I loved the original Final Fantasy XIV version 1.0. However, ever since the 2.0 relaunch, I've grown to like the game less and less each passing year. As of 2025, I almost loathe it. Alex Fraioli, current FFXIV enjoyer, joins me on my likely final attempt to appreciate modern Final Fantasy XIV.Alex's Relics & Rock Stars: Appreciating Final Fantasy XI and XIV Video
White Knight Chronicles is an odd Action RPG, in the sense that it's so slow-paced you'd think timing wouldn't matter. However, the game is so slow that it loops back around, requiring careful timing to maximize damage.
Hey all, Quick update episode where I talk about wanting to move away from the podcast format. I'll still be making videos, likely of similar topics, but more on my own terms as time permits.I'll continue uploading that content here on the podcast feed, though.
Mr. Jakes from Basement Brothers joins me to talk about why he thinks CRTs are overrated for retro games. We also talk about the value of physical hardware in video games.
Basement Brothers' Website
Basement Brothers' YouTube Channel
I once again went to EVO this year, and while I feel like I learned a lot, I also continue to stumble over actively disliking Granblue Fantasy.Moga Factory
Artist Black
Slave Zero X is intensely stylish, not only in its aesthetic but also in its gameplay. With that, I wanted to discuss with the lead game designer and the developer's CEO on how they achieved that vision, the role the Slave Zero franchise played, their commitment to challenging the player, and how they built the world.
Game Links
Tristan's Socials
Wolfgang's Socials
Misc. A Tiny Tale is a 3D platformer focused on building a better world through small acts of kindness. I spoke with the lead developer, Michael Pearce, about his experience in creating the game and how it makes a difference.
Misc. A Tiny Tale Links
In my eyes, game coverage has almost always been global. So I was surprised when I met Lukas Eggen, who previously covered them locally for Las Vegas Review-Journal. We talk about his experience covering games in Las Vegas and his perspective on the future of gaming journalism.
Links:Lukas Eggen's Linktree
This week, we talk VR, looking at sexy games without an eye for sexual content, Gal Guardians, and River City Underground.
Bandai Namco to Invest More Heavily in Game Studios using Bandai Namco 021Fund
In this episode, we tackle a long-standing frustration of mine: the current state of Final Fantasy XIV. As someone who loved FFXIV 1.0, I've long been off the Final Fantasy XIV train. Today, I have some negative feelings about the game's current state, so I wanted to talk to someone who still likes it.
Alex Fraioli, who previously appeared on our podcast about Love Letter RPGs, returns to discuss his love for Final Fantasy XIV in the modern day.
This week I talk about my time at LVL UP EXPO 2025, look at the games announced in the Qureate Direct, and what to call what I do.
Links
We spend a lot of time consuming information about Japanese games from fellow English speakers located outside Japan. Amber Vještica, Editor-in-Chief at Automaton Media West, covers games from inside a Japanese games news outlet, giving her team unique access and insight into local Japanese video game culture.
We discuss her role at the company, how they choose what types of stories to cover, and Automaton West's goals for bringing Japanese gaming news to English-speaking audiences.
This week I talk about my return to fighting games, DMM Game's AI Translations Process, how age impacts your Tomodachi Life, Konami Medal Games, and Gunvolt 3.
Podcast Links
Despite what some people might assume, Japanese adventure games and visual novels are a big blind spot for me. And while I've enjoyed the games, most titles in the genre rarely grab my interest.
In this episode, I talk to Bowl of Lentils, who has created videos about the genre's history and why these games matter. We go in-depth into the genre's core appeal, history, and future outlook. We also talk a bit about the Trails series.
Bowl of Lentils Links
Twitter
YouTube Channel
Sakura Wars TranslationDVD Visual Novel Company Video I Mentioned
This week, I talk about my final thoughts on Sanctum 2 and Ed-0: Zombie Uprising, give a little postmortem on my Nintendo video, and talk the new VR Chat webcam support and Copilot for Xbox.
Opening Music from Sanctum 2
Scar-Lead Salvation Website
VRChat Webcam Support
Xbox Copilot Program
Sangokushi Taisen Website
Million Arthur GP Usage Announced
As weird as my gaming tastes are today, I think I'm still ultimately a Nintendo fan at heart. Reflecting on my recent Nintendo video made me want to talk to a younger fan to better understand what they love about Nintendo today.
Josie of the Josie Woah YouTube channel took the time to talk to me about how she got into Nintendo, her view on classic Nintendo games, and what she loves about the Nintendo Switch.
This week I go through some recent picks ups, talk about some small mobile games, and give my thoughts on Storybook Workshop and Super Bunny Man.
Opening Music From Storybook Workshop
RPG Maker WITH Cross Platform Support
Weather Forecaster - Predict Tomorrow's Weather
I have a long history of using machine translation to help me read Japanese news stories, talk to fan bases online, and sometimes even play games. However, when you don't know the original language, it's hard to understand what impact these tools may have on how we interact with the Japanese language.
I talked with Cargodin, a fan translator on games like Napple Tale and Blue Legend of Water, about how she views the English audience's relationship with the Japanese language as changing over the years.
Cargodin's Links
Translations
This week, we return to video and talk about Wizardry Variants Daphne's success and my thoughts on Super Mario Wonder, Shining Blade, and 007 Quantum of Solace.
Podcast Links
Opening Music from 007 Quantum of Solace
SensorTower Wizardry Variants Daphne Financial Reports
Sensor Tower Mobile Revenue Rankings December 19th to January 1st
Sensor Tower Mobile Revenue Rankings January 2nd to January 8th
Wii U Online Replacement Services Warning by Nintendo
Please stay in my Memories Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Meme
I used to want to be a game journalist, but I gave it up once I left college. Recently, I was contacted by Luis Aguasvivas, a modern-day game journalist who also contributes to the non-profit New York Videogame Critics Circle.
I asked him about his view on the present and future of game journalism, how his personal experiences affect his work, and what he thinks he contributes to the conversation about games.
Luis' Works
"Playing Games While You're Sick" (Final Fantasy VIII Article)
Is It "A Profound Waste of Time" to Like A Video Game Magazine?
Video Game of the Year: Live at LI Retro Gaming Expo!
Luis' Links
Luis' Website
PopMatters
Bluesky
New York Videogame Critics Circle
Website
YouTube
Donate Page