1 00:00:17,039 --> 00:00:21,800 Hello, and welcome to Part two of the Geek Versus side Quest Game of 2 00:00:21,879 --> 00:00:25,519 the Year. Just Dylan here, and what I'm going to be doing is 3 00:00:25,559 --> 00:00:29,920 walking you through the three recordings that we have here for Kirkland, Travis, 4 00:00:29,960 --> 00:00:33,399 and Taylor sharing their game of the year. They all kind of did roughly 5 00:00:33,600 --> 00:00:36,880 a top five, so we're going to get through that. But I just 6 00:00:36,880 --> 00:00:40,479 wanted to show it a couple things first off, which first here is that 7 00:00:40,520 --> 00:00:45,520 this is the last side Quest that I'm recording in the year of twenty twenty 8 00:00:45,520 --> 00:00:49,079 three. Because next week's episode, which is the ranking of the best Snow 9 00:00:49,119 --> 00:00:53,079 Slash Winter levels of all time, Me and Kirkland recorded that a few weeks 10 00:00:53,079 --> 00:00:55,600 ago, so you could have got that early. You can still get it 11 00:00:55,600 --> 00:00:58,840 early up there on Patreon early and ad free of course, as all of 12 00:00:58,880 --> 00:01:03,600 our stuff is get the exclusive feed there. And yeah, so that's what 13 00:01:03,679 --> 00:01:06,799 next week's episode. So this is the last one that I'll be recording for 14 00:01:06,840 --> 00:01:10,959 the year. And with that, I wanted to just thank everyone for listening 15 00:01:11,040 --> 00:01:14,480 to side Quest in this year. You know, this is still pretty early 16 00:01:14,480 --> 00:01:19,000 in terms of the side Quest era of the podcast. This is only year 17 00:01:19,040 --> 00:01:23,400 two, and I feel like it took how do I say, like a 18 00:01:23,439 --> 00:01:26,079 bit of a pivot from the first year. The first year, I feel 19 00:01:26,120 --> 00:01:29,200 like the focus for me was trying to get like so much coverage of the 20 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:33,480 big news things that were going on, as many game reviews for new things 21 00:01:33,480 --> 00:01:37,359 as I possibly could. I even brought in some guests and different things like 22 00:01:37,400 --> 00:01:41,439 this. But I feel like in the second year here changed it up a 23 00:01:41,480 --> 00:01:45,680 bit more and I tried to put the focus more on just video games in 24 00:01:45,760 --> 00:01:49,560 general. That might sound generic, but what I mean is not necessarily focusing 25 00:01:49,680 --> 00:01:53,840 on just the newest releases. Part of that is if you listen to part 26 00:01:53,840 --> 00:01:56,599 one, you know I wasn't necessarily as hyped on some of the newer releases 27 00:01:56,640 --> 00:01:59,280 this year. But also you know, we went through did the entire arc 28 00:01:59,319 --> 00:02:02,359 in retrospect and try to talk more about some games off the backlog, some 29 00:02:02,400 --> 00:02:06,599 older games, and I really like that, and I really want that to 30 00:02:06,640 --> 00:02:09,319 be kind of the focus of side quests going forward. And so even with 31 00:02:09,439 --> 00:02:13,560 the intro where I say, you know, welcome to you for side questskly 32 00:02:13,599 --> 00:02:15,560 South free to game news reviews and more, I think I'm going to change 33 00:02:15,560 --> 00:02:19,960 that new year, and I'm going to at least remove the news section of 34 00:02:19,960 --> 00:02:22,120 that. Not that we're not going to cover news. We still will. 35 00:02:22,319 --> 00:02:25,199 I just feel like it took a backseat in these past few months and I 36 00:02:25,240 --> 00:02:29,319 don't really want that to be the focus of the show. Of course, 37 00:02:29,319 --> 00:02:30,560 if there's a big news thing, we'll talk about it, and of course 38 00:02:30,599 --> 00:02:35,439 showcases and all those things still those of course A're gonna be covered every Nintendo 39 00:02:35,439 --> 00:02:38,240 Direct. That stuff is super fun. But in terms of the day to 40 00:02:38,280 --> 00:02:42,479 day news within the industry, I don't think that's necessarily what Side Coasts will 41 00:02:42,479 --> 00:02:45,520 be going forward, just really just focused on the games we're playing, the 42 00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:49,560 games that we want to talk about, rankings, more retrospectives. Definitely have 43 00:02:49,599 --> 00:02:53,479 some good plans for retrospectives in the new year. So that's that's kind of 44 00:02:53,560 --> 00:02:57,520 roughly how I look at it. But I'm curious to hear from all of 45 00:02:57,560 --> 00:03:00,000 you who've been listening for the last year or two years, or you know, 46 00:03:00,039 --> 00:03:05,120 if you're an old old classic GV listener since the OG days, what 47 00:03:05,159 --> 00:03:08,360 do you want to see from side Quest next year? If there's any very 48 00:03:08,400 --> 00:03:13,159 specific rankings you want to see, or any specific games that are coming out 49 00:03:13,199 --> 00:03:16,919 that you want coverage of. Reviews. Whatever it is, let me know, 50 00:03:17,599 --> 00:03:20,840 or you know, if there's a type of content that you like that 51 00:03:20,879 --> 00:03:23,319 we do. Maybe you do want more news, Do you want me to 52 00:03:23,319 --> 00:03:25,639 make sure I'm still focusing on that and I can definitely make that happen, 53 00:03:27,520 --> 00:03:30,360 or you know, if you want to see, because I feel like also 54 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:34,599 in year one of side Quests, I brought in some guests and I had 55 00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:38,000 Dante was around a lot more. He did more of the arcane retrospective stuff. 56 00:03:38,280 --> 00:03:39,080 Of course this year, but yeah, I feel like for this year 57 00:03:39,159 --> 00:03:42,639 is mostly just the core GB crew here is. Do you like it that 58 00:03:42,680 --> 00:03:44,919 way? Do you want me to try and bring more guests and get more 59 00:03:45,039 --> 00:03:49,759 varied voices in here. I can definitely work to do some more of that. 60 00:03:49,879 --> 00:03:53,919 So whatever it is, let me know whether that's you know, join 61 00:03:53,960 --> 00:03:55,199 our discord. I think we're gonna be putting up a poll or like a 62 00:03:55,240 --> 00:03:59,719 Google form pole that we always do, where you can go in and not 63 00:03:59,800 --> 00:04:01,560 just for side Quest, but for all of our geek for shows, and 64 00:04:01,560 --> 00:04:04,680 that's a good way to get that info cross or just leaving in YouTube comment, 65 00:04:04,759 --> 00:04:08,680 leaving a nice five star review. We want to help out side Quest 66 00:04:08,719 --> 00:04:12,080 in that way. Patreon post wherever you want to put it. You put 67 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:16,439 your thoughts there and I will absolutely make sure I find them. So yeah, 68 00:04:16,519 --> 00:04:19,600 let's get into the Game of the Year stuff. Of course, last 69 00:04:19,639 --> 00:04:25,639 week I did my top sixteen Games of the Year, and then this episode 70 00:04:25,720 --> 00:04:29,120 we are going to be going through starting with Travis here, So let's let's 71 00:04:29,199 --> 00:04:31,920 kick it over to Travis and we'll hear from him with his well he really 72 00:04:32,040 --> 00:04:34,279 he picked a game of the year and then kind of a list of vulnerable 73 00:04:34,319 --> 00:04:42,879 mentions. So let's hear from Travis. Hello, side questers. I don't 74 00:04:42,920 --> 00:04:45,560 think you've ever been called that, and probably should be called it again, 75 00:04:45,680 --> 00:04:47,759 but it's that time of the air, right, big thank you to Dylan 76 00:04:47,839 --> 00:04:54,040 for putting this together because he's the man, the myth, a legend that 77 00:04:54,079 --> 00:04:56,920 plays all these video games, has the coverage on a bunch of them. 78 00:04:56,959 --> 00:05:00,160 You know, we're just the we're the side quest but a coup. We're 79 00:05:00,199 --> 00:05:01,079 like, oh we played this, played this, and stuff like that. 80 00:05:01,199 --> 00:05:05,800 So a big shout to him because you know, check out all his Game 81 00:05:05,839 --> 00:05:10,079 the Year coverage if you're listening this year off, we are, because it's 82 00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:15,040 it's good stuff. That's the real deep dive. We're the I'll say MC 83 00:05:15,120 --> 00:05:17,040 casual definitely nowadays in my older age. And that's why my game in the 84 00:05:17,079 --> 00:05:23,399 year I don't got one. I'm jokin. I was just gonna maybe leave 85 00:05:23,439 --> 00:05:25,879 it there for a few seconds, see if there's drama. No. This 86 00:05:25,959 --> 00:05:29,879 year, it's it's been interesting because I've played. I feel like it's been 87 00:05:29,879 --> 00:05:31,879 a lower year. I feel like at the maybe whether it was the summer 88 00:05:31,959 --> 00:05:34,000 or something. I think there's a bunch of games in a row, but 89 00:05:34,079 --> 00:05:36,040 lots of were like, oh, I bought a wrestling game, I bought 90 00:05:36,040 --> 00:05:40,600 this game. Games that were not really you know, we luckily talked about 91 00:05:40,639 --> 00:05:43,120 here like Texas Shainsaw, but nothing. And that's where I will say for 92 00:05:43,240 --> 00:05:47,959 my game the year this this year, there's nothing that jumps out right away. 93 00:05:47,959 --> 00:05:51,720 It's like this is for sure it even last year as I'm thinking about 94 00:05:51,759 --> 00:05:55,279 it, I can't think about it, but like, uh, it was 95 00:05:55,399 --> 00:05:58,800 Midnight Suns and oh I think it was that one ring, right, And 96 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:00,639 that's where it's like, literally that I wish there were different years, because 97 00:06:00,639 --> 00:06:03,839 literally that is two games that I don't know if Ellen Rings in my top 98 00:06:03,920 --> 00:06:06,959 ten or Midnight Suns, but they'd be in a top fifty, top twenty 99 00:06:06,959 --> 00:06:10,079 five, like even el Ring. I could make a case for it right 100 00:06:10,800 --> 00:06:15,439 a couple of years ago Destranding. So there's times where even if it's like 101 00:06:15,439 --> 00:06:17,920 like Midnight Suns or elm Ring, where it's not the you know, in 102 00:06:17,959 --> 00:06:20,439 my top five or whatnot, it's like a very strong Okay, this is 103 00:06:20,439 --> 00:06:24,560 one of my favorite games. I feel like I haven't had that this year, 104 00:06:24,839 --> 00:06:26,759 so that's why it's weird. And even then there's some years where it's 105 00:06:26,759 --> 00:06:29,399 like you feel very strongly if like movies, TV shows, was like, 106 00:06:29,399 --> 00:06:30,879 oh, there's nothing that is at all time, but I know for a 107 00:06:30,879 --> 00:06:34,000 fact there's a bullet here. Last year is a two horse race, this 108 00:06:34,040 --> 00:06:38,160 one. There's a couple that I'll shout out and I will pick a game 109 00:06:38,240 --> 00:06:40,879 the year, but I'll pick it for probably a different sort of reason. 110 00:06:40,959 --> 00:06:45,759 But first probably shout Starfield. So I guess I got like a Mount Rushmore. 111 00:06:45,800 --> 00:06:46,920 That's where I am. But there's still like a number one of the 112 00:06:47,000 --> 00:06:50,560 Mount Rushmore. But Starfield's definitely the game I probably played the most, other 113 00:06:50,600 --> 00:06:56,040 than Call Duty with the Boys of My Lovely Gal. Yeah, that's a 114 00:06:56,079 --> 00:07:00,920 game that had Game of the Year and that's where I say, like, 115 00:07:00,959 --> 00:07:01,959 I have Game the Year, but it's just like a ranking. It's not 116 00:07:02,040 --> 00:07:05,279 like a blowaway. It had game year qualities. If you listen to the 117 00:07:05,319 --> 00:07:10,160 Spoilers cast, there was the back half and the new game, plus that 118 00:07:10,279 --> 00:07:13,439 is a all time or sort of thing. So there was moments, but 119 00:07:13,480 --> 00:07:15,759 alsoly there's glitches, some issues me and they'll went over some stuff sometimes stretches 120 00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:18,279 of oh, you know, not the great stuff happening here, even though 121 00:07:18,279 --> 00:07:19,800 as I talk about it, I oh, I haven't played a while. 122 00:07:19,800 --> 00:07:23,199 I should jump back in because I played a lot of and I was like 123 00:07:23,279 --> 00:07:27,079 done done, But I'm kind of waiting till I finished the GV movie edit 124 00:07:27,079 --> 00:07:29,439 and then I'm gonna play some games. But there's Boulders Game. That's why 125 00:07:29,480 --> 00:07:31,519 for me, there's a lot of the top games like Boulders Gate and Alan 126 00:07:31,600 --> 00:07:33,839 Wake that right in my alley that I just didn't have time this year. 127 00:07:33,839 --> 00:07:36,439 You know, they got caught win At the time when they came out, 128 00:07:36,439 --> 00:07:41,560 I was like, I've already planned out my life. But Starfield had some 129 00:07:42,240 --> 00:07:46,319 Game of the Year moments, some Game the Year mechanics. It didn't quite 130 00:07:46,319 --> 00:07:47,759 get there because it feels like there's always like a little bit missing. I 131 00:07:47,759 --> 00:07:50,600 think me and d don't talk about thanking like an eight out of ten somewhere 132 00:07:50,600 --> 00:07:54,800 there. So it's just like there's just little aspects that it didn't all come 133 00:07:54,839 --> 00:07:57,079 together, but still had a great time, and I think it had some 134 00:07:57,120 --> 00:08:00,839 of my favorite moments in video games for sure, my whole life. I'm 135 00:08:00,839 --> 00:08:03,759 thirty now, you know, I'm getting up there. But there's some things 136 00:08:03,800 --> 00:08:05,720 where it's like, oh, I always remember this quest or I always remember 137 00:08:05,759 --> 00:08:09,639 this sort of twist on the story. So I really enjoyed that. So 138 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:11,720 a show to Starfield. The other one just a mini show out because me 139 00:08:11,720 --> 00:08:16,519 and Don just talked about But Super Mario RBG I've yet to be yet still, 140 00:08:16,519 --> 00:08:18,759 but I have obviously been in the past. I haven't beat this new 141 00:08:18,839 --> 00:08:22,079 version, but that was just like the perfect slice of the nostalgia. I 142 00:08:22,120 --> 00:08:24,879 think it's the same. It kind of has that spot where a couple of 143 00:08:24,920 --> 00:08:26,800 years ago when we had Super Mario Party, I don't think I could call 144 00:08:26,839 --> 00:08:30,240 that my game the Year, but just the game the year that kind of 145 00:08:30,240 --> 00:08:31,720 brought a smile to my face, which Mario Party does, and lots of 146 00:08:31,720 --> 00:08:35,879 times the Mario games do that. Was Mario RPG. It's scratching itch. 147 00:08:35,919 --> 00:08:39,919 It reminded me of what I loved it brought. It just is like if 148 00:08:39,960 --> 00:08:43,000 your grandma made these great cookies and you haven't had them for years and she 149 00:08:43,039 --> 00:08:45,360 bakes them and you even like, oh, these are the exact same, 150 00:08:45,440 --> 00:08:48,320 if not a little bit better, you know, And that's what Mario RBG 151 00:08:48,519 --> 00:08:50,360 was for me. It was you know, it was perfect. The game's 152 00:08:50,399 --> 00:08:54,320 not perfect. There's some things about that are like you can tell it's an 153 00:08:54,320 --> 00:08:58,159 older game and things have gone past it. It's not something like A Night's 154 00:08:58,200 --> 00:09:01,000 Whole Republic where effect oh, you could remake that changed some things and it 155 00:09:01,039 --> 00:09:03,519 could still hold up. This fits in a nice, perfect little spot. 156 00:09:03,519 --> 00:09:07,840 It's like a chicken soup. Lots of food reference right now, chicken soup 157 00:09:07,879 --> 00:09:09,399 for the soul. That's what my RPG was. It's a fun time. 158 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:13,080 It's a game that I have dabbled in. Everyone's well because it's great that 159 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:15,120 you can go, oh, I'm just gonna kill half of our forty five 160 00:09:15,159 --> 00:09:16,840 minutes, you know. I think that's when I'll probably finish near the end 161 00:09:16,840 --> 00:09:20,639 of the year, just because I got a long list. That's so I'm 162 00:09:20,639 --> 00:09:22,480 happy that there's more bigger games come out, maybe in the back half of 163 00:09:22,519 --> 00:09:24,639 twenty twenty four, because there's lots of things I want to do. But 164 00:09:26,159 --> 00:09:28,799 yeah, so that was just a nice Inchcrat had a good time Spider Man 165 00:09:28,840 --> 00:09:33,480 two, same thing. I have my issues as always, the story always 166 00:09:33,519 --> 00:09:37,480 is a little lackluster. There's aspects of it that's maybe a little shorter, 167 00:09:37,679 --> 00:09:41,919 like it all depends how you play with like me and Kirkham said that there's 168 00:09:41,919 --> 00:09:43,200 certain aspects if you do streamline, do just feel like it goes by quite 169 00:09:43,279 --> 00:09:48,480 quick. I think it's just that it is better. It's just not as 170 00:09:48,519 --> 00:09:54,080 I was hoping for that Arkham Asylum to Arkham City better with story everything. 171 00:09:54,159 --> 00:09:56,919 But it's tough, right because you have the same writers and I think they've 172 00:09:56,919 --> 00:09:58,240 shown what they can kind of do there. And I still feel this story 173 00:09:58,320 --> 00:10:01,679 is a little bit better, and there's not much because it's like, well, 174 00:10:01,679 --> 00:10:03,120 you're playing New York, but a bigger New York. But that still 175 00:10:03,200 --> 00:10:09,240 is like it's still more Spider Man. And I loved the first Spider Man, 176 00:10:09,279 --> 00:10:11,679 you know, Like I know that's a debate and of all sit there's 177 00:10:11,840 --> 00:10:15,039 been funds of debate between that and Balder's Gayle fun for some people, some 178 00:10:15,080 --> 00:10:16,759 people get too worked up, but it's just like for me, it is 179 00:10:16,840 --> 00:10:22,639 a it's a great time game. It's it's adrenaline game. If Starfield is 180 00:10:22,679 --> 00:10:24,879 the adventure game of the year, just like oh, ideas, fun thing's 181 00:10:24,919 --> 00:10:30,480 happening, and then Super Mario RPG's did the nostalogia. This is the action 182 00:10:30,559 --> 00:10:33,840 adventure game. This is the game that is the adrenaline, the blood pumping, 183 00:10:33,159 --> 00:10:37,600 having a good time. Like even just as we talked about many times 184 00:10:37,600 --> 00:10:39,840 the first game with this game, if it was just a Spider Man web 185 00:10:39,840 --> 00:10:43,679 Swinger simulator, we'd be, oh, this is perfect, you know, 186 00:10:43,759 --> 00:10:46,639 And that's what this is. Where they've add some stuff. Sure they took 187 00:10:46,679 --> 00:10:50,039 some things away, but they added enough where it's different and I had a 188 00:10:50,080 --> 00:10:52,440 good time with it. Still there is a level in the back hat there. 189 00:10:52,440 --> 00:10:56,120 When I was about that was a like a dream come true as a 190 00:10:56,120 --> 00:10:58,879 comic fans like man, they nailed. They made this perfect. This was 191 00:10:58,919 --> 00:11:03,600 fantastic all the way. So yeah, I think for me, it's we 192 00:11:03,679 --> 00:11:05,639 talked about this before, where Spider Man is always going to be a certain 193 00:11:05,840 --> 00:11:09,279 level. I think it's always gonna be that like if you got the s 194 00:11:09,320 --> 00:11:11,600 tier games, it's always gonna be a tier. And there's nothing wrong with 195 00:11:11,639 --> 00:11:13,480 that, you know. I think there's lots of people that, oh, 196 00:11:13,519 --> 00:11:18,480 man, still it didn't evolve enough in this. It's like, of course, 197 00:11:18,600 --> 00:11:20,039 yes, I do understand that, but at the same time, I'm 198 00:11:20,039 --> 00:11:24,600 also just happy that I enjoyed the sequel a lot and like that. You 199 00:11:24,639 --> 00:11:26,279 know, it was like a major step down or they didn't do any innovations, 200 00:11:26,320 --> 00:11:30,840 they didn't add many suits like they Still people are putting their heart and 201 00:11:30,840 --> 00:11:33,519 soul in this, and it still made me happy. You know, I 202 00:11:33,519 --> 00:11:35,320 didn't walk away at the end of it being man, what a bummer. 203 00:11:35,360 --> 00:11:37,840 And there's tons of games that happens, you know, like all the time. 204 00:11:37,879 --> 00:11:41,200 There's some of the things you can be disappointed with, so it works 205 00:11:41,200 --> 00:11:45,440 for that. So and then my final one and the number one, which 206 00:11:45,519 --> 00:11:48,639 might sound kind of weird, but this is where I'll say, if I 207 00:11:48,679 --> 00:11:52,440 have the Adrenaline game, I have the Nostalgia Chicken Soup game, I have 208 00:11:52,559 --> 00:11:56,879 the Adventure Moments game. You know, this is the sentimental, fun family 209 00:11:56,919 --> 00:12:01,679 game. And that's why I'm going on Super Mario Wonder because as we talked 210 00:12:01,679 --> 00:12:05,159 about it's not reinventing the wheel. It's very similar to you know, whatever 211 00:12:05,159 --> 00:12:07,960 they did for Weu, and they brought the switch as well. Of course, 212 00:12:09,039 --> 00:12:11,240 yes you have new maps and a new world and Wonder effects. The 213 00:12:11,240 --> 00:12:15,159 wond effects are great for me. This is just simply as when I think 214 00:12:15,200 --> 00:12:20,080 about the video games this year, what I'm gonna be taking with me is 215 00:12:20,159 --> 00:12:22,000 Wonder and that's where the same thing. It wouldn't be in my top Nintendo 216 00:12:22,080 --> 00:12:26,559 games anything like that, but for what games are supposed to do, right, 217 00:12:26,600 --> 00:12:30,440 bring you joy. Some of the best gaming experiences of my life have 218 00:12:30,519 --> 00:12:31,960 been with my friends, whether it's Geek for his friends, other friends, 219 00:12:31,960 --> 00:12:35,120 you know, like that's that's still the prime, you know, game Gauntlet, 220 00:12:35,200 --> 00:12:39,440 like I love I do love a good Soulo game. Everyone knows, 221 00:12:39,440 --> 00:12:41,399 like that's my jam. But at the end of the day too, it's 222 00:12:41,440 --> 00:12:45,360 like I do love a soulser But if you got friends with all gaming and 223 00:12:45,480 --> 00:12:48,120 joy, those are the moments Striker is Mayer party And now I'm having these 224 00:12:48,159 --> 00:12:52,080 moments with Emily and my kids. You know, like when when that Wei 225 00:12:52,399 --> 00:12:56,039 one came out, we didn't have kids. We were just moving in together 226 00:12:56,039 --> 00:12:58,960 and I didn't have a job and it was great timing, fun story. 227 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:03,919 But yeah, for this was that. But it's like, now I'm playing 228 00:13:03,039 --> 00:13:07,039 with my kids, so not only is the group activity, not only am 229 00:13:07,080 --> 00:13:09,039 I kind of teaching them a getting to see them learn. It's just a 230 00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:13,200 good time for the most part. You know, there's some levels they get 231 00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:16,600 a little frustrated and it's a little too much, but that's part of parenting 232 00:13:16,639 --> 00:13:20,639 as well. But yeah, that's where it's like for me, it's just 233 00:13:20,679 --> 00:13:22,720 like that's the memory I'm gonna take from this to the most where that's where 234 00:13:24,120 --> 00:13:26,879 maybe if there was a game that was just so good and that could be 235 00:13:26,919 --> 00:13:28,840 Baller Skate and that could be Alan's Wake, and I will return that because 236 00:13:30,159 --> 00:13:31,559 as Dylane said, like, oh, he'll be have to get some updates 237 00:13:31,559 --> 00:13:35,120 for me because I know Ballder Skates come to Xbox, so I'm gonna try 238 00:13:35,120 --> 00:13:37,320 it at some point, you know, play my version and team up with 239 00:13:37,360 --> 00:13:39,879 them to talk about that. So I will maybe retroact me go, oh 240 00:13:41,000 --> 00:13:43,279 yeah, that definitely was the game. But as far as why I played 241 00:13:43,279 --> 00:13:46,000 in the year, what I'm gonna remember it's the moments I had with the 242 00:13:46,039 --> 00:13:50,919 girls, the funny moments them laughing them, learning them, getting better at 243 00:13:50,960 --> 00:13:54,279 things. You know, some things never getting better at, but eventually we'll 244 00:13:54,279 --> 00:13:58,679 get there. And it's just like a it's a whole Obviously it's on purpose. 245 00:13:58,720 --> 00:14:01,320 But the first thing I did with my dad, as far as video 246 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:03,639 gives ami and now, the first thing I did my dad hopefully you know, 247 00:14:03,679 --> 00:14:05,000 he taught me to walk and everything first, but it was Mario. 248 00:14:05,080 --> 00:14:07,600 It was that original Mario. And that's what we're doing here, and it's 249 00:14:07,600 --> 00:14:11,960 like the it's the perfect game. That's what we're One thing I said on 250 00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:13,000 the review, so I won't try to repeat it too much, but the 251 00:14:13,039 --> 00:14:18,759 idea of the nabt or yoshi or certain tokens or coins whatever they are badges 252 00:14:18,840 --> 00:14:24,039 Dad, that's they are badges where they definitely are skewing two more family or 253 00:14:24,080 --> 00:14:26,840 younger kids. That's great because there's tons of games that you know, either, 254 00:14:28,120 --> 00:14:30,879 especially for Gwen, who's you know, six down gonna be seven, 255 00:14:31,039 --> 00:14:35,200 she's getting in that age where she still likes playing the young kids game like 256 00:14:35,200 --> 00:14:37,600 the Paul Patrols and stuff, but you can tell she's starting to get more 257 00:14:37,639 --> 00:14:39,039 like, Okay, I want more of a challenge. But then there's stuff 258 00:14:39,039 --> 00:14:43,679 where you know, I thought I said this before in games on side quest 259 00:14:43,720 --> 00:14:46,240 here where it's like, oh, I thought Lego, that'd be really good. 260 00:14:46,279 --> 00:14:48,720 But the way the new Lagel games work, you have a camera yet 261 00:14:48,720 --> 00:14:50,679 to move, it's like, oh, she's not ready that. So there's 262 00:14:50,840 --> 00:14:52,399 lots of games right now where it's like, okay, this is too young 263 00:14:52,679 --> 00:14:58,120 or too old. So the Mario Wondering somehow is like it's perfect. And 264 00:14:58,120 --> 00:15:03,720 that's what what I appreciated about Mario Wonder is I can play that with my 265 00:15:03,840 --> 00:15:07,960 kids and have a great time, have fun and taam mass and are playing 266 00:15:09,000 --> 00:15:11,799 it two adults having a great time, Dylan MUD's playing it having a great 267 00:15:11,799 --> 00:15:13,960 time. Like that's the thing where you know the camera, yes, can 268 00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:16,759 be a little and like I said, you've never played Mario Wonder until you 269 00:15:16,799 --> 00:15:20,399 have a four year old control in the camera. That is something that's the 270 00:15:20,399 --> 00:15:24,679 most challenging. Fuck speed running part of my language. Playing it that way, 271 00:15:24,720 --> 00:15:28,799 that is the most challenging. But that's what I do love about the 272 00:15:28,840 --> 00:15:31,519 game is the versatility of it. It's not okay, we've made a Mario 273 00:15:31,559 --> 00:15:35,440 game, but this is specifically four families because then we have and there's other 274 00:15:35,480 --> 00:15:39,080 games like that right where you have that aspect that me and Emily can play 275 00:15:39,080 --> 00:15:43,519 with them. But it's like like it's fun for us because we're playing with 276 00:15:43,559 --> 00:15:45,840 our kids, right and teaching them. But it's just that it's like I 277 00:15:45,840 --> 00:15:48,639 don't have fun playing the Paw Patrol game because it's just me moving a character 278 00:15:48,679 --> 00:15:52,639 around, Like yeah, I can. Like they're very basic, you know, 279 00:15:52,759 --> 00:15:56,240 two buns and analog stick, right this. That's what I love about 280 00:15:56,279 --> 00:15:58,799 is that at the same time me and Emily were playing as adults still having 281 00:15:58,840 --> 00:16:00,360 a good time, we got the kids with as who are learning playing having 282 00:16:00,399 --> 00:16:03,399 good time. So that's why it might sound like a little thing. I 283 00:16:03,399 --> 00:16:07,480 think only people with kids or younger you know, nieces, nephew's siblings stuff, 284 00:16:07,480 --> 00:16:11,519 will appreciate that. Where the good thing is when me and Amily and 285 00:16:11,519 --> 00:16:14,039 the kids go asleep, we can still play that game by ourselves, or 286 00:16:14,039 --> 00:16:15,759 when we fish, we can still go back and go, Okay, we're 287 00:16:15,840 --> 00:16:19,039 interested the hard ones. It's rare, like trying to find many games out 288 00:16:19,080 --> 00:16:22,279 there and maybe like of course, like I haven't played it really at all. 289 00:16:22,279 --> 00:16:25,639 It was like buying Craft and Fortnite. There's something that kind of do 290 00:16:25,720 --> 00:16:29,000 that. But like Fortnite, that's like a really more solo game. I'm 291 00:16:29,039 --> 00:16:32,919 not sure Minecraft would it be like with the whole family. The fact that 292 00:16:32,960 --> 00:16:37,120 Mario Wonder can be a game for adults four kids, have varying levels and 293 00:16:37,279 --> 00:16:41,320 still be accessible as like a group. You know, it's not one of 294 00:16:41,360 --> 00:16:44,399 those things where yeah, Fortnite, we're gonna play, but you're not playing 295 00:16:44,399 --> 00:16:45,799 as four people at the same time. I might be telling my ass I 296 00:16:45,799 --> 00:16:48,559 don't know, but you get what I mean. That's sort of working togetherness. 297 00:16:49,399 --> 00:16:52,240 It just does a lot of things, and that's a very small genre. 298 00:16:52,360 --> 00:16:56,159 It's the way we talk about like couch cold and not being a dying 299 00:16:56,200 --> 00:16:59,679 thing. Right, that's this is that's one thing that luckily I have older 300 00:16:59,720 --> 00:17:03,080 games. I've kept some consoles, but there's not a lot of couch co 301 00:17:03,159 --> 00:17:07,759 op games out there, especially for this age seven and four. Right, 302 00:17:07,839 --> 00:17:10,279 And eventually Ellie she'll be three, so she'll be getting in there. So 303 00:17:10,319 --> 00:17:12,920 it's like there's not many like Marbo parties say, Okay, eventually they'll get 304 00:17:12,920 --> 00:17:17,599 there, but right now they can't because like logan A four can't play like 305 00:17:17,720 --> 00:17:19,559 eats a pizza and like these sort of things that they like watch us, 306 00:17:19,559 --> 00:17:22,640 so they we pretend they play, but there's things that they can't do right. 307 00:17:22,640 --> 00:17:25,880 It's just like there's too hard with the bun Maasure, too hard to 308 00:17:25,920 --> 00:17:29,039 do this yet. So that's why that's my you know, there's like I 309 00:17:29,079 --> 00:17:32,039 said, gave a four Mount Rushmore, but that's why that'd be my number 310 00:17:32,039 --> 00:17:37,160 one for it is sentimental, but it's more an appreciation for us people with 311 00:17:37,319 --> 00:17:41,440 parents or with little people out there, because it is something that it's it's 312 00:17:41,440 --> 00:17:45,039 great that it's like our go to game. You know, it's something that 313 00:17:45,079 --> 00:17:48,559 we have tons of fun doing. And like I said, and I also 314 00:17:48,599 --> 00:17:52,039 to same thing if everyone's listening for whether it's Discord, Twitter, Facebook, 315 00:17:52,039 --> 00:17:56,079 YouTube, you know, we usually what we plug let me know out there 316 00:17:56,079 --> 00:17:57,839 even just like like four so many to know, like what are some good 317 00:17:57,920 --> 00:18:02,960 family games out there that are like Mario Wonder just because one we would play 318 00:18:02,960 --> 00:18:04,880 them, but two I would just like to see, like I said, 319 00:18:06,119 --> 00:18:10,200 the versatility or lack thereof in that genre. Right, It's hard because that 320 00:18:10,200 --> 00:18:11,880 maybe doesn't sell the most. You want to go after the gamers and the 321 00:18:12,000 --> 00:18:15,519 micro transactions and stuff. But that's why I love nintend Note and I love 322 00:18:15,519 --> 00:18:18,440 what they're doing so, Yeah, that would be my four and I would 323 00:18:18,440 --> 00:18:21,720 give if I had to put someone in the one slot, i'd give it 324 00:18:21,759 --> 00:18:23,079 to Wonder. You know. I had a good time, and you myself 325 00:18:23,079 --> 00:18:26,880 as somebody that's just a fan of it. I you know, if I 326 00:18:26,000 --> 00:18:30,359 was a single man, I've played all those Mario games, and I've enjoyed 327 00:18:30,359 --> 00:18:33,480 this one thoroughly. They didn't disappoint. They took a few years off, 328 00:18:33,640 --> 00:18:37,240 they added some things. They didn't reinvent the wheel, but they just made 329 00:18:37,279 --> 00:18:40,559 the wheel maybe a little shinier, and have you know, some certain new 330 00:18:40,599 --> 00:18:42,880 things on it. I don't know, but I've enjoyed it, so that 331 00:18:42,920 --> 00:18:45,519 would be it. I hope you're enjoying this episode. I'm not sure where 332 00:18:45,519 --> 00:18:49,319 I am. If I'm middle start wherever. See what Assassin's Screed game? 333 00:18:49,359 --> 00:18:52,880 Tay pick kirkh On. There's some anime some you know, Armor Wars, 334 00:18:53,039 --> 00:18:57,519 Armor Core, whatever. No, what does he play? Oh that's a 335 00:18:57,680 --> 00:19:03,839 warhammer? Yeah, ammering up, you know who knows? But yes, 336 00:19:03,960 --> 00:19:10,599 that is my games of the year. Okay, I'm back here. That 337 00:19:10,759 --> 00:19:15,559 was Travis's list. I was pretty surprised that he didn't pick either Spidery or 338 00:19:15,640 --> 00:19:18,400 Starfield. As his game the Year. I was kind of surprised to see 339 00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:25,119 it go to Mario Wonder, so that was a fun list to listen to. 340 00:19:25,240 --> 00:19:30,279 Next up, we're gonna kick it over to Taylor. Taylor here is 341 00:19:30,359 --> 00:19:36,480 his top five games of the year. Hello, thank you Dylan for having 342 00:19:36,519 --> 00:19:40,839 me and allowing me to put my number one video game twenty twenty three. 343 00:19:41,519 --> 00:19:45,599 I ended up just doing a top five here just I felt like why not, 344 00:19:47,039 --> 00:19:49,440 So I'm gonna start from the bottom and work my way up. Now. 345 00:19:52,079 --> 00:19:55,440 Alien's Dark Descent that is my number five. I think it is a 346 00:19:55,519 --> 00:19:59,440 great title. I've been playing a little bit more and just how it really 347 00:19:59,480 --> 00:20:06,400 refreshed that alien horror vibe and adds a different kind of play style to put 348 00:20:06,440 --> 00:20:08,960 previous Alien games that we've seen before. It really capitalizes on that horror vibe 349 00:20:08,960 --> 00:20:11,839 and just expands on the universe. I really really enjoy it. It's a 350 00:20:11,880 --> 00:20:18,160 great, great game. Number four Mario Wonder really really love that game. 351 00:20:18,319 --> 00:20:22,599 It's proven to be just a very fresh change with a little bit of like 352 00:20:22,640 --> 00:20:26,680 that freedom of choosing different levels you want to do and just being able to 353 00:20:26,720 --> 00:20:29,680 play with your play with my wife, for example. I love that so 354 00:20:29,799 --> 00:20:33,440 much. Just a great time, just very vibrant and very exciting. And 355 00:20:34,000 --> 00:20:40,079 number three Star Wars type survivor being able to go back in here and just 356 00:20:40,079 --> 00:20:45,880 be able to enjoy how the team capitalized on the improvements over the last one. 357 00:20:45,920 --> 00:20:48,160 The last one had a lot of bugs, a lot of issues, 358 00:20:48,200 --> 00:20:52,000 and knowing that I was getting into this sequel and knowing what to expect and 359 00:20:52,079 --> 00:20:56,240 just having to sweat through the grind of some boss battles and what I've never 360 00:20:56,440 --> 00:21:00,240 gone into Dark Souls and such. I played it, but I haven't played 361 00:21:00,279 --> 00:21:04,279 it religiously enough to be able to relate to people's tribulations and experiences with dealing 362 00:21:04,359 --> 00:21:07,000 some of those bosses. This is my version of that because some of the 363 00:21:07,039 --> 00:21:10,680 stuff you have to do in this game is brutal, but the story was 364 00:21:10,720 --> 00:21:14,440 fantastic. I love the campaign that I love just being able to customize the 365 00:21:14,440 --> 00:21:18,240 different lightsaber options. There's so many different new improvements that they made. It 366 00:21:18,279 --> 00:21:22,400 was a really really enjoyable game. And number two, and this one was 367 00:21:22,480 --> 00:21:27,480 really really really unexpected Texas Chainsaw Mascer. I absolutely loved this game and when 368 00:21:27,480 --> 00:21:30,279 it first came out, I went at it, heard it drop down games 369 00:21:30,279 --> 00:21:34,279 pass. I need to get back and play more of this because I was 370 00:21:34,319 --> 00:21:38,319 grinding my characters' ranks unlocking things, and I know there's more deals for what 371 00:21:38,400 --> 00:21:42,000 I want to try. But this game is fantastic, and maybe want to 372 00:21:42,039 --> 00:21:45,359 go watch the original film and after watching it for the first time, really 373 00:21:45,400 --> 00:21:51,680 being able to appreciate how much detail and stuff that they put into the game, 374 00:21:51,839 --> 00:21:53,039 just the little least eggs and the tie ds, it just was a 375 00:21:53,240 --> 00:21:56,920 really really good tribute piece to that original film. So fantastic job. I 376 00:21:57,039 --> 00:22:00,240 highly recommend Text the Chainsaw. It's a great time. I'm I mean, 377 00:22:00,240 --> 00:22:03,640 I've played so much of its solo and I still had tons of fun, 378 00:22:03,680 --> 00:22:06,000 but it's a great time. Just playing with your friends especially, you'll have 379 00:22:06,039 --> 00:22:07,759 even more fun. So I highly recommend that. And then my number one. 380 00:22:07,880 --> 00:22:11,720 I'm sure everyone could predict this Assassin's Creed Mirage back to form. This 381 00:22:11,759 --> 00:22:15,599 game is fantastic. I love getting into this world and just feeling like it's 382 00:22:15,640 --> 00:22:21,400 Assassin's Creed one all over again, but just with all of the fantastic improvements 383 00:22:21,400 --> 00:22:23,599 that we've learned along the way throughout the other Assassin's Creed titles. The story 384 00:22:23,680 --> 00:22:26,640 is great. I'm super attached to the character, and I'm just loving the 385 00:22:26,680 --> 00:22:30,880 combat. It just feels simple, it feels og, it feels nostalgic. 386 00:22:32,000 --> 00:22:34,799 I'm really really driving off of it. So I highly recommend Assassin's Creed Mirage. 387 00:22:34,839 --> 00:22:37,519 I think that a lot of old school players will Assassin's Creed, and 388 00:22:37,559 --> 00:22:41,319 those fans will really be able to appreciate it and enjoy it, as well 389 00:22:41,319 --> 00:22:45,079 as new players that are maybe new to the franchise that are looking for something 390 00:22:45,119 --> 00:22:48,799 that's not super overbearing overwhelming then is a little bit set up in its own 391 00:22:48,920 --> 00:22:53,920 story with other previous iterations. So yeah, that is my list, and 392 00:22:55,319 --> 00:23:00,200 thank you. Back to you, Dylan, Okay, thank you. Taylor 393 00:23:02,400 --> 00:23:04,079 also surprised to see some stuff on his list. I really thought Call of 394 00:23:04,119 --> 00:23:07,240 Duty would make it on in some way. Now I think maybe if you 395 00:23:07,279 --> 00:23:11,039 look at like the new Call of Duty release for this year, like the 396 00:23:11,119 --> 00:23:14,920 technical box on the shelf, maybe that's not necessarily what would make it in. 397 00:23:15,039 --> 00:23:17,440 But I just feel like he played so much war Zone, or he's 398 00:23:17,440 --> 00:23:19,279 played a lot of this new zombie stuff. Maybe I'm just a little lost 399 00:23:19,279 --> 00:23:23,279 on what is new Call of Duty content. Let's just like updates for previous 400 00:23:23,319 --> 00:23:26,480 games. It gets it gets really wonky, but I'm very excited to check 401 00:23:26,519 --> 00:23:32,039 out Alien's Dark Descent still from his list there, and then Jedi Survivor. 402 00:23:32,079 --> 00:23:34,279 I did borrow his copy a couple of weeks ago, or I guess when 403 00:23:34,279 --> 00:23:37,759 I was in Clona for the twenty four Hours whom I grabbed it fro him. 404 00:23:37,799 --> 00:23:41,039 So I still have not played that, but yeah, that was cool 405 00:23:41,079 --> 00:23:44,519 to hear. And then last but certainly a lot of least we're gonna hear 406 00:23:44,960 --> 00:23:49,960 from Kirkland. Okay, here we are. I have my Game of the 407 00:23:51,079 --> 00:23:59,039 Year twenty twenty three ranking list. I realize actually that I haven't played as 408 00:23:59,079 --> 00:24:03,119 many New twenty twenty three games that maybe I was expecting in hindsight. But 409 00:24:03,519 --> 00:24:07,720 so this is gonna kind of just be, I guess, a tier list 410 00:24:07,880 --> 00:24:11,000 of the of the games that I did play this year and where they kind 411 00:24:11,000 --> 00:24:15,440 of align on my overall enjoyment level. Obviously, I'll be leaning into the 412 00:24:15,480 --> 00:24:18,720 big number one spot, which would be my Game of the Year for the 413 00:24:18,799 --> 00:24:22,960 year. But yeah, so they'll further do. Let's just get into it. 414 00:24:23,039 --> 00:24:27,680 I'm Curriclum Patzer. I'm sure you know who I am if you've listened 415 00:24:27,720 --> 00:24:32,240 to this before and Uh. Yeah, without further do this jump into it. 416 00:24:32,279 --> 00:24:37,519 So uh, starting at the bottom, I have Okay, actually no, 417 00:24:37,599 --> 00:24:42,880 I will do a quick shout out for a game that probably not a 418 00:24:42,880 --> 00:24:47,559 lot of listeners have played unless you're a big F one fan. This is 419 00:24:47,759 --> 00:24:51,640 F one Manager twenty twenty three. I just want to quickly shout this one 420 00:24:51,680 --> 00:24:56,519 out because this was the first F one Manager title that I've ever played, 421 00:24:56,559 --> 00:24:59,759 and I will say, man, they have done such a great job with 422 00:24:59,759 --> 00:25:06,400 all different systems and management aspects to managing an F one team, and if 423 00:25:06,440 --> 00:25:08,880 you if you're a fan of F one. If you're not a fan, 424 00:25:08,920 --> 00:25:12,880 obviously there's absolutely nothing to you, but it's very in depth with what you 425 00:25:12,920 --> 00:25:17,240 can do and all the different systems, and it just it's really really good 426 00:25:17,279 --> 00:25:18,559 game and I'm very very impressed with it. I'm glad I finally got it. 427 00:25:19,079 --> 00:25:22,319 It was on one of the Steam sales, so I am glad I 428 00:25:22,319 --> 00:25:23,839 picked it up. So yeah, I just want to shout that one out. 429 00:25:23,880 --> 00:25:27,880 But getting to the actual list here at the bottom, what is that 430 00:25:27,960 --> 00:25:33,960 number six? I have Mario Wonder here. Now, Mario Wonder was actually 431 00:25:33,000 --> 00:25:37,359 a big surprise for me. I wasn't initially gonna pick it up. And 432 00:25:37,400 --> 00:25:42,480 then my significant other, she is a big like Mario platformer type fan, 433 00:25:42,599 --> 00:25:45,559 especially knowing that this owner is a co op. Soon as she caught win 434 00:25:45,599 --> 00:25:48,359 of it, it's like, Okay, we're getting this game. And I'm 435 00:25:48,400 --> 00:25:51,759 so glad that we ended up getting it, because this one was a really, 436 00:25:51,799 --> 00:25:53,960 really, really fun title to get through. We've we've completed the game 437 00:25:53,960 --> 00:25:59,640 now we rolled credits, but we haven't finished all of the little bonus world 438 00:26:00,079 --> 00:26:03,240 levels to it. And I will say, man, I am extremely impressed 439 00:26:03,279 --> 00:26:06,960 with what they're able to do with this title. Obviously, if you're listening 440 00:26:07,000 --> 00:26:10,880 to this and you and you checked out Dylan and Taylor's review of the game, 441 00:26:11,599 --> 00:26:14,680 it's already out there that they give their thoughts, and I'm definitely in 442 00:26:14,720 --> 00:26:17,440 align with a lot of things that they said on there. But just the 443 00:26:17,440 --> 00:26:19,920 whole Wonder system with like the Wonder powers and the things that were there. 444 00:26:19,960 --> 00:26:25,359 They're including this game if it felt very new, breath of fresh air, 445 00:26:25,559 --> 00:26:26,799 and uh yeah, I just really really liked it. I liked all the 446 00:26:26,839 --> 00:26:30,920 added badges that they did. There's some things that I feel like are kind 447 00:26:30,920 --> 00:26:34,599 of limiting the gameplay and the sense that you can only have like one badge 448 00:26:34,599 --> 00:26:40,240 active at a time, but the overall just level design and the challenge aspect 449 00:26:40,279 --> 00:26:42,240 to it and the different characters that were adding this game. I had a 450 00:26:42,240 --> 00:26:47,119 really really fun time playing through this, And uh yeah, so that's that's 451 00:26:47,119 --> 00:26:49,640 at the bottom of my list, and it's I say bottom, It's not 452 00:26:49,720 --> 00:26:52,920 It's not a bad title at all, you know. I feel like all 453 00:26:52,960 --> 00:26:56,759 the games that are on the list here are are ones that I had really 454 00:26:56,799 --> 00:27:00,920 really fun time playing. And I mean that's just maybe speak to the quality 455 00:27:00,960 --> 00:27:02,799 of games that I was able to play this year. There's a lot of 456 00:27:02,880 --> 00:27:04,799 games I slipped through the cracks. Maybe I wasn't able to play. Maybe 457 00:27:04,799 --> 00:27:08,640 it's like an Xbox only release like the Starfield titles. One day, hopefully, 458 00:27:08,680 --> 00:27:12,319 I'm hoping I'll get my hands on it. But things like Balder's Gate 459 00:27:12,359 --> 00:27:15,559 three are not on my list because I haven't played it, but I'm sure 460 00:27:15,559 --> 00:27:18,759 if I did, they would be up there from just what I've heard across 461 00:27:18,759 --> 00:27:22,559 the globe and friends and family that have played it. So yeah, Mario 462 00:27:22,599 --> 00:27:26,559 wonder that's number six for me. Heading up the list year, I have 463 00:27:26,640 --> 00:27:30,640 number five Pickman four, long awaited release for me. I am a big 464 00:27:30,680 --> 00:27:34,759 fan of the original Pickman game. I haven't played second or third title, 465 00:27:34,839 --> 00:27:38,920 but this one was just when I found out about it, I knew I 466 00:27:38,960 --> 00:27:42,839 was gonna be getting this one day one and I had an absolute blast playing 467 00:27:42,839 --> 00:27:47,079 through this. It's very nostalgia, just going back into what the Pickman style 468 00:27:47,160 --> 00:27:49,920 are, kind of piggyback in what I was talking about with Mario Wonder. 469 00:27:49,960 --> 00:27:56,559 This one just did such a great job at bringing in new gameplay to like 470 00:27:56,640 --> 00:28:00,359 the base the bass gameplay of what makes Pickman game the same, Like they 471 00:28:00,400 --> 00:28:03,240 can't just change everything about it, otherwise it wouldn't be a Piman, you 472 00:28:03,240 --> 00:28:07,319 know, like mid Maxine the amount of different types of Pickman that you want 473 00:28:07,359 --> 00:28:11,160 to use and what you want to take on your journeys. But like the 474 00:28:11,240 --> 00:28:14,680 quality of life improvements that they brought to this game was just really really stand 475 00:28:14,680 --> 00:28:15,759 out for me, and I had a really fun time of venturing through this. 476 00:28:15,799 --> 00:28:18,160 I haven't rolled credits on it yet. It's been one of those where 477 00:28:18,200 --> 00:28:21,440 I feel like I just got to a certain point and put it down for 478 00:28:21,480 --> 00:28:25,000 no like major reasons, just probably got i don't know, tied up doing 479 00:28:25,039 --> 00:28:27,079 other games or whatnot, or just classic Kirk and you put down a game 480 00:28:27,119 --> 00:28:30,960 and then hopefully come back to it, but I have not yet, so 481 00:28:30,200 --> 00:28:34,319 I have heard that the endgame is really really great in it, and maybe 482 00:28:34,359 --> 00:28:37,400 if I've gotten there, this would have been higher on my list, but 483 00:28:37,480 --> 00:28:41,240 as of right now, I put it in the number five slots. Yeah, 484 00:28:41,319 --> 00:28:44,160 no, just really really impressed with it, So heading up from there, 485 00:28:44,200 --> 00:28:48,039 in the number four spot, I put Mortal Kombat one. This was 486 00:28:48,079 --> 00:28:56,200 another big anticipated title for me. I absolutely love just the Mortal Kombat game 487 00:28:56,400 --> 00:29:00,680 series throughout history. That's one of my earliest games I ever played. Actually 488 00:29:00,720 --> 00:29:03,000 on the second genesis was MK. I can't remember if it was MK two 489 00:29:03,160 --> 00:29:08,319 or that original title, but just such a nostalgic franchise for me, Like 490 00:29:08,319 --> 00:29:12,400 the theme song is so iconic, the finish, all those aspects that make 491 00:29:12,440 --> 00:29:18,519 Mortal Kombat Mortal Kombat just really really really sit well with me. I'm I'm 492 00:29:18,559 --> 00:29:21,240 not a street fighter guy, I'm not a teching guy. Mortal Kombat is 493 00:29:21,319 --> 00:29:26,160 my my arcade fighter, and I don't think I'll ever like go a long 494 00:29:26,200 --> 00:29:30,480 amount of time without getting a Mortal Kombat game. They just they they do 495 00:29:30,519 --> 00:29:33,720 what they do so well. And this game looks and feels so beautiful. 496 00:29:36,559 --> 00:29:40,720 I personally, I feel like I still enjoy the actual, like campaign story 497 00:29:40,799 --> 00:29:45,400 of the previous title MK eleven more than this one, but not by a 498 00:29:45,400 --> 00:29:48,400 big long shot that it does like this one. The big emphasis was that 499 00:29:48,400 --> 00:29:53,480 they're recreating the whole the whole story of where we're at, the whole timeline, 500 00:29:53,960 --> 00:30:00,160 you could say, and like, it's really just following of what m 501 00:30:00,200 --> 00:30:03,720 K eleven was, And I feel like I was riding that wave into this 502 00:30:03,799 --> 00:30:07,279 game, and I don't know, there's just something about it. I was 503 00:30:07,319 --> 00:30:12,599 still kind of longing for maybe some of the just the big moments that the 504 00:30:12,640 --> 00:30:18,160 previous title had. But so yeah, just looking at the storyline alone, 505 00:30:18,200 --> 00:30:21,519 I might give it to m K eleven a little bit above this one. 506 00:30:21,559 --> 00:30:23,759 But I just really like this this game. I like the move sets. 507 00:30:23,759 --> 00:30:27,400 I like the inclusion of the cameos fighter of course Cameo being spelled with the 508 00:30:27,480 --> 00:30:33,440 K as Mortal Kombat usually does, and yeah, it just looks and feels 509 00:30:33,480 --> 00:30:40,200 so good. And yeah, no, I really liked the new what was 510 00:30:40,240 --> 00:30:44,920 it was like the realm system that they included where it's it's kind of I'm 511 00:30:44,960 --> 00:30:48,079 hesitant to say roguelike, but it's something like that where you're just fighting different 512 00:30:48,839 --> 00:30:52,359 enemies traversing through a little map. So yeah, I really really liked that 513 00:30:52,400 --> 00:30:56,480 inclusion. And this is just such a great Mortal Kombat title. We played 514 00:30:56,480 --> 00:30:59,039 a lot of it on the twenty four hour charity stream that we did for 515 00:30:59,119 --> 00:31:03,799 the podcast, and I, yeah, it was just fun to play against 516 00:31:03,839 --> 00:31:07,119 some some some local couch co op or I guess not couch co op, 517 00:31:07,240 --> 00:31:11,599 just just couch combatants with some some friends. I feel like that's usually peak 518 00:31:11,880 --> 00:31:15,440 Mortal Kombat. I'm not a big, like competitive Moral Kombat player, so 519 00:31:15,559 --> 00:31:18,880 there's definitely tiers to the skill levels of it, but it's just it's it's 520 00:31:18,920 --> 00:31:22,559 great. It's great fun to play with friends because I feel like the barried 521 00:31:22,680 --> 00:31:25,319 entry is very low. You don't have to know too much to at least 522 00:31:25,799 --> 00:31:30,279 get some satisfaction from it, gets some the dopamine rushes that you get from, 523 00:31:30,599 --> 00:31:33,960 you know, doing the old finishing of a fighter when you when you 524 00:31:33,000 --> 00:31:37,319 defeat them. But yeah, this one just it looks and feels so great. 525 00:31:37,400 --> 00:31:41,960 So that's my number four right now, which might seem lower, but 526 00:31:42,039 --> 00:31:47,000 I feel like because I knew what I was getting into it, it it 527 00:31:47,039 --> 00:31:49,519 doesn't shoot up too high because it is Mortal Kom like It's it's not a 528 00:31:49,599 --> 00:31:55,119 major major jump from what the previous title was, but that doesn't take away 529 00:31:55,119 --> 00:31:59,119 from it by any means. It's a fantastic game, and Yeah, I 530 00:31:59,160 --> 00:32:01,559 can't wait to try out some of these these new DLC fighters that have included. 531 00:32:01,599 --> 00:32:06,400 I feel like there is the biggest detriment that I have with these latest 532 00:32:06,440 --> 00:32:08,519 Moratl comic games is just the whole unlocking stuff, Like you really have to 533 00:32:08,559 --> 00:32:13,039 grind for a specific character to get a costume or a piece of attachment or 534 00:32:13,079 --> 00:32:17,160 something. So maybe if that was a little bit more accessible or like notoriously, 535 00:32:17,160 --> 00:32:22,759 if you're if you're playing local like versus if if you're not like that 536 00:32:22,799 --> 00:32:25,519 first player that not the player that has the account, Like you don't even 537 00:32:25,519 --> 00:32:30,559 get like any of the finishers the first player has. That's something they really 538 00:32:30,559 --> 00:32:34,640 have to change, like that, that's pretty ridiculous that that if I'm playing, 539 00:32:35,119 --> 00:32:37,680 you know, locally, they don't have the same unlocks as me, 540 00:32:37,759 --> 00:32:39,519 Like that's that's pretty pathetic in my opinion. So I really think that they 541 00:32:39,519 --> 00:32:45,400 should think about that moving forward. I know they have micro transactions for all 542 00:32:45,480 --> 00:32:49,680 that, which is just that's just a negative. Just be able to get 543 00:32:49,720 --> 00:32:52,839 access to that if you put in your credit card versus grinding hundreds of hours 544 00:32:52,839 --> 00:32:55,799 for one character because you only get unlocks for the character that you're using. 545 00:32:57,200 --> 00:33:00,759 That's that's pretty crazy to me. So for all the reasons, I have 546 00:33:00,839 --> 00:33:04,160 it as my number four game this year, moving up the list number three. 547 00:33:04,680 --> 00:33:07,680 Shouts out to Dylan Musk for this one because I'd never really heard of 548 00:33:07,759 --> 00:33:10,359 this game until he put on my list. But man, what a title 549 00:33:10,440 --> 00:33:16,119 see of Stars release obviously this year. This one is just such a beautifully 550 00:33:16,279 --> 00:33:20,119 made game. I love the music, I love the art style of it. 551 00:33:21,079 --> 00:33:24,359 I'm about twenty plus hours into it, which I think is about halfway 552 00:33:24,359 --> 00:33:28,160 through the game. So again, maybe if I have actually rolled credits on 553 00:33:28,200 --> 00:33:30,680 it, this might be higher on my list. But I am so glad 554 00:33:30,720 --> 00:33:32,599 that I got the chance to experience this game this year, and like I 555 00:33:32,640 --> 00:33:35,400 said, I've not done it, so I will be jumping back in. 556 00:33:35,440 --> 00:33:38,160 But they just did such a great job of like some of the twists that 557 00:33:38,200 --> 00:33:43,160 are in here. The gameplay is super super satisfying to play some of my 558 00:33:43,160 --> 00:33:46,599 biggest hold ups while trying to get through certain jrfpgs in the past is just 559 00:33:46,640 --> 00:33:49,960 the whole turn based system of it, and I feel like they balance it 560 00:33:50,079 --> 00:33:53,799 very well. Although there is turn based aspects to the game, they do 561 00:33:53,839 --> 00:33:58,519 a good job at implementing certain micro things that you have to engage in. 562 00:33:58,559 --> 00:34:01,599 And I mean, like Dylan, you've probably heard Dylan and I talk about 563 00:34:01,640 --> 00:34:05,359 this in the past, but a lot of the aspects, like you don't 564 00:34:05,400 --> 00:34:09,199 have to actually use it to defeat some of the enemies that you might be 565 00:34:09,199 --> 00:34:15,039 facing, but it just it includes some of that min max thing where it 566 00:34:15,119 --> 00:34:20,320 really it rewards you well, I should say, if you're able to implement 567 00:34:20,400 --> 00:34:23,639 that. So really cool systems, really cool characters, you know, shouts 568 00:34:23,639 --> 00:34:28,400 out to Garl, one of just the most wholesome characters I think I ever 569 00:34:28,440 --> 00:34:31,199 introduced in a video game. And yeah, I liked our protagonists a lot, 570 00:34:31,679 --> 00:34:36,480 really really liked this game. So yeah, that's my number three favorite 571 00:34:36,480 --> 00:34:39,880 game of the year so far. Number two, you know, somewhat of 572 00:34:39,880 --> 00:34:43,679 a controversial game. I'm not talking about all the controversy here today though, 573 00:34:43,679 --> 00:34:49,320 just pure gameplay and satisfaction. I got Hogwarts legacy here, and yeah, 574 00:34:49,360 --> 00:34:52,119 this game, for me, I think it completely met all the expectations that 575 00:34:52,119 --> 00:34:55,760 I had leaned up to it. It just it really took me to the 576 00:34:55,760 --> 00:35:00,920 wizarding world in such a positive sense. I just felt like I was a 577 00:35:00,920 --> 00:35:05,079 student and they did such a great job with that initial storyline. I feel 578 00:35:05,079 --> 00:35:07,880 like the storyline isn't really what was the biggest takeaway from it, like the 579 00:35:07,920 --> 00:35:13,320 main story, but really just the whole world feel like it really they made. 580 00:35:13,480 --> 00:35:17,320 They did such a good job at making the spells feel powerful and the 581 00:35:17,360 --> 00:35:20,639 way that you're able to change together, Like I felt like I was really 582 00:35:20,639 --> 00:35:23,280 mastering my magic, as you might say. As I was progressing throughout the 583 00:35:23,280 --> 00:35:29,079 story, I really grew to love the characters and yeah, just the whole 584 00:35:29,079 --> 00:35:31,880 world of Hogwarts, Like, they just did such a great job at ut 585 00:35:32,039 --> 00:35:36,719 at immersing the player in it, the musical score, just the way that 586 00:35:36,760 --> 00:35:38,280 it would hit, the way that you could just explore throughout this world. 587 00:35:39,719 --> 00:35:43,360 When this came out, like this was the only game that I was playing 588 00:35:43,400 --> 00:35:47,639 for probably a full week. Honestly, I ground I ground it. I 589 00:35:47,679 --> 00:35:52,360 grinded, grounded. I grinded it so hard that I ran. I wrote 590 00:35:52,400 --> 00:35:55,320 credits, I got I think one hundred percent on locks on everything. I 591 00:35:55,400 --> 00:36:00,679 just really really immersed myself playing this game, and like there's a reason for 592 00:36:00,719 --> 00:36:05,840 that because they just fully immersed you, and I really felt that immersion and 593 00:36:06,480 --> 00:36:09,840 was really really satisfied with it just being a student in the Wizarding World. 594 00:36:09,920 --> 00:36:15,440 And I think my biggest con for this game is once you've actually rolled credits, 595 00:36:15,880 --> 00:36:21,000 I really don't think that they had much like there's not much to do 596 00:36:21,159 --> 00:36:23,280 after that, Like even if you're doing little side quest around locks, like 597 00:36:23,280 --> 00:36:28,000 there's no some of those great characters that you meet throughout the story, there's 598 00:36:28,039 --> 00:36:30,000 not really like there's no way to actually like tag like have them with you 599 00:36:30,039 --> 00:36:35,400 as followers or anything like that. This is all stuff, of course, 600 00:36:35,440 --> 00:36:37,400 if you listen to our Hugwarts Legacy review. We did mention on that review, 601 00:36:37,440 --> 00:36:42,199 But for me personally, I just really really grew attached to some of 602 00:36:42,239 --> 00:36:46,000 those side characters and just like, once I'm done their storylines, they're just 603 00:36:46,039 --> 00:36:51,599 like non existent. And that's a big bomber because, yeah, there's nothing 604 00:36:51,639 --> 00:36:53,039 really taking me back to that game unless I want to run through the story 605 00:36:53,039 --> 00:36:57,320 again, which I don't really think I have to because I've already done that 606 00:36:57,360 --> 00:37:00,599 once. So yeah, I I love my time that I spent in this 607 00:37:00,639 --> 00:37:05,280 game, but unfortunately the longevity of it just doesn't really have me going back 608 00:37:05,280 --> 00:37:07,280 to it. But yeah, great, great title. They did a great 609 00:37:07,360 --> 00:37:12,960 job with making this game and my number one game of the year. You 610 00:37:12,960 --> 00:37:16,360 know, of course it has to be Spider Man two, the phenomenal sequel 611 00:37:16,400 --> 00:37:22,199 to that first title. And you know, not everybody has played Spider Man 612 00:37:22,239 --> 00:37:27,760 two, so I'll try and limit my spoilers for the story aspect of it. 613 00:37:27,800 --> 00:37:31,400 But I was so just blown away with what they were able to do 614 00:37:31,480 --> 00:37:36,000 with this sequel. I like, it really is just building upon what was 615 00:37:36,079 --> 00:37:39,079 great about that first game. You know, there's obviously some quality of life 616 00:37:39,079 --> 00:37:44,719 improvements, but all of those improvements, they really they really shine through it. 617 00:37:44,760 --> 00:37:47,320 And I don't think it's only because of the like the console upgrade, 618 00:37:47,320 --> 00:37:50,800 like going from the PS four to the PS five for this one. I 619 00:37:50,880 --> 00:37:54,280 think it really is just the way that they're able to fluidly like like the 620 00:37:54,280 --> 00:37:59,960 whole traversal aspect, Like it's so much more fun to progress through the city, 621 00:38:00,039 --> 00:38:02,559 even though it was like the pinnacle of a Spider Man game was just 622 00:38:02,599 --> 00:38:06,079 swinging through the city in that first title, And here we are on the 623 00:38:06,119 --> 00:38:10,679 sequel, it's just that much better the inclusion of Miles and and how cleanly 624 00:38:12,519 --> 00:38:16,280 it feels to balance those two heroes. And at no point did it feel 625 00:38:16,320 --> 00:38:20,079 like, oh I just want to stick to to Peter right now or stick 626 00:38:20,079 --> 00:38:22,840 to Miles. Like they they really did a great job at making each hero 627 00:38:23,079 --> 00:38:27,840 unique and and make you wanting to play both of them. So I had 628 00:38:27,880 --> 00:38:30,519 such a fun time playing through. This was another one that I just couldn't 629 00:38:30,519 --> 00:38:34,000 put down until I one hundred percent had got the got the Platinum for it, 630 00:38:34,079 --> 00:38:37,719 and yeah, so so impressed with it. There's some there's some really 631 00:38:37,760 --> 00:38:44,119 really powerful uh sequences in this game with story stuff, and again like like 632 00:38:44,239 --> 00:38:49,719 the main story isn't anything really to like I was gonna say, not nothing 633 00:38:49,760 --> 00:38:52,800 to write home above that's that seems a little harsh because it is a great 634 00:38:52,840 --> 00:38:57,719 storyline, uh for the main story, but I think there's certain moments that 635 00:38:57,840 --> 00:39:01,519 happen that are just like peak Spider Man, even though the like the overall 636 00:39:01,559 --> 00:39:05,679 story might not be If that makes any sense, I don't know, probably 637 00:39:05,719 --> 00:39:07,000 not doing a great job explain it. But it's one of those things where 638 00:39:07,000 --> 00:39:09,840 if you've played it, you know what I'm talking about. There is some 639 00:39:10,119 --> 00:39:15,119 fucking awesome levels that you do in this game, And yeah, I thought 640 00:39:15,119 --> 00:39:20,400 they did a great job. It just really shining what the symbio might be 641 00:39:20,559 --> 00:39:24,400 able to do to our our main Peter Parker Spider Man character. And you 642 00:39:24,440 --> 00:39:27,719 know, if you're if you're new to Spider Man, maybe that that there's 643 00:39:27,719 --> 00:39:30,400 a new concept for you. But if you've if you've been around the block, 644 00:39:30,440 --> 00:39:32,000 you know, witness what the simbio can do to Peer. They did 645 00:39:32,039 --> 00:39:36,880 a great job. It's just really emphasizing that in the way that it changes 646 00:39:36,920 --> 00:39:38,880 his behavior and that that was really fun to play through, not only just 647 00:39:38,960 --> 00:39:43,639 as Peter, but also as Miles seeing Peter in that aspect, So that 648 00:39:43,760 --> 00:39:46,440 was really great. Yeah. Man, the amount of suits that they had 649 00:39:46,440 --> 00:39:51,239 in this game major step up from the first game. The suits were so 650 00:39:51,280 --> 00:39:53,599 phenomenal in that first game, but this one able to, you know, 651 00:39:53,800 --> 00:39:59,719 very limited customize them. You can get like little little like color changes for 652 00:39:59,760 --> 00:40:01,760 each suit, and that just adds all the different variety of it. I 653 00:40:01,760 --> 00:40:06,719 can only imagine in the next title you're able to customize it even further and 654 00:40:06,719 --> 00:40:09,559 that's gonna be really fun to experience. But yeah, I was very, 655 00:40:09,639 --> 00:40:15,519 very impressed with this game. And you know, if maybe I've played some 656 00:40:15,559 --> 00:40:20,119 other titles this year, like the Ballers game, maybe this would fall down 657 00:40:20,280 --> 00:40:22,719 a couple spots on the ladder. But as of right now, for being 658 00:40:22,760 --> 00:40:25,920 the games that I have played, this one is just it's so top tier. 659 00:40:25,960 --> 00:40:30,480 I absolutely loved spider Man. Spider Man is my favorite hero of all 660 00:40:30,519 --> 00:40:34,679 time, so they just do such a great job with these with these Sony 661 00:40:34,679 --> 00:40:37,199 Spider Man games, and yeah, I just can't wait to play the next 662 00:40:37,199 --> 00:40:42,239 time when it inevitably comes, because everybody that has a PlayStation, I feel 663 00:40:42,239 --> 00:40:45,679 like, is playing these games, and rightfully so, because they're just so 664 00:40:45,719 --> 00:40:50,800 well made and they're they're so fun to play. But yeah, I think 665 00:40:50,880 --> 00:40:52,679 that wraps it up. That's my Game of the Year list for twenty twenty 666 00:40:52,719 --> 00:40:55,199 three. You know, not super exciting, especially because I feel like I've 667 00:40:55,199 --> 00:40:58,840 played a lot of games this year, but maybe not all of them have 668 00:40:58,920 --> 00:41:02,519 been twenty twenty five re releases, you know. Notoriously, Dylan Dante and 669 00:41:02,559 --> 00:41:06,559 I we made it through the Arcane Retro, which took a couple lot of 670 00:41:06,559 --> 00:41:09,239 gaming time this year for myself, but I never got to play Red Fall, 671 00:41:09,440 --> 00:41:14,880 fortunately or unfortunately because it was an Xbox only title and or I guess 672 00:41:14,880 --> 00:41:17,639 games Pass only title, so it is on PC. But yeah, no, 673 00:41:20,119 --> 00:41:22,400 I don't know. Kind of rambling here, I'll just round it out 674 00:41:22,440 --> 00:41:25,559 here. Thank you so much for listening to my list, and see you 675 00:41:25,639 --> 00:41:31,480 next year. I have a good one, good stuff from Kirkland. I 676 00:41:31,519 --> 00:41:35,800 don't think I was surprised to see this top five, and I think that's 677 00:41:35,840 --> 00:41:38,800 maybe just because Kirkland's kind of the most common side quest guest on here, 678 00:41:38,840 --> 00:41:43,559 so I'm talking to these things, talking about these things more with him more 679 00:41:43,599 --> 00:41:45,400 often. Perhaps, even though I wasn't on the spidy review, I still 680 00:41:45,880 --> 00:41:49,440 not too shocked to see it in there. I know he loves howkwarts Legacy, 681 00:41:49,519 --> 00:41:52,119 and I was glad to see see if Stars made it in the top 682 00:41:52,159 --> 00:41:53,840 three there. And I yeah, like I said in last episode, I 683 00:41:53,840 --> 00:41:58,119 really hope he goes ahead and finishes that game. And I actually really want 684 00:41:58,159 --> 00:42:00,599 to talk in spoilers about some of those things with him. I also like 685 00:42:00,679 --> 00:42:05,440 that show to f one manager that was that was cool to see. Uh. 686 00:42:05,559 --> 00:42:07,079 And you know, we look at at all these lists, I feel 687 00:42:07,119 --> 00:42:10,840 like these side quests be average out if you math, if you mathematically look 688 00:42:10,880 --> 00:42:14,920 at it, and average it all out. I feel like Mario Wonder would 689 00:42:14,960 --> 00:42:17,679 be the overall game of the year because it's one of Kirkland's I guess is 690 00:42:17,760 --> 00:42:21,840 number six, it's Taylor's number four, Travis is number one, and then 691 00:42:21,920 --> 00:42:24,679 my I guess I kind of nebulously put it in like thirteen, fourteenth or 692 00:42:24,719 --> 00:42:29,599 something like that. So I think I would end up being the overall pick 693 00:42:29,639 --> 00:42:32,519 if there was to be one. Uh so very interesting stuff that or maybe 694 00:42:32,599 --> 00:42:36,960 Spidey two, although Travis didn't really rank his beyond his Game of the Year, 695 00:42:36,960 --> 00:42:39,760 so it's hard to mathematic mathematicize it. Is that a word? I 696 00:42:39,800 --> 00:42:44,400 don't know, but thank you once again everyone for listening. That is going 697 00:42:44,480 --> 00:42:45,480 to do it for the Game of the Year, and of course next week 698 00:42:45,559 --> 00:42:50,440 we are going to be doing the Best snow Slash Winter Levels ranking, which 699 00:42:50,480 --> 00:42:52,920 was a very fun, very fun episode of very looking forward to everyone to 700 00:42:53,119 --> 00:42:57,840 hear that one, and uh yeah, that's going to do it here and 701 00:42:57,920 --> 00:43:00,360 I will enjoy that one so next week and then I'll see you all in 702 00:43:00,400 --> 00:43:01,440 the new year. Bye bye,