Foundation). Give the episode a listen and send us email with your thoughts on the game!


- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.



 - Runtime: 46 min 45 sec
- Music from the Control OST

EXP Podcast #543: Final Fantasy VII Debrief Part 6

"I've been working out Cloud,
 can you tell?

Our six-part Final Fantasy VII debrief comes to a close this week as the dust settles on Sephiroth's reign of terror! We share some potentially controversial opinions on the conclusion to one of the most beloved RPGs of all time, craft some fan fiction of our own, and ponder what the remake holds for players still smitten with FF7 nostalgia.

Playing along? Let us know your thoughts by sending us an email!

Missed a debrief episode? You can find all six episodes HERE.

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.



 - Runtime: 39 min 03 sec
- Intro and fight scene music from the Final Fantasy OST
- Outro from "Black Materia" by Mega Ran

EXP Podcast #542: Hangin' on the Holodeck

Graphics score: 10/10.

Dear listeners, Jorge has reached a critical point in his continuing mission, his trek through the stars if you will: the holodeck.  This seminal piece of science fiction tech was inspired by and in turn has inspired the types of video games we play and how we even conceive of a virtual world.  This week we dig into the concept of the holodeck, something that is simultaneously a blueprint and an source of aspiration for many of the games we play.  Also: Jorge correctly and impressively predicts the holodeck-related plots of many Star Trek episodes that he has yet to watch.

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.



 - Runtime: 39 min 03 sec
- Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #541: Final Fantasy VII Debrief Part 5

Weapon's been working out.

We are back in the cockpit of the Highwind this week in our continuation of our Final Fantasy VII debrief. Our adventure has taken us up to the stars and down to the deep recess of the ocean. Also, we killed a big ol' kaiju.

Missed an episode? Here are Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4. If you're playing along, shoot us an email and let us know your thoughts on your FFVII playthrough!

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

- Runtime: 46 min 38 sec
- Music from the Final Fantasy VII OST

EXP Podcast #540: More Like "Terry Bogus"

A man from a simpler time.

Another month, another Nintendo Direct full of the hottest, most delectable morsels a person could ask for.  Or at least that's the case for fans of Terry Bogard (you weirdos).  This week we offer our takes on all of the recent announcements as well as try our hand at some international cultural analysis by way of region-specific Smash character requests.  Apparently there's a huge diversity of opinion out there, except when it comes to Kingdom Hearts.

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.


- Runtime: 46 min 08 sec
- "Lists of most requested Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC characters by region," by Dylan Tate, via Nintendo Enthusiast
- Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #539: Beats and Bugs

"Right this way to Pathologic 2's difficulty slider."

The fall season of games fast approaches and we've got some fresh (albeit mediocre) beats to discuss. This week on the Podcast, we chat about Remnant, Control, Pathologic 2, Cadence of Hyrule and few other things to come. Got a game you're loving right now? Send us an email and tell us about it!

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

- Runtime: 36 min 43 sec
- Music from the Final Fantasy VII OST

EXP Podcast #538: Final Fantasy VII Debrief Part 4

Weapon makes an attempt at a selfie.

We're back in the saddle...the chocobo saddle!  This week it's part 4 of our Final Fantasy VII debrief.  Things are really heating up at this point what: startling revelations about Cloud's past, honest-to-goodness kaiju, and hidden menu options all make huge impacts.  And speaking of huge, check out this materia!  I mean I've seen big materia before, but this is just huge.

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

- Runtime: 51 min 36 sec
- Music from the Final Fantasy VII OST

EXP Podcast #537: Selling Stadia

Cheesy, but effective?

Google held another big announcement recently revealing some pricing around their games streaming platform and an assortment of games that will appear on the platform when it soft-launches this year and becomes fully available sometime in 2020. Google has lofty ambitions, but does the messaging live up to the dream?

This week on the EXP Podcast, we help sell Stadia to all the boys and girls of the world!

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

- Runtime: 39 min 00 sec
- "Google still has no idea how to pitch Stadia" by Ben Kuchera, via Polygon
- Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #536: Embrace your Dadstiny

Cargo shorts not pictured

Bust out your grill and put some sandals over those socks, Guardian: it's time to build the dad loadout.  This week, we discuss the phenomenon of the "dad build."  It's a concept that has arisen from players pursuing in-game equipment that is useful but also attainable in the hopes that they can stay competitive without having to neglect their real-world responsibilities.

Now, allow me to channel my inner dad and ask you all to just sit and listen to the show quietly.  Don't make me pull this podcast over.

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

- Runtime: 32 min 21 sec
- "The unstoppable rise of the Dad Loadout in Destiny 2," by Tim Clark, via PC Gamer
- Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #535: Mixer Ninjutsu

The happy face of a rich man getting richer

Like his feudal warrior class namesake, Ninja - one of the biggest gaming streamers on the internet - has disappeared and reappeared on a different platform. It seems like a minor thing for a gaming culture celebrity to move from one service to another, but it could be a sign that Microsoft is setting the stage for retaking their place at the forefront of the gaming culture landscape.

 Or maybe Tyler "Ninja" Blevins is so damn he rich he can just do whatever he wants!

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

- Runtime: 34 min 04 sec
- Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #534: The Air Bud Dilemma

This menace must be stopped.

Look out Jigglypuff mains: your precious ledges are being taken away from you!  This week, we talk about an upcoming Smash Bros. tournament with a new rule meant to tamp down defensive play.  It's a small change, but it brings up big questions about esports, tournament rules, overall game balance, and (of course) Air Bud.

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

- Runtime: 37 min 10 sec
- "Jigglypuff’s ledge-grab defense prompts new Smash tournament rule," by  Owen S. Good, via Polygon
- Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #533: Super Mario Maker 2 Debrief

Not even close to Kaizo

This week on the EXP Podcast, we duck, dive, and dodge our way through the endless levels available in Super Mario Maker 2. We are both big fans of the first game on this show and we're thrilled not just to talk about the new features and experiences available in the latest game - but to invite you to try our levels as well!

Find Scott's levels Mario Maker code SWD-HY5-1HG and my levels at JH4-TKG-DRG. If you've got some levels to try, send us an email!

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

- Runtime: 42 min 34 sec
- "The 10 Best Summer Video Games, Ranked," by Dom Nero and Cameron Sherrill, via Esquire
- Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #532: Summer Gaming 2019

Sun's out?  Guns out!

The sun is shining, the fireworks are popping, and I'm desperately trying to avoid the genetically engineered ultra-mosquitos released by one of the many tech CEOs/super-villains that live on the west coast.  That's right, it's summer and with it comes a specific set of games that just feel right during those long warm days.  Seasonal gaming is a topic we've covered before, but this time to dissect a recent Esquire list and revisit some of our historical summertime picks.

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

- Runtime: 32 min 55 sec
- "The 10 Best Summer Video Games, Ranked," by Dom Nero and Cameron Sherrill, via Esquire
- Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #531: Final Fantasy VII Debrief Part 3

What!? Who saw this coming!?

From the red stone bluffs of Cosmo Canyon to the strange "underwater" ruins of the Forgotten City, we continue our journey through Final Fantasy VII in Part 3 of our ongoing debrief. This week we experience one of, if not the, most important deaths in video game history. But is it how we remembered?

If you want to catch up on our debrief, you can find Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

- Runtime: 52 min 15 sec
- Music from Final Fantasy VII OST
- Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #530: The Live Game Long View

The Gears crew launches the war on micro-transactions

It wasn't so long ago that we were seriously questioning the future of the single player game.  "All those multiplayer live games are taking our precious single player games!" we wailed.  Fast forward  a couple years and single player, predominantly story-based games are thriving on both the indie and big publisher sides of spectrum.  But, as Daniel Friedman points out, games like Anthem, Destiny, and Apex Legends are struggling to keep the pace and find the space needed to compete against the Fortnite juggernaut.  Take a break from grinding through your battle pass and take a listen!

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

- Runtime: 34 min 04 sec
- "No Gear Packs, no season pass for Gears 5," by Owen S. Good, via Polygon
- "Single-player games might be safer bets than live games in 2019," by Daniel Friedman, via Polygon
- Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #529: E3 2019 Debrief

I'd be spooked too!

The yearly gaming extravaganza of E3 has come and gone! But was it really that extravagant? With EA, Activision, Sony, and Microsoft all absent from the show floor, we had a lot more space to sit on couches and think about the handful of 2019 games that we're excited to see. Join and let us know what games you were excited by (or disappointed by) from E3 this year!

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

- Runtime: 53 min 51 sec
- Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #528: A Swarm of Games

I told you to take that cheese out of your pocket.

This week we make use of the calm before the E3 storm to check in on some of the games we've been playing.  Space-faring AI, paper craft dinosaurs, samurais, t-blocks, and a whole shit ton of rats all make an appearance.  It's been a pleasantly surprising year so far and we're not even halfway done.

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

- Runtime: 45 min 25 sec
- Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #527: Playdate Debate

You had me at "crank"

The hottest next-gen console is here. It's small, yellow, and has a crank.

This week on the EXP Podcast, we discuss the strange little gaming console called the Playdate, a tinny little console that will launch with 12 games by some indie gaming luminaries. It's a boutique item for a niche audience, but is it right for us? And would we really want to shell out $150 just to get one?

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

- Runtime: 37 min 50 sec
- "The dangers of in-game data collection," by Patrick Stafford via Polygon
- Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #526: Data Deep Dive

Now here's a guy who gets data.

Your favorite game is more than likely watching and reporting on everything you do, but is that a problem?  I guess it depends on how much of a pro you are when it comes to pulling off 360 no-scopes and how strongly you feel about being identified as someone who likes to "do the Dew."  This week we explore the murky world of data mining and in-game telemetry.  It's a largely invisible part of our games that has quietly become ubiquitous, so Jorge and I try to confuse our algorithm overlords by shining a light on them.

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

- Runtime: 37 min 50 sec
- "The dangers of in-game data collection," by Patrick Stafford via Polygon
- Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #525: Final Fantasy VII Debrief Part 2

Time to hit that buffet!

It's time to win big $$$ at the Golden Saucer this week folks! This week on the EXP Podcast, we continue our ongoing debrief of Final Fantasy VI, catching up with heroes as they flee Midgar in pursuit of Sephiroth. If you're playing along, this episode ends once we wrap up all the events at the coolest casino in video games.

If you missed our first debrief, you can catch up here. On the next Final Fantasy VII debrief, we say goodbye... to ar... well, you know.

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

- Runtime: 51 min 58 sec
- Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #524: Analyzing the Sonic Index

Sonic's reaction to the Index's price.

This week we dig into two recent news stories: The Valve Index VR system and the Sonic movie.  While I'm a bit skeptical of each one in isolation, I just realized that combining the two would be a transcendent experience.  Or one that might make you violently ill.  I guess those things aren't mutually exclusive...

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

- Runtime: 42 min 01 sec
- Music by Brad Sucks