Episode 164

In the midst of the summer games frenzy, Xbox delivers what could be their most impressive showcase ever. Today, we discuss this historic Xbox showcase and all of the games that were shown. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Enshrouded, Alan Wake 2: Night Springs). This episode was recorded in June 2024. Royalty free music from BenSound.

Questions or comments? Check us out on Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter at @PodcastGametalk
Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:
0:00 - Overall Impressions of The Xbox Showcase
3:46 - Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Doom: The Dark Ages
12:52 - State of Decay 3, Dragon Age: The The Veilguard
23:09 - Starfield: Shattered Space, Fallout 76: Skyline Valley, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
30:20 - South of Midnight, World of Warcraft: The War Within
35:02 - Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater, Sea of Thieves, Flintock: The Siege of Dawn, Age of Mythology: Retold
40:07 - Perfect Dark, Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred, Fable
48:13 - Fragpunk, Winter Burrow, Mixtape, Microsoft Flight Simulator
52:25 - Life is Strange: Double Exposure, Indiana Jones and The Great Circle
59:41 - Mecha Break, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, Avowed, Atomfall, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
1:05:26 - Gears of War: E-Day and Final Thoughts on Xbox
1:11:24 - Enshrouded
1:16:19 - Alan Wake 2: Night Springs

The Exceptional Xbox Showcase

Episode 192
2024 has been a year of killer releases, big and small. Today, we pit Gametalk's 16 favorite games of 2024 against each other in a tournament face-off to determine our Game of the Year 2024. If you want to follow along, check out the bracket here: https://imgur.com/a/jkXqwUg. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Warframe: 1999, Cyberpunk 2077, Helldivers 2, Project Wingman: Frontline 59, Marvel Rivals). This episode was recorded in December 2024. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase (dylan.robert.chase@gmail.com).
Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter at @PodcastGametalk
Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps: 
0:00 - Opening Banter
4:07 - Top 16
25:57 - Quarterfinals
39:10 - Semifinals
50:14 - Finals and Gametalk's Game of the Year 2024
1:00:31 - Warframe: 1999
1:05:36 - Cyberpunk 2077
1:15:05 - Helldivers 2
1:19:08 - Project Wingman: Frontline 59
1:24:11 - Marvel Rivals

Game Of The Year 2024

Episode 193
Happy New Year! 2025 is here, and there is already talk about next-generation gaming hardware. Whether it's NVIDIA's reveal of the upcoming 50-series graphics cards, leaked pictures of Nintendo Switch 2 hardware, or pie-in-the-sky rumors of an early next gen Xbox, there's some next generation news or rumors for just about everyone! As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (God of War Ragnarök, Bioshock, Murky Divers). This episode was recorded in January 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase (dylan.robert.chase@gmail.com).
Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter at @PodcastGametalk
Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn


Timestamps:
0:00 - Opening Banter
2:53 - Nintendo Switch 2 Leaks
11:42 - AMD's RDNA4 GPU Announcement
15:02 - NVIDIA Reveals The 50-Series Graphics Cards
37:27 - Early Next-Gen Xbox Rumors and TV Discussion
48:32 - Connor Upgrades His Audio Setup
54:01 - God of War Ragnarök
1:10:27 - Bioshock
1:20:31 - Murky Divers

Next-Gen Glimpses

Episode 194
2025 is looking to be a monumental year in gaming! Beyond the obvious topics like the imminent Nintendo Switch 2 and GTA VI, we discuss how the industry is rapidly changing, with exclusive games becoming less financially viable and AI becoming more relevant than ever in game development. AI and cloud technology continues to improve, and we predict how these technologies might shape the industry in 2025 and beyond. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (God of War Ragnarök, Pokémon Yellow, Marvel Rivals, Dead Cells, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle). This episode was recorded in January 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase (dylan.robert.chase@gmail.com).
Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter at @PodcastGametalk
Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:
0:00 - Opening Banter
3:22 - The State of Nintendo in Early 2025
15:08 - The State of PlayStation in Early 2025
20:16 - Cloud Gaming Continues to Improve
27:47 - AI in Gaming in 2025
42:03 - The State of Xbox in Early 2025
50:30 - GTA VI, Ubisoft, and Other Predictions
1:03:35 - God of War Ragnarök
1:17:44 - Pokémon Yellow
1:21:36 - Marvel Rivals
1:30:23 - Dead Cells
1:38:11 - Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Breaking Boundaries - The State Of Gaming In Early 2025

Episode 195
After literal years of rumors, leaks, and speculation, Nintendo has finally announced the Nintendo Switch 2! Though it was an extremely brief first look, we discuss what was shown and speculate on some of the launch window games and unannounced features. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Dead Cells, Marvel Rivals, Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero). This episode was recorded in January 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase (dylan.robert.chase@gmail.com).
Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter at @PodcastGametalk
Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps: 
0:00 - Opening Banter
2:11 - Nintendo Switch 2 Reveal Reactions
19:53 - Switch 2 Launch Window Speculation
52:29 - Dead Cells
55:51 - Marvel Rivals
1:07:37 - Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero

Nintendo Switch 2

Episode 196
Two more live-service games have been cancelled at Sony - a God of War live-service game developed by Bluepoint and an unannounced live-service game by Bend Studio. After the disastrous Concord and myriad other failed live-service projects like The Last of Us and Spider-Man, we have to ask: what on Earth is happening at Sony? Today, we take a look at PlayStation's failed pivot into live-service and what it may be costing them. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Vintage Story, Dead Cells, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate). This episode was recorded in January 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase (dylan.robert.chase@gmail.com).
Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter at @PodcastGametalk
Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn


Timestamps:
0:00 - Opening Banter
7:30 - Bend And Bluepoint's Cancelled Live Service Games
16:33 - PlayStation First Party Audit
44:52 - PS5's Live-Service vs Traditional Games
59:05 - Vintage Story
1:08:24 - Dead Cells
1:11:19 - Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate

PlayStation's Live-Service Pitfalls

Episode 197
Though dedicated handheld consoles are becoming a relic of a bygone era, today we take a nostalgia-fueled look back at our favorite handhelds and handheld games. We also discuss retro emulation hardware and how these consoles are keeping the dedicated handheld dream alive. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, Marvel's Spider-Man 2). This episode was recorded in February 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase (dylan.robert.chase@gmail.com).
Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter at @PodcastGametalk
Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:
0:00 - Opening Banter
4:28 - Game Boy / Color
15:49 - Game Boy Advance / SP
27:18 - PlayStation Portable 
33:19 - Nintendo DS / Lite
44:41 - Nintendo 3DS / New 3DS
55:37 - PlayStation Vita
1:05:20 - Retro Handhelds
1:12:53 - Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
1:20:54 - Marvel's Spider-Man 2

Handheld Highlights

Episode 198
Paid early access is becoming more commonplace in the games industry. Game development costs are skyrocketing and publishers are more eager than ever to employ unsavory monetization strategies. How do the three of us feel about paid early access, and what games have got us to opt-in early? Where do we see this paid early access trend going in the future? How do we feel about Civilization VII? We answer all of these burning questions on today's show! As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Civilization VII, Vintage Story, Monster Hunter Wilds Beta, Severed Steel, Psychonauts 2). This episode was recorded in February 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase (dylan.robert.chase@gmail.com).
Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and Bluesky at @PodcastGametalk
Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:
0:00 - Opening Banter
3:35 - Thoughts On Paid Early Access
25:44 - Civilization VII
54:44 - Vintage Story
1:00:40 - Monster Hunter Wilds (Beta)
1:07:14 - Severed Steel
1:10:30 - Psychonauts 2

Paid Early Access And Civilization VII

Episode 199
PlayStation tipped their hand for early-mid 2025 with their latest State of Play, and contrary to the prevailing opinion online, we thought what they had to show was quite good! We talk through all the games that were shown, including the exciting new first party game from Housemarque, Saros. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Civilization VII, Dead By Daylight, Palworld). This episode was recorded in February 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase (dylan.robert.chase@gmail.com).
Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and Bluesky at @PodcastGametalk
Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:
0:00 - Opening Banter
2:20 - Monster Hunter Wilds, SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance, Sonic Racing CrossWorlds
11:38 - Digimon Story Time Stranger, Lost Soul Aside, Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
20:34 - Dave The Diver, Splitgate 2, Borderlands 4, Split Fiction
31:31 - Directive 8020, Five Nights At Freddy's, The Midnight Walk, Onimusha
41:07 - Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Lies of P: Overture, Dream of Another, Days Gone
48:34 - Days Gone, Abiotic Factor, Tides of Annihilation, Metal Eden, MindsEye
57:27 - Saros
1:04:12 - Civilization VII
1:10:26 - Dead By Daylight
1:15:58 - Palworld

Sony's Strong State of Play

Episode 201
One of our most anticipated games of the year, Monster Hunter Wilds, is finally out! This week, we all give our impressions after having poured many hours into the game. We cover everything from our favorite weapons, to the new monsters, to the various performance issues at launch, and much more! This episode was recorded in March 2025. Intro and outro music is owned by Capcom Co. and composed by Miwako Chinone.
Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:
0:00 - Opening Banter
4:45 - Commenting on Performance
10:16 - Monster Hunter Wilds Impressions


Monster Hunter Wilds - Capcom's Colossal Classic

Episode 202
The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 are out, and they have more than delivered! With an extremely impressive showing for FSR 4 and confirmation of console integration with PS5 Pro next year, RDNA4 is presenting itself as a strong mid-range alternative to NVIDIA. Today, we give our latest thoughts on AMD's GPU offerings and how they compared to NVIDIA. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Monster Hunter Wilds, Split Fiction, Avowed). This episode was recorded in March 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase (dylan.robert.chase@gmail.com).
Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and Bluesky at @PodcastGametalk
Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:
0:00 - Opening Banter
3:30 - AMD RX 9070 XT and FSR 4
16:06 - FSR 4 Coming To PS5 Pro
24:34 - AMD vs NVIDIA
35:49 - Monster Hunter Wilds
55:36 - Split Fiction
1:07:14 - Avowed

AMD Advancing

Gametalk is a podcast discussing games and the gaming industry. New episodes are uploaded Wednesdays on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast services.

The Exceptional Xbox Showcase

Gametalk

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