We discuss S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl and its early reviews, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and the nominees for The Game Awards 2024.

Show Dot Points

• Stalker 2 has a long development history.
• The game is set in a war-torn country.
• Review codes can impact public perception.
• Day one patches can change the game's reception.
• The game is designed to challenge players.
• Survival elements are basic but effective.
• No fast travel makes exploration challenging.
• Game Awards nominations reflect industry trends.
• Marketing campaigns can influence game success. The best Sims strategy game includes titles like Frostpunk 2.
• Innovation inaccessibility is often vague in nominations.
• The definition of RPGs is debated among the hosts.
• Prince of Persia is a highly anticipated title.
• The content creators nominated are not widely recognized.
• Indie games are gaining traction in the industry.
• Community support nominations raise questions about the criteria.
• Games for Impact highlights the narrative importance of gaming.
• The best adaptation category aims to bridge games and media.
• Audio design and art direction are crucial yet often overlooked. Game Awards nominations can be controversial and subjective.
• The definition of 'Game of the Year' varies among gamers.
• Cultural impact plays a significant role in game nominations.
• Predictions for Game Awards winners can be speculative.
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 offers a diverse campaign experience.
• The new movement system in Call of Duty enhances gameplay.
• DLCs and expansions raise questions about eligibility for awards.
• Multiplayer experiences in games can vary widely.
• The hosts express differing opinions on game nominations.
• Game Pass availability influences player engagement with titles.

Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Arcade Couch Credits:

• Music by: Dylan Blight
• Art by: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration

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• https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

• http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

The Game Award Nominations are set to be announced this week but one Game of The Year nominee has been hinted at with clarification about what is eligible for the category. Ciaran and Ashley discuss how they feel about Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree potentially being up for Game of The Year. Plus Dylan shares his thoughts on LEGO Horizon Adventures.

Hosts: Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil

Episode Timecodes 00:00:00 - Hello 00:00:18 - Is Ciaran an Xbox? 00:07:52 - Dylan’s LEGO Horizon Adventures Review 00:19:31 - The Game Awards Expansion Clarification 00:32:18 - The Game Award Nomination Predictions 00:44:18 - Breaking Down Phil Spencer’s Bloomberg Interview 01:00:40 - Overwatch Classic Coming to Overwatch II 01:08:56 - Goodbye

Reviews LEGO Horizon Adventures Review: https://explosionnetwork.com/lego-horizon-adventures-review-lacking-the-lego-soul-for-this-adventure/

Resources Eurogamer - Phil Spencer says no "red lines" over any Xbox game coming to Nintendo or PlayStation

Press-Start - Overwatch: Classic Will Bring The Original Heroes And Maps Back To The Game

Push Square - The Game Awards Confirms DLC, Remasters Can Win Game of the Year Days Prior To Nominations Reveal

Arcade Couch Credits: Music by: Dylan Blight Art by: Cherie Henriques All Episodes: https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/ Support Us: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

We've all been playing Dragon Age: The Veilguard and discuss the gameplay, story, favourite companions, class and race choices and more.

Dylan also discusses his final thoughts on Life is Strange: Double Exposure after finishing the game, and he and Ciaran discuss Wizard of the Coast's commitment to cross-over sets in Magic: The Gathering.

Show Dot Points

• The character creation system in Dragon Age is highly praised for its depth and integration into the story.
• Combat mechanics improve significantly with increased difficulty settings, enhancing the tactical experience.
• The story of Dragon Age: The Veil Guard is considered less engaging compared to previous titles in the series.
• Multiplayer gaming experiences are often hindered by a lack of friends who play the same games.
• Character relationships and choices play a crucial role in the gameplay experience, affecting party dynamics.
• The game features a mix of linear and open-world elements, providing a balance of exploration and structure.
• Players appreciate the variety of companions and their unique skills, though some feel less connected to them than in previous games.
• The pacing of the game's early hours is criticized for being disjointed and lacking clear direction.
• The quest design could benefit from clearer indicators of difficulty and expectations for players.
• Overall, the game is rated as a solid experience, with room for improvement in storytelling and character engagement. Parrying activates powerful abilities like Necrotic Blades.
• Character customization is crucial for player engagement.
• The game design reflects its origins as a multiplayer co-op.
• Quest management encourages story progression without distractions.
• The absence of DLC allows focus on future projects like Mass Effect.
• Armour customization adds depth to character personalization.
• Merchant interactions are tied to reputation systems.
• Trophy systems can hinder player experience and freedom.
• Baldur's Gate 3 sets a high standard for RPGs.
• Gameplay mechanics can lead to player frustration. Woke culture in gaming reviews can skew perceptions.
• Life is Strange has both strong and weak elements.
• Character development is more important than power in games.
• Magic: The Gathering is shifting towards IP collaborations.
• Crossovers are challenging the uniqueness of gaming IPs.
• Players are divided on the impact of woke culture in games.
• The latest Life is Strange game has mixed reviews.
• Magic: The Gathering's collaborations may dilute its original lore.
• Pokémon TCG continues to evolve with new sets and events.
• The gaming community is adapting to rapid changes in-game content.

Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Arcade Couch Credits:

• Music by: Dylan Blight
• Art by: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration

All Episodes:

• https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

• http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion