EXP Podcast #583: Ghosts of Tsushima First Impressions

"Alas, poor Yuriko."

We're back in Japan this week with nothing but a horse and a samurai sword to our names. It's time for the much-anticipated Ghosts of Tsushima. This is a dense game that opens up quickly and offers a lot to discuss, so we are sharing our first thoughts on the game before we get too heavy into spoiler territory.

If you've got thoughts to share or just some tips about how to wield a sword, 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.



 Show Notes:

- Runtime: 39 min 22 sec

- Music from the Ghosts of Tsushima OST

EXP Podcast #582: Review Bombs Away

Action shot of a real review bomber

Duck and cover everybody: it's time to talk about video game reviews.  Reactionary hot takes have been around forever, but the concept of "review bombing" is a special, terrible twist on the all-too-common public vitriol towards a video game that dares do anything other than pander directly to the most vocal fanatics.  Metacritic (no stranger to controversy itself) recently introduced a short post-release moratorium on user reviews in an effort to blunt review bombing.  But will it work and what's truly at play here.  This week we put on our flak jackets and try to find out.

- 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.



 Show Notes:

- "Metacritic delays user reviews to ensure players "have time to play" before submitting their opinions," by Vikki Blake, via Eurogamer

- "Metacritic has a review bombing problem. Here are 6 ways to fix it," by Jen Glennon, via Inverse

- Runtime: 42 min 11 sec
- Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #581: Final Fantasy VII Remake Debrief

"What have I done?"

They did it. They did the impossible. The remade Final Fantasy VII. This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I follow up on our six-part FF7 review with a thorough review of the Final Fantasy VII Remake - which includes some HUGE surprises. If you were doubtful about this game like we were, definitely give this episode 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.



 Show Notes:


- Runtime: 1 hr 03 min 53 sec
- Music from Final Fantasy VII Remake original soundtrack
- Listen to our original Final Fantasy VII Debrief here.

EXP Podcast #580: The Last of Us Part II Debrief

Who knew so many guitars would survive the apocalypse?

Grab a brick and sharpen your shivs: This week, we do an in-depth debrief on The Last of us Part II.  It's strikes both of us as a bit odd that a game could simultaneously be so popular and so divisive, but at least it makes for some lively conversation.  As is always the case, we start off with general thoughts and purely mechanical analysis, but be warned that the back half of this show is all about the story in all it's violent detail.  Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go barricade my door and practice my guitar in preparation for society's collapse.

- 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.



 Show Notes:


- Runtime: 1 hr 00 min 36 sec
- Music from The Last of Us Part II original soundtrack

EXP Podcast #579: Destination Creation

"What do I put the snack compartment?"

What makes "Making" good? This week on the EXP Podcast, inspired by a Kotaku article by Ian Walker, we discuss the act of creation, what makes destruction is so easy and satisfying, and how we might elevate otherwise tedious in-game acts. We also chat a little about The Last of Us 2, a game all about destroying - both yourself and others.

- 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.



 Show Notes:

- "Games Should Make Creating Just As Satisfying As Destroying," by Ian Walker via Kotaku
- Runtime: 35min 25 sec
- Music by Brad Sucks