It’s been a year since our first episode, but the internet’s biggest retrospective series, Backtrack, is back! And this week: we’re deep-diving on Final Fantasy XIII. 

In a summer where Baldur’s Gate 3 and other bigger releases are happening: why are we talking about one of the most divisive Final Fantasy entries, you ask? Because we had the itch for more Final Fantasy after FFXVI, and well, because we’re sick, of course.

Released in North America in 2010 on the PS3 and Xbox, FFXIII split the fandom and had us asking pivotal questions: Why is it so linear? What the hell is a L’cie? What accent is Vanille using? Is this the death nail for Square?

It’s a confusing and fascinating game of terrible lows, bad story beats and character work, but it also holds many things worth praising: cutting edge graphics, the music, and new turn-based combat elements with the stagger and Paradigm systems. (We’re a big fan of gameplay here at the Save Room and the Paradigm system had its hooks in us). 

The game spawned two sequels and the stagger-based combat system has been a franchise staple since so even with the negativity around it, it’s impact has been lasting. While it’s nowhere near our favorite entry we still find a lot to love and talk about and made it our focus to subject you, the listener, to it. Enjoy!

Daniel Ezzo's Album

Backtrack: Final Fantasy XIII

Stream or Purchase this song here:
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2m65f7sj
Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/kamnknd3

This is my licensed cinematic cover of the save room music (set you at ease) from DINO CRISIS originally composed by the Capcom Sound Team.

Set You At Ease

Dino Crisis - Save Room / Set You At Ease (cinematic orchestral version)

It's the big Starfield episode! That's right, Spacers, this week we're giving our 20 hours-in impressions of Todd Howard's greatest vision (well, sort of) and talking the many lows and middling highs we've had with it so far. And because we can't just talk about one game - we also deep dive on some games we actually love: Sea of Stars, Mortal Kombat 1, and Armored Core 6.

But before the gaming feast - we run down the September 13th Nintendo Direct (not sure why we continue to cover these), Sony's State of Play (goddam that was some good stuff), and the big Unity controversial (woof!).

Enjoy!

Episode 134: No Todd’s Sky

safe

Save Room Reviews: Marvel's Spider-Man 2

stranded

Save Room Reviews: Alan Wake 2

Lyrics:
Pacing and patient seeking out some peace
For a place that's safe and that can keep me out the streets
The one that make em grumble in the belly of the beast
Now I need a safe room because these dogs are off the leash

Pacing and patient seeking out some peace
For a place that's safe and that can keep me out the streets
The one that make em grumble in the belly of the beast
Now I need a safe room because these dogs are off the leash

Team getting chased we take cover in the mansion
Into the unknown there's no way you gonna plan this
And through investigation, we got separated 
Found the missin S.T.A.R.S members but damn his flesh was aten
How can I explain this when there's no communication
With the outside world but yo there's no hesitating
I keep some green herbs for when I feel damaged n
I got these rappers pressed turn em to some Jill sandwhich's
They getting lifted even when they looking dead still
Dripping like Chris is how I left em in a red field
Should be jailed the way that they steal bars
And the industry like nemesis just tryna kill S.T.A.R.S
For real par tryna keep the peeps blinded
The way I'm going viral kind of like the T-Virus
Even though sometimes things for sure to get scary
The haters, they known to be a Burton like Barry
Corridors, they just seem like they closing in
And all the ammo getting low yeah I been noticing
Aww snap see I forgot to reload again
And where the hell is Wesker yo I cant get a hold of him
Even though they wanna fight gotta let the pipe squeeze
Open doors of life yo it just takes the right keys
And everybody got nostalgia nowadays
but Resident Evil 1 best remake ever made
Pacing and patient seeking out some peace
For a place that's safe and that can keep me out the streets
The one that make em grumble in the belly of the beast
Now I need a safe room because these dogs are off the leash

Pacing and patient seeking out some peace
For a place that's safe and that can keep me out the streets
The one that make em grumble in the belly of the beast
Now I need a safe room because these dogs are off the leash

Buy here

Resident Evil Save Room (prod. TheOldschoolBrotha)

Episode 135: The All Games, Some Awards Show 2023

Fuck you, it's January - a time for resolutions, winter snows, cozy socks, insurrections, and 3-hour podcasts? That's right, roommates, it's finally time for the big Save Room Game of the Year 2023 podcast! 

2023 was a massive year for indie games, AAs, and games across the AAA space from our favorite franchises. And with a great year of gaming, comes the great responsibility to podcast about it - hard.

We present Part 1 of our Game of the Year podcast, which we'd buy for a dollar, but probably owe you guys money just for how long it is. This covers our honorable mentions through our respective bottom 5 games with the next episode covering the final top 5. Fair warning: We do often litter these talks with spoilers so listen at your own risk.

We appreciate your support over the years and for sticking around for these end of the year behemoth-casts. Have some time codes on us for your listening efforts. Cheers!

-------Time codes--------

-Intro - 0:00
-Save Roommate's Top 3 Picks - 11:04
-What game surprised us the most? What games did we want play to but didn't get to? - 18:20
-Kevin's Honorable Mentions - 28:35
-Daniel's Honorable Mentions - 54:14
-GOTY #10 - 1:19:58
-GOTY #9 - 1:38:55
-GOTY #8 - 2:00:55
-GOTY #7 - 2:19:58
-GOTY #6 - 2:45:00

Game of the Year 2023 (Part 1 - Fires of the Save Room)

Welcome back Roommates and goons! The epic conclusion to our two-part Game of the Year 2023 discussion is finally here, which only means one thing: it’s time for the boys to fight shirtless on the back of two metal gears while they debate their favorite games of 2023. At nearly 4 hours long, you will in fact scream HOW is this podcast still standing?!

--------Time Codes--------

-Intro - 0:00
-GOTY #5 - 12:54
-GOTY #4 - 42:35
-GOTY #3 - 1:13:55
-GOTY #2 - 2:00:30
-GOTY #1 - 2:43:00
-End-All Collective Save Room GOTY 2023 - 3:42:46

Game of the Year 2023 (Part 2 - Tears of the Save Room)

Megaphragma

The Save Room proper is out of hibernation and back with our longest news episode to date. It’s two months into the year so naturally we had to catch you all up on our thoughts on news and what we’ve been playing. (Consider this the infinite wealth of podcasts for those who like our show).

Our big news topic is around the sweeping gaming industry layoffs. It’s a long winding conversation that we come at at every angle. Two full months into the year we’ve already seen well over 8,100 game dev layoffs across Sony, Microsoft, EA, Embracer, Remedy, and many other studios. There is no one theme as studios are letting talented devs go in their name of “right-sizing” due to Covid over-hiring, merges, consolidations, forced RTO mandates, and studio closures. It’s a dire time for those in the industry and even for those wanting to break into it with no clear end in sight. We also talk the new Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC trailer, Borderlands the movie, and Switch 2 rumors.

At the back half, we talk what we’ve been playing: from spreading democracy in Helldivers 2 to charting eldritch horrors in Pacific Drive with two massive JRPGs at the end, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Both titles have been long anticipated for your Save Room boys. We’ve logged over 100 hours respectively in Infinite Wealth and have a lot to say. Our FF7 Rebirth conversation covers up through chapter 4 and is impressions-only (don’t worry, we’ll have a massive spoiler cast coming soon), but the TLDR is that we’re loving it so far. 

Time codes below for the uninitiated. Thanks for listening!

——————————————

Time codes:

-Intro - 0:00
-Kevin saying “time code” - 11:04
-Main topic: Games industry hit with over 8,100 layoffs - 14:40
-Xbox business update conversation - 1:30:24 
-Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC - 1:46:23
-Borderlands movie trailer - 1:54:04 
-Pokémon Direct - 2:00:43 
-Switch 2 Rumors - 2:06:00 
-Remedy buys rights to Control - 2:10:55
-Rockstar RTO - 2:14:04
-Helldivers 2 - 2:16:15
-Pacific Drive - 2:42:11 
-Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - 2:55:54
-Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth - 3:27:31

Episode 136: No Country for Game Dev

Save Room Reviews: Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

lyrics:

racks came in now my pockets so full i cant even pull up my godamn pants
bad bitches pull up the lyrics they all wanna hear what 15 really been saying

i got stars in my roof like my ceiling a runway
feeling like autumn this flight goin one way
fuck her i send her home only get one day
in the game i been feelin like micheal vick
know they hate on me i tell em get pissed
cullinan doors stuck up like a rich bitch

all my peers been saying i fell off im so high up now have to jump off a skyscraper
molly a pink pill my eyes is dilated
my life a movie i buy now and die later
i just bet on myself like its prize picks
i just walked in with gloom thats my sidekick
fuck them percy pills up like my sidebitch
playin it solo ima buy quick revive when i die in this bitch ima live again
just bought a wraith doin donuts in public until i get dizzy and spin again
i cant think straight addy its gettin my mind right
LED's green like i been in the limelight
too many stones in the watch TSA stopped me i guess they aint lettin time fly
damn
15 fuck it u might be top 5
catch a play and i make it look easy like pop fly
yellow bag christian dior its not hot fries
hueugh
hit a bitch up im likin her silhouette
4:3 how that bitch gone get stretched
off a xanny bar i never felt stressed
yea

i got stars in my roof like my ceiling a runway
feeling like autumn this flight goin one way
fuck her i send her home only get one day
in the game i been feelin like micheal vick
know they hate on me i tell em get pissed
cullinan doors stuck up like a rich bitch

prize picks! (prod. tainiykick x whysobored)

respite

Delve into the dark and eerie depths of Resident Evil save room, but this time with a touch of heavy bass and unforgiving beats.
Inspired by the sound codes of the famous save room from Resident Evil 1996, this composition offers a tribute to cult games.

SLUGZY - SAVE ROOM

p. me

im stickin 2 dat shit like a leech yuh
yo gang full of weird creatures
yea im goin in like tha marine force
im jus lika a problem dat theres no vaccine 4
spread a bias like the t-virus
im goin viral jus like im a tyrant
crash landin in a forest
1 false move u gon end up like coen
u just runnin round like theres no shit 2 do
yea ima creep up n b like peakaboo
u aint stand a chance if ima b honest w u
i aint got no time 4 u so ill jus leave u in raccoon
special tactix u aint get the msg
eliptic xpress goin on the fast lane
chase u no matter what the cost is
makin u fed up with the justice

U.M.B.R.E.L.L.A yea we gon catch u lackin
u can see our evaluation 4 u is currently fading
n i cnt stop it
im way too locked in 
way too locked in
yea u actin like u want it
so ill make u forfeit 
make u forfeit
U.M.B.R.E.L.L.A yea we gon catch u lackin
u can see our evaluation 4 u is currently fading
n i cnt stop it
im way too locked in 
way too locked in
yea u actin like u want it
so ill make u forfeit 
make u forfeit

##save room

✩⋆⭒˚｡⋆₊ ⊹ - ⊹ ₊⋆｡˚⭒⋆✩
「 @blindstatekingdom 」
ˏˋ─⋆⋅. ˊ༺☆༻` . ⋅⋆─ˊˎ
「 @seraphimcollective 」
✩⋆⭒˚｡⋆₊ ⊹ - ⊹ ₊⋆｡˚⭒⋆✩

i have not yet reached a state of happiness, i'm getting there tho

Started off freestyling songs , developed into me finding a real love for music and actually writing some now. I want to spread love, inspire and support the music I love, lets work!

Donation links below
Cashapp - $throwedgenji
Paypal - Santiago_themc@yahoo.com

"Melodies Unleashed, Richly Composed."

I am Rich Douglas, an accomplished and innovative composer known for my exceptional contributions to the world of music. With a deep passion for storytelling, I blend genres to create captivating and emotionally charged soundscapes.

I have composed for various media, including notable game scores such as "Shadowgate VR," "Insurgency," "Stranger Things: The Game," and "Lifeless Moon." My music enhances narratives, capturing the essence of each project and leaving a lasting impression on audiences.  Formerly the audio director for Paradigm Entertainment, a THQ company, I have collaborated with renowned filmmakers, game developers, and TV producers. My professionalism, dedication, and exceptional musical prowess have earned industry recognition. Graduating from the Guildhall at SMU in Cohort 2 with a focus on game design, I have a versatile approach, seamlessly blending orchestral arrangements with electronic textures and ethnic influences. This creates a distinct and immersive sonic experience.

With boundless creativity and an unwavering dedication to my craft, I continue to captivate audiences with evocative compositions. My ability to blend diverse musical styles, coupled with my storytelling expertise, cements my position as a revered composer in the world of music.

★★ Follow Me! ★★
Website: https://www.richdouglas.net/
Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/yctgmp7o
Twitter: https://tinyurl.com/ybfgr87j

★★ Listen To My Music ★★
Bandcamp: https://tinyurl.com/y722f463
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/y8zp2d7u

The Save Room is your safe haven for gaming news and discussion! If you're looking for critical and well-informed opinions on the video game industry from two highly regarded experts... Let us know when you find that. That show sounds awesome.

Instead, crack open a cold one and listen to us rant about games, gaming culture, and Reggie Fils-Aimé's skull collection. When you listen to The Save Room, you're practically a roommate! Because we like you (and you owe us rent).

Hosted by Kevin Pape and Daniel.

New episodes on every Friday.

[oh-uh-thee-ca]
 with love
an embodiment of ur dynamism
demos/edits/tools/mixes

contact: typehealing@gmail.com

Bass Music Producer
Thanks for stopping by !

Contact : slugzydubz@gmail.com

My Liquid DnB Project : https://soundcloud.com/tone-orbeat

New tracks tagged #Save Room