Now that Tsushima is safe, and the t-shirt has been ordered, it's time to get back to basics. Chop wood, carry water. That's right, we are talking about "work" games, including Roadcraft, Powerwash Simulator 2 (!), and Hardspace Shipbreaker. Just getting our hands dirty, you know?
We also cover the gaming news including a new Sony handheld console rumor, Square Enix's planned AI use and whether it will cost jobs, the PlayStation Plus games for January, and a possible PS5 jailbreak.
Plus Arc Raiders game impressions, the best games of each of the last 25 years, and what 2026 can bring for The Andy Bee Show. Let's go!
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Chapter Timestamps
0:00:16 - Welcome & Episode Introduction
0:02:32 - Ghost of Tsushima Victory: The Shirt Has Been Ordered
0:11:05 - Back to Work & Holiday Gaming Reflections
0:11:45 - Hardspace Shipbreaker Deep Dive
0:12:57 - Roadcraft: Disaster Recovery Simulation
0:19:45 - Arc Raiders Multiplayer Experience
0:22:56 - Voice Comms & Player Interactions in Arc Raiders
0:26:10 - Patreon Support & Early Access
0:26:32 - PlayStation Plus January Games
0:28:45 - PS5 Jailbreak Rumors & Star Wars Racer Revenge
0:32:10 - PlayStation Premium Game Trials Issues
0:33:00 - Best Games of the Last 25 Years
0:38:12 - PlayStation Handheld Rumors & Metroid Prime 4
0:42:05 - Square Enix AI Controversy
0:48:07 - I Should Really Get Back to That Game Rankings
0:52:12 - 2026 Content Plans & Newsletter Changes
Welcome to the liminal space between Christmas and New Years, where nothing really happens except for this podcast! We race to finish Ghost of Tsushima before the year ends, share our hands-on (literally!) impressions of the PlayStation Portal, and do a little game sampling via holiday sales on games like Everspace 2, Cast and Chill, Tiny Bookshop and Hardspace Shipbreaker. Let's get liminal together!
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Chapter TImestamps
0:00:00 - Cold Open: Ghost of Tsushima Emotional Impact
0:00:14 - Welcome & Episode Introduction
0:00:41 - What's Coming Up This Episode
0:01:57 - Ghost of Tsushima Progress Update
0:02:03 - The Quest for the PlayStation Rewards Shirt
0:05:44 - Ghost of Tsushima Story Missions Quality
0:08:13 - End of Act Two Emotional Moments
0:09:44 - The Race to Beat the Game by December 31st
0:11:21 - Everspace 2 Game Trial Experience
0:14:26 - Everspace 2 Trading & Smuggling Mechanics
0:16:57 - Patreon Update & Community Features
0:19:32 - PlayStation Portal First Impressions
0:22:06 - PlayStation Portal Design & Comfort
0:24:13 - Streaming Setup & WiFi Performance
0:26:35 - PlayStation Plus Premium & Cloud Streaming
0:28:17 - Nintendo Switch 2 Comparison
0:30:21 - PlayStation Portal Account Switching Issues
0:33:08 - Power Wash Simulator Co-op Solution
0:35:44 - Octopath Traveler on PlayStation Portal
0:37:23 - PlayStation Portal Travel Case Concerns
0:38:09 - Witcher 3 DLC Rumors for May 2026
0:40:23 - Cast and Chill Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
0:42:47 - Christmas Gaming Haul: Transistor & Hard Space Shipbreaker
0:45:08 - Hard Space Shipbreaker Dystopian Capitalism
0:47:56 - Tiny Bookshop Overview
0:50:41 - Game Ranking System Explanation
Marathon may make it after all, thanks in no small part to the 2025 Multiplayer Game of the Year, Arc Raiders. Let’s talk about Christmas, buying presents for gamers, PlayStation and Nintendo sale prices, and how AI is ruining Clair Obscur’s awards season. Plus we cover No Rest for the Wicked’s new way of handling coop and shared world state, and more! This week’s episode is here for you.
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Chapters
00:00 – Cold open & intro
00:22 – New camera and video setup
03:13 – Christmas vibes & adult gamer gifts
07:30 – Office revamp and streaming space
07:30 – Ghost of Tsushima deadline & streams
11:19 – Holiday sales and wishlist philosophy
13:37 – Nintendo eShop picks (Transistor, Tiny Bookshop, puzzles)
17:06 – Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition on Switch
18:33 – PlayStation Store wishlist overview
18:58 – Xeno Tilt and arcade-style picks
20:41 – TMNT and Darksiders deals
23:31 – Hardspace: Shipbreaker and blue-collar space stories
26:06 – Why to wishlist and buy “behind the curve”
26:37 – Patreon, early episodes, and newsletter
28:11 – Hollow Knight: Silksong & big updates
29:08 – FFVII Remake Intergrade and Switch 2 talk
30:38 – Hardware and sales slump discussion
34:35 – Borderlands, Call of Duty, and charts
52:27 – AI in games and art controversy
01:11:43 – Steam Deck OLED, pricing, and wrap-up
It's the episode you've been waiting for as we deep dive into The Game Awards 2025, cover the huge announcements, award winners, and yes, some controversy about whether Miss Piggy and red-band game trailers mix. We've got new game drops, advice how to be spoiler-resilient, and how to enjoy the best time ever in video games as a busy adult. No FOMO, just hit play!
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Chapter Timestamps
00:00 – Intro, four hours of The Game Awards, and Ghost of Tsushima shirt quest update
02:30 – “I Need The Shirt” streams, YouTube plans, and bamboo trials in Ghost of Tsushima
05:00 – What The Game Awards have become and Geoff Keighley’s growing influence
07:00 – Ratings, horror trailers, and why the show isn’t truly family friendly
10:30 – Miss Piggy, Oscars vibes, and the tonal whiplash of brutal red-band trailers
13:30 – How trailers get cut for Super Bowl audiences vs. “internet only” cuts
17:00 – A call for Super Bowl-style edits and red-band QR codes for mature trailers
18:30 – Divinity/Larian controversy and listener pushback on Threads
21:20 – Clair Obscur sweeps the awards and why it deserves the praise
22:30 – Category highlights: Donkey Kong Bonanza, Hades 2, No Man’s Sky, and more winners
24:55 – Patreon, Gaming 411 newsletter, and hanging out with Friends of the Show
28:40 – A listener DM on “that” trailer and kids watching The Game Awards
29:40 – Trailer talk begins: Exodus and punching a space bear in the face
32:10 – Control Resonant, the Remedy-verse, and why their characters always have great jackets
36:00 – Spoilers, playing behind the curve, and the “I can’t wait to see how that happens” mantra
37:45 – People who look up endings first and The Sixth Sense example
38:50 – Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight and Arkham-style combat in Lego form
43:30 – Resident Evil vibes and why horror co-op hopes didn’t quite pan out
44:05 – Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic trailer chills and Casey Hudson’s involvement
47:00 – Why Old Republic-style Star Wars RPGs matter so much to fans
48:00 – Screamer and the desire for more personality-driven racing games
65:20 – PlayStation Plus updates: Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Wo Long, and Cat’s Quest 3 plans for the kids
67:00 – Nintendo Switch Online: Rayman 2, Tonic Trouble, and Wario Land
67:40 – Helldivers 2 Killzone warbond and tease of a roguelike mode
68:40 – “Watch It, Bucko”: massive gaps between sequels from Metroid Prime to Donkey Kong Bonanza
70:00 – Zootopia 2, Okami 2, GTA 6, and the art of waiting a very long time
72:00 – Holiday streaming plans and trying to set a Ghost of Tsushima schedule
A Metroid Prime 4 amiibo controversy, updates on the Ghost of Tsushima t-shirt grind, the return of Red Dead Redemption, a wild December release list, and a big-picture look at whether we’re actually in one of the greatest eras of gaming ever - all in one episode of The Andy Bee Show.
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Chapter timestamps
Chapter Timestamps
00:00 – Amiibo, Nintendo trinkets, and physical DLC explained
01:21 – Intro, episode 29, holidays, and Ghost of Tsushima shirt challenge setup
01:59 – Metroid Prime 4 is out: long dev cycle, review scores, and design basics
03:20 – Desert hub, bike Viola, loneliness, and the amiibo-locked music debate
05:46 – What amiibo actually are, how they work, and Zelda/Breath of the Wild examples
09:06 – Daily buffs, balancing boosts vs breaking the game, and Andy’s Metroid 4 FOMO
11:18 – Game Informer review warning: point of no return and save-lock for completionists
12:55 – Metroid Prime 4 length and HowLongToBeat vs Andy’s pacing
13:45 – Ghost of Tsushima progress update and the exclusive shirt deadline pressure
14:44 – Gaming 411 newsletter, “Distractions keep man from finishing game”
16:13 – Transition: Metroid, Ghost, and what else is going on this week
16:21 – Red Dead Redemption re-release impressions on PS5 and other platforms
19:03 – News section intro: Xbox Game Pass updates
19:12 – Game Pass arrivals: Mortal Kombat 1, Bratz Rhythm & Style, and more
19:43 – 33 Immortals, Monster Train 2, and the shift from Ultimate to Premium
20:06 – Indiana Jones and the Great Circle moves down a tier, and the “promise kept”
21:20 – Exact December dates for Game Pass drops thanks to Noble News
21:51 – Splitgate 2 relaunches as Splitgate Arena Reloaded in December
22:23 – New maps, weapons, modes, and fixing the monetization/battle pass backlash
23:58 – Replaced: 2.5D cyberpunk brawler, cinematic combat, and style talk
26:27 – Ball x Pit milestone: a million sold and 2026 content update roadmap
27:03 – Ball x Pit on Game Pass vs buying it outright and “most fun you can have with $20”
27:33 – Andy’s video game streaming experiments and TikTok Studio for Mac
29:01 – Why TikTok Studio is easier than OBS for beginners
29:50 – Audio ducking, mix problems, and why TikTok Studio comes up short
31:02 – VOD permanence, clipping, and why YouTube streams feel more “real” and lasting
32:40 – Break and setup for December release talk and “greatest era” question
32:54 – Why December is a weird month to release games
33:39 – Channel 3’s community list of the best December games
34:01 – Reading Channel 3’s top five: TMNT 2, FFX, Smash Melee, Smash Ultimate, Assetto Corsa
35:04 – Building Andy’s own “best December releases” list
35:31 – Andy’s December top 5: Far Cry 3, Quake 2, Halo Infinite, Marvel’s Midnight Suns
36:20 – Why Marvel’s Midnight Suns rules if you like cards, tactics, and Marvel RPG layers
36:37 – Cyberpunk 2077 on Stadia as the “number one” December release (joke and truth)
37:40 – Are we in one of the greatest eras of gaming? Game Awards and big-picture view
38:31 – Community poll: “Are we in a great era of gaming?” results and nuance
40:16 – Eidos Montreal layoffs, Mina the Hollower pressures, and Yacht Club focus shift
41:20 – Studio survival, focus, and why paying for games matters
42:37 – “I Should Really Get Back To That Game” list setup and new entries
46:00 – Community spotlight: German listeners and German-developed games
46:21 – Highlighting Anno 1800, Crysis 3, Spec Ops: The Line, and BeamNG.drive
47:47 – Call for your favorite December releases and where to reach Andy
48:26 – Show wrap-up, listener thanks, and milestone stats for streams and views
If Ubisoft can optimize Assassin's Creed Shadows for the Nintendo Switch 2, then this show should run just fine on it. At least as well as any other podcast. This week we get into more Ghost of Tsushima, whether Tim Sweeney should have to disclose that Fortnite is made with AI or not, how new game releases are still happening way into December, and whether it's time to become a video game streamer at 44. Let's go!
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Chapters
00:00 – Cold open, Thanksgiving weekend vibes & episode 28 intro
01:29 – Chasing the Ghost of Tsushima t‑shirt & first impressions of returning to the game
02:32 – Learning to stream: Elgato 4K S capture card, Mac mini setup, and OLED vs monitor play
10:23 – Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury with kids, shines, Giga Bowser, and co-op sidekick fun
16:06 – Gaming 411 newsletter, narrated issues, and finding a sustainable Patreon workflow
22:08 – December Xbox Game Pass wave: Marvel Cosmic Invasion, Moonlighter 2 and more
24:57 – New Bubble Bobble roguelite, sugary stages, and leveling up bubble powers
27:19 – Destiny 2: Renegades, Star Wars-style gear, lightsaber-like blades, and why Andy “ended” Destiny after The Final Shape
30:12 – New Nintendo Switch Online classics: Battletoads, Ninja Gaiden II, GB Bionic Commando, Kid Icarus, plus WarioWare with the kids
30:45 – December PlayStation Plus games: LEGO Horizon Adventures, Killing Floor 3, The Outlast Trials, Synduality: Echo of Ada, Neon White (and a nod to Alan Wake 2’s big month)
33:05 – Tim Sweeney, Epic, Steam, and the “made with AI” label debate in games and media
42:48 – Assassin’s Creed Shadows on Switch 2 and a deep technical dive into DLSS, 30 FPS targets, docked vs handheld, and VRR
53:02 – Updating the “I should really get back to that game” list: Game Pass buffet plans and shuffling the backlog
56:54 – New top 5 “get back to it” games revealed
57:14 – Community spotlight: listeners in Ireland and Atari 2600 manufacturing history in Limerick
Pacific Drive is stealing the show this week as we cover how to drive, upgrade, and repair a sentient 1980s station wagon, find the gems in the Xbox Partner Spotlight show, and figure out whether kids should be playing video games with ads in them. It's another packed hour of video games, industry analysis, and real conversation about capital V, capital G Video Games.
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Chapter Timestamps
00:00 – Pacific Drive opening & station wagon commentary
00:32 – Welcome to Episode 27, multitasking, Thanksgiving season
01:33 – Episode preview: Game Awards, Xbox Partner Preview, Pacific Drive, The Expanse, Moonlighter 2
02:01 – Pacific Drive overview: exclusion zone, sci-fi atmosphere, roadlike gameplay
04:56 – Vehicle mechanics: scavenging, crafting, upgrading your sentient wagon
08:58 – Pre-run preparation: checklists, fuel management, energy decisions
10:13 – Early anomalies: UFO encounters, road flares, chaos mechanics
11:47 – Silent protagonist questions: identity, radio contacts, attachment to the car
13:30 – Pacific Drive platforms & Switch wishlist talk
13:56 – Gaming 411 newsletter: "Top six cars in video games" teaser
15:36 – Cars mentioned in newsletter (station wagon, Batmobile from Arkham Knight)
16:12 – 2025 Game Awards nominees announcement & voting
17:13 – GOTY lineup breakdown: Claire Obscure, Expedition 33, Death Stranding 2, Donkey Kong Bonanza, Hades II, Hollow Knight Silksong, Kingdom Come II
18:07 – Defending sequels: Andrew's two-game IP rule explanation
19:25 – Death Stranding vs Death Stranding 2: combat expansion & new systems
20:34 – Donkey Kong Bananza portmanteau discussion & IP freshness
22:21 – Missing nominees: Kingdom Come II early-year release, Indiana Jones, Metroid Prime 4 timing
23:45 – Xbox Partner Preview overview & showcase format
24:10 – Quick game hits: 007 First Light, Dave the Diver, Re-Animal, Tides of Annihilation
24:42 – Zoo Punk discovery: F.I.S.T. prequel, anthropomorphic action RPG
26:01 – Zoo Punk trailer breakdown: Zootopia meets Mad Max cyberpunk aesthetic
27:22 – Zoo Punk combat analysis: action-based, party mechanics, visual grittiness
29:01 – Vampire Crawlers reveal: Vampire Survivors team, deckbuilding + roguelike hybrid
29:26 – Vampire Crawlers gameplay: card mechanics, screen-filling chaos, 2026 release window
30:12 – Too much news: Patreon exclusive deeper dive episode planned
31:07 – Wisper Flow ad read & personal usage stats
33:20 – The Expanse: Osiris Reborn media blitz & marketing push
33:30 – The Expanse main theme video & sound design focus
34:29 – Space physics in The Expanse: mag boots, hull vibrations, muffled audio design
35:48 – Hard sci-fi angle: time dilation, near-FTL, Mass Effect comparisons
36:39 – The Expanse release date prediction: Game Awards announcement expected
36:45 – Moonlighter 2 trailer & early access launch recap
37:44 – Moonlighter 2 visual upgrade: 3D isometric style vs original pixel art
39:12 – Parenting & mobile games: Amazon Kids+ vs Apple Arcade comparison
48:38 – Loot boxes, gacha mechanics, and avoiding pay-to-win for kids
50:19 – Community Spotlight: Barbados listeners, Playtropic, Caribbean game dev
52:12 – Call for more international listeners to boost show growth
52:39 – Outro: holiday gratitude, Patreon reminder, Thanksgiving sign-off
Come celebrate half a year of this show with Ep 26! This week on The Andy Bee Show, we're diving into PlayStation's massive November game catalogue updates, including a new version of Red Dead Redemption, my Ghost of Tsushima progress update, the Halo Infinite swan song, and yes, MORE wild AI controversy surrounding Arc Raiders. Plus, we'll explore Amazon Luna's surprise free AAA offerings, the Japan-focused State of Play announcements, and some things we are watching in the “Watch this, Bucko!” segment. We'll cap things off with a look at what's left for gaming in 2025, including the long-awaited Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
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CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS:
0:00:00 - Intro & Ghost of Tsushima Progress Update
0:02:03 - Episode Overview
0:10:26 - Metroid Prime 4 Beyond Release Details
0:16:26 - Morsels Release Reminder
0:17:05 - Satisfactory Console Launch Discussion
0:21:22 - Halo Infinite Final Update Announcement
0:25:30 - Amazon Luna Free Games Reveal
0:28:08 - PlayStation State of Play Highlights
0:29:43 - The Game Awards on Prime Video
0:31:00 - Octopath Traveler Zero Demo
0:32:26 - PlayStation Plus November Game Catalog
0:37:04 - Wispr Flow Sponsor Message
0:39:54 - AI in Gaming Discussion Introduction
0:43:56 - What Makes Content Authentic
0:47:58 - Arc Raiders AI Controversy Deep Dive
0:52:08 - Call of Duty AI Art Controversy
0:54:46 - Eurogamer Review Discussion
0:57:08 - I Should Really Get Back To That Game
1:01:03 - Watch It Bucko TV & Film Updates
1:03:13 - Community Spotlight: Belgium
There's always something to look forward to in life because Rockstar has again delayed Grand Theft Auto VI. Let's talk about it, and what we are playing in the meantime, including Arc Raiders, Totally Accurate Battle Simulator, and don't miss the hot Xbox Game Pass games plus controversies and more in the news segment. Let's go!
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Timestamps
0:00:00 - Introduction & Episode Overview
0:01:21 - What I've Been Playing: Arc Raiders Deep Dive
0:09:05 - Totally Accurate Battle Simulator (TABS) First Impressions
0:13:47 - Patreon & Building Your Own Platform
0:18:01 - Xbox Game Pass Updates & Pigeon Simulator
0:20:56 - Xbox Ad Mocking Physical Game Collectors
0:23:22 - PlayStation Portal Cloud Streaming Arrives
0:25:51 - Whisper Flow
0:28:27 - Arc Raiders Menu Music & Sound Design
0:30:05 - Rockstar Games Union-Busting Allegations
0:32:11 - GTA 6 Delayed to November 2026
0:34:43 - Ball Pit Developer Interview Highlights
0:37:29 - I Should Really Get Back to That Game Segment
0:40:06 - Community Spotlight: Malaysia
0:41:44 - Closing Thoughts & Call to Action
Games Discussed
Coming up from the underground and seemingly out of nowhere is the hit extraction shooter Arc Raiders! Discover what makes this PvPvE survival game special, featuring AI robots, proximity voice chat, and unique social dynamics. But, maybe there's some AI controversy from the development of the game?
Plus, get the full breakdown on Battlefield's controversial new RedSec Battle Royale mode, the 12-minute Animal Crossing trailer that has us picking weeds on our islands again to get ready, and what the rest of 2025 looks like for video games. Let's go!
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CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS:
0:00:18 - Introduction & Episode Overview
0:01:23 - Arc Raiders: The Extraction Shooter You Didn't See Coming
0:05:52 - Understanding Extraction Shooters & Risk-Reward Gameplay
0:10:01 - PvPvE Mechanics & Player Encounters
0:15:00 - Arc Raiders: 10-Year Vision & Game Evolution
0:20:30 - AI in Gaming: The Ethics & Implementation Debate
0:26:30 - Wisper Flow (Stop Typing?)
0:30:06 - PlayStation Plus November 2025 Free Games
0:33:00 - November Game Releases & Morsels Deep Dive
0:36:12 - Battlefield RedSec Battle Royale Launch Impressions
0:42:00 - RedSec vs Gauntlet Mode Comparison
0:47:00 - Gaming Backlog Update & Priority Rankings
0:51:52 - Community Spotlight: Switzerland Gamers
GAMES DISCUSSED:
Arc Raiders
Escape from Tarkov
Marathon
Helldivers 2
Battlefield 6 (& 2042)
Battlefield RedSec
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
The Finals
Stray
WRC-24
Tabs (Totally Accurate Battle Simulator)
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
Where Inns Meet
Kirby Air Riders
Constance
Morsels
Bounty Star
Overcooked 2
Ball Pit
Ghost of Tsushima
It Takes Two
Super Mario Wonder
Hollow Knight
Bolt Gun
Sifu
Exodus
Warzone
Game of Thrones (mobile)
Firefly (show)
Left 4 Dead
This week on The Andy Bee Show, we cover the massive announcement from the people that make "The Halo", our credit-rolling achievement in Ball x Pit, what's next for Battlefield 6 (stealth drop Battle Royale?), and we help you find out whether you are a Call of Duty Zoomer or a BattleDad.
There's more games than we'll ever have time for, but join us right now to find out which games made the cut into this week's show!
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CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS
0:00:00 - Halo Campaign Evolved Announcement
0:00:49 - Welcome & Episode Intro
0:01:56 - Ball x Pit Completion & Live Stream Reaction
0:04:28 - Ball x Pit Sales Success & Switch 2 Version
0:05:00 - Battlefield 6 & Weekend Family Update
0:11:00 - Battlefield Season 1 Content Revealed
0:12:27 - Patreon & Gaming 4-1-1 Newsletter
0:14:39 - News Roundup Begins
0:15:00 - Bounty Star Game Pass Launch
0:16:47 - IGN Galaxies Showcase Highlights
0:17:00 - Denshattack Reveal
0:18:52 - Warhammer 40K Bolt Gun 2
0:20:00 - PlayStation Network Lowest Price Feature
0:21:11 - Game Pass October Lineup
0:23:01 - Switch 2 Announcements
0:23:34 - Luigi's Mansion Returns
0:24:54 - Factorio Coming to Switch 2
0:25:03 - Assassin's Creed Shadows Switch 2
0:26:04 - Marvel's Cosmic Invasion Release Date
0:27:29 - Whisper Flow Sponsor Message
0:31:00 - Halo Campaign Evolved Deep Dive
0:33:00 - Battlefield vs Call of Duty Gameplay Philosophy
0:40:22 - Xbox Layoffs & Studio Closures Discussion
0:43:41 - Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake
0:45:25 - I Should Really Get Back to That Game Segment
0:49:03 - Community Spotlight - Congo Listeners
0:51:16 - Community Feedback & Closing
GAMES DISCUSSED
We've got all that hot Ball x Pit news, including: What's in the pit? Should we go in the pit? I've heard there's cool stuff in there, is that true?
You bet your sweet podcast it's true, so let's talk about the Ball x Pit, upcoming games like Bounty Star, new releases and game catalog additions for Xbox and Playstation, and our new segment, "Watch it, Bucko!" on this week's episode of The Andy Bee Show.
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Chapters
00:00 - Welcome & Ball Pit Introduction
01:16 - Ball Pit Gameplay Deep Dive
04:20 - Office Setup & Streaming Equipment
09:16 - Ball Pit Character Combos & Strategy
11:36 - Patreon Update & Community Shoutouts
13:25 - ID@Xbox Showcase Preview
14:13 - PlayStation Plus October Game Catalog
18:18 - Bounty Star Preview (Releases October 23)
21:11 - EA Saudi Arabia Buyout Controversy
28:32 - Exodus Game Reveal & Discussion
35:35 - Keeper from Double Fine
38:01 - "I Should Really Get Back To That Game" List
41:22 - NEW SEGMENT: Watch It, Bucko - Tron Ares Review
46:47 - Obscure Game Recommendations
52:24 - Zelda Encyclopedia Birthday Gift
Games and Media Discussed
Music from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/abbynoise/still-great
We bought Battlefield 6 so you don't have to break your EA protest. Let's talk about the first few campaign missions, whether military fetishism in games is over, and what you all think about the game in Community Spotlight.
Don't forget that Ball X Pit is coming out this week, and we cover a ton of other new and classic games coming to Xbox and Playstation subscription services this week. Let's go!
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Games Discussed
Yes, the Hades II rogue-like runs continue, and we also get deep into the changes that Microsoft made to Xbox Game Pass, and my take on the value of the new tiers may surprise you! Plus, since we are in the middle of Gamepocalypse, I've developed a new segment to help us all keep track of games that we really want to get back to. Let's go!
Chapter Timestamps:
00:26 - Episode 20 Introduction & Welcome
01:51 - Hades 2 Deep Dive: Why I Can't Stop Playing
08:03 - How to Handle Spoilers: The "Can't Wait" Method
10:50 - October Gamepocalypse: The Full Release List
13:01 - Shovel Knight & Retro Graphics Discussion
14:01 - Control Ultimate Edition Update with Kojima Content
16:00 - A Plague Tale: Resonance Announcement
19:05 - Threads of Time: New Chrono Trigger-Style JRPG
21:08 - EA's $55 Billion Buyout by Saudi Fund
28:06 - Xbox Game Pass Price Increases Explained
35:04 - The $15 Tier Everyone's Missing
42:16 - NEW SEGMENT: I Should Really Get Back to That Game
48:00 - Community Shoutouts & Closing Thoughts
GAMES DISCUSSED:
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#hades #xbox #gaming #podcast
Hades 2 (or II, for you purists) is so good we buy another dock and power supply for the Switch 2, PlayStation finds more ways to sell us t-shirts for beating their games, and we discover that Ninja Gaiden 4 has a new easy mode. Don't go anywhere else for these gaming opinions, hit play now!
Games Discussed
Hades 2
Hades (original)
Diablo (1, 2, 3, 4)
Bastion
Pyre
Transistor
Destiny 2
Ghost of Tsushima
Ghost of Yotei
God of War
Ninja Gaiden (original Xbox)
Ninja Gaiden 4
Battlefield 6
Call of Duty
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We've got new rules for what classifies as a new IP in video games, and I'm here to make the case! Complainers, get ready - I've got a top 10 list that will make you mad. Also, my kid beats another boss in Astro Bot, I preorder Battlefield 6, and we talk about Dispatch, a new game for people who loved Tales from the Borderlands.
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Chapter Timestamps
0:00 - Hollow Knight Success & Astro Bot Victory
1:04 - Show Introduction & Welcome
1:34 - "Get Good" Advice Works for 8-Year-Old
6:04 - New IP Definition & The Andy Bee Rule
11:07 - Top 10 New IPs List Begins
12:14 - Split Fiction & Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
14:25 - Death Stranding 2 & Monster Hunter Wilds
15:17 - Overcooked Games Discussion
16:12 - Helldivers 2 & Ghost of Yotei
18:16 - Clair Obscur Expedition 33 & Donkey Kong
19:31 - Hollow Knight Silksong Analysis
23:04 - Gaming News & Switch 2 Releases
26:22 - Battlefield 6 & Dispatch Game Reveal
30:00 - Travel Plans & Show Wrap-up
Games Discussed
Hollow Knight, Astro Bot, Elden Ring, Loco Roco, It Takes Two, A Way Out, Split Fiction, Kingdom Come Deliverance, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, Death Stranding, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Monster Hunter Wilds, Overcooked, Overcooked 2, Plate Up, Helldivers, Helldivers 2, Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yotei, Clair Obscur Expedition 33, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, Super Mario Odyssey, Hollow Knight Silksong, Hades, Hades 2, Visions of Mana, Deep Rock Galactic Survivor, Frostpunk 2, Modern Warfare 3, Call of Duty, Peppa Pig World Adventures, Battlefield 6, Octopath Traveler Zero, Metroid Prime, Dispatch, Tales from the Borderlands, NFL Blitz, Madden
#dispatch #hollowknight #gaming #podcast
In this episode of The Andy Bee Show, I dive deep into the week's biggest gaming news, starting with Hollow Knight: Silksong's controversial difficulty and the upcoming patch that will nerf early bosses. I break down the massive Nintendo Direct from Friday, highlighting exciting announcements like Yoshi and the Mysterious Book's beautiful painterly art style, and the long-awaited arrival of Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 on Switch.
We explore PlayStation's new parental controls app, Battlefield 6's console-first development approach, and get hyped about The Expanse: Osiris Reborn's Mass Effect 2 inspirations. I also share thoughts on Ghost of Yotay's meditative 10-minute trailer and the exciting news that Hades 2 finally has a release date.
The episode features a meaningful community spotlight discussion about gaming accessibility, sparked by viewers sharing their experiences with fine motor control challenges in difficult games like Silksong. I advocate for tourism/story modes that would allow more players to experience these incredible worlds regardless of skill level.
Plus, I share my ongoing progress in Hollow Knight, upcoming Helldivers sessions, and thoughts on the incredible rush of amazing games hitting in October 2025.
Chapter Timestamps
0:00 - Introduction & Hollow Knight Silksong Patch News
8:42 - Nintendo Direct Highlights - Yoshi and the Mysterious Book
13:09 - PlayStation Parental Controls App
19:31 - Battlefield 6 Console-First Development
23:01 - The Expanse: Osiris Reborn Game Details
26:58 - Ghost of Yotei Meditative Trailer
32:33 - Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 Coming to Switch
35:00 - Hades 2 Release Date & Upcoming Game Rush
39:00 - Community Spotlight & Accessibility Discussion
47:07 - Wrap-up & Gaming Plans
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Games Discussed
Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book
Super Mario Galaxy
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Battlefield 6
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn
Ghost of Yotei
Hades 2
Digimon Story Time Stranger
Mass Effect 2
Helldivers
Donkey Kong Bonanza
Ninja Gaiden
Metroid Prime 4
Death Stranding 2
#yoshi #hollowknight #gaming #podcast
In this episode of The Andy Bee Show, Andrew discusses his ongoing journey through Hollow Knight as he prepares for the recently released Silksong. He explores the debate around boss run-backs being a design feature versus artificial difficulty padding, sharing his poll results showing 62% of players find Silksong legitimately harder than the original.
Andrew covers his gaming adventures across multiple save files on different platforms due to the lack of cross-save support, and his decision to restart on PlayStation 5 to capture gameplay footage. He dives into the boss fight strategies he's discovered, including a revelation about the monarch wings boss where jumping guaranteed defeat.
The episode also features gaming news including Battlefield 6 battle royale leaks, upcoming Sonic Racing Cross Worlds demo, new Game Pass additions, and his thoughts on the new 007 First Light gameplay. Andrew reflects on his trophy hunting goals, particularly considering returning to complete the God of War (2018) platinum trophy.
The show concludes with community spotlight feedback on his Helldivers 2 underground missions discussion, where listeners shared loadout strategies and gameplay tips for the challenging cave environments.
Chapter Timestamps
00:00:00 - Opening & Boss Run-Back Philosophy
00:00:58 - Hollow Knight Journey Begins
00:01:55 - Silksong Release & Readiness
00:19:58 - Void Crew Discovery
00:22:20 - Helldivers 2 Crew Reunion
00:28:42 - Battlefield 6 News Updates
00:32:13 - Sonic Racing Cross Worlds Demo
00:45:06 - 007 First Light Gameplay
00:46:52 - Bond Gaming Legacy
00:52:44 - Community Spotlight
00:53:20 - Helldivers Strategy Discussion
00:57:09 - Show Support & Newsletter
00:58:05 - Closing & Next Week Preview
Games Discussed
Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Void Crew
Helldivers 2
Battlefield 6
Sonic Racing Cross Worlds
007 First Light
God of War (2018)
Spider-Man (PS4)
Astro Bot
Lies of P
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This week's podcast kicks off with a cross-platform Helldivers 2 session which showcases the game's consumer-friendly live service model and upcoming "Into the Unjust" underground update, plus hands-on with the Constitution parade rifle. Discussion of Battlefield 2042's free Battle Pass grinding toward Battlefield 6, Call of Duty Black Ops 7's cosmetic reset strategy, and why platform continuity matters for annual franchises. Quick takes on Luminous Arise's VR-ready demo, Hollow Knight push before Silksong's release, No Man's Sky's Voyager update, September PlayStation Plus games, Blood of Dawnwalker's time-as-currency mechanic, and upcoming gaming events. Community spotlight on adult-friendly multiplayer design and the ongoing demand for Titanfall-style inclusive gameplay.
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Chapters
00:00:00 Cold open: Helldivers 2 consumer-friendly monetization
00:00:19 Intro: Cross-play gaming session setup
00:01:34 Cross-play mechanics: friend codes and rejoin features
00:02:52 Warbonds system: Super Credits and grind economics
00:05:07 Constitution rifle: medium armor penetration testing
00:10:59 Difficulty scaling: tanks appear, wrong loadout
00:16:05 Into the Unjust: underground missions, limited stratagems
00:18:19 Helldivers recruit training philosophy
00:18:35 Battlefield 2042: grinding toward Battlefield 6
00:20:52 CoD Black Ops 7: cosmetic reset and platform issues
00:24:33 Platform continuity: annual franchises vs carry-forward
00:28:47 Luminous Arise: VR-ready demo impressions
00:33:12 Luminous mechanics: sweep-line timing system
00:33:29 Hollow Knight: boss difficulty and Silksong prep
00:37:49 No Man's Sky Voyager: customizable ships
00:39:40 PlayStation Plus September lineup
00:41:36 Blood of Dawnwalker: time-as-currency mechanic
00:47:21 Gaming events: Nintendo Direct, TGS, 007 State of Play
00:49:21 Community spotlight: UK listeners and podcast philosophy
00:51:54 Community responses: multiplayer accessibility discussion
00:58:06 Wrap-up: upcoming games and Patreon content
Games Discussed
Helldivers 2
Battlefield 2042
Battlefield 6 (upcoming)
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (upcoming)
Warzone (referenced)
Modern Warfare 2 (original)
Luminous Arise (demo)
Tetris Effect (comparison)
Dr. Mario (comparison)
Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight: Silksong (upcoming)
No Man's Sky
Starfield (comparison)
Psychonauts 2
Stardew Valley
Viewfinder
Blood of Dawnwalker (upcoming)
Dead Rising
Metroid Prime 4 (rumored)
007 First Light (upcoming)
Titanfall 2
Apex Legends (reference)
A packed week for adult gamers as we find ourselves jumping back into Call of Duty: Warzone (and its massive 191 GB install), reflecting on why single-player more commonly fits busy lives, lining up Helldivers 2’s Xbox launch and Halo crossover, and celebrating surprise drops like The Rogue Prince of Persia and Sword of the Sea via subscriptions.
Plus quick-hit reactions to Gamescom-adjacent reveals (Battlestar Galactica: Shattered Hopes, Wizordum, Bounty Star), a milestone for indie hit Peak, and a victory over Hollow Knight’s Mantis Lords, and inviting the community to own the “gamer” label.
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Chapters
00:00:00 – Cold open and a 191 GB confession
00:01:04 – Single-player vs. multiplayer for busy adults
00:01:49 – Battlefield 6 beta impressions and launch window thoughts
00:03:05 – Battle royale highs and lows in Warzone
00:06:02 – Warzone session: Verdansk returns, feels the same (comfortable mechanics)
00:06:47 – Training/bot playlists and why mixed-lobbies can feel great (Titanfall praise)
00:08:34 – Call for Titanfall 3 and Titanfall 2’s lasting appeal
00:09:14 – Warzone takeaways: long loads, monetization avalanche, still a solid free entry
00:10:30 – Helldivers 2 on Xbox this week, Halo crossover Warbond; cross-platform planning
00:12:05 – Helldivers 2 gameplay loop refresher: bots, bugs, Illuminate saved for Tuesday
00:13:17 – Programming note: second early-access podcast episode this week; Patreon and Gaming 4-1-1 newsletter
00:15:22 – Gamescom Opening Night Live
00:16:10 – Kirby Air Riders Direct: looks like “Mario Kart but simpler and different”
00:19:29 – Subscriptions vs. $70 decisions; Sword of the Sea lands on PS Plus Extra
00:20:00 – Surprise drop: The Rogue Prince of Persia by the Dead Cells folks
00:25:41 – Battlestar Galactica: Shattered Hopes (FTL-inspired, tactical pause RTS vibes)
00:28:37 – Wizordum console date (Sept 23), retro wizard FPS energy
00:30:11 – Game Pass Games "Coming Soon"
00:31:59 – Bounty Star: “Titanfall retires to homesteading” mech RPG
00:33:50 – “Gaming is not boring”
00:34:19 – Indie climber Peak hits 10M sold; Roblox cloning saga context
00:35:42 – What I’ve been playing: Sword of the Sea
00:39:55 – ONL note: Silksong dated Sept 4; Hollow Knight backlog race begins
00:41:23 – Subscription save pitfalls; restarting Hades/Hollow Knight on other platforms
00:43:51 – Hollow Knight pacing: target times, realistic expectations
00:43:59 – Beating the Mantis Lords: pattern mastery and Souls-like tension
00:45:29 – Post-victory respect from Mantises
00:46:19 – Community spotlight: embracing the “gamer” identity
00:47:57 – Stardew/Portal/Indies to Hollow Knight superfan: you are a gamer
00:50:50 – Comments, critiques, and “bad games” people still love to play
00:52:26 – Global listeners shoutout; 2.2% in Japan (Domo arigato!)
00:53:11 – Wrap: Warzone size, Helldivers 2, Kirby, Game Pass dates, surprise drops, Peak 10M, Hollow Knight goals
Games Mentioned
Call of Duty: Warzone
Battlefield 6 (beta)
Fortnite
DayZ
Titanfall
Titanfall 2
Helldivers 2
Halo (crossover content context)
Kirby Air Riders
Mario Kart (comparison)
Sword of the Sea
The Rogue Prince of Persia
Dead Cells
Battlestar Galactica: Shattered Hopes
FTL: Faster Than Light (inspiration)
Wizordum
Gears of War Reloaded
Voidbreaker
Hurdling
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Bounty Star: The Morose Tale of Graveyard Clem
Peak
Roblox (clone discussion context)
Darksiders (1–3 mention)
Destiny 2
World of Warcraft
Hollow Knight
Silksong
Death Stranding / Death Stranding 2 (brief context)